Where God's Love Leads...looking at 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Last week I talked a little about how our perception of God colors our desire and readiness to go to Him when we are struggling...
This week I want to dive a little deep into a familiar passage of Scripture - one that maybe your children have even memorized - and yet you may not think of it as one of those places that reflect the deep kindness of God that leads us into repentance, because this is the path to healing of the soul(!) ...it is 2 Timothy 3:16-17:

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. NASB

I memorized these two verses under a program that used it as a "proof" text for the fact that God is the One who is truly behind the writing of Scripture, and that the Bible is the only inerrant source of information...BUT, I was never taught about the foundations of soul care and inner healing that it contained! That is, not until I was in my master's level program for counseling! And now, today, free of charge {smiling}, I will share this immense insight with you!  And I hope it continues to transform your thoughts about helping a person bring forth their sins to a point of repentance, because of the true healing and love that repentance produces! Here we go....

There are four activities specifically mentioned that the Scripture profits us in...

teaching

reproof (or rebuke or conviction -

depending on your translation)

correction

training in righteousness 

In my Bible I have notes written by this verse...that:  

1 - teaching is a judging activity: this is NOT the kind of judging that Christians are exhorted NOT to do to others (judge not, lest you be judged); which has an implication of condemnation or punishment, but judging in the sense of discerning what is correct and what is incorrect.  In fact, the word translated "judge" in 1 Corinthians 6:3 (krinō), originally meant "separate." So Homer, of Ceres was separating, krino, the grain from the chaff (Iliad, v, 501). Thence, the word means 'to distinguish, to pick out, to be of opinion, to judge'. John 7:24 commands us to "NOT judge (krino) by appearances, but to judge (krino) with righteous judgment".  In other words, don't use our own personal preferences or opinions to judge a situation as right or wrong or even if another is acting appropriately or not; righteous judgement comes from the word of God.  So we are to judge according to what the Scriptures say.  And how do we learn how to accurately use the Scripture?  Through being taught by wise and seasoned teachers of the Word.

Teaching is sometimes an overlooked part of any act of correction - in our culture it is important to make sure our definitions are the same as the person's we are talking to.  This small act of clarification is a form of learning/instruction.  Perhaps the person in need of correction has never been taught a certain segment of Scripture that speaks directly to their issue.  What a relief and joy springs to their heart and mind when they know what God has expressly said!  Sometimes we in Christian circles forget that others, even in this great country of ours, have never read the Bible or heard certain segments of it.  Or perhaps they have heard some good teaching and then some contradictory argument, and subsequently have abandoned trying to find the truth.  These gentle hearts are in need of encouragement and help. 


In the counseling room, this act of teaching is indispensable.  Frequently a little instruction and a little discipleship (teaching the counselee how to study the Word and hear God on their own) is all that is required for their lives to get on track.

Parents can discipline their children for acts of misconduct when the parent has never instructed the child in what correct behavior is.  Somehow that very important step has been overlooked; we think that children will just assimilate from thin air what is right to do and then do it!  A good parenting tip is to do a self check when you find yourself starting to get angry at your children, and make sure that they truly understand what was expected of them.  Even if you are confident that you have taught them properly before the current indiscretion, it is always a good idea to take the opportunity to repeat the instruction in proper behavior to make sure they understand.  THEN, once you are sure they understand and they have still misbehaved, your well thought out consequences will be much more effective!

Our heavenly Father knows that  we are as children - and being a perfect parent, He doesn't hesitate to repeat instruction until we "get it"...one of the ways that His kindness leads us to repentance, the turning from wrong behavior to right...

Well, I originally thought I would get through this entire passage in one day, but as this one segment is getting quite long, I will stop here and do a deeper look into the section of "reproof" or "conviction" next week!

I love hearing from you; your thoughts and additional points to the topic!  Blessings...

Exploring circles - post 2 - {Paths to Healing}...

As promised, the first installment of research, prompts and peaks into my exploration of the simple circle.  As you can imagine, there are many meanings attached to the circle, and therefore many symbolic uses that we might use in our creations.

First, the research, beginning with the most basic, technical definition:

A circle is a simple closed curve which divides the plane into two regions: an interior and an exterior. In everyday use, the term "circle" may be used interchangeably to refer to either the boundary of the figure, or to the whole figure including its interior.

