Wednesday, June 18, 2014

WOYWW: Love Your Enemies!

Here is my desk on this messy Wednesday morning.
The wind was blowing and I had a marvelous view
of the limestone islands of Halong Bay, Vietnam!
Now it is just my ordinary every day mess!!!

Today I am drawing Elisha, the servant of
the great prophet Elijah.
Elisha followed Elijah everywhere
and wouldn't leave him.

Perhaps he was afraid of what might happen.
After all, Elijah had many enemies, not the least of which
was the infamous Jezebel, she who had no compunction
to kill or destroy anyone who stood in her path!!!

When Elisha knew God was going to take
Elijah away, he asked for a 
double portion of Elijah's spirit.
He knew that would b the only thing 
that could take away his anxiety and fear
of what the future would bring.

The other night I woke up and
remembered all the things 
should be worrying about.
And I thought to myself,
"If I remembered these all the time,
I wouldn't be able to go to sleep!"
And then thankfully, I promptly fell asleep!
Thank you Lord for Your Spirit
that allows me to trust in You
for my future,
and have faith that You will provide
all the wisdom and guidance I need
for all the responsibilities I have!!!

 "Love your enemies..." Matthew 5:44
God loves the people we don't.
He loves them unconditionally.

The Church multiplies in persecution,
not in prosperity.
That's why Christianity is the fastest
growing religion in China.
The govt. ordered the huge Sanjiang 
church in Wenzhou, called 
"China's Jerusalem" demolished and 
it was razed down last April.
More churches are being demolished
and crosses torn down.

In Aljazeera, an Iman was ranting that
600 million Muslims are converted
to Christianity every year.
Why? Maybe because the Christians
living there are living the Gospel,
because they are loving,
because they are challenged
to live their faith.

 I can't think of a single enemy,
but there are people
I dislike, or avoid, because
they are difficult, angry, or
make me feel bad.
The challenge is to love them,
to be kind to them,
to embrace them with God's love
which is perfect.




Blessings!
Patsy




23 comments:

  1. Beautiful work you have there :) Happy WOYWW
    Hugs Nikki My Desk

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  2. Your post reminded me of this verse: "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3

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  3. So many wonderful truths here, Patsy. Your words and your art are such a blessing. Thank you, friend :)

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  4. Love the artwork. Happy WOYWW Helen 11

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  5. Lively art work. Hugs and Happy WOYWW! Nan G #12

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    1. Can't type as it's the wee hours of the morn here...comment should read " lovely art work". :)

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  6. beautiful inspiring work Patsy! Did you have fun on your vacation? Loved the pictures. Vickie #19

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  7. Happy WOYWW Patsy...wonderful artwork...wishing peace for the world. Cheers and have a lovely week RobynO#21

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  8. Hello Patsy. Thanks for already visiting and for your comments. I have just sat and read last week's blog post and this. "How good is the God we adore". - part of a hymn known over here - His love means that He desires no-one to perish. Your comments about Christianity being the fastest growing faith in parts of the world are just beautiful and most encouraging. We here are bombarded with much hype that the opposite is true. We have abandoned so many of God's principles and are reaping what we have sown.
    Take care. God bless you, my friend.
    Margaret #8

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  9. ah Patsy so lovely to read... great post happy WOYWW Shaz in Oz.x #31

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  10. Anonymous3:14 PM

    You blog is always so jam-packed with stuff I can't ever decide what to single out for comment. But I always enjoy seeing your art, it always strikes a chord. Oh and, as you asked, DS is Dear Son (like DH for dear husband or DD for dear daughter) - I tend not to use the kids names on my blog. I guess it's a holdover from when they were quite young and know a blog was in no way private. :)


    Happy WOYWW!
    Mary Anne (3)

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  11. Love your post and your art work is so meaningful.
    Have a geat week and happy crafting, Angela x #45

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  12. I love the backgrounds you make for your artwork. I treasure my little ATC and now need to find a way to display them all - thanks lots. x Jo

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  13. I went back to last week's post and left a comment. Amazing! I love how you create your backgrounds, so full of color. I truly struggle with this. Diane #40

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  14. Anonymous7:47 PM

    Love the Love Your Enemies painting! Beautiful! Thanks for linking up again this week. Appreciate you!!

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  15. Love that beautiful face you created and the wonderful verse to go with it! Happy WOYWW! Sandy Leigh #44

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  16. Hi Patsy

    happy WOYWW - lovely words today, and especially loving the artwork you have created.

    It would be lovely to have a picture of those limestone islands you speak of.

    big hugs
    Paula (#38) xxx

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  17. Hey #1'
    I've been working a lot with Mathew 5:44. If I hold no enmity in my heart I can have no enemies.
    Your everyday mess is well worth visiting!
    Robyn32

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  18. Looks like you've been busy : D. Happy WOYWW! #51

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  19. I love the way the face builds up out of the background - that is such a clever technique and very effective!
    As I get older, one of the things that has helped me is the realisation that everyone's journey is different. Someone who I may dislike has the same problems and issues as me, so even if I can never enjoy their company, at least I can understand their struggle.
    hugs, LLJ 29 xx

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  20. Your art work is beautiful.
    April #86

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  21. Patsy,

    Your work is so inspirational and your cheerfulness always a blessing, don't ever change and yes I agree keep your enemies close LOL Thanks for your beautiful ATC that arrived at the right time when I was feeling so down and flat, your spirit traveled all the way to Australia, thank you again.

    Hugs Eliza & Yoda 85

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  22. Beautifully done! <3 Thank you for sharing with us at Word Art Wednesday!

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I am so glad you dropped by! You are a blessing!
:^) Patsy