I’ve painted some unusual things just because. I painted this featuring the letter S for my granddaughter Sara, who loves music and color. The website makes lots of gift items available. I gave her a coffee mug. These are just some other options:
Or paths~ I don’t know quite why, But I love paths. Maybe because of Proverbs 3:5, 6 – look it up đ
I’m always surprised by joy when someone finds this little fish (me) in the great big ocean that is the art world of the internet and orders one of my paintings. Thus I invite you to take a look. I have almost 300 paintings in the following categories:
I invite you to look around. You will find tote bags, pouches, cell phone covers, shower curtains, yoga mats, throw pillows, stickers, T-shirts, towels, mugs and framed prints, wood, metal or canvas
I’m a long way past chocolate bunnies, Easter bonnets and white patent leather shoes – not to mention Easter baskets, or dying and hiding eggs. It’s all part of the family tradition and is/was certainly fun. It has its place in our families. But the real Easter recognizes the end of darkness and beginning of Light as Jesus overcame a brutal death on the cross on my behalf – on your behalf – and resurrected to LIFE.
Without the miracle of that first Easter morning and the resurrection of Jesus, there would be no need for the Church. This is the reason He came – to buy us back offering us His righteousness for our darkness and sin. His love for us is offered as a free gift requiring only that we receive it with gratitude: open hands and open heart to receive the forgiveness and grace only He can give. It costs you nothing. But to ignore it costs you everything
I pray you will find the Easter gift of the Lamb of God – God’s ultimate sacrifice of His Son – this Easter Sunday. Watch “The Chosen,” free on “The Chosen” app, and be blessed to watch His story unfold before your eyes. Regardless, the cost to you is only a prayer away. Even if your belief is small, it is enough! Ask Him and see if He isn’t faithful to His promises. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Praying for peace in our nation and in our world, trusting that He who gave us His story is faithful and will redeem that which is broken in His time. AMEN
TODAY I decided to feature the color of purple: the color of royalty. It is one of my favorite colors. My wedding dress was purple! Above is my newest painting, PURPLE LOVE framed on my website, Fine Art America. And below is the same painting in some of the other print options.
I painted these purple irises for a friend who is in a very painful and difficult season. She loves purple. I prayed it would bless her in some small way.
Iâd like to share again these wise words with anyone who is wrestling with where they find themselves today. These thoughts were shared by my friend Betsy, from the book, âThe Red Sea Rules.â Here is a summary of what the author, Robert J. Morgan, wants to remind us during challenging times: 1) God means for us to be where we are. 2) Be more concerned for Godâs glory than your relief. 3) Acknowledge the enemy but keep your focus on God. 4) Pray! 5) Stay calm and confident and let God do His work. 6) Take one day and one step at a time. 7) Look for Godâs surrounding presence. 8 Trust God to deliver in His own unique way. 9) View your current crisis as a faith builder for the future. 10) Praise Him.
Jesus sent the disciples into the boat knowing that they would be caught in a severe storm. He intended that they would experience Godâs glory AND His presence in and through this frightening experience . Yes, there is an enemy hard at work and his victory has been one of divisiveness in every direction. But if we keep our eyes focused on the Son. and pray – hard and often, I believe we will see He has neither forgotten nor abandoned us. He is close to the broken hearted. We can trust Him. He is faithful.
Maybe you are a âpartierâ who loves to dress in bright colors and dance the night away. Maybe youâd rather sit quietly with a mocha and a good book. You might be the one who finds joy in making or listening to music and process life through the power of melody. It is always a relief and a joy when we can return to what gives us comfort and relaxation. Regardless of which personality you identify with, you are not able to be that person 24/7. The loves of your life find place in your day but do not own your day. Life has a way of pulling us in many different and often painful directions.
Whether you are walking in sunlight, nightlight, or âbeach lightâ, you do not walk alone. If your life is painful, stressful or fearful, look up. Reach up! and fall to your knees in prayer. Ask the Orchestrator of all that is, to guide you on whatever path you find yourself. Life is a journey. And âit ainât over âtil itâs over.â Donât quit! Donât lose hope! In these very different days we are living in, do not crawl down a rabbit hole and get lost in the chaos and darkness. There is Hope and direction to be found in the person of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Yes, He IS. The world tells you He is not. But there is very little truth to be found in the voices clamoring for attention in our world. Consider these words written so very long ago yet filled with truth and hope for the ages:
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, whose thoughts are fixed on you. Isa 26:3
Therefore, humble yourself under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time. Casting all your anxiety upon Him for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6, 7
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.â  ââPsalms⏠â9:10⏠âNLTâŹâŹ
âThe eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.â  Psalms⏠â34:15⏠âNLTâŹâŹ
I tried to edit the life stories of those I loved as I was a younger person. I didnât want them to suffer harm or hurt, and if I could FIX IT, I would try to do that. Many years and much personal pain and loss later, I learned that I am not the one who can fix anything! But I know the One who can. I pray and entrust those I love to my Savior. I give what I canât handle straight to the loving arms of God and say, âThis is YOURS, Lord. These problems are way out of my league. So I give them to You.â
Whatever season in which you find yourself today, I encourage you to trust the Lord even in your lack of faith. Even if you have never considered that faith in God can change your life, TRUST HIM. He just may change the direction of your life in ways you could never have imagined.
ââŚto Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power (HIS POWERâ¨) that works in us,â Ephesians⏠â3:20⏠âNKJVâŹâŹ
I never could have dreamed I would have a platform where I might speak into YOUR life. I certainly never imagined I would paint watercolors that could appear on someoneâs coffee mug or throw pillow. It was beyond any expectation that my life would have gone from such a very painful place to the birth of Prayers and Paintbrushes. But God had a plan so I just held on tight and BELIEVED HIM for what I never could have imagined.
I have included above only 9 of 65 paintings featuring the colorful state of Arizona in my Arizona Dreaming Gallery. I invite you to visit my GALLERY. Take a digital walk around and see if you might find a view that speaks to your heart. Below are two of my favorites.
Today the sky is overcast and that is a wonderful September Surprise for us this morning. Will we have rain – even Weatherbug canât answer that question until the first drops actually fall. God knows. He, after all, oversees weather:
For to the snow He says, âFall on the earth,â And to the downpour and the rain, âBe strong.â Job 37:6
He caused the storm to be still, So that the waves of the sea were hushed. Psalm 107:29
So I pray peace over you this day – wherever you find yourself and in whatever climate. And, should your day allow you the opportunity, stop by and wander among the red rocks, quaking aspens, and spiny cactus of my GALLERY. You will be welcomed.
Prayers and Paintbrushes 