The Friendly Beasts

Advent(ures) - {No. 6}...The Light Shines in the Darkness...

Our Advent Calendar - made by Caleb Voskamp, on Sunday morning before we added another light...the contrast of the light shining in the darkness...incredible!

Day 17: Luke 2:15-18

Day 18: Luke 2:19-20

Day 19: Micah 5:2-5

Day 20: Matthew 2:1-2

Day 21: Matthew 2:3-6

Day 22: Matthew 2:7-6

Day 23: Matthew 2:9-12

Day 24: John 1:14

May God's beautiful living Light shine into every dark crevice of our hearts this Christmas tide -

bringing the warm healing revelatory power of His Presence...

Advent(ures) - {No. 5.5} What the Christmas Star Can Teach Us About Darkness...

On the first day of this advent-ure, we had read this:

In him was life, and that life was the light of men.  

The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

John 1:4-5 

The Christmas Star teaches us about contrasts:

 - moments of sparkling joy excavated from under blankets of black suffering

 - smiles in the midst of tears

 - the riches of kings laid at the feet of an infant

 - death and life, life and death

 - journeys and arrivals

 - mysteries and revelations

 - prophecies and promises fulfilled

 - hardships and abundance
 - light penetrating darkness

 - heaven invading earth 

 - the Creator becoming one with creation

A little later, still in the book of John, we read this:

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12 

And though we have the light of life, and therefore we are never in total darkness, there are times when:

For now we see through a glass, darkly; 

but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.  

1 Corinthians 13:12 

The Christmas Star teaches us that Light will always overwhelm the darkness,
                                                    that Light will illuminate and lead to the path of life,
                                                    that Light will reveal that which is presently not understood,
                                                    that the Light will always shine, even when a heart may remain closed to it,
                                                                 patiently, gently warming it with Its eternal fire...            
                                                     that Light came to be present with us, in all of life's darkness...

John Piper shared great wisdom today, beginning with these words: 

We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize . . . 

but one who in every respect has been tested as we are.
(Hebrews 4:15)

Read the rest of his insightful thoughts here... Desiring God

And consider listening to this account of hope seeking pain and brokenness in order to heal... 

Ann Voskamp wrote about the broken hearts here - and it is so timely... Where Is God in the Dark of This Weekend? and When You'd Like a Relationship Miracle This Christmas.

Just as the Wise Men from the East had to journey a great distance over much time, following the beaconing star, and finally finding the object of their worship, so also those who face pain and brokenness this holiday season will have a long journey over time - and as they follow the Light that shines into their darkness, they will come to their own personal place of worshipping the One whose Light will ultimately engulf all this darkness...

Let us lift up our prayers and keep watch with all those who are hurting...

********************************************

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, 

keeping watch over their flock by night.  

...And the angel said unto them, Fear not:

 for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Luke 2:8-10

The Daily Reading -

Day 16: Luke 2:13-14

Advent(ures) - {No. 5} Joy and Good Tidings...part 1

The Readings:

Day 12: Luke 1:46-56

Day 13: Luke 2:1-5

Day 14: Luke 2:6-7

Day 15: Luke 2:8-12

Does it ever happen to you, that when a thought, or whisper, starts to take root in your mind, that you see that very sentiment everywhere?  It almost becomes a filter through which all of life is viewed...

My thought threads, as I considered an Advent series, went something like this:

Joy -  

{and then I was led to the Joy of the World vintage image}

Emmanuel - God with us, God coming to us, 

God coming right to where I am - 

in the midst of the going through the going {growing?} through...

Born in a stable -

born in the midst of a busy, messy, noisy, lively stable...

{and so I can be comfortable with His Presence in my own busy, messy, noisy, lively life!}

My sweet friend Jennifer from Studio JRU offered this beautiful print for all for this season:

Go to her post at {in}courage here and follow the instructions to get your beautiful download...

I so love when God is speaking His message all over my wanderings...

The definitions for joy that the world offers are very shallow, and I propose do NOT even define joy, but just another facet of happiness.  Joy is presented as an emotion - fleeting, depending on outer circumstances, unstable.  But joy is not an emotion, it is a character trait...and this difference is quickly found when one wants to make the idea of joy a metaphor for the way they approach life...to find a definition of joy that can be woven into the very fabric of their being...

