Creative Inspirations

feel my pain

2012-02-01T08:34:00.000-05:00

Walk in my skin

Feel my pain

Breathe my air

Know my struggle

Get in my head

Believe my uncertainty

Discover my hurt

Understand my reasons

struggles

2012-01-31T08:43:00.000-05:00

Rise above the anger and hate.

Climb out of the deep dark hole of self-pity.

Cleanse you soul of all doubt and fear.

Let go of complacency and embrace possibility.

Choose the bright side of hope and seek a joy in answered prayer.

Believe the goodness of God and know His strength is yours.

***

The words I wrote last night are hollow this morning.

When life is easy we tend to forget how hard it can be and our pipe dream ideas mean nothing if they can’t be believed in the tough times.

Learning to lean on the inner strength (which is God) outwardly manifests itself in everything we do. Inner umpf protects us from outer problems.

cravings

2012-01-29T09:09:00.000-05:00

To see the sacred in the ordinary days.

To feel joy in small things.

To know contentment all ways.

These are the things I crave!

realizations

2012-01-28T06:49:00.000-05:00

Why am I weak when

God is strong?
Why do I try to control when only
God can?
Why do I give up rather than give in to
God?
Why do I worry and fret when
God can handle it all for me?
Why do I keep asking the same dumb questions when
God has all the answers.
Why do I question circumstances or situations when
God has reasons.
Why can’t I just take it with
God’s help?

present living/winter dreams

2012-01-27T18:32:00.000-05:00

If you must relive the past then think of all the good times.

Recount all the blessings.

If you must obsess over the future…

dream of all the wonderful times to come.

Plan for good memories to be made.

Today, this moment is all you can physically handle, change or direct…make it what counts,

what you want to be…

one of joy, peace, contentment.

(image is 5X7 canvas for mystery art event; I call it winter beach)

journal pages and discoveries about the present

2012-01-26T08:13:00.000-05:00

The real truth is I want my old life back. The truth is it is no longer an option. This is now. My life. One of endless caregiving…appointments…errands…chores…visits…pep talks…encouragement…prayer…and little sleep.

A positive…it’s made me a deeper, more spiritual person and writer…I wish my faith and character were stronger but I’ve allowed old demons to continue to visit me. Old ghosts to haunt me and tired scenarios to stream continually. It’s time to shoot them down. All the bothersome, pain giving, gut wrenching memories that cannot be changed. It’s time to stop dwelling on all the what ifs, whens, shoulda, woulda, coulda and…once and for all focus on this moment. Breathe this breath. Live this minute. Know that you control how to play out this very second. How to react to this present situation, what to choose is in your control.

LIFE IS NOW!

It's always about your F O C U S

2012-01-25T08:47:00.000-05:00

Peace eludes a weary mind.

Faith dries in a hurting heart.

Joy evacuates a broken spirit.

Hope deserts a doubtful soul.

Staying in the present is to out last the negative with the next halted breath or the next skipped heartbeat.

People do not do what they are advised.

Life is a conundrum.

Many days are good but just as many are bad.

Troubles attack and blessings abound simultaneously.

We miss happiness by focusing on the bad. And we overreact to the negatives while underemphasizing the positive.

We lose the present joys by paying too much attention to the past and over thinking the future.

(THE BIGGER PROBLEM is to figure out how to REVERSE OUR FOCUS!)

struggles with the mind, heart, spirit and soul

2012-01-24T06:41:00.000-05:00

Forever changed

She struggles

Doubtful moments

Faith struggles

Lost ways

Sanity struggles

Wandering spirit

Life struggles

Blessings continue

Spirit rebounds

God speaks

She listens

Hope returns

Soul revives

Love abounds

Life restores

All repeat

(new art journal finished, will be sharing next few days)

LiFe, bAlanCe & BreaThing

2012-01-22T16:49:00.000-05:00

Take a personal day....

2012-01-20T08:05:00.000-05:00

Alone I break down.

Tears come out of dry sockets.

Life is daunting.

I may not survive.

My brain cells are dying.

My organs are wearing out.

My hopes are vanishing.

My dreams are disintegrating.

My faith is diminishing.

BUT…

My God is unchanging.

it's A L W A Y S up to Y O U!

2012-01-18T08:03:00.000-05:00

Peace is a choice. Make it.

Courage is a gift. Open it.

Faith is a privilege. Use it.

Hope is a grace. Enjoy it.

Love is a pleasure. Share it.

Joy is a blessing. Give it.

