Wondering, pondering if my prayer was being heard this morning ... wondering if my efforts to encourage others and edify are effective. Asking God ..."are my sincere efforts in vain? Will no one receive God's gift of His word? Are there unseen faults and sin that need to be confessed? Am I following you Lord rightly?"
I am thanking God and enumerating His attributes and virtues as I'm drawn to worship this morning. THEN ... I just read this is from the Amplified version and I hear his voice...encouraging me...
Psalms 66:16
"Come and hear, all you who reverently and worshipfully fear God, and I will declare what He has done for me! I cried aloud to Him; He was extolled and high praise was under my tongue. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me; But certainly God has heard me; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, Who has not rejected my prayer nor removed His mercy and loving-kindness from being [as it always is] with me.
Col. 3:15 "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."
Friday, November 30, 2012
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Stress . . . on a personal note.
The culprit is stress; the very thing I strive to release as the quote on my web masthead admonishes. "if there is anything lovely, think on these things" to be at peace. Obviously, I have not won this inner struggle to enter into the Lord's 'rest' yet.
It started in 2009 just before leaving for my first art boot camp in Haverhill, MA. A severe pain struck my jaw like a sledgehammer. Stabbing pain just to the side of my chin. I cried out in utter agony. I thought it was a bad tooth needing a root canal or pulled. My dentist said, "no, there is nothing wrong with your teeth." He then went on to tell me about a medical condition, an incurable medical condition known as trigeminal neuralgia and how many patients demand to have all their teeth pulled but without relief. "You should see a neurologist." And I did who said it might be or it might be something else. To stop the attacks, started treatment as both. The medicines worked and it stopped for a while. I just assumed it was trigeminal neuralgia.
The trigeminal nerve (running - branching on both sides of the face), the nerve that gives us our sense of taste, smell, ability to smile, etc. This nerve becomes irritated and fires excruciating stabbing pain lasting a few seconds to minutes or more. When the attacks come, one can't speak, can't eat, can't brush teeth, or touch the face for it triggers more attacks that are unbearable. It's often called the suicide syndrome.
To make a long story short, after seven months treating my attacks, a new confirmed diagnosis was made two weeks ago ruling out trigeminal neuralgia; what I am suffering with is called a nemmular migraine variant syndrome. It's brought on by severe stress. For example, I had an attacks just before going to each of the three art boot camps. It went away for a year and half but came back after my mother's death as I began to assume my duties as trustee of her estate and managing partner of our family partnership oil and gas business. My neurologist changed my medicines completely and finally after a week, the pain attacks have stopped. That was a week ago Monday.
What I have learned: I'm not walking in the truth that I embrace or I would not be so affected by stress.
Psalm 27...the whole chapter.
It started in 2009 just before leaving for my first art boot camp in Haverhill, MA. A severe pain struck my jaw like a sledgehammer. Stabbing pain just to the side of my chin. I cried out in utter agony. I thought it was a bad tooth needing a root canal or pulled. My dentist said, "no, there is nothing wrong with your teeth." He then went on to tell me about a medical condition, an incurable medical condition known as trigeminal neuralgia and how many patients demand to have all their teeth pulled but without relief. "You should see a neurologist." And I did who said it might be or it might be something else. To stop the attacks, started treatment as both. The medicines worked and it stopped for a while. I just assumed it was trigeminal neuralgia.
The trigeminal nerve (running - branching on both sides of the face), the nerve that gives us our sense of taste, smell, ability to smile, etc. This nerve becomes irritated and fires excruciating stabbing pain lasting a few seconds to minutes or more. When the attacks come, one can't speak, can't eat, can't brush teeth, or touch the face for it triggers more attacks that are unbearable. It's often called the suicide syndrome.
To make a long story short, after seven months treating my attacks, a new confirmed diagnosis was made two weeks ago ruling out trigeminal neuralgia; what I am suffering with is called a nemmular migraine variant syndrome. It's brought on by severe stress. For example, I had an attacks just before going to each of the three art boot camps. It went away for a year and half but came back after my mother's death as I began to assume my duties as trustee of her estate and managing partner of our family partnership oil and gas business. My neurologist changed my medicines completely and finally after a week, the pain attacks have stopped. That was a week ago Monday.
What I have learned: I'm not walking in the truth that I embrace or I would not be so affected by stress.
Lord give me your faith to completely release this or any other stress when I am tempted to worry or fret about life's duties and stresses. Give me strength, insight and forgive me for the sin of worry for clearly I am not trusting in You. Increase my faith. Thank you Father for your Word, a rhema verse and the assurance to wait upon you and to take courage. Thank you for healing me and bless Dr. Gordan for being a channel of healing to me. -- Amen
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Not a happy camper...
Google has been "updating" my blog.spot. I am not happy. Why is it "they" whoever they are can't just leave well enough alone.
