The Blessing

"Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!," Luke 1:45.
When the Lord delivers a message, there's no denying it. We are uncomfortable and uneasy until we do what He says. Elizabeth recognized the presence of the Savior the instant she saw Mary and heard her greeting. Sometimes other people recognize God's calling us before we realize it ourselves. I believe it is evident that the Spirit speaks to believers on behalf of others and we need to realize that when someone asks us to do something of service for the Lord, we should respond with a "yes." Most of the time, God has already spoken to us and we've denied the calling and when someone else invites us to work for the Lord it is affirmation of what has already been offered to us. God is always at work around us and we are lost in our own little world sometimes wondering where He is. Step out and accept His calling for your life today--in both little and large ways.

This ornament is offered in my shop,
http://www.creativecallstudios.com/lydia'slineage.html opening tomorrow. It is made on cardstock on which I painted, adhered a vintage image, etched in gel medium, highlighted with gold paint, added three crystal beads, ribbon and a piece of a frame for the stand. It measures approximately 2 1/2" x 3 3/4" with the hanger adding another 1 1/2" above.

Items in Creative Call Studios on Saturday

Here's a preview of my shop, Lydia's Lineage, in the new Christian On-line Mall, Creative Call Studios. Hope you'll visit me there.

Nothing Is Impossible With God

"Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God," Luke 1:36-37. The angel continued his presentation to Mary by telling her that her cousin was going to have a baby too. God really is in the miracle business. I know so many women who have not been able to have a baby, but God, in this day and time, has allowed so many alternatives to natural children through adoption and artificial insemination. I don't know all the moral reserves of some people but I do know that if I really wanted a child, God can make that available to me. Having children involves responsibility. Some people are unaware of the tremendous time involved with raising a child. Elizabeth was well-advanced in age when she had John but she willingly accepted the sacrifice of child rearing. Mary was a child herself, but she also knew God was giving her a gift. Let's take our parenting and grandparenting seriously and realize the miracles given to us.

This card's backing is on cardstock on which I adhered a dried Herbal tea bag, a vintage image, and paint. It measures 2 1/2" x 3 1/2."

The Workers Are Few

Matthew 9:36-38 states the words of Jesus: "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.' "
In my church December begins an emphasis on missions giving. All our churches give to this special offering to send missionaries overseas and most of their support for the year comes from this offering. Many churches have missionaries on furlough speak to tell of their lives on the mission field. There are many more without Christ than with and the labor is intense so few want to sacrifice comfort, money, family and friends to make a commitment to service in another country. Things haven't changed much from the time of Christ as he tried to inlist disciples into service. Is he calling you?

This card was made in answer to a challenge by the Yahoo group, Art In The Word. It is based on cardstock on which I stippled antique gold paint and adhered a copy of the world from http://www.nasa.com/ and a copy of a vintage image and paint.

Wait Mary

"The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God,' " Luke 1:35.
I've always imagined what it must have been like for Mary to wait for the "come upon you" part of the holy conception. Here she was, a young girl, never involved with a man, wondering what and how this would happen. She had asked the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" (verse 37). When God decides, we ask and wait for his answer, looking to see how God will accomplish what he said. Since it is God, we can expect the unexpected. How was she to know what would take place in that short span of time? She just waited and watched and accepted his plan for her life.

This card, measuring 2 1/2" x 3 1/2," is based on cardstock on which I stippled antique gold paint, adhered an altered vintage image and an old text. I etched in gel medium and highlighted with gold paint. I also used ink and paint on and over the image.

Don't Be Afraid

"The angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God,' " Luke 1:30. What a revelation! When I found this angel, I thought of Mary and her encounter with the angel of God. This was no ordinary angel and no ordinary girl. This girl was "favored" by God. Her life must have been exemplary in every way--the perfect child. She was probably still a young girl as some scholars say she might have been in her early teens. How many children in this world lead such a life as to be chosen by God for greatness? I would think very few. We don't know how God could use us, if only we were ready to be used.

This card was an entry for Shabby Cottage Studio's design team. It is based on cardstock with a copy of a vintage image and background paper from Shabby Cottage S., paint, and gel medium.

