It was a beautiful rainy day. It did not rain while I was delivering Meals on Wheels, and that was nice, but all afternoon it rained a refreshing rain. On days like today, I get lots accomplished at home. I stay in and enjoy creating.
I did a little bit of fall time decor and then sat down to paint a little 6 x 6 wood art piece that came to mind Sunday...
"Smell the Rose" - looking for the good in every bad situation.
Even on my lowest day, I have something to look forward to.
Even on the days of raging fire, I have something to look forward to.
Even in the deepest valley, I have something to look forward to.
Even on the darkest night, I have something to look forward to.
Even in loss, I have something to look forward to.
Even in brokenness, I have something to look forward to.
Even on ... Even in, God is there leading through the Light of Christ and guiding me through the Holy Spirit, carrying me through the storms of life.
Psalm 9:10, Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
(I do not own the rights to this video, lyrics, or music)
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34
I go to church to worship. From the first note of the first song until the last note of the invitation, I praise God and am open to instruction.
This past Sunday, the last song, the invitation song, was the Goodness of God. As I closed my eyes to listen, a reel began to play in my mind. It brought up many of the times throughout my life that the goodness of God was evident. I felt as if I was standing in the presence of God as it played. What a beautiful gift revealed to me of how God has carried me from age six to sixty-seven, and He isn't done being good and delivering answers to my prayers, protecting me, and giving me peace.
(I do not own the rights to this video, the music, or the lyrics, but it is powerful praise)
Goodness of God by Bethel Music
I stopped in at the Broadway Brew on Saturday to grab a 12-ounce Hazlenut Breve to take to enjoy at the Wayland Pioneer football scrimmage. Look who I ran into; one of my young artist friends, L@gan Adair!
I first met L@gan at the Wall Gallery, a studio owned by Sally Gubser, in the 800 block of Broadway. It was about the time the young people were pushing for Skatepark Plainview, as well. The Artwalk was in its beginnings; we had such fun times. I was blessed to enjoy L@gan and many artists during the years.
These are three art pieces that we have of L@gan's...
This was a feature piece from that time.
God has blessed my life by weaving artists throughout my days!!! L@gan has studied from Palm Springs to Europe. His style is diverse and emotion-filled. It is a joy to watch him grow with his painting.
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. — Romans 12:4-5
We are all connected. Our gifts belong to the Purpose of our days. These gifts are meant to be shared in harmony without jealousy or powerplay. Our function is to build the Body of Christ using the Fruits of the Spirit.
In Galatians 5:22-23, we read, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.
For the rebels of the world, the ones who do not like to follow the law or be told what to do, living our lives in peace through these actions...well, there is no law. We can live them out in any way we please. Isn't this the best gift?
We all are so blessed with ways to share our love of Christ throughout our mission fields. You have heard me quote this before, but here it is again...
"Anything I can do, you can do better; YES, you can." My calling is connectivity. I desire to see the people connected using their gifts. God purposefully created me to be a subordinate. He also created me to organize and bring order. I am not a leader, but a follower; a follower of Christ, and my station is set to Holy Spirit. We have only been allowed so many days to love those God places in our days. It takes each one of us to plant, weed, care for, harvest, and distribute the "fruits." We each are worthy, important, needed, and loved.
Today is a new day, deliver the Fruits at every turn...then, we realize Peace. Pray, serve, and be transparent and inclusive.
The reason I am able to get through each day is because Almighty God made a way for me through Jesus Christ. So today, I pray His abundant love and protection over you.
Several years ago, I created this art piece and am reminded that His blood bled Love for you and me.
John 20:27, Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.”
I cannot imagine that there is no heaven, people, or hell. It's not easy if I try, and I don't want to try. I serve a Risen Savior. He is in the world today, fighting battles, performing miracles, and offering Grace. This is my God!
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:1-4
When I was a teenager, and we experienced the Jesus Movement, I learned this song. I know many my age remember this time in our faith walk.
(I do not own rights to the lyrics or music)
This evening as I listened to the words of this song, I wondered where the love has gone. Oh, the love of God never changes; it is always there, but our world is spinning away from accepting and sharing his love as it spirals out of control. As it spins, people are trying to grab onto anything to save themselves when the only thing that matters is knowing that the love of Jesus will carry us to eternity.
Will anyone know we are Christians? Are others even able to see the love of Jesus in our lives and desire what we have that brings true peace and comfort?
It is well in my soul. I ask myself in every situation if it is well within me. Have I done something that I must seek forgiveness and apologize for? Life is not easy for anyone. We all have problems we are facing, but we often find that there are those who want to lash out and bring others down. I do not want to be that person, and I don't want to be around people that hurt, and I certainly don't want to hurt because I am hurt. No one has time for this.
When I look at Galatians 5:22-23, I read, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. What we are seeing from the human race is hate, negativity, turmoil, impatience, hurtfulness, meanness, faithlessness, disrespect, and self-centeredness. God can't dwell there. Most days we do pretty good, but then, we are blindsided by something and we then can do one of two things. We get to choose how we react. Will we place God first or self first? This determines the outcome of the situation...good or bad.
We are ONE in the Spirit and the Lord. Let's pray for unity to be restored. Let's walk hand-in-hand, spreading the news that GOD is in our land. We do this not by disregarding opinions but through the good found within every created one. When it is too much, and when it is just a little, let's find ourselves in prayer.
Let's love the reflection we see in the mirror!!!
My grandfather, Hugh Etter (Bo), with Phoenix, Arizona, in the background. He has on his artificial legs, and you notice he has no fingers. He is holding his instant camera. I wish the photo were a more clear shot, but I'm thankful to have this sweet memory. Bo was a long-time recovering alcoholic. He helped many Plainview citizens overcome their addiction. I'm most proud of him and the legacy he passed on. He suffered greatly but never stopped helping others!
God refreshes my soul with gratitude for allowing me to love these children...he rains down blessing upon blessing!!!