Saturday, June 28, 2008

Kindness

Ephesians 4:32--"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

We're hearing a lot about kindness lately: "Pay it forward," "Do unto others...," "Random acts of kindness," "giving back." Unfortunately, we so seldom actually see kindness in others. Our lives are so busy that we don't take the time to even be kind. I have to intentionally decide that I am going to be kind when I walk into a business, get in my car or even get up in the morning. If I pray for the Lord to help me be kind, he will provide opportunities for me to do so. Then it's my responsibility to do it. It takes thought for me and doesn't come naturally--and forgiveness? Well, that's another story!

This little card is part of a collection of the Fruits of the Spirit I'm exchanging with Heather of The Patchwork Heart. I made the background out of magazine scraps and added a copy of a vintage postcard and cut-out letters. I'll jazz it up when I put it in the little book of "fruits."

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Patience

Isaiah 66:13--"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you."

Patience. When I hear that word, I relate it to parenting--especially for the single parent. It takes so much patience to bring up a child and meet all his needs. When the child is sick, the parent has to be there every minute. When the child is hurt, the parent is at his/her side consoling and cajoling. When the child is afraid, the parent calms the child's fears and gives strength. When a child has lost his/her way, the parent waits, patiently, until he/she returns to them--no matter how hard that may be or how old the child. Can you see our Heavenly Father in this patient parent? Patience.

A playing card is the base of this art project along with other ephemera, cloth, a ribbon, and a copy of Mary Cassat's lovely painting that reminded me of patience. This is one of a series of ATCs I'm making for Heather of thepatchworkheart.com.

Perfect Peace

Isaiah 26:3--"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you."

The perfect picture of peace is a sleeping baby. That little one can try your patience during the day but when you look in on that lovely face at night and see his/her soft breathing, you have to smile. There's nothing more beautiful. We can feel a sense of peace when we allow God to handle all our problems. All--that's pretty inclusive! God is there for us when we call on him. Why do we have to be troubled? Let's allow Him to give us peace.

This art started as a playing card on which I adhered a portion of cardstock, a copy of a vintage image, other ephemera, a paper flower, a small decorative button and glitter glue. This is the next in a series of the Fruits of the Spirit to be given to Heather of The Patchwork Heart in a swap we're doing.

Friday, June 20, 2008

The Joy of the Lord

Nehemiah 8:10--"The joy of the Lord is your strength."

In this passage of scripture the Law was being read to the Israelites for the first time in a long time. They were so overcome by God's word that they started crying as they realized their sins. Nehemiah told them to celebrate. It was to be a time of festivity and sharing rather than a time of weeping and he used the words above as encouragement to them. These words still encourage people today. When our defenses are down, when we're weary to the core, when we've done all we can do, we need to remember this verse and be joyful in the Lord and he will give us the strength we need. So many times I depend on what I can do and not on what the Lord can do and he has all that strength waiting for me if I call on Him. How wonderful is that?

This is the second in a series of Fruits of the Spirit for Heather. I've used a playing card, cut-outs from a calender, other ephemera, scrapbook paper, a button, stick-on letters and lace. I'll elaborate further when I put it in a book with the other "fruits."

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Their Clothes Did Not Wear Out


Deuteronomy 29:5--"During the forty years that I led you through the desert, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet."

Now wouldn't that be something? Do you have a favorite outfit--pants, skirt, shirt, blouse, dress? Do you have some comfy shoes that you love to wear because they feel so good? What if you could keep these for forty years and they would never wear out? That's what happened to the Israelites as they traversed the desert on their way to the promised land. God took care of their every need. Now, notice that I said "need" and not "want." I get a little carried away sometimes buying things I don't need and then wondering how I'm going to pay for the things I do need. God has provided--regardless.
My husband and I haven't made a lot of money in out lives, so we've had to depend on God to provide for our needs. Our children are not used to wearing expensive clothing or namebrand shoes, but God has provided for our needs. We've had to have a garden, but God provided for the time and energy to work one. We haven't had the best house or car, but God has provided for our needs and enough money to own them. We have three healthy married children, their three healthy spouses and eleven (soon to be 12) grandchildren. What more could we want? Who needs clothes or shoes?

This is a little chipboard form from Shabby Cottage Studio. As a member of the design team, I was to decorate this to be displayed (maybe) in her online shop. I chose to make the one-piece folded dress/apron form into a booklet by cutting it at the shoulders and using her decorative papers and collage sheets. I think it turned out really cute. I may have to keep this one for myself and put pictures of my little granddaughters in it.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Der Konig

John 15:13--"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

Der Konig-The King

These words in the book of John of Jesus to his disciples were a premonition of what was to come. The disciples were totally oblivious to the urgency of his speech to them that night. He was giving them a remembrance to which they would refer in the coming years as they ministered and died for him. He was the perfect example of "true love." How we trivialize those words today. The Master Lover showed us by example how to truly love.