Rest For The Weary

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest," Matthew 11:28.
What a promise! I haven't even started Christmas shopping yet; I'm exhausted from just visiting in-laws, children and grandchildren; I've cooked and traveled and have come home just in time to be in church almost all day. I'm weary. And yet, there are so many others who have it so much worse than I can ever imagine. I really don't know true WEARINESS. I really can't understand being really BURDENED. Even in my own world of weary and burdened, my Lord has given me rest. There is a sense of peace and joy one can only know in Christ our Lord.

This card is based on cardstock on which I've adhered a vintage image, painted and etched in gel medium and highlighted with gold paint. The background and image is from Shabby Cottage Studio.

New Events in My Art Life

I've joined an on-line Christian Mall called Creative Call Studios. All the craftspeople are Christians and it will open Dec. 1. See the press release below:



Creative Call Studios:
A gathering of Christian Artisans
Creative Call Studios has done what no other internet art site has done: brought together a diverse group of independent artisans whose work reflects their Christian beliefs and offered that work for sale to the public in a unique virtual market setting.

At Creative Call Studios, you will find the best work of juried artists in a variety of genres, including mixed media, collage, altered art, dolls, bears, primitives, folk art, contemporary art, wearable art, jewelry, paintings, sculpture, and pottery.

If having a “safe” place to buy your art isn’t enough, shoppers will also find shopping at Creative Call Studios is easy. Artisans accept a variety of payment methods, including, and most preferring, PayPal. We have created not only a beautiful website, but a user friendly one as well.

Creative Call Studios plans to launch the website with their Grand Opening on December 1. Make a point of putting http://www.creativecallstudios.com/ on your list of favorites. On December 1, grab a cup of coffee, pull up your chair, get your mouse finger warmed up with a few flexes and be prepared to admire and shop at the newest art studio on the ‘net. The artisans at Creative Call can’t wait to share their goodies with you!
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I've also been accepted to be on a creative design team for Shabby Cottage Studio, http://www.shabbycottagestudio.com/ an on-line shop that sells mixed media art and supplies for mixed media artists. I'm one of six members who design art objects with the articles Gail Schmidt sells and she choses one of our designs to showcase for her shop every month. I love the challenge and we all do such different work that it's fun to see what we create. The card at the top of this post was one of the pieces of art done on this team.

God has been so good to allow me to create and I try to honor him with my works. He made me and I serve him with whatever I have. Thank you for your interest in my blog as I continue to present devotional art works.

Thanksgiving Greetings

1 Chronicles 16:8-12
"Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name;
Make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him;
Tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name;
Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Look to the Lord and his strength;
Seek his face always.
Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles,
and the judgments he has pronounced."

For Everything?

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus," 1 Thessalonians 5:18. You mean for everything? For that? For them? For it? Yes, Paul was emphatic about prayer. Even in the most dire circumstances, we are to thank God. Sometimes that takes creative thinking on our part. Our interim pastor suggested we consider "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom, a woman who was placed in a concentration camp because of hiding Jews in her home. By God's grace she was able to sneak a Bible into the camp and the women were able to have secretive Bible studies. Corrie was compaining about the fleas, but her sister reminded her that the guards were staying away because of them and that they should be thankful for the fleas, too. When things are hard to explain and my plans go wonky, I remember "the fleas" and thank God for what I have. There is always something for which we need to be thankful.

This card is based on cardstock on which I painted, adhered an altered vintage image and a stamped design. I stippled around the edge with paint.

Entering His Courts

The inspiration for this card comes from my favorite song, Psalm 100, which happens to be the weekly challenge from my Art In The Word Yahoo group. Verse 4 states: "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name."
I've imagined what it must be like to enter the gates of God and to walk into his courts. How could one image such without thanksgiving and praise. I'm trying to have a life of "thanksliving" so that everything that happens becomes a cause for thanks. Our God deserves nothing less.

This card's base is black cardstock on which I've adhered copies of vintage images with added gold gel pen, and gold and black paint. It measures 2 1/2" x 3 1/2."

Give Thanks

Psalm 118:1--"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." This chapter in the book of Psalms repeats the last section of this verse five times. I think the psalmist wanted us to remember it. Like any good song, the refrain is repeated and becomes the part you remember the most. The Psalms are full of repeated phrases and this one is common. What a wonderful way to remind ourselves when the going gets rough--that He still loves us and that doesn't change.

