God's Guiding Hand

On a flight home last week I had a brief encounter with a very pleasant flight attendant.  We struck up a conversation when she asked about the above sketch that I was working on during the flight.  I explained to her that it represented God's guiding hand in our life, and then gave it to her.  Our encounter was brief as the flight was very turbulent, but God has continued to impress upon me that this woman could use some prayer.  Really we all can, so I suppose that is not much of a stretch.  I pray today that this flight attendant would know, feel, and realise the power of God's guiding hand in her life. I pray specifically for comfort, rest, and peace.

Psalm 4

New International Version (NIV)

 ¹ Answer me when I call to you,
   my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
   have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
 ² How long will you people turn my glory into shame?
   How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
³ Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself;
   the LORD hears when I call to him.
 ⁴ Tremble and do not sin;
   when you are on your beds,
   search your hearts and be silent.
⁵ Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
   and trust in the LORD.
 ⁶ Many, LORD, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
   Let the light of your face shine on us.
⁷ Fill my heart with joy
   when their grain and new wine abound.
 ⁸ In peace I will lie down and sleep,
   for you alone, LORD,
   make me dwell in safety.

Fed by the word

  Some people write notes in the margins of their bibles, other highlight,  I tend to sketch in mine.  It is a way for me to better visualise what I am reading.  It allows me to slow down and really chew on Gods Word.  My prayer today is that God will grant me the Faith to walk out Psalm 1 in my life.

  I sketched this while reading Psalm 1:1-4

Blessed is the one
   who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
   or sit in the company of mockers,
² but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
   and who meditates on his law day and night.
³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
   which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
   whatever they do prospers.

Hidden Treasure

On a recent flight I found myself sketching, not an uncommon occurrence for me.  I was sitting in the middle seat at the back of the plane.  Tight quarters, but I had my headphones on and I was in my own little world listening to music and scratching a few lines out with my pencil.  A few minutes into the drawing God impressed on me that I was to give the finished product to the woman sitting next to me.  It's not as if I heard an audible voice, I simply had the impression that I was supposed to give her the drawing.  I finished the sketch and handed it to her simply saying that I wanted to bless her with the drawing and that God loved her.  She then began to tell me an amazing story.  the sketch was of a dragonfly.  She told me that each time something significant in her life happens she seems to see a dragonfly.  She was returning from a trip where she had met her 30 year old son for the first time.  She had given him up for adoption at birth and never thought she would see him again.  She said it had been an amazing time and felt like God had really blessed the trip.  We had a really great conversation and I left thinking to myself that we really do serve a creative God.  I am always amazed how He communicates through little hidden treasures in our lives.

Colossians 2:2-3

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge

Strength

It is not always easy to hold your arms up.  Moses during the battle between the Israelites and the Amalekites grew very tired after holding his hands in the air.  Each time his arms droped the Amalekites would begin to gain the advantage.  Aaron and Hur seeing that Moses's strength was fading fast stepped in and held his arms up.  I was reminded by a friend yesterday that at times we are called to hold our brothers arms up.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Exodus 17:9-13
The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim.  Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.”
 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill.  As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.  When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.   So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

Let your Light Shine II

A couple of weeks ago I completed a drawing entitled let your light shine.  I started the painting a few days later.   While working on the painting I spent time reflecting about how we change as our relationship with God grows.  The original drawing and this painting are dedicated to my wife who I have watched shine brighter each year.  She is an amazing woman full of laughter, joy, compassion and a true love for God.  I am blessed to have her in my life.  





“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.”

Jars of Clay

As I read  2 Corinthians 4,  I was reminded that I have received a precious gift.  A gift that gives faith, strength, and the knowledge that the "something more" that everyone is looking for can only truly be found through Jesus.   I am very thankful that Jesus accepted me just as I was.  He did not judge,  he simply ushered me in with love.  He has shaped me over the years and continues to refine me.  He has been the rock in my life and has shown me what real love is.

We are fragile yet God still chooses to work through us 

We are weak, yet God still chooses to work through us 

We are easily distracted yet God still chooses to work through us.

We are Jars of Clay

 2 Corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.