My Hometown

This is one watercolor painting that I took pics of during the process. It's called "My Hometown". Here's the idea behind it. When someone knows their hometown they know all the "ins and outs". They can tell visitors where all the special places are the scenic routes. They know the special restaurants that are family owned and where all their friends live. A visitor only knows the main thoroughfares and the obvious places to shop or eat. Not that there is anything wrong with those places. But to someone who lives in that town, they know there is more to see and explore. This is how the Word of God should be... a place we call home, a place we should know all the "ins and outs", a place where we can tell "visitors" about all the hidden, secret and special places that can make their visit more enjoyable and meaningful. So what I did was chose a few of the MANY verses that have guided me throughout my life and laid out streets that were those verses and then placed some buildings around those verses that spoke of what they mean to me. Like Psalm 126. It's all about joy and what great things God has done for us. So placed along that street is the Joy Jump House. Get the idea? Sorry for a few of the pics being incorrectly displayed. They don't show up like that when I view them in a picture viewer. You'll just have to deal! hahaha! Blessings to your day!

Purpose is Purpose

So it dawned on me one day... God created the black cricket and he also created the black stallion. Both are special in HIS eyes and have purpose. But sadly, I think we view one with having a more special or useful purpose. How many think the stallion has more purpose? Of course! It can run fast, it can pull things, carry a rider on it's back... it's just straight up beautiful. So the poor cricket really can't stack up to that since basically it's just frog or bird food. But God created it so there must be something good about the cricket for He called everything "good" that He created. And, I believe, He doesn't value one creation higher than the other (except for man.) So that leads me to think that God values the black cricket just as special as the black stallion although we, as humans, see it differently.

So, a question to you. Do you see yourself as black stallion or black cricket? Do feel like your calling is special and valued in the Body of Christ or do you feel like your gifting is rarely seen and doesn't hold much weight? Well, the reality is that God created both the cricket and the stallion. He created both the person with the very visible and awesome calling and also the person with the crawl-in-the-grass, frog-food calling. BUT each has God's purpose on it. Each can only do what it was made to do. The stallion can't be a cricket and the cricket can't be a stallion. When they are doing what God called them to do they are giving Him glory. Both the cricket and the stallion give God equal glory.

Whether your calling is high and mighty as a stallion or lowly and unseen as the cricket, both callings have God purpose on it. When you fulfill that given purpose you are giving God great glory. It all comes down to He being the potter and we are the clay. Don't be ashamed of having a cricket calling. That's what God made you to do and in doing so you give Him the same honor as the stallion calling gives.

(Sometimes the calling of mother-hood seems like a cricket calling.. but it really is a stallion calling!)

Heaven Is For Real

Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back by Todd Burpo

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Fantastic! I am so excited about my real home!



View all my reviews

What Did He Really Say? (not what you think you heard)

Matthew 7:24-27—”Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house upon the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the wind blew and beat against the house; yet it did not fall, because it had it’s foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put then into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house, and it fell with a great crash.

According to the NIV Archeological Bible, the sand ringing the Sea of Galilee was rock-hard during the hot summer. But a wise builder would dig down deep, as far as 10 feet below the surface sand to the bedrock, knowing that this was the only way to erect a foundation able to withstand the winter rains, which were notoriously torrential and capable of causing disastrous flooding.
In Matthew, it describes two groups. Both are hearing the Word but only one is actually following it. We all know that saying something is a whole lot easier that doing something. Hearing can work the same way. We think that just by hearing the Word of God that somehow that is sufficient. But Jesus says that that method is not good enough. Just like the rock-hard sand. It seems adequate on the surface but it is soon seen for what it really is when trial comes—washed up sand and a weak foundation that is not good enough to withstand anything.
I’d like to take this scripture further. I believe one can hear the Word and think they are doing it. But that person is really only living out what they heard according to their own strength and through their own misguided thoughts—basically leaning on their own understanding (Prov. 3:5). Many times we twist God’s Words to fit our own ideas. In example: white lies. We’ve all heard that it is a sin to lie. But we twist that truth and only let it apply to big lies while letting small white lies slip. If we choose to live this way then consequently we’re building something but that “something” will eventually require reconstruction.
You’ve got the foundation—you’re hearing, you’re “doing”, you’ve got Jesus but your construction is faulty. You’re not following the Master Builder’s Plan and being led by the Holy Spirit but are following your own ideas or what you think you heard Him say. Which means you are making a bunch of cuts without any measurements! You can cut a board with a rough estimate of how long you think it should be but if it’s off by just the slightest amount it’s wrong! This is a building plan slated for demolition if one continues to follow it. (Proverbs 14:12) So before it gets to that point, let God reconstruct you and then not only hear and do but follow the Holy Spirit. So take a good look at your life, your “house” and see if you can find areas where you’ve been fudging the measurements based on your rough estimates.
Reconstruction isn’t fun and it may take a while but it brings refreshing and renewal and ultimately a structure that can withstand the storms of life. Hallelujah, the foundation—the Rock of Christ Jesus— can never be shaken or wash away (I Cor. 3:11). Build your life on Him by hearing his words, obeying them fully in all areas of your life and letting them transform your thinking so you’re actually doing what He said... and not only what you think He said.