This is the first of a collection I'm making for Heather of The Patchwork Heart. We're trading little books on the Fruits of the Spirit. Try to invision love. What is your first thought? This piece, I think, will draw thoughts to true love as shown by Christ and which we are to copy. The base is a playing card on which I adhered scrapbook paper and other ephemera, a brass cross and a cut-out crown with glitter glue. I will add the doo-dads later as I put the book together.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

The Shelter

Psalm 91:1--"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."

I take my shelter for granted. Just yesterday a friend told me that the roof of her brother's house had been torn off in the latest storm. That's the storm I slept through. I was oblivious to the thunder, lightning and wind. Many people were awakened by it and stayed up watching the weather for tornadic activity so they could protect their family. Not my husband and me--we slept. When the storms of life threaten, are we at peace in the Lord's hand or up watching the clouds? So many things in life are beyond our control-- like the weather. Do we worry and stew or allow God to do what he's already planned to do for us? Storms are promised but so is rest. Which will we choose? As a side note--if I had been awake, I probably would have been watching the clouds, too. Silly me.

This started as a small shadow box that I painted pink and white and added feathers, a jewelry finding, a dove charm, assorted lace and pearls, cotton, copies of vintage angel pictures, fabric roses and text cut from old books.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Being Transformed

2 Corinthians 3:18--"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

I received this lovely creation from Heather of The Patchwork Heart who bought my Itty Bitty Book of Angels recently. She asked if I would swap artwork with her and I was happy to do so and this is what I received in the swap! It's so beautiful--lace, butterflies, pink, drippy lace add-on, pink buttons, the letter "S", and the verse. All make this so personal. Thank you, Heather.

Indeed, transformation is a process as the scripture reveals--a day-to-day adventure in a Christian's life. Since we are human, we carry around the foibles of humanity--sin. And we have to daily die to ourselves and allow Christ to transform us into his likeness. It's so easy to slip back into our sinful nature. Just yesterday I began chastising my husband between the choir room and the sanctuary because I thought he should have cancelled the choir number when not enough sopranos showed up for the pre-service rehearsal. It totally knocked him out of kilter for the service and he was in a "mad mood" throughout the morning. We got things back together during the day, but the service was ruined by my mouthing. By the way, two more sopranos showed up in the choir loft after the service had already started! Oh, me, of little faith!

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Good News

Mark 16:15--"Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."

This was the Bible verse for the last day of Vacation Bible School. A megaphone was the prop to illustrate the Bible point: "Jesus gives us the power to tell others about God." We had a great week at Bible school and a great family night last night. My hope is that some of the children will come to know Jesus as their savior and tell their parents. That's the job of the Christian--tell others the good news.

I also had some other good news when I woke up this morning. My friend, Deena, got a great report on her follow-up PET scan yesterday. All the cancer is gone except one little place at the base of her spine. She will continue with radiation the next few weeks. I am so excited at the work God has done in her. Everyone knows that chemo only works for a few cancer victims, so this is a miracle accomplished by God. Thank you, Jesus.

This art started as a playing card on which I adhered scrapbook paper, old and new text, linen and a copy of an old postcard. I etched in gel medium and highlighted with stain and gold paint. I stamped "Good News" with old type-set letters. Of course my printer is almost out of ink so I had to enhance the figure with water color pencils. His face is still a little pink, but he is yelling into the megaphone. Right?

Friday, June 13, 2008

Welcome!

John 14:19--"Because I live, you also will live."

Yesterday in Vacation Bible School, we studied about Jesus' death and the sacrifice he made for us to "live forever." Have you ever wondered how heaven will look? The Bible gives us hints like "streets of gold," "mansions," and "angels," "saints who have gone before." The best things in heaven, though, will be God and his son, Jesus. Before his death Jesus told his disiciples what to expect and if they loved him and obeyed him, he would prepare a place for them (v. 2) and take them to be with him (v. 3). That's a promise every Christian needs to embrace. If we believe that Jesus is who he said he was, we will believe what he promised.

This is a poor rendition of what heaven must be and the only viable ephemera available to me was pictures of angels and even pictures of them are someone's imagination. I used a number of different copies of old pictures of angels, a copy of a vintage postcard, a copy of the moon (NASA.com), a playing card and gold paint.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Be Brave

Joshua 1:9--"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Our Bible Point in Vacation Bible School yesterday was "Jesus gives us the power to be brave."
A song I taught the children was "Wherever You Go" that uses the verse above as the text. These words, straight from the Lord, are put into a child's song and if taken to heart, can be what brings that child through troubled times in his life. So many children at VBS have already seen trouble--abuse, apathy, neglect, abandonment and anger--all of these, and the child has not yet reached puberty. I pray that we take this verse to heart and remember it. The Lord mentioned three different times in verses 6-9 to "be strong and (very) courageous." Do you suppose he meant it?

