His Hand Reaching

As most of you are aware, from time to time, I live with some very annoying symptoms of this disease that I have --Multiple Sclerosis. For the past week, one of several things I have been dealing with is the entire right side of my face twitching --constantly. It DRIVES me NUTS!! I can even "hear" the twitch in my ear --constant thump-thumping--akin to the sound that my fingers are making on the keyboard as I type this blog....

I had asked my Sunday School class on Sunday morning to please pray for me because I am on the Praise Team and couldn't envision myself leading worship when I was being continually distracted by THE TWITCH! A friend reminded me that they had prayed for me two Sundays prior and THE TWITCH went away during worship! YEAH! (...Only to return shortly thereafter, but I was able to worship without any distractions.) This time, the TWITCH did not go away during worship. Halfway through the worship service, as I was about to scream (on the inside), I just said to myself, "God, what is up with THE TWITCH?" --and closed my eyes resolving to NOT allow THE TWITCH to interfere with the remainder of worship. At that moment, Jim, our worship leader broke into an acapella chorus...

"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
There's just something about that Name.
Master, Savior, Jesus,
Like the fragrance after the rain.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Let all Heaven and earth proclaim.
Kings and kingdoms will all pass away
but there's something about that Name..."
As we sang the second time through, I lifted my hands toward Heaven in worship --and felt the Lord clasp my hand! I had to open my eyes to be sure that I couldn't actually see Him --because the sensation was so real. The Lord was holding my hand....wow....then a warmth came over me and I was completely lost in worship...because THE TWITCH was GONE! The Lord took it away! I just began to rejoice! God is so awesome!

Now...today...as I'm about to go to Praise Team practice...THE TWITCH has returned...Guess what? --I'm saying that the devil is a liar --God has healed me from THE TWITCH and I refuse to allow the enemy to try to annoy me with it any longer!

I'll keep you posted....believing that THE TWITCH will NOT interfere with my worship this evening....

Illustration Friday - Theme: Hide

Gouache on 140lb Cold Press Watercolor Paper

A Little Humor For Mom

My mother has informed me that she always reads my blog before she goes to bed at night because it either makes her laugh, or else it's something very inspirational that inspires her. Since it's been a while since I've posted a blog entry, I thought that I'd take a moment to share the events of my day --this is just for you Mom --I hope you smile!

For reasons upon which I won't elaborate, Brillo Man has been working out of his office in our home all week. He has been frantically trying to 'lock in' mortgage rates for several of his clients all day. The interest rates have dropped a bit, and in order to get better rates, he's got to 'lock' them in with his lenders so that in the event that the rates rise again next week, his clients will still have the opportunity to take advantage of the lower rate.

Locking the rates requires that he fax a lock form to the lender. Brillo Man has just 'installed' a new fax machine which he brought home from the office. (because we couldn't get the one which was here to work). Since he's asked me to help him process a few loans, he hands the job over to me. Not a problem. I've got access to this fancy schmancy state-of-the-art laser fax machine. It faxes, copies, scans and even does the dishes too. I'll simply have to punch the phone number into the fax machine and press the 'start' button. Problem. The fax machine dials the number, but we repeatedly receive a transmission error which states that the transmission didn't go through.

I poured over the user's guide for the fax machine --reading it practically cover to cover --twice. All 160+ pages. Nowhere can I find a hint as to what is happening. We can't receive faxes either. Eventually, I determined that the ring pattern assigned to our fax line isn't compatible with the new fax machine. So...I get on the telephone with our phone company and ask them if they can please change the 'distinctive' ring from 'ring ring' to 'ring rrrriiiiinnnnggg ring'. They readily agreed, however, to be in compliance with the FCC and tariffs and the rules set by members of the Society for Making Our Lives Miserable, the representative informs me that we will have to add an additional fax number to our line. It's impossible to change the distinctive ring for the first number. (?!) Okay. Add the second number --for an additional $4.75 cents per month.

Great. It's fixed now. Commence faxing. ....still....not working....mmmmm? Next, I pick up the phone and call the tech. support line for the fax machine. The rep. assures me that I have all the settings correct. She attempts to send a fax. Nothing. At this point, I'm convinced that the phone company has somehow screwed something up and the distinctive rings are off --or something. We grab the cell phone and dial the numbers and listen for the ring tone...'ring rrrriiiiinnnnggg ring'. Okay--it's one short, one long, one short. Check the fax machine. Yep, it's set up correctly. Still --nothing would fax.

