Where is your focus?

It seems like more and more lately I have been challenged to re-prioritize my time.  There are so many fun things to do as well as so many things that are good to do. 

Overall, it has to be filtered through an eternal focus.

This is just about one of my favorite collages.  It measures 30x40 and is paper and paint.

Inspiration:  “He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the hearts of men.”  Ecc 3:11

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…”  Matt 6:19-20

The trellis, rotted in some places, supports a lovely flower garden.  It also has some bug-eaten leaves and a few stingers.  The background is composed of dictionary and chemistry pages, suggesting what we know of this world. 

The house, on the other hand, is grand and in sharp focus, suggesting our heavenly home.

So, where is your focus?

Have a lovely fall-ish weekend.

Kelley



Used Clay

 

The last several months, I have been fascinated with clay.  Over the years,whenever I attend a craft fair, I always gravitate to the pottery artists and I usually bring home at least another mug.  Finally, I have had the opportunity to give it a try myself.  Last fall, my daughter joined me in the class and this spring, my husband gave the wheel a try.  It has been tons of fun and I am longing to get my own equipment.  (Gotta heal from a saw accident first, bummer.)

 

This collage depicts some of the uses of clay and is inspired by Jeremiah 18:6:

"Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand"

We are to be moldable in the hands of God and trust that He will shape us to His will.  Some of us will be seed planters who share the Good News, some waterers who encourage and disciple, and some to bring in the harvest.

 

Our job is to try to stay moldable and on the wheel. 

 

Hugs to you.

Kelley

For this season...

 

This has been a lovely fall.  I have been trying desperately to keep up with the leaves and all the other things that go with the season, such as camping and craft shows.  Yes, a lovely challenge. 

I must remember that this is a season that will pass in its time.  The busyness of day to day things cannot blot out what I stand firm on.  If I let it, I could be changed by the shifting tides.  Nope, I will be reminded:

"Praise be the name of God for ever and ever;

wisdom and power are his.

He changes times and seasons,

he sets up kings and deposes them.

He gives wisdom to the wise

and knowledge to the discerning.

He reveals deep and hidden things;

he knows what lies in darkness,

and light dwells with him."

Daniel 2:19-22

 

Blessings,

Kelley

 



The difficulty with clay

About a month ago, I began a pottery class with my daughter.  This has been a wonderful time together, something we have wanted to do for a long time.  We meet in town after she gets off work and my husband joins us for a picnic before class.  We jokingly ask each other what we think we will make that class.  It is a joke because we are so inexperienced with clay that we just hope for something round...ish.  I am always content with the "handmade" look. 

"Yet, O Lord, you are our Father.  We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand."  Is 64:9

Also, in the last several weeks, our Bible study class has discussed gifts.  Sometimes, I want gifts that I just DO NOT have- like singing or public speaking.  I have to remind myself to be content with my own unique gifts.

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit....Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good....All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines." 1Cor 12:4,7,11

 

In this paper collage, the circles are unique, mostly round, marked by the creator (that's the spiral in the centers).  Each offers its own color story to compliment the overall piece.   Just a reminder that I am the clay, and thankfully, "He is the Potter" and He has a perfect plan for me.  I just need to stay workable and willing to be on the wheel.

Blessings,

Kelley



Between the Rains

Last spring, I had the pleasure of participating in a Bible study written by Beth Moore called "Mercy Triumphs" on the book of James.  Her studies are quite in depth and this one amped up the challenge as expected.  One of my favorite "take-aways" was found in the verse:

"Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming.  See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains."  James 5:7

A major point was made that between those mountain top spiritual highs, like the rains in the verse, we are to be reminded of God's faithfulness.

So, what do you do when you find yourself in a time when your prayers seem to hit the ceiling or you are going through a time of seemingly endless trials? 

Be reassured that He hears your prayers, He is faithful.  Remember His covenants.  Guard your heart.  Praise Him without ceasing.  Stay the course.  Fellowship with other believers.  Know that the sun will rise tomorrow, and the rains will come.  

 

"So, if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today-to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul- then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil."  Deuteronomy 11:14 

Blessings, and never forget He is faithful.

Kelley

 



Paper beads, covered in prayer

A few weeks ago, a sweet sister in our Sunday School class was approaching a major surgery.  We ladies "circled the wagons", so to speak, and had a prayer time, with food, of course.  Another thing we did was write out our prayers on scrapbook paper which was later made into beads.  We felt like it was a tangible way to remind her of our prayers and support.

 

Here's how we did it: 

On the backside of any paper, write out the prayers and scriptural promises claimed for your intended recipient.  Be sure to photocopy the paper to send with the finished prayer bead jewelry. 

If you use a 12" square paper, you will have 24" of bead length.  Use a paper cutter to cut paper into about 1/2" to 3/4" long triangles.  I always just eyeball the size.  It is handmade, after all.

Use a toothpick and roll the triangle tightly.  Apply a small stream of white glue to the last 4 inches or so.  It will ooze out and you can spread it all over the bead, making it firmer and a little glossy. 

I added a variety of beads to make the finished extra long strand necklace.  It is also lovely just alternating with pearls.  This is a very old craft that appeals to all ages.  Our girl scouts did this back in the day and I have also seen necklaces made by ladies in Africa. 

 

I love the idea of being covered in prayer.  This is just one way to share our love and support.

