What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday 106

What's on my work desk today?
I've got my journal,
on top of a new work in progress.


I decided to use my paper scraps and just
glued them down using gel medium.
I'm probably going to use wall putty
to cover it a up a bit.

Today's reading from Corinthians
is one of my favorites.
Although we are reminded to be
generous with our blessings,
"to sow bountifully,
so we will reap bountifully",
we can claim God's promise that
He will provide for
ALL our needs,
even for the good work we do!

And this is so TRUE!
My family and I have been serving in
our local jail for about 3 years now,
and we have never lacked for resources
to share with them every week,
and especially every Christmas
when we prepare 300 bags of giveaways!

And here's a project I made
for a friend who is leaving for the US.
I was wondering what to give her,
and thought of decorating a purse
and putting prayers inside.

Join Julia and friends
for a lot of peeking at work desks and
projects! Two years old and
going strong!!

St. Barnabas

St. Barnabas?
He wasn't on my radar before,
but now I'll never forget him!

In Acts 11, we can read about him:
²² they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
²³ When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done,
he was glad and encouraged them all
to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.
²⁴ He was a good man,
full of the Holy Spirit and faith,
and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

Wouldn't it be great to be all like
St. Barnabas,
to be an encourager,
life-giver,
to strengthen the church,
reminding our brothers and sisters in
our parishes, communities,
churches,
to be true and faithful and steadfast
to the teachings of God?

How wonderful if at the end of my life,
someone would stand and say this about me!

Read more about him
here.

Linking to Spiritual Sunday ,
and Graceful for Hear it on Sunday,
Use it on Monday, and
Soli Deo Gloria.

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday 105

This was my table this morning.
You can see my canvas peeking
under my journal.

This is how I left my canvas last night.
I removed the lace and fabric embellishments
on her veil because it looked tacky!
And that's why there are all those white spots.
I was so dismayed I went to sleep
without fixing it!
And my reading today is from Acts 20.
St. Paul was preaching before he left on
a ship, that we should help the weak.
And who are the weak?
The poor, the sick, the widows and
orphans. The inmates in jail,
those who have no voice.

Join Julia and the gang
for a lot of peeking at work desks and
projects! Two years old and
going strong!!

Power!

We celebrated Ascension day yesterday.
That was the day Jesus left the disciples
and said: "Go, therefore,
and make disciples of ALL nations..."

That must have been mind boggling
for them to imagine doing!
A ragtaggle bunch, timid,
used to following a leader.
They weren't great speakers,
and they weren't that confident.

And yet, they were able to
spread the Word of God far and wide.
One time, 3,000 people converted!
Why? Because Jesus didn't leave them
without POWER.

The Holy Spirit is available to us today.
And Jesus said we can do even more things
than He did.
Which is true.
We are able to communicate with people
all over the world,
without leaving our homes!

Isn't that amazing?
Let's not forget to tap into the power
of the Holy Spirit,
and to use the technology available today
to do what Jesus said we should do
as His disciples!

Linking to Spiritual Sunday ,
and Graceful for Hear it on Sunday,
Use it on Monday, Moving Words Monday
and Soli Deo Gloria.

Look what I did with Scraps!

I like making flower collages out of scrap cloth,
old buttons, pearls, and other stuff I find in my stash.
You can pin it to a blouse,
bracelet, necklace, headband or hair clip.
You could use it to decorate a frame, box,
mirror, tray, bottle or a corkboard.

Want one?
Leave a comment below
telling me what you'll use it for.
And tell me which one you like.
I don't know how you'll identify it,
be imaginative! :^)
I'll use a random thingamajig
to choose a winner or two.

And here's my Barbie doll.
Dug her out of my closet to show the dresses
I made for her from scrap cloth.

I've forgotten how much fun it was to make
these dresses.
I also made her a purse
which really can hold a miniature
hanky or something!
I've given away some dresses to little girls
who have Barbie dolls,
and have misplaced some.
Maybe I'll start making again!

I also use a lot of scrap paper in my journal.

Yesterday's reading was about
comparing our trials to the labor
of a woman giving birth.
After the hardship there is joy
because of the baby.
After suffering there is joy.
There is always good fruit in trials
if you keep your faith and hope in God!

And for today's reading,
I was able to draw the Holy Spirit.
I have to confess though that I copied
one of my brother's drawings.
It's very difficult to draw birds.
I'm practicing now.
Like I practiced drawing hands for two years!
I can say that I can now draw a passable hand!
Practice makes well, not yet perfect,
passable!

Linking up to Scrappy Saturdays,
and Inspiration Fridays, Free for All,
Weekend Bloggy Reading and
Stuff and Nonsense.