Oh, wait. Brillo Man glances down and sees that the phone line isn't connected to the fax machine. Kind of hard to send a signal through a line if it's not plugged in. But, ah...what relief! We've solved the problem! not. Still the machine would not send a fax.

At this point, Brillo Man is getting nervous - knowing that his time limit for locking the rates on his clients' loans is quickly ticking away on the clock. By this time, it's nearly 5 pm. The rate lock requests MUST be received by the lender before the close of the business day. (btw, he WISHES he had that much hair on his head...)

I called the tech. support people again. This time, the rep. asked if the fax machine phone line was plugged directly into the wall jack. ummm...yes. Then we realized that there was an 'extension' on the line --meaning it wasn't one continuous line to the jack, but two, connected together by an adapter. Thinking that the rep. was nuts, nevertheless, we agreed to get one looonnnngggg phone line and connect the fax directly to the jack (which was in another room). The only length of line that we had which was long enough to reach from the fax machine into the other room wasn't working. No dial tone. Bad line. So now what? Plan B. Go to the store and buy more line.... nah....we're convinced that the rep. is mistaken or perhaps we're misunderstanding her or she's misunderstanding us because we do get a dial tone when we plug a phone into the line with the connector adapter attached --therefore, we know that the line is functioning.

We call the tech. support people once AGAIN. This time, the guy on the other end walks us through some of the settings. No problem --all is set correctly. He attempts to send a fax. nothing. Then he asks us if we're sure that the phone line is plugged into the fax machine. Of course we're sure --we had found it on the floor earlier and plugged it in. He kept asking, "are you sure it's plugged into the "line" connection?".....wait...there's MORE THAN ONE place to connect a phone line? Sure enough --on the back of the machine --in a different spot altogether, are two more spots for connections. One of them clearly labeled "Line". Duh. Move the phone cord from the Cat5 connection spot to the "Line" connection and voila...the fax machine now works. Did we ever feel like idiots.

At this point, it's way past the 5 pm deadline to lock the rates, so our only hope is to pray that the rates stay stable until Monday or Brillo Man is going to have some 'splainin' to do to his clients. Or else he will have to "eat" the difference.

Relieved that we have solved the problem....I said to Brillo Man....too bad 'we' didn't think to look at the diagram which illustrates the set-up process. Directions? Who reads directions? Not Brillo Man.

If any of you lacks wisdom,
he should ask God, who gives generously to all
without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
-James 1:5

Shoo?

Today's blog entry:

Go back and read the comments associated with this post. Pay particular attention to the comments by Mr. Goldenrod Surprise (a.k.a. Brillo Man).

Then picture me - ROLLING MY EYES!

Holy Like You - Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

A is for Alligator

It has occurred to me that I haven’t shared this story with my blog buddies...and I know how much you all enjoy a good story.....

When Brillo Man and I were dating (long distance - he in Florida and I in Pennsylvania), he used to take long walks through all the swamps and woodlands of Florida while talking to me on his cell phone. One particular evening, he was talking to me and walking when all of a sudden he spied an animal nearby in the underbrush. In an attempt to scare it away, he let out this horrific, primal scream: "Hiya! To his dismay, the loud, primal scream did nothing to scare the creature away –but rather encouraged it to ATTACK! The creature CHARGED at him through the underbrush – at which point, Brillo Man screamed louder and ran. I kept asking him, "Are you okay? Are you alright? What's going on?" I was feeling totally helpless being thousands of miles away - fearing he was being attacked by some kind of swamp creature! Finally, after he got quite a distance away and was able to catch his breath he said, "I was trying to scare away an animal I saw in the underbrush and it charged me - I think it was an alligator!" Realizing that he was obviously startled by this charging wild animal and wanting to bring some lightheartedness to the situation, I playfully said, "Oh...it was probably just an armadillo”.

“No – It was an alligator.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure it was an alligator.”
“Well, you better get out of that area if there are alligators there.”

About fifteen minutes later into the conversation, Brillo Man said, “I have to tell you something.”
“What?”
“It wasn’t an alligator.”
“It wasn’t?”
“No”
“Well, what was it?”
“It was an armadillo.”

