Step Four - The Exchange of Weapons (covenant series)

Armed and ready for war - 

Click on the link to see Gwen's description - 

she says "YES!" to art being warfare in the Spirit!

4. The exchange of weapons

Think about how we "battle" our fellow man...we might avoid someone, gossip, speak unkindly to them, even speak maliciously. We might yell, slam a door, even strike someone physically. Unforgiveness, hatred, bitterness, and wrath become the internal fruit of such behavior. In this step, we give up our weapons in exchange for God’s. The qualities of His weapons are listed in II Corinthians 10:3-5:

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

Some of these weapons are:

Praise - Check out these verses!
Isaiah 30:32
Psalm 149
Psalm 22:3

The Sword of the Spirit - which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17)...one author I have read said that the original language could be translated as "swords of the Spirit", meaning that any portion of Scripture could be used as a weapon, depending on the situation....

The words of our testimony - Revelation 12:11. Remembering what God has done for us and for others sure helps when the attacks of the enemy threaten to overwhelm our life and faith!

The Blood of the Lamb - Revelation 12:11. Remembering the price of our Redemption is a phenomenal weapon on any day!

Not loving our own life, even at the point of death - Revelation 12:11. Now this is a tremendous picture of someone who understands covenant! They are willing to lay down everything IN their life, as well as their VERY life, for the sake of the One they are in covenant with! There is so much more in the Bible about loving the world, loving the Lord, loving our fellow man...and each passage can be considered insight into this weapon of warfare.

The Name of Jesus - Philippians 2:10. At the name of Jesus, EVERY knee will bow!

I am sure I have missed one or two - of course any prayer is a weapon against the enemy!

Following the commands in Romans 12:14, 17, 19 makes room for God to fight our battles. See what these verses say:

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (verse 14)
Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. (verse 17)
Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. (verse 19)

Enjoy your thoughts as the Spirit brings more insights to your mind!

Step Three- The Exchange of Belts (Covenant series)

Together in battle (hands lifting the rod) - 

Click on the link to see Gwen's explanation of her picture.

3. The exchange of belts
The belt is the symbol of strength - see II Corinthians 12:9.

Belts were used to hold weapons (bow, arrow, sword, dagger). The belt also holds my armor together. So symbolically I’m giving you all my strength and pledging you all my support and protection. As I give you my belt, I’m saying, “Here is my strength and all my ability to fight. If anybody attacks you, they are also attacking me. Your battles are my battles and mine are yours. I will fight with you. I will help defend you and protect you.” And you do the same to me. (This paragraph is adapted from the book “The Miracle of the Scarlet Thread” by Richard Booker)

Wow, this is a little daunting - I like the idea that God will protect me, but the idea that His enemies are also now my enemies???? But yet experience says that this is true...I have to fight a spiritual enemy who hates me simply because I am made in the image of his enemy, and now that I am in covenant with the Enemy, the other hates me doubly! I think I REALLY need God in my life!!!!!

Step Two - The Exchange of Outer Garments (covenant series)

Clothed in righteousness - click on the link to see Gwen's description of this picture

2. The exchange of outer garments

Scripture says that He has given us His divine nature - II Peter 1:3-4.

To the Hebrew, a person’s robe represents the person. By taking off my robe and giving it to you, I’m symbolically saying, “I’m giving you all myself. My total being and my life, I pledge to you.” And then you would do the same to me.

Also read Colossians 3:8-10; 12-14 for more information on His garments that are given to us, and that we need to reach for and put on ourselves!

Step One - Counting the Cost (Covenant series)

Behold -A New Thing - artwork by Gwen Meharg. 

 Click on the link to see her explanation of the painting!

1. Count the cost
Read Luke 14:27-33. This passage is about considering the cost of entering into a covenant with someone...
God initiates covenant with us - read John 1:1-5; 9-13.

