Arise, Shine

“Arise,shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.” Isaiah 60:1

Thank You,God,for guiding me to this Scripture. As soon as i read it i knew it was what i needed to hear. God, You gave me my love of writing, art and other forms of expression and for awhile i really did enjoy writing and drawing whenever and on whatever i could. That was mostly as a child. As i got older i started looking at others and measuring myself against them. After that nothing i ever did was good enough in my eyes. Then fear set in so that even when i wanted to write or draw i wouldn’t because i had convinced myself i couldn’t do it-at least not the way i thought it should be done. Now i look back, all these years later, and i am filled with regret. Because of my regret i find myself trying to force creativity and that is just as bad as stifling it. I also still struggle with my crazy self-expectations. The trash can is filled with art that did not meet those expectations. Notebooks are filled with papers that contain words i have written but won’t share because they don’t sound “right” to me. These words from Isaiah really speak to me today because they remind me it is all it is all about You and not me. You give me what i need to rise and it is Your light that makes me shine. It is for Your glory that i am to write and create. Your hands guide the pen and pencil or whatever medium You desire. You are inspiration! This is what i have forgotten and i thank You, Father, for reminding me. Help me to remember.

An Artist's Prayer

"When God sends His inspiration, it comes to us with such miraculous power that we are able to "arise from the dead" and do the impossible. The remarkable thing about spiritual initiative is that life and power come after we "get up and get going". God does not give us overcoming life-He gives us life as we overcome."-Oswald Chambers What do i need to practice my art? Courage? Courage comes from trust. If i truly trust in You courage replaces the fear. Right? When the fear comes i should trust You enough to give them to You. Then even if i don't feel artistic or creative i do it anyway in the belief that You are who You say You are and i am who You say i am. You are the God of all creation of which i am a part. To mankind You have given artistic talents and the ability to create. I will choose to believe that and i choose to believe that You have told me i am an artist. Now i must make the choice to practice my art even when i don't see it myself. In the past i have just given up but You have always given me some kind of creative outlet: calligraphy,crafts,writing,photography,cooking,cake decorating...so many outlets but i have been too blind to see them as artistry. Thank You, Father, for keeping the creativity in my life even when i took it for granted. When i am being creative i feel so energized, inspired and now i am seeing that is because being creative is what You have given me to do. However You want me to use it, help me to see. For Your glory Lord, amen.

Homeschooling: The Thrill is Back!

This image of children having fun learning and enjoying the great outdoors is brought to you compliments of "My Father's World-Exploring Countries and Cultures". Since our first day of school last Monday(8-11) some interesting things have been taking place. The children and i are thoroughly enjoying homeschooling again! We try to start school every day at 8:00. No problem. They are ready and ASKING to start school at 7:30! Brogan and Reece were actually disappointed when we didn't have school over the weekend. Rachel enjoys reading and would rather help me with her brothers who are in Kindergarten and working through "My Father's World From A to Z"than play the Wii. She now says she wants to be a teacher. The little ones are so excited to be learning the days of creation,numbers and the alphabet. The older two are fascinated by geography,science and learning about different countries and cultures. I am feeling much smarter myself! As their teacher i am relearning so much of what i have forgotten over the years. "My Father's World" has also sparked everyone's creativity, including my own. We have music and art three days a week because creativity is very much encouraged in this curriculum. Every Wednesday we enjoy a Nature Walk and that is what we are doing in this picture. This was our first one, we are eagerly awaiting tomorrow's walk when we will start our leaf and bark collection. To say that i am thoroughy impressed with MFW would be an undersatement. This is the curriculum i have so desperately seeking since we started homeschooling 4 years ago. I am so grateful a friend told me about "My Father's World" and thank God for this wonderful opportunity to teach my children in what is turning out be a great adventure! Stay tuned readers, there will be more to share in the days and weeks ahead...

11 Things

Old habits die hard...especially bad habits. I know this all too well. While my bad habits are too numerous to list here will say that the one habit i have battled long and hard is my bad habit of overeating. Whether i am happy, sad, excited or anxious my way of dealing with my emotions has always been to eat. More than once i have gained weight, lost it and kept it off for a while only to return to the old bad habit. What makes this habit worse is that by looking to food i am taking my eyes off of God. Food consumes my time, energy and thoughts. Until i bring all these things into God's submission i will never be the wife, mother, friend or artist He created me to be. I do believe this. And that is why i have created a list of things i can do instead of eating that will make better use of all that God has given me. This is just the beginning. I also believe that God has more in store for me as i learn to be obedient to Him: 1. Pray!! 2. Read. 3. Write. 4. Draw or paint. 5. Dance. 6. Get outside. 7. Take some pictures. 8. Walk. 9. Yardwork. 10. Play with the kids. 11. Talk with someone i love. These are all things i love to do anyway i just needed to make this list and remember it. That is why i am posting it here and will put it up in the house where i will see it often. The next time temptation strikes this will help.