Aha!!!...The ATTACK OF THE KILLER ARMADILLO!!! Needless to say --he has NEVER lived it down! He gets armadillos for every holiday, birthday, anniversary, etc. We have them all over the house – armadillo refrigerator magnets, armadillo key chains, ceramic armadillos, cast iron armadillos --you name it – he’s got it – armadillo Christmas Tree ornaments, armadillo belt buckles, armadillo banks, canned road kill armadillo…

We have a custom made road sign posted on our driveway which reads “ARMADILLO AVE.” For one anniversary, I presented him with a painting I had done just for him which now adorns our bedroom --you guessed it --an armadillo!



Here’s the really sad thing….this past Christmas, I FORGOT to wrap up an armadillo. (I have a stash of them hidden away – just in case I ever need an armadillo gift….) It’s time for me to go raid my stash…

(By the way....I have armadillo notecards for sale if anyone is interested...the proceeds from all sales will go to support AA....Amadillos Anonymous...of which Brillo Man is the founder and CEO. "Hello, my name is Brillo Man and I was attacked by an armadillo..." After all, the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem!)

Three Things I Learned Today

1.) Don’t paint the walls the day after you have given yourself a manicure. It’s a good thing I don’t spend the money for professional manicures because this one would have been money down the drain! I thought about leaving them this way and calling it “ART”….



2.) Don’t clean the paint roller by painting a “smiley guy” on the floor and then tell your daughter that soon he will be covered up by the new carpet…..4-year olds don’t take too kindly to this type of news. It was a tragic time ---many tears and sadness at the thought of losing her new friend…at least somebody is still smiling…



3.) NEVER pound the lid of the gallon of color "A" with a hammer when there is paint in the rim. Especially if you’re too close to the wall which is covered in color “B”….. (Note the photo doesn’t show the splashes ---I had to get them wiped off immediately before they dried and turned my wall into the beginnings of a Jackson Pollack painting…although his works have been known to sell for $140 million….)



I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw... -Proverbs 24:32

Valuable STUFF

Someone very dear to me (aka Brillo Man) always says that something is worth only as much as someone is willing to pay for it.

I was browsing through some Ebay listings the other day and noticed that someone had recently paid over $1000 for a first edition copy of a Stephen King novel. (?)

We have coins which are minted for the geocaching hobby we’re involved in. I will often purchase four or five of any given coin when they come up for sale, hold on to them for a few months and then list them on Ebay. I always double my money –and usually triple or quadruple it. My sister and I will send emails back and forth…”Can you believe someone just bid $63 on my coin which I purchased for $8 --what are they thinking?!” I’m not complaining...I’m happy to collect the $63 when the auction closes.

My biggest percentage profit increase was probably a book which sold for $36. I paid a dime for it at a fire hall sale. After so many years of turning a profit on other people’s trash, it has become more of a game to me to see what I can seek out to produce the highest profit. A box of junk (everything in the box for a buck at an auction) netted a sale of $68 for four antique hat pins which were found rattling around in the bottom of the box. A vanity with a huge round mirror –which Brillo Man purchased at an auction for one dollar after I glared at him while saying that we just didn’t have room for the vanity anywhere and what was he thinking?! He replied –“hey, just the mirror alone is worth more than a buck!” –inside one of the vanity drawers was an antique turkey call. Guess what? It sold for $86 on Ebay. I was no longer upset with Brillo Man for paying one dollar for the vanity.

Recently, it was with horror and disbelief that I read a blog where the author confessed she had sold a set of original, Superbowl I (as in the very FIRST Superbowl) mugs at a garage sale for 25 cents. She was tired of their “plastic nastiness”. I’m guessing they ended up on Ebay for a few dollars more than the quarter for which she sold them – or not. (A search of completed items on Ebay yielded nothing for 1967 Superbowl mugs…)

But you know what? Something is only worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it. You could have in your possession a plastic mug autographed by Elvis, the King – himself –but if someone won’t give you any money for it –it’s really a worthless piece of plastic nastiness. I say to my friend, this year when your family gets together to watch the Superbowl and gives you grief about selling those mugs for a quarter (and they will…) just tell them that you’re storing up treasures in heaven. Who needs a nasty, plastic Superbowl mug, or a nasty plastic mug autographed by the king ---when you know the REAL KING?! (See Pat, occasionally, I can be on your side!)

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also. -- Matthew 6:19-21

Totally Random....

As you may recall....the title of my blog is:

"Deb's Random Thoughts...and Art!"

To be true to the name

here's a random thought...

Mount Kilimanjaro --who has climbed it?
(anyone? anyone? Buehler?)
I love the way that "Kilimanjaro" rolls off one's tongue...
read about it here.