Remember, if a person has considered the cost, and chooses to walk away, there is no covenant...if the parties move on to step two, the covenant is initiated and binding. Can you see how this applies to a person who has heard the Good News, and doesn't take the step to receive Jesus into their heart?

heARTfilled blessings,
Cindy

A little fun interruption

My dh and I love Don Francisco and his music....well, here is a fun little piece by his wife!

Covenant - the ancient steps

Here is another image by Gwen Meharg - a friend and inspiring artist.

I chose this image to illustrate a new study series I am posting about covenants as they were understood in Biblical times. Understanding the process of covenant deeply enriched my Christian walk, and helped me dig out even richer truth from well loved scriptures!

For today, I am giving you a simple list of the steps of covenant, and in the days that follow, I will explain in more detail each of these steps...

7 Steps of a Blood Covenant:

1. Counting the cost (you can decide not to go through with the covenant at this step. If you progress to step two, the covenant is initiated and considered binding to both parties.)
2. The Exchange of outer garments
3. The exchange of belts
(the belt is a symbol of strength. It was used to hold weapons.)
4. The exchange of weapons
5. The walk of death: Berith (walking in a figure eight between the pieces of a sacrificed animal)
6. Covenant mark - Part 1

    Covenant mark - Part 2
7. Covenant meal

Intrigued? I bet the Holy Spirit is already whispering the details to your heart!

Hooray!

I added a third column!!! Go here for the best instructions I found - after all, since I am not a computer geek, and I could actually get the codes to work, it must be a good tutorial!!!

I was just checking my favorite art blogs and....

Thank you so much Julie Ann for featuring me!

I wanted to hurry back here and post something that she inspired me to do...there are three...so keep scrolling down!






These are wooden crosses, about 8 inches tall...

Julie-Ann is always a blessing with heARTfelt paintings and in sending messages of love out to the world...

I hope you enjoy your visit to my blog

Casa and Heelys!

Last Friday (October 9th) was our first Casa (the local theater that features plays for children throughout the year) field trip for the year - The Jungle Book! It was great! After that a trip to Central Market for lunch with Susan and Catherine and families. Sophia had her new heelys on, and told Angel that she got them at Ross...well Angel had been wanting Heelys for - like forever!....so when no one could come over for a playdate, we decided a shopping adventure was just what we needed...and we found two pairs - one pink and one blue. The blue ones were closer to Angel's size, yet still a little large but that was OK because she could just wear thicker socks for a while till she grew into them....


When we got home and Angel was trying them out, she remembered that Rosetta had a pair of heelys...and that is when we discovered that God had been ordering our steps all along! Rosettas heelys (purchased at the beginning of the year) were the same light blue color as Angel's!!!! She was so delighted! God is so good!

What I've Been Doing...

Well, today has been quite productive, after a week of being under the weather! Now fall is in the air, and I have the "re-organize, inventory, purge, simplify, sort" bug! Clothes - both Angel's and mine - have been sorted and some given away, some in a pile to embellish, and mostly, inventory for the cool weather has been accomplished!

Now today, the kitchen!!!! I have counters once again, the plastic container cabinet has been R.I.P.S.S. as well - mostly initiated by my younger son's generous donation of RUBBERMAID STACKABLE STORAGE CONTAINERS! Wow! That WAS organization!

I have decluttered countertops, decorated for fall, and even lit an apple-cinnamon candle....ahhhh, caramel apples coming up!

Here is the proof, my counters are clear! This is my first attempt to upload a video - and I think sound and video may not be working together...but at the very end, you will see my little girl's "Science Genius Lab" a.k.a a Barbie kitchen!

(Note the fall centerpiece - yes, I was on a roll!)

I just reviewed the video and there are dishes in the sink!!! Seed dishes...know what I mean?

Come check out ETC's Design Challenge - "Enchanted"

Y'all Come on Over Now, ya he'r!

Our Etsy Texas Crafters group is hosting their design challenge RIGHT NOW - till midnight Wednesday, September 30th! Click here to see all the entries for this months theme "Enchanted"...you have to scroll all the way down to the bottom to find the "vote" link...there are some really clever ideas here, plus, I DO have an entry...another item that will be at ArtsGoggle this weekend...