There are many meanings to the circle.  Having neither beginning nor end, the circle has long been a symbol - across time and cultures - of eternity, wholeness, protection, and unity.  I found this thought from a native American medicine man, and it seemed to capture the sentiments of many:

image source

From this example we can discern that the circle's symbolism has mostly been derived from the circles that can be found in nature, and therefore, may be totally subject to the interpretations of the individual who is doing the observing!

However, I want to begin with exploring what might be discerned about the circle from the Scripture:

It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.                                                                                                              Isaiah 40:22 NASB

...as He walks on the circle of the sky.                                                    Job 22:14 HCSB

He has inscribed a circle on the surface of the waters At the boundary of light and darkness.                                                                                                 Job 26:10 NASB

These scriptures reference the creation itself, whether it is the heavens or the earth; their spherical shape giving the discernible edge of a circle.  The circle became a symbol for God Himself because it was so evident in the largest objects of creation (earth, sky, moon, stars and planets) and perhaps even more so because of the idea that a circle has no beginning and no end, a reference to infinity, or even more specifically, it represents eternity; each concept reflects the everlasting nature of God:

  He has no beginning and no end

He is inifinite

He is eternal

(Jude 25; Isaiah 57:15; Psalms 90:2)

and He desires to share that eternity with us: 

the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago

we have an eternal "house" in heaven

and this eternal life is found through Jesus, the Son

You might guess that I tend towards the "scholarly" (because of the teacher gifting), and to spare you the work if you are not bent that way, but to offer the resource; click here for a wonderful treatise on God, Time, and Eternity.

The circle as the perfect representation of God probably was cemented during the Renaissance, as it conformed to their thoughts about God.  Renaissance thinkers considered the circle and sphere as "perfect" shapes; and God took the form of the sphere to create the earth, and therefore everything pertaining to man; spirit, mind and matter - which in turn was represented by three descending concentric circles

I wanted the cover of my book to hold a simple circle - I haven't added a title yet - I am unsure if I want to!  I will probably cover over this with clear drying gel medium to give it added protection and strength:

I wanted to form the circle in one motion, without lifting the paintbrush.  I did twist the brush as I went around.  I wanted to use purple paint, because purple is the color of royalty in Christian liturgical symbolism - I even mixed my own purple, hoping for blues and reds to show up in the finished circle...it did take me a while to decide on this (!), but next week's post will explain some of why I went in this direction...

I used some rice paper I had on hand - it took the acrylic paint quite well I think!  I have to apologize here for not being more progressed on my own book, but I have been painting in Sweet Tweener's room; turning it from young girl to young lady...pictures will be coming soon!

This symbol is called the "Trefoil" and is a representation of the trinity, showing each is eternal in nature and equal to the other members of the Godhead - the trefoil has been used since the 1300s to represent the Trinity (the early beginnings of the Renaissance)...

You can download this pattern here.

 I will be placing one of these on the second page of my book...

This is the "Triumphant Cross" - the cross placed over the world.  It symbolizes Jesus as triumphant over anything we face in the world.

Download here.

        

The "Triquerta" is the interlocking parts of the three intertwined circles...they form a stylized triangle, whose three sides also have been used to represent the Trinity for hundreds of years.

Download here.

Your prompt: Choose one of these circular forms for your own book or journal. Include some of the scriptures I have included today, or find your own...make this exploration so very much yours!  I promise I will be back with more of these before next week, to show some different techniques...

More scriptures to use that reflect the Trinity:   Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14 and Revelation 1:4-5

Exploring circles - post 1 - {Paths to Healing}...

Recently I read a post on the meaning and symbolism of circle in art therapy - and it struck me that circles have a rich history in the Christian faith as well, and before that, in the history of God's dealing with man.  At the same time, I realized I had been collecting ideas that were based on the form of a circle - and it just seemed to be the perfect time (and perhaps even the leading of the Holy Spirit) to explore the meaning of circles in my life and my faith - yes!

So, starting next Wednesday, and through the month of August, I will post a little research, a little prompt, and a little peak at what I am creating with circles...if you want to play with me, this is the book I am making to create in and record in (but of course you can use your regular art journal, too):  


I have this pinned to my "Art Book/Journal making" pinboard...and this is the form I want to use for my "Exploring Circles" art + healing processing - 

Detailed instructions can be found here - Jesscreateit.wordpress.com.