And some ART -
My post for Silly Saturday
Theme: 'S'.
I chose Silly Siesta!!
--link to Silly Saturday in the right hand column)
Anyone else have any random thoughts?

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. - Philippians 4:8

Six Weird Things About Me

Pat tagged me. So here goes --six weird things about me...

1) I get some kind of strange thrill out of popping zits.

2a) I’m having trouble coming up with six things because I just don’t think I’m that weird. Ha. Perhaps I need to solicit the help of those who know me best.

2b) It’s the end of January and my Christmas Tree is still up (much to Brillo Man's chagrin).

3) I sleep with a stuffed elephant named ‘Tonto’. (No, that’s not another nickname for Brillo Man). Actually, ‘Tonto’ isn’t his pedigree name. His pedigree name is ‘Curly Tonto, the Polite Elephant from Toronto.’

4) I find it very difficult to throw anything away because I might need it someday.

5) I cannot sleep without wearing socks – at all times – even in the hottest heat of the summer months.

6) I have never colored my hair or had a manicure, a pedicure or professional massage.

I don’t know six people to ‘tag’….get over it.

Illustration Friday - Theme: Red

marker on cardstock

On Prayer...

The Lord has been talking to me a lot lately about praying. Praying should be exciting! Why is it that the least attended meetings in church are the prayer meetings? Perhaps it’s because they seem to center around the negative –we’re listing all the people who are sick and what their needs are –not that there’s anything at all wrong with praying for people’s needs –but prayer meetings can become morbid expressions…in other words, we can get so mired up in ‘poor this’ and ‘poor that’ that we forget that there is so much for which to be grateful! I believe that God has a greater calling on our prayer lives. I can’t think of anything more exciting than the Creator of the Universe – the Omnipotent, Supreme God being willing to listen and have an interest in what I have to say!

Paul, in Ephesians chapter one wrote to the church in Ephesus--verses 15-23: “For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

What a powerful way to pray for others! Is it not true that we often only pray for someone when they have a need? Do we pray for them when everything is going well? Or do we wait to storm the gates of heaven on their behalf after they’ve ‘fallen off the cliff’? Paul prayed for the people in Ephesus when everything was going well. He prayed for them simply because he had heard of their faith in the Lord and their love for all the saints. And the content of His prayer wasn’t just to say, “Lord, meet their need” but he petitioned the “God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory” to give them a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of God. I think that’s exciting! I would love for my friends to pray for me that I would be given wisdom and revelation in God’s knowledge! For God to show me the Truth of who Christ is –to understand and be enlightened – so that I would be able to understand His Word and know what it is God wants me to do. And after I understand the truth –give me the wisdom to be able to apply His truths to my life! That’s how we need to be praying for our family and friends.

Then when we pray for their needs –that we pray that the eyes of their heart may be enlightened so that they may know what is the hope of His calling. That the Lord would flood their minds with such light that they may be gripped by the hope that is theirs in this life now and in the life to come. That He would clear their minds so they’ll be able to grasp the hope of their calling. That He’ll cause them to understand the part they have in the inheritance of Christ. That they are Christ’s inheritance –they are trophies –they are a gift of the Father to the Son –they are important – a part of His inheritance forever and ever. When Christians begin to look at themselves through Christ’s perspective and realize just how precious we are to Him that will boost our self-esteem tremendously! And how much more will we strive to do for His kingdom if we realize how important we are! And let them understand the surpassing greatness of His power. Let them experience the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit working in their lives. Let them understand something that mentally they won’t be able to grasp (the surpassing greatness of His power). They’ll experience it but their minds won’t be able to grasp the awesome power that already is within them. Enlighten their eyes so that they will KNOW and understand what they already have (the hope of their calling), who they already are (an inheritance) and what they already have in the resurrection power of Christ that is within them.

Is it not true that what we often pray for is, “God give them this and provide for that?” I wonder if something more mighty and powerful would happen if we began to pray for God to illumine the minds of those who have needs and problems and heartaches in their life that they might be able to see what the hope of their calling is, who they are in Christ Jesus and the awesome power that is ALREADY abiding within them?! Once a person begins to see those three things something happens to them! Paul’s praying was on an entirely different level. He didn’t pray about ‘plastic’ things – ‘plastic’ stuff. But he prayed for something eternal. We are in such a big hurry to tell God what we need that we don’t even stop to think about what the foundation should be…We need to broaden our perspective of Who God is and how He wants to work in and through our lives…

Oh my goodness –the potential here is astounding! Go –and pray powerfully for your loved ones!

