Repentant Heart




My latest painting was inspired by taking a look at my heart and asking myself some tough questions. Truly where is my heart when I look at having complete sacrifice to the Lord? This took me to Deuteronomy 6. You should Read the whole chapter, but I will highlight parts of two verses; you must love the Lord your God with all of your heart...and you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly.
When I think about my commitment my mind goes immediately to the things I haven't given completely over to God yet. I just don't think it is possible to give my heart wholly by my own power, but I believe that with God all things are possible and so I have to give myself and my sins over to him yet again and ask that He  shows me a way to overcome this struggle. The figure in my painting is showing how vulnerable we are in front of our God. He knows all. He sees all.  The tree represents our life. When my life is over I want it to be a beautiful offering to God.
Maybe your focus has been on the naked figure in my painting and you see it as beautiful, but God sees the heart. And truly that isn't always as beautiful.   
Going back to Deuteronomy 6 gives some good ways to give ourselves wholly, first is "The Lord is our God, the Lord alone". No other god in my life and that includes me. And then there is a whole paragraph on leaving reminders everywhere! Write it on your forehead, teach it to your children, write it on your door posts etc. We need to be reminded over and over again who is the Lord of my life!
God’s word also led me to Psalm 51. This song was written by David after David has committed adultery with Bathsheba. David cries out to God “Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit in me.” The 17^th verse says that God desires a broken spirit and a repentant heart.
My Lord, May my life be a complete sacrifice to you, beautiful and pleasing. Change my heart make it clean and renew a right spirit in me. Amen

More verses on the heart~ Psalm 27:3, Proverbs 4:23, Mathew 5:8, Luke 6:45

Jesus the white elephant

December is full. The calendar is full. Bellies are full. It seems like every year I have at least three Christmas parties where there is a gift exchange. You know the game where you pull a number out of a hat and when it’s your turn you can steal someone’s gift. I think that game is best when you bring a White Elephant gift, you know, the gift that nobody really would want in their home but it’s just so crazy that you love it and it makes you laugh just looking at it. If it’s unusual enough it usually becomes a part of my home and is almost hard to give away at the next White Elephant gift exchange.
Crazy White Elephant gifts, good food, seeing friends and family those are my favorite Christmas memories. But if you know me well you would know that Christmas is not my favorite time of the year. I don’t like all the expectations, and feelings of guilt that come with it.
I get a little sad when I see all the business and hubbub of Christmas while people forget that it is Jesus Birthday celebration. Maybe people just don’t understand how amazing Christmas really is. God came in the person of His Son to live and die and then live again so we could be with Him in heaven forever.
 Maybe Baby Jesus is just a “Big White Elephant in the room” Nobody wants to mention, the real reason for the party was not to bring gifts but to get a White Elephant! Then bring Him into your home and into your heart and fall in love with Him show Him to people when they come over to your house and explain how wonderful He is until they love Him too! Then wrap Him up and take it with you and give it to someone as a gift. You might need to explain it a little at first but I bet they fall in love with Him too.

Hello

I was inspired to start a blog after my daughter started one. So here it is! In the past I have started journals and diary's but  inevitably the pages remain mostly blank. I am not sure why that is. life gets busy with other things I guess. I am most excited about sharing what  I am learning in my life right now. My art mainly comes from the things that God is teaching me at the moment. So the art I share will always reflect that lesson. Sharing with others is always a little scary, so I'll put in this disclaimer; You do not have to like my art, or understand it for that matter, I really only create for the approval of my Lord God Jesus Christ, but everyone likes an accolade or praise. Truely my greatest plessure is when people enjoy my art and that it points to the Glory of God. My daughter says the only reason I am a starving artist is because I wont sell them. But How do you sell the lessons you have learned ? How can I remember the lessons I have learned if I can't look back at them? :)