Promises for the Wilderness...#2

A little child, climbing over the rough terrain, frightened perhaps, but still moving forward - her loving father walking right along beside her, her hand gripped in his, to keep her assured that all will be well...

That is the image that forms in my mind, my spirit, as I read the above verse - and I think of how a child might keep her eyes on the terrain, on the ground right where her foot needs to step next in order to keep from falling...perhaps forgetting that there is One holding fast to her hand.  But if she looked up, instead of down, she would see his loving, gentle face and how he is guiding her - able to see further and with more understanding than she can possibly have in her limited perspective...

I must remember to always seek His face!

Faith is just as necessary in the wilderness as in other times of our lives; maybe even more necessary...the wilderness is a place of testing, of refining, of developing trust in Him and His ways...

The Psalmist proclaimed an eternal truth - even when "evidence" seems to be saying the opposite, God is always with him...and He is always with us as well!  Right there - in the harshness of the wilderness - He is there, walking through the "walking through" of whatever we are facing with us.  We must simply remember that...

 

Psalm 73

A psalm of Asaph.

1Surely God is good to Israel,

to those who are pure in heart.

2But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;

I had nearly lost my foothold.

3For I envied the arrogant

when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4They have no struggles;

their bodies are healthy and strong.^a 

5They are free from common human burdens;

they are not plagued by human ills.

6Therefore pride is their necklace;

they clothe themselves with violence.

7From their callous hearts comes iniquity ;

their evil imaginations have no limits.

8They scoff, and speak with malice;

with arrogance they threaten oppression.

9Their mouths lay claim to heaven,

and their tongues take possession of the earth.

10Therefore their people turn to them

and drink up waters in abundance.

11They say, “How would God know?

Does the Most High know anything?”

12This is what the wicked are like—

always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.

13Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure

and have washed my hands in innocence.

14All day long I have been afflicted,

and every morning brings new punishments.

15If I had spoken out like that,

I would have betrayed your children.

16When I tried to understand all this,

it troubled me deeply

17till I entered the sanctuary of God;

then I understood their final destiny.

18Surely you place them on slippery ground;

you cast them down to ruin.

19How suddenly are they destroyed,

completely swept away by terrors!

20They are like a dream when one awakes;

when you arise, Lord,

you will despise them as fantasies.

21When my heart was grieved

and my spirit embittered,

22I was senseless and ignorant;

I was a brute beast before you.

23Yet I am always with you;

you hold me by my right hand.

24You guide me with your counsel,

and afterward you will take me into glory.

25Whom have I in heaven but you?

And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

26My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart

and my portion forever.

27Those who are far from you will perish;

you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

28But as for me, it is good to be near God.

I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;

I will tell of all your deeds.

{Italics inserted by myself}

{Joining in the "31 Day" challenge a little late, but the response to these promises is pressing me forward -

I hope you don't mind!}

 

Promises for the Wilderness...

I have been a little absent - a much needed rain + storm knocked out our internet for several days!  Plus, I have been writing the small group discussions for our church lately - and much of my writing time is taken up with that!  I have decided to start sharing the notes and the sermons here, as soon as the weekly podcasts are up...

This past Sunday, "the wilderness" was mentioned in the message, and it got me thinking on wilderness passages...and how some of the fields near us have that look right now...

Processed with an iris blur and 2 layers of Kim Klassen's "Savor" texture, one at multiply and one at soft light.

The wilderness and the desert will be glad, 

And the Arabah will rejoice and blossom; 

Like the crocus It will blossom profusely And rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy. 

The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, 

The majesty of Carmel and Sharon. 

They will see the glory of the LORD, The majesty of our God. 

Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. 

 Say to those with anxious heart, "Take courage, fear not. 

Behold, your God will come with vengeance; 

The recompense of God will come, But He will save you." 

Then the eyes of the blind will be opened And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. 

Then the lame will leap like a deer, And the tongue of the mute will shout for joy. 

For waters will break forth in the wilderness And streams in the Arabah. 

