The Swan

Day 300:  It has been a very nice time visiting with family. I got to hang with my cousins whom I don't get to see very often.  We all laughed alot, and the next day the gals all went shopping.  Dresses and new shoes...what's not to love?

A lot of the wedding pictures have been posted, and what I really appreciated was that some were so very lovely, but then there were several that were intentionally goofy and fun.   But tell me, isn't the best seeing the transformation of the bride?  For some reason, I tend to think of a swan. Just a bird, but when they come into their own they are graceful and beautiful.

It is the same with the believer.  Just a man (or woman), and then by the power of God, transformed into something lovely.

Please, God, bless!

"Who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."  Phil 3:21

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.

Weird Bird

Day 299:  Another busy day with the fam. So, here is a weird bird.   I hope you have a fun filled day!

Please. God, bless!

"..and the ostrich and the owl and the sea gull and the hawk in its kind,"  Lev 11:16

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.

Fox and a Wedding

Day 298:  Went to a wedding today, and hang out with the fam.  Given its a late night, I doodled a critter with a tie...maybe a fox having a bad hair day?

Blessings to the happy couple!

Please, God, bless!

"Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom.” My beloved is mine, and I am his; he grazes among the lilies."   Song 2:15-16

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.

Cow Selfie

Day 297:  It was suggested that I do a cow taking a selfie as a doodle today.  A cow?  A selfie?  Funny.  Maybe even moo-ving.

Please, God, bless!

"...on that day your livestock will graze in a roomy pasture."  Is 32:23b

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.

Another Tree

Day 296: Came home from a long day to a neighborhood gal hang out--with the husbands!  Woohoo! Break out the wine, beer, and good company!  So, what do you doodle when you have no time?  A tree!

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.--Joyce Kilmer

Please, God, bless!

"Please let a little water be brought and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree;"  Genesis 18:4

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.

Balloon

Day 295: A late day, and I had not idea what to doodle.  Hubby and I watched a show where this kid is standing with a balloon, and someone comes up and just cuts it loose.  People's reactions were shock, some seemed horrified even!  Of course, it was a prank, but it was definitely an interesting study of people's reactions. In any case, he suggested I doodle a balloon, so I did.


Please, God, bless!

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ? "  Matt 6:27

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.

Lost Nation

Day 294:  Iranian Nukes.   Beheaded Christians. Americans killed. Antisemitism. Tax Burden. Trans-"fill in blank". Terrorist threats. Marriage redefined. Polygamy Rights. Gender neutrality. Sexual obsession. Sex trafficking. Perpetuating Pornography. Raped girls. Molested boys. Muslim extremists. Denying Visas. Abandoning Israel. Immigrant criminals. Children killers. Lying Leaders. Law-creating Courts. Constitution-defying Administration. Voting fraud. Shredding evidence. Shameless lies. Grandstanding narcissism. Useless Congress. Racial divides. Inciting riots. Burning Flags. Recreational "medicine". Sex-Ed Kindergartners. Community indoctrination. Intolerant Tolerance. Satan Worship. Remove Commandments. Underpaid soldiers. Overpaid Politicians. Celebrity worship.  Genetic tampering. Aborted infants. Abandoned babies. Abused toddlers. Hungry children. Molested teens. Teacher predators. Beaten elderly. Desperate people. Lifetime Welfare. Massive Unemployment. Forgotten Vets. Wounded Soldiers. Rampant Sickness. Right to die. Natural Disasters. Selfie syndrome. Distracted driving. Virtual reality. Robot companions. Broken families. Mass corruption. News-less news. Media Deception. No privacy. Unwarranted offenses. Viral stupidity. Engineered food. More stuff. Less charity. More Gods. No God. Inflated prices. Citizen spying. Disaster Prepping. Adulterous spouses. Neglected animals. Prison escapees. Gang beatings. Shooting innocents. Lost generation.  Kidnapped women. Secret videos. Senseless dialogue. Lack of civility. Evil abounds.

     Loss of words.
          Bitter tears.
                 Grieving heart.
                         Mourning soul.
                                 Lost hope.
                                          Constant fear.
                                                   Continued Anxiety.
                                                               Desperate measures.
                                                                          Senseless life.
                                                                                       Lost Nation...

                                                                                                    ....
                                                                                                           ...Please Pray.

Please, God, bless!