OMG - My little fledgling has just graced me with a BEAUTIFUL lullaby

I wish I could include the melody - but I don't have the capability!!!

Here it is...


Moonlight, starbright
My light is shining on you…
Somewhere,
out there,
Someone is praying for you!


Is she awesome or what!!!!???

Check out these projects!

You know I have an 8 year old fledgling....and any of you who have little girls (or not so little girls!) might enjoy this post by Sharon Tomlinson of AllNorahsArt. Especially check out the Castle Towers - wouldn't this make a great art activity for girls of all ages?!



Be sure you click on the link and look at all the photos of her art party to get inspired!

Genius Defined!

Another one with a vintage novel page from 1891 and mounted on mahogany. The text of the page has some adjectives that define what is NOT a genius, but in the story, the one this is written about achieves all that he had hoped to...

You know, I think I already posted this, but I can't find it! Who knows! I don't know if it is the anesthesia left in my system or the fact that I am 50 - or maybe it is simply trying to prepare for this upcoming art thing!

heARTfilled blessings,
Cindy

A Gift Tonight

Tonight I was gifted with new friendships - deep friendships - some that I have had for quite a while, and others that were new...but the thing in common was our hearts for God. We are a group committed to prayer - we are women - of various ages - of various life stages - all with unique giftings and leadings and anointings - all with the same passion for Jesus! Thank you Julie for being such a wonderful leader; for being such a transparent vessel; for being pure of heart and hearing from God!

I came home and continued painting a new piece for the upcoming ArtsGoggle - and as I was painting, I began to "see" another painting - my head and heart were still full of joy and anticipation over what God is putting together! The painting would be a tribute to this group, to prayer. I could "see" our hands, the hands of our hearts, lifted to the Lord in worship and prayer...

And then I remembered my friend Gwen and her inspired paintings! Perhaps she already had something like what I was seeing! And she did!

You can see more of Gwen's work here

I will paint what I saw in my spirit, but for now, this will commemorate tonight's knitting together of hearts.

Getting ready for ArtsGoggle

Just thought I would share another mixed media piece I finished up tonight - getting ready for ArtsGoggle on October 3rd. You can read more about this Fort Worth Near Southside Event here.

The vintage novel page is from a book published in 1891. The things you can find for a quarter at a garage sale!!

THE STUDIO

Here is my messy office/studio. You can see some "works in progress" leaned up against the case of my embroidery machine. Note the knee space with carpet showing!!! And the box full of kindergarten memorabilia still in place!!! Some other "works in progress" leaning up against a desk leg (to the left of the box), some of Angel's artwork - definitely inspirational - to the right of the laptop. I have a great window that you can see (sort of - the gleam of light at the top), and Angel's desk and chair is positioned in front of that window. She likes the "wall of separation" that the sewing machine creates - and she added some shoeboxes...no wonder things get a little cramped!!!

Below is a close-up of my carpet showing under the knee space - hooray for a little bit of organization lately!



Uuuuuummmmm, can someone get my cleaning lady to vacuum in here? Ha, ha!

Creative Studio Spaces!

Today Pamela Angus invited all readers in to her studio - so pristine and beautiful - shows off her glass exquisitely!



Tomorrow I will show where I create - the infamous home office/art studio! But till then, you can check out other creative spaces here...

To "CafePress" or Not To "CafePress" - that is the question

sidesaddlecard2, originally uploaded by Deb Trotter - Cowboy's Sweetheart.

Ready for things a little bit Cowgirl? I loved this!

Check out this little bit of interesting info about Cafepress I found on Deb Trotter's "Cowboy's Sweetheart" blog

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

I thought I would go ahead and leave this in - though as it says "This is just a test". I highly recommend you install this in your blogs if you are going to blog your own photos or promote what others have done - it is soooooooooo easy!