TIME PASSING BY

Oh, time is passing so quickly! It seems the more I put my focus in one area, the less I am able to do in others.  Of course, my main focus is to draw closer to God and study is one of the ways I am doing that. Prayer is the second way.  I have created a page of Bible verses that support prayers of healing, abundance, etc. so that I can draw upon them quickly.

I am at the stage of life where I should have free time and I do! Too much me thinks! I know when working, getting children off to school, and household duties were abound, I managed to get it all done. The lack of a time table - of a deadline - has created procrastination  withering motivation and creativity.

Perhaps this is a dry time, one that purposefully releases me from responsibility so that I do have the time for study and prayer. I haven't abandoned all, I still do laundry and cook and sweep, I even pick up a paint brush occasionally! I feel that as I study God's words I will eventually develop the criteria He wants me to have to fulfill His purpose for me in my art.

Thanks for stopping by...
Rhonda

Still Here! Just taking a break!

Hi all,
First, I want to thank each and every one of you for your comments. I do appreciate them! And each gives me more to think about!!

I have been unable to write any posts lately - but will be back to at least weekly posts soon. Please stick around!!

Thank you!
Rhonda

The Purpose of Life

We hear people talking and asking, we read books to understand what life is about.  Do we have a purpose on this earth? Do we die when that purpose is fulfilled? Some suggest we are meaningless creatures, a product of reproduction. (To that I totally disagree!) 

I believe that our purpose in life is to love and honor God by serving Him, keeping His commandments, and being a witness.  That by doing what we know as our purpose, we will also be an example to others.

But how do we serve Him? I cannot take Him a cup of coffee, as I would my spouse. I can however give a prayer of thanks that I am able to have the hot cup of coffee and that I have a spouse to joyfully give a cup. I can give the tired waitress an encouraging smile and greeting, as well as a monetary tip.  I can show patience when the checkout line doesn’t seem to move.  How many ways can you think of to show a kindness?

However, I also believe that there is a hidden purpose that we are not to know.  We are not to try to find it; because, if we found it we would become prideful.  It is only completed as a by-product of honoring and serving God. 

Butterflies in Flight

Following my mother’s stroke, we were visited by a Nun from the hospital.  Our conversation led to this statement by her.  She said she prays “for the people whose lives I touch, and for those who touch mine”.  For we may not know whose lives we touch, it might be the person at the next table, or behind us in line.  And, we may not know the person who has set an example that we see, but need to thank.

 
Today I thank you for reading my tidbits, for those of you who leave comments. May you go in peace and with God’s blessings.
Rhonda

Remembering 9/11

Thanking all the responders to 9/11 and to all who dedicate their lives to the service of others. 

Lifting Prayers for all the people of our country who have been touched by this tragedy.


Rhonda

Joy and Fun

This week would have been a birthday celebration for my grandmother. Although she went to our Father several years ago, she was almost 100 then.  I think what all she must have seen through all those years. She was born before 1900.  Those new to my blog won’t know that I named this blog after her. Mary Fox.  What I remember most about her was how much she showed her love for the Lord and for those around her.  She loved to sing the old gospels.  She played the harmonica and in her earlier years played both piano and organ in church.  She had a piano at home also.   One of her (and mine) favorite activities was playing harmonica and all the grandkids danced a do-si-do.

I played last week.  I needed to refresh myself and wake up my creativity. I created my very first collage! I painted the background on a canvas with acrylic.  With diluted acrylic and inks, I created my papers.  When dry, I “found” the various forms among the paper abstracts, tore them out and pasted them on.   Oh! What fun I had!

Iris Collage
18 x 14
(c)2011 Rhomy

I think everyone needs to play.  To allow ourselves complete trust in God so that we can be a child whatever our age.  Just like my grandmother!

 Have a blessed and funfilled day!

Sparrows

When you come to the edge of all that you know, you must believe one of two things: either there will be ground to stand on, or you will be given wings to fly."— O.R. Melling

My previous posts on birds could not be complete without mentioning sparrows.  As with cardinals, the male is the more colorful. He directs attention away from the female.