"For if we choose to go on sinning after we have learned the full truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but only a terrifying prospect of judgment and a raging fire that will consume the enemies of God."  Heb 10:26-27

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.

Melissa

Day 293:  Today I remember Melissa.  She is the daughter of one of my closest friends, but is my friend as well. One year ago today, Melissa went home to Jesus.

There are many wonderful things I could say about her.  I could tell you about her sharp wit, dry sense of humor, and crazy-funny stories.  I could tell you that she and I could talk for hours about different concepts for managing complex IT projects. I could tell you how much she loved and adored her nieces and nephews.

Instead, I want to tell you what I learned from Melissa...

...I learned that regardless of trials, lack of understanding, or any pain I may face in this life, one thing will always remain True...

...Jesus Loves Me.

Regardless of how sick Melissa was, or how awful people could be to her not understanding her illness, she never doubted her Jesus.  She didn't need to study apologetics, or memorize verses to strengthen her position.  Amidst all of her trials, she was secure because she knew her Hope. She knew that Jesus loved her...that was good enough.  Because of her simple faith, Melissa had a very strong ministry. It was natural for her to let people know Jesus loved her, and He loved them, too. Her faith touched the lives of the many doctors and nurses that cared for her.

I wish I was so bold....

I can make my faith so complicated.  I can articulate all of the logical reasons for my faith.  I can have a good discussion on how to live out my faith.  I can talk about Bible verses, Hebrew context, appropriate transliteration, Biblical precedent and types, and how all of that is important.  But the truth is, faith really is simple. It's about love.

...Jesus Loves Me.

This is one doodle I wish I had a whole day to work on so I could have done her justice.  I know she has been freed from what so constrained her on earth, that she is full of joy and life. I'm so blessed to know I will see her again! And when I do, I will tell her that I tried to follow her example.  So, to anyone who takes a minute to read this, please know...

 ...Jesus Loves You.

Please, God, bless!

"So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:17-19 ESV

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.

Birthday Hike

Day 292:  To celebrate some birthdays today, we went hiking with chosen-family, and then hit a winery. I really do enjoy hiking, probably for the same reason I used to loved running.  It's just you and your surroundings. No pretense, no impressions to make. Just you and the outdoors, time to think, ponder, and be in wonder at what God has made!

Here is a quick doodle of this butterfly who decided to stop for a drink by the falls, and then sun on a rock. It was almost like he stopped in to say hello!

Please, God, bless!

"But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind."  Job 12:7-10 ESV

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.

Weeds, Weeds, Weeds

Day 291: Weeds. We have had so much rain, that when the sun finally came out they were invading my flower bed in the front yard. I spent a while pulling the pesky foliage out and my plants once again had some room to breathe, to grow, and not be crowded or choked.  As for me, I ended up with a slight rash as I tend to be allergic to weeds. Fortunately, a long shower, a little lotion, and its clearing up pretty quick.

My weed experience today reminded me of the parable of the sower and the seed, when the seed was sown in the thorns (more weeds), they were choked.  Or the vineyard that was overgrown by the thistles in Proverbs.  Or the wheat and the tares in Matthew, when the weeds grew alongside the wheat, and were thrown into the fire.

What are the weeds that try to choke our faith? I know for me busyness comes to mind. Or little, daily annoyances.

When does our vineyard begin overgrowing with weeds?  Days when I'm too busy for prayer or devotion comes to mind, when I don't prioritize my time with the Lord.

How do we view the weeds of the world around as?  Do we mistake them for fruit-bearing plants, Do we tangle ourselves in them and thus feel the heat?  Gossip, lying, sin.....getting too cozy with the world, with our things, with our comfort.

My takeaway is this.  Take time to clear the weeds.  Take time to care for my spiritual garden, that I may bear fruit. And only God can remove the weeds of the world that quickly multiply and crowd me. Stand firm in my faith, knowing I will be saved from the fire.

Lastly, sometimes I have to pull the weeds.  It may not be pleasant, and it may even be painful, but it must be done.

Please, God, bless!

"For wickedness burns like a fire; It consumes briars and thorns; It even sets the thickets of the forest aflame And they roll upward in a column of smoke. By the fury of the LORD of hosts the land is burned up, And the people are like fuel for the fire; No man spares his brother." Isaiah 9:18-19

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.