Choosing the P R E S E N T

2012-01-17T07:49:00.000-05:00

I cannot change a person but I can choose to accept them. I cannot change all situations but I can choose my reaction. I cannot be everything to everyone all the time but I can choose to do what I can when I can for as long as I can. I cannot fix dire situations but I can choose not to worry over it.

I have a choice and privilege….

To stay in the present

How I behave

Where I go

What my attitude is

How I take care of myself

How I care for others

Who I want to be

What I say and think

To be happy

Art Therapy

2012-01-16T18:37:00.000-05:00

Life is full of twists and turns but if we stay

with the present then we know the joy of now.

Troubles come and go but good can still be experienced

if we stay in the hope of now.

Problems occur but prayers are still answered;

thank God for now.

Every day has its own challenges but staying

in the present moment and dealing is the gift of now.

Finding grace, believing in love and

choosing the presence of good is the mercy of now.

Making it with God

2012-01-15T09:49:00.000-05:00

No day is a bad day if

God is with you.

No life is too difficult if

God is with you.

No situation is too hard if

God is with you.

No person is too much to handle if

God is with you.

No problem is too big if

God is with you.

help for present troubles

2012-01-14T07:19:00.000-05:00

another night of little sleep

God is my strength

my thoughts are dark

God is my light

letting go of past and future demons

God is my present help

struggling with unnecessary fear

my faith is in God

battling the same old wars

God is my peace

fearing the worse

God is my best

trouble may fill my thoughts but

God fills my spirit

(sharing a series of ink and watercolors over notes from NOW by Richard Singer, Jr.; quote is his, “You and you alone have the choice and the ability to either torture yourself for being human or forgive yourself for your mortality and imperfection.“

Present=Now and other Notes from the Inner Demon

2012-01-13T15:36:00.000-05:00

Found a great book at the Library (NOW by Richard Singer Jr.) full of help with my 2012 PRESENT focus word. If I could only find some energy for life daily….(I will be sharing much I learn from this book!)
Dying from the inside out

Soul is heavy

Spirit is breathless

Heart is broken

Mind is warped

Is there any hope

God comforts the depressed. 11 Corinthians 7:6
Getting through the holiday my peaceful spirit is upset. My mind overflows with pathogens robbing me of all joy. God is there but my sight is dying. Taking a deep breath I barely live. Fear looms at me and I grasp for God’s hand to not go under. Scripture speaks to me but I must force it into my spirit. Prayers afford me a sounding board but my words feel like a failure. Friends and family try to support me but they do not understand my weary soul, fatigued sleepless body and hopeless spirit.
I guess I’ll hit bottom before I can rise from the ashes. I just don’t know if I’ll even make it to the bottom before my being gives up and gives into the demons all around me.

I tell myself just get through this breath, this one tick of the clock but it becomes increasingly difficult.
I know the problem has to do with worry over mom and dad. What will happen next? I still need to learn much to live this moment…and get through this one breath and heartbeat.

simple words

2012-01-12T09:22:00.000-05:00

Do what you must.

Endure.

Believe what matters.

Care.

Accept what is necessary.

Live.

Got the distance.

Persist.

Trust your inner guide.

Pray.

Know your own power.

Hope.

Assert your strength.

Faith.

Random Thoughts

2012-01-11T07:42:00.000-05:00

If there were four of me maybe:

• I could get it all done, make everyone happy and still not destroy myself.

• I could be content with life and want to live forever as I am.

• I could know all that I need to know in order to really live and not just survive.

• I could find myself, my purpose, my dreams and my hopes and my maybe be whole again.

The present must be dealt with, accepted and appreciated but art is my wonderful escape. It’s affordable therapy. Ideas, hopes and dreams are explored. Life is better understood and lived.

Why the hell can’t life be a movie? A happy ending every couple hours with previews of more good scenes in between? A beautiful starlet and handsome leading man? A plot that solves in three acts?

Focusing on the present. Living for today doesn’t mean I do silly dangerous stuff. It does mean I let go of all the silly worries and troubles of the past. Trusting they are past and not necessarily going to repeat in the future. However, neither does the future have to hold unwarranted problems. Why worry about what happened in the past or may happen tomorrow? Now is all we hold. All we have control over and all we can react on. Believe in the strength that has gotten you this far and the strength God will give you tomorrow.

I know things could be worse but I’m just tired of so much in my life right now that fatigues me. I told an art acquaintance that art is my stress reliever…and it is…it takes lots away….

Art is a very present activity even though it engages thoughts of past lessons and future dreams, it takes lots of current supplies and ideas…making it is a kind of therapy that many and time cannot buy….

----

what goes on in the mind

2012-01-08T09:18:00.000-05:00

When I still myself

My world caves in around me.

