God is with me!

I will not fear!

 

 

Fear is wasted energy

Anger is lost passion

Resentment steals power

 

Grace rains in torrents

Blessings pile up to the windows

Joy is a lovely flower garden of life

 

Mercy covers my head

Love fills my heart

Faith leads the way

Key # 1 ot JOY: Break Up with all that's negative

When you are in a bad relationship you break up. You end it. If you have a relationship with fear and worry, it’s time to break up.  Stop it. Dismiss it. End it. Let go of fear. Fear kills faith. Worry takes up too much space and effort in your life. You may be thinking, “Well, you must not worry or fear anything.”  My response is “Au contraire.” My entire life has been full of both. I learned from the masters, my mother and aunts. They have perfected it. I have seen them invent things to worry about. If you are just beginning to fear and worry, then break the habit NOW. If, like me, it’s been a lifelong pursuit, then start breaking up NOW. Realize how much of it never happens. Give it to God. He can handle it and then let it go. If you don’t believe me, just give it a week. See if you don’t feel better and have more peace and rest.

 

 

Fear Not - 365 times in the Bible

the only place you are trapped

 

is in your own mind. You can allow yourself out, an escape, an alternative...

art and words calm me

 

 

My soul seeks quiet and peace.

My heart longs for love and joy.

My spirit needs serenity and calm.

My body needs strength and respite.

Prayer gets me through the hard days and long nights.

My mind wanders through jungles of thoughts.

My schedule is overloaded with everyone and everything but me.

My world is cramped by life’s troubles.

My family is sick in body and mind.

Prayer gets me through long visits and lengthy calls.

who needs roses?

There are days when I think I can't make it. I struggle with depression, pain, and fear. I make art to avoid therapy. It may take the rest of my life but with God's help I will not only survive but find a way to thrive. Letting go of pain and fear and doubt, I will trust God to be my companion along the darkest of paths, the longest of detours and the most difficult of situations.
I lost my dad a year and a half ago. My mom is in an Alzheimer facility. I have lots of arthritis pain, IBS, and lots of fears. I try to do what I can for all but there are days I'm too tired to do much of anything but what I must. I will be 60 this November. I cannot imagine how much time I have left but I know I've wasted much and need to start living NOW. Loving all the good in my life and letting go of the years I have abused myself with worry and fear. I am a Christian and it's time to really act like one.

My husband brought in one of the last Queen Anne's of the season and it thrilled me (who needs roses). I have to start seeing all the good in my life, the simple pleasures and count the "too many to count" blessings. I will continue to read and study and pray. I will continue to share my artistic talents. I will depend on art and journaling to get me through the last act of my life.

Thanks be to the loving God, forgiving Son and ever present Spirit of God....

Lesson in removing fear

Peace settles fear.

Faith removes fear.

Joy overrides fear.

Love casts out fear.

God removes fear.

I find .......

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 68 random thoughts....

and sleep will not come AGAIN!

Why is sleep so evasive?

Can you be too tired to sleep?

My body begs for rest.

My mind screams for silence.

My soul pleads for hope.

My spirit hurts for expression.

My heart searches for meaning.

Psalm 19:14

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to your sight

O Lord."

(but are they?)

"Rock of ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in thee."

(my quest)

the indwelling presence of God

from which no one and no thing

can separate me

I will stay on His path

following closely, hoping

in the dark He guides me still

though life is still littered

with debris from a storm long gone

I know the calm presence

of God and His angels

when and how much?

even when doubtful

I know He has not left me alone

all fears and worries melt

despite their nagging presence

God is still God and

all is right in His kingdom

staying within the righteous fold

I will survive

another day's battle will be fought and won

AND

life will proceed

images are from DAD shape book

Day 62 - seeing the light of day again

Never fear
God is near.
Never cry
"Why God Why?"
Trust the source
Life's true North.
Find simple faith
Follow the way straight.
Peace will be your prize.
Keep it with the highs.
Go the way of the cross
And you'll never be at a loss.

Qustions answered

DOUBT?
PRAY HARDER!
FEAR?
CLING TO GOD!
WORRY?
TRUST THE CREATOR!
LOST?
SEEK FAITH!
HURT?
KNOW THE HEALER!
DESPONDENT?
MEDITATE!
CONFUSED?
STUDY GOD'S WORD!
WEARY?
REST IN THE SPIRIT!
GUILT?
TURN TO THE SAVIOR!

Image is watercolor with salt texture and stenciled alphabet.