Upon the day of Thanksgiving...

Thanksgiving blessings...

Truly if we have thankfulness and gratitude in our hearts that in itself brings blessings upon us.

Ungratefulness is a germ that infects the heart of some and harms relationships. With that in mind, I express my thankful for my friends who love me unconditionally and bless me with their thoughtfulness. I'm thankful for my family who support me and trust my judgment in family matters who are quick to forgive my blunders. I'm so thankful for my son and daughter and their spouses who make me so proud to be their parents. I'm thankful for a loving faithful husband that I can count on without question and trust completely. I'm so thankful for this country that gives me the freedom to express my ideas and opinions freely and gives me freedom from an oppressive government and the power represented in my single vote.

Finally, I'm thankful to our LORD for bestowing His merciful grace upon me, a sinner saved by Grace, which is a gift of undeserved and unmerited favor before Him, and for His written Words that anchor my soul through faith in His promises to his children. Promises that are for those who love Him and His Word. Thank you Lord for what you have done and what you are going to do in the future. -- In Jesus' Precious Name I Pray -- Amen

Some won't understand...others will.

For many years, I have had this burning desire to teach the Word and teach what I've been privileged to learn. Yet I've been hindered and often frustrated. What I have learned over my life time from my beloved Mother who is residing in the heavlies as we speak is this that God controls my circumstances and directs my lives. She admonished me so often when I became discouraged when nothing happened, "In His timing, He will bring it about." After 30 years of waiting ... He has finally brought it about ... it has happened and it was not by my doing at all.

On December the 1st ... a group of people most I do not even know will knock on my door to enter in with me into fellowship and teaching will begin. I stand amazed ... it amazes me every time this happens for this is when the invisible God becomes visible and very real. Why must it be like this and not my doing? So that I can KNOW that it is His will and He will therefore, enable me to accomplish whatever He desires.

Lord, take my weakness and make me strong. Lead me and I will follow. Thank you for what you are going to do through my teaching and fellowship with whomever you bring to my door. I stand amazed and completely humbled to my knees in thankfulness. At last. Mom, as usual, you were exactly right and I have the full assurance of my faith.

Gestures and Notans

I think I've discovered something. Go look at the side bar at right under the topic Notan ... after it is opened, scroll down to the "Notan" examples... open up and look at these.

Now look at my are gesture drawings focusing on my quickest drawings. Both of these methods are principally designed to do similar things ... namely create dynamic figures and powerful interesting compositions in paintings bringing out the central focal point and the composition's power to speak.

The gesture is designed to create a dynamic figure from the beginning as a primitive drawing that has accurate Proportion, Balance, and Movement even in the crudest sketches .... with as little as possible drawn.

On the other hand the Notan exercise is designed to find that same dynamic force in the composition ... in a landscape, portrait, or figurative genre setting .... starting with a set primitive set of black and white drawings drastically simplified. And in so doing the cards revealing another kind of dynamic power in the composition ... telling the same story in so many different ways and so many possibilities. Movement, balance, proportion is also found there. Both are designed to bring dynamic powerful paintings and figures forth. This is how it is done.

I'm beginning to understand how important this is.

This is art otherwise we are nothing more can a zerox machine.

My prayer today...

It is interesting how negative people and negative critical words affect one's soul and the works of our hand. It is so easy to be sabotaged by these people. Everyday I thank the LORD that He is in control of my life and my destiny and when I remind myself of that and humble myself to His will, how truly joyful and happy I become. Therefore, I resist the critical garbage coming my way and turn to prayer for encouragement.

Father, Blow upon the embers of my heart and flame up the faith that is in me this day. Give me strength and wisdom and a forgiving attitude. Help me to be Christ-like in all I do, especially in the works of my hand. Muzzle my mouth to speak only your words. I pray for those who attack me and ask your mercy be upon them for they truly do not know what they do. If it be possible, reveal yourself to them in a profound way that will transform their thinking. Thank you LORD for this season of beauty and reflection upon your goodness toward us for it is your goodness towards mankind ...that leads us to repentance. Thank you for revealing your truth to those who have been given ears to hear and eyes to see. With thanksgiving I pray .... In Jesus Name, Amen.

When attacked for sharing the truth...weld your sword & stand!

¹⁰In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].

¹¹Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.

¹²For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

¹³Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].

¹⁴Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,

¹⁵And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.

¹⁶Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].

¹⁷And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God. --- Ephesians 6

Promises

Psalms 92:12 "The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; To shew that the LORD [is] upright: [he is] my rock, and [there is] no unrighteousness in him."

I was at church this morning worshiping. My custom is to turn to the Psalms and read as I worship and especially during the praise singing. I opened the book randomly and this was what I read. I've been feeling my age and thinking that I have started a serious study of fine art too late in my life. I wanted to teach the Word but have been prevented. The Holy Spirit quickened my spirit and I knew the Lord was speaking to me directly from His word ... and giving me a promise for my old age. I will be fruitful. Thank you Father ... you always give me just what I need in encouragement and your promises are true.

Edit: When one walks with the Lord on a daily basis, that one's priorities are kept in their place and when the spirit is fed spiritual growth comes. I desire to be spiritually fat. I know that my relationship with the Lord directly affects all the works of my hands and everything that I do in life ... attitudes and ambitions. I desire to flourish growing a very fat soul and I shall flourish no matter what my circumstances------- ;-]