I feel, see, and hear all that is wrong.

When I stay busy and over do

I feel the pain but keep going till I drop.

I know, understand and accept all that is wrong.

When I pray and ask for help

My life finds balance and hope.

I believe, trust and realize all that is wrong but

I also feel, see and hear all that is right.

Reviewing past Word Focus!

2012-01-07T06:59:00.000-05:00

shadow and light

2012-01-06T10:22:00.000-05:00

if color were medicine

2012-01-06T08:56:00.001-05:00

Time to allow SELF CARE

2012-01-05T08:18:00.000-05:00

Constantly torn from pillar to post….

                                   Meeting everyone’s needs but our own.
                           It’s time to put ourselves on our own agenda and

                 find time to meet our own needs and do what makes us happy.

                                       It’s okay to take time for ourselves.

          We don’t even have to wait until everyone and everything else is taken care of.

Every DAY!

2012-01-04T10:02:00.000-05:00

Everyday Christ is born in our hearts if we believe.

Everyday Christ’s gifts are given to us if we accept them.

Everyday Christ grows and learns if we do.

Everyday Christ baptizes us along with himself into a life of obedience.

Everyday Christ answers prayers as we pray.

Everyday Christ converts our hearts as we convert our ways.

Everyday Christ forgives our sins as we forgive ourselves and transform our spirits.

Everyday Christ follows us into the wilderness where we wander.

Everyday Christ rides into our world when we are watching and waiting and waving our palms in praise.

Everyday Christ washes our feet and serves us as we allow Him to take the lead of our lives.

Everyday Christ dies on the cross for the sins we commit.

Everyday Christ rises from the dead to take us into eternity with Him.

Everyday Christ’s church is born out the fire that we allow Him to ignite in our souls.

Everyday Christ, the Father and Holy Spirit reign in our hearts when we love them.

Everyday Christ wants to have our love, devotion, service and prayers.

Every D A Y!

2012-01-03T06:41:00.000-05:00

Every day starts a new year! That was this morning's revelation during devotions. Since this date will not come for another whole year, you have my permission to declare every day New Year's Day! Make the most of it. Relish it! Live it! Forget past missteps and tomorrow's crises. Today, as the Bible tells us has its own worries (Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.) Each day has enough trouble of its own.. Deal with this moment and you can make it to the next and the next and so on. This is a short post but full of great things to think on!

Layers

2012-01-02T14:53:00.000-05:00

How does life unfold?

one layer at a time

with days of hope and

nights of fears.

dreams realized and

others squashed.

Today shoulc be our only concern.

Tomorrow should remain a dream of possibility.

Yesterday should be memories of good times and challenges conquered.

2012 Word Focus

2012-01-01T07:33:00.000-05:00

My word focus* for 2012 is PRESENT.

Not a gift but now, today, in the moment….

I have wasted much of my life worrying over what has happened and may happen, dreading the negative past and experiences that may reoccur. Fearing what if “X” happens is a constant issue. I have obsessed over bad things forever and the worst things I have experienced have been fairly mild compared to what could have happened. Recently while going through a difficult time I couldn’t move away from, I kept telling myself that all I must do is deal with the present moment and all the others would take care of themselves.

As a successful worrier I hope this word focus will help me learn a new method of dealing with life’s turmoil. As usual I have researched this word and found a few great thoughts and quotes on the subject which I will share now and as we go into and through the new year.

• Life unfolds in the present.

• Mindfulness is a way to focus on the present.

• Living in the present takes practice.

• Being in the moment forces us to no overthink (worry, obsess…)

• Relish the now of your life and worries dissolve.

• Breathe.

• Self-control is enhanced when you stay in the present.

• Accept what is happening in the moment, don’t add your own spin on what it may become or why it happened at all.

• Much is out of your control anyway.

• Your thoughts don’t have to materialize.

• Dwelling on the past or future is futile and useless.

• Present living makes things clear, calm and positive.

Quotes:

“I have known a great many troubles but most of them never happened.” Mark Twain

“Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.” Cherokee Proverb

“Rejoice in the things that are present; all else if beyond thee.” Montaigne

“Yesterday is history; tomorrow is mystery; and today is a gift. That’s why it is called the present.” Babatunde

“if you worry about what might be, and wonder what might have been, you will ignore what is.” Unknown

“we crucify ourselves between two thieves: regret for yesterday, and fear of tomorrow.” Fulton Oursler

“When I am anxious it is because I am living in the future. When I am depressed it is because I am living in the past.” Unknown

* word focus is used by many in place of resolutions. it doesn't necessarily mean you conquer the task any easier than a resolution but it makes you examine a part of your life maybe ignored or neglected before the focus.

year end thoughts

2011-12-31T18:44:00.000-05:00

At year’s end as I review…I realize many blessings…

surviving fears and dreads;

keeping parents in spite of health issues;

having my son return to NC with a reasonable distance to home and acquiring a good job in his field of expertise after a long journey both professionally and emotionally;

having a husband of 31 years continue to love and cherish me;

having supportive friends;

and the good grace of God over us all…..

end of year thoughts

2011-12-30T13:41:00.000-05:00

Endings are terrible.