This card measures 5" x 7." I used a copy of an old image, German text, bookbinding materials, computer-generated text and paint. I etched in gel medium and painted it with gold paint. I made this and another like it to send to my sisters for Thanksgiving.

Sunny Thanksgiving

It's time for giving thanks for all the wonderful riches our Lord provides. "Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done," 1 Chronicles 16:8.
This is the first of a number of Thanksgiving cards I'm making. How often we go through our days without once remembering that what we have is God's. I take for granted so many things and fail to express my thanks to Him for his provisions. Thank you, Lord, for all your good gifts to me and my family. Amen

I made this on a natural color 5 X 7 card. I used paint, adhered copies of vintage images, book binding material, German text and etched in gel medium highlighted with gold paint. I sent this card to one of my sons and his family for Thanksgiving.

Just As I Am?

The story about the woman caught in adultery has always been intriguing to me. Who caught her? How did they know she was there? Who was she? Why was she there?-- too many questions left unanswered. The most important point is that Jesus knew who she was and why she was there and loved her anyway. Can you imagine her thoughts as Jesus said, " Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" "No one, Sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." (John 8:10-11) Imagine this continuing conversation: "Lord, you mean you accept me just as I am?" she asked. " Yes, child, because I know who you really are deep inside. My father made you to be my child and to follow me. Come on. Let's really live it up!" She bowed her head, then raised her eyes to him, "Lord, I am yours now, forever. I've never known love until I met you." He took her small hand and they walked away together--forever.

This art card is created on black card stock on which I adhered a vintage image and words from an old text. I stippled bronze paint, etched in gel medium and highlighted with gold paint.

Thanksgiving Gift Giving

Having been challenged by Amber, I'm offering this wonderful recipe. This is the most delicious cake using pumpkin I've ever tasted and its so easy:



PUMPKIN DUMP CAKE



one 29 oz. can pumpkin

one 12 oz. can evaporated milk

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. salt

3 tsp. cinnamon

1 box yellow cake mix

1 cup pecans chopped

3/4 cup melted margarine

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix first 6 ingredients until well-blended. Pour into greased 9 x 13 pan. Sprinkle cake mix on top, cover with pecans and drizzle melted margarine over that. Bake for 50 minutes. Makes 15 servings. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream or eat by itself. Yum!!!



Visit Amber at http://altered-art-by-amber.blogspot.com.

Plans for You

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future," Jeremiah 29:11. I've probably used this verse a number of times in my works but it still holds true every day. If we would give up our plans in favor of the Master Plans for us, we'd be happier people. There's a sense of rest and comfort in knowing you're in the Master's hands.

This art work is based on an old book cover measuring approximately 5 1/4" x 9." The pearls extend another 1 1/2" below the lace and the hanging chain reaches 2 1/2" above. I used a copy of an old image, an old handkercheif, old lace, costume jewelry pearl necklace, assorted pearls, wood disk, stamped design, a sticker, gel medium, gold paint and gel stain.

Measured

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you," Matthew 7:2. So often I catch myself doing just this--measuring people by the way they look, dress or act. I even judge people by how much they have or don't have. What a waste of time. God doesn't want me to do that. He wants me to accept them as His children no matter what. We'd all get along much better if we didn't judge people but embraced them instead. How can anyone know Christ if I don't display His love?

This art was based on cardstock, painted and stamped. I adhered a vintage image and part of a measuring tape then stippled with black paint. I measures 2 1/2" x 2 1/2."

The Gift

"Children are...a gift from the Lord," Psalm 127:3. Indeed, all my children and grandchildren I consider as gifts. Each has his or her own personality and abilities. All of them are healthy and happy children. What more can one expect?--Only that each of them come to know Jesus as his or her personal Savior. Many of them have already, and I look forward to rejoicing with the rest in their decisions for Christ. It's a responsibility for us as grandparents to nurture them and encourage them on this journey.

This card is based on black card stock on which I adhered a vintage image, paint, text, gel medium and gesso. It measures 2 1/2" x 3 1/2."

