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Friday, March 28, 2014

Paint Party Friday: Within You!

One of the scribes asked Jesus a question,
and at the end of the exchange Jesus told him,
"You are not far from the Kingdom of God."
Mark 12:34

If only that scribe knew!
He was literally, NOT FAR from the Kingdom of God!
Jesus was probably just a foot and a half away from Him!

How about us?
Do we realize how near to us heaven could be?

 In different versions of Luke 17:21,
we can read that the Kingdom if God is
in our midst, already among us, within us,
is with us!

The Aramaic Bible interestingly translates this verse
"The Kingdom of God is within SOME of you."
I think I prefer this translation!

Some people have the gift of 
bringing the presence of God
with them even in the mundane, 
ordinary, tedious tasks of every day life.
I would like to be like Brother Lawrence
a uneducated lay brother with the 
Discalced Carmelites,
who practiced infusing his work 
in the kitchen with love for God.

This from Wikipedia:
For Brother Lawrence, "common business," 
no matter how mundane or routine, 
could be a medium of God's love. 
The sacredness or worldly status of a task 
mattered less than motivation behind it. 
"Nor is it needful that we should have great things to do. . . 
We can do little things for God; 
I turn the cake that is frying on the pan 
for love of him, and that done, 
if there is nothing else to call me, 
I prostrate myself in worship before him,
 who has given me grace to work; 
afterwards I rise happier than a king. 
It is enough for me to pick up but a straw 
 from the ground for the love of God."

 "Let us come into His presence 
with thanksgiving..." Psalm 95:2
If we want more of God's power, 
victory and fullness in our life, 
we need to praise and thank Him!
David praised His way into God's heart! 
He prayed three times a day but 
praised God seven times a day! 
 And God called him a "man after my own heart." 
(1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22)

If we want to be like Brother Lawrence,
I think the easiest way to start
is to begin by praising God!!!



Linking with

Sometimes I put on my best pajamas and
join these wonderful blog parties!!!
So many WONDERFUL blogfriends to discover!

Thank you for dropping by!
You are appreciated!

Patsy

11 comments:

  1. Your paintings are wonderful, and inspiring. Thanks for sharing! Happy PPF!

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  2. Your art brings such a joy to my heart, Patsy. I thank you for that, and I ask for God's richest blessings on you as you share.
    Karen
    Word Art Wednesday

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  3. Love your paintings, so full of expression Patsy. Happy PPF, Annette x

    http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

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  4. I read that book by Brother Lawerence. It was a convicting read. I would love to be as humble.

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  5. Wonderful inspiring art work.
    Thanks for sharing Patsy.

    Annabelle

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  6. Hi Patsy. Your paintings and words are so inspiring. Thank you for sharing and happy PPF! Blessings to you.

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  7. Very expressive and beautiful painting and I think bringing our attention to the everyday things is one of the best ways of celebrating the mystery that is life.

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  8. I read from Brother Lawrence's book now and then. he has a talent being present to the Lord. The ATC is so realistic. Thank you for joining us this week at Word Art Wednesday. Blessings, Carole

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  9. I love Brother Lawrence's book, very thought provoking. Thanks for linking up with The Weekend Brew!

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  10. Love the art! And the reminder to be like Brother Lawrence...some of my best times with God are when I do the dishes or bake bread or just sit on my front porch with a cup of coffee and Jesus in my heart!

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  11. Wonderful, thoughtful painting with such soft and gentle color! Happy PPF!

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