Finishing isn’t always positive.

Leaving is sad.

Goodbyes are difficult.

Change is hard.

Accept the challenges as gifts of grace, mercy and strength.

Happy Habits

2011-12-29T15:26:00.000-05:00

Habits can be chosen and broken.

Bad habits can be replaced with good ones.

I’ve heard various amounts of time it takes to change habits.

I think some habitual activity is wise, but anything can be overdone.

I think we should all, especially in today’s world, find a way to make happiness a habit.

There’s a quote I love by Thich Naht Han:

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile,

but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy”.

I find this so true. With practice maybe we can all end the year and begin the new one with a smile on our faces, in our hearts and out there to share with the whole world.

Maybe this will be contagious and just heal a broken and hurting world.

Pie in the sky, Pollyanna thoughts but I needed to hear it and hope you did as well.

stop reading now if this is TMI

2011-12-28T07:17:00.000-05:00

Unfortunately, I am one of those who tend to worry over what was and dread what will be. I obsess till I make myself sick many times. Being afflicted with irritable bowel syndrome only adds fuel to the fires of fear. Even good things that are not regular schedule stuff tends to bother me. For my type personality (and I don’t think there is a letter designating it yet) I tend to fret and stress over all things. As long as things are rocking along normally and in a rhythm I know then I do fine but the minute something throws me a curve, I lose it, in every possible way. In the end things are never as bad as I thought. Of course, I look back and see “past” hard times and find they were not so difficult. They brought me here.

So perhaps some day I will see these challenges and difficulties as a great strengthening of my spirit and not nearly so demanding. I hope that day is near. Maybe it I clean these negative thoughts, feelings and attitudes out now I will avoid them later.

Unity's 12 Gifts of Christmas become a focus for me.....

2011-12-27T18:13:00.000-05:00

faith is my plan

strength is my fuel

wisdom is my guide

love is my endurance

power is my source

imagination is my catalyst

understanding is my salvation

will is my commitment

order is my fortress

zeal is my prayer

elimination is my safety switch

epiphany is my hope

if...

2011-12-26T16:24:00.000-05:00

if a tiny babe born in a stable can change the world...believing in him can change a hurting world
if his grace can make a lost soul an eternal optimist...sharing that message can lead a world to eternal hope
if a single star can shine brightly enough to lead seekers to that stable...that same light can shine into the lives of a dark world
if three wise men can look for that babe....then we should be as wise to look for him
if christmas can be such big business in the secular world....then it should be as big in the life of each person in that world

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T12:19:00.000-05:00

Christmas is a time to…

Seek a child’s vision

Follow a shepherd’s star

Listen for angels’ hymns

Travel far in faith as the Wise Men

Accept a life of service and selflessness

As the parents and child in that Nativity long ago.

Choosing what's best for Christmas!

2011-12-24T09:05:00.000-05:00

It’s Christmas Eve!

Time to choose:

Others over self

Hope over doubt

Faith rather than worry

Joy instead of sadness

Peace not despair

The Light is always just beyond the Dark.

2011-12-23T08:21:00.000-05:00

Darkness looms but without bits of light it is not fully realized.

These time slivers of light fight the dark and illuminate my soul.

It is said it is darkest before the dawn.

Light is on the rim of all darkness, never far away.

Push past the darkness.

Seek the light.

It is there is you try hard enough to see it.

Similar to light and dark, hope and despair, obvious opposites, are only a breath apart.

If focus can be navigated, hope stays in the light and pushes the darkness of despair to the back.

So never give up; light trumps darkness.

Hope defeats despair.

All of life is about focus.

We can choose to allow the negative focus to rule or we can focus on the positive and push all the despair, all of the dark and all of the negative as far away as possible.

Christmas Survival Guide

2011-12-22T18:03:00.000-05:00

Stay calm

Hold onto sanity

Breathe

Find joy

Know purpose and do it well

Trust hope, prayer & salvation

Give more

Complain less

Love more

Forgive

Accept

Ignore what is not eternal

See blessings

Share all you have

Express gratitude

A Christmas Exemplar

2011-12-21T09:23:00.000-05:00

Mary's Witness

2011-12-20T15:41:00.000-05:00

His breath is my breath.

