Opening The Door to a New Year!

Knock on the Door...

 

Is Jesus knocking on your door?  Are you ready to answer?

Today is about opening the door to a new year, 2010.  I am sooo... ready to open the door daily and let Jesus into all areas of my life. New inspiration, new beginnings, new opportunities and a New Year of Jesus Christ Blessing  my life.  A new year of people seeing less of me and more of the holy spirit living in me. The Love of Jesus Christ is new everyday, thanks too the grace he offers all of those who ask. Thanks too the Forgiveness he offered once and for all on the cross at Calvary.

Which bring me to the purpose of this entry. As a humans I do not think I can truly conceive of that kind of forgiveness or grace.  A forgiveness which is not earned or worked for, But given through grace and the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. In my experience with forgiveness as a human, my first tendency is to want the one who offend me or who needs my forgiveness to earn it or at the least ask for it. I mean, why should I forgive freely somebody who hurt me  deeply and caused so many tears to fall.  Shouldn't they have to be worthy of my forgiveness and show me they will not offend me or hurt me that way again? How can I trust somebody who has hurt me, how can I forgive and not want retribution or a sign of remorse.  Jesus knew I could not conceive of this kind of forgiveness so he offered to carry my burdens and sins far away. He took all sins to his grave and buried them, then he conquered the grave and death. Up from the grave he rose again in fulfillment of scripture.

Looking back on the many opportunities I have had to forgive others or even myself.  I have chosen to forgive, not alone but with the help of Jesus.  I have the tendency to say I forgive you and mean it from the bottom of my heart and soul,but then on a bad day I feel like taking it back in some instances. I know it sounds awful, I couldn't agree more. I think to myself wow, here you are saying or doing something I don't like, why was it I forgave you? No matter how hard I try to forgive without expectations, those expectations always rear their ugly heads and remind me that I am unable to forgive unconditional and totally like Jesus Christ did on that cross on Calgary. So I ask for the grace and mercy of Jesus to do what I can not do myself.  For I truly believe with all my heart and soul that without a savior I am incapable of true forgiveness.

A Splash of Faith

Share a splash of faith with somebody during this Christmas season, be a refreshing reminder of Gods Love.  Give someone a splash of kindness, rejuvinate their spirit with the living water of Gods words.
Gods words are like a splash of water, it renews, it gives life and it cleanses the soul.
"It can be a real wake up call ,if your moms threatens to throw some cold water on you if you don't get outta the bed and get ready for school." Okay, yes I have said that to more than one of my children.
GOD calls us to be stewards of his words.
 I desire for people to see less of me and more of Jesus.  Wouldn't it be awsome if we saw more of Jesus in everyone, Because that would mean we would see only Love, not anger,not hate or impatience. We would be face to face with love no matter who we were facing. Imagin only Love!
The question is how to accomplish this?
I will choose Love and forgivness when it is difficult, I will have hope when it apears hopeless and joy when tears are falling.
I will try to remind myself, Jesus was born because God Loves Us.  In dying he saved us and in rising he broke the bonds of death and sin to live again.
So when I feel down and heavy burdened, I know that there is Joy in Jesus because he will come AGAIN!
Have a wounderful Christmas and don't allow the insanity of the malls and shoping steal you Joy!
This Watercolor is piece from a new series I am calling, A Splash of.....Faith, Joy, Love ect.
All Gods Blessing, Debbie

Got Snow...Build a Snowman

Merry
Christmas...

We got 16" of snow where I live...sooo. Got Snow... build a snowman. It was really cold outside so I did the next best thing, I painted  a snowman in watercolor.

Pink Shabby Rose

A little bit of Pink, inspired by the romantic in me and my love for
beautyful things. My take on the shabby chic style I enjoy so much.
We've been hit with about 16 inches of snow.
I pray everyone stays at home safe and sound, in the name of Jesus.
Just Stay at home people.....Enjoy some coffee, peace and the fireplace.
Have a Blessed Day!

Introducing my newest series of original watercolors...Titled

"A Splash of Faith"

 A splash of vibrant watercolors and a splash of scripture and inspiration...I love bright bold color. I created the petals to look like a splash of colors. I used the splatter technique too look like seeds and inspiration blowing with the wind,  ready for the promise of new life.  Hoping to find fertil soil to take root and grow.

The words of God are like sunshine pouring down with love to fertilize our souls.

