Monday, June 23, 2014

Virtual Blog Tour

Hi! I am doing something new today!
to join a Virtual Blog Tour.
Isn't she sweet!
June is passionate about inspiring others
through her writing and her beautiful pictures
that emanate out of her home in 
beautiful Texas Hill Country.

Now to answer these 4 questions:

1. What am I working on?
 
Everyday I make a little painting
inspired by a bible verse,
usually a verse that I want to embed
in my heart, and to remember.
Here is what I did today:


2. How does my work differ 
from others of its genre?
I don't know if my work is part of any genre!!!
I guess it's different because
my paintings are part of my faith journal.
I started with embellishing and collage,
something like this:

Then I eventually moved from collage to painting,
and so today, my
faith journal looks like this:


3. Why do I write/create what I do?
In 2006, I felt frustrated that after
I read the Bible and prayed,
I would forget what I prayed about
at 10 in the morning!
So I decided I would do something
to help me remember.
Now all I have to do is to
recall the painting I made!

4. How does your creating process work?
I usually have a stack of backgrounds
to choose from.
The backgrounds are all acrylic splotches
on paper covered with wall putty.
I enjoy making backgrounds
because I feel like a kid!
Then I draw or trace a picture 
on to the background.
 When I have my drawing on the background,
then I paint on it!

Next stops on our Virtual Blog Tour is
I always enjoy visiting Ramona
because there is ALWAYS
something going on in her side of the world.
Maybe today a link party, or a book review, 
some piece of art she is working on,
or a giveaway! 

Gina Belle Sismilich, includes her
middle name because she has been
a Southern belle for the past 3 years
after living in New York City.
She has lusted after her art all her life
but has only dared to try painting
in the past 4 years.
She loves getting her hands dirty with paint,
glue and whatever else she can find
to put on a board or canvas.

Visit them  on June 30
to read their answers to the questions above.

 "Look at the birds in the sky,
they do not sow or reap,
they gather nothing in the barns,
yet your Heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not more important than they?"
Matthew 6:26

"Do not worry," Jesus
tells His disciples.
I am reminded about
Corrie Ten Boom's story.

When she was young
and had witnessed a death
of a baby, she got very anxious
that her father might die.

Her father got concerned
and asked her,
"When you and I go to Amsterdam--
when do I give you your ticket?"
She sniffed a few times
before responding with
"Why, just before we get on the train".
Her father then went on,
"Exactly. And our wise Father
in Heaven knows when we're
going to need things, too.
Don't run out ahead of Him, Corrie.
When the time comes that
some of us will have to die,
you will look into your heart
and find the strength
you need--just in time".

When we do not worry,
we show that we trust in God's
promises, His provision, His love
His power and His providence.


 "Unless you eat the flesh 
of the Son of Man and drink His blood, 
you do not have LIFE within you." John 6:54
This is certainly very strange 

and a "mysterium fidei"-
a mystery of faith. 

What I know is Jesus 
wants us to feed on Him. 
When we eat our meals,
the food becomes a part of us 

and makes us strong.
But when we feed on Jesus,
WE become a part of Him!
A part of His body, a part of His Church.

In the 2nd reading, 

St. Paul makes it clear. 
"The bread that we break, 
is it not a participation in the body of Christ?
Because the loaf of bread is one,
we, though many, are one body, 

for we all partake of the one loaf." 
1 Cor. 10:16-17

 "They did not listen..."
2 Kings 17:14

It amazes me how the Israelites
did not listen to God.
Generation upon generation
would get into trouble,
would be enslaved
because they would be stiff-necked,
disobey, worship gods
of wood or stone.

But how about us today?
Are we aware that God speaks
to us continuously?
Like a radio, He transmits
messages to us but 
His messages do not always
come in clear words.
It may come as an uneasiness
which means we should
not proceed with what we want to do.
It can come through someone
He send s to guide us.
In any case we will only hear
if we "listen".


