For Paint Party Friday, this is what I chose
from my stack of backgrounds.
"When fully trained,
every disciple will be like his teacher."
Luke 6:40
Disciple.
Seems like such a serious, forbidding word.
I think I shall focus on the word
TEACHER. MENTOR. MODEL. LEADER.
It is natural for us to look up to
someone we admire, who inspires us, moves us.
How amazing that Mother Teresa
and her way of life moved
so many ordinary women to live
in poverty and care for the dying.
St. Francis of Assisi,
by following Jesus' footsteps
as an itinerant preacher,
founded several religious orders.
These men and women who
imitated him were captivated
to help restore Jesus' original teachings
to a rich, decadent Church.
How about us?
Are we captivated by Jesus, by His life,
His words, His character, His love?
Do we want to be like Him?
In Matthew 11:29, He says to the crowd,
"LEARN from me..."
We will only want to learn from Him
if we see Him as He is
and cast away our fear that
we have to give up everything to follow Him.
If someone like Scottish, 20-year-old Aqsa Mahmood
surely we can take steps every day
to become more and more like Jesus!
After all, He gave His life for us!!
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"Stop judging..." Luke 6:37
God knows I find this very difficult to obey!
I'm a person who has a tendency
to look at other people's lives
and thinks why in the world
do they do the wrong thing repeatedly?
They are just digging their own hole!
At heart I am a busybody,
though it pains me to admit it!!!
When I see something that needs to be corrected,
I will go and talk to the person,
even if he is a priest or someone with standing.
And then I go to confession and
repent for being judgmental and self-righteous!
The best way I know to combat
this deplorable propensity of mine is to be
always conscious that the person I am judging
is someone God loves very much--
To see that person through God's eyes,
with His compassion,
His mercy, His understanding.
The same way Jesus looked at
the adulterous woman in John Chapter 8.
Jesus did not go preaching to her about sin.
He loved her.
He saw the person she COULD be,
and eventually became!
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There is so much pain in everyone's life,
and I pray I will always be the one
to offer encouragement instead of criticism.
I hope I will remember to be the one
to offer words of life, of healing,
instead of throwing the first stone
to destroy someone's self esteem, or confidence.
God HATES the sins of the tongue.
There is much in the Bible about this!
But we should always speak good
for our own future.
1 Peter 3:10 says, "Whoever wants to embrace life
and see his days fill up with good,..
say nothing evil or hurtful,
cultivate good, run after peace..."
(The Message)
Yes, we reap what we sow!
Home
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and
Thank you for dropping by!
You are appreciated!
Patsy
awesome Work!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeletehttp://beneathmyheartart.blogspot.ae/2014/09/scarred-not-scared.html
Beautiful post, Patsy.They are always an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful artwork, my Friend. So very inspiring--and the subject is an important one. The tongue, especially these days, can destroy and pillage another person's heart. That critter needs discipline, for sure. Thanks for your thoughts on the matter.
ReplyDeleteWe constantly say that a disciple is simply a learner. I love what you said when you talked about seeing someone through Jesus' eyes. It's so hard to do sometimes, but it totally changes the way we view people!
ReplyDeleteFascinating to see your background come to life.
ReplyDeleteHappy PPF
We surely need to take steps on a daily basis to be more like the Master. Your art subject is particularly beautiful today. Praying you have a fun day filled with love and happiness. Thank you for joining our 149th challenge at Word Art Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteCarole Robb Bisson
Great post! I love your artwork and your blog is very inviting!
ReplyDeleteI loved to see your process. Absolutely stunning artwork!
ReplyDeleteI hear your words. . .I may be making mistakes but they are lessons I will have to learn. A Christian girl is following a Muslim killer!!?? Whoa, her lesson will be difficult if she lives that long. Always am in love with your art. Blessings, Janet PPF
ReplyDelete