You can find my newest paintings at
http://artandsoulbydeborahlruby.imagekind.com/

Love, Peace, Joy and MERRY CHRISTMAS

I have been a busy bee in my studio this week, my creativity is on superflow...as an artist thats kinda important! Thank you Jesus, all the glory be yours alone.
I am creating a new calender with my artwork at cafepress.  I am very excited, it will be filled with scripture and inspiration. When it is finished I will share the direct link with everyone.

Christmas is a time for Joy, Hope, Love and Jesus. I don't do black friday, because I don't want to buy into the materialistic view of the holidays. I tell people, "Merry Christmas!" I will not conform  to the statis quo of soceity by saying, "Happy Holidays."

As a greatful believer we are ask to do all things to bring glory to the father, through Jesus Christ.

When I chose to be a steward of Jesus in my faith, I chose to honor him not only in words and deeds but in all things. Christmas is no exception, where is our society at today if the whole purpose of the christmas season is forgotten and more focused on the best buys, then on salvation. Jesus was born to save us from our inigutis.  Some would say it is about the bottom dollar of our economy, we need to spend to fix it.

What I believe is we need to take a stand as christians and focus on the Love, Hope, Joy of Jesus.

Praying for a christian moral uprising, praying for peace, praying for healings and planting seeds of Gods words in the hearts of mankind, then we will see a harvest of a better economy.

Col 3:16-17

"Let the teaching of Christ live in you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and instruct each other singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Everything you do or say should be done to obey Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus."

This watercolor is a piece from my Seeds, Petals and Harvests.  A simple splash of color here and there and beautyful harvest of flowers.  Inspired by the wild flowers on a trail ride this summer.  I used the splatter technique to represent the seeds being carried in the wind to find new life. I love using bold brush strokes and bright colors to create a joyous flow of water and paint.

God Bless!  Enjoy the Christmas season, spend time with family, friends and rejoicing in Jesus our Lord.

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The Miracles of Jesus

On this day of thanksgiving, I am reflecting on the love of Jesus and some of the miracles for which I am thankful for. First and most of all I am thankful for the miracle of the holy spirit, because this is how God talks to me, through Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit. I know when it is his voice because it aligns with the words of God in the Holy Bible. I believe there are still miracles in this day and age, because God and his son Jesus Christ are the same today as yesterday and will be forever.  That is the everlasting truth I find comfort in.
 Hebrews 13:8
"Jesus, the Messiah, is the same yesterday and today-and forever!
MIRACLES.....
 Miracles over nature, over sickness, miracles over evil, over death and the cross. He stilled a storm, he walked on water,  he is a fisher of men and he filled the nets with an abundance of fish. The blind man saw, the crippled walked, the deaf man  heard, the sick were healed and the dead man was raised to life.

I choose to trust Jesus because  he cares about all lifes small stuff and he is faithful, he forgives us and renews us, when we chose him.

 Jesus shows us how to love one another with second chances, forgiveness, with acceptance, without conditions or limitations. He offers us love, caring, friendship, faith, and a path to God the Father.

In reality I think Jesus chose us to be his people, to be his mission, to be his hands and feet.

He has chosen us to mirror  his image and he has chosen us to love our enemies, to love his people and to be stewards of Gods living words.

He has shown us how to care for the hungry, how to teach others faith, he shown us how to share the truth and most of all he shows us that love and faith are greater than evil.

He invites us to run away from our past sins and mistakes and sprint into his open arms and his everylasting LOVE.

I am reminded to be thankful for today, this moment and the bountyful love I have found in Jesus Christ. To be thankful for the journey and to chose not to dwell on  past mistakes, failiures and to get back up when I stumble and try to do better in Jesus name.

A big hug and  thank you to my mother and father for teaching me faith, for loving me unconditionally and  giving me my first lessons in what family is.  Thank you for giving me the gift of being a daughter and a sister and a friend. Thank you, I Love You.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

Original Watercolor created 2009.

 Inspired by the miracle of the rose. The beauty, the joy,the smell, the love and the smile it brings when we get one.  All this in one single bloom, which was planted with love and havested from a seed.

