As The Deer Pants

Psalm 42:1-2--"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God."

I remember times when my soul was like a desert, dry and empty. I longed to be feel complete, whole. Those were times when I strayed from my Lord and went my own way into a wasteland without proper heavenly nourishment. I was very unhappy and constantly seeking, looking for fulfillment and love. I hoped that my thirsty soul would be quinched by worldly things, but it wasn't. No matter what I devised, it wasn't making me happy. Only when I turned back to God and wholeheartedly committed my life to him did I feel the inner joy only God can bring. I still have down times, but I know they won't last long because I turn those times over to the Lord and he provides me with nourishment I need.

I made this on the shoulder blade of a deer my husband killed this winter. It's his birthday Monday and he requested I do this. I don't like drawing deer. I'd rather do something more "pastel."
Some of you may gasp and gag at the deer bone, but when you are raised hunting, it is second nature. He was raised that way. We eat all the deer, processing it ourselves, and share it with our family. My husband has used and shared hides and has given parts of deer to Native Americans and other friends for their personal use. I used ink and colored pencils to create this picture.

Love is the Greatest

1 Corinthians 13--
1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

This art began as a playing card on which I adhered a copy of an early 1900's postcard, old text, old music, ribbon, button, heavy thread, brass charm and I etched in gel medium and highlighted with stain and gold paint. I gave this card to my husband for Valentine's Day.

Where Is Your Treasure?

Matthew 6:21--"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

What do you treasure? Without what can you live? Jesus' message to us has not changed since the time he spoke this to his disciples and others. Take a look at your checkbook, credit card accounts, or ATM account. On what do you spend your money? How does that compare with what you give to the Lord through your church? Oh, oh, now I've stepped on toes. Jesus did too, because no one likes to be put on the spot. Jesus really didn't care if he hurt the feelings of his followers. He told the truth anyway and this is the truth.

I made this little heart decoration from a Christmas ornament with rust-colored paint. I repainted it old gold and added colored tulle inside, a paper heart (Shabby Cottage Studio), glitter glue, an old earring and silk cording. The heart measures about 4" x 4" and is about 1" deep.

God's Workmanship

Ephesians 2:10--"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Every day brings new opportunities for service if we are open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps it's only to call a friend, write an email or letter, or open the door for someone--that's service. Those are good works. The best "good work" we can do is testify for Jesus. Tell someone what he has done in our life. We can't save people; only God can do that. All we can do is the good works he has prepared for us. Do the work of Christ today.

This little card started as a playing card on which I collaged different text and music and skrim, adhered an altered vintage image and other ephemera, glitter glued, then etched in gel medium and highlighted with gold paint and stain.

The Winner of This Week's Drawing Is

Theysaywordscanbleed is the winner of this week's drawing for the little journal I posted on Feb. 4. Congratulations! Get your address to me via my email, sallylsmith1@yahoo.com so I can send it to you.

Covered With Feathers

Psalm 91:4--"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wing you will find refuge."

What great words of comfort. When we need him most he nestles us under his wing like a bird protects her offspring. These words give me hope when life brings its storms. When we can find peace nowhere else, we turn to God, the first place we should have come in the beginning. Sweet peace comes from the Prince of Peace.

This art started as an old book cover on which I collaged background trees and water and over which I adhered tracing paper. I added a vintage image, text, ribbons and craft feathers. It measures approximately 6" x 8 1/2" and I spent about 2 1/2 hours making it. It is for sale in my Etsy Shop--see sidebar. Comment on one or more of my blog posts over the past week and have your name entered in a drawing to take place tomorrow for a small journal I posted on Feb. 4. You'll find more details there.

Never Alone

Deuteronomy 31:6--" I will never leave you or let you be alone."

These are comforting words from our Lord when we feel like everyone has left us and we are going solo. God is always there for us when we call. We can depend on him at all times and in all circumstances. I look back on my life and wish I had put in calls to God. My life would have been smoother if I would have trusted these words.

This art began as a playing card on which I adhered background paper, a copy of a vintage image, ribbon, lace, scrapbook paper, a button and text. I etched in gel medium and highlighted with gold paint. The green ribbon is just the holder for the picture.

LEAVE COMMENTS ON ANY OF MY BLOG POSTS BETWEEN FEB. 4 AND MIDNIGHT (CST) FEB. 11 TO BE IN A DRAWING FOR A LITTLE JOURNAL I CREATED (SEE DETAILS ON FEB. 4TH POST.) THE DRAWING WILL BE FEB. 5 AND, IF YOU WIN, I'LL LET YOU KNOW VIA YOUR BLOG OR EMAIL ADDRESS YOU LEAVE ME

Love is Kind

1 Corinthians 13:4--"Love is kind."
This is one of the many things this verse says about love. Everytime is read this chapter, I wonder if I have true love. I'm always convicted that I don't love enough. I have to convince myself that this is talking about perfect love, the love God has for us in sending his Son and the love the Son has for us in giving his life. The writer to the Corinthians is trying to get them to realize that they just think they have love for each other. He is reminding them of the perfect love for which we should strive. As Valentine's Day approaches, let kindness be a part of your love life.

This little card was made with Valentine papers courtesy of Shabby Cottage Studio.com. I also used other ephemera, music and paint. I etched in gel medium and highlighted with silver paint. I added ribbons to the back that hang loose on each side. Please, comment on any of my blog entries between Feb. 4 and Feb. 11 and have your name put in a drawing for a little journal giveaway. I'll draw a name Feb. 12. See details on my Feb. 4 post.