(recent article I wrote for the Power of Faith Newsletter - a ministry of Faith Christian Church & International Outreach Center)

Bedford Square will put you to bed

Bedford Square by Anne Perry

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


First time reading this author and this genre. Genre - thumbs up, Author - thumbs down. Basically dumb. I actually skipped paragraphs because it kept on rambling and having repeat conversations.



View all my reviews

 

It's been a while since I completed this flyer but I wanted to share anyway... just 'cause it's one of my favorites. Hee-hee! Again, it's for Faith Christian Church and their annual Valentine's Gala hosted by the Partners of Promise Ministry! enjoy!

Display Your Praise Women's Conference flyer

This is a project design that I completed last month for Faith Christian Church annual Women's Conference hosted by Delores Tapscott and the Women for Jesus Ministry. It was a privilege and honor 'display my praise' through my talents. To God be the Glory!

Summertime is sometimes not funtime

I don't know about you but I am having a difficult time this summer with my kids. I don't remember past summers being so difficult to entertain them. They're always bored and always at each others throat and Lord help you if ask them to do anything. We have a punishment to pick up a bucket full of sticks if there is complaining of any sort. Let's just say that my yard has absolutely no sticks or debris!

I am just at a loss this year for some reason. I don't want them in front of the TV but I also don't want to play Candy Land and Uno all day either. A tight budget and high gas prices I think are having an affect. I am trying to consolidate trips. And to be honest I don't like running the roads all of the time. I'm a home body. But home can turn into a prison after a while.

We've done some flower drying, cake baking and a few crafts. We also gone to the river on a hot day, to the park and library. We have a few small gardens going that they are helping with. But you can only do those activities for so long. WHAT IN THE WORLD DO I DO WITH THEM THE REST OF THE DAY!!!?!!?!??!

Teachers don't get paid enough. There's no way in the world I could do that job. To maintain a room full of kids from 8am to 3pm. Whaa???! No way.  :) Thank the Lord for teachers and school staff! God bless them richly, giving them strength abundantly, wisdom and health!

Calling all mothers and teachers: Leave a comment with your best summertime suggestion!

Yeah, I'm a scrooge!

I know most of you really enjoy this time of year... but I don't. I think the problem is watching TV. That's where you're just thrown up on with commercial after commercial of the "gimmies." I don't watch that much TV, but it's still just enough to where I just can't take it anymore. We need the "givies" not the "gimmies". It just feels good. Time after time I'll finally get something that "I've always wanted" just to feel blech a month or so later. It doesn't matter how much you have you always want more. The only place where joy is found is in being contented with what you've already been blessed with. I'm not forgetting that true joy comes from Jesus - that's a given. What I'm saying is that little nagging "if I only had that or this" thought is a joy stealer. Once you learn to ignore that and hear the voice of God that tells us to be thankful, then your joy cannot be stolen.

I heard on the radio that we need to change our thinking even when it comes to taxes. If you're being taxed then that means you have an income! WOW! What a change in thinking - a real CHANGE we could all use and benefit from! I've sort of adopted the same thinking around the house. One evening while doing the dishes I realized that my dirty dishes were a sign that I have been blessed with food. If you don't have food, you don't have dirty dishes. If you don't have a family, then you're house isn't a wreck. If you don't have dirty clothes, that means you don't have any. So the next time you pay taxes or see dirty dishes, a dirty house, dirty clothes... change your perception to see where they came from. They came because you have an income, food, a family, clothes, a house, etc. God is good! In ANY situation there is something to be thankful for.

If you want something for Christmas, start seeing what you've already been blessed with. Food, family, clothes, house... now, those are great Christmas gifts! Thank you Lord, for blessing me with dirty dishes, clothes, house etc! You are so good to me.

You're probably wondering what does "yeah, I'm a scrooge" have to do with this. I don't know. I guess that's my first thought when I think about Christmas. The crazy black-friday people, kids whining in ever store for everything they see, the stupid Christmas music that starts way too early, the ugly Christmas trees (the dumbest one being the upside down tree). I just don't get it. Nothing about today's Christmas says CHRIST to me anymore. Christ isn't giving someone a gift because a day on the calendar makes you gift a gift. Jesus is a year-round giver. Wouldn't a gift in the middle of March or August for no reason at all have more specialness? I am not going to send out Christmas cards anymore. They just get lost in cluttered mailboxes and kitchen counter tops. Instead, throughout the year I am going to get out my address book and just led CHRIST lead me to whom I should send a greeting. That would mean so much more, at least to me it would. How about you?

