My handpainted Mardi Gras wine glasses.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
January doodle art
I have decided to post and share my doodle art. This is what my January calendar looked like when I finished doodling the month away.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
What is your Africa?
Recently I was having a discussion about a ministry opportunity I feel called to participate in. It is an area that our Church is lacking and as we talked I commented that I had been interested in this for several years and that I had been seriously looking at materials, talking it up, having specific people pray about it and was trying to determine if I was the person who was supposed to start this ministry. The person I was talking to commented that if it had been on my heart that long, I was probably supposed to do it. He further commented that God often takes us out of our comfort zones when he calls us to something and that it looks like that was what he was doing in my life. I thought hmmmm.
Then yesterday I was having a discussion with a co-worker about doing God’s will or specific things God had told me/her/us to do. Her comment was I have been praying recently that “God would not send me to Africa,” that she was comfortable where she was, with her friends, her home, etc. This made me ask her, “What is your Africa?” What has God called you to do that you don’t want to do or where is it that you are afraid God will send you?
That made me think of the story about the boy praying “Lord I’ll do whatever you want, but please don’t send me to Africa.” Found a poem based on this-this is the last stanza.
Just don’t send me to Africa Lord…
Then yesterday I was having a discussion with a co-worker about doing God’s will or specific things God had told me/her/us to do. Her comment was I have been praying recently that “God would not send me to Africa,” that she was comfortable where she was, with her friends, her home, etc. This made me ask her, “What is your Africa?” What has God called you to do that you don’t want to do or where is it that you are afraid God will send you?
That made me think of the story about the boy praying “Lord I’ll do whatever you want, but please don’t send me to Africa.” Found a poem based on this-this is the last stanza.
Just don’t send me to Africa Lord…
Oh Lord?... why don’t You ever use me?
...You know I would do anything for You
…Just don’t change me Lord…
How like us. We beg God to use us, but we put restrictions on what he can do. Then we fuss that he hasn’t used us. We beg him not to send us to Africa, we beg him not to make us get out of our comfort zone. But if we are comfortable doing something, we probably don’t need to rely on God to make it happen. If we don’t need to rely on God, then who is going to get the glory? If it’s not God then why should he bless it? So as much as most of us hate it our “Africa” is not going to be within our comfort zone, it’s going to be within Gods.
So the real question is “What is your Africa?” What is it God is calling you to do that is outside your comfort zone? What does he want you to do? Where does he want you to go? Are you willing to be obedient to God’s calling?
See you in Africa!
Friday, April 4, 2008
Shell Shocked!
I recently read a devotional about understanding the "will of God" it made me think about God's calling on our lives. As we understand his will and seek his service are we doing what God has called us to do? Our are we letting other things take over-even good things, good intentions, things that we are capable and able to do, just not called to do.
As the boys and I were at the beach for Labor Day, I walked along and picked up shells, as is my habit- I have to have a compulsion, even on vacation. The first day we were there I decided this time I was going to collect dark colored scallop shaped shells, and large or unique shells. As I walked along I found an abundance of shells, but I also came across some nice shells, but they weren't what I was collecting or even that unique, just interesting. As I filled up one hand with the scalloped shaped shells and the other with "other" shells, the thought hit me, this is how we are with God's calling. We pick up what he's called us to do, then we see something else interesting and we pick that up. Or we see something that we are capable of doing on our own, without God's provision, and we pick that up. Pretty soon our hands are full.
As I was walking along I thought what would I do if I saw the perfect "huge" shell. Would I be willing to let go of the "other" shells? Truthfully, I was torn...I liked my "other" shells. As I applied this to my life I began to ask God what do I need to let go of or what am I holding onto that isn't your calling. I began to pray that God would help me to be willing to give up anything that wasn't of him or his calling on my life. As you reflect on this ask what is God calling you to do? where does he want you to serve? what are you holding onto that is preventing you from doing what God has called you to do? Are you willing to let it go?
As the boys and I were at the beach for Labor Day, I walked along and picked up shells, as is my habit- I have to have a compulsion, even on vacation. The first day we were there I decided this time I was going to collect dark colored scallop shaped shells, and large or unique shells. As I walked along I found an abundance of shells, but I also came across some nice shells, but they weren't what I was collecting or even that unique, just interesting. As I filled up one hand with the scalloped shaped shells and the other with "other" shells, the thought hit me, this is how we are with God's calling. We pick up what he's called us to do, then we see something else interesting and we pick that up. Or we see something that we are capable of doing on our own, without God's provision, and we pick that up. Pretty soon our hands are full.
As I was walking along I thought what would I do if I saw the perfect "huge" shell. Would I be willing to let go of the "other" shells? Truthfully, I was torn...I liked my "other" shells. As I applied this to my life I began to ask God what do I need to let go of or what am I holding onto that isn't your calling. I began to pray that God would help me to be willing to give up anything that wasn't of him or his calling on my life. As you reflect on this ask what is God calling you to do? where does he want you to serve? what are you holding onto that is preventing you from doing what God has called you to do? Are you willing to let it go?
Why Sing?
Why sing? I sing because I'm happy...I sing because it brings me great pleasure, it's fun - when we have a full moon, that always makes me think about when my kids were little, we would go outside and I would sing that song "Buffalo girls won't you come out tonight and dance by the light of the moon" and sing and dance with them. I sing because it brings me joy. Sometimes I even sing to annoy my children, like those crazy little songs I sing when I'm trying to get a boy out of bed or off the computer or to do something they find unpleasant.
When you think about this in relationship to God why do we sing? Once again for the joy of it - the joy it gives us and him...to worship...for comfort, for strength, to praise him- so the rocks won't have to cry out, from our overflow of love for the Lord. As we prepare to get together tonight I think we need to reflect on the question ---Why do you sing?
When you think about this in relationship to God why do we sing? Once again for the joy of it - the joy it gives us and him...to worship...for comfort, for strength, to praise him- so the rocks won't have to cry out, from our overflow of love for the Lord. As we prepare to get together tonight I think we need to reflect on the question ---Why do you sing?
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