I am using a 12"x 18" piece of 140 lb. coldpress watercolor paper - mostly because that is what I have a few extra pieces of! 

I'm not sure if I am going to do a lot of prep work or not...I am thinking of using watercolors - tho' the sample image is truly a mixed media piece!  I can tell I need to do some thinking before I actually start...

Here is what my paper looks like - folding, then cutting out certain portions per Jess's instructions...

Putting my quilting supplies to good use!














Cut and ready to fold:

What does a circle mean to you?

Cherry Blossoming Trees in Fresco and experimenting with a photo frame...

Playing with an idea I came across - the cherry tree blossoms in our backyard with a "fresco" filter and Kim Klassen's "awake" texture at softlight, framed and placed over a photo frame of the cherry blossoms from a different angle and a different year...

The same image used for the photo frame, framed and left in color (no texture over it)

I like both images, the top one was "saved" using the Fresco filter - I am beginning to really NEED a better digital camera - more than a little point and shoot!

Joining with other creativity at Texture Tuesday here...

Where God's Love Leads - When your heart needs an x-ray...

Image Credit

It is amazing to me that we have technology to look inside our living bodies...to see all the specific components that God pulled together to create the house for our eternal spirits. It truly makes me pause in awe and wonder...

And I am flooded with the idea that God sees like this into our "spiritual hearts" -

"...man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”  - 1 Samuel 16:7 ESV

All is laid bare before Him, there is nothing hidden, nothing that He does not see...

"...the one who examines me is the Lord. Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God."  1 Corinthians 4:4b-5 NASB

And also consider Psalm 139:1-8...

All these verses I am quoting are spoken from the heart of One who is confident of the love of God towards us...the Holy Spirit!  In fact, one of His jobs is to convince us of God's love! (Romans 5:5)

Image credit

{When God thinks of you, He makes His Hands into a heart...}

When we "see" God has punitive and harsh, we do the same thing that Adam and Eve did, after the fall...we try to hide, try to cover up our sin, and in that stay stuck in our shame and guilt.  But just as He continued to call to these two in the Garden (because He did know exactly where they were, what had happened, and what to do about it); He continues to call forth to us, imploring us to relinquish our fallen attempts at fixing ourselves, so we can receive true healing and help for our hurts and mistakes (sin, perhaps?)...

But if we "see" Him and His convicting work as kindness; don't we feel safe to go to Him, even in the midst of our unrest and mess?  And give Him all that mess like it is a precious gift (after all, why would we hang onto it for so long if it wasn't "precious" in some way?  Even if the only way it is precious is that we don't know who we are or how to behave without it in our lives?)

Does the x-ray vision of God frighten you?  Or does it comfort you?

He longs for us to be free from every burden and weight of sin that entangles, so that we can live abundantly and purposefully...

Let Him take that x-ray, let Him bring you forth into a place of true healing and rest and wholeness...

                                     

                        

Then, He can take you from this:

to this...

full color, full life, fullness...in Him...

Is there any reason we wouldn't want this?!

More next Monday...

3 Praying Girls...In The Studio Friday

Some of what I've been working on this week...a series on praying girls...

Actually, "Guard Your Heart" is an older piece, and I have another piece - "She Gathered Hope" that was a companion.  I always intended to do a third - "Where Does My Help Come From" - and I am working on it (it will be the middle).  I am doing a reproduction of "She Gathered Hope" as the original sold and my photos for prints just aren't turning out the way I wanted...so I will finish the series AND get good photos before the originals are sold!

Joining over at "In the Studio" and "Paint Party Friday"...

Music and Prayer - Texture Tuesday

Textures with one layer of Canvas Magic set at screen mode and 60% opacity...

Music is what feelings sound like.  

~Author Unknown

There is nothing in the world so much like prayer as music is.  
~William P. Merrill

Where God's love leads - it could be a surprise...

Hearts for a "Fat Book" exchange on courage...

 At prayer team, we have been praying through and discussing what appears to be a disconnect within some believers...

The concept of grace...

How do a grace-filled people walk in their new life in Christ?  How do they support the convicting work of the Holy Spirit without moving in judgement?  How do we become a paraclete when our own lives fall so far short?

