Surprise, Surprise!

  

"Chance Meeting You Here!"

5" x 7" Oil on stretched canvas

Available at BasketKases

Phone:(812) 491-9799

2009 Lincoln Ave, Evansville, IN 47714

Ever had one of those experiences that you know beyond know that you are in the right place at the right time – God-ordained at that moment?  Well, it happened to me – today.

Humbled.  Speechless and Humbled.   

I am totally blown away by our meeting – what seemed to be pure unadulterated chance.  From my end, blind-sided would be an appropriate description.  From the other persons – well, let’s just say she read something I wrote last night and this morning, she had wondered when she would see me again, only to look up and see me walk through her door (I was meeting someone else). 

Her need was unknowingly met by me - which so touched my heart - and my need by her.  Or, shall we say truthfully, God met our needs through each other.  Tears filled my eyes, as they did hers.  I love it when He loves us that way – caring so much that He actually hand-picks people and places in our lives at just the right time, so that we can’t miss Him.  Definitely a "God-thing".

I know you’re just itching to know what this is all about.  As in most situations, there are layers and layers of influence, so I couldn’t begin to describe the parameters of application, nor do I even know them all, so no point in details.  And what God has to say to either one of us, isn’t necessarily what He wants to say to you!  But, overflowing with thoughts and revelations, I do want to share my general take-aways, so here goes:

    1)  Always utilize the gifts God gave you, even when you think they’re minimal, going unheard, unnoticed, unworthy, unimportant, useless, etc. , or you’d rather have someone else’s.  And stop saying you didn’t get any gifts b/c I know you did – ‘tis biblical!  (For starters:  1 Peter 4:10 says "Each one should use whatever gift He has received to serve others ......")

   2)  Scripture tells us that God is with us always, but you never know when He might make a surprise “invisible visible” appearance!

   3)  God sometimes speaks through other people – and when He does, if you’re listening (oh so important to be listening), you know it!

   4)  Be careful what you say or do in His Name – you may just be told to practice what you preach (aka: read your own blog)  Uh....really?  OKAY!!!   (Thank you, Debbie!)

Be watching for your own "God-thing" experiences, or even moments!  I know you have them - please, please share - we'd love to hear!!!

Hold On to His Promises!

"Sunshine on a Gray Day"

5" X 7" on canvas panel

Frame available

In the Midwest, we have had our fill of cold, wind, ice, snow, sleet, and rain.  While nature does bring us some "teaser" days, we’re frequently looking at gray.  And we love to talk about it – hoping to find some comfort in the assumption that “misery loves company.”  Add to that, for some crazy reason, many of us are emotionally affected by the weather.  In our minds, it sets the tone for the day – whether it’ll be a good or bad one.  If it’s gray outside, it’s usually gray inside.  And we’re tired …… of waiting …… for the earth to get the memo that according to our calendars, spring was to have sprung March 20, 2013!  

Well, except for in my studio!!!  See, I probably tired sooner than the rest of you, so since late January, I have been painting flowers from photos or life (don’t you love how they have strategically placed the floral department at your local grocery so you walk by them as soon as you enter = lifted spirits, let’s eat!)  While all my efforts may not turn out suitable for public consumption, the “sun” truly does shine on my easel! 

You say that I’m living in denial?   Perhaps - but could it be forward thinking - of God’s promise of the seasons?  (“While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” Gen. 8:22).  And, even if just for a few hours, I am living as if His promise is already here?

Sometimes we find ourselves in a season of life we don’t particularly like – or even hate - cuz it’s hard, or painful, or depressing.     We want out, and the waiting just sometimes seems too difficult to bear.   But what if we found a little sunshine on gray days – either in reality or in our minds?  

    What if we just picked a flower from His bouquet of faithful promises and

enjoyed it right now, as if it were ours - to claim, to hold in our own hands.
Because it is and He wants us to!

I hope you have time to enjoy this music video of Promises by Sanctus Real!  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jcTd5RMawM

Oh ...... and P.S......There are tulip leaves peaking out of the ground at my house!

           

Let Love Light Your Way!

"Let Love Light Your Way"

12" X 12" Oil on Raymar Panel

Available with accompanying gift basket thru Silent Auction

Albion Fellows Bacon Center Gala
Saturday, April 13, 2013
The Manor Auditorium, St. Mary’s Medical Center

Little Graham has a four-year-old obsession with flashlights.   He has a variety of uses for his coveted treasure – from making fun light patterns on the ceiling of his bedroom after his mom turns out the light at night, making a tent under his covers, assisting mom in finding the Easter decorations in the attic, to shining the light in his sisters’ faces – oh, the thought process of a little guy!  What power he must feel, though, to be in control of such a useful tool – one that elicits an immediate response - all at the flip of a switch that he holds in his hand!