I used the back of an old 1881 book entitled "Ready and Willing" as the base of this work. It has a beautifully decorated cover and I left the binding with the title attached. I added an elaborate Victorian door plate, a copy of an old postcard, an already splotched piece of German text, a rusty old key stamped "be brave," rusty chicken wire, buttons, a ribbon and a piece of old cloth measuring tape. I highlighted a leaf on the plate with antique gold paint.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Helping

Romans 12:13--"When God's people are in need, be ready to help them."

This was our Bible Point in Vacation Bible School yesterday. So much of my life I've sat on the sidelines watching other people work. I'm a klutz--what can I say? Usually my husband tells me to just hold the door or kindly get out of the way. I do seem to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I don't see work to be done. Since being at my church the past almost 13 years, I've grown to recognize a job to be done and help other people. Though I still get in the way , I try. Everyone in our church pitches in to accomplish the job, even the children. It's important to teach children how to help, how to share and how to give. I'm in the later years of my life and I'm still learning.

This started as a playing card on which I adhered scrapbook paper, a copy of a vintage image, a piece of old measuring tape and some old buttons. I stamped the work "helping" with rubber letters.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Always Be Thankful

Colossians 3:15--"Always be thankful." (NLT)

It's Vacation Bible School time at my church. We had a sanctuary full of kids and leaders today. Our Bible Point for the day was "Jesus gives us the power to be thankful." On first reading this I thought, "Why do we need power to be thankful? You are or you're not. It's that simple." But this says "always." That means all the time! That means even when you don't feel like being thankful. That means even when there is nothing for which to be thankful. I live a charmed life and rarely is there an occassion when I should feel anything but thankfulness. But in my pride and my selfishness, I many times feel discouraged, dismayed or disgusted--feelings far from thankful. It's those times that I need to pray for Jesus to give me the power to be thankful. I really am trying for "always."

I've had this picture for a long time--since I began doing mixed media art. It has not been until today that I've had an inspiration to use it. The base is a playing card on which I adhered this picture, added torn lettering, etched in gel medium, added stain and highlighted with gold paint.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Whiter Than Snow

"Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." Psalm 51:7

This is a song written by King David after his illicit relationship with Bathsheba and his planning to kill her husband. David was remorseful over his sins and cried out to God to forgive him. He also wanted to forgive himself for the gross sins in his life. So many times we carry around the filth of sin years after the fact. We may ask God's forgiveness and we may even believe that He has forgiven us, but the burden comes when we don't forgive ourselves. When He washes us, it is like new fallen snow. We aren't dirty anymore. We are like clothes right out of the dryer--warm, white and ready to wear. Why do we keep the "dirty" guilt in our brains when God has forgiven that too? Let's go out ready to do service for Him--ready to wear.

This little journal was made for a swap and will be given to a woman who makes soap. The picture is a copy of a photo of my great grandmother. Yes, they actually washed their clothes outside in Minneapolis in the middle of winter. She really knew what snow was! I used a purchased small notebook, added scrapbook paper, the copy of the photo, computer generated lettering (stained), ribbons and a fish charm.


Tuesday, June 3, 2008

The Little Words

Proverbs 16:24--"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."

It's important what we say because words can either hurt or heal. Many times I speak before I think and that's dangerous. It's really rare when I actually pray before I speak. I believe I need to start doing that.

This piece is an intuitive collage I worked on the back of a package I sent to an artist friend in a swap. The music says, "God help me speak the little words."

Monday, June 2, 2008

Outward Appearance

1 Samuel 16:7--But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

"Boy, you look pretty today!" [I just got angry with my child in the car on the way to church.] "Wow, is that a new dress? You look great!" [I stayed up late surfing blog sites and saw more than I should have.] "Hi, it's good to see you. You look as young as you did 15 years ago--as beautiful as ever!" [The day before, I had taken something that didn't belong to me.] Are we what we appear to be? I confess. I've done these things in my lifetime and much worse. Though I may seem to be the mild-mannered pastor's wife, God knows my heart. The most wonderful thing is that when I confess my sin and the evil that resides in my heart, he is faithful to forgive my sin and cleanse me from all that's wrong in my life. As he said to the woman so long ago, "Go and sin no more." I learned. He can make me whole again. He has.

The inspiration for this card started with my pastor's sermon yesterday where God was chosing the new king among a shepherd's family. King David had a heart for God. Though he failed miserably in many areas of his life, God still used him mightily. As the pastor was speaking, I was thinking about the heart and how very black it is inside at times. I used a copy of beautiful woman, made a cardboard heart, heart-shaped paper, painted, glued and added words.