Some Art from a Fragile Heart...

So lately I have turned creative to calm my mind and my spirit.
Art helps me to centre back on God and to calm and focus.
I always try to find a verse to go with my pieces, and almost always God brings one to my mind as I work on them.
Here's this weeks works with the verses attached.

 

Psalm 139:3

You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am.

1 Kings 19:11-13

 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Psalm 23: 1-3

The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.

Many Blessings!

Beginning 2014...

Returning from Mission last night I found myself tired and in shock.

Living with 70 other people for 10 days was great and I was saddened to return to 2 people in a quiet house who's focus is still on moving house right now. The third person I live with returns home tonight.

The focus here is not on God and not on mission for him. The focus here is on day to day living.

I have returned not feeling spiritually refreshed, if anything I have returned tired and heavy hearted about the things that lie ahead. However, mission was a time to be reminded of God's everlasting goodness and glory. These two things I will hold onto.

Reading my bible this morning I returned to a much loved book. Job. Here are some words tat spoke to me.

Job 33:13-26 New International Version (NIV)

Why do you complain to him
    that he responds to no one’s words?

For God does speak—now one way, now another—
    though no one perceives it.

In a dream, in a vision of the night,
    when deep sleep falls on people
    as they slumber in their beds, 

 he may speak in their ears
    and terrify them with warnings, 

 to turn them from wrongdoing
    and keep them from pride, 

 to preserve them from the pit,
    their lives from perishing by the sword

    “Or someone may be chastened on a bed of pain
    with constant distress in their bones, 
 so that their body finds food repulsive
    and their soul loathes the choicest meal. 
 Their flesh wastes away to nothing,
    and their bones, once hidden, now stick out. 
 They draw near to the pit,
    and their life to the messengers of death^. 
 Yet if there is an angel at their side,
    a messenger, one out of a thousand,
    sent to tell them how to be upright, 
 and he is gracious to that person and says to God,
    ‘Spare them from going down to the pit;
    I have found a ransom for them— 
 let their flesh be renewed like a child’s;
    let them be restored as in the days of their youth’— 
 then that person can pray to God and find favor with him,
    they will see God’s face and shout for joy;
    he will restore them to full well-being.

On mission I was reminded of God's goodness as I stood up and gave my Testimony on the women's night. Then over the next few days I heard news of how my words had touched people's hearts and had caused them to look more at God and to wonder.

I still wonder at God, for all his goodness and for all this worlds badness.

I can never let go of God, not matter how sick, tired or sad I am.

I can look at my God and be filled with his love and peace.

For he is the good God, the ONLY God. The God who sustains us and gives us life.

God cares for us and directs our paths.

These truths I will cling too. 

 This is the pure scan of the image I was working on over Christmas and some of Mission. Not perfect, but who really is. It speaks of how I am finding a voice for my child self and how I am going to heal this year. Even if that healing is slow and painful. I will heal.

God is forever in control!

Many Blessings for 2014 everyone!

In Christ, Heather.

Silenced

I have been silenced before man and silenced before God. Lately I have had no words to pray in regards to my life and my future.

Instead I look up at my God with a limp tongue, he knows I trust him and he will lead me wherever he wants me to go.



Psalm 34:17-22
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
    he delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
The righteous person may have many troubles,
    but the Lord delivers him from them all;
he protects all his bones,
    not one of them will be broken.
Evil will slay the wicked;
    the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
The Lord will rescue his servants;
    no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

My current work in Progress.

 An image of how I feel right now.

Many blessings to you all over this Christmas and New Year!

Bring on 2014 whatever it holds.

Big Changes

I often have no idea what God is doing in my life. Most of the time I don't mind but lately I really have.
You see this year has been one of massive growth for me. For the first time I have attended church regularly for the whole year. However, I will be leaving my current and loved church (where I've been for the last 12 years of my life) because my family is moving house and therefore moving suburbs.

Here's something I say often: "Be careful what you pray for!"

I have once again not been taking my own advice.
Earlier in the year I was praying: "God send me wherever, I am your servant"
I was also praying for a feeling of safety, security and consistency in my life. Three things I haven't felt often.

But here's the catch...

God is giving me a sense of safety, security and consistency in this life but it's not the way I wanted. God is teaching me to find these things in himself only and NOT in my life situation. And God is obviously taking me wherever he wants me to go.

So instead of kicking and screaming  I will go with a sad but glad heart. I will allow myself to trust my creator, the most consistent being in my life and I will move house and find a new church with the knowledge in my heart that God is watching over me. God has many plans in store and though I can not see them, once again will I follow his lead.

I will also allow myself to feel sad, because sadness is an emotion and a proper one when you are leaving one church family to find another.


Romans 8: 18-30 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208&version=NIV)

Present Suffering and Future Glory

¹⁸ I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that^[h] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[i] have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Here is my current Work in Progress.

This one is for my beach mission leaflets.

The sand is made of raw sugar! 

You might recognise some of them from my previous post entitled "Breathless" which is also here: 

http://little-thoughts-on-a-big-book.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/breathless.html

Many Blessings to you all!

Breathless

Sometimes when I read the scriptures the power of the words causes breathlessness.
This happened this morning when preparing my scripture lesson for this week:

John 5:16-30

New International Version (NIV)

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%205:16-30&version=NIV)

The Authority of the Son

16 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. 17 In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” 18 For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.
24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. 25 Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.
28 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. 30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.



Here's some art I've been doing for my mission this year. I'm on the art of our leaflets. If all goes well they will make it, if not I will have some beautiful art regardless.

Many Blessings to you all!

