A space for encouragement

Last March I took a prophetic art workshop, by Zoom, in my prayer/art room.  This year what a joy to take the class again, by Zoom, but with other prophetic artists at our church.  

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Day 7 - I'm struggling with the soft pastels.  I'm struggling with time to create  the art.  I'm wrestling with the art medium.  There are some things in my own heart I'm wrestling with as well.  

Strife - a contest, a quarrel, discord, contention that sets people at odds and destroys fellowship.  This is not from the Lord.  Strife is a heart issue, a societal practice that invites chaos.  Apart from the Lord my inner reality is strife within myself, an inner discord, no peace, no kindness even towards myself.  Surrender takes humility, first to the Lord Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace.  The reality is, I live in a fallen world, a world that is not submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  Why expect anything but strife from those who do not know Jesus. I do know the Living God.  Lord, search me, bring the peace of God in my surrendered heart for a world full of strife.

David spends many years of his early anointed years on the run for his life.  He saves a city. Then in order for them to save their own neck, God tells David, Saul is coming and the townspeople with surrender you to the raging Saul.  Some thanks.  Yet in the midst of an unjust running and betrayal, David seeks his God and God answers in order to protect the man who is after God's own heart.  No matter who turns on you, God is on your side.

New art medium equals new challenges.  How does the product move on the paper?  How does it blend?  What kind of pen writes best over the artwork?  And many other questions.  My mind is chaos, but in a good way, so my desk looks chaotic also.  

Sickness had me in bed on the 31st day of January.  I begin February with a head cold and a new word for the month.  

Old Testament instruction bleeds over into the New Testament.  This is the verse I stand on over all, Love God, Love Others.  Jesus said all the Law and the prophets hang on these two commandments (Matthew 22:40).  This single statement binds the Law and its fulfillment in Christ together.  The thing that binds is love, His great love for humanity.  May I have heart posture of love so surrendered to the Father that it reaches out in love to others.  God is love, may I live His love out loud for others to Behold Jesus.  

I have a list I am working from for my 31 days of WITH ALL MY HEART Scriptures.  Day 25, well, my list should have read Ezekiel 36:26.  Instead it read Jeremiah 36:26 and I spent a few minutes trying to figure out why the verse did not fit.  Hopefully next month's list will all be the right text.  I will be posting that list soon for anyone who might like to join me on these themed monthly Scripture writing journey.

Day 24 artwork is deeply personal.  Perhaps one day I will share the artwork.  But for now it stays between the Lord God Almighty and me.

Sometimes the art doesn't look like I want it to look.  I am trying to learn how to paint rocks, mountains, and trees better in this season.  One of the trees turned out very wrong.  So I just covered it up.  Sometimes life is like that.  I mess things up, respond in my flesh, just get lazy in my spiritual life.  But God!  He calls, return with all your heart daughter.  I will give you a heart to know me and I will be your God.  And then He graciously covers my mess.  No condemnation when I return.  He just gives and gives.  If you need to return, come, the Lord is waiting.  

Playing catch up the last few days.  Having fun with simple subjects, backgrounds, and Scripture art.