Another shot....She Speaks Conference

My six word story.

Six little words One big chance........

SCHOLARSHIP.

God speaks.

Faith hears.

She leaps.

The newest opportunity to

win a scholarship to the

She Speaks Conference.

Gotta Go For It!!!

http://www.shereads.org/

Hop over to She Reads

and join in on the fun.



She Speaks Scholarship, The Contest for a Life Changing Conference...

She Speaks is having a Scholarship

contest. 

AWESOME...

This conference is an opportunity for

Christian women to take their

speaking, writing and ministries to the next level.

Equipping them with the tools they need to

be successful in sharing their vision and passion to

lead women to the heart of Christ.

You can participate too...

http://lysaterkeurst.com/2011/03/she-speaks-scholarship-contest-2011/

You have to get your entry in by March 11, 2011

Oh MY.....

My palms are sweating and my heart is

racing with excitement.

For me this would be the opportunity of a life

time.

 It is my heart felt

belief that this is the next step

I have been praying to God for.

(No Really!)



As you all know I believe we all 

have a purpose and calling to serve

God our Father with our gifts and talents.

When my passion and talent intersect I believe

God is right there with me,

leading me,

speaking to me

and calling me to the

heart of my purpose.

Which is to

 Honor,

Please

 and Serve Him

by serving others and sharing His eternal Love.

This conference is right on target 

with my desire to touch the

lives of women through my writing, speaking and

artwork.

I have been looking and seeking an opportunity

to educate myself and take the next step in my journey.

This step would include using my gifts and talents to

inspire women through art workshops, writing and speaking 

engagements. Encouraging them to develop

a life changing relationship with

Jesus Christ.

I want to share the

joy and purpose that I have found only when

I am seeking the

HEART

of God.

It is my deepest desire to help other women find their,

"sweet spot".

I want to inspire them to come closer than they have every been

 to the Heart of a God who can meet them right where they are.

The "Sweet Spot",

Described best my my favorite author,

Max Lucado

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

I know that I have the ability and talent that God has

equipped me with. I am confident

this is the calling God has placed on my heart.

But all this talent and confidence is nothing if you do not

have the knowledge and tools required to 

succeed in fulfilling your purpose

and getting your message out there.

God is calling me to step outside

my comfort zone.

Nudging me to step outside of my studio.

I hear God's whisper,

"Step out, Reach out to women and trust me to 

qualify you for your purpose."

I have the Passion to

pursue this calling.

I just need the tools to take it to

the next level.

I want and need to be educated on

how I can effectively reach women

with the message God has placed on

my heart. 

 I am honored to be among the many others who

are seeking to serve God.

I want to Thank, Lysa and the She Speaks

community for this awesome opportunity

for a scholarship to attend this

conference.

For me it would be the next step in my journey to

 live my purpose.

For the Glory of God Alone.

ANOTHER STROKE OF THE BRUSH...

The Blessing,

Realizing the Joy it brings our Father God

when we use the talent he has given us.

And the gift of knowing this His truth and the joy

this truth will bring you. 

 God Loves you and me

Unconditionally!

Many Blessing, Deborah

If you quite your mind,

you will hear God

speaking to your heart.



Praise His Holy Name, Called to Worship

What is our highest calling?

We are called to Worship and Praise

God.

Worship and praise is one of

the most important components in

a Christian's calling.

When we are praising

God our focus is on

our blessings instead of

our fears...
our iniquities...
or our brokenness.
It is in God presence where
we find the true fullness of JOY!
  Praising in faith brings
us into the presence and power of God's promises.

  The psalmist writes this,
 For giving grateful praise.
"1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
 Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his[a]; 
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations."

 How do you Worship and Praise?
I sing along with contemporary Christian
music. (Very Loud when no one is home.)
Shout to the Lord with all your heart
and make a joyful noise!!!

ANOTHER STROKE OF THE BRUSH...

I have been very busy making joyful
art.
Hence, not much time for the blog.
I truly don't know how people manage to blog
everyday.
They are amazing!

Here are three new wooden tiles.
Just soothing color and encouragement.

Titled, "Dare to Dream"

Titled, " Believe"

Titled, "Cherish"

I just love these colors!
They remind me of refreshing water washing away
my worries and fears or a clear blue sky on a warm
summer day.

Dearest friends have a blessed Week!
Count your blessings and sing a song of praise.

I am counting the days till my story will
be featured at Incourage.
March 20th a couple days after my birthday.
This is the best present ever!
http://www.incourage.me/
 Just hop on over there and be inspired
by amazing women who share their journey's
in faith.


Many Blessings, Deborah

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

Fresh Paint from the studio...Fresh Water from my Soul...

New Art

Fresh Painting

This piece is another Acrylic and Plaster..

Mixed media

Title "Moon Light on the Water"

It is an 8"x10" canvas Gallery Wrapped

Sides are painted Black.