Back to my thoughts on Christmas traditions - I do have a tree up but I try to convey CHRIST in it as much as possible. I tell the kids that the tree represents the tree that Christ died on. I use red lights to represent his blood. I also use some white to represent the washing away of our sins; being made white as snow! And there is no santa to be found anywhere in my home. I will not let the Glory of God be given to another. CHRISTmas has nothing to do with santa. (lower case "s" used on purpose).

So, there's my little haphazard rant. It went all over the place but that's okay. Have a great day!

Home Sweet Home

Today I experienced a death in the family. Not a human death, not an animal death but the death of a home. My husband's boy-hood home was lost. I won't go into those details but it was a shocking and horrible loss that came totally unexpected. There was no time to prepare; no time to digest the news; no time.

I'm learning A LOT through it all though. First, our family is so loved. The amount of people that mobilized in such a short time to move items from the house was absolutely amazing. Second, I learned that I never knew how a home can be like body part. In this case, you're born with it, it grows with you, you can rely on it to always be there, and it's so necessary. Then the day comes when you reach to touch that part of your life and it's just gone. It's heart-braking. It's even more then a body part, it's a family member. It's a priceless box filled with treasured memories.

Now that the house belongs to someone else, we can never go back; never immerse ourselves in a place filled with life times - good and bad. Times that shaped us and helped make us who we are today. But as great as this special place is, it can't even touch our heavenly home. This place is gone, but I know Someone special is watching over my heavenly home. He's tending the gardens right now. He's caring for my herd of horses right now. He's covering the walls in ever color of the rainbow and even more colors that we have yet to see. He's preparing a place for me.. and he's preparing a place for you.

If you've lost your earthly home, know that there is a heavenly home waiting for you. You just have to accept it. If you've lost your job, know that there is a King of all Kings that want to hire you to His kingdom, you just have to accept the job. If you've lost your strength, know that there is a Joy that will be your strength. If you've lost a family member, know that there is a Friend who sticks closer than a brother waiting for you, You just have to accept Him.  Best part - IT'S ALL FREE! Now that's an awesome Christmas gift!

We've all lost things at times, but God know what it feels like to lose, too. Jesus lost his heavenly home and all that went with that, he lost friends who couldn't even pray with Jesus for one hour, he lost a mother, he lost a Father when God had to turn His back on His son. He knows what your feeling and is well acquainted with grief. Run to Him. He's more than a home, He's a strong tower. He doesn't hate you. He CHOSE to lose it all to gain YOU!

Portrait of Joy

Digital sketch pad, portrait of my daughter.

Latest Labor of Love

Walk out of the gates. Get going!
   Get the road ready for the people.
Build the highway. Get at it!
   Clear the debris,
   hoist high a flag, a signal to all peoples!
Yes! God has broadcast to all the world:
   "Tell daughter Zion, 'Look! Your Savior comes,
Ready to do what he said he'd do,
   prepared to complete what he promised.'"
Zion will be called new names: Holy People, God-Redeemed,

   Sought-Out, City-Not-Forsaken. 

Isaiah 62:10-12 msg

This is one of my latest creations. It's based on Isaiah 60:10-12. Enjoy!

Wondering what these things are? Well, they're yuca roots. Back in 1995, when I went to Colombia, South America, I was served yuca. It looked a little strange on the plate and it took a little coaxing to take a bite. Everyone was laughing and saying who knows what in Spanish because I was chicken! But eventually I gave in and took a bite. Oh - My  - WORD! YUM! It's basically a very flaky and light potato. At least that's what I remember. Yesterday, it was "grocery store day" and lo and behold what was in my local Martins store - YUCA! Some were huge and others quite small. I selected a small root to experiment with. I have some green onion, cilantro and garlic that I think I am going to put on it for lunch. Below is a basic recipe:

Oven-Fried Yucca

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fresh yucca (cassava), cut into 3-inch sections and peeled (or 1 pound peeled frozen yucca)
• Nonstick cooking oil spray

Directions:

1. In a kettle, combine the yucca with enough cold water to cover it by 1 inch.
2. Bring the water to a boil, and slowly simmer the yucca for 20 to 30 minutes, or until it is tender.
3. Preheat oven to 350F.
4. Transfer the yucca with a slotted spoon to a cutting board, let it cool, and cut it lengthwise into 3/4-inch-wide wedges, discarding the thin woody core.
5. Spray cookie sheet with the nonstick cooking oil spray.
6. Spread yucca wedges on cookie sheet, and spray wedges with cooking oil spray.
7. Cover with foil paper and bake for 8 minutes.
8. Uncover and return to oven to bake for an additional 7 minutes.

