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Wednesday, January 28, 2015

WOYWW: In My HeART

 Here is my desk after painting on canvases last night
in preparation for Art in the Park in March.

 I transformed Chef Rocco di Spirito
into a farmer. He's got a new career!!!

 "A farmer went out to plant some seed...Other seed fell on fertile soil and produced a crop that was 30, 60 and even a hundred times as much as was planted." Mark 4: 3-8
The seed here is the Word of God, and the soil is our hearts. There are different kinds of hearts. In 2006, I was very frustrated that even if I prayed early in the morning, and thought about what I read in the Bible, by 10 in the morning, I could not remember even the verse I read! My heart was like the footpath, where the birds just picked up the seeds and ate it!

Although the Word is spread far and wide- we can listen to it on TV, on Youtube, in prayer meetings, we can read it in on billboards, on websites, there is much more seed the enemy is planting! I think we have to think of more "creative" ways to plant the seed in our heart, to help it germinate and grow. We cannot allow the enemy to stifle it with all the work we need to do, to choke it with the lures of materialism, to drown it with the so many forms of entertainment, and our desire for a life of ease and comfort.


That is why in 2006, I decided to illustrate the Bible verse I read in the morning. I would just cut up pictures in magazines and glue it on to my prayer journal. It's helped immensely to embed God's Word in my heart. I can say it's not only helped me grow spiritually, and given me joy, but I also discovered I could paint! Truly, what God has planted in my heart produced so much more than I could ever had imagined!

 I joined this lovely group on Facebook
Most of us paint in this group on our Bibles.
Some of you may disagree with doing that,
but I try hard not to get too much paint so I can still read the Word.
Also, this is not my main Bible.

My main Bible is soooo full of notations,
from past studies -
 another way I try to place the Word in my heart,
and help it permeate my life!

 "I take joy in doing Your will my God, for Your law is written in My heart." Psalm 40:8
Obeying God is a true sign that we love God, that we are part of His family, brother, sister, mother (Mark 3:35) and His treasured possession (Exodus 19:5) Jesus obeyed the Father and gave all He could give, even His very life.
In the 10th chapter of Mark, there is the story of the very rich young man who asked Jesus, "What must I do to go to inherit eternal life?" When Jesus told him to sell all his possessions, the man left grieving, without joy. There is joy in obedience, and if we do not obey there is something that will hound you!

By contrast there is the story of Saint Matthew, the tax collector, who followed Jesus without hesitation. Before he met Jesus, he was greedy, hungry for money. When he obeyed and answered the call of Jesus, he was set free from that bondage. Saint Bede wrote that Jesus summoned Matthew away from earthy possessions to the incorruptible treasures of heaven. When we obey God, there is always joy and blessing in heeding His voice!



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




Blessings!
Patsy


13 comments:

  1. I'm not sure my comment sent. You have a beautiful gift. Thank you for sharing it with us! Beautiful message too. Bless you! Following you at Holly's.

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  2. Wow! You are very talented. Thanks for sharing at So Much At Home.
    God bless.
    Chris

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  3. Wow! Your Bible painting are stunning. #10

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  4. If you paint as well as you do, I say go for it, your Bible paintings are gorgeous. Helen 4

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  5. I want to be a farmer too! :D Love your artwork - which I tell you every week!!! Because it's true! Blessings to you!

    Happy Crafting!
    Jeannie #5

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  6. beautiful paintings again this week!
    Happy WOYWW
    love Mrs. C x
    http://craftroomdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/woyww-january-28th-2015.html

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  7. What a beautiful idea! Your illustrations are lovely! I am visiting from the Coffee and Conversation link up today. Thank you for the encouragement this morning :)

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  8. Good morning, Patsy. Imagine having the skill to paint so very beautifully on your Bible pages. I love to see a Bible well used!!! Love all the underlinings in your other Bible, too!!
    Take care. God bless.
    Margaret #33

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  9. Fabulous post and very inspiring! You have such talent and I love how you "illustrate" the Word of God in such a beautiful way. God bless!
    Carol N #51

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  10. Mark 4 was the chapter I read this morning during my prayer time. How awesome to read your post about it on the very same day! Your pictures are truly beautiful. I am your neighbor for Testimony Tuesdays. So glad to have found you!

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  11. I love how you illustrate in your bible. Thank you for sharing how you got started in that habit and how you actually discovered your painting talent that way. Isn't it just like our Father to bestow a gift to show his pleasure in what you were doing? :)
    Blessing hugs,
    Teresa

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  12. Your work is so, so beautiful! I too have had a hard time remembering what I read in the morning, so I'm going to try to find away to really make it stick! Thank you for sharing your beautiful gifts with us :)

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  13. Wow! God has blessed you with an amazing gift and you use it so beautifully. Visiting from3-d lessons for life and so glad I found you!

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