I just love how the plaster gives the

art & water

another

Dimension,

Texture,

Depth

and

Movement.

I am really having fun with this plaster technique...

It is a medium by Golden products.

This time I intentionally manipulated the plaster.

I had a vision in my mind.

I will be listing this later today on

ETSY

http://www.dlrubyspalette.etsy.com/

Fresh Water... For the Soul

I painted the ocean because..

I love the ocean, it calls to me..

Come and rest by the shores,

come and listen to the waves.

Come and you will find peace

on the edge of  God's vastness.

The waves come forth and

touch my toes and my soul.

The waves can be calm and

cleansing,

washing away the weariness

within my soul.

So cool and refreshing,

so alive and invigorating.

Reminding me how small

I truly am.

Reminding me how

BiG

 God IS.

For just as I can not perceive the depths

of the ocean.

It can be equally hard

to perceive the depths of Gods

LOVE.

From the shore the waters of the

ocean appear never ending.

From the foot of the

cross I can see God's Love

IS never ending.

The rhythm of the waves

remind me of the

rhythm of life.

The rhythm of

give and take,

the rhythm of

the storms in life and

the times when life is

peaceful and calm.

Water...

Water Gives Life

Water washes away the sins

of the world.

Water restores

the dying seed.

Jesus is the Water Of Life.

The ocean reminds me

of the peace

I have found in

Jesus.

And that my friends is why I love the ocean.

I hear it calling me.

I hear God calling me into

 his vastness of LOVE.

And God Loves YOU Too!

John 4:14 (New International Version)

14 but whoever drinks the water I give him

 will never thirst.

 Indeed, the water I give him will become in him

a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Have a creative and blessed

weekend.

Remember God Loves You and He will

meet you where ever your at.

All you have to do is reach out,

His arms arms are open and waiting

Just for YOU!

Give Away!!! Give Away !!! Come and Play!!!

EXTENDED...till Monday
Who's doing a give away?

Art and Soul

Professional Pics of

 One of Kind Art Pendants!

By Deborah L. Ruby (ME)

It's my birthday month...

and the followers
can win a gift!

We all know pictures are worth

a thousand words.

And I felt my pictures of my pendants

on ETSY

were not cutting it!

Soooo, My Friend at

E Photography

By Elly J. Mullan

Help me  step things up a notch!

This one it titled, Hidden Blooms an Original Watercolor.

They have a canvas back and

each on has a name

and is signed by the artist!

This on is titled, Rolling Sea

Original Fiber Art Pendant

by Deborah

Give Away!!! Yeah!!!

Your choice of one of these  2 pendants!

All you have to do is

make sure you follow with Google friend connect

 and leave a comment.

If you already follow, leave a comment!

From today through Saturday...12:00noon

EXTENDED UNTIL MONDAY!!!!!!

In your comment tell me what you

look for in a great blog.

I will put all the names into a bowel &

my daughter Rachel will pick a name.

The winner will get to pick

between the two!

ON MONDAY IT WILL BE

SHIPPED TO THE

LUCKY WINNER.

Another stroke of the brush!

Romans 8:31

"What then shall we say to this?

If God is for us, who can be

against us?

He who did not spare his own Son

But handed him over for us ALL,

 how will he not also give us

everything else along with him?

Who will bring a charge against God's

chosen ones?

It is GOD who Equips us."

My thoughts:

 If then God equips us

with all we need to flourish,

 through his Son

 and with his enduring love.

Are we not called to

see that others are equipped

also.

Reach out,

Reach within,

Reach your arms

arround someone

who needs the

Love God. 

As much as I love my own

children, I believe it is nothing

compared to the Love

 God has for his children.

For I can truly say

with all my heart and soul,

I could not hand over even one

of my children,

for the sake of another.

I would surly give my own life, 

before giving the life of one of my children...

How awesome is this LOVE?

Everlasting,

Eternal,

Enduring

&

Never Changing...

Share this love with others and help them to

become equipped in the love of GOD.

 Receive this love by Grace through Faith.

Dreams, Seeds Planted in our SOUL...

Dreams are Seeds planted in our souls,

 BY GOD

with faith and love they are bound to flourish.

For I believe our creator,

 God planted special seeds in each and everyone of us.

For he has great plans for all his children.

  Something to consider....

 If we are indeed made in the image of God,

 are we not all CREATIVE!

 Made to love, serve and share our creativity.

How are you using the gifts of creativity you have been blessed with?

SHARE IT IN THE COMMENTS.....

Where your time is SPENT...

That is where you'll find you heart!

Spend Time in the

Word of God..

Spend time with

your Family...

Spend time with

your Dreams!!!

At the heart of prosperity is the seed planted by God,

 deep within your soul, Your own unique seed,

A Dream,

 A Vision,

 Your Calling...

which we are called to nourish,

 cultivate and use to prosper the Kingdom or God.