I remember when we were
deciding to open a papemelroti branch in a mall,
Harrison Plaza, many years ago.
We wanted to, it was a good location,
but something made us balk.
NOT a clear word from God,
but something.
So we  decided not to sign the contract.
The next year, a fire gutted a major
part of the mall.
It would have been a disaster!

So take time to listen!
God has our best interests at heart!!!





Friday, June 20, 2014

Paint Party Friday: The Best Love!

 "Our Father who art in heaven..."

Matthew 6:7-15



In the Old Testament God is called
Father a mere 15 times.
In the new Testament, 
in the 4 Gospels alone,
He is called Father 170 times!

"Abba", the word used in the prayer
Jesus taught His disciples to pray,
translates to "daddy" showing
God wants an intimate relationship
with you and me.
But verse 15 has a "caveat emptor"
in case we think this is a free pass!
We have to forgive others their sins,
and not only their sins against us,
but also what we think they
should have done but didn't!


 Every day little hurts can pile up.

Words that should or 
should not have been said.
Actions. Gestures. Facial expressions.
Gifts or no gifts. 



I remember when my mom said 
something that hurt me.
She came to my house 
to ask my forgiveness.
We talked and talked until
we forgave each other.
We are all sons and daughters
of a loving Father who wants
the best for us.
And the best love is 
the love that forgives.

"Where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also!"
Matthew 6:21

Where is our treasure?
What occupies most of our time?
Our energy? What do our eyes focus on?
Although most people, like me,
would say we are Christians,
would Jesus confirm it?
Would he say,
"Yes, you are my follower! 
You are my disciple!"

Or would Jesus say instead,
"I never knew you!"
Matthew 7:22


 It doesn't matter if we say
we know President Aquino 
(the Philippine President) 
until we are blue in the face.
We can't get into Malacañang Palace!
What matters is 
if President Aquino says,
"I know you! Come in! Welcome!"

We'll get into heaven if Jesus says,
"Well done, good and faithful servant.
You are my disciple.
You value the same things I value.
Your treasure is here, in heaven,
where you stored it!"



Linking with

So many WONDERFUL blogfriends 
to discover here!

Thank you for dropping by!
You are appreciated!

Patsy

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

WOYWW: Love Your Enemies!

Here is my desk on this messy Wednesday morning.
The wind was blowing and I had a marvelous view
of the limestone islands of Halong Bay, Vietnam!
Now it is just my ordinary every day mess!!!

Today I am drawing Elisha, the servant of
the great prophet Elijah.
Elisha followed Elijah everywhere
and wouldn't leave him.

Perhaps he was afraid of what might happen.
After all, Elijah had many enemies, not the least of which
was the infamous Jezebel, she who had no compunction
to kill or destroy anyone who stood in her path!!!

When Elisha knew God was going to take
Elijah away, he asked for a 
double portion of Elijah's spirit.
He knew that would b the only thing 
that could take away his anxiety and fear
of what the future would bring.

The other night I woke up and
remembered all the things 
should be worrying about.
And I thought to myself,
"If I remembered these all the time,
I wouldn't be able to go to sleep!"
And then thankfully, I promptly fell asleep!
Thank you Lord for Your Spirit
that allows me to trust in You
for my future,
and have faith that You will provide
all the wisdom and guidance I need
for all the responsibilities I have!!!

 "Love your enemies..." Matthew 5:44
God loves the people we don't.
He loves them unconditionally.

The Church multiplies in persecution,
not in prosperity.
That's why Christianity is the fastest
growing religion in China.
The govt. ordered the huge Sanjiang 
church in Wenzhou, called 
"China's Jerusalem" demolished and 
it was razed down last April.
More churches are being demolished
and crosses torn down.

In Aljazeera, an Iman was ranting that
600 million Muslims are converted
to Christianity every year.
Why? Maybe because the Christians
living there are living the Gospel,
because they are loving,
because they are challenged
to live their faith.

 I can't think of a single enemy,
but there are people
I dislike, or avoid, because
they are difficult, angry, or
make me feel bad.
The challenge is to love them,
to be kind to them,
to embrace them with God's love
which is perfect.




Blessings!
Patsy