Inviting God to be in on it!

My newest mantra
Lord God if your not in it,
Don't let me begin it.
(I hung it in front of my work
table.....)
Lord God, I ask that you
would lead me in all things,
Amen.

Do you ever feel like your
spinning your wheels and
getting no where fast?
As an artist sometimes I feel like
I lose direction.
I begin creating for all the wrong reasons.
For example,
Creating what people tell me too.
Creating to make a fast dollar.
Creating for approval.

So I have made a promise to myself
to stay connect in God's word.
A promise to create for one reason only to
honor my Father God.

Hence... My new mantra,
Before I start a new project or a
peice of art, I will
meditate on this.
God if your not in it,
don't let me begin it.

Reminding myself I am not alone
in this creative process and
asking God to lead me and direct my path.

For God has made a promise to you and me.
He will never leave us.

Psalm 23:1-6

A Psalm of David

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the

paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the

shadow of death; I will fear no evil: for thou

art with me; thy rod and thy staff they

comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the

presence of mine enemies: thou anointest

my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all

the days of my life; and I will dwell in the

house of the Lord for ever.

I desire GOD to
Dwell,
IN my Heart
IN my Soul &
IN my Art.
IN all that I do...
Parenting, house work and in
the foundation of my marriage.
Lord God dwell in my home this day & everyday, Amen.


ANOTHER STROKE OF THE BRUSH
I have been busy making my
"Splash of Color and Dose of Faith"
Woven art tiles.
Since I can't cut up all my artwork.
I started making watercolor backgrounds
for the purpose of cutting up and weaving.
Color for me is so therapeutic.
I am so excited that spring is just around the
corner. My eyes are longing to see the
fresh colors of spring.

What is your favorite part of spring?

Here is the newest art tiles...With
beautiful, bright and bold colors.
A fresh breath of spring colors just for you!

 Titled "Treasured"
You are forever treasured by God.

 Titled, " Believe at the Cross"
Lay your burdens down at the foot of the Cross and believe
in the rest and peace Jesus alone offers.

Titled, "Son in the Valley"
Reminding me even in the valley of life's difficult
circumstances you are never alone.
Jesus walks beside YOU.
Yes, YOU!!!

Bring on Spring!
Have a beautiful and joy filled day.
Many Blessings, Deborah
P.S.
I am counting the days until I will  be a guest
at Incourage...
Published date March 20th, 2011
http://www.incourage.me/
This an awesome site for
Christian women.
A must follow!
There are so many inspiring stories and
heart felt testimonies of Faith.
Rush over now and receive a fresh breath of inspiration!

The Sweet Spot, Why Blog???

Yesterday I was reading

Ecclesiastes

The teacher is giving a speech on

how useless things of the world are.

What in the world truly brings joy?

Wisdom?

Wealth?

Hard work.?

He exclaims it is all useless and

in the end anything apart

from God is Useless.

"The best that people can do is eat,

drink, and enjoy their work. I saw

that even this comes from God,

Because no one can enjoy life

without Him. If people please

God, god will give them wisdom,

knowledge, and joy."

Ecclesiastes 2: 24-26

"The Key" 2006 Watercolor canvas

Ah Ha Moment!!!

Why do I blog?

I blog because I want to be used by God.

I blog because I want to make a difference in someones day.

I blog to self promote and promote my art.

What is wrong with those three sentences?

 (  I  )

What I just realized is, it is not about what I want.

My selfish nature wants to know I am making a difference.

My selfish nature want instant gratification...

Acceptance, Recognition

Thank you mainstream society and technology.

I haven't been getting many comments lately.

COMMENTS....(sigh)

I was using that as a measure of my success.

Bad,Bad Idea.....

I just realized this it is NOT the plan God had

for me....This is not the Spot!

I just realized that joy comes when I bridge the gap between God and I.

This gap is bridged when you are in a place with just you and God.

Just you and God.

God working in you and through you in his perfect will.

 True joy is meant to come from God and the time

 we are spending on our relationship with Him.

 The gap is closed when I am still, quite and listening to

God. 

When I am writing what he has placed

 on my heart and honoring him with

my talent and devotion.

Nothing else matters. Time stands still or slips by.

It's also referred to as the, " sweet spot".

A moment in time where there is no fear and no worries.

JUST YOU AND GOD.

Max Lucado writes about this in,  

A Cure for The Common Life

To find your "sweet spot" ---

that place where your passions and talents intersect.

"For a person to really live in their sweet spot,

they have got to discover the

joy of pleasing and honoring God.

It's less about themselves and more about honoring Him." 

"Your sweet spot is that unique combination

of abilities and strengths God has given you.

 It's the zone out of which He intended for us to operate,

 and in which we're most fruitful.

 It's different for every person, and the closer

we can come to understanding our own unique

 sweet spot, the more fruitful

and satisfied we'll be in our work and life..."  Max Lucado

This book is a GREAT read...Check it out!

