Creative Inspirations

Day 205

cqt144w@mindspring.com (Chris Tessnear) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:13:00 +0000

Listen

with God's ears

of hope.

Look

with God's eyes

of faith.

Feel

with God's heart

of compassion.

Speak

with God's words

of promise.

This little angel has become an obsession. I often find one image I really like and push it to the limits of my current creative level. I will show the progression soon.

Day 204 BE CHRISTMAS!

cqt144w@mindspring.com (Chris Tessnear) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:31:00 +0000

Like Mary hold the purpose of Christ

in your soul and ponder its meaning for your life.

Like Joseph be faithful to the Son of God

and do what is right.

Like the innkeeper

find a place for Christ in your life.

Allow Him to reign.

Like the shepherds

follow a start till you find him and

worship him in reverence.

Like the Wise Men

go the distance to know Christ

and give Him your best.

Like the Angels

proclaim Christ to the world.

Day 203 God can warm your wintry soul!

cqt144w@mindspring.com (Chris Tessnear) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 13:06:00 +0000

Pry open your heart

empty its contents into

a hurting world.

Replace the void

with a great love;
God's Son and Spirit.

They will outdo anything

life can hand you.

God has equipped us

with coping skills to aid

in our struggles and

give strength to our existence.

His word (the scriptures)

are there waiting for us

to discover their power.

He is always available

to listen to our smallest need.

His spirit is willing t

to live within our soul

and guide our every step.

Pry open you heart.

Allow God to fill it entirely

with His peace, joy and love.

Day 202 Winter

cqt144w@mindspring.com (Chris Tessnear) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:16:00 +0000

a beautiful blanket of snow fell

covering the land

everything looked

clean and pure

the world stood still

life halted

worries ceased

struggles were forgotten

the bird of paradise

sang a peaceful tune

the snow turned to ice but the beauty of winter is there

Day 201 Travel Plans

cqt144w@mindspring.com (Chris Tessnear) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Life is

a journey of unplanned

twists and turns;

a path of unrealized

hopes and dreams;

a trail of unfinished

tears and laughter;

a road of unsure

directions and destinations.

Life is always full

of surprises and adventures.

Be blessed on your journey.

Day 200 Christmas Questions and Answers

cqt144w@mindspring.com (Chris Tessnear) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:30:00 +0000

Where is Christmas?

In the heart of True Believers.

Where is Christmas cheer?

In greetings of peace and joy?
Where is the meaning of Christmas?

In Luke 2 of the Holy Bible.

Where is the purpose of Christmas?

In the selfless giving of God's people.

Where is the Christmas of childhood?

Still in our child's heart.

Day 199 A Christmas Prayer

cqt144w@mindspring.com (Chris Tessnear) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:34:00 +0000

Lord,

shine your light

into my eyes

this Christmas season.

Allow your love to radiate

from my heart.

Fill my spirit

with Your holy hope.

Grace my life

with Your continued blessings.

In Christ's name, Amen.

Day 198 Seasonal Lessons

cqt144w@mindspring.com (Chris Tessnear) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:13:00 +0000

Waiting teaches patience.

Patience teaches self control

Self contrl teaches temperance.

Temperance teaches hope.

Hope teaches faith.

Faith teaches joy.

Joy is the ultimate Christmas gift!

Day 196 Christmas Season

cqt144w@mindspring.com (Chris Tessnear) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 23:34:00 +0000

It's the Christmas season

for which we know the reason.

Honor Christ's birth.

Live the mirth.

It's not a time of getting

but rather one of letting

Christ rule your heart

and His mercy never depart.

The time of hymn singing

and joyful bells ringing

should be a daily event

since God's only Son was sent.

Finding the perfect me

rather that the perfect tree,

we follow Christ's lead

planting the salvation seed.

His love grows.

His grace shows

a plan for hurting souls

to repay the tolls.

So on this one day

Christmas if we may

give our hearts to the Lord

for a price we can afford.

PENCIL SKETCH "JOURNEY"

Day 195 Finding Strength

cqt144w@mindspring.com (Chris Tessnear) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 12:02:00 +0000

Holidays are often stressful, filled with obligations and responsibilities but they are also filled with much joy, hope and fun. We had fun at our family gathering Saturday despite not having Mom and Dad there. (Just too tired to go.) I have been running on empty myself for the last several months but hoping to find that Christmas spirit just around the corner and get into the holiday fun soon. After all we are less than 2 weeks away!

Through scripture and prayer

I am strong.

With God, His Son and Spirit

I belong.

Through hymns and meditations

I am calm.

With the Holy Three

I receive a healing balm.

Through worship and teachings

I am battle ready.

With the Father, Son and Holy Ghost

I am steady.

Day 192 Time and Life

cqt144w@mindspring.com (Chris Tessnear) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:56:00 +0000

Days to months to years

where does it all go?

Workload to finish.

We live from project to project.

Responsibility to responsibilty.

We burn the time we are given.

Often we focus on the wrong things

and suddenly this life we have

is used up! What have we to show for it?

Dreading opportunities to make us grow.

Wishing away challenges to make us a better people.

Hoping for easy lives that are never realized.

Believing life to be simply one of details;

details we must learn to cherish.

Treasure the days.

Feel lucky for the months.

Be blessed by the years.

Share every breath of your life.

The good and bad.

The tears and laughter.

The lean and fat.

The fears and joys.

Life is meant to be lived.