The Perfect Church

I was inspired today by Sara’s post about her church, and her admonition for everyone to find a church. Even though you may have criticisms...don’t stay away because you’re holding out for the perfect church. It doesn’t exist.

Several years ago, my friend and former worship pastor, Jeff Stockford, wrote and recorded a song entitled, "Perfect Church". It’s a great tongue-in-cheek tune. You can purchase the CD, Beyond the Veil, here. By the way, yours truly did the cover painting for the CD.

Lyrics and notes by PJ (Pastor Jeff) follow:

Perfect Church

This is a tongue-in-cheek look at one of the biggest problems for churches today. People who get easily offended and leave every time something disagreeable happens. Many of these folks will never realize there God-given destinies because they bounce around from church to church, or give up all together. Over the years, pastors have really liked this song.

I used to be a member of a local church
I paid my tithes and attended faithfully
I was well adjusted but my bubble got busted
When I saw some things that started bugging me

Like one Sunday the worship got kinda rowdy
Then the pastor preached way on past lunch time
I had the sensation of near starvation
By the time I got through that steakhouse line

And now I’m holding out for the perfect church
Where there’s never any pressure or strife
Where the services are shorter, decent and in order
And the pastor never meddles in Your personal life

Yes now I’m holding out for the perfect church
Though I know they are few and far between
But in the meanwhile I won’t be defiled
By folks that aren’t as spiritual as me

One Sunday I offered them my services
To preach, teach, rebuke, exhort, and lead
The pastor said "guess what, we’ve got just the spot!"
The he stuck me in the two year old nursery

Well, I tried to explain my position
That my calling was to be on the platform
He smiled and disagreed, said "a servant’s heart is what you need"
So I turned around and stomped right out that door

And now I’m holding out for the perfect church
Where there’s never any pressure or strife
Where the services are shorter, decent and in order
And the pastor never meddles in Your personal life

Yes now I’m holding out for the perfect church
Though I know they are few and far between
But in the meanwhile I won’t be defiled
By folks that aren’t as spiritual as me

Words and music by Jeff Stockford
© 1987 Jeff Stockford

God's Hug

Today I have been hurting.

My best friend, Dawna, has made a decision to attend another church --for many reasons which I'm unable to discuss.

We were on the Praise Team together and one of our most favorite things to do together is sing and worship the Lord in beautiful harmony. I have been feeling so sad, knowing that we will no longer be singing together. In fact, my sadness was so deep that this morning I stayed home from church --not knowing how I could possibly lead the congregation in worship whenever I knew I would be blubbering all over the place --missing my friend. (Also, it didn't help that I fell yesterday and really was hurting physically this morning as well. Normally, I would've pushed through the physical pain and been in church. Today --it was a good excuse to stay home and wallow in my self-pity.)

Tonight, I decided to fix my hair, put on some makeup to hide my nose - red from crying and haul my sorry self to church. The teens took their turn this evening at leading worship and I sat back to relax and enjoy God's presence. My mind began wandering...thinking about how things are going to change drastically for our praise team because Dawna lent such a strong vocal presence. She has one of the most beautiful, angelic voices I have ever heard with the ability to pull a second line of harmony out of nowhere and make anything we sing sound fabulous --what I like to think was a sweet, sweet sound to our Lord.

Just as the tears began to roll down my cheeks, the teens started to sing this song --one that I haven't ever heard them choose to use while leading worship --but something, or Someone caused them to sing it tonight --and oh, how it ministered to my spirit.



Dawna, I am going to miss you SO much in church but I know that God is working in ways we can not see --in both of our situations --and I know that He will get the glory in the end. He always does!

Remedies

Earlier today, I got the hiccups.
I RARELY get the hiccups.
Like - maybe - twice a year.
Oh, there's the occasional 'hic' after taking a swig of carbonated beverage. But it's only one 'hic'.

Today --I had the real thing.
After shoving two trisket crackers in my mouth and then chewing while bending over to unload the dishwasher...I felt it begin....the uncomfortable feeling of not being able to swallow properly --and then it happened. The hiccup. They continued for about a minute. That's it.

I then thought about my high school Spanish teacher who once told our class that she used to get hiccups for weeks and sometimes MONTHS at a time! How horrible that would be! I mean, how would you ever get any sleep if you had hiccups for months at a time?!

