Bloom and Bear fruit

 

On my desk. My journal, acrylic paints, a brush, 

a rag, water.

 

On my journal:

a reading from Colossians 1:

This Gospel, already present among you,

is bearing fruit

and growing throughout the world,

as it did among you 

from the day you accepted it

and understood the gift of God

in all its truth.

We had a four day weekend,

but it rained the whole time from

typhoon Nanmadol (what a name!).

So instead of going to the beach,

I was able to do some art.

 

 

Both of these canvases are about

blooming and bearing fruit.

When we read the Word of God,

it will work in us and through us.

Even if we think we are not 

growing, we are!

The Word will not return to God 

without any effect on us. 

We will bloom and bear fruit.

Joining the lovely Julia for a 

peek at desks and projects!

and linking up with 

Graceful for Hear it on Sunday,
Use it on Monday,
 

Why don't you join us?

What's on my workdesk and my...

 

As usual, my desk is orderly, organized 

and neat!  (Wishful thinking on my part!)

This morning, to make way for my journal,

I had to remove what I was 

working on the past few days,

and put it on top of ....

my garbage can!

I read about Nathaneal in 

John Chapter 1 this morning.

He was reading under a fig tree,

which usually means he was 

studying scripture.

And Jesus told him,

"You will see heaven open." 

(John 1, NIV)

When we pray and study the bible, 

many things can happen!

We will know the promises of God,

we will be filled with hope,

we will have a vision for the future,

and we will connect to the 

Creator of the universe!

Joining the lovely Julia for a 

peek at desks and projects!

Give thanks!

 

"We give thanks to God

always for all of you."

1 Thessalonians 1:2

In Word Among Us,  it pointed out 

that the First Letter of Paul to the 

Thessalonians is almost equally divided

between words of praise and gratitude

for the witness of these new Christians

and words of teaching and warning

to them as the face new challenges.

 I should remember this "shrewd strategy",

especially with Josh, my 16 year old son.

I always tend to teach him, "lecture" to him even,

without first praising and encouraging him!

Josh (on the right) and his cousins
will be back from 

World Youth Day in Madrid.

This is a timely reminder for me-

I was ready to ask him to 

read all the messages of the Pope,

to write down what he learned

so he won't forget, 

to ask him his next plan of action....

before I praised and encouraged him

for all the sacrifices he made there,

and for the responsibility and dedication

he showed during his trip there.

 

This was the crowd in

Cuatro Vientos for the 

World Youth day vigil.

The kids had to walk to go there for 2 hours

in scorching heat (40 degrees)

then wait for the Pope for several hours.

When the Pope started his homily,

there was a strong wind and rain.

Josh and company put up a tent with tarps

and sticks so they wouldn't get wet!

"Share with others the joy of your faith," 

the Pope enjoined the youth.

He also encouraged the pilgrims

for their "joyful, enthusiastic and intense presence."

He says they will be returning home as

"missionaries of the Gospel"

who will help their friends

"discover that loving Christ

means living life to the full."

Linking with
Spiritual Sundays.
Graceful for Hear it on Sunday,
Use it on Monday,
and Brag on Friday. 

Starting a New Journal

  

What's on my workdesk this Wednesday?

 

There are just a few pages left to my journal,

so I decided to make a new one.

This time, I am trying to make one

using rings, so I can just add pages

as I go along.

 

Here's the front page so far.

The back page hasn't gone beyond

the background yet.

 

My journal page for today.

The bible reading, Matthew 20:1-16 is all about 

the mercy and generosity of God.

The laborers who came early

complained that the master

paid them the same wages as

those who he hired to work for the last hour.

"These last ones worked only an hour,

and you have made them equal to us,

who bore the day's burden and the heat,"

grumbled the workers.

"My friend, I am not cheating you.

Did you not agree to the usual daily wage?

Take what is yours and go...

Are you envious because I am generous?"

the master of the vineyard said.