His love sustains me.

His grace continues to save me.

His joy is my joy.

All things come of Him!

Oh, Lord!

Amen!

(If only I could be as faithful as Mary.)

C H R I S T M A S

2011-12-19T11:41:00.000-05:00

C is for a CARING Lord

H is for a HOPE like no other

R is for REDEEMER of my heart

I is for IMMENSE love

S is for my SAVIOR forever

T is for the TRUTH for always

M is for MASTER of my life

A is for endless ADORATION

S is for SANCTUARY for my soul

Christmas Lessons

2011-12-17T10:42:00.000-05:00

Hope is multiplied when prayers are said.

Joy is created when blessings are share.

Grace is abundant when forgiveness is given.

Faith is increased when beliefs are stated.

Love is doubled when given and accepted.

Peace is realized when chosen as a daily practice.

breathe, live, repeat

2011-12-15T09:03:00.000-05:00

Out of sorts

Unsettled

My soul cries

“turn to me,” says God

Downtrodden

Beaten

My heart cries

“hold to me,” says God

Lost

Uncertain

My spirit cries

“find me,” says God

***

Never far away

He hears my every cry

Always protected

He is my shield

Constantly fearful

He is my protector

Dreading life daily

He is my stronghold

***

A cool clear December morning

Ten days till Christmas

Can I hang on?

A quiet day of chores

A calm moment of repose

Can I get through it?

A life fully blessed

A hopeful future

Can I make it?

***

Words repeat

The same old fears

Prayers plea

The same old requests

Thoughts stale

The same old life

***

Just once

I’d like a whole day of quiet calm

Just now

I’d like a calendar with no “to dos”

Just for me

I’d like my old schedule to return.

***

There is not counter clockwise time.

There is no miracle for me.

There is only bitter struggle to keep up,

To exist,

To believe,

To hold more tightly

To faith than ever before.

art journal therapy

2011-12-14T07:27:00.000-05:00

she lives and breathes

creative endeavors

she does more than

survive

she thrives

by sharing her voice

knowing her creative force

and

believing in the creative Master of her life

it is her safety net

her gift from God

God is there...always

2011-12-13T06:42:00.000-05:00

Ready, Set, Release and Fly

2011-12-12T09:59:00.000-05:00

Faith sustains me.

I still worry.

Hope supports me.

I still doubt.

Peace stills me.

I still fear.

I am weak but

He is strong

When will I truly

RELEASE

All to Him?

ability to choose

2011-12-08T07:47:00.000-05:00

Everyday

We have the privilege

To choose:

• To walk in Christ’s light

• To see the world through Christ’s eyes

• To hear Christ’s voice in a child’s words

• To find Christ’s beauty in a sunrise

• To understand Christ’s mind in a preacher’s message

• To know Christ’s love in a warm hug from a dear one

• To accept Christ’s grace through a simple prayer

the gifts that keep on giving

2011-12-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

dark Vs light plus color

2011-12-06T16:15:00.000-05:00

Life 101

2011-12-05T12:28:00.000-05:00

soul issues

2011-12-03T08:57:00.000-05:00

a few colorful thoughts

2011-12-02T15:07:00.000-05:00

The blues hit every day.

Violet hits a late haze.

Red is passion but mine is dead.

Yellow is Little Miss Sunshine but now she only dreads.

Green is the color of envy and greed.

The Lord’s white light is my only hope indeed.

GOT TO VENT sometimes!

2011-11-30T06:41:00.000-05:00

I got a dental bridge 2 months ago. It is still painful and have had to chew on other side....then this morning during breakfast, a crown on the other side pops off......too much chewing on that side to avoid other.
I AM SO FURIOUS! I have wasted so many hours in that dental chair, it's rediculous!

it's all about gratitude!

2011-11-29T06:32:00.000-05:00

Perfection is a myth.

Hope is a catalyst.

Joy is a choice.

Peace is a gift.

Gratitude is everything!

another chance to choose

2011-11-28T07:22:00.000-05:00

Every day is a chance to get it right.

Every day is a chance to choose right.

Every day is a chance to feel right.

Every day is a chance to know right.

Every day is a chance to start over with a right heart, mind and soul.

sometimes.....

2011-11-27T07:18:00.000-05:00

life

2011-11-26T06:31:00.000-05:00

Life is a mix of

Hopes deferred

Dreams realized

Daily graces.

