Redbirds Make Good Model

As an artist I often watch nature for images to paint. We have a family of Cardinals who have been with us a long time.  I first noticed them when they robbed the dry dog food we had set out.  We have a Lab and an Australian Shepherd and neither were concerned with the birds taking their food.  I suppose both dogs knew the birds would take little.  Since then, we have set out birdfeed year-round.  I had always put out feed during winter when ice and snow covered everything.

As I have watched them I noticed some facts.  The male takes care of the female.  It has been so wonderful to see how the male and female relate.  The male will fly down either to the food or a nearby area making sure the coast is clear for the female.  Sometimes he retrieves the food and feeds it to the female.  I have seen the male hop among the branches to be sure the way was safe for the female to feed the young. Once I saw 3 females land on our deck, the male went to the food and gave it to one female.  She then fed the other two.  I don’t know if these two were their offspring or visitors as the two looked almost as large as the female.  

Photo from:

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/cardinal/

While watching I compared them to human behavior and what a great model they make to follow.  So caring for each other.  Isn’t this a great example of following Christ? Loving and caring for others.  Watching over them.

Since I don’t have a painting of Cardinals right now to share and our temps have been in the 110 heat index, I thought I would share a painting to visualize some coolness!

Have a blessed day!

Procrastination

Even though I enjoy painting I find that I put off doing it. Sometimes I let guilt that I should be doing something more productive or dutiful get in the way.  That is just an emotional feeling.  Most times I don’t have the something else to do. So instead of facing that feeling and trying to delve into it, or being more disciplined,  I find myself playing cards or mahjong on the computer.  And sometimes I find myself surfing the net looking for the special inspiration I think I need. Often, I have items stacked that I plan to paint “someday”.  Why not today.  Why not right now?  What is holding me back?

Maybe it is that I don’t feel I deserve the happiness I receive through painting.  Maybe I think that my paintings should be a source of income, and then I would have the “right” to spend time doing it. Maybe I am just not appreciating the talent God has given me.

There are a lot of “maybe’s” in life.  Are you letting the maybe’s get in your way of enjoying God’s gifts to you? Do you feel you don’t deserve happiness? Ask God in your heart today.  Let Him be your shining inspiration!

 Have a blessed day!

Apart into a Desert Place

And he said unto them, come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while. Mark 6:31

This week has been rather stressful. Not unpleasantly so, just a lot to do.  One thing I have been trying to do is to put my MIL’s computer on DSL instead of dial-up.  I think this will help her be on line easier and she will enjoy being on the computer so much more.  I had been checking off and on to see when this would be available in her area.  I spent about 5 hours one day helping her connect the units she received from her ISP.  Oh, I didn’t mention that she lives about 5 hours away from me.  So we were doing this over the phone!  Then I spent another 3 hours the next day on the phone, while we both were on Facebook so that I could help her become acquainted with the location of where to post, what the difference between home and profile were, etc.   I am sure there will be more days of being on the phone and navigating Facebook, but I don’t mind. I am so happy that she will get the enjoyment of seeing everyone!

The rest of the week was pretty much spent on errands, but required frequent trips to town.  I am pretty much a home-body and like to put all my errands into one trip if possible!   Believe me, I was ready to find my desert place – a place of solitude and quiet.   

I am blessed with several areas to find my solitude.  On the deck overlooking the small lake surrounded by lots of trees.  The dogs will come for petting but that is soothing and as enjoyable for me as it is for them.  My favorite place is my studio.  This was a bedroom suite we built on for my mom when she came to live with us following her stroke.  When she went to live with the Lord, I created a studio there. (She would love that!) I have a recliner that I curl up in to read or study art books.  And I have 3 tables on which to paint as well as a standing easel.  Once I get in the painting mode, all else is forgotten! 

Find your quiet place and rest a while!  And have a safe and happy Fourth!

Signs of Summer

Most people watch for robins for signs of Spring.  I watch for hummingbirds and dragonflies for signs of summer.  Something about the size of these little creatures delight me.  Also, I am delighted to see the lightning bugs!  They sparkle the night.  Butterflies are so delicate and have such wonderful colors.  God made creatures great and small, but how much more I enjoy the small ones! 

BUTTERFLIES IN FLIGHT 

Have a Blessed Day!

DAILY BREAD

Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread


How often food is mentioned in the Bible. Moses and his people were given manna to sustain themselves in the desert, but told to only gather what would be eaten that day. Jesus turns water into wine. And barrels are filled with oil. Jesus tells his disciples not to worry about food and drink. Jesus takes the small loaves and fish and feeds multitudes. Jesus shares bread with his disciples before his being crucified. What about, “man does not live by bread alone.”

Yet does bread have other meanings? Of course it did for the Lord’s Supper. But how do we apply it in our daily lives? I don’t think we are meant to sit idly by and expect to be fed, clothed, or housed. The disciples were on a mission to spread God’s word – that was their occupation.


I am reading Elisabeth Elliot, author of God’s Guidance, A Slow & Certain Light, with Study Guide. It is a study on the Lord’s Prayer. How many times have we recited this model of prayer, yet be immune to its meaning? Do we even think about it, or is it something we have memorized and repeat without thought. When we petition Him for bread, we are acknowledging that God is our provider of all things. In her book, she “likes to picture the Lord handing me a platter at the beginning of each new day. On it are the things he has chosen as best for me, and my prayer for daily bread is answered. My part is to receive whatever he gives. Guidance for a decision that need not be final until next Wednesday may require one small move or commitment today. I accept that and act on it without haggling with God because he has not yet granted me all the information I’m itching for. Perhaps patience is his gift of bread for today, or quietness, or the gift of uncertainty, that I may rest in his love, confident that when the time is ripe, the guidance will be clear.”


Certainly a more thoughtful interpretation than I had given it. How about you? What are your thoughts? I write to express my thoughts, but I do appreciate hearing from you.


Have a blessed day!

Exciting News

A PhD theology student from Belguim has requested the use of one of my paintings.  This one:

HIS ALMIGHTY POWER



She described it this way: "I found that this picture really express something of a power, a dynamic. It is for me a positive image of power through the colors and the form."

What excites me the most is her description. That what I had hoped to express in my painting was received by another.  My paintings do not have to hang in a famous gallery to be appreciated. I believe that this is God's wink that my painting talent is from Him and will be used by Him.