No Scrooge here!

cqt144w@mindspring.com (Chris Tessnear) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:07:00 +0000

She finds her joy in Christmas tree lights
red ribbon, green holly and
holiday harmonies.
The world sends messages of getting and getting more.
She looks for the message of a holy birth,
loving Savior, and hope for a hurting world.
Life brings tears and tragedies

but she counters with the look of wonder in a child's eye,
and the glimmer of peace in candlelight.
The Scrooges of the world rob the season
with greed and loneliness.
She looks life's Scrooges' square in the eye
and boldly wishes them
"Merry Christmas!"

Day 191 Gifts of the Season

cqt144w@mindspring.com (Chris Tessnear) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:49:00 +0000

laughter

lights

music

decorations

Savior's birth

hope

peace

chances

purpose

love

people

gatherings

the list goes on.....make your own, share if you like.

If you can't read the words on the image, "Everyone gets the blues but never lose the light."

Day 190

cqt144w@mindspring.com (Chris Tessnear) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:41:00 +0000

The Father of Life

lifts my spirit

out of worldly pain;

strengthens my soul

for the battles.

He is my fortress

though the storms.

He creates in me

hope and joy.

He delivers me

from fear and struggle.

He comforts me

in stressful times.

He is my safe-habor.

He grants me wisdom

for my journeys.

Day 188 Trinity

cqt144w@mindspring.com (Chris Tessnear) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:02:00 +0000

God is my

east

west

north

and south.

He is my

peace

love

joy

and purpose.

Christ is my

hope

strength

reason

and belief.

He is my

direction

guidance

way

and destination.

The Holy Spirit is my

quiet

serenity

calm

and retreat.

He is my

faith

force

stronghold

and

solution.

I find .......

cqt144w@mindspring.com (Chris Tessnear) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 00:40:00 +0000

In the still of the night

I sometimes find fear

but I sometimes find peace.

In the light of the day

I see things that frustrate me

but I also see the good in life.

On a rainy day

I find a restlessness with details

but I also find a comfort in its rhythms.

On a sunshiny day

I find a fear of clouds stealing my joy

but I also find a warmth for my soul.

In the cold of winter

I shiver at the very hint of trouble

but I also find a serenity in the bare starkness

of the trees against a gray sky.

In the warm embrace of summer

I find fear of returning troubles

but I also feel the warm assurance in the embrace.

On a golden autumn day

I fear a season of grief

but I also welcome a season of a slower pace.

On a clear spring day

I doubt its lasting beauty

but I also realize it sending new beginnings in my life.

Day 187 Truth of the matter

cqt144w@mindspring.com (Chris Tessnear) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:30:00 +0000

Day begins.
Fatigue slows me down.

Miles to go before I sleep.

God's strength, not mine,

will see me through.

Day 186 Despite it all....God reigns!

cqt144w@mindspring.com (Chris Tessnear) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:26:00 +0000

My world is blessed

despite the fears.

My life is easy

despite the tough days.

My way is light

despite the dark passages.

My future is bright

despite the uncertainties.

As long as God reigns and

I allow him rule over me.

Day 185 Spirit of Christmas

cqt144w@mindspring.com (Chris Tessnear) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:52:00 +0000

How to find it, refind it, save it, nourish it:

count your blessings daily

know that God is ultimately in control

create memories and remember Christmases past

spend time with the Bibile

pray

eat less/walk more

enjoy the season through your senses

listen to the beautiful sounds of Christmas music

watch White Christmas (or your favorite Christmas movies)

smell the cinnamon

taste the cider or hot chocolate

touch live evergreens

This will work! Everytime!

Day 184 Stay in the L I G H T !

cqt144w@mindspring.com (Chris Tessnear) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:39:00 +0000

Day 183 New

cqt144w@mindspring.com (Chris Tessnear) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:14:00 +0000

a new month
a new start
a new week
a new chance
a new day
a new challenge
a new life
a new focus

Day 182 Life

cqt144w@mindspring.com (Chris Tessnear) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:08:00 +0000

Life happens

bringing ups and downs,

joys and pains

blessings and trials.

Life is short

so try to focus on the

positives and

not so much on the negative.

Have your pity party and

then move on.

Let the side roads show

you true beauty in life.

Day 181 words

cqt144w@mindspring.com (Chris Tessnear) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 12:43:00 +0000

With God

the path always leads to

Joy.

By joy

the journey is always

sacred.

In sacredness

I find life's

purpose.

Through purpose

I know God's

plan.

The plan

of salvation is a way to

holiness.

Pondering the word for 2010

cqt144w@mindspring.com (Chris Tessnear) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 10:27:00 +0000

Words considered for 2010 focus:

clarity
release
intent
purpose

Leaning toward release. I need to learn to release worry, fear, struggle, and lots more negative energy zapping junk. Life is short and it's time to focus more on good, happy, positive energy giving electives. I think I've spent most of my life doing this but for me it's lifelong effort to accomplish completeness of faith, strength and hope.

Day 180 Gratitude and ThanksLIVING

cqt144w@mindspring.com (Chris Tessnear) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:36:00 +0000

Everyday we should seek reasons to be thankful, express gratitude and say GOD, thank YOU for ALL my BLESSINGS! I am thankful I was with my family for another great Thanksgiving and SO MUCH MORE! HEre we are at Fatz, making it an easy Thanksgiving for a family that was grateful to be together. (I think I have gotten off track with my count -of days since Dad's stroke either here or in my journal. I will check it out and make changes as needed.)