The scorched land will become a pool And the thirsty ground springs of water; 

In the haunt of jackals, its resting place, 

Grass becomes reeds and rushes.

A highway will be there, a roadway, 

And it will be called the Highway of Holiness. 

The unclean will not travel on it, But it will be for him who walks that way, 

And fools will not wander on it. No lion will be there, Nor will any vicious beast go up on it; 

These will not be found there. 

But the redeemed will walk there, 

And the ransomed of the LORD will return 

And come with joyful shouting to Zion, With everlasting joy upon their heads. 

They will find gladness and joy, And sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Isaiah 35:1-10

Isaiah 35:1-10

Verse Concepts

The wilderness and the desert will be glad, And the Arabah will rejoice and blossom; Like the crocus It will blossom profusely And rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, The majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the LORD, The majesty of our God. Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. read more.Say to those with anxious heart, "Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, But He will save you." Then the eyes of the blind will be opened And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, And the tongue of the mute will shout for joy. For waters will break forth in the wilderness And streams in the Arabah. The scorched land will become a pool And the thirsty ground springs of water; In the haunt of jackals, its resting place, Grass becomes reeds and rushes. A highway will be there, a roadway, And it will be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it, But it will be for him who walks that way, And fools will not wander on it. No lion will be there, Nor will any vicious beast go up on it; These will not be found there. But the redeemed will walk there, And the ransomed of the LORD will return And come with joyful shouting to Zion, With everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy, And sorrow and sighing will flee away.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Wilderness#sthash.KEOuWvQS.dpuf

Isaiah 35:1-10

Verse Concepts

The wilderness and the desert will be glad, And the Arabah will rejoice and blossom; Like the crocus It will blossom profusely And rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, The majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the LORD, The majesty of our God. Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. read more.Say to those with anxious heart, "Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, But He will save you." Then the eyes of the blind will be opened And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, And the tongue of the mute will shout for joy. For waters will break forth in the wilderness And streams in the Arabah. The scorched land will become a pool And the thirsty ground springs of water; In the haunt of jackals, its resting place, Grass becomes reeds and rushes. A highway will be there, a roadway, And it will be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it, But it will be for him who walks that way, And fools will not wander on it. No lion will be there, Nor will any vicious beast go up on it; These will not be found there. But the redeemed will walk there, And the ransomed of the LORD will return And come with joyful shouting to Zion, With everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy, And sorrow and sighing will flee away.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Wilderness#sthash.KEOuWvQS.dpuf

She could still hear the echoes...

Processed with Kim Klassen's 1402 and 1402 majic + a bokeh overlay from Media Militia and music brushes by Easy Elements.  The font is VTPortableRemington

Still playing around with violin shots...and techniques.  In this image I was trying for a sort of dreamy effect...now that I am looking at it and writing, I am thinking of one more thing I could do to make it more "dreamy" - but for now I am posting!  Any suggestions in the meantime?

Here is what is inspiring me:
In my mind, I see a woman looking at this old violin, thinking of the "Touch of the Master's Hand" and remembering back to the days of being used mightily by Him over the course of her life...and now, even tho' the world, even the Christian culture, has set her aside as "too old", her heart is as young as ever (see Joshua 14:7-12), there is fire in her bones, and she longs to be grasped in the Master's hand again, His bow ready to touch the strings...

Can you see it?  Let the passion to be used by Him flame on!

Linking with the Texture Tuesday bunch

Saturday Sneak Peek - watercolors

abstract wisteria - it is looking good in real life.

I so need a new camera - these colors look muddy, but in real life they aren't!  The greens aren't yellow and there is just a nice light blue wash - not gray, and not pastel blue...

Blending practice

Still not a great image - I don't understand why the camera is graying the pictures so and am not going to take the time to adjust!  But I hope you enjoy anyway...

Where God's Love Leads...Looking at 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (part 4)

Another Monday post on Thursday {smiling}...

 Continuing the series that shows that "repentance" and being led into repentance is truly a 

love language...

love inspired...

love encompassed...

