WOYWW 312: Happy Faces!

 I'm cheating, I know! This is not my desk this morning!

I had an art workshop last Saturday for my friends in our community.

We are celebrating our 40th anniversary, and one of the activities is an art exhibit.

 I decided to hold art workshops so that everyone who wanted to, could join.

 I love these happy faces!

 And the best thing? Right after our workshop, they went out and bought more canvases so they could continue painting!!!

In spite of all my good intentions, I was only able to make two ATCs!!!

Hoping to make more, so if you want to trade, leave me a message,

and I'll get back to you by going to your blog when I have an ATC to trade!!!
Thank you Julia and all my friends at
What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday!
this is an awesome group!
Happy Anniversary!

 "Anyone among you who aspires to greatness must serve the rest." Mark 10:44

James and John, the sons of Zebedee in the 10th chapter of Mark, are just like us.  I find it comforting that after 3 years of going around with Jesus, listening to His teachings, seeing His example of washing their feet, and not resting because He pitied the people following him, that they would ask Jesus, "We want to sit in places of honor next to you!"  Don't we feel entitled a lot of times like these two disciples? I know I do! When I am impatient waiting for my turn at the doctor's office or in the bank, or in the ladies' room. When I get mad at the person taking my call for making me wait, or the security guard for questioning me.  They are only doing their job, but I feel they don't give me enough importance! Dear Jesus, who am I anyway!??

In Philippians 2:7, Saint Paul said that Jesus "emptied Himself by taking the form of a slave and by becoming like human beings."  God becoming a slave to us all! If we aspire to greatness, we must have servant hearts. I don't aspire to greatness in the sense of being above others, or being exalted. But I do want to live an extraordinary life.  I do believe that God created us to be extraordinary! In Genesis 1:27 of the Message Bible, we read: "God created human beings; He created them godlike, reflecting God's nature." He created me to be godlike, like Him.  We can only be godlike by His grace. I certainly can't be godlike on my own. Everyday, I see the earth I'm made of!!! My weaknesses and my idiosyncracies. We can either be frustrated and feel impotent about that, or we can be like Saint Paul.

 When Saint Paul pleaded with God to take away His "thorn in the flesh", God said to Him three times, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Co. 12:9) Like Saint Paul, we can confess, "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest on me." Having a servant heart and mind requires much from me, but I stand on God's promise that His grace, His empowering presence in my life will give me the ability to go beyond what I am naturally unable to do on my own. 

"Wherefore, receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace, whereby we may offer service well-pleasing to God." Hebrews 12:28

 "With each contribution show a cheerful countenance..." Sirach 35:9

The book of Sirach is not found in every Bible but is accepted by many christian religions. It is the longest book about wisdom preserved from ages past. In chapter 35, we read: "Keeping the Law is worth many offerings... Returning a kindness is like a grain offering; giving to the poor is like a thanksgiving offering... Praise the Lord by making generous offerings to him; don't be stingy with the first of your crops. Be cheerful with every gift you make, and when you pay your tithes, do it gladly. Give to the Most High as he has given to you, just as generously as you can. The Lord always repays and will do it many times over..."

We should give alms, not only during Lent, but all throughout the year. Alms comes from a word which means mercy, and therefore includes not only giving coins to the poor beggar on the street, but any act of charity. We need to do this because it is part and parcel to the command to love our neighbor. Do we want to lend money to the Lord? It is possible! Proverbs 19:17 says that if we are gracious to a poor man, it is like lending to God, and God will be the one to repay! 

There are many famous philanthropists. One of the differences between philanthropy and alms giving is that in alms giving, we give because of a person, Jesus Christ, who identifies Himself with the poor and needy. He said when we give a party, we should invite those who cannot repay us. (Luke 14:12-14) Have we ever considered that that is the reason why we are invited to His party? We cannot ever repay Him for what He has done for us. 

Sometimes our material possessions blind us to the truth that we are spiritually impoverished. There are many admonitions to tithe and give alms in the Bible, so that we can more focus on God's generosity and mercy to us. The ancient spiritual practice of alms giving and tithing is really for our benefit, and we should learn to do it cheerfully. And I do believe we can only accomplish this by practicing it one step at a time.

Previous Posts

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inspirations, creative pursuits,

courageous artists and their art, join me here!

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Joining the lovely Julia Dunnit for a 

peek at desks and projects!

I find a lot of inspiration

visiting my friends here:

Mondays @ Soul Survival
Small Wonders, Testimony Tuesday,  Titus 2 Tuesdays, 
Count Your Blessings, Word Art Wednesday, Wildly Original

Whatever You Want Wednesday, Share the Joy, 

What's It Wednesdays, Unite, WholeHearted Home,

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What We Accomplished, Wow Us Wednesdays
The Weekly Creative, Three Word Wednesday
Great Blog Train Bloghop, Cheerleaders of Faith

Thoughtful Thursday,  Hearts4Home Thursdays, Thought Provoking Thursday

Thriving Thursdays with Serving Joyfully

Thursday Favorites, Desire to Inspire Legacy Leaver Thursday

Creative Things, Bloom! Soul Survival, Inspiration Gallery
Family Fun Friday, Hearts for Home Thursday

Dance with Jesus Friday

Blessings!

Patsy