Revealed to Children

Matthew 11:25, "Jesus said, 'I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children.' " Have you ever noticed how children have a different perspective on life? Sometimes they seem wiser than their years. They are certainly more candid and honest than some of the adults around them. Jesus knew that even a little child could understand the "Jesus Loves You" part of his message. This is the part that the Pharisees failed to get and they were the learned ones of the bunch. It is a very simple message: God loves you so much that He sent His only Son to earth to live and die for you. He was raised to life and remains with God until God sends Him again to bring all those who believe in Him back to heaven with Him. Yes, faith is required. Just believe and trust and God will do the rest.

I used a playing card for the base of this art, painted it, added a vintage image and ephemera and touched up the butterflies with glitter glue.

Tested

Jo Job 23:10: "But he knows the way that I take. When he has tested me, I will come forth as gold." God puts experiences in our way and we choose which way we take. He knows our choices, good or bad, and tests us to see if we can stand up under our decisions. Do my experiences, tested as they are by God, withstand the unexpected?

While visiting my daughter with no art supplies at hand, I challenged myself to create. I had a magazine and a notebook and a gluestick. I stained the piece when I returned home. I came up with this statement: "Tested experience will withstand the unexpected."

Weeping For A Night

"Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning," Psalm 30:5 (NIV). I found out about two friends whose husbands had died. They went through terrible sorrow but because of their complete trust in God, they were able to survive their loss and eventually married a second time to men God had given them. They are rejoicing now in their new husbands and give credit to God for getting them through their time of weeping. We all have things for which we cry, we regret, or over which we sorrow. Allow God to heal you and bring rejoicing to your soul.

I used a playing card for the base of this art. I painted it, adhered a vintage image, added tears, etched in gel medium and highlighted with gold paint.

Carrying the Cross

"And anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me," Matthew 10:38.
We all have our "cross" to bear, but this statement has been used by non-believers as well. Only if we know of the cross Jesus carried for us can we even begin to understand what this means. Jesus tasted death for us and battled Satan for us so we don't have to. After this life we, as believers in Jesus Christ, will not die eternally but will live forever in heaven with God and Christ. Anything we have to bear on this earth will pass away and what is left is "out of this world!"

Forgive the watermark above. I'm visiting my daughter and her family and emailed the picture to her in a different file. She had to "borrow" a converter to make it a jpg. That's beyond me. I'll just stick to making art. I used a playing card as the base, painted it, added a vintage image and other ephemera, etched in gel medium and highlighted with gold paint. Thank you Catherine Terry for the wonderful "portal" picture for the background.

Being Patient

"Be patient, then, everyone, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near," James 5:7-8. I love the Fall. The days are warm and the nights are cool--perfect for turning the trees into a patchwork of beautiful leaves. God has everything planned, even his second coming, so we need to be patient and enjoy what He has given us today.

This finished piece of fiber art measures approximately 7 1/2" square. I combined layered fabric and pulled yarn and other fibers on a muslin base covered with tulle. I then machine and hand quilted it. It's an experiment with multi-fibers.

Fancy Lady

I made this card for a Yahoo group lottery with the theme, "Fancy Ladies." What does that have to do with the Bible? What scripture relates to this theme? I found one where God is telling of his love for Israel and how much he cares for her in Ezekiel 16:10-12--"I clothed you with an embroidered dress and put leather sandals on you. I dressed you in fine linen and covered you with costly garments. I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms and a necklace around your neck, and I put a ring on your nose, earrings on your ears and a beautiful crown on your head." Nose rings are even becoming popular again with the younger generation. God so wanted to show Israel his pleasure by giving her even the things that weren't necessary. God would like to do the same with us if we would just turn to Him. I know there are times when I've received even more than what I've asked. He wants to bless us abundantly but we must be responsible to Him.

I used a playing card as the base for this art. I then collaged scrapbook papers, ephemera and a vintage image, etched in gel medium and highlighted with gold paint. I added green tulle and a flower to the hat. The card measures 2 1/2" x 3 1/2."

Foretold

Isaiah 9:6--"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." It is only September, but Christmas is coming. Just as we anticipate Christmas earlier and earlier every year as merchants put out their wares, so did the early believers. Christ was foretold by many prophets hundreds of years before he was born. The Jews prepared for his coming with anticipation and excitement as we do our Christmas celebrations. Unfortunately, when He did come, so few believed. How many of us actually believe the Christ of Christmas? So few, I fear.

I used a playing card as the base of this art. I painted it then collaged a vintage image, etched in gel medium and dry brushed with gold.