This is the reason I have not blogged in such a long time. I don't have the time to "go to school" when I don't need or want to learn something new with the "new and improved format."
GRRRRRRRR. Not happy.
This is the reason I have not blogged in such a long time. I don't have the time to "go to school" when I don't need or want to learn something new with the "new and improved format."
GRRRRRRRR. Not happy.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
New Voice for 21st Century
Alex Kanevsky ... this is complete freedom. This artist was suggested to me as a fresh original voice for the 21st century. I agree. I see a great freedom of expression in his work.
Friday, March 30, 2012
All I have to say is this...
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ's; and Christ [is] God's. -- I Corinthians 3:18
And this.
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. I John 1:5
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. I Peter 2:9
He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. I John 2:9
Finally...
But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. Matthew 15:18
There is nothing more to say.
And this.
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. I John 1:5
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. I Peter 2:9
He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. I John 2:9
Finally...
But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. Matthew 15:18
There is nothing more to say.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Back to Art....
Monday, January 2, 2012
Happy New Year...
What will the New Year 2012 bring .... I have many dreams of creating beautiful art and many desires of my heart to share God's Word with others. Maybe one of my earnest desires is being fulfilled this week as a class is forming. I will know Thursday if the Lord is in this. JOYFUL anticipation....
Psalms 37 ... "3 Trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) in the Lord and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly you shall be fed. 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass. 6 And He will make your uprightness and right standing with God go forth as the light, and your justice and right as [the shining sun of] the noonday." (spiritual growth, physical growth)
Psalms 127 ... " 1 EXCEPT THE LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; except the Lord keeps the city, the watchman wakes but in vain."
Is God Almighty actively involved in the affairs of mankind? I witness to all that absolutely He is . . . . but one has to have eyes to see and ears to hear.
"Faith is the SUBSTANCE of things hoped for; the EVIDENCE of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)
Wonderful thought to know that God keeps His Promises...He cannot lie.
Thank you for what you are going to do in my life this year . . . . Amen.
Great anticipation for 2012 ...
Psalms 37 ... "3 Trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) in the Lord and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly you shall be fed. 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass. 6 And He will make your uprightness and right standing with God go forth as the light, and your justice and right as [the shining sun of] the noonday." (spiritual growth, physical growth)
Psalms 127 ... " 1 EXCEPT THE LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; except the Lord keeps the city, the watchman wakes but in vain."
Is God Almighty actively involved in the affairs of mankind? I witness to all that absolutely He is . . . . but one has to have eyes to see and ears to hear.
"Faith is the SUBSTANCE of things hoped for; the EVIDENCE of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)
Wonderful thought to know that God keeps His Promises...He cannot lie.
Thank you for what you are going to do in my life this year . . . . Amen.
Great anticipation for 2012 ...
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Art is impossible during the holidays...
From Thanksgiving, through Christmas, and the New Year ... very little art is possible in my life. It is just a fact during this six week period.
One thing I never neglect, however, is my connection to the Lord especially throughout these days of celebration, thankfulness and expressions of genuine love.
Therefore, until I get back to serious focus on art, I'll share my meditative thoughts here on the blog.
There is a Psalms that describes the process and results of the New Birth, Born Experience. I'd not seen this until just now. This is so awesome...think on this: Psalm 51
One thing I never neglect, however, is my connection to the Lord especially throughout these days of celebration, thankfulness and expressions of genuine love.
Therefore, until I get back to serious focus on art, I'll share my meditative thoughts here on the blog.
My meditative thoughts today.....
There is a Psalms that describes the process and results of the New Birth, Born Experience. I'd not seen this until just now. This is so awesome...think on this: Psalm 51
Process of New Birth
The Recognition
1 HAVE MERCY upon me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to the multitude of Your tender mercy and loving-kindness blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly [and repeatedly] from my iniquity and guilt and cleanse me and make me wholly pure from my sin! 3 For I am conscious of my transgressions and I acknowledge them; my sin is ever before me.The Confessions
4 Against You, You only, have I sinned and done that which is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified in Your sentence and faultless in Your judgment. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in [a state of] iniquity; my mother was sinful who conceived me [and I too am sinful]. 6 Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart.
The Plea to be Released from Guilt
7 Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean [ceremonially]; wash me, and I shall [in reality] be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness and be satisfied; let the bones which You have broken rejoice. 9 Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my guilt and iniquities.
A New Heart and A New Birth of Spirit
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me. 11Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.
The Witness.
Proclamations Before all Human Kind
the Good News of Restoration & Revelation of Divine Wisdom.
13 Then will I teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted and return to You.
Deliverance Unto Eternal Life
14 Deliver me from blood-guiltiness and death, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness (Your rightness and Your justice).
Praise & Adoration Breaks Forth
15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
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
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
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