If when we reach heaven,

we see the corrupt government official there,

the celebrity who lived a promiscuous life,

an atheist,

will we feel like the laborers in the vineyard?

Will we feel God was unfair?

Joining the lovely Julia for a 

peek at desks and projects!

and linking up with

Why don't you tag along?

Let the children come to me

 

"As for me and my household,

we will serve the Lord." 

Joshua 24

My household.

That would include our children.

I only have one son,

and a few months ago he asked

if he could go to Madrid for

World Youth Day.

My first reaction was,

"No way! You're too young!"

He's 16, and he's never travelled

without his parents.

 

But eventually after praying,

talking to my sisters,

we allowed my son to go.

Jesus said, "Let the children come to me."

We have to help our children grow

in loving the Lord, knowing Him,

serving Him.

 

 And so, my son is in Spain now,

attending a youth camp

with many other kids from all around the world.

He said he's met some Lebanese friends!

After that, he and his group will 

join the World Youth Day activities in Madrid.

Thank you lord for this wonderful opportunity!

Linking with
Spiritual Sundays.
Graceful for Hear it on Sunday,
Use it on Monday,
and Brag on Friday. 

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday?

 

Here's a peek at my desk today.

My journal is not piled up on top of anything,

because I dumped all the junk 

on the floor!

My reading today is from

2 Cor. 4:6-10.

"God is able to make every grace abundant for you,

so that in all things, always having all you need,

you may have an abundance for every good work."

God will not only provide for our needs,

but also for the good works we do.

During Christmas, my family packs

300 gift bags for the inmates of our local jail.

We put soap, shampoo, canned goods, detergent,

a pair of shorts, toothpaste, etc. 

We also give toys to their children.

It always amazes me that we are able to do this.

So many people help in this endeavor 

by contacting companies, or donating money

or the goods themselves.

So we should never be afraid of 

doing good works. 

We should step out in faith,

knowing God, the Giver of every good gift,

will provide! 

Joining the lovely Julia for a 

peek at desks and projects!

and linking up with

Why don't you tag along?

Freedom

My bible reading for this morning 

was Matthew 17:22-27

where Jesus told Peter to go and get the 

first fish from the sea and in it he would find a coin

to pay the temple tax for both of them.

Jesus said, "The subjects are exempt."

In some translations, it says, 

"the sons" of kings are exempt.

We are sons and daughters of the 

King of Kings! We are princes

and princesses. We are exempt,

FREE, paid for.

When we do not remember or realize

this truth, we can be enslaved by so many things-

anxiety, insecurity, fear, sin, etc.

So many things can hem us in.

Like the prodigal son, we may think

it freedom to go off and do anything we want.

But he learned the hard way.

The real freedom is the freedom to

do the Father's will, to live according to the laws

He gave us for our good! 

Linking with

Spiritual Sundays.
Graceful for Hear it on Sunday,
Use it on Monday,

What's on my Workdesk Wednesday?

 

What's on my desk today?

My prayer journal and my scrap paper canvas

amidst the mess!

 

A close-up of my canvas.

I decided to keep the bird as most of you "voted" 

to keep him in!

I thought that if he had such

a loyal following, I didn't have the heart to 

set him aside!

 

I kind of like how it's turning out.

Lots to do yet, especially the top right part.

Need something there to balance the picture!

 

Oh, and thank you to Debra of Common Ground!

I finally got my lovely giveaway,

a wonderful Cavallini notebook (I love birds!),

a charming vintage box,

and a dainty necklace with a vintage key.

 

So pretty!  I love them all, Debra!

 

And here's my journal page for today.

God did not promise a trouble-free life,

but He did promise to walk with us.

Sometimes we need to fight "giants",

when there's an "inner battle' raging in our minds.

When a voice inside says, 

"I can't do this," or "No one is for me,"

or "I'll never succeed,"

we need to use God's armor,

 and stand on His promises.

"I can do all things through Him 

who strengthens me." Phil. 4:13

Joining the lovely Julia for a 

peek at desks and projects!

and linking up with

Why don't you tag along?