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Friday, August 01, 2014

PPF: The Master Potter

 "Like CLAY in the hand of a POTTER, 
so are you in my HAND..." Jeremiah 18:6

When we went to Hanoi, we went to Bat Trang, 
a pottery village well known for making 
beautiful clay pots and figurines. 
Their clay was amazingly so soft and pliable
 I couldn't resist asking for some. 
But before the clay could get that way, 
it underwent several stages of 
softening, sifting and refining.
 So it is with us.

 
 We are clay in the Master Potter's hand, 
and He is going to make of us the best masterpiece! 
That's why we go through so much in life! 
When the clay is finally soft and pliable, 
the potter puts it on a wheel which goes round and round. 
Don't you feel sometimes that we go 
through the same trials again and again? 
God allows it so we learn whatever it is He wants us to learn! 
God uses all the circumstance in our life. 
Nothing is ever put to waste. 
It can be painful, just as all the pinching and 
scraping and carving is to the clay if it could feel. 
But a Master artisan ALWAYS loves his clay. 
He is never harsh with his clay. 
His mind is fully on the clay, coaxing the clay, 
lovingly caressing it, working with its innate qualities, 
prodding forms out of it that are beautiful, 
one of a kind and unique.

And then, comes the big thing. 
The clay pot is put into the kiln! 
But this is necessary to harden the clay, 
or it won't retain its shape and cannot be used. 
Not an ounce of pain in our life is in vain. 
God wants to use us. 
That's why He gave us gifts and talents- 
so we can be a blessing to others! 
And we can help build His Kingdom on earth! 

 But we are not only useful to Him. 
He wants to make us beautiful too. 
Just as the Master artisan paints and glazes his creations, 
and puts his name on them, so too our God 
makes us beautiful and calls us His own!

Yes Lord, create something beautiful 
out of the muck, the mess, the sin in my life!

 "He did not work many MIGHTY DEEDS there
because of their lack of faith.
Matthew 13:58

I'm sure it's not that Jesus couldn't do
the mighty deeds!
It's more that his hometown people's
lack of faith, their unbelief did not 
leave room for God to work.

 
 Sometimes we are like the people
of Jesus' hometown.
We grew up believing in Jesus.
We have been Christians almost all our lives.
We go to our churches, our small groups.
We pray, we talk to Him, talk about Him.
But miracles happen to other people-
Africans, Muslims, drug dealers, people
who don't know Jesus!

And so we need to pray like the father
of the boy who was healed,
"Lord, I do believe! Help my unbelief!"
Mark 9:25
God will meet us where we are!


Linking with

So many WONDERFUL blogfriends 
to discover here!

Thank you for dropping by!
You are appreciated!

Patsy
 

12 comments:

  1. Hi Patsy. Long time no see. Hope all is well with you. Good to see you too. Your paintings are always full of meaning near to the heart. I appreciate them. Great job. Happy PPF!

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  2. your second piece is really catching my eye... i even scrolled up to have a second look... fabulous...xx

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  3. Anonymous8:27 PM

    amazing work!

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  4. Patsy, your blog is truly inspirational. Your paintings so beautifully illustrate the scriptures. Always a good wind-up for the week.

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  5. Oh, Patsy, how beautiful. Your artwork not only filled my eyes, but your words confirmed to my heart something I needed to hear just now.

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  6. Loved your post! So true that we tend to think that miracles happen to other people and not us. When I was going through such a rough time awhile ago, I had no idea that God was going to use it all in amazing ways. It's been really miraculous now that I look back on it and God is really the Hero in it all. Thanks so much for these wonderful words of encouragement!
    -S.L. Payne, uncommongrace.net

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  7. Your post is as beautiful and inspiring as your art. I don't know how to live without a purpose to everything - it would all seem so pointless to spend time here on earth. I praise God every day for his sovereignty - what seems chaotic or without meaning to me is totally in his hands!

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  8. So inspirational and I love the color harmony in your work! Happy PPF!

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  9. Thanks for being such an avid follower of my blog! I've enjoyed my visit here today. Your art is both meaningful and beautiful.

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  10. Happy Paper Saturday Patsy. Thank you for showing us your process photos. ManonX

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  11. Very inspirational and your artwork is fabulous.

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  12. You are always right on track with your words. I appreciate that. The art is potent. Blessings, Janet PPF

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