Life is definitely full of

Good surprises

Daunting tasks

Harassing responsibilities.

Life is a blessing of

Answered prayers

Angels in disguise

Remembered promises.

Contrasts

2011-11-25T17:36:00.000-05:00

<庼̯>If only I could erase events and thoughts.

If only I could ignore problems and issues.

If only I could escape fears and torment.

If only I could release and start over.

If only I could relax and feel content.

If only I could accept what is, what was and what is to be.

If only I could be a stronger believer.

If only I could start all over…..

If only I could just let God take charge once and for all.

Only God can erase the parts of our lives we want gone.

Only God can give us new beginnings.

Only God can give us peaceful contentment.

Only God can take the place of our fears and torment.

Only God can be our strength.

Only God can relieve all our negative and fill us with His positive love and everlasting serenity.

Many Blessings Daily

2011-11-24T09:00:00.000-05:00

The path to peace is paved with much strife.

The day of joy is filled with much forgotten sorrow.

The life of faith is spent in much doubt.

The way to wisdom and truth is speckled with repetition and lack of patience.

The eternal is directed by righteousness and hope.

We are all living between the punctuations of fear and faith and we must find a balance that leads to faith to overcome fear . Then we find the eternal rhythm that is every believer’s inheritance.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Quiet Journeys

2011-11-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

Silent prayers, heard by God,

are answered quietly.

Visual praises, honored by God,

are appreciated greatly.

Sweet fragrant offerings, received by God,

are wafted throughout the world.

Spoken blessings, given by God,

are many and sure.

Warm hugs, shared by God,

are received by all.

getting out of the black hole

2011-11-17T08:25:00.000-05:00

I could so easily stay in this black hole called life till it sucks me in completely and lose everything.

How do I find strength?

Lean on God.

How do I survive?

With God every step of the way.

How do I know peace again?

Through God’s ever present peace.

Gratitude Exam

2011-11-16T09:27:00.000-05:00

Joy returns to a thankful heart.

Faith grows in a thankful spirit.

Hope remains in a thankful soul.

Peace exists in a thankful life.

simplify

2011-11-15T06:43:00.000-05:00

Pause.

Stop every thought.

Cease every movement.

Breathe.

Rest.

Quiet spirit.

Slow body.

Relax.

Calm.

Steady nerves.

Surrender soul.

Silence.

you must stop

2011-11-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

When we calm our bodies and spirit we find rejuvenation.

When we intentionally stop in our tracks and examine our responses we find better answers.

Stop and take in nature with a walk, preferably alone so you can truly hear your inner guidance.

Spend quiet time listing your blessings and better know your life.

Silence the world and let God’s message penetrate your heart.

Find a span of time each day for practicing deliberate consciousness of truths in your daily routine.

Observe the positives; eliminate the negatives and deal with what is necessary.

Let go of “stuff” that has no coincidence in living a good life.

Permit only good things to occupy your thoughts and energy.

When you do have gad times and we ALL do, deal efficiently and release them.

By truly focusing on the good you will actually notice less bad and more good.

endless possibilities

2011-11-12T06:38:00.000-05:00

The last blossoms fade with each drop of mercury.

Summer is a distant memory.

Life is still present.

Lost hope is restored.

Forgotten joys pop up in spirit.

Languid faith begins to move and my whole being is alive with new possibilities.

I know that one small back-step will rob my hope.

One missed prayer will kill my faith.

One overlooked blessing and my peaceful, thankful heart will diminish.

With God’s help I will fight to the bitter end.

Believe but don't take everything so seriously!

2011-11-11T09:49:00.000-05:00

Believe in strength

Given when needed

Believe in time

Available when needed

Believe in protection

Abundant when needed

Believe in hope

Always needed

Believe in laughter.

Implement often.

healing through nature

2011-11-10T06:57:00.000-05:00

A hurting heart is diseased by fear.

A broken soul is sick with doubt.

A lost spirit is dead to living but

Live today.

Past has passed.

Live today.

It is reality.

Live today.

Tomorrow is unreal.

Live today.

a prayer

2011-11-09T06:55:00.000-05:00

Lord,

Increase my joy.

Decrease my sadness.

Increase my faith.

Decrease my fears.

Increase my hope.

Decrease my doubt.

Increase my love.

Decrease my hate.

Increase my understanding.

Decrease my anger.

Increase my good.

Decrease my bad.

Amen.

The beauty and blessings of autumn

2011-11-07T06:40:00.000-05:00

Nothing satisfies me more than sitting on my deck with my Bible, my devotionals, my journal and a cup of coffee. This is heaven on earth.

Early light glistens on red maples and golden oaks.