I wanted to define "joy" the way the Lord does.  And questions and scriptures about joy were floating around my mind - not knowing whether they were my thoughts or the Spirit's leadings, so gentle and soft they were...for instance, the following:

The joy of the Lord is my strength...Nehemiah 8:10

The chewing, the meditating on this verse, it isn't new...our strength comes from the Lord's joy, not my joy in the Lord's ways...I have known that, have heard sermons on it.  But just what is that joy?  The word translated "joy" in this verse is chedvah.  It occurs only twice in the Scripture:  here in Nehemiah as the people celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles for the first time in over 70 years and in 1 Chronicles 16:27...

 "Splendor and majesty are before Him, Strength and joy are in His place," 

said David as he brought the ark of the Lord's Presence into Zion, 
to the resting place he had prepared for it...

Both places that this word occurs, a celebration of the Lord's Presence with His people...

That is where our joy comes from, from His Presence with us...God is the source of Joy - He IS joy. 

And a little "Joy Treat" from my Beyond Layers class this week....

Click here to download your own copy of these tags in high resolution

Free E-book for Advent from John Piper - Good Tidings of Great Joy

Folded Star (or Snowflake) Ornament Mini Book

I am pleased to be a part of my friend Jennifer's "Creative Christmas" series! 

I have been really drawn to old text pages lately.  There is something so charming about repurposing words and age stained paper – a touching and joining to ages past, as if the trace of a finger over the time browned sheets infuses one with a profound appreciation for simpler, quieter eras - the very atmosphere I want in my home this year to embrace the meaning of Christmas once again...

Above is a picture of what we will be making - a little book, that becomes an ornament (two different ways!), and can deliver an inspirational message in a most delightful way!  And once you make one (and see how easy it is with materials you most likely already have on hand) you will be making many - next year I will be using these to make an advent calendar with this list of Scriptures...

You can see the rest of this post over at Studio JRU today...♥♥♥

You will see my beautiful (ha!) red washcloths in the pictures - at least they provided the contrast so you could see the images! 

Advent(ures)...{No. 4}

You can download this image here...right click and choose "save as"...

We've been just a little under the weather here...so the blog has been neglected, but if you are keeping up, here are the Advent readings to date:

Day 7: Luke 1:18-25

Day 8: Luke 1:26-38

Day 9: Matthew 1:18-21

Day 10: Matthew 1:22-26

Day 11: Luke 1:39-45

Blessings to you today!

Advent(ures) - {No. 3} - Quiet Steadfastness that Prepares the Way

Daily Readings:

Day 5 - Luke 1:5-10

Day 6 - Luke 1:11-17

They were both righteous in the sight of God, 

walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. (verse 6)

Entrance to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem - Photo Source

I remember one time early in my walk with the Lord, reading over this particular place in scripture, and being in awe at the profound, brief words written about this couple.   "If this was all that God would have to write about me," I thought, "it would be more than enough."  I still feel that way, and was amazed once again at the convicting power of the lives they lived when reading these words today {Have I wandered from the singular focus of pleasing Him? Have storms or disappointments; privileges or blessings - disguised from me that I might have started working out my own salvation through might instead of by His Spirit? Work in me, Lord - let me see with Your Eyes, let me walk fully in your Presence}  Their years of serving in quiet faithfulness... those years beckon - those years feel contemplative.  And somewhere deep inside, my heart feels stirred that this quiet walking is what I need more of.  More quietness in my spirit and more walking quietly in His Presence...

 

Photo Source (Public Domain)

And then these two quiet souls, they were thrust into the limelight of history, by a holy visitation that was witnessed by no one else, but left Zechariah literally speechless - because, in spite of the years of blameless* service, of contemplative love, his human heart still couldn't believe what was happening...and the angel gave him more silence until the words of the prophecy were fulfilled (no doubt so Zachariah could consider the dynamics of faithful service and belief - I wonder if this story is what started James to think about faith and works...).  But regardless of disbelief or faithful service, the Lord determined it was time for history to change, and that this family would be pivotal in the plan...

And he will go on before the Lord, 

in the spirit and power of Elijah...

to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (verse 17)

 

 *Blamelessness is different from faultlessness - to be blameless is to be the best one is capable of being, however imperfect that might be...

 

The final confirmation of what the quiet steadfastness that prepares the way is comes in this article the Lord brings to my inbox...profound, deep, intentional - can you imagine if this ever happened in our nation? 

But even more, what would happen if I took this deep and intentional step every day...

Quiet White...

Our neighbor's fence last year...of course it hasn't been nearly close to this cold yet this year!