End Times

I'm really enjoying...

the New Living Translation of the Bible.
Today I got an email devotional which had the following section of scripture in it.

Revelation 22:1-5

Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.

No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.

The heading given for this section of scripture in the New International Version is "Eden Restored". Which is pretty awesome. I can't wait for heaven, its going to be mind blowing!


Here is a painting for yesterday, I've been exploring watercolour pencils and its turning out well I think.

Original Scan without Computer Editing.

With Computer editing.

Many Blessings!

Creative Days

So another semester is finished and I've spent the last few days just enjoying my paper, brushes, pencils and water. Experimenting and enjoying the small amount of down time I've had.
Here are a few things I've done. They are both my first attempts at watercolour pencils. After some YouTube watching I figured out it wasn't so hard.
 This is a dragon designed for a friend’s birthday gift at her request.

 This is a Jacaranda tree. Something I miss so much. There are a few around where I live but I miss the ones at my old house. There was a park that had carpets of purple flowers and I would enjoy them as I walked to and from the railway station. 

Many blessings!


2 Corinthians 5:15 - And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

Steady Feet

I got sick of drawing hands for now so I tried some feet instead.

Proverbs 4:10-15

New International Version (NIV)

10 Listen, my son, accept what I say,
    and the years of your life will be many.
11 I instruct you in the way of wisdom
    and lead you along straight paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
    when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
    guard it well, for it is your life.
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
    or walk in the way of evildoers.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
    turn from it and go on your way.

Blessings!

Astounded

I am astounded that God would choose someone small and weak like me to do his work in this world. But then I look at the bible and see he's done this for all of time. In our weakness he is seen strongest. Who else to choose but the worst to show his best.
I am in LOVE with God and no one can change this!

1 Peter 3:15-17
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Blessings!

A Wonderful God!

Today I got a wonderfully encouraging message from a friend.

It said: 'Zephaniah 3:17 - The Lord your God is with you, that mighty warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his live he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.'
Then he said: "What a day that will be when the Lord rejoices over us with singing!

I am in full agreement of this message!
How wonderful it will be to finally see God. Wonderfully scary!

(As you can see I am enjoying the word Wonderful right now!)

 SIMPLY TO YOUR CROSS I CLING!

God is Wonderful!

That's all I have to say.

Blessings!

Kids Ministry on a Budget

So I do some 'intense' kids ministry...

Intense because I do it without spending much money at all - if ever! And also because I still feel inadequate and new to it.
I've been at a kids club for the last 3 years. Until this year I was comfortably working to the older kids - grades 4 to 9. Then our main leader for the little ones got sick.
I volunteered to take over.
Since then I've been with the Kindy to year 3's.
And it is tough!

However something I've learned is...
They really don't care what you do as long as its fun.
They just love being around people who smile and talk with them. Ask them about school, their favourite colours and tv shows. Their favourite foods and games.
Mine LOVE drawing - so almost every week we draw pictures.
I tell a bible story and we draw a picture. They then tell the story back to me.
Its fantastic!
It doesn't cost anything because the church already has stacks of blank paper and way too many colouring pencils!

Here's a scan from one of the weeks we looked at how God created the heavens and the Earth!

The other thing I've done with them once or twice before is acting.
Each child picks a character or a plant or building to be from a story. Then you just tell them what to do as you tell the story and then they swap roles. They hear the story at least 6 times and always fight over who gets to be Jesus.

What a great thing to be involved in the teaching of young children!
God is good to me. He may not have given me much cash but he has given me eager hearts and drawing pencils.
What more do we need?

Matthew 18

New International Version (NIV)

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2018&version=NIV)

The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven

18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

Growing Old

For the whole...

of my life (the short twenty years it's been so far) my Mother has exclaimed "if you... you'll get wrinkles!"
My mother plays into the western cultural idea that ageing is bad.
I however have turned in the other direction.
Many of my relatives in their late 60s and 70s are very ill and dying. However I admire them because of the lives they've lived. Some have been caring and comforting to me. Encouraging and loving and some have shown a strength in the face of struggles that I hope to model in my own life.

I look forward to ageing. It is something that we only do once so why not accept and enjoy it?
I'm the kingdom of Heaven we will not age, we will not grow weary and we will not suffer pain.
In this life we will experience all these things because of sin.
However on the flip side consider it a blessing to have many years in your life. I know too many people who have passed leaving young children without parents, young adults choosing to take their own lives and teenagers killed in car accidents.
These are unfortunate thing sin life and cause me to grow thankful for every day that I have.

I look forward to aging. What a blessing from God!
To grow old in this life and to bear the wrinkles of age will be such a blessing (if I am blessed with this gift) because it will mean that God has given me many years in the service of his kingdom.

I will wear the laugh lines on my face with joy for the many good days the lord has gifted me with. I will wear the wrinkles around my eyes from the many tired nights I've sat beside ones I love who are grieving or in hospital.

My hands will shake and be frail from the many years I've held the hands of ones I love or baked food for their enjoyment.

My voice will become but a soft whisper from the years of singing and praising my God. The years of conversation with others of his love and glory.

I look forward to aging to the day my hands look like this:

When I clasp them in prayer as the breath of life leaves my body and I am united with my God forever more.

Until that day I continue to walk in his grace and his love. Doing good deed for the kingdom. Not so I can be saved but because I am saved!

Grace and Peace to you all. I pray that God gifts you with many years in his service on this earth.

A simple drawing exercise

I like to draw. I share them here: http://theheavenbound.tumblr.com/
Here is a taster of something I drew a few weeks ago.

More Isaiah to come soon.