 Titled "WITH LOVE" Now thats a miracle in this day and age, take time today to see a miracle today and give thanks and praise. Miracles are all arround us everyday, so just open your heart, believe and receive it and then share it. All Gods blessing, Deborah

One Rose, One Desire

I was once again corrected by the holy spirt, and reminded of what my priorities should be. Okay, here goes I will try to explain.
 I started this blog because I truely have the desire to inspire others to come to know the love of Jesus like I do. I also wanted to share my gift as an artist to glorifty God.
Then the other day, or a week ago. I procrastinated because it's what I do when face to face with the truth.
Light bulb moment, Holy spirit moment!
Hey Deborah... how can you inspire others if you don't start right in you own home, with your own family? What, I thought I was... Oh,Nooo... not so much.
When was the last time you inspired you husband instead of nagging on him?
 Really?... Yes!
When was the last time you took the time to share your gifts with your children?... HUH!
I just realize at that moment, before I could be an inspiration to others in the grander picture. I might want to focus on the family that I am so blessed to have and make sure I am practicing what I am teaching or preaching. WOW!!!
So I invited my daughter Rebekah to my watercolor painting class. It was an absolute pleasure having her there. Every tuesday night we had Subway and Watercolor class. I felt like it gave me the opportunity to praise her, hear her and have one on one time with just her. Which isn't always easy when you have 4 children. I had in the past always hesitated to bring one of my children to a class I was teaching because I thought it would be a distraction. 
So, that being said, I would inspire others to inspire the ones you love most first. Take time to praise even in the smallest of things. Take time to reconize the gifts your children have been blessed with and help them to reconize them as well and use them to give God praise.
I was pleasently surprised. Not only did I enjoy her presence I looked forward to the class because I was sharing it with her. She is also talented, creative and spirited, what amazing potential I might have missed. Thank you Jesus for bring this to my attention...I will try to be a better wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend knowing that this is what your first priority/desire for my life is.
The watercolor I am sharing with this post is an original, I was recreating the joy a single rose can mean, or how a single word of praise to someone you love can lift their spirit, make them smile and remind them they are truely loved. Take time to smell the roses and make time to inspire the ones you love the most.
"By this everyone will know you are my disciples, that you have love for one another." John 13:35

Petals and Gods Promises

    This is an original watercolor I created in 2009, titled Petals & Promises.  My inspiration was to create a harvest of petals and to remember Gods promise to harvest what I sow.  As I sow his words into my heart I begin to reep and see the harvest of his promises.  Sometimes I find myself busy reading every book out there witten with a christian perspective. I enjoy reading the works of other christians and find lots of truth and inspiration when I do so. Then the holy spirt corrected me the other day and I reminded me that there are times I needed to focus on the original work of Gods truth, The Holy Bible.  It is when we read the original words from God that our soul is truely nurished and fertilized. In order to hear Gods words and obey them , I need to read them and study them in their original text.

Mattew 8:24 "Everyone who hears my words and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock."

To me the rock represents Gods words of truth and his promise of a solid foundation when we sow them into our hearts and obey him.

I am so thankfull that there are gifted individuals who read the word of God and seek to inspire others by writing inspirational lititure.  But, I am  also reminded of the need to get back to the basics and read Gods written words for ourselves.

Intented Purpose of Blogging

I found a prayer that really speaks to me and my purpose for creating art and this blog.

I have been home feeling uninspired because of the stomach flu. Today was the first day I actually felt like going into my studio. It was there I came apon this prayer. I am glad I can share it with everyone.

Prayer of Peace, Attributed to St. Francis of Assisi.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine master, grant that I may seek not so much to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. AMEN

Wow, This is right to the heart of my purpose. I could not have said it better. No really, It is with this intention that I create artwork and seek to inspire others for Gods glory alone.

This piece is a mixed media which I titled, "Angels Above" I used acrylic paint, cotton gauze and plaster to give it layers and texture. The layers symbolize my layers of faith and the face represents my guardian angel keeping watch over me and my family. I used the color turquoise because I find it has a calming affect on my soul.

Kneeling at the Cross

Friends, Come and kneel at the cross.

Pray on every occasion, pray without ceasing.

I believe with all my heart that prayer changes lives, saves lives and help us to persevere in all we do.

I believe God will meet you where you are, on your knees or in your car. I say this because as a mother of 4 I do a lot of chauffeuring and spend a lot of time in the car praying and waiting on the kids. With that in mind please take a time out and put time in with the one who loves us unconditionally and eternally.

Psalms 5;12-13

"Then all who take refuge in you will be glad and forever shout for joy.

Protect them that you may be the joy of those who love your name.

For you, Lord bless the just: you surround them with favor like a shield."

This artwork was created about a week ago.

It is titled "Come to the Cross" It is done in watercolor and some pen and ink. The bold colors represent the boldness we should all poses in our faith. The circles represent the Father, the Son and the Holy Sprit.