Seeds and Petals Series, "Poppy Fields" by Deborah

PRAISE GOD!!!

For the seeds of your gifts, talents and dreams...

Have a Great and Blessed day...

Created by God!

For each and every one of his children.

Balancing Life, God, Family and Art

Are you walking

on

the Tight Rope

called

Life?

Balance, how do you find it?

I hope you'll share...

I've been walking

this tight rope for

a few months

now...

I have been praying for God

to show me his will

for my journey.

Here's the Story... I have been a stay at home mother forever. Even after my youngest was off to kindergarten, I stayed home. After Rachel had been in school a couple years, I started getting a little stir crazy. I had been doing murals and faux finishes by word of mouth only and I would get 2 or 3 jobs a year. Still I felt lonely, out of touch with adults and found I had too much time on my hands to worry about life and everything about it.

 Over the last 5 years I have taken on 3 different part time jobs. First 2 did not count, because they didn't last very long. I would get overwhelmed and be back at home. I have always had a sporadic income from my murals and artwork. Than I took on the job of  working as a  part time  school cook in our town of 600 people. It lasted almost 2 years until last Friday which was my last day. Once again I found my self overwhelmed with trying to balance my life.

How do other women do it all? 

And why can't I?

You could say that, once again had to much on my palette. Wife, mother, bus driver, maid, cook, inventory control and artist.  Well actually I didn't think I had taken on too much until, I got a job doing a mural of spider man on all four walls.  I was trying to start my Etsy store, I began blogging, I had a large faux finishing job that started at the end of summer and went into the school year. I found myself asking for days of from the school cook job to get my other jobs finished.  About 7 weeks ago I got a  request to do the Spider Man mural and I thought, no problem I can do both!

Wrong!

Getting up at 5:30 am to go cook at the school and getting off  there at 1:00 pm and racing down to work on the mural, two rounds of antibiotics for shingles and sinus infections. Taking time off for that, time off for the weather, time off to work on the mural and more time off for sick kids. 

About to fall off

the tight rope.

Balance,

Balance,

balance.

Photo by Deborah titled, "Balance" that is Rachel the youngest, fearless and balanced.

My Cowboy husband to the left.

So I find myself...

 Praying for discernment and direction, asking for a clear in your face answer.

Whats next God?

I trust you as my safety net...

I am falling into the pit of

self pity.

My palette looks like a muddy puddle!!!

Then I get the call to go to the principles office. Oh noooo!!! what did I do? She proceeds to tell me I need to make a choice, your requesting to much time off. All the while I thought I had that worked  it all out with the head cook. Always covering my hours with competent people.

So I took that as a clear in your face answer and put in my 2 weeks right then and there, mind you I was crying like a hormonal women.  The principle told me to go home and think about it! After talking and crying to my husband he said, "quit and focus on your art."  but, but, I use that extra income to fund my art and other stuff.

Follow your passion, purpose and use your gifts!

God wants us to prosper using the gifts he has given us.

So what am I passionate about you might ask?

photo by Deborah

This is my family...

"Also consider that since God has called you, He is completely able to reveal your purpose to you, and He will as you diligently seek Him." (Heb. 11:6)

1 Peter 4:10 (New International Version)
 "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."

Tell me, how do you use your talents and gift to serve others?
Tell me, how do you find balance?
I can't wait to hear from you so please leave a comment and share!

Purpose... A day of questioning?

Purpose...

What is mine?

I thought I knew it!

But there are days

I

truly

don't feel

I do...

Why can't God just whisper loud and clear

in my ear

and

TELL ME!

Does it change daily

like my mood?

Does it change as a grow

in faith?

Sometimes I feel like,

God, its me Deborah your faithful

Servant, how would you have me

serve?

(Silence!!!!)

Hello!!!

God,

Make it clear...

to me....

Then...

I hear...

Take care of your husband,

Take care of your children,

Use you gifts and talents,

And

Love your family near and far,

Share you faith one

person at a time.

Listen....

Quite your mind.

Hear not your own voice,

But make room to

hear mine.

Sunset Beach I By Deborah L. Ruby

Calm down...take a breath...visualize!

The Water calms my spirit.

Sunset II by Deborah L. Ruby

The Blue, aqua and green, the sound of the waves and

the smells of the sea...

My Faith in God

Jesus Christ and

the Holy Spirit

calms my soul.

So you wonder why the lingering questions?

So many to love, can I love enough?

So much to do, can I do enough?

So many talented artist, am

I good enough?

Does anybody hear me?

Can they see the light within me?

Even on the days I

know I am not

shining...

So many choices to make...

Waiting to hear from God...

Did I miss his voice?

All  these 

 thoughts swirling

in my head.

It is time to contemplate

another change.

I will wait upon the Lord!

I will trust the answer to be clear.

I will believe he has a

purpose just for me.

So I will wait.....

and Hear his voice...

God has a plan!