Return Trip

Isaiah 31:5--"Like birds hovering overhead, the Lord Almighty will shield Jerusalem; he will shield it and deliver it, he will 'pass over' it and will receive it." It's time for the seasonal journey of geese to their winter feeding grounds. I noticed them the first time this Fall as I was walking. They passed right over my head--so close I could see the detailed coloring on their heads. They are a mighty bird and they seem to gracefully glide through the air without any labor, almost hovering. God promises to "hover" over us, to shield us, to deliver us, protect us (like the Israelites were protected from the death angel as it passed over the land), and receive us like he did those of Jerusalem long ago. We are His adopted people and we benefit from His blessings.

This piece measures approximately 9" square. The base is muslin on which I laid pulled and clipped yarn to make the background. I quilted it and embroidered the detail.

Friends

Proverbs 27:9--"The pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest council." Proverbs 27:10--"Do not forsake your friend." Ecclesiastes 4:10--"If one falls down his friend can help him up." There are so many scriptures pertaining to friendship; however, there is only one friend who truly matters. Proverbs 18:24--"There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
Allow Jesus to be that friend to you.

I used a playing card as the base of this mixed media art. I adhered some bookbinding material, cotton mesh, a vintage image, ribbons, jute twine, old text, and a button. I etched in gel medium and painted it with gold. I added an aged tag to the top.

Thunderstorm

Job 36:29, 32, 33: "Who can understand how God scatters the clouds and speaks from his home in the thunderstorm? Each flash of lightening is one of his arrows striking its target, and the thunder tells of his anger against sin." Though I've read the Bible through and studied it for many years, I still find passages that impress me and that I have overlooked. I've always loved thunderstorms because my parents loved them. They make me feel cozy instead of afraid. It's good to know that God lives in and speaks through them.

I place clipped and pulled yarn on muslin, cover with tulle and quilt. Then I embroider the details, make a fabric sleeve, insert a playing card, then whip stitch it to close.

Deep Waters

Psalm 69:1, 2, 13: "Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. But I pray to you, O Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation." Trouble seems to come in waves, like the sea. First, it's calm like a murmuring brook and the going is easy. Then, without notice, everything crashes on you like a thundering ocean. Torrents of trouble rain down and floods of sorrow overwhelm you. You wonder, "Can I endure? Where is my Savior? I'm sinking! My feet are slipping out from under me! Help Me! I can't go on!" God is still in control during those times, too. He is the quiet after the storm. He is the one who allowed you to have another day. He is the one who stilled the storm before and He will do it again. Patience is difficult in troubling times, but the Lord is the Master of the Storm and He will see you through it. Trust Him.

The base of this card is a 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" playing card on which is adhered paper strips, a vintage image and gold paint.

Protect

"Protect me and save me because you are my God. I am your faithful servant and I trust you....Your love for me is so great that you protected me from death and the grave," Psalm 86: 2 and 13. Little children are so dependent upon those around them. They need nurturing, feeding, clothing, and protection (to list a few.) They learn from their parents how to treat other people and animals. You can see what they have learned by how they play with their toys and treat their pets. This little one was probably treated kindly because she holds her doll with protection and love. How much more will our Heavenly Father hold us if we put our total trust in Him.

The base of this art is a playing card measuring 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" upon which I painted, adhered a vintage image, etched in gel medium hightlighted with gesso, and colored pens.

The Greatest Love

"Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong"-- old words to an old Sunday School song. When looking in the Bible for a verse to match this piece, I found it difficult to actually locate a verse where God says the words, "I love you" to mankind. Although the psalms display God's love for us by using words like "God's unfailing love," the direct quote is rare. I did find one in Revelation that says, "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent," Revelation 3:19. These words come right before the "knock and open" passage. I think God must love me a lot because I sin much and have to ask for much forgiveness.

This is part of an altered book cover I made in February and sold. The banner says, "Jesus Loves Me This I Know." The words around it are from the newspaper and denote unrest and conflict in society. I used a vintage image I found in an antique store and other ephemera and enhanced the color or the image with watercolor pencils.

Is It Time Yet?

The challenge scripture for this week in my Art In the Word Yahoo Group was Isaiah 66:9 which says: " 'Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?', says the Lord. 'Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?' says the Lord.' " This one was hard for me to interpret because I couldn't get past the words and into the meaning. God was actually giving Israel hope by saying this--hope for their future if they staying attached to Him. Pregnancy is a time of waiting that is uncomfortable at times and if you go past your due date, which I did with every one of my three children, the time creeps by. I need to remember that God has a plan for me and I must be patient and see it through while trusting Him to direct me.

This art was based on a playing card on which I painted and collaged images. It measures 2 1/2" x 3 1/2."