      

activity

  All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for
...training in righteousness...(RSV)

A brief review of different translations:

training in righteousness - NASB, NIV, ESV

instruction in righteousness - KJV, Darby, WEB, HCSB, Jubilee Bible

instruct in justice - Douay-Rheims Bible

instruction in right doing - Weymouth Bible

instruction that is in righteousness - Young's Literal Translation

for direction and for a course in righteousness - Aramaic Bible in Plain English

teaches us to do what is right - NLT

All these ideas are  rendered from a phrase "paideia en dekaiosyne" which means: 

 paideia:

1.  the whole training and education of children (which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals, and employs for this purpose now commands and admonitions, now reproof and punishment) It also includes the training and care of the body

2.  whatever in adults also cultivates the soul, esp. by correcting mistakes and curbing passions.

         en = in

dekaiosyne:

1.  In a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be,

2. righteousness, the condition acceptable to God

Sometimes, when we have had harsh "discipline" in our lives, we read this as using the Bible "as a hammer"...

but if reproof is the x-ray and correction is setting the broken bone or healing the injury, then we can think of training in righteousness as a time of physical therapy, in which the injured part is strengthened and brought back to its original functionality, or even better than original!  And that is consistent with the nature of God; the One Who sent His only begotten Son to die on a cross for us!  He doesn't leave us to figure this out on our own, or sit in judgement on our frailty, but along with the provision for eternal life, He provides for our walking through this life in His light as well!

I will not leave you as orphans

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—

how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 

He knows we are but grass

He has given us all things that pertain to life and Godliness...

Who can separate us from His love?  There is no one and no thing!

waiting for the Master...

When we need a touch of the Master...

we wait patiently, 

to be an instrument in His skilled hand...

Processed with Kim Klassen's 1402 set

This old violin is part of my husband's family...
and this week I have been thinking a bit about this old poem/song myself:

The Touch of the Master's Hand

'Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
      Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
      But held it up with a smile.
"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,
    "Who'll start the bidding for me?"
"A dollar, a dollar. Then two! Only two?
      Two dollars, and who'll make it three?"

"Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;
      Going for three…" But no,
From the room, far back, a grey-haired man
      Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then wiping the dust from the old violin,
      And tightening the loosened strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet,
      As a caroling angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
      With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said: "What am I bid for the old violin?"
      And he held it up with the bow.
"A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two?
      Two thousand! And who'll make it three?
Three thousand, once; three thousand, twice,
    And going and gone," said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried,
    "We do not quite understand.
What changed its worth?" Swift came the reply:
    "The touch of the Master's hand."
And many a man with life out of tune,
      And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd
      Much like the old violin.

A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine,
    A game — and he travels on.
He is "going" once, and "going" twice,
    He's "going" and almost "gone."
But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd
    Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
    By the touch of the Master's hand.

Author Notes

Myra Welch would say that she heard a speaker address a group of students on the power of God to bring out the best in people. She said she herself became filled with light and that “Touch of the Master’s Hand” was written in 30 minutes!.
The finished poem was sent anonymously to the editor of her local church news bulletin. She felt it was a gift from God and didn’t need her name on it.

I loved watching this video, illustrating the poem and the life of the "Old Violin" :



I really did cry the first time I heard Wayne Watson sing the song:

Exploring Circles - A Shield of Protection - part 5 {Paths to Healing}...

Time for our next installment of exploring circles.  Last time, we explored using circles as containment or as calming...today, we will examine circles as "protection" or "guarding".

Now do NOT think I am moving towards New Age ideology!  I DO NOT think a simple circle can protect or guard you.  I DO NOT think circles have any magical powers in or of themselves, nor do I think drawing a circle around oneself offers protection...in fact, if you are doing that, you are actually opening yourself up to spiritual danger.

Just a quick snap shot - quality isn't very good!

However, I AM talking about this because if you are on the internet and looking for the symbolism of circles, you WILL come across that other terminology and ideology.  What I want to do is to offer some word pictures found in the Bible and reconnect you with the idea of circling prayer that the Church Fathers enjoyed so that when you do come across the dross, you have the true 'mental pictures' coming forward in your mind.