Making Music

"I will sing to the Lord, I will sing; I will make music to the Lord God of Israel," Judges 5:3.
It's great when one can combine the abilities that God has given. I feel blessed and yet cursed at times because I feel when I concentrate on one ability, the other goes wanting. It's hard to find the balance. With the coming holiday season, both art and music are used to the max. It should be interesting to see how all this comes together without pulling me apart. Well..., what a problem. If that's all about which I have to be concerned, happy me.

This card's base is cardstock measuring 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" on which I've adhered a vintage image, book binding material and old German text. The background paper and image come from http://www.shabbycottagestudio.com. I'm on her design team and we're concocting items from her store.

My Broken Heart

My friend, Deena, has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. She will have to undergo surgery sometime between Thansgiving and Christmas. I was impressed to make this card and picked out words from an old torn up book that grabbed me. I might call this an "Impression Card." I've never had cancer and have known of only one other who has (and my daughter had to remind me of her.) I don't know personally the feelings Deena may have--I can only imagine.
It seems that holy platitudes would be confrontational to her at this point. One thing I do know--God knows her every thought and feeling and God is the only one who can give her the peace she needs at this time. No one else will be able to comfort the way He can.
Psalm 55:22 says, "Cast all your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall." Psalm 142:4 says, "I cry to you, O Lord; I say, 'You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living." 1 Peter 5:7 states, " Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." I feel that Deena is an answer to my prayer for an artistic friend, one who could understand the mind of an artist and her passion to create. Maybe God brought us together for a reason other than that. She is writing a blog to document her journey through this dark time. You can find her at http://deenasstory.blogspot.com. If you've had cancer, you'll know what to say.

Fruitful

Psalm 92:12-14 (excerpt)--"Good people will prosper and grow strong...They will take root...like trees that stay healthy and fruitful even when they are old." This is a promise for those who remain in Christ and depend on him even in their old age. It's so easy to give up when we're discouraged or challenged by what goes on around us. Our strength is in the Lord Jesus Christ who gives us all we need in those times. Look to him and prosper and remain fruitful.

This ATC/ACEO fiber art card, measuring 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches, is made from pulled yarn, tulle, thread and glass seed beads.

My husband and I made it through the big Missionary Commissioning Service last night even though the non-musician leaders jumped ahead of us twice. We remained flexible and cool-headed and continued as if it were supposed to be that way. We managed and did pretty well considering the fact that we're 59 and 60 years old. There were about 2000 people there and the crowd could have been intimidating if we had let it, but we encouraged each other with the fact that we were serving the Lord and not that crowd. We were amazed at the testimonies of the missionary appointees and challenged to work for the Lord as we saw two couples in their 50's commit to an overseas call. Before the event we said to each other that this would be the last one like this that we would probably do, but knowing that the faithful are used by God even into their waning years brings us to the possibility of even more service to our faithful God should he call us. Will we take the challenge? If God wants us, do we say no? We'd better not if we want to prosper and grow strong.

Morning and Evening

Psalm113:3--Early morning just before sunrise and late afternoon just before sunset are my favorite times of day. I love to see how God paints the sky in those moments and how the colors mingle and change by the minute. My God is a wonderful artist. My works are poor copies of the Almighty's creations. Nothing can do justice to the works of God.

This is a 9" x 12" watercolor and ink done many years ago that I found in a box of art stuff. Snow is not here yet but is soon to come. It's turned cold at night and windy in the day--definitely Fall weather. How I love the changing of the seasons.

Pray for my husband and me as we lead a few thousand people in music at our State Capitol Convention Center for a Missionary Commissioning Service tomorrow. This will be the biggest gathering of people we've ever led. We want the Lord to be glorified in our music leading and playing and ask God for peace of mind as we do so.

I Long For You

Psalm 63:1--"O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water." Have you ever had that empty feeling. You have everything you need--home, family, food, water, shelter, transportation, friends--but something is lacking. Maybe that something is the Lord Jesus Christ. He can fill that emptiness in your soul like nothing and nobody else. Turn your life over to Him. Trust Him to fill the hole in your soul.

This art was based on card stock cut to 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" on which I painted a landscape and crackle finished it. I added old book binding materials and a vintage image and stippled black paint around the edges.