Long autumn shadows dissect the green lawn in comforting patterns.

Cool breezes caress my fevered soul.

Grace comes at peaceful interludes like this morning.

Serenity is strong in quiet moments such as this.

Faith revives and hope grows when the body stills and the heart reboots.

Mercy is a gift when the spirit is at rest.

Inner Being

2011-11-06T07:22:00.000-05:00

Lord,

I lay open my soul.

Take it.

I lay open my heart.

Possess it.

I lay open my spirit.

Fill it.

Amen.

There are solutions form the A R T S!

2011-11-05T06:58:00.000-05:00

A single beat does not make a symphony.

A single note does not make a melody.

Rhythm adapts to all the beats and notes.

Cadence is set by all the members of the piece.

Choose to follow that tempo and find a new pleasure in life.

Know than your own pace is part of the bigger movement.

And don’t forget to….hum, sing, or whistle as you work at it.

Today...you must

2011-11-04T12:44:00.000-05:00

Realize what today holds.

Accept what today can be.

Share what today is all about.

Know what today gives.

Love what today means.

Nothing like A beautiful autumn day!

2011-11-03T06:53:00.000-05:00

A single gold leaf floats through a North Carolina sky.

Autumn is a bittersweet season.

It marks the death of lush sap green foliage.

It also points to the birth of a new winter.

There’s nothing more lovely and comforting

than bare umber trees against a clear cerulean sky.

2011-11-02T06:25:00.000-05:00

I see faith return as the sea swells and recedes.

I hear my joy expand as the tide reveals a wider beach.

I taste true flavors of peace as the sun rises over the Atlantic.

I smell God’s amazing grace in the saline atmosphere.

I feel His touch in the breezes on my face.

I am indeed a blessed individual.

More wanderings from Gift from the Sea

2011-11-01T05:39:00.000-05:00

Foamy white waves tirelessly form again and again repeating the purpose God gave them.

Tides and sand shift under foot with rhythmic force.

Each time no less intense.

Many shells lay on a beach. Once home to other inhabitants now souvenirs to remind vacationers of peaceful times.

Loving God, you gave me purpose and rhythm to live ceaseless years to praise and worship you and to witness to others of your love.

Have I failed?

New Art available on Chris Tessnear Art Blogspot

2011-10-31T13:31:00.000-05:00

Preview:

original art prints with original text

and

only one

original mini 3X3 inch art book

and coming soon....

a Gift from the Sea Devotional.

Finding your Voice is a Gift from the Sea

2011-10-31T10:53:00.000-05:00

I found my voice on a quiet island.

I discovered my heart crossing a peaceful dune.

I heard my spirit on the crest of a wave.

I say my soul in a flock of gulls.

I know my solitary existence because of Kiawah.

Gift from the Sea continued

2011-10-29T16:24:00.000-05:00

God's grace and

The sun at my back;

God's face and

The surf in my ear.

God's embrace and

The sand under my feet

Sends my heart racing

And my spirit soaring.

God's love and

The shells in my hand.

God's forgiveness and

The gulls in the air.

God's mercy and

The salty air on my skin

Lifts my weary soul

To heights I never imagined.

Kiawah 316

2011-10-27T09:33:00.000-05:00

For God so loves me, He gave me…

• A beautiful island with relaxing views

• An annual escape to paradise

• Amazing sunrises

• Delicious meals

• Time with my soul mate

• Prayers for peace

• Hope for tomorrow

• Joyful memories

• Delightful moments to hold close

• Picture perfect snapshots of a time apart

For God so loves me, He gave me eternal life, through a Savior who died for me and

rose again that I may live a wonderful life.

A Beach Psalm based on Psalm 23

2011-10-26T08:38:00.000-05:00

The Lord is my navigator; I shall not perish.

He helps me walk down sandy shores.

He leads me beside crashing waves.

He takes me down paths of Spanish moss covered oaks.

Even though my mind wanders He gives me new views.

I will fear nothing.

He is with me.

His love and joy comfort me.

He refreshes the surf and sand before me in the presence of fellow beachcombers.

He anoints me with salty air.

Surely His mercy and grace will follow me home and I will dwell in His glory forever.

(You will often notice words typed do not match words on artwork. A writer is constantly editing.)

Gift from the Sea - the memories continue

2011-10-25T05:58:00.000-05:00

Haven't had time to transpose writing. Hope the words can be read on the few I have posted. Some scanned better than others.