Leave it to me to miss the point of writing this blog.

Well not completely... Or get caught up in the hype!

Working hard for comments...Not important! Useless

Working hard for Recognition... Not important!Useless

Working hard for approval...Not important! Useless

Living in my creative "sweet spot" and honoring God is where I want to be.

I really do want this to be less about me and my selfish needs.

But, I also want this to be a vehicle where I can share my faith

 and promote my artwork.

I really feel like it is a fine line. 

God is my passion

 and my writing and artwork

 is the place where I feel they intersect.

Welcome to My,

"SWEET SPOT"
This is where I
live Life to the fullest!
In the spot God has prepared just for me.

What does that mean for my blog?

I am taking the follow me... off.

I am not gonna check 5 or 6 times a

day to see is If I got a comment.

I am gonna put it out there

and trust God to use it

however he wants too.

If he wants to?

I will share what is on my heart.

I will share my art, my dreams

and my journey.

Hopefully sell some art too!!!

I will try to inspire others to

create a meaningful relationship with

God through His

son Jesus Christ.

With His help!!!

In God Alone I trust.

Many Blessings Deborah

Embarking on a New Journey

LIFE

The Ultimate Journey

Unpacking the Lies of self-deception.

Deep...

Heavy...

Stuff!

I have been invited to

Join a small

Group

Bible Study

I will be  discovering

The Lies I tell Myself

which hold me back and trip

me up.

I will be seeking true freedom

in Christ.

 I will be seeking to love myself

Like Christ,

Loves me.

Letting go of all my vices.

Yikes!

Learning Better Coping Skills!

I want to grow,

I want to release my faith.

I hope to thrive and not just survive.

I'll keep you posted.

And share some inspiration.

Another Stroke of the Brush..

This is a painting I did in 2006 on Watercolor canvas.

Never Titled it?

I"m just wondering.....

Asking YOU For Suggestions?

How do you ?

(Other Artist or entrepreneur!)

Have a successful ETSY shop?

Would you take a moment and

share some tips

and ideas with

me and my friends?

I know I would truly

appreciate it.

Have a beautiful and creative journey today!

Reflect the Glory of God today!

Psalm 92: 1-2

"It is good to praise you, Lord,

to sing praises to God Most High.

It is good to tell of your LOVE

in the morning and of your loyalty at night."

Many Blessing, Deborah

Project In My Daughters Eyes, MY Letter to my daughters...

Over at PINK MOSS http://www.pinkmoss.com/ 

Janae is on an precious mission.

This project is titled,

IN MY DAUGHTERS EYES

She is a mother of 6 daughters.

 I hope you will stop by her blog and see what this project is all about.

IT is AWESOME!

In My Daughter's Eyes is an idea she had to ask women

to write a letter to their 12 year old self, giving advice

 on what true beauty and happiness means to them.

 There are no many guidelines because she wants the letters to be unique.

Please stop by and jump on board.

 My Letter....

I have choosen to write to my daughters about what I was taught at 12 and what I desire to teach them.
My dearest daughters, from the moment you were born and they placed you in my arms I saw beauty in the first breath you took. For in that 1st breath of your life, I began understand true love, a bond so strong it felt almost overwhelming. I began to dream of your first words, your first steps and all the first experiences of your life. Oh, I will not be in a hurry for you to grow up, I want to savor each and every moment and never let you out of arms length. Daughter, try to remember life is not a race to see who can grow up the fastest and take time to enjoy your journey one step at a time. Not all mothers and daughters will have the relationship I desire to have with you. I am you mother first and always. But, I will also seek to be your friend, your confidant and your own personal cheerleader.


The most important attribute I hope to pass on to you is my faith, I believe in God and I will pray for you to seek him through out your life. I will show you how to love like Jesus and forgive like Jesus in my actions and my words. I know you think I am over protective, strict and never let you have any fun. Just know this, as a your mother my first instinct is to love and protect you for as long as I can.

On your first day of school my heart will break just a little knowing I have to share you with the rest of the world, because you are my world. I promise you I will seek to do my best with the knowledge I have and do better as I gain more wisdom. My dearest girls, as you go out into the world on your own remember that you are never alone, God goes with you and my prayers for you will never end. Remember as your mother if you hurt I will hurt and that you can tell me anything and I will listen with compassion and speak to you with the wisdom I have gained from being a young girl at one time. Believe it or not I was a teenager once too.

In your teenage years when peer pressure is at a peek, I will still be seeking to protect you from the all the pressure of high school and this world. The path you are on will have ups and downs, trials and tears, laughter and joy. Allow me as your mother to share this with you. I want to be there for you always in all ways. As your mother I will be honest, strict and full of high expectations. When it seems as though I expect too much or have given to much responsibility remember this. I am this way because I believe you are a precious gift from God and an answered prayer. I am this way because I can see your potential and how special you are. I am hoping to teach you that true beauty is in how you live, love and forgive. True beauty is in how you treat others, true beauty is sharing, giving and respecting yourself.