Your Paths

Psalm 25:4-5--"Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Remember this all day today, the Lord's Day.

This piece measures approximately 8" square with a three-inch border of black cotton fabric wrapped around an artist's stretcher frame. I used clipped yarn on muslin under tulle, quilted with coordinating thread and embroidered for detail.

In God I Trust

"In God whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?," Psalm 56:4. I made this card for an artist friend who has been having some personal troubles the past few months. I hope just knowing that trusting in God, praising His word and not being afraid of what this world offers helps her cope with life's blows. If I remember these things, I'm better for it as well.

I used a 4" x 5 1/2" plain greeting card, painted the background, adhered a vintage image, text from an old hymn, part of a book spine and some book binding. I printed the word, "trust," on old text with antique lead type-set, etched in gel medium and dry brushed with gold.

The Deliverer

"The God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the Angel who has delivered me from all harm--may he bless these children," Genesis 48:15-16. This is the blessing of Israel to Joseph's children and I think it applies here. I'm sending this card to a young lady in Iraq to decorate her Christmas tree. She's helping our troops there and I'm meeting a call by her aunt to provide decorations, to give her a little lift and a reminder of the joy of Christmas. Let us not forget to pray for our men and women in the armed services. May God bless their efforts to bring freedom to all.

I used a playing card for the base and added assorted ephemera, lace and gel medium, etched and dry brushed in gold.

Standing in Awe

Hebrews 12:28--"Worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." Have you ever been so amazed and awed at God that you were speechless? I imagine this little girl to be in the presence of God about to give her "heart" to Him, but she's so dumb-struck that she can only stand there with her mouth open. Oh, to be in his courts and be overcome with His splendor!

I painted, stamped, and glued a piece of measuring tape and a vintage image colored with watercolor pencils to a painted playing card. I cut and painted a small heart to put in her hands.

Lone Tree

Psalm 52:8--"But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love forever and ever." Usually trees don't do well inside. Their leaves tend to yellow and wither because of lack of nourishment, too much water or not enough water. However, in the "house of God," everything flourishes. Now, if we'll just stay there and trust we, too, will flourish.

The foundation of this card is muslin measuring 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" on which I layered clipped and pulled yarn covered with tulle. I then quilted and embroidered it.

From Weeping To Reward

Jeremiah 31:16: " 'Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,' says the Lord." This is the hope given to us by the prophet, Jeremiah. This may be something to remember when raising children or working with children in school or church. Our children can bring us to the point of tears at times if we let them. Expect respect.
Remind them of honor. Present consistency. Punish by deprivation (within reason.) Express love, regardless. Demonstrate commitment to Christ. Have fun with them. Spend time with them. If you do these things (and more) in the wisdom of God, you will be rewarded.

I added a vintage image and ephemera to a playing card primed with gesso, painted, gelled with matte gel medium, etched in the gel and dry brushed with paint.

Downcast

"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God," Psalm 42:5. Sometimes my "downcast" times take over. I mope around all day wondering what is wrong. I chastise myself by saying that others have it worse that I, that I should be happy, that things aren't that bad--all of which are true. However, on some days my self-lectures don't help. Over the years I've found that these are just bad days and I chalk them up as such. Everyone has bad days. Usually they only last one day and then I'm ready to go on the next day. I've also found that it helps if I do something to help someone else.

I used a playing card as the base of this art. I collaged ephemera and a vintage image on a painted and gel etched background dry brushed with gesso and enhanced the image with watercolor pencils.

Delight and Desire

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart," Psalm 37:4. Some of Webster's definitions of "delight" are "great pleasure, gratification, joy." To take great pleasure in the Lord, to have gratification in the Lord and to have joy in the Lord are things that I need to examine in my relationship with Him. It delights me to see my husband enough to remember the reasons I married him. It delights me to see how my children have grown in the Lord and how they are raising their children. It delights me to see how my grandchildren have grown and what they are learning as they grow. How often do I allow the presence of God into the depths of my soul? How many new little children for Christ am I raising? How have I grown in the Lord and how much am I actively learning from Him? Whenever I feel like I'm not getting my share of life--my desires, maybe I need to recognize whether I'm delighting in Him enough.

I used a playing card for the base, painted it and collaged a vintage image and ephemera on it. I muted the flower and leaves with gesso. The scripture was written with a micron pen.