Faded Flowers

Isaiah 40:8--The grass withers; the flower fades but the word of our God stands forever."
What a promise! It has been true through the ages that the Bible has been a "best seller." Even those who don't know the God of the Bible know some of his words and use them as proverbs for life. I depend on His word for solace, guidance, growth, instruction, lessons in righteousness, friendship, joy, power and encouragement--just to name a few. Like flowers, this little card won't last forever, but my soul will and I nurture my soul through his word.

This art began as a playing card onto which I mounted a flat magnet as the backing. I created the background paper from computer-generated text and stain. I added a vintage image (Paper Whimsy), reproduction ads, old millinery flower (repainted), old pulled thread edging from a vintage hankie. I added gel and etched a design, painted and stained.

Flowers Appear

Song of Solomon 2:11-12--See! The winter is past....Flowers appear on the earth."
We got at least four more inches of snow yesterday. Although it is beautiful, my heart is yearning for Spring. What better way to experience a breath of Spring than to create a "Springy" piece of art. I thank God for all the snow we've had, because the water contributes mightily toward a good Spring crop. Thank you, Lord, for the changing seasons.

This is a little journal measuring 3 1/2" x 4 1/2" on which I adhered background paper (Shabby Cottage Studio), a vintage image (Paper Whimsy), copies of old advertisements (thank you, Deena), old lace, handerchief strip, and ribbons. I etched in gel medium and highlighted with gesso. I added old text (again, Deena) inside the covers. I'm putting it for sale on Etsy today. (See left side bar.)

DON'T FORGET TO COMMENT ON ONE OF MY BLOG ENTRIES THIS WEEK. I HAVE ANOTHER LITTLE JOURNAL (POSTED A FEW DAYS AGO) TO GIVE AWAY IN A DRAWING TO BE HELD FEB. 11.

I Rest In You

Psalm 62:5--"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him."
2 Chronicles 14:7--" 'The land is still ours, because we sought the Lord our God; we sought him and he has given us rest on every side." So they built and prospered."

In all the turmoils in life, we can always find rest in God. God gives us a sense of security in suffering, a feeling of comfort in chaos and a place of safety in the storms. Run to him. Cling to him. Hold on and feel his mighty arms around you, all you who call him "Father."

I made this piece of art in response to my feelings concerning the destruction of Union University in Jackson, TN by a tornado yesterday. My heart hurts for them and I wish I were there to help. I'm praying for all the workers, students, teachers and administrators, alumni and citizens as they rally and rebuild their lovely school.

Snow Never Looked So Good

The Lord Protects--Another snow is nothing. My daughter lives in the Jackson, TN area where tornados tore up Union University. This really hits home since both my husband and I and our three children and their spouses have our degrees from there. We also have two friends from our church on that campus as students. All our friends and family are safe thanks to God's Almighty protection. Our youngest grandchild had tubes put in her ears this morning and she's also safe and already at home. Proverbs 2:8--"He protects the way of his faithful ones."

People and Animals

Psalm 36:6--"All people and animals are under your care."
I'm glad to know that all of his creation is precious to God, even the animals. Yes, we are to have dominion over the animals, but sometimes men and women are not responsible beings. We have an outdoor dog, a German Shepherd. Shepherds are sturdy animals and this one has been outside since he was a puppy. He laughs at the snow and cold. We protect his house from the weather by blocking the North and West winds. We see that he has food and make sure that he has water three times a day, but if we put straw in his house in the winter to protect him from the cold, he shoves it right out. He likes his house to be neat--and cold. God cares for him in the raw weather by creating him with tough paws and thick fur. If we brought him inside in the very cold winter, he'd either get sick or die. He was meant to be outside. God also cares for us and gives us what we need. Let's depend on him to know what he was doing when he created us and depend on his care.

This little card began as a playing card on which I painted, adhered a vintage image, frayed ribbon, mesh, cording, and other ephemera. I etched in gel medium, painted and stained it. I added a black wire for hanging. PLEASE, COMMENT ON ONE OF MY BLOG POSTS THROUGH THIS WEEK AND I'LL PUT YOUR NAME IN A DRAWING TO RECEIVE A PIECE OF MY ARTWORK.

BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY

My birthday was last weekend, Ground Hog's Day, so I'm giving away this little journal, Faith.
It measures 3 1/2" x 4 1/2." I've adhered a vintage image, ribbons, a brass charm, other ephemera, sticky jewels and I etched in gel medium, painted and highlighted in gold. On the inside of the covers and the back I've glued foreign text and music and stained it. Just comment on my blog sometime during the next week, Feb. 4 through Feb. 11 (midnight). I will announce the winner on Feb. 12. Have a great week.

Sweetness

Psalm 119:103--"How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"

The Psalmist is referring to God's words. When one gets in the habit of reading them, it's not the same without them. I'm a sweets lover. Almost anything with sugar in it pleases me. But the sweetness of the Lord's words don't have calories and the satisfaction they bring me are much more pleasant. There's a deep soul quinching when one devours the word of the Lord. Taste and see.

I made this little tussie mussie for my Creative Call Studios shop and you can find it there on the 10th of this month (see the side bar to go to the shop. I'm Lydia's Lineage). I decorated it with scrapbook paper, old tatted lace, paper flowers, wire and ribbons. I used perforated packing paper, lightly painted and added a vintage image, eggs in a nest and a little statement "God Bless Your Easter." It measures about 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" from top to bottom and edge of ribbons.