You will always be beautiful in the eyes of God and your mother. The world will try to teach you that beauty is in the makeup, your looks and the clothes you wear. I will teach you that true beauty comes from within you. True beauty is not visible on the surface; it is in your words and actions.

Girls... when you pass by a mirror try not to focus on how you look, your style, you hair or your body type. When you look in the mirror at your own reflection, see what God sees. Try not to focus on the package with all the pretty paper and a big pink bow. Stop at the mirror and look deeper, see through the eyes of God. God sees a beautiful child of his creation; God looks at YOU and only sees what is in your heart and soul.

When you begin looking for the love of a partner, I hope you seek his friendship first.
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13

Seek someone that loves you for who you are on the inside. Seek someone who doesn’t want you to change who you are to meet his needs, but needs who you are to complete who he is. Seek someone who inspires you and believes in you. Don’t look for love in a handsome face. Most of all you must learn to love your self before you can truly love someone else.

"Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Try always to be led along TOGETHER by the Holy Spirit, and so be at peace with one another." Ephesians 4:2-3, TLB

I will preach purity and waiting until marriage, the world will teach protection against pregnancy. You are a gift, one to be treasured and honored. If you respect yourself, your partner will respect you. Marriage is a commitment, a contract and meant to be permanent. I hope to teach you this, if you seek God first in all things, happiness and joy will be overflowing in your life.

You can not stand long on sinking sand, but you can stand on solid ground with God as your foundation.

No matter what you do with your life, no matter where life takes you. Know this, I have loved you from the moment God placed you in my waiting arms. I hope that I have taught you this, beyond a shadow of doubt. Jesus loves you and is always with you. You were born because of I loved, I hoped and I had faith. You were an answered prayer, a blessing in my eyes and all that I dreamed you would be. You truly are a beautiful child of God and my precious daughters. I am truly Blessed!

My heart is overflowing with pride and joy and I will praise God all the days of my life for the gift of YOU.
In my daughters eyes I can see the future, I can see Gods promise, I can see the beautiful women they will become and a reflection of who I am in them.

All My Love, MOM!

A Super Big Thank YOU, Sowing Seeds & Faith...

 A Super big Thank YOU!

 sent out to

RICH GIFTS GRAPHICS

by Edie

She got my button up and running.

Something I have been trying to

do for weeks!

She has a Gift for Graphics....

I am best gifted in art.....computer skills not so much...

She has a awesome website  http://richgift.blogspot.com/

Free Christian Tags to Share.

Check it Out!

You can not tell me

God did not have his hand

in me surfing the world wide web and

finding a graphic angel.

Another Stroke of the Brush...

Seeds, Petals & Scripture Titled

"Son Shine Blooms"

The Yellow flowers represent the light of Jesus

coming into the world to serve and teach the truth.

The abundance of flowers is representational of us living in 

truth and the abundance we receive when we sow seeds in Faith.   

Enrich you soul with healthy thinking.

Meditate on the living word of

Jesus Christ.

The Power of Faith.....

Matthew 21:21-22

"Jesus answered, "I tell you the

truth, if you have

faith and do not doubt, you

will be able to do what I did

to this tree and even more.

You will be able to say to this

mountain, 'Go Fall into the sea.'

And if you have faith,

It will happen.

If you believe, you will get anything

you ask for in prayer."

Faith needs to be more than just

a Sunday event.

Love and serve the Lord

in your faith and

receive the abundance

only He can give.

Dancing With God

Doesn't Everyone Love to Dance...

I found the wonderful little story and a friends

Notes on FB

Dancing With God (author unknown)

When I meditated on the word Guidance,

I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.

I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.

When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.

The movement doesn't flow with the music,

and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.

When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,

both bodies begin to flow with the music..

One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back

or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another.

It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.

The dance takes surrender, willingness,

and attentiveness from one person

and gentle guidance and skill from the other.

My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.

When I saw "G": I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i".

"God, "u" and "i" dance."

God, you, and I dance.

As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust

that I would get guidance about my life.

Once again, I became willing to let God lead.

My prayer for you today is that God's blessings

and mercies are upon you on this day and everyday.

May you abide in God, as God abides in you.

Dance together with God, trusting God to lead

and to guide you through each season of your life.

Watercolor Titled, "Hearts,

 Seeds & Butterflies".

By Deborah

So Just Dance....

Dance like no one

is watching...

Dance with the one you

Love...

Dance for Joy...

Dance with your

Kids...

Dance With

GOD...

God, thanks for daily inspiration and guidance.

I Love to  Dance with you God!!!

And invite everyone to join in

the Dance.