Another friend I know always gets the hiccups after eating beans. Most people get gas (pardon the expression). She gets the hiccups. What's (hicc)UP with that?!

Coincidentally, just five minutes ago, while checking a date in my engagement calendar, I noted that the 'fun fact to know and tell' for the day was this:

To cure hiccups, bite your thumbs and then blow on them.

Right.
I thought I had heard everything!!

What is your favorite remedy for curing the hiccups?!

Hard and honest work earns a good night's sleep, Whether supper is beans or steak. But a rich man's belly gives him insomnia.
- Ecclesiastes 5:12
- The Message Bible

My Little Princess

Olivia is still not feeling well. After doing so much better last evening, this morning I awoke to sounds of her being sick --again. Poor little thing --she can't keep anything down except for an occasional sip of ginger ale.

We're spending the day on the couch together - watching kids' shows on Noggin and The Wizard of Oz (again).

She just took her head off my lap, sat up, swung her feet around and stuck them in my face.

"Mom, tickle the bottom of my feet but not a funny tickle."

"Olivia, you are such a little princess."

"Mom, I am not a princess. Do I look like a princess? Look at me. I don't look like a princess."

"Well, princesses are beautiful and you're beautiful, so you could be a princess. And besides, people usually do whatever a princess asks them to do and you just asked me to tickle your feet."

"Mom, I'm not a princess."

"I think you're a princess."

"Mom. I'm sick. This is not the time for joking around. Now rub my feet."

The photo is of Princess Olivia and Grandma Leanne (my mom). Grandma Leanne made Olivia's princess dress for her. Olivia usually enjoys being a princess --except for today...

my view from the couch

My sweet little girl isn't feeling well.
She can't keep anything down.
I've managed to do ten loads of laundry since 1 am.
She keeps missing the bucket!
Dolly has had a bath twice now.
Olivia has had a bath once --with three or four sponge baths in between.

I picked up my sketch pad and drew --one of the rare times when Olivia is still enough for me to capture her in my art.

Here is my view of her on my lap...


"Mommy, I'm doing my best to keep the throw upping down."

When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.
-Luke 4:40

Illustration Friday - Theme: 80's

A pencil sketch of an old woman --nobody I know.
Olivia has named her "Happy Face".

click on photo to enlarge

Ironically, as I was drawing this old woman,
the following song by Fernando Ortega
began to play on my iPod…


All flesh is like the grass
The grass withers and fades away
All flesh is like the grass
The grass withers and fades away
The glory of man like a flower
That shrivels in the sun and falls
The glory of man like a flower
That shrivels in the sun and falls

But the Word of the Lord endures forever
The Word of the Lord endures forever

All flesh is like the grass
The grass withers and fades away
All flesh is like the grass
The grass withers and fades away
The glory of man like a flower
That shrivels in the sun and falls
The glory of man like a flower
That shrivels in the sun and falls

But the Word of the Lord endures forever
The Word of the Lord endures forever

I Peter 1:24-25

A Glorious Name

Inspired by Sara’s post, I took a moment to record these several names of God and their meanings. There is much in a name and knowing the meaning of the names of God is one step closer to knowing His nature and His character. One can’t help but be blessed when reading the following list! Take a moment and reflect on the meaning of each – and how the Lord manifests Himself in your life – through His names.

Adonai-Jehovah -- The Lord our Sovereign
El-Elyon -- The Lord Most High
El-Olam -- The Everlasting God
El-Shaddai -- The God Who is Sufficient for the Needs of His People
Jehovah-Elohim -- The Eternal Creator
Jehovah-Jireh -- The Lord our Provider
Jehovah-Nissi -- The Lord our Banner
Jehovah-Ropheka -- The Lord our Healer
Jehovah-Shalom -- The Lord our Peace
Jehovah-Tsidkenu -- The Lord our Righteousness
Jehovah-Mekaddishkem -- The Lord our Sanctifier
Jehovah-Sabaoth -- The Lord of Hosts
Jehovah-Shammah -- The Lord is Present
Jehovah-Rohi -- The Lord our Shepherd
Jehovah-Hoseenu -- The Lord our Maker
Jehovah-Eloheenu -- The Lord our God

Often times, when praying or worshipping, I will address the Lord by one of His many names. I am blessed and I believe He is blessed in return.

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
-Psalm 91:14

Be Blessed today!

For Pat