Since the ancients used the circle to symbolize God and His eternal nature, it makes sense that the circle would be employed as the symbol when entreating Him for protection!  I had so much fun finding scriptures that included this idea - the passion of the hearts and spirits of the writers is so evident: 

For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous;

with favor You will surround him as with a shield. 

Psalm 5:12

You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; 

You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.  

Psalm 32:7

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, 

So the LORD surrounds His people 

From this time forth and forever.
  Psalm 125:2

loving kindness shall surround him who trusts in Yahweh.

Psalm 32:10

Bring my soul out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name. 

The righteous will surround me, for you will be good to me. 

Psalm 142:7 

Perhaps you can find more?

Please feel free to share them in the comments if you do! 

 

Experimenting with prayer circles asking for His protection - and Caim prayers (more in the next circles post)

End glow -

with a layer of Kim Klassen's "Appreciate" set at soft light...

Top view - with Kim Klassen's "Appreciate" and "Elevate" both set at soft light

I so wish the symbolic meaning of thistles was more positive.  I have loved the royal hues - the purples with blue AND red tints and the backdrop of golds.  There seems to be a quiet regality to them - the proud way the unique blossoms stand erect on their stalks; the crown of thorns on their heads.  Couldn't they be symbolic of Jesus, instead of the curse of sin?

  And as I typed this, I had a flash, an image...Jesus on the cross, 

fully having become sin in order to pay the price of our sin...

crowned with the symbol of the curse...perhaps this is what my spirit sees when 

thistles draw me with their beauty - it is the beauty of His sacrifice...

Joining with others at Texture Tuesday 

Worship for hard times...

A good song as some go through hard times right now...

I can hear the Spirit singing it back into my heart as promises, too...

if viewing in a reader, consider clicking over to the blog to listen...

Where God's Love Leads...Looking at 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (part 3)

A Monday post on Thursday - finally getting a little caught up on the series here {smiling}...

We've been looking at the idea of leading to repentance and love, and how this leading is an act of true grace...

Today we will look at the idea of "correction" as stated in 2 Timothy 3:16 (NASB): 

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for
...correction...

In the margin of my Bible, I have this note written (from my days studying counseling at Bible College): 

"Correction = a changing activity.  The same word as for setting a broken bone (healing injury)"

In every common Bible translation, the Greek word  ἐπανόρθωσις is rendered "correction" or "to correct" or "correcting".  Only one, Young's Literal Translation, uses a different phrase, and that is "for setting aright".  The short definition in Strong's concordance is: correction, reformation, setting straight (right) again.

It is easier to see this as a gentle action when looking at this word alone, isolating it from the sequence of words in the verse.  When I read it directly after the word "reproof" - and even if I know the real meaning of it - the feeling of chastisement is immediate!  I totally block out the "profitable" adjective, and the truth that teaching and being taught is an incredibly fun activity!  

And when I remember that "reproof" is really "shedding an x-ray beam of light" into my soul, and "correction" is a repairing or a reforming of someplace that has been injured,  I welcome this work of the Word!  (Even if it is a little painful for a brief moment of time...)

I love that thought of "setting right again"!  Sometimes old tapes start playing in my head, and I need to "be set right again".  Maybe another person has spoken unkindly to me, and I need a little "setting right again".  Perhaps my husband hasn't met my personal expectation, and I need a little "setting straight".  Or life is pressing in, bearing down on me and that pushes me out of that place of abiding and I need a course correction. 

God's love and devotion to us are what sends the adjustments we need our way...I am betting that you can remember times when a friend has shared a verse that perfectly lifted your spirits up, maybe even not knowing that you needed it!  Or of times when you turned on the radio or TV and heard just the perfect teaching; or a snippet of song; or a testimony - and God used it to encourage you and get you back on track with Him.  Or you were reading along in a familiar passage of Scripture, and all of a sudden a verse or phrase "leaps off the page" to speak to you in a way you never considered before - addressing the very heart issue that you most needed help with at that moment.  These "course corrections" are as necessary as the little adjustments we constantly make as we drive, to keep our vehicle heading in the right direction and on the proper side of the road.  