WOYWW: Gifts

Today's post is all about gifts.
I finally received my One World, One Heart
prize from Sunshine Shelle.
I'll have to find a nice spot for
my new painting.
Right now, it is above my planter
full of drawing stuff so I can appreciate it
every time I use my desk.
Isn't it wonderful?
Even if it's raining outside,
I'll have the beach scene to cheer me up!
And here's one of the canvases I've been working on.
It's still not finished.
Julia asked how I know when my work is finished.
I guess it's when I like it already!
Because if not, then I have to work on it
some more, or cover it up with wall putty
to start over!

This morning I was working on my journal.
As usual I do not have enough space (sigh!)
and my journal was on top of my canvas.
I read in John 16:12 that Jesus
told His disciples that
He had much more to tell them.
He was talking about giving them a gift,
the Holy Spirit.
By giving us the Holy Spirit to guide us
to all truth, He was enabling us
to be qualified to have a share
in our inheritance in the Kingdom of light.
(Col. 1:10-12)

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday
is celebrating it's 2 year anniversary!
Amazing! And we're going to have a
"Pass it forward" gift exchange.
What a lot of fun that's going to be!
Join Julia and the gang
for a lot of peeking at work desks and
projects!

The Visitation

Today I read about Mary's visit
to Elizabeth in Ain Karim
(or in Hebrew, Ein Kerem).

You can read all about it in Luke 1:39-56.
But it is best to read from the beginning
of the first chapter of Luke.

The interesting parts for me are
that John the Baptist was filled with
the Holy Spirit even before he was born (v. 15).
When his mother, Elizabeth,
heard Mary's greeting,
even if he was still in the womb,
he leaped in her womb!
Both Elizabeth and John the baby Baptist
were filled with the Spirit!
He recognized Jesus!

The Visitation by Brigid Marlin

How wonderful that Mary
was such a kindred spirit to Elizabeth
that she hastened to tell her the amazing news!
"While this meeting between Mary and Elizabeth
is unique, there is something here
that we can all experience.
As baptized believers, each of us is capable
of bearing Christ to others.
If our eyes were opened to this truth,
we too would rejoice and be humbled
in the presence of so holy a vessel
as a sister or brother in Christ.

"Even nonbelievers would move us to
great reverence because they too are created
in God's image and have just as much potential
of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
If God has so honored human beings this way,
how could we fail to show them equal honor?"
Word Among Us
May our eyes be open,
may our spirit be sensitive
to all who bring Christ's love
and words and teachings to us.
May we not fall into the trap of thinking
that it has to be a godly person,
or someone we look up to and respect.
It may be a child, a beggar,
a prisoner, a telemarketer,
or even a beauty queen!
Patricia DiBella collage

May we recognize Jesus
when He passes by us,
when He lingers beside us,
or gives us a phone call!

Linking to Spiritual Sunday ,
and Graceful for Hear it on Sunday,
Use it on Monday, and
Soli Deo Gloria.

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday

Here's my desk for your perusing.
It's very crowded as I have a small desk.
One canvas is on top of another.
This is the canvas on top.
It's still a long way from done.
This is the canvas at the bottom.
Did some experimenting with
undertones for the skin
and I'm afraid I just made her look
like she had a rash or something.
I need a LOT of practice!
This is the 3rd canvas,
also a work in progress.
It didn't fit on top of the table and
is lying on top of a magazine,
on top of a box of crochet thread,
which is balancing on top of goodness knows what!

Because there was no space on my desk,
I had to do my journal on my lap.
I was reading about St. Paul,
and how the Jews in Antioch
were so enraged at his preaching,
that they stoned him and
dragged him out of the city
thinking he was dead.
The very next day, he was out
preaching again!!
Now, how does a man do that,
where does he get his fire,
his passion, his conviction?

In Corinthians, St. Paul claims,
"I am what I am what I am
by the grace of God."

And we are what we are
by the grace of God too!

Visit the amiable Julia of Stamping Ground
for more desks and ongoing projects.

Sing!

Sing a new song to the Lord!
Psalm 98:1

Why sing?
Why not just talk to God?

When we are happy, isn't there a
tendency to sing and even dance?
When we are sad, do we not want to lament?
When there is feeling, passion, life,
there is a song that comes out of our heart,
our spirit.

"My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour."
When we lift our voices to God in joy,
we are drawn closer to Him.


Sing when there is reason to sing.
Sing when there is none,
but I find there always is!
How many times have I felt
miserable, hopeless or dejected,
only to sing, hesitantly and rebelliously at first,
and then genuine joy and gratefulness
take over.
"Why should we sing?
Because singing engages our hearts
and emotions as well as our minds,
and God cares about the whole person,
emotions included.
He wants to breathe life into our spirits
and minds and bodies.
Singing offers him entry into
our whole being in a way
that ordinary speech doesn't.
and if we have difficulty opening
our hearts,
singing can open the pathway
for His Spirit to move in us."
(Word Among Us)

Linking to Spiritual Sunday ,
and Graceful for Hear it on Sunday,
Use it on Monday, and
Soli Deo Gloria.