Yield: 6 servings--Serving size: 1 piece (2 1/2 inches long)

Nutrition Facts
Per Serving:
Calories	91
Sodium	3 mg
Total fat	1 g
Saturated fat	0 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Calcium	66 mg
Iron	3 mg

Good grief!

Well, I was in Wally-World today. I'm strolling up an isle; hearing awful, pitiful wails of crying. I'm thinking, "Some sweet child is not having a good day today." As I get closer to the source of the wails I thought I was sure to see a mother caressing her child because of an accidental boo-boo of some sort. Yeah, I saw a mother caressing her child alright but not because of an accident. This poor baby was being forced to have her ears pierced! The mom was strapping the poor kids head down on her shoulder amidst shrieks of pain while the sales associate performed the unnecessary procedure.

Yes, yes... I'm a girl; I like earrings. But no baby should be put through that. Vaccines - fine. Hospital procedures that save lives - fine. But EARRINGS!?!? It was awful to hear and witness. It felt like child abuse. Other onlookers were not happy with it either. It just all reinforced my opinion that girls should decide when they want their ears pierced. Earrings do not make babies prettier! God made them beautiful just the way they are.

When I was seven years old, I CHOSE to have my ears pierced. No, I am not against ear piercing but in an age of out of control feminism, a girl of any age should be able to CHOOSE when to have her ears pierce - if at all. Girls should be little girls. Let's not try an make them grow up too fast.

Top 10 List for December 1, 2010

1. Rain with warm temperatures is more bearable than sunny skies and a blowing cold wind.
2. Coats don't work if you don't wear them.
3. Dogs will jump on you for no apparent reason. Always be on your guard.
4. Food always tastes better when someone else makes it.
5. When doing a Bible study, you should probably do the Bible study first and then talk later.
6. No one is perfect, even that person you think has it all together.
7. Daniel had way more resolve at such a young age than I think I'll ever be able to attain.
8. With God, all things are possible.
9. When dealing with people, there will always be someone who rubs you the wrong way. Learn to deal with it.
10. Coming home to a meal already cooked in the crock pot is AWESOME!

Faith Christian Church & International Outreach Center

Just wanted to share a little about the church I attend. I've been so blessed in this place. The presence of God is awesome there. The music is anointed and Pastor Decker Tapscott always delivers fresh meaty words of wisdom from God's Word.

www.gotfaithnow.com

SoloChristo Saves

This guy, Joey Aria, from my church just started an awesome scooter ministry with a couple of friends of his. This guys is on fire and on a mission. I've seen skateboarders and BMX bikers but I've never seen someone work a scooter like this guy does...while keeping Jesus first and giving Him all the glory!

Check him out at http://www.solochristosaves.com

Simply Pure Products - All Natural!

Looking for some great all-natural products? Don't think all-natural is important? Think it's too expensive? 
Well, if you're looking, you've found them. Commercial products are damaging our bodies from our skin to our internal organs as chemicals soak in. So, YES, all natural- is important. It's vital in fact. Unless you buy Suave, then you're probably already spending equal to or above the cost of Simply Pure Products. If you're going to spend the money why not have the best while being good for your body?

So I invite you to check out www.simplypureproducts.com. It's family owned, made fresh and local.

Is Your Cell Phone An Extension of your arm?

Take a stroll in the mall or worse yet, drive down the road and it seems everyone has got their face in a cell phone! Is it just me, or am I the only one without one of the new fancy-fangled phones? I've got a TracPhone with no camera, 120 minutes that last me THREE WHOLE MONTHS, and no keyboard!

My three year old daughter just complained that she "doesn't want one of those ugly phones with a string." A regular ol' greeting card isn't enough any more either. I just saw a commercial the other day for a greeting card for a kid that they can take to their computer and somehow some hologram picture appears within the card but viewable on the pc screen. Well, I guess you have to have a video cam. That I don't have either. Dude, I just got cable internet over the summer! Yeah, I might seem behind the times but I can tell you this. My life is pretty simple and very tech free and guess what? It's nice! Really, I don't know what I'm missing and I'm not wasting money on gadgets that are out of date in six months.

I'm not getting one of those high-fa-looting phones until it can make me dinner!

Sunflowers in Watercolor

I attempted some sunflowers in watercolor. Still trying to learn different techniques. It really is like science on paper. And it actually quite trick to figure out how the paint interacts with the wet paper. It's not really finished but you can get the idea. So for you non winter-lovers! This one is for you. Take a quick look, close your eyes and fast forward a bit to warmer temperatures. It will be here before you know it! What's up with time flying so fast these days? Treasure those little sunflowers (kids)!