There is something so quiet and embracing evoked by a thick blanket of white snow...
as if the Creator of it all
is softly speaking a gentle "hush"
and inviting us to "be still and know Him"...

Linking up over at the "Color Your World" challenge...

Advent(ures) -{No. 2}...a Promise & a Gift

‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made...'

'This is the name by which it will be called:

The Lord Our Righteousness.'

Daily Reading:

Day 4 - Jeremiah 33:14-16

Want your own digital copy of this image?  Click here!
Then, right click on the image and select "Save Image As"... 

He Will Come Like the Rain...

It has been so, so long since I posted any of my stained glass work...I truly love it, but it seems mixed media has taken over more over the past year... 

A verse has just really been on my heart a lot lately:

It contains the words "He will come to us like the rain"...I have seen it in a lot of art as well {like here and one I found via tumblr and pinned here}...the Lord is knocking on the door of my understanding...there is something here he wants me to see...

The square to the left of the bevel has a pattern that looks like raindrops...

The image above and the one below show how beautiful each style of glass is
(each section is a different patterned glass...)
The one in the upper left of the piece is wavy - hard to see in pictures...

The lights in the kitchen have a yellow tint and my countertops are off white, and I always get this warm peachy vanilla effect when I take pictures using the island as a base...

I added 3 crystal beads that dangle somewhat freely - I thought they furthered the idea of raindrops...or since there are three, perhaps the Trinity?

He will Come Like the Rain:
If you are interested in buying this piece, click here...

And what has the Lord been whispering?  Look at the entire verse:

So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth.  

Hosea 6:3 NASB

"Let us press on to know the Lord" - an invitation to go deep...and it connects strongly with my word "contemplate" for the year - like this verse is the summation of His desire for our time together.
{I already know my word for the coming year...♥...coming soon}

Joining with Jennifer and other creatives at Sneak Peek Friday over at StudioJRU...

Defining Art Therapy...{Creative Pathways}

As I have moved forward in combining my passion {creating} and my purpose {counseling} I have really had it on my heart to share the definition of art therapy in this place...and to investigate how others have infused their faith into the process.  The "text book" definitions are included in this post - the next will explore the spiritual component in more depth...

One thing I enjoyed as I read the formal definitions of art therapy is how the processes apply to people who  are "seeking personal development" - doesn't that apply to us all?  The beautiful thing is that we can choose to seek guidance as we grow or as creatives and innovators, we pursue the path on our own!  I invite you to read through the definitions, and note {journal?} the benefits that speak to you...

All the artwork here is mine - done with clients (it is encouraging to some to have the counselor do art with them ♥) and some just to express what was in my heart...

wings, freedom, flying - all point to the comfort of feeling at "home in one's own life"

One
The American Art Therapy Association offers this definition:

Art therapy is the therapeutic use of art making, within a professional relationship, by people who experience illness, trauma, or challenges in living, and by people who seek personal development.  Through creating art and reflecting on the art products and processes, people can increase awareness of self and others cope with symptoms, stress, and traumatic experiences; enhance cognitive abilities; and enjoy the life-affirming pleasures of making art.

Art therapy is a mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages.  

 Research in the field confirms that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to become more physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy and functional, resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, handle life adjustments, and achieve insight. {my thought - I believe this definition applies to all of us as we live our daily lives!♥}

Two 
(a list compiled from other places with art therapy definitions) 

Art Therapy is a form of therapy that uses art as a means of expressing and working through emotional difficulties.

a) Allows for the expression and processing of emotions that may be difficult to put into words.

b) Gives opportunity for the externalization of emotional issues encouraging clients to see other alternatives.

c)  Makes verbal expression more accessible 

d)  Provides the client with insight into the issues they are dealing with so they can move forward in their healing.

e)  Helps bring change to destructive patterns of behavior

Sometimes the decision to uncover past trauma is an event in and of itself - this was done to help a person with complex DID feel safe in even making the choice to move into facing deep trauma or "standing" still for a while...allowing her current level of healing to further stabilize her life.

  

Three
(love this list!)
According to the Australian and New Zealand Arts Therapy Association, art therapy can help:

a) reduce stress
b) increase self compassion
c)  resolve conflicts
d) develop interpersonal skills
e) achieve insight
f) manage problematic behavior
g) express feelings that may be difficult to verbalise
h) explore their imagination and creativity
i) develop healthy coping skills and focus
j) improve confidence
k) identify and clarify issues and concerns
l) increase communication skills
m)share in a safe nurturing environment
n) improve motor skills and physical coordination
o) identify blocks to emotional expression and personal growth.

