Cherry Blossoms

I think cherry blossoms are beautiful... so today I decided to paint a branch. It is the first I have ever done and it may or may not be the last. This is also the first drawing or anything I have done in the handmade journal my daughter made for me. It won't be the last "art" I do in that journal...

I spent the better of Good Friday in the hospital. I thought I was having another heart attack. It was not one, thank goodness, but it makes me wonder.... Do you think Jesus, being human, may have been a little frighten at the prospects of dying? The Bible says:

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

I think he did and that is why he prayed in the garden:

He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26:39 

Jesus knew the things he would feel would hurt. He also knew the things he would feel would save all of us! So he endured the pain of a broken heart you and me!

I was scared and worried while in the hospital, but I also knew God had things in control. He even had a friend in the room with me while the cath was being done.  Someone I know from church, which was calming. They even played Christian music for me... couldn't really hear it all that well.

My heart is not healthy, I have to realize that. And sometimes being sick with a cough can cause pain that seems like a heart attack, there is the problem... when do you really know. I felt a little silly when there was nothing wrong, and people say better safe than sorry.... I agree but I still feel silly. 

In this Easter season I pray that you all attend church somewhere and honor Jesus for all that He did for us. He endured pain none of us can imagine so that we would not have to! God bless you all, thanks for reading.

Countenance

So I have been skipping some of the words in the drawing prompts book because they are to hard to get my feeble mind around... here is and example Poseidon... I have no earthly idea how to draw him... Deer antlers, I just have to ask why would I want to draw that... Anyway, this one today was one I could have passed on but I decided I would attempt anyway...

Medusa, a monster in Greek Mythology, with snakes instead of hair. Some sources say she was ugly, but I think she would have been beautiful, for how else would she be able to turn men to stone, since they had to look at her. Her countenance would have been beautiful and beguiling.

So, what does this have to do with our countenance. I guess the first place to start is with a definition of the word from Merriam-Webster:

1. a. look or expression  b. mental composure  c. calm expression

2. Face, Visage

3. bearing or expression that offers approval or sanction, moral support.   

The Bible talks about countenance quite a few times so it must be a little important, right. Cain, had a bad countenance when he got angry at Abel and God because his offering was not excepted.

Sarah (Abraham's wife) had a beautiful countenance even in her old age, so beautiful in fact that Abraham was afraid to call her his wife around certain people for fear they would kill him for her.

There are many more examples of these kinds of things, here are a few verses that talk about countenance that can help us in our daily lives....

"A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken." Proverbs 15:13

"The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance." Proverbs 25:23

"As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." Proverbs 27:17

When we look at the definition and compare the word to the verses we see exactly what God wants to tell us.

If we have a merry heart we will have a cheerful countenance. Does that mean even in bad times? I think so. It is hard to smile when times are bad, but if you try.... I also think, if a merry heart makes a cheerful countenance then the reverse is also true that a cheerful countenance can make the heart merry. 

The way we talk to others also has an effect on the countenance of ourselves and our friends (or enemies). Backbiting, to say mean or spiteful things about someone (such as a person who is not present). Not only do you hurt the person you are speaking about and when they find out the get angry, but it also effects you the same way. The anger and bitterness wells up in you and you have a bad, angry countenance.

The way our faces look effects those around us, as well as ourselves. I am very bad at smiling and looking "happy". I maybe happy and at "peace" but my face seldom shows it. I know this about myself and I really want to work on it. I have spent the better part of my 58 years not making my face show my true feelings... sometimes I am sad and depressed and so my face is being honest. There are other times when it is not. The thing is we can put on a good countenance even when times are bad as I stated before, and as a result, maybe just maybe our depressed, angry, hurt, or sad mood will change.

Our faces tell a story, whether it is fiction or truth... I am working to make my countenance reflect what God wants it to reflect. Thanks for reading and God bless you all.

 

This is My Father's Beautiful World

I haven't drawn or written much lately. Things have been busy and as a result I haven't really felt like drawing or anything. I will do it as often as I can or feel it in my creative heart. Today, I feel like writing about the photos I took.

I have written before about the wonder of my Father's Creation. I have written about flowers and the beauty of them. I have even written about this topic but I feel it all needs repeating, mostly because I forget the truth behind this. First here are the photos...enjoy...

I was picking up sticks in my yard when I decided to take this photos. I am always surprised at the ability of the camera on my phone, it takes really good photos.

When I see these kinds of flowers I am reminded that God is an awesome God and Creator. He has the most wonderful ways to let us know just how much he can make anything look beautiful and can use anything for His honor and glory.  Because let's face it, these are basically weeds. When we see the weed, usually we want to pluck it right up, get rid of it, and eradicate it. Yet every year God brings the weeds back to teach us a lesson.

No one in this world is perfect, even the most beautiful person (in man's eyes) has a flaw hiding some where. The flaw may not be visible to the world, but it is to that person and to God. It could be an internal flaw or a physical one, but there is at least one. Weeds are God's way of reminding us that He can use the most detestable things to further His Kingdom, or not use the most beautiful because they are less than beautiful in His eyes. Think about it.... the Bible says:

"You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes
Was prepared for you on the day you were created.

 “You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you.

 “By the abundance of your trading You became filled with violence within, And you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing Out of the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the fiery stones.

 “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, That they might gaze at you." Ezekiel 28:13-17

I believe one of the most beautiful beings God ever created was Lucifer. The Angel is described in the verses above, as well as the pride that caused his fall and causing his beauty to be tarnished. Unfortunately, we can be like Lucifer, beauty can make us prideful. That is when he reminds us that weeds have beauty too.

These weeds not only remind me that there are flaws in all beauty, but that God can and does use the least likely things to teach His lessons. A person with "diminished" mental capacity, a child, someone recovering from drugs or alcohol, an unforeseen tragic event, or even a storm can be used to teach a lesson. God can use all things for His good. Look at all of the people and events God used in the bible to teach lessons. David and Paul were murderers, even if they were "in authority" yet God used them to further His Kingdom. Jonah ran from God and God still used Him. Samson let a woman still his strength, and God used him. There are so many examples in the Bible of God using the less desirable for His glory. Boy, am I glad He did, because that means there just might be hope for me!

I hope as always that this makes sense. It does to me, but I am not, nor have ever said I was a good writer or teacher. I hope that God can use these little attempts for His glory... that this little weed of a devotion can bring some beauty into His Kingdom and someone's life. Thanks for reading, God Bless you all.