"But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" 1 Peter 1:15-16

To be holy for me is to be dedicated or consecrated to God; to hold all things Jesus sacred.

I'm a work in progress, mold me and make me ...

Be the light!

I love everything about this sweet art gift from a classmate & dear friend, Belinda.

When I think about the word imperfect, I think about my mother being a perfectionist at her sewing and my sewing to create a flawed piece because I can! It is not a good habit to have if you want to quilt. LOL

There is a store called Imperfect Market where they state it is always fresh, sometimes normal; buy ugly and imperfect produce for 30-40% cheaper. Eat ugly. Eat proud—end food waste. I laughed at this when I read it, but it got me thinking about how wasteful we are. My mother always said to clean our plate because there are starving children in China. It is true. There are hungry children everywhere. This is why I love the Snack Pak 4 Kids program in Plainview and other food nutrition opportunities for children here locally. We live in a broken and imperfect world because we are imperfect. Only Jesus is perfect. 

I love the red Cardinal because God sends them as sweet messengers of joy. He gives us the beauty of nature to remind us of the hope we find through Him.

The green eyes tell the world of intense passion and elevate the mystery and enigma of the soul. Green is also considered a very youthful, invigorating color-so those with green eyes tend to bring vibrancy and compassion wherever they go. And, the eyes look like green olives, which provide many good minerals that you need in your diet. Goooo olives!

Denise Greenwood is the artist of this piece, and I love her work. I love the whimsy. I love that it is imperfect; I love that it makes one think.

I am imperfect. I'm okay with that. I know God is perfect. I grow in my understanding by building a relationship with Jesus; he completes me, and because of Him, I am worthy. His power is made perfect in my weakness. I NEED Him.

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ's power may rest on me. 1 Corinthians 12:9

We have one son and one bonus son. We love them both and celebrate them today!!!

Our son ...

Our bonus son!

Together they have given us two sets of grand-sisters, two girls each. A & K are expecting a baby in the spring of 2022. Will it be a girl? A boy? It will be the youngest grand; we know this for sure!

In our worship time at First Baptist Plainview, we are hearing about Five Star Service. Customer service is my thing. I am loving this series. When I share what I heard in a particular service, please don't think that this is what the pastor said or his thoughts from what he felt God leading him to say. We all take away different ideas from what we hear. When the Holy Spirit is moving, it becomes personal.

Last week the topic was Service Inhibitors. The scripture was Daniel 4:34-37, I [Nebuchadnezzar] raised my eyes towards heaven, and my reason returned to me. Then I praised the Most High. I honored and glorified Him, who lives forever.

I absolutely love the lesson found in these words. He raised his eyes towards what he knew would save him. God blesses this. In the crazy spiral of sin, reasoning returns because God IS foundational, the balance of our Spirit. In overcoming, we praise Him. 

My Jesus, I love thee.

You are mine

My Redeemer

My Savior

I love you in every breath you give me

Willing to be yours

To use, to go, in the way you lead.

Thorn on your brow, dripping, for me

Let me say thank you

Let me wipe the tears for your children

Allow me to make you smile.

In the business of sharing Jesus, how many gold star reviews would we get? I know it is never enough for all He did for me, but I listen and follow. We must make serving Jesus to others the best experience they have that visit, wherever, whenever the opportunity is given to us.

The inhibitor to doing service well is pride. I have this little mantra that I share: Anything I can do, you can do better. You can do anything better than me, yes, you can, and let me connect your gifts with a place of service.

If we are striving for power, the pinnacle of whatever the world success might be for our lives, we may miss Jesus opportunities because the job requirement of serving is being humble and placing others first. If God is not using us, there is a reason.

When we feel like we have nothing to offer, God says, Go. He will deliver ALL we need to participate in His story. We want to be woven tightly into His eternal tapestry.

Then this Sunday, we looked at Five Star Service: Service Facilitators. The scripture was Hebrews 12:1-3; therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Here is what I heard...

He is moving

He is alive

He is here

With me.

All honor and power

are His!

At Calvery ~

Mercy there was great

Grace was free

Burdened soul

Liberty

Gulf spanned

Calvery

Jesus!

Your Name is Victory

PRAISE!

No fear, humble me

Into your service

Your final breath ignites me

To stand in the gap

Use me, Lord.

By your Spirit, I rise

Move within

Declare your Victory

For I am not of the world.

Come alive in and through me, King Jesus.

Service is a volunteer in action. We must relate to others on their level, not our expectations. We must exude humility. What we see in others depends on where our eyes are fixed. We must finish what we start when we trust that Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. He does not stop midway, slap His hands together and say, it is finished. No, He finishes what He starts. We may endure hostility, He did. We may grow weary, He did. He did not give up, and we can't either. Just to think of the cross moves me now. Everything we do invites criticism, but when we go in the Power of God, we will and can endure.

Whatever we are called to today, small or big, do it with excellence, give Grace, bring joy to His Name. Run the race, don't be discouraged, keep the lamp burning and eyes fixed on Jesus. Spend more time encouraging others.

Fix your eyes upon Jesus. Look full into His wonderful face, bright Hope for tomorrow, amazing Grace.

What a fun time I enjoyed this Sunday Afternoon at Studio 400 (Downtown Plainview) at a painting party. Karla Glowicki did a fantastic job, with Julie Lenart as her helper, leading a group painting our choice of pumpkins and canvas size.

Here is where I started ...

And here is my finished piece.

Studio 400 is located at 400 Austin Street. #outonthedowntown

We have one daughter (and one son). We have four grand-sisters; two are our daughters, and two are our sons. Our son has one on the way (not sure if it's a boy or a girl). Anywho, the girls outnumber the guys in our crew; 7-3! Today is daughter's day, and I want to share...

Our daughter (and son-in-law)

This is our son and our bonus daughter.

These are the three oldest grand-sisters a few years ago!

And, this is the youngest for a few more months, then she becomes one of the three "middles."

So, happy daughter's day to our girls!!!

Life Has a Porpoise is a fun little art piece I did several years ago. However, a porpoise's porpoising has a real purpose. The leaping into the air we often porpoises do seems to be a playful antic, but it has a benefit beyond merely having fun. For the porpoise, it is a matter of conserving energy as it swims. They swim several feet below the water level to not create waves by their body that will slow them down. Often they will ride the wave of a boat or storm by cleverly locating their bodies in just the right position in the wave to enable them to move at the speed of the wave with no effort whatsoever.

We recently purchased new art from a young artist who was having a little showing where they also were posted on Facebook. I love the colors in this piece, and it spoke to me through its almost whimsy appearance.

Thank you, Angel!

Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Sovereign LORD, have spoken, and with your blessing, the house of your servant will be blessed forever.” 2 Samuel 7:29

I painted this picture years ago. Obviously, I have no art training. I love this painting because it is flawed. It reminds me of the wholeness that will one day be ours for all who stand on the promise of God found in Jesus Christ. Other than not being artistically swell, do you see the flaw? Let's give some grace over the flaws that others see in us! We are worthy in Christ!!!

Last evening we face-timed with our out-of-town grandsisters and shared the beautiful Harvest Moon. Tonight we walked over to see our local grandsisters to share the big moon, but it was slow to rise above the houses, so we walked over to an open lot and finally caught a peek!