Occasionally, the reformation needed, or the setting straight of a broken place, requires the help of a skilled surgeon.    Just as it is almost impossible to set our own bones, so it is that sometimes we need another person to "set straight" the broken places of our souls.  These are the times when we could enlist the service of someone who is more experienced in the ways of the Lord to help us sort out what we need.

But what happens if we find ourselves totally lost, having made some wrong turns and maybe even using an old map (old choices, old habits)?  Well, even then we are not lost to God's love; and that situation is what we will look at next...

Till next time, abundant blessings to you...

Circle love (exploring circles post)...

 I haven't had much time to work on my exploring circles book and posts, but I thought I'd share some of my inspiration photos with you...it looks like life will settle by this weekend, and I should be back with more in depth healing through art prompts...

Clockwise from top left:  A Garland of Gratitude by Jessie Jellicorse on Minted.com; crayon scribbles from a friend;  circle collage by Daisy Yellow; doodles - Anna Pasquale; circles by Rebecca Sower; circle collage by Daisy Yellow; mixed media bird with watercolor bubbles (I cannot find the original website); center - torn paper stack by Andrea Myers

Harvest of Blessing...

Renewed every day - Garment of righteousness #1

I was working on this over the week...and I think of yesterday's word as descriptive of this image...

The background is water color - the dress is acrylic and the little eyelet design at the neckline is some texture medium applied through a doily...of course the watermark will not appear on the painting.  The painting will arrive in a sturdy package and in a protective sleeve.

9" x 12" including a white border

Water color and acrylic on 140 lb. coldpress paper

An invitation into newness...

A print of a series I did on the name of the Lord...

The gentle darkening of the sky signaled the beginning...

A quiet hush,
A quieting of the mind,
                   of the heart,
                   of the spirit...

An invitation to rest.

And in that rest - that relaxing from the external clamor and responsibilities tugging for attention...

His call:

I am here.

I am the here - and the now.

Be present to Me - 

receive from Me the mercy that is new every morning,

the strength that your soul needs,

the newness of a regenerated heart -

Let My love heal the wounds,

the sadness,

the loneliness, 

Let My love fill the empty places.

And where you have wholeness,

Let My love lavish over you

as a fragrance to you and where ever you walk.

And as you rise at the coming dawn,

Let Me clothe you again,

over and over - and over and over

until you think you cannot possibly contain anymore...

My righteousness.

Open your heart to My unquenchable flow of 

 all that pertains to life and godliness,

that you might become partakers of the divine nature...

faith

goodness

knowledge

self-control

perseverance

godliness

brotherly kindness

love.

And when you emerge into this new day

you will find that you are able to rise up 

as on the wings of an eagle.

Enter in to your new day!

© 2014Cindy Fort

 

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

Today marks the first day of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year...rather, it began last evening at sunset.  And as I was meditating on how (in God's mind), the new begins with entering into the evening time, the darkness which leads to rest, I was led into the above word from Him - to me at least, and you who read here were on my heart as well, so I am sharing...

May this new season, this new year in the spirit, be full of abundance for you!

The Secret to Abundance...

Give...

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, 

pressed down, 

shaken together 

and running over, 

will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 

Luke 6:38 NIV

I love these Rose of Sharon flowers; I have two bushes that fight for survival in our rocky property, gifts from a good friend.  One produces white blossoms and one produces...this!  And when it is time to bloom, their meager scratched and clawed existence does not hold back the bounty they are destined to give - look at the pollen!  The bees are drunk this time of year...

Processed with one layer of Kim Klassen's "The Veil" at softlight blend mode...

Other beautiful images can be found here, at Kim's Texture Tuesday link up...

Thirsty...