What causes our struggle in this area that covers so much of the New Testament?  Because this issue is so often addressed in Scripture, I can take comfort in the fact that believers have struggled with this concept for millennium!  And why even be concerned, when we know that God sees all of us through the filter of the finished work of Jesus Christ?   Indeed yes, why?  The thought comes to my mind that perhaps we are undecided, confused about an issue - the issue of "is God a God of love?" or is "God a God of justice?"  And I am not immune to this confusion!  But, because we are exploring this in our team, I thought I would share my thoughts, and our thoughts, here...

The first verse that the Spirit really gave me for this series is from Romans, Chapter 2.  I encourage you to read the entire chapter...but this is the specific verse:

 "...that the kindness of God leads you to repentance..."  Romans 2:4b (NASB)

To restate this portion of the verse, with all the definitions of the original Greek written out, the verse would read as follows:

God furnishes what is useful, gentle, pleasant, kind, beneficial, well-fitted and suitable to lead, bring, carry us towards a change of our mind and a change in our inner man...

In short, when we encounter the incredible eternal, deep, unconditional love of God, that encounter brings everything needed to change our heart and minds!  That is powerful!

But once we have encountered this "kindness" for the first time, and received our salvation, how does "the kindness that leads to repentance" apply to the rest of our earthly lives?

      We will be exploring that thought here on Mondays for the next several weeks...

 

Japanese Inspired...new life + peace blessing hanging

Remember these butterfly printouts?

This wall or window hanging is my first project utilizing them...

Miss Sweet Tweener really loves the Japanese culture, and it has rubbed off on me!  Perhaps too it was because - at the same time she was immersing herself in everything Japanese - I was learning about how the stories of Genesis are imbedded in the Chinese language...and the Japanese language characters are derived from the Chinese, and still closely resemble them.

The butterflies fluttering in the breeze of the fan...

I have/am researching Chinese Brush and watercolor painting techniques and have discovered an interesting art (decorating?) form titled "Wabi-Sabi" (that is just fun to say!)  The main concept of wabi-sabi is embracing imperfection and finding the beauty in it.  I think that fits in with my calling and purpose - as well as a reminder that (as a recovering perfectionist) I must embrace my own imperfections as the very things that lead me to the beauty found in Jesus...

The Japanese character on the paper square says "Life" on one side and "Fresh" on the other (fresh is the closest character in meaning to "new" that I could find.)  The characters are actually hand drawn on Japanese rice paper, then sewn to a pretty square of scrapbooking paper that complemented the color wash on the butterflies.  The branch came out of our center driveway garden and I covered it with Gel Medium to prevent the bark from flaking off.  Fishing line is used to attach the images to the branch; their seeming invisibility create the illusion of the butterflies dancing in the breeze all on their own.  Scraps of muslin and linen flutter off the edge.  I stamped the word "peace"on a scrap of ribbon because the entire assemblage invokes that feeling in me.  You can also see scraps of Japanese writing from old books wrapped around the wood.  The butterflies are printed on the same text on one side and on English text on the other side...

I am enjoying this piece, but it is available if you too would like a little Wabi - Sabi in your home {smile}...

Also joining with my "In the Studio" friends here...

Summer in Texas...

Pastureland near where we live...I am having fun playing with the abstract quality that occurs when a photo is purposely blurred.  This one has two layers of Kim Klassen's Steelish texture over it...giving it sort of a old film grain effect...

Linking up with other Texture Tuesday sisters over here...

As the Deer...

One of my all time favorite scripture worship songs is "As the Deer", by Marty Nystrom...
The song is based on Psalm 42:1 - more about this song can be found here and to listen to it, click here...

Image Credit and download link

Click here to download an 8" x 8" image to use
Use the image as a "Coloring your prayers exercise, while you listen to praise music...write prayers in the negative (white) space; enjoy your work or give it to someone God has placed on your heart as you work...

For more information on "Coloring Your Prayers", read my post here...

I like Robin Mark's voice in this rendition...

Happy Fourth of July!

More artwork by my non-geeky son

Sequential...

A perfect yellow rose-bud

I liked all of these images...the darkest background has no texture added...
The lightest is Kim Klassen's "A Touch of Texture 2" set at overlay with "A Touch of Texture 1" set at screen over the first texture...

Joining with the Texture Tuesday bunch here

What to do when our perspective fails us....

Our pastor shared this thought during his sermon last Sunday, 

and it has been a beacon of hope for many I have talked with this week...

