Friday, December 26, 2014

Paint Party Friday: The Light Shines in the Darkness!

From our home to yours...
A very blessed Christmas season!
May the light of the world illuminate
your home and your family!

"...the light shines in the darkness..." John 1:5
The day before Christmas, Luigi and I visited some friends and we got to talking about common challenges in our businesses. Sometimes dealing with the government agencies can bring you to some dark places! It can be easy to just give up, but the thing is, sometimes God does bring you to dark places because that is where growth occurs.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies, it bears much fruit." John 12:24
If we leave seeds in the packet, it will just be seeds. But if we plant it in soil, it will grow. God is our gardener and we are His garden, it says in 1 Corinthians 3:9. Our gifts, talents, dreams and goals are just like seeds. Sometimes, we can only see the growth and blooming after it is planted in a time of darkness, of frustration, and even failure. Our resourcefulness, ingenuity, creativity, comes forth in new life.
Yes, if we stay in faith, trusting God, refusing to get bitter or pessimistic, God can bring new life out of darkness. Just as He brought new life from Mary's dark womb on the first Christmas morning, and new life from Calvary's tomb.
So if we are seeing some darkness now, the message of Christmas is "the light shines in the darkness". It is not time to despair or feel defeated, but time to rejoice! New life is coming!

 Today is Saint Stephen's Feast Day!
He was the first martyr of the Church.
Many debated with Stephen,
and he was even dragged to face the Sanhedrin.
They all noticed he had the "face of an angel"
(Acts 6:15), as he defended the faith, fearlessly.

Jesus told his disciples in the 10th chapter of Matthew,
"When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak...
You will be given at that moment what you are to say."

This reminds me of the many times my mind has been blank,
and I did not know what to say, or what to write.
But in those times, God has always come to my aid!
Even if we are just ordinary people,
we can depend on God
to give us the words to say or write when we need it! 

 Home
Linking with
So many WONDERFUL blogfriends 
to discover here!
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Thank you for dropping by!
You are appreciated!


12 comments:

  1. Wonderful art!
    Thoughtful words...
    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year :)

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  2. Merry Christmas

    you are welcome to link also at my 12 Days of Christmas at "Lunch Break"

    much love...

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  3. I LOVE seeing your picture:-) Beautiful words of reflection and accompanying art, as always. Merry Christmas!

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  4. I wonder what people would see on our visage if we were stoned? Great art and another super post. We really appreciate that you are posting art with us in this two week challenge, at Word Art Wednesday. Blessings to you and yours, Carole Merry Christmas a day late!

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  5. Oh, Patsy, I am so delighted you left a comment on my blog and so delighted that the internet has connected us as sisters in Christ! Oh, what a delight! Your artwork is exquisite, and I see that in your post that you work on the background first. Stunning work, and I look forward to seeing more. Thank you for sharing the gifts of art that God has given you as well as sharing His word! Hugs from the States!

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  6. P. S. And what a beautiful family you are! :)

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  7. Beautiful work!

    Smiles & Best Wishes, Saskia :)

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  8. A lovely post and beautiful artwork, Patsy. And how sweet to see your delightful family.
    Hugs & smiles,
    Teresa

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  9. Thank you SO MUCH for sharing with us, Patsy. Our challenge blog would absolutely not be the same without your weekly participation, encouragement and love. You are a blessing to me, and I thank God for you. I ask Him to bless you for blessing others.
    Love to you, my dear friend.
    Karen
    Word Art Wednesday

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  10. Patsy - such beautiful paintings! Thanks for sharing on PPF - I'm there too - Truffle Art. Come visit when you have time! Happy New Year! xx

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  11. You 3 are a beautiful family. I love the 1 Corin 3:9. . .good reminder. Wonderful pic of Stephen. Happy New Year and many Blessings in 2015. Janet PPF

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  12. Visiting from PPF -- Wishing you a Happy New Year!

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