Composite of all Journal Pages for Gift from the Sea

2011-10-24T11:33:00.000-05:00

Each year for a long time

2011-10-23T14:40:00.000-05:00

I have read and reread Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Many find it old fashion and outdated but I find it to be inspiring and true. Basically it teaches what a wife, mother and woman needs to know about life as each role separately and collectively. It uses ideas centered around the sea to illustrate its message. The last several years I have not only read the book but also made little illustrated journals of my own writing and reflections on the topics. This year I took an old copy of the book (yes, I have several versions, printings, and even a guided journal of it) and watercolored directly on the pages and then wrote over the pages my own thoughts and ideas. It is my favorite so far and possible my very favorite altered book I have made. I did include a few packing tape transfer images here and there as well but I wanted a book that would still lie flat or fit in a book case. Often I have not minded having an alterd book overflowing with things but since "simplicity" is one of the thems of Gift from the Sea, I felt I should keep it simple. So I will be sharing the pages and reflections as well as other imagery from my week at Kiawah Island, SC as I journeyed once again through Gift form the Sea.....

gifts from the sea reopened

2011-10-23T06:36:00.000-05:00

by the sea

the beautiful sea

tension breaks

tears finally flow easily

breathing is less labored

on the sand

the silky sand

tension breaks

relaxation and release come

problems seem less intense

troubles seem far away

under God's care

His amazing grace

anxieties lessen

hope returns

going, going.....gone

2011-10-14T15:35:00.000-05:00

Doubt grows our faith.

Trouble teaches us compassion.

Fear ignites our prayers.

Weakness generates our strength.

Irritations enhance our patience.

Sadness makes us seek joy.

Hard times cause us to appreciate the good times

that were and are to be again.

I will be at my favorite place

on earth the next week

KIAWAH, SC!

earthen vessel

2011-10-12T15:02:00.000-05:00

Our bodies are a lot like our homes. We live in them and abuse them and neglect them too often.

If we don’t take care of its various systems it begins to break down, system by system.

Let its façade age and weather without regular maintenance and it shows wear and tear.

Ignore its pipes and it begins to unravel and spring leaks.

Let its electrical system become old and less than functional and suddenly it stops functioning all together.

Ignoring its needs breaks its spirit, kills its soul and eventually it is lost completely.

Take care of your body, mind, spirit and soul and live in its luxuriousness for a lifetime.

Realizing a calling...

2011-10-11T16:58:00.000-05:00

If only I can stay strong, calm, rested and inspired I can survive.

If only I can be prayerful, scripturally sound, and believing I can continue.

If only I can ignore the fears and worries, embrace the love and hope, and trust the Savior and Maker, I can be whom I am intended to be.

Simple findings

2011-10-10T11:26:00.000-05:00

I know a place of lasting joy deep in my heart where Jesus abides.

Grace abounds in the loneliest part of my soul where God lives.

Hope resides in every cell of my being where the Holy Spirit lingers.

In their mercy I am healed.

Through their love I am saved.

By their abundance I am blessed.

Autumn Thoughts

2011-10-09T13:03:00.000-05:00

Acorns rain down on this autumn day.

Breezes kick up leaves of every gemlike hue.

The last pink and amber light melts in the west.

A pearlescent glow rises in the east.

Peace floods my heart.

my Ah Ha! moment

2011-10-08T08:15:00.000-05:00

The Lord will fight for you. You need only be still. Gen. 14:14

Attempting to add new power and shed more light on my morning devotional times. I have been going through my Bible, re-reading sections I have highlighted. The above verse leapt out at me today.

Why do I struggle when God is my general?

Why do I fret when God is my comforter?

Why do I wander in darkness when God is my light?

Why do I question when God is my answer?

Lately, I ask more questions about my faith and way of living each day but I always get the same answers: go back to square 1, go back to the beginning, go back to God.

Some conclusions are just never wrong! It’s time to really believe A2 X B2 always does equal C2,

Maybe algebra doe solve everyday problems.

Me X Me

Plus

God X God

Equals

A more godly

Me

No one should or can do anything alone.

Maybe this is only a revelation to me but it’s a big one. Though simple and time tested. Eureka! I have found the answer we all seek. We truly can do nothing apart from God. Simple but profound. It’s what we already knew but keep forgetting to put into action.

in the mind's eye

2011-10-07T15:06:00.000-05:00

Life is a mixed media collage

with dabs of bright colors and patches of grays.

Joyful memories are interspersed

with sad times to create a balanced canvas.

as in any work of art, it is always

In some stage of completion.

at any moment, the artist can step back

to see the whole composition and find just the

Right brush stroke or bit of texture needed

to improve its content.

Seldom 100% completed because as viewed

by another some tweaking may be done in the mind’s eye.