I loved the look of the morning waters on the leaves of the patch of vinca in my garden the other morning...and when I looked at the photos, the word that came to mind was:  THIRSTY.

I am thirsty for Him, for His Spirit...

For I will pour out water on the thirsty land And streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring And My blessing on your descendants...

Isaiah 44:3 NASB

 

To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life...

Revelation 21:6

Processing: I used Kim Klassen's new texture "August End - Appreciate" at soft light blend mode; it gave the image the perfect lightening to adjust the exposure of the image.  I made a new layer and blurred it, then masked a square to let the lower layer peak through.

Where God's Love Leads...Looking at 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (part 2)

 After our first week of "back to homeschool", I am back to Monday posts!

We've been looking at the idea of leading to repentance and love, and how this leading is an act of true grace...

Today we will look at the idea of "reproof" as stated in 2 Timothy 3:16 (NASB):

 

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable...for reproof...

What is your 'gut' reaction when you read that word "reproof"?  Do you feel the cringe of criticism?  The flush of guilt?  A feeling of never being enough or of wrongdoing?  Do you feel a sense of security and peace, knowing that a correction to keep you from danger has been offered?  This word is also translated: 

rebuke - HSCB

correction - ISV, Douay-Rheims Bible, others

pointing out errors - God's Word Translation

 conviction - Darby Bible Translation

convincing - Weymouth New Testament

to make us realize what is wrong in our lives - New Living Translation 

I wonder what the dictionary definition of "reproof" is...a brief search brings forth:  1) an act or expression of criticism and censure; 2) criticism for a fault (first known recorded use in the 14th century); and 3) from the Late Latin reprobāre, which means "to disapprove of"; the added meaning of "shame or disgrace" came later.

Wait, the shame and disgrace didn't come till later?  Criticism for a fault became part of its definition in the 14th century?  I wonder...could it have meant something else before the Middle Ages; as in when the original Apostles were ministering and writing what was to become the New Testament?

Remember how in the first post of this series, that God's love and His kindness are what leads to repentance?  What if "reproof" was originally a "love language" - and the definition has been distorted over the years.  What if...we have cringed over this word when we might have leaned into Him to hear His heartbeat?  What if love shown a light into the dark - hard to see, impossible to see - places...and shown so much light there that what is needed to bring correction (think healing) is plain to see?  Like a doctor taking an x-ray to see where the damage is in order to do precise, targeted surgery. 

According to Thayer's Lexicon of the Greek language, the word translated "reproof" does carry such a meaning...elegchō: by conviction to bring to light, expose...   

Can you envision the Great Physician shining His x-ray light into the areas of your life in order to show where  - the break, the tumor, the tear, the foreign particle - is that is causing problems?  And He is gentle and kind, inviting you to take a look, to perhaps agree, and then to embark on a plan of treatment together.  And since the Physician has such a bedside manner, He encourages His helpers to have a like spirit:

...we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children.. 

The Lord's bond-servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, 

able to teach, and patient... 

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy.
 

If reproof comes as a life giving light, and with gentle instruction, I believe I could be convinced to change my thinking, my direction, and let Him change my heart...wouldn't you?

Till next time, abundant blessings to you...

Exploring Circles - Bringing Focus, Bringing Containment - part 4 {Paths to Healing}...

 Today we will look at the circle as a tool to help us mentally focus...

Circles on my grocery list so I am SURE to get those items...

Circles as a way to narrow our attention, or draw it towards a certain point, is so common, so instinctive, that we may not even consider the act of circling as a tool to help us work through strong emotions, calm a feeling of anxiety or as a way to diffuse racing thoughts.  For example, I am a note taker - I take notes in the books I am reading; I continue to use spiral notebooks to record my own thoughts and the quotes and instructions I want to especially remember from the books I read.  And to help me find, once again, the really good things - I circle them...sometimes the line is more
rectangular, but still I have encircled the portion I want to be able to find again - and that serves as a way to draw my attention, my focus, to that portion I know I will be coming back to.

So - it could be said that circles can be used to help remember, recognize, and reorder!