Alone At the Top

Just when you think you have it all, you look around and you're alone. Where did your friends go as you climbed to the top. You got the promotion, but on whom did you step to receive it? You were blessed with your family but your job was more important. You became the minister at the church but committee meetings keep you from being at home. Not only that, but you still want more. You're still clawing and scraping to pad your already overflowing checking account and accumulate more things for your house, but your children crave your attention. What's wrong here? The Bible has much to say for people like us. Isaiah's prophetic words say, "Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field till no space is left and you live alone in the land (Isaiah 5:8.)" King Solomon recognized this in his tribute: "(her) eyes were not content with (her) wealth [Ecclesiastes 4:8]" and "Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income [Ecclesiastes 5:10.]" The Psalmist was wise to remind us: "Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord, that you alone are the Most High over all the earth (Psalm 3:18.) When we look at things in His perspective, things are not important.

This piece of art has a playing card base on which I collaged a watercolor-enhanced image and a picture of the world from http://www.nasa.com/ (copyright-free). I speckled stars on a black background and added "jewelry" with paint and glitter glue pens.

School Days

"A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher,"Luke 6:40. There seems to be no respect from the younger generation regarding their teachers. I guess it's been this way for a long time since this verse is in the Bible. The Bible also says that one can overdo studying: "Of making books there is no end, and much study wearies the body," Ecclesiastes 12:12. There is a fine line when is comes to studying. Too much can make one tired.

I used a playing card as the base of this artwork. I decorated it with assorted text and a copy of an old speller cover generously offered by one of the artists' sites I frequent.

Birds Have Nests

Matthew 8:20--"Jesus replied,'Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.' " Jesus was warning his disciples that if they follow him they would have to endure hardships. They would have to give up things of the world that were dear to them, maybe even their family. I feel like this today. I'm giving up my husband to the Lord's work. He's taking on all of the pastoral ministries while our pastor recuperates from two very serious surgeries. My husband is a workoholic anyway and a great people-lover so I'm used to his being gone, but now it's even more. I need to accept this as a great privilege to serve the Lord by offering my husband to the Lord's service, but I'm selfish and am having trouble doing so. Lord, help me be willing to sacrifice by being the best servant that I can to my husband. Help me know what to do to help him and in so doing I help you and your purpose. Amen.

This art is based on an old book cover. I use assorted ephemera, wallpaper, stamps, lace and buttons to decorate it. A twisted wire is the hanger. The text on top says, "Song Without Words" and the "leaves" on the tree are a text from a falling apart "Trees of Illinois" manual. The branch is a header from the book and says, "Forest Trees." It measures approximately 5" x 7."

Open the Door

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me," Revelation 3:20. This was the challenge verse of the week from my Yahoo Mixed Media Group, Art in the Word. Do you want God in your life? Ask. Do you want him close enough to eat with you? Open the door. Many times knowing about God is enough for some people, but others actually want a relationship with Him. He's there waiting for us and calling to us to open the door for Him to enter our hearts.

This art is based on a playing card. I added a copied image, other ephemera and tulle.

Planted

The Bible says (in paraphrase) all those who do not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers are blessed. Their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield fruit in season and whose leaves do not wither. Whatever they do prospers-- Psalm 1:1-3. Where are you planted today?

I used a playing card as the base of this artwork and added assorted ephemera, paint and a transparency enhanced by a micron pen.

Protect Me

Psalm 16:1 "Protect me, O God! I run to you for safety." When we are threatened by anything we take action. We move it! The times I've asked for protection I have felt God's amazing strength and an overpowering calm floods my soul. I knew He answered my prayer. Oh, if I would only run instead of walk to him everyday. He longs to be my Protector.

I used a playing card (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") for the base of this art. I painted the background, adhered an image, etched in gel medium for texture and painted over the gel. Watercolor pencils add color to the image.

Seek and Find

"If you seek him (God), he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever," 1 Chronicles 28:9. I always want to be a seeker. I had enough years where I was not and I don't like it there. Oh, to stay in the Father's will and know when I seek his presence, he's always there.

A thank you goes to Catherine for allowing me the privilege to use one of her pictures of Furness Abbey. I used the towers in the background.

The base of this art is a playing card measuring 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" and onto which I collaged the Abbey picture, other ephemera and a copied image. I etched in gel medium, painted and used a tree transparency enhanced with a micron pen.

The Looking Glass

"Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like one who looks at his face in a mirror and after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like," James 2:23. I'm really bad about remembering faces and I'm sure the one in the mirror can't be me! I'm not that old! Oh, yes, it would be scary if I forgot what I looked like from day to day. I'm changing so quickly that I could fool myself. Back to the scripture: Paul is using this illustration to convince his readers that God's word is serious business. Is it to you?

I used a playing card for the base of this art. On it I collaged a copied image, tinted it with watercolor pencils, etched in gel medium, painted, and applied torn letters.