Wednesday, February 04, 2015

WOYWW: Discipline Determines Destiny

 Here's the first step: Look for a picture that would illustrate 
the bible verse! And here she is!
Then I trace the picture on to my bible page
using carbon paper.
For those in the States who have no idea
what carbon paper is, apparently its like transfer paper.

 "Whom the Lord loves, He disciplines." Heb. 12:6
In much the same way that a loving parent disciplines a child so that child becomes the best he can be, so does God discipline us. We can trust that He never gives us more discipline that we can endure.
There was a man watching a father and son walking the aisles in a supermarket. The father would put his purchases in the basket the little boy was carrying. The man then asked the boy, "Isn't that heavy?" The boy smiled and answered, "Oh no! My father knows exactly how much I can carry!"
We can be afraid of discipline but whatever God gives us, is always good for us even if we don't understand it. But there is another side to this, and that is self-discipline. We can avoid much of God's discipline in the same way a child eludes a parent's punishment, if we are obedient, and train ourselves in what is good for us.

 Are we disciplined in what we eat? (this is way haaard for me!) Do we choose the books and magazines we read? What we see on the internet? Where we go? The friends we choose to be with? Are we disciplined in the way we use our time and money? Do we read the Word of God daily, and linger with the One who can give us the best advice?
Yes, God loves us, but He will use His authority over our lives to lead us in the right direction, just as any wise parent would! I don't want it any other way, would you? "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6)
Discipline determines destiny!

 "Daughter, your faith has healed you." Mark 5:34
The story of this woman who had been hemorrhaging for 12 years can be discouraging. She spent everything she had for doctors and medicine and she was not getting better. In fact she was getting worse! I know so many people who have been sick a long time. In fact I am one of them! I have Pemphigus Vulgaris, an auto-immune disorder, very strange and very uncommon. Sometimes I feel like that veiled woman in a crowd in search ofJesus. "If only I can get close to Him. If only I had enough faith."
This woman was very fortunate in that she managed to touch Jesus' garments and she was healed instantly. Jesus looked around at the crowd surrounding Him, and asked, "Who touched me?" What is important to me in this story is that Jesus looked for her. For 12 years, perhaps she was feeling neglected by God, insignificant. How many times do we pray, "Do you care, God? Do You know what I am going through?" This is what our enemy wants, that we think God does not care, God does not know what we are going through. In this battle of the mind, we need to fight for the truth.

 God does care. We matter to Him. Every single one of us. We are loved. That is what we want to know in our heart. "Who touched me?" is the cry of a God who wants to connect with us. Faith is our connection. "Daughter, your faith has healed you," Jesus said. And so with us. Our faith that whatever we go through, whether 12 years or not, whether it is about healing, or broken relationships, or lack of money or whatever, God walks with us. God is there, loving us whatever we are going through. He will never allow things to happen to us that is not good for our character. That will not make us bloom. In the next story of Jairus and his daughter, Jesus says, "Do not be afraid. just trust me."
Yes Lord, I trust You. You will work everything in my life for my good, because I love You and I trust You! (Romans 8:28)

 Here is something I am working on
for the coming "Art in the Park" in March.

 
 And this is what my brother Robert did for a community.
He drew the outlines for the flowers
and the kids painted it.

 
 Didn't it come out beautiful?



Joining the lovely Julia Dunnit for a 
peek at desks and projects!
I find a lot of inspiration
visiting my friends here:



Blessings!
Patsy


20 comments:

  1. Lovely stuff! Thanks, Patsy, for all the spiritual and artistic encouragement. What a gifted family! Happy WOYWW, Chris # 11

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  2. Wow Patsy, great ideas and a very thought provoking post.
    sandra de @13

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  3. Looks as though artistic talent runs in your family!! :D Glorious paintings and a wonderful message! You have an amazing ministry. God bless and keep you!

    Happy Crafting!
    Jeannie #9

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  4. ah a beautiful post Patsy ...

