Before I started painting, this is how my desk looked like.
A few days ago my sisters and I looked through my mom's
fancy jewelry and divided it amongst ourselves.
(My mother died in February, and
we are looking though her things sloooowly)
Anyway, she has a lot of stuff, and I was thinking of
making new jewelry out of those that I couldn't wear.
Some are tarnished and some are plastic, so I thought
I could make some artsy earrings and bracelets
and if they are nice enough, I can give some to my sisters.
And that is what that book about
jewelry projects is doing on my desk.
Notice the bottles?
I still have my bad cough which is my
souvenir from Seoul, and after
a week of antibiotics,
I decided to try some herbal remedies-
honey, apple cider vinegar, cayenne pepper and
ground ginger.
Ever tried that? Maybe you have some suggestions
to get rid of this pesky cough!!!!!
"Lord, teach us to pray..." Luke 11:1
Being Jews, it was
almost certain
that the disciples knew how to pray.
Jews were supposed
to pray three times a day, like David.
They had the morning prayers,
afternoon prayers and evening prayers.
This custom was supposedly
introduced
by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
so they had a long tradition of
prayer.
But they were prescribed prayers.
In the morning you recited a
blessing upon waking up,
another one upon taking your bath,
another
blessing while putting on your clothes, etc.
So why did the disciple ask Jesus to teach them to pray?
Why would
anyone ask another to teach them to pray?
Because perhaps they saw
something they wanted for themselves.
They saw that when Jesus prayed,
His prayer was effective.
It gave Him power, He received wisdom,
instruction.
He had purpose, meaning, vision.
I'm thinking the disciple
was asking
to learn more formula prayers,
more prescribed prayers, for
they knew nothing else.
Instead they got a radical prayer,
a
prayer which gave them permission
to call God, "Abba", daddy, papa.
It
was unheard of!
So really, what Jesus was teaching was
that God wanted a
close,
intimate relationship with His children.
Something beyond the
ken of the Jews
who did not even dare spell out God's name or pronounce
it!
Thank you Lord for showing us the Father's heart,
a heart
full of love and tender mercies!
Indeed what are we that You should
desire
to have fellowship with us!
We do not deserve it, but You love us
nonetheless!
"Martha, Martha, you are anxious
and worried about many things.
There is need of only one thing.
Mary has chosen the better part and
it will not be taken from her."
Luke 10:41-42
What is the ONE THING?
I guess we can come up with different
answers,
but I think it is having a relationship with Jesus.
That is how
to be a Mary in a Martha world.
Martha's world is full of deadlines, an
avalanche of email,
a never ending series of to-dos and want-to-dos.
The world of today is maddeningly
kinetic,
a breeding ground of distraction,
and it's hard to find the
time to
nurture our most important relationship.
Commandment number ONE
is to love The Lord
with all our heart, soul and strength, with
everything in us!
That's the ONE thing, that's number ONE!
Lord, I want that one thing!
Help me to slow down and savor Your love for me!
Help me to sit at Your feet and learn from You!
Help me to slow down and savor Your love for me!
Help me to sit at Your feet and learn from You!
peek at desks and projects!
I find a lot of inspiration
visiting my friends here:
Blessings!
Patsy
It is that time of year when everyone has a cough may you get well soon and that sounds like a great home remedy I usually just enjoy the honey and drink lots of hot teas and coffees to keep warm Get well soon
ReplyDeleteHappy WOYWW hugs Nikki My Space
Your paintings are always so beautiful and inspiring. #2
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about moving through things slowly. I have boxes and boxes to go through and I have not opened a single one.
ReplyDeleteThe process of grieving a loss and adjusting to life afterwards takes time.
I love your beautiful artwork and your wonderful post on prayer!
I just read an inspiring book by Max Lucado on prayer (review is recent if you want to check it out) that your post reminded me of. He says the only "class" the disciples asked for from Jesus was one on prayer. I never thought of it like that!
Anyway, have a wonderful week and thanks for being such a blessing as always!
Create Witt Joy #6
http://create-with-joy.com
tried to post 3 times now so if multiple show up I am sorry! Hope you get to feeling better soon. Thanks for sharing and have a great week. Vickie #25
ReplyDeleteI do hope you are feeling better soon, I so love your art and popping in here to say hi and see what you are up too.
ReplyDeleteHappy WOYWW
Hugs Eliza, Yoda & Flat Susan #12
I love your work Patsy! I think you're very talented! zsuzsa @ InkyDinkyDoodle #22
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better soon. Lovely post. Sorry for the loss of your mother.
ReplyDeletePatsy as always you have your finger on the pulse of the 21st century woman, and it seems to be the issues for woman of all times - slowing down finding balance, sitting at his feet to draw in the Love and grace we so desperately need, thank you for your beautiful andt and post!
ReplyDeleteGinny # 61, have a great week!
Hi Patsy - sorry you're still fighting the pesky cough, and hope it clears quickly. A great idea to recycle Mum's jewelry - do show what you come up with. I love the picture of the woman alone, praying. So serene and peaceful. Have a great week, Chris # 23
ReplyDeleteSorry you are unwell. I love your inspiration and the words for guidance. Peg 44
ReplyDeleteI do hope (and pray) that you will feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteWhat a good idea to immortalize some of your mum's jewelry in craft projects. That in itself will be a healing process.
Thank you for the lovely pictures and your writing on 'prayer'. I am a 'prayer warrior' myself and consider it a privilege that we have access to our father like this. We can talk to Him and ask Him anything. I wouldn't dream of doing anything, or taking any decision without praying about it.
Thank you for letting me peep over your shoulder.
Have a good week.
Lisca#35
Lovely idea to use some of your mum's jewellery to incorporate into new creations. As usual, your artwork is beautiful. Just having a break in between getting things ready for my sale for Saturday. Thanks for sharing. Hope that you have a lovely crafting week to come. Hazel, WOYWW #47 x
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post, Patsy. The message at the end was definitely for me - I've been having a frustrating time lately with so much that has to be done, and not enough energy left for what I WANT to do - art!! I do hope you feel better soon. Bridget Larsen (No. 1 in this week's WOYWW) has posted on her blog about a wonderful cold remedy that she has made. Something dellicious to take every day to keep those pesky germs away!!
ReplyDeleteYour art work is sooo beautiful this week... "Teach us to pray" - so lovely, and what a beautiful background, too. Thank you for sharing your faith, and always a lovely message, every week. You are a real blessing.
Happy belated WOYWW,
Shoshi #32
Sweet memories in your Mothers jewellery that will become something else for a sister. I suggest anointing your throat with olive oil and praying the prayer of faith for healing. Blessings Carole
ReplyDeleteI'm sure those jewelry pieces will be precious to you and your sisters. What a wonderful way to have a keepsake of your mother.
ReplyDeleteI agree it is very hard to be a Mary in a Martha world. I struggle with this daily. I've been listening to a commentary series as I go about my daily tasks that really helps me to study and ponder God's Word. Thank you for this keen reminder about what is truly important.
Blessings,
Deborah