In human life, the male has usually been the one most positioned in the limelight. Economics and wars have challenged that position, bringing more women into the workforce. While my husband and I are equal partners in our marriage and decision making; I like that he is considered the head of the household.  It is he who answers the door to unexpected knocks. It is he who warms up my car so I don't have to sit in the cold. And, it is he who comforts me when I am distressed.

We also have a heavenly father who comforts us. Jesus compares us to sparrows when he says we are worth more than sparrows, yet not one sparrow shall fall without our Father's knowledge.  Therefore, we are to have no fear, that God is aware of each one of us and of the plans that He has for us.

Early Sunrise, Oil, 24x18
by Rhomy

Thank you for stopping by! I do enjoy reading your comments!

Reference: Matt. 10.29-31; Luke 12.6-7

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!

A Day Of Learning

Some days I seem to have everything at my fingertips; and then there are those other days when nothing seems to go my way. Those latter days are what I call my day of learning.  I try to reason through the day and figure out my reaction to those obstacles. Am I being stubborn, unforgiving, or self-centered?  God allows obstacles to strengthen our faith in Him.  But, in order for our faith to become strong, we have to work through our problems and our reaction to them.

Anything that we want to accomplish is achieved the same way, by working our way through it.  Whether it is saving money, losing weight, or trying a new technique in painting, we have to plan our process and take the steps to fulfillment.

Here is a cypress knee I have painted. Cypress trees grow in a lake near here created by the backflow of the Mississippi in the 1811 earthquake. The knees are knobby growths that spring up from the roots and are called knees.  Special license must be obtained to cut the knees.  Then the knees have to have the bark peeled, cleaned and sanded to be ready for one's imagination to unfold. This is a penguin family.

The father is looking upward, the mother looking downward at their offspring.

I also post on Tuesdays at  A Passion for Painting giving tips and techniques on painting.  Check out the site for other artists that belong to this guild.

Thank you for visiting. I look forward to your comments. Have a blessed day!

WHAT A TESTIMONY OF FAITH

The past few weeks have not been easy for some people. In fact, as you know from news, the storms have wreaked havoc with losses of property and lives.  Joplin-ites have shown a wonderful testimony of faith that should be shown on every news channel and spoken from every preacher's mouth. The scenes I have seen of people pulling together to help each other speaks volumes of their faith.  Only one who has experienced such a deep loss could feel their pain.  Yet I see victory in their efforts and of those who have responded to give them aid.



How often do we allow the inconveniences of life interfere with our faith? If we allow minor disruptions to cast doubt, what would we do in a situation described above? Or, in spite of despair, do we continue to trust God? Only you can answer.

Be Blessed!

SEEING THINGS DIFFERENTLY

As an artist I often see what isn't there, until I have painted it. Much as someone may stare at the clouds and see images, I see what isn't yet on the canvas.  Sometimes what I see isn't what actually gets painted!  Maybe it is that I try to see too much or that the image I conceive is beyond my ability to paint.

I thought of this as I looked out my window and saw these trees. I saw a shape that my husband didn't see even though I tried to point it out to him.  He said we see things differently.  Here is a photo of the trees. Do you see an animal head?  I saw it and when the wind blew the whole head and neck seemed to react going back and forth.  It didn't break the shape!

The image is in the center of the photo. Yes, those are Christmas lights still up in May. :)  We call them party lights, they are white and blue and create a soft glow.  Try this image: (click on images to enlarge)

My highlighting efforts didn't show up much, but the head is outlined with a circle.

Sometimes what I see in my own work as imperfections, such as too bright, too dark, not the right shape, others see as a nice highlight, the dark balances the light, and just as in nature there is no perfect shape.

This abstract of flowers isn't exactly what I had envisioned. Sorry for the glare, I took the photo at night and needed the flash.

In life, events aren't exactly as we plan either. God has our life planned and we don't always see the overall picture. He doesn't let us know what is ahead.

He doesn't judge by outward appearances either. He knows our heart. He sees things differently!

PS: I don't always know what I am going to post, until I get a "Hint".  So bear with me as I try to post on Friday - but sometimes I don't see the message!

Thanks for stopping by, I hope I give you something to think about each week.

God Bless You!