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday

After a wonderful experience
at the art fair during the weekend,
(see my previous post if you're interested)
I started on 4 canvases.

This one is a small simple collage of flowers.
This is going to be,
"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
And this is an experiment.
In the new issue of Cloth, Paper and Scissors,
there's a tutorial on how to make faces with a lot of
shading and undertones.

The fourth one is on an easel and
I forgot to take a picture of it.
Anyway it's just a background as of now.
And this is a postcard I finished for a friend.
She requested postcards for her birthday.

Visit the amiable Julia of Stamping Ground for more
desks and ongoing projects.
I hope Blogger will be more cooperative this week.
I was not able to comment on many
blogs last week!

Arts and Crafts Fair

I joined my first ever arts and crafts fair
this weekend
and am ecstatic that I sold 3 paintings
on Saturday morning.

The first one that got sold was "Prayers".

When I was making this I thought
the woman was Mother Mary.
She wasn't. As I was finishing her dress,
the first piece of paper I picked up
was a reading about the
woman who was sick and
touched the hem of Jesus' garment.
This is what I used for her dress.
So I knew who the lady was,
and that the flowers were her prayers
reaching up to heaven.

When I told this story to Cathy,
this tall and thin lady selling
interesting jewelry at the fair,
she said she wanted to buy it
because that story in the Bible
meant something to her.
I was so pleased.
Even if I was sleepy and tired,
I knew I just had to finish it Friday night...
and now I know why.
It was for Cathy!

And here is the husband of the lady
who bought "Bloom".
This is the first time I saw someone
fall in love with my painting
the minute she saw it.
She just kept coming back to it,
till finally she asked how much it was,
and then said she wanted to buy it.

I told her that it was all about pruning,
and how we bloom with God's pruning.

How wonderful to create something
that gives others pleasure!
It made me so happy,
and I knew God was telling me
to use my gift.

Sharing this on Paint Party Friday and
Creative Friday.

What's on my Workdesk Wednesday

This is what's on my desk this morning.
A mixed media piece
on a wall puttied canvas.
The flowers are of paper and fabric.
There is some sewing on it and on the stems.
Have not decided what to do with the veil.

I have been working overtime
as my brother and his friends
organized an Arts and Crafts Fair
and my sister and I are going to rent a table.

I finished my other canvas
and will be selling it at the Fair.
I'm rather conflicted about selling this
and have no idea how to price it!
See more desks and projects at
What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday,
hosted by the very amiable Julia.

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday

Here is my desk early this morning.
I am doing my prayer journal.

Here is a close up of the page I did.
"I will bless the Lord at all times!
His praise will always be on my lips!"
from Psalm 34.

I always try to live with a
grateful and thankful heart.
Sometimes it is not so easy,
but with practice,
with visual reminders,
I am sure it will become a habit.

See more desks and projects at
What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday,
hosted by the very amiable Julia.

Blessed are they who Believe

"Blessed are they who have not seen
and have believed." John 20:29

Jesus is talking about us here!
We have not seen Him
walking, and preaching, and eating
like the disciples did.
We have not seen Him doing miracles
and healing the sick.
We did not put our finger to His side
and His hands.
And yet, we believe.

Today is the beatification of
Pope John Paul II.
In his first homily as Pope,
he said:
"Do not be afraid to welcome Christ
and accept His power...
Open wide the doors for Christ...
Christ knows what is in man.
He alone knows it.
So often today man does not know
what is within him,
in the depths of his mind and heart.
So often he is uncertain
about the meaning of his life on earth.
He is assailed by doubt,
a doubt which turns to despair.
We ask you therefore,
we beg you with humility and trust,
let Christ speak to man.
He alone has words of life,
yes, eternal life."

We have not seen Jesus,
but we have witnessed the power
of His Spirit and His Word.
We are indeed blessed.

The last blogpost David Wilkerson
wrote before he died
was about this same verse.

He wrote, "Blessed are those who believe
when there is no evidence
of an answer to prayer—
who trust beyond hope when all means have failed.
Beloved, God has never failed to act
but in goodness and love.
When all means fail—his love prevails.
Hold fast to your faith.
Stand fast in his Word.
There is no other hope in this world."

David Wilkerson was a Christian evangelist
best known for his amazing book,
The Cross and the Switchblade.

Linking to Spiritual Sunday ,
and Graceful for Hear it on Sunday,
Use it on Monday.