Let’s move into some exercises using circles to help one focus:

1.       Exercise one:  Recognizing importance – using circles to relieve anxiety over being over-scheduled:  using paper and pen/pencil, make a list of all the things you need to attend to on the next day.  Try to limit what you write to just a word or a short phrase, for instance: laundry, dr. apt. at 2 pm, call _____, order ______, etc.   Also, try to get the day’s list finished within five minutes.  Write as fast as you can, not worrying about spelling or punctuation.  At the end of five minutes (or sooner) go back through the list and circle the 5 that have the highest importance and then number those 5 in order of importance.  Do not overthink this and do not spend more than another 5 minutes on this part of the exercise.  You may not finish your entire list on the next day, but if you focus on your top 5, you will most probably accomplish them, and have the satisfaction This is a great way to prioritize items that do not already have a set time and to quickly relieve a sense of overwhelm or anxiety about “having too much to do”.  You can adopt this principle for other issues that are causing anxiety for you.

2.      Exercise two: Reordering scattered or racing thoughts/emotions – Does just reading those last four underlined words make your stomach do a little flip flop?  Did you brain just go…somewhere?  Many of our “normal” days can be so high stress that just thinking or imagining more stress or chaos can send us there!  So this exercise will be a great one to put in your toolbox of self-calming tools – and…it can be done anywhere, at the office, waiting for children at soccer practice, watching TV with the family, even in your quiet time if needed.  Draw a four to six inch circle on a piece of paper you have handy.  This becomes a container for those ambiguous feelings or racing thoughts.  Now, within the circle, color or doodle…there is no right or wrong here.  But just to get you started, consider:

Miss Sweet Tweener was a little heavy with the color!

Color concentric rings, starting at the line you drew and working towards the center.

Divide the circle into parts using straight lines, 

then fill in each space with a different doodle (this is very much like Zentangle)...so here is a link to some different Zentangle patterns.

You could even doodle or write over the watercolor or colored pencil...

Make large "scribble" lines, then color each space or doodle in each space.

Draw, color, or paint an image of a peaceful place (to you) within the boundary of the circle.

Write words that you need to be peaceful within the circle, or

write just one word that calms you and embellish it with designs and/or color.

When you finish, note how you are feeling - emotionally.  Write down how you feel someplace near your circle.  Note any clarity, new ideas, or creative solutions to problems you have been having as well.

3.   Exercise three - a) circles as simple containers for memories or b) temporary containers for racing or intrusive thoughts - Use this little exercise (really another form of exercise 2) to quickly capture the events of a day or to dump racing thoughts.

a)  Draw a circle an inch or two in diameter, then draw an image or write a word or two describing something you want to remember.  The act of making the circle narrows the mind's focus, and the most important events are what emerge in the forefront of your thinking...making it simpler to choose which events to record!  Don't forget to date your page...

A little watercolor wash behind my brief journaling circles.

 b) In the case of racing or intrusive thoughts, write enough words to capture the thought, using one circle for each thought.  Do this for as many thoughts as needed.  It is OK to write outside the lines!  Notice how the circles act as a containment vessel for the thought, and that the feeling of calm increases as each thought is expressed and contained.  You might even consider folding this paper in half and tucking it in a safe place as a metaphor that you are tucking these thoughts away in a safe place in your mind until there is a good time to continue processing them.  Sometimes just the expression is all that is needed to diffuse troubling thinking; sometimes more processing is needed. This is a tool to bring control and calm and containment till a more convenient time to address the thoughts, not to bury toxic thoughts indefinitely (which would be unhealthy).

Also, in using art for healing, one isn't necessarily trying to produce an art masterpiece, but a heArt masterpiece, so "proper" art technique isn't as important as the process itself.  This is the time to "let go", experiment, and relax!

Linking with my "In the Studio" friends again...here...

Stolen Moments...

In my garden after a morning shower...

Processed with Kim Klassen's Culligan Scripted texture...
and linking with the other Texture Tuesday artists...