Inspired by the hope of spring
Category: Uncategorized
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Abstract Art
My first adventure into abstract art and what fun I had painting this picture. I had no idea or plan of what I wanted to paint I just put paint on canvass and watched it evolve.
It was good to use different colors and tools like a knife, sponge and credit card. -
I Hope You Dance
I am excited to learn some new techniques for mixed media art next week when I begin a college class or should I say collage class. I hope to meet some new people too and make friends with people who share an interest in art.In our “Haverim” (friends in study together) small group on Friday nights we have been learning about another Hebrew word called ‘Kavanah’ which means to be aware of the presence and purpose of God in every situation and to live intentional lives. So I am looking at my art class from this perspective.
What is God wanting to do and how can I fulfill His purpose?
Living the Christian life isn’t just about showing up to a building on Sunday but “in Him I live and move and have my being“. Let’s change OUR WORLD to change THE WORLD!
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Isolation
Conjures up negative connotations of depression or disease. People are put into an isolation ward when they have something that is contagious.
There are times though when isolation can be a good thing, to get alone and think. Life is so busy and so extremely noisy, everywhere there is the sound of voices or traffic. Finding a place of solitude to muse, to nurture creative ideas, to dwell on the Greatness of God is vital.
All the great artists and inventors took time to be alone and the greatest example is Jesus the Son of God who many times would come aside and rest, away from the crowds to restore His soul.
When I lived in England there was a wonderful manor house in Oxford called Stanton House that was owned by Christians who invited people to stay and spend time alone in prayer, it was out in the countryside surrounded by beautiful grounds full of trees and a small brook. You had the choice of eating in the dining room with other guests or eating in your own room. If you didn’t want to meet anyone you didn’t have to. The times I spent there were idyllic and I always came away feeling refreshed and uplifted.
Of course once we are renewed and revived it isn’t time for isolation but its time to influence and infiltrate the world with the love of God.I need another place for alone time in St Louis if anyone has any recommendations let me know.
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Investigation
I am an investigator, not by profession but by nature.
If I hear someone mention something that I haven’t heard of before I have to go home and research it. At one time I would spend days in the library poring over books on the new topic of interest but now the internet is my friend, I love ‘google’. I just watched the Apollo 18 film and had to check out the website they posted at the end of the film. I was so disappointed when it didn’t exist, I have this urge to continue to delve until I find an answer that satisfies my veracious curiosity.
I am the same way with the bible, I can’t just read it I have to search into the verses and find out the definition of the words and understand the heart of God in what is being said. It is like treasure that you have to dig for. As a child I liked the idea of being
an archaeologist digging up bones in the desert, finding out about the history and context of the cache. Studying the word of God has all of the same excitement, uncovering nuggets of truth about how much He loves us and wants us to partner with Him to bring His Kingdom rule to this earth.I would like to encourage everyone to see bible study as an adventure not a duty and see how much fun it is to grow in the knowledge of God.
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Innovation
I am so drawn to people who are innovators, pioneers, inventors or creative.
Like Lewis and Clark who pioneered the West overcoming the obstacles of nature, going against the current of the river, forging a path, making a map for others to travel on. Then the innovation of Eero Saarinen the designer of the ‘Gateway Arch‘ who was asked to design a monument to celebrate the feat and leave a memorial that would show the world how St Louis was the place that birthed this pioneering spirit. And what a memorial, a feat of engineering that took 2 years and 8 months to construct.
Both groups of people were motivated by a dream, and a vision and they pressed through the opposition, the naysayers to bring their dreams to completion. Albert Einstein said ” Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds”
To fulfill your purpose in life there will be times you have to stand alone in faith, perseverance and endurance are what bring the promise of vision to pass.
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Botanical Gardens
I have been visiting St Louis for 21 years and last Saturday was the first time I visited the Botanical Gardens. I went alone, took a book and felt that sigh of contentment that I always feel when I am surrounded by the beauty of nature. I always sense the presence of God and find it easy to commune with Him when I get away from the hustle and bustle of life.
I would recommend a visit to anyone out there who likes flowers, water and sculpture. It was a time of refreshment at the end of a busy week. I will take the opportunity to go again before the winter comes.
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The Pearl of Great Price
Acts 2:45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
The new converts to Christ on the Day of Pentecost recognized that they had received the Kingdom of God.
Matthew 13:45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
Nothing is more valuable than God’s Kingdom.
The night I asked Jesus to forgive me and be the Lord of my life, I left the church building went home to my husband and said to him through tears, that is it I have become a Christian, everything has to change, I can never be the same again and everyone has to know. I didn’t learn that from years of being in church or bible studies this was my second time in church, except for weddings and funerals, in 12 years. I wasn’t brought up in a Christian home none of my close family were Christians.
I felt like God had been pursuing me for about a year and I had been resisting because I wasn’t ready to commit my life to Him. On that night in a small church with a preacher who was a ventriloquist, using a monkey puppet to speak to the kids I knew that this was my chance to respond to God and before I knew it I was standing up and was totally transformed by the power of God. I would never be the same again, the Kingdom of God, His rule, His reign, His plans and purposes became all important to me, the trappings of the world became less important.
The Kingdom of God doesn’t change sometimes our attitudes and commitment to it change. I have found the pearl of great price and I want to recommit my life to sharing that Kingdom with others.
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PARIS – Mixed media art
PARIS
During my recent visit to the antique mall I found a 1951 book about Paris with 160 black and white photos of famous Parisian buildings. I was so excited to be able to use some of these wonderful architectural prints in my pictures. I realize that due to fear I have tended to use pastel shades for my backgrounds so now I am also experimenting with stronger colors, I am really happy with the results. The more I practice the bolder I get. Looking forward to working on more pages this week.
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The Armchair Gardener
In England a yard is an area that is concreted or has flagstones, a garden is an area with a lawn, bushes, trees and flower beds. My dad is a keen gardener we had perfect lawns and he grew flowers and vegetables from seeds in his greenhouse. I always loved the idea of gardening I would spend hours looking at his gardening books, one in particular “Everyday Gardening in Colour” written by a man called Percy Thrower who was the Michael Jordan of the gardening world. He was later succeeded by Alan Titchmarsh, funny how we have heroes in every walk of life.
I still have a love of gardens although gardening in the Midwest is more of a challenge than gardening in the temperate climate of England. Flowers last so much longer there and grass stays so much greener.
I think my love of gardening and gardens is more of a spectator pastime, a bit like an armchair sports fan. When I lived in England I was a member of the Royal Horticultural Society and loved to visit Wisley Gardens on the outskirts of London. It was my oasis from the noisy, hustle and bustle of London. It was a special place for me to get away from the crowds and spend time alone with God just surrounded by the beauty of His creation.
Now that spring has turned into summer, once again I am being inspired by flowers and gardens but this time with new camera technology I can capture a moment of beauty immediately and share it with others. So here are some photo’s from my friends garden I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. These are for my dad too, Happy Father’s Day and thanks for giving me a love for gardens.