I found this little girls face in a magazine and just loved the look on it - and the position of her hands...I made this just as a message - to help clients (even myself!) think about how to release the unhealthy patterns of responding to relationships that were learned in childhood, and to enjoy the childlike quality of spontaneity...

 Children

(this definition is a compilation of many different sources I found)

Children do not possess the same ability to verbalize difficult feelings and experiences that adults do. 

Because of their difficulty with verbal expression and abstract thinking, talk therapy is often very limited with children.  

Art therapy is a psychotherapeutic service and form of expressive therapy that gives kids the chance to participate in creative, nonverbal expression through the use of art materials. In other words, art therapy communicates when words simply cannot.

  

Did you learn anything new? 

Or do you have more understanding now as to why you love, love, love to make art?

I'd love to hear your thoughts... 

Money 101 - for parents & teens...

I get these infographics delivered to my inbox every day - so many different topics, and a quick glance gives lots of information...and I click "delete" on the ones I am not interested in...maybe because it is just before Christmas, maybe because sweet tweener had an endless list of "wants", maybe because she has saved 1/3 of her allowance for over 18 months and has quite a sizeable savings account for an 11 year old, plus a big chunk of change in her allowance jar, but whatever the reason - I think you would like this information too! 

Love, God...

The beauty of this world, a life made valuable because He has said we are, the still season of contemplation, of slowing activity leading to the quiet rest of winter - and gatherings...enjoy this love note from God as nature prepares us for His Advent...

How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! 

He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in Him. 

Long before He laid down earth’s foundations, He had us in mind, 

had settled on us as the focus of His love, 

to be made whole and holy by His love. 

Long, long ago He decided to adopt us into His family through Jesus Christ. 

(What pleasure He took in planning this!) 

He wanted us to enter into the celebration of His lavish gift-giving by the hand of His beloved Son.

Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, 

His blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, 

we’re a free people—

free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. 

And not just barely free, either.  

Abundantly free! 

He thought of everything, 

provided for everything we could possibly need, 

letting us in on the plans He took such delight in making. 

He set it all out before us in Christ, 

a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in Him, 

everything in deepest heaven, 

everything on planet earth.

It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. 

Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, 

He had his eye on us, 

had designs on us for glorious living, 

part of the overall purpose He is working out in everything and everyone.

It’s in Christ that you, 

once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), 

found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. 

This signet from God is the first installment on what’s coming, 

a reminder that we’ll get everything God has planned for us, 

a praising and glorious life.

Love, God

That’s why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus 

and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, 

I couldn’t stop thanking God for you—

every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give thanks. 

But I do more than thank. 

I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—

to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing Him personally, 

your eyes focused and clear, 

so that you can see exactly what it is He is calling you to do, 

grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life He has for His followers, 

oh, the utter extravagance of His work in us who trust Him—

endless energy, boundless strength!

{from Ephesians, Chapter One, The Message Bible}

 

Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving Holiday!

(all images found on Tumblr)

Something new in the etsy shop...

I'm so excited - this is a photo I DID take!  I might be getting the hang of good photography {with minimal help from photoshop}...

Fiber Art Bird's Nest and Paper Weight - Desk Accessory or Home Decor

An artisan fiber bird nest and coordinating paper weight are ready to add beautiful functionality to your computer, on your desk top, on a book shelf, or near your favorite chair.

The nest, assembled by hand using reclaimed materials, has a delicate 3 inch diameter and 1 inch deep interior which can hold a favorite treasure or remain empty as its many textures and colors are a feast for the eyes. A coordinating riverstone paperweight with a tree hand drawn with acrylic ink and sealed for longevity, holds your important papers in place or can be a simple reminder to think about the peacefulness found in nature. The riverstones vary in size and shape, but are usually about 3 inches by 2 inches.

Each nest is numbered and comes with a certificate of authenticity. Rocks are initialed and numbered on the bottom.

Simplicity + Creativity = Art Therapy

The glory of God is man fully alive... 

St. Ireneus 

Just another photograph I wish I had taken...Photo Credit here...


So much of the time we think of "Art Therapy" in terms of what we create 
or guide others to create, to let out those things deep in our souls 
that have no expression with other forms of communication...