    ..yes we reflect in our lives/ actions where our heart is, as Proverbs says ''as he thinks in his heart, so is he" and this we need to have the self control to get those desires thought patterns right.. :D

    Happy WOYWW Shaz in Oz.x #2

    {Shaz in Oz – Calligraphy Cards}

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  5. Those flowers on the walls are sure to brighten up any ones day when they walk by it happy woyww hugs Nikki 14

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  6. Amazing artwork - this really brings your Bible to life!

    Would love for you to share this at our Friendship Friday Party this weekend Patsy.

    Have a blessed week! :-)

    Ramona - #19

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  7. Beautiful artwork by yourself and your brother, Patsy, have a lovely week Cheers Robyn#20

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  8. Amazing work created by all, thanks for sharing and have a wonderful week, happy WOYWW

    hugs Eliza & Yoda 21

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  9. I love your blog but so rarely visit! Sorry! Discipline in eating is my biggest problem - must get a grip on that! I love the flowers the children have painted - what a wonderful idea!
    Lots of hugs,
    Cardarian

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  10. Amen, Patsy. But, yes, how hard to be self-disciplined. How good to know God lives me!
    Take care. God bless.
    Margaret #7

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  11. It is such a pleasure to visit each week and see all the beauty displayed here. Glenda #48

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  12. I do so love your posts, discipline was food for thought.
    Congratulations to your Brother on such wonderful art work, how the children must've enjoyed themselves.
    Christine aka Bishopsmate #73

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  13. Thank you again for an inspiring post. I always love reading them. Yes, I agree, discipline is difficult and so is self discipline.
    Living with an illness is also a difficult discipline. I remember from a book by Corrie Ten Boom:
    Corrie ten Boom's father said to her, when she was a young girl:

    "Corrie, when you and I go to Amsterdam,
    when do I give you your ticket?"

    "Why, just before we get on the train."

    "Exactly. And our wise Father in heaven knows when we're going to need things too. Don't run out ahead of Him. When the time of need comes, you will look into your heart and find the strength you need -- just in time."


    Corrie, later in life, after the concentration camp:

    "God will give us the grace and power we need --
    the money for the train ticket will arrive
    just the moment we are to step on the train."


    When Jesus takes your hand
    He keeps you tight.
    When Jesus keeps you tight
    He leads you through life.
    When Jesus leads you through life,
    He brings you safely home.

    - Father ten Boom


    The deepest fellowship with Him lies in
    not resisting when suffering comes our way,
    but in going through it resolutely with Him.

    - Pam Rosewell, author of The Five Silent Years of Corrie ten Boom and Corrie's last companion.
    Lisca#41

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    1. Lisca, how interesting that you would quote Corrie Ten Boom. I just watched the movie based on her life (The Hiding Place) last night. I copied the quote: No pit is so deep that HE is not deeper still.

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  14. Patsy, I love the runner you did - what a symbol for me. I am very disciplined when it comes to running, but I can be very undisciplined when it comes to rest. If you put the runner in your shop, will you email me and let me know?

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  15. Patsy, thank you so much for showing how you do your art in your bible, for sharing your beautiful paintings and for the wisdom in this wonderful post. It just happens that the Lord has been speaking to me about self-discipline this past week. He has even given me a plan.

    I also want you to know that you have inspired me to share my faith more extensively through a new blog I started a few days ago. If you can find the time, I would love if you could stop by. You can find it here: http://teacloserwalk.blogspot.ca/

    Blessing hugs,
    Teresa

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  16. I love seeing how you do your Bible art journaling! I'm more of a Bible doodle journaler.

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  17. Beautiful artwork and so wonderful to let the kids colour in the walls.
    Have a great week,
    Von #42

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  18. Are you actually painting straight into your bible? What a lovely idea and it's so effective and beautiful.

    A very thought provoking post even to (or especially to?) a non-religious person (as I am) An amazing project by Peter too.

    Carmen x #53

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  19. Beautiful artwork! I see artistic talent runs in the family : ). #58

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