Sometimes we cannot see our lives clearly, and that is when we get worried or feel that maybe God has forgotten us, but we must remember the message here...and when we cannot see His hand clearly, we can know that when our perspective does become clear again, that He has been there working all along!

Joining with my "In the Studio" creative friends here...

and

Faithfilled Fridays here.

Another Project Peek...

Sweet Tweener has always liked white tigers...she chose this kit several years ago, 

and I have always worked on it during our summer break...

Top: Close-up of my work; Bottom: What it will look like finished...

 Another look at my "in progress" work...almost 2/3 of the way done, I think...

Summer is here...and a little peek of ONE project going on here...

I've been focusing a little more on my art, and my family's art, lately...I have a big cross-stitch project going because it will go into sweet tweener's room redo scheduled for the last half of the summer...a little peek at that tomorrow!

I also have some Scriptural studies that I have been working on...so will be sharing more with those beginning next week...

This is some of my son's art work...I have been working at getting his images world wide web ready...you can see he has a definite style...soon we should have an online shop open for prints...

He's been clever with his watermark and name (his name is David).  The acronym his name forms is : Dynamic Artistic Visual Expressions...perfect, right!

What have you been doing so far this summer?

Reflections...

Man...
Created in His image.
An exact representation of God...
That is the meaning of the word "likeness"...
The Crown of Creation - all the colors, the universe, water and earth, the kingdoms of all living things, sun and moon and stars and sky - all put in place; each day rising in a glorious crescendo of color and vitality - awakening to the Presence of the Creator ---
And being rebirthed, restored, renewed,
Each day when we reach forth and touch the depth of His Love ---
We become His reflection once again...
by Cindy Fort 2013

An original photograph was processed in Corel, then Photoshop, adding a layer of Kim Klassen's texture "Peony" set at divide.  Come see more lovely photos, especially florals and still life at Texture Tuesday here.

Happy Father's Day!

There is nothing as strong as gentlenss;

nothing as gentle as real strength.

St. Francis de Sales

See also "A Letter from Your Heavenly Father"

from Father's Love Letter

"New Creation" creativity...butterflies to print for projects...

A harvest of souls...

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 
2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB

This butterfly printable can be found here

I grew up in a church that used many symbols to convey the truth of the Scripture.  One such symbol was that of the butterfly, which symbolized the new birth; a new creature/identity/person was formed when the Holy Spirit indwelt our hearts - just as a new creature - able to fly -  emerges from the cocoon of the old caterpillar...

- PLUS -

 I love old books and projects made with text...so of course I had to love this when I saw it on pinterest.

Download a digital copy here (without the watermark)

 


I couldn't find the butterfly printable, though,
so I decided to make my own, as I had collected quite a few butterfly images over the years.  Sweet Tweener wanted to learn some more photoshop techniques this week, too.  You can see what we created to the right ....

These butterflies are about twice as large as the ones in the Pinterest example - so I am glad to have both sets available, now!













A lot of times the pages of an old novel are smaller than the standard 8 1/2 by 11 inch printer sheet, and most printers can handle that...but the sheet of butterflies I made was a full sheet size, and I didn't want to change that...so to print I used spray adhesive and sprayed a sheet of copy paper, then smoothed my book pages onto the adhesive.  This brand is just what our local craft store had - it only has to hold while going through the printer, so nothing needs to be perfect...I just made sure the adhesive was covered...(that way it wouldn't stick while going through the printer)...

All printed out and now it is time to start snipping! 

Here they are, ready to go...some on Japanese text, some on an old dictionary page...

Can't wait to use them!  Stay tuned to see the finished project!

Joining with my "In the Studio" friends...

7 things you find in "The Shadow of His Wings"

When times seem hard, 

when you want to stay in bed with the covers over your head,

when you want to hide...

...hide in the shadow of His wings...

Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, For my soul takes refuge in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge until destruction passes by.                                                                                 Psalm 57:1

here you will find:

a covering 

protection

a hiding place

shelter

refuge

a place of singing

joy

There is a progress under His wings....we run there in a time of neediness, of vulnerability, perhaps even fear...then as we find comfort and refuge, in other words, we feel safe once again...we return to a state of joy, perhaps as we step out in song and praise, expressing our confidence in our Lord.

I have felt this way - haven't you?

Scripture References for the list (in order):  Psalm 91:4, Luke 13:34, Psalm 61:4, Psalm 17:8, Psalm 36:7, Psalm 63:7