WP - Foolishness of the Cross

And being found in appearance as a man . . .

. . . He humbled Himself . . .

 . . . and became obedient . . .

. . . to the point of death . . .

 . . . even the death . . .

 . . . of the cross.  Phillipians 2:8

And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him . . . now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross.  And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.  John 19:17-19

For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him, to reconcile all things

 to Himself by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the 

blood of His cross.  Colossians, 1:19,20

For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of division between us, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.  Ephesians 2:14-16

And you being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And  He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.  Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.  Colossians 2:13-15

But God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of our LORD Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.  Galatians 6:14

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.  For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  1 Corinthians 1:17,18

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:1,2

 . . . He said, "It is finished!" John 19:30

WP - Watering the Earth

Today I am beginning a project that will take some time but will make me very happy.  I have another blog, WORD Pictures, which has been sadly neglected for many long months (okay, it's over a year).  The format of WORD Pictures is a pairing of photographs and scripture verses on a single theme that serves as a peaceful spot to just be still for while and soak in the wonder of God's love letter to us. My plan is to integrate those posts into the Art of Life.

The WORD Pictures reposts and future originals will begin with the letters WP and will consist of just photos and pure scripture, no personal opinions or reflections.  I trust you will be refreshed and inspired as the Ancient Words speak to your heart.

"He shall come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth."
(Hosea 6:3)

"He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass, like showers that water the earth."  (Psalm 72:6)

" . . . but the land which you cross over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, 
which drinks water from the rain of heaven."  (Deuteronomy 11:11)

"He gives rain on the earth, and sends waters on the fields."  Job 5:10

" . . .  earth-refreshing rain showers . . ."  (Psalm 72:6  The Message Bible)

"Has the rain a father? Or who has begotten the drops of dew?"
(Job 38:28)

"Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving, sing praises on the harp to our God, who covers the heavens with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth . . ."  Psalm 147:7,8

" . . .He'll take charge of sending the rain at the right time . . . "  
(Deuteronomy 11:13  the Message Bible)

"You visit the earth and water it,

You greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water,

You provide their grain for so You have prepared it. 

You water its ridges abundantly,

You settle its furrows;

You make it soft with showers,

You bless its growth.

                     

You crown the year with Your goodness,

 and Your paths drip with abundance.

They drop on the pastures of the wilderness,

and the little hills rejoice on every side.

(Psalm 65:9-12)

For as the rain comes down and the snow from heaven,

and do not return there,

but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud,

that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;

it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please,

and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." 

(Isaiah 55:10,11)

Photo Art Friday - Head to Toe

"Quirky Selfie" is the theme this month at the PAF Gallery.

I know selfie's are often a challenge for people and I am no different.

Here we go . . . 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  I have always been able to see and appreciate the beauty in other people, in a myriad of plants, animals and even critters I am not particularly fond of. Exquisitely crafted books, poetry, music that stirs the soul and art that leaves me open-mouthed in awe of the creativity . . .   not difficult to pronounce them as works of beauty. Seeing it in myself was something I have struggled with much of my life.  

Believing we are all marked by our Maker with elements of beauty, it seems that I needed to shift my attitude towards myself and acknowledge and embrace my own beauty.

As I have alluded to in previous posts, for a long time I disqualified myself from using the word "Artist" to describe myself.  Having moved past that I have stepped out in a number of ways.

This Photo Art Friday link-up has been instrumental in releasing my inner child and giving me permission to play with no rules but lots of inspiration and sharing of techniques and processes.

And . . . this past Saturday, I went to a Prophetic Art Workshop and played with real canvas and paint and brushes.  Oh joy! All my life I have wanted to paint and have never done more than a few paint by numbers as a child.

Here are my first fumbling attempts at painting with acrylics.

It was really mostly about feeling the way the brushes move and how different strokes look but oh what fun I had and can hardly wait for the next workshop.

Come see what's hanging in the gallery over at Bonnie's . . .