 

Blessings,

Kelley  



Bloom where you are planted

I love zinnias. With one small packet I have several cut flowers for small bouquets through the summer. This year I scattered three packets in carefully prepared areas in our front flower beds. They fill in the gaps between perennials and flowering bushes. An area I did not plant was amongst the sidewalk pavers, not even close. These beauties came up on their own and are actually thriving, with lovely red, pink and peach colored blooms. We have to notice them each time we walk by so as not to disturb them.
As he walked by them this morning on his way out, my wonderful husband suggested I blog about these flowers. Several words come to mind when I consider their situation...
Courage -because they are not sticking with the predictable path of their contemporaries.
Determination -speaks to their strength in a difficult situation.
Beauty -in their vigor and lively colors.
Contentment -as they are being what they were created to be in this moment.

"I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether wll fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Phil 4:12-13

Blessings.

In Pursuit of His Heart

"Trust in the Lord and do good;

dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Delight yourself in the Lord

and he will give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:3-4

My friend and I spent several days at the beach (before the oil arrived). This photo was taken shortly after sunrise, while walking the beach and appreciating His Glory. Unlike most vacationers, we chose to drink plenty of water, to eat healthy, and to exercise plenty. I've come home refreshed and hopeful.

We are in pursuit of His heart.

Hill vs. Mountain

I was thinking about hills this morning. I live in middle Tennessee where there are many lovely rolling hills ... green pastures, trees, an occasional red barn. As you go east in our wonderful state, you see the Smoky Mountains in the distance. The Smokies are a favorite destination in our state. From the top of Clingmans Dome, you can see for 100 miles on a clear day. Of course, that is after quite a stenuous hike.

I have heard "You have to know which hill is worth dying on." This is really good advice in relationships and wars. Is is really worth the drama and ruckus to fight about which direction the toilet paper comes off the holder? To some people that is a hill. Some true hills that need to be explored early in a relationship are money and parenting. Each person needs to define their position on the hill before continuing the hike. You have to know where you stand. And hopefully, being rolling hills, you will win some and lose some and compromise some. That is knowing which hill is worth dying on. That is the give and take of relationships.

What if, after a long, long hike, climbing many hills, you reach the top to find the whole journey has been a terraced mountain after all? Sadly, you find that you didn't understand the hill or the destination. First, do what any good general would do...fall back and regroup. Pray for divine intervention. Rest and then journey forth with new definition.

Blessings

Kindness and Goodness

Number five and six in the list of Fruits of the Spirit are kindness and goodness. It seems proper to discuss these together because, in my opinion, one is the result of the other. Naked Fruit identifies kindness as an action, and goodness as the cause of that action. Because goodness comes from within, our actions speak of our heart. Kindness is the hands-on version of loving on others. With goodness in our heart, we are motivated to call a lonely widow, to offer words of encouragement to those struggling, to provide meals to a family who is grieving...the list of possibilities to show kindness is unlimited.

Too often, we find ourselves drained by the "stuff" imposed by our culture and we don't have the time/energy to show the kindness. I think this is one way we come up short on the Fruit of goodness. We need to keep our hearts tender to the concerns of others, ie. goodness. We need to allow others to come alongside us, ie. receive kindness, so that we can pass it on.

Patience

I enjoyed a lovely Saturday morning exploring a local farm, especially their wildflowers. I took this photo of a stump that had been turned upside down because it looks very "artistic". Sometimes just looking at something, or a situation, or another person, from a different angle will help us see their beauty. Often we don't have the luxury of time to learn about the roots of the situation or how we got to this point. We need to exercise patience to really love that person. I know that I rarely have any idea what made that clerk rude or that speeding car cut me off or the string of events that led to such a snarky comment. When we remember that our Creator has such patience with us and all our missteps, it is only fair to pass this grace on to others. Patience is loving the unlovely, again and again.
Blessings

Peace

Third on the list of the Fruits of the Spirit is peace. A peaceful Saturday morning might look like an extra hour or two of sleep followed by an excellent cup of coffee with a good book, all still in pjs. It would seem that "the moons lined up" for a peaceful morning. True peace is really less about ideal activities and more about contentment with your reality. Peace is possible when you are resting in relationship with God. In this relationship, there is calm confidence, i.e. peace, in each turn of the path.

I am reading a wonderful book called Naked Fruit by Elisa Morgan. I don't know anyone who doesn't want more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Luckily these fruits are produced by the Gardener, God.

Blessings

Love

I am sure you have heard things like "Love makes the world go round," or "All we need is love," or "Love one another." Interestingly, it is the first in a list of characteristics that everyone would aspire to claim. I am talking about the Fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5. Most weddings I have attended include the description of love found in 1Cor 13: patient, kind, not envious or boastful, not proud or rude or self-seeking, not easily angered. It does not mention that you have to be nice all the time. Who can be nice all the time? It really isn't loving to allow an unruly child to go without correction. It really isn't loving to not tell your friend she has a giant poppy seed in her teeth (you know who you are!). Thankfully, this kind of love is about the choice to behave in these ways to even those who are un-lovely at that moment. And, thankfully, God grows this in us. What might be holding you back from giving-or receiving-love?
Blessings

Introducing my Etsy shop!

I love to make paper collages...my sweet husband graciously calls them "art"...

Each canvas is unique and original, created with hundreds of hand cut papers. Some designs are familiar quilt patterns, some are more modern artistic interpretations, and some are nature inspired.

This piece is inspired by 2 Peter 3:8-9 and is titled "Like a Thousand Years." I am touched that God is so graciously patient that all could come to know Him. The canvas depicts a day from dawn to twilight and from spring to winter in the same vision.

I have found this passion and I am delighted to share it with you. Come see what is going on at my shop... kelleybdesigns.etsy.com

Blessings.