But therapeutic art can also be those creations that draw out of our souls some depth of response...
Images like this one - perfectly arranged, simple, spare, the natural elements being the focus...
this evokes quietness in my own soul, a sense of comfort and order 
as I view textures, lines, form, color...

A reminder that wholeness can be found in quiet simplicity...

For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, 
"In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength." 
Isaiah 30:15

Arlington Museum of Art...Sneak Peek Friday

I have been so pleased to have two of my pieces displayed at the Arlington Museum of Art through November 17th in their "Community Showcase" event... 

Remember the piece titled "Guardian"? 

{Story here and type "Guardian" in the search box to get posts for the entire story...}

And the Klimt inspired challenge piece?  {Click here for its story...}

God is good and keeps encouraging me in this "Art + Healing" online presence He is leading me in....

Joining with Jennifer and other creatives at Studio JRU's "Sneak Peek Fridays" here...

Get More Healing from Your Art - Connecting Your Right and Left Brain {Creative Healing Pathways #3}

       You haven't missed the first two...I just knew what I wanted to write for the third topic already! 

 This image is from a series of Mercedes Benz ads.  The text reads:

Left brain: I am the left brain. I am a scientist. A mathematician. I love the familiar. I categorize. I am accurate. Linear. Analytical. Strategic. I am practical. Always in control. A master of words and language. Realistic. I calculate equations and play with numbers. I am order. I am logic. I know exactly who I am.

Right brain: I am the right brain. I am creativity. A free spirit. I am passion. Yearning. Sensuality. I am the sound of roaring laughter. I am taste. The feeling of sand beneath bare feet. I am movement. Vivid colors. I am the urge to paint on an empty canvas. I am boundless imagination. Art. Poetry. I sense. I feel. I am everything I wanted to be.

[Image and text from post: Left Brain/Right Brain: Gorgeously Illustrated Mercedes Benz Ads.]

If you are involved in creating - fine art, photography, coreography, writing, journaling, art journaling, textile arts, arts and crafts, etc... - you have most likely already experienced that sense of connection with yourself, your: 

emotions,

discovery,

wounds,

secrets, 

hopes, 

desires, 

dreams, 

goals,

a sense of value and worth,

Creator,

ideas,

personal truth...

This post is geared more for those who are creating without words - the painters, the ones working with movement or sound or collages...feeling without formula so to speak...

There is a profound release of oneself into these expressions.  That release is enough all by itself to give merit and value to the finished product as well as the process.  But perhaps you want to take that sense of release and understand it more fully...this is "connecting the right brain and the left brain".  

Just how is this accomplished?  One way is to do an "objective analysis", an impartial inventory so to speak...of  what you can observe about your art...

1.  What type of Lines did I use?  Thick, thin, horizontal, curved, long, continuous, broken, and so on.  

2.   What type of Shapes did I use?  Triangles, squares, 3-D, tiny, massive, symmetrical, and so on.

3.  What type of Colors  I use?  Bright, dull, warm, cool, light, heavy, dark, transparent, and so on.

4.  What Textures did I use?   Smooth, rough, hard, dense, loose, uneven, and so on.

5.  What type of Composition did I use?  Repetitive, formal, loose,  geometric, organic, and so on.

A "subjective analysis" of each area would include adjectives that encapsulate the emotional (to you) quality of the work...dynamic, stark, soothing, unpleasant, pleasant, invigorating, shadowy, soft, cold, warm, inspiring, surreal, flowing, awkward, unifying, and so on...

 Click here to download a worksheet of objective and subjective words, divided into the 5 categories,  to use as a guide when describing your art work...

Reflections on Solitude...

An assignment from Beyond Layers...everyone gets the same image to play with...and find a quote that fits with what the image speaks to each... Closely related to my One Word for 2012, contemplate, is the word solitude...and several more good quotes:


Inside myself is a place where I live all alone, and that's where I renew my springs that never dry up.  ~Pearl Buck

True silence is the rest of the mind, and is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment.  ~William Penn

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.  ~John Muir
  
It is only when we silent the blaring sounds of our daily existence that we can finally hear the whispers of truth that life reveals to us, as it stands knocking on the doorsteps of our hearts.  ~K.T. Jong
  
Language... has created the word "loneliness" to express the pain of being alone.  And it has created the word "solitude" to express the glory of being alone.  ~Paul Johannes Tillich, The Eternal Now
 
 

And He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a secluded place 

and rest a while..." Mark 6:31 NASB