My thoughts. I will take the refuge God offers through his son Jesus Christ and be glad my God knows my name, he knows my needs and he blesses my seeds with favor.

Petals of Healing Truth in Gods Words

 Seeds of Faith...Bring petals of truth and glory to God.

Matthew 10:31 NIV

Jesus proposed another parable to them. " The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of seeds, yet when fullgrown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches."

If a petal is to bloom into greatness, a seed must be sown into the soil.

MY THOUGHTS.......

Gods words are the seeds of truth and your soul is the soil in which these seeds must be planted.

Read the truth and allow Gods words to be cultivate into the soil of you soul. When we dwell on the words of Gods truth, it is like fertilizer for our soul. It helps us to bloom into the beauty of our full potential for the Glory of God alone.

This piece of art is titled, "Petals Sowed" This is an original watercolor done in my home studio for Gods Glory Alone.
I will take refuge in the large bush of Gods love and dwell in the branches of his truth.
Gods Blessing, Debbie

Hey, busy back to work part time at our local elementry kitchen. Too much fun! I have finally compleated the Shimmer Stone technique at a local resturant and I am hoping to get referals and get more decorative painting jobs. Mostly I enjoy doing murals and plaster techniques.

I am starting a art class teaching watercolor painting at a local Christian Book Store, very excited to be in a christian enviornment teaching something I am passionate about.

Sometimes I wonder how I can serve God with this artistic talent he has blessed me with. While stacks of paintings pile up in my home studio, I wonder how I can bless others with my gift. A question not easily answered?

I do trust it brings God joy to see me using my gift, but would truely like to minister through my artwork. Which brings me to Art and Soul Blog.

I hope to inspire others to trust in the gifts God has givin them and use them for Gods glory alone.

I love the colors of fall , in this original art work I traced leaves from the yard and painted them in watercolor. I believe God is an artist at heart, because of all the colors that surround us everyday. Experience the colors and grandure around you, God created a palette with one word and it is never ending and forever changing. Truely awsome and ever inspiring to the artistic soul.

What a wounderful world we live in, where you can have a facebook page and reach out to people you haven't seen or heard from in years. Tell me how do we lose touch with some of the people who walk next to us for 4 years in school and who meant the world to us? These people helped us to grow and influenced the people we would become. Yes, I have just discovered facebook. Thanks to my 2 daughters who advised me I needed it. I am so excited to learn something new. Or should a say some more computer stuff.

This piece of artwork is titled, "Spirits Dancing" done in 2008 I was inspired by the angels God has given charge over us to keep us and protect us.

Well, Its spring. It has rained for the last 5 days. As the water comes down it reminds me how we must water the seeds in our souls with prayer and the word of God. Planting Gods words into our hearts and souls like seeds, gives us the ability to quench the thirst for hope in Jesus.
Thessalonians 5:16-19
"Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do Not quench the Spirt. "
Springs brings flowers and planting gardens, with the hope that we will reap the rewards of a bountiful harvest. In this painting I harvested some beautiful hyacinths from my garden and made a bouquet in a water glass.
I loved the blues and purples in the flowers it reminds me of a bright summer sky.
So, I am telling myself to enjoy the rain and be thankful that the seeds are planted and that I have faith in Gods plans to harvest all that I have sowed.
I hope you, who ever you are or where ever you are will be blessed with your own harvest.

Wow, Is it already the end of April, Where have I been? Mostly I have been busy being a mom.

I have also been working on a business plan for a art studio in my small town. Aspiring to teach art to young and old. Once again trying to use the left side of my brain. I have also been working on creating a web presence. I have the beginnings of a web portfolio on http://www.ebsqart.com/. I am so ready for spring and the sunshine and flowers it brings. winter seems to get longer each year.

bible verse for the day, Matthew 7:7-8

"Ask and it will be given to you: seek and you will find: knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who ask, receives: and the one who seeks finds: and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."

Isn't God great, I think sometimes we ask, but are not open to receive. Open your heart and soul to receive the blessing God has in store for you. It is not about deserving, but about believing, and seeking God's words and receiving his truth for your life. Gods Best for you and yours.

New journey in blogging

New years resolution learn how to blog.

As and artist I am very right brained, which if you are not aware, this is the creative side and there is very little space for computer understanding or math. So the computer mostly makes me crazy. My wounderfull 19 year old son insists I learn how do this, on my own I might add.

My generation did not have computers in school. It all seems to come so natural to all 4 children.

But not for the mama!