On my recent trip to Sam’s Club,  I decided to make a “stop” before I began shopping.  As I approached the restroom, I noticed the lights were out.   I hesitated before proceeding, but decided my situation warranted it.  I had walked about five feet in when I realized how pitch black it was (no windows), heard some movement , and decided to re-think this.   So, I went back out and looked around for an “out-of-order” sign, “men working”, or possibly a hidden camera?  My eyes landed on - the light switch.  Hmmmm, I wondered.  Out of urgency, I thought, “What do I have to lose?”  So, like Graham, I flipped the switch. 

Abracadabra – as in magic, there was LIGHT!  The room was flooded with a lovely cold fluorescent light that reflected off all the other shiny, cold institutional–looking surfaces.  (I know, it’s just a public restroom!)   Elated, I entered and saw there was a woman in each and every stall.   (Honestly, what were they thinking?)  I nearly laughed out loud as one passed me on her way out – mum – as if nothing had happened.  

Are we okay with walking in the dark?  Are we so oblivious we don’t even notice?  I think of all the times I “walk in the dark”, stumbling into things to find my way  - sometimes hurting or getting hurt in the process.   Without the help of the Holy Spirit, we truly are walking in the dark, letting the bumps be our guide, and hoping we don’t fall into a pit we can’t see.  Sometimes a seemingly innocent one-time decision can cause us to slip into a black hole and lead to a lifetime of bondage, pain, and suffering.   And on the flip side (sorry, couldn’t resist) how quickly we can have hope by simply turning on the switch – asking for God’s love, direction and power to light our path.

The Word tells us that “God is Love” (1 John 4:16b), “He is the light of the world, (John 8:12),

and "He illumines our darkness”  (Psalm 18:28b)  

Let love light your way!

Er-Er-Er-Er-Urrrrrrrrrr Rooster Gang

"Rooster Gang I - Claude"

6" X 6" Oil on Raymar Panel

  Sold

"Rooster Gang I - Henry"

6" X 6" on Raymar Panel

 Sold

"ER-ER-ER-ER-URRRRRRRR!!!!!!!"

You may remember I mentioned in my last post that there were a lot of roosters running around Key West when we visited last month.  What I didn’t tell you is that they have no respect for the lazy tourist who wants to sleep in occasionally.   I got up (WHILE IT WAS STILL DARK) for a drink of water, only to be greeted by the early morning call of the neighborhood rooster gang outside our door.

 

“Wakeup, wake up, wake up –

you’re about to see the most beautiful sunrise ever!!!!! 

If you go back to bed, you’re gonna MISS IT!!!!! 

Er-er-er-er-urrrrrrrr!”

This New Year’s morning, I was thankful to be in my own bed as we had a rather late night.  I had the pleasure of spending a couple of hours with my friend who barely escaped death this past year.  Beautiful, smart, successful, and healthy, Diane Seller’s life totally changed one Tuesday afternoon.  She had a massive cerebral hemorrhage, leaving her with some neural deficit.  She remembers nothing of the first few weeks, but since then, I think it’s fair to say that she has “lived” every waking moment.  It is because of her passion for life, her determination for recovery, her cheerful and positive attitude, her faith, and obvious answer to prayer that she now walks without assistance, keeps up with any conversation fluently, and has regained her “Master” status at any game she attempts! 

Diane is quite an inspiration to all who know her.   I visited her in therapy a few times and saw how hard it was for her to turn a wheel or write her name, yet she painfully pushed herself through to the next level - over and over.

Oh, she had some cheerleaders by her side as her family, local, long-distance, and internet friends rallied to encourage her and support her, providing prayer, meals, rides, companionship, and encouragement.    Oh yeah, good things happened.   In some ways, all of our lives have changed since that day. 

As we begin 2013, I bet you have at least one new year’s resolution to improve your life – exercise, stop procrastinating, eat organic, learn a new skill,  start going to church,  improve a relationship – or try to paint almost every day!  Or maybe, you too, you have something huge to overcome.  Whatever it is…….

What IF we embrace it with Diane’s tenacity and passion?

What IF we, like Diane, push past the roadblocks, obstacles, frustrations and distractions .…

And run in a way as to get the prize!

“Throw off everything that hinders - and the sin that so easily entangles -

and run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

Hebrews 12:1b

Ya never know – you may see the most beautiful sunrise EVER!!

Christ is Born!!

"Christ is Born"

5" X 7" Oil on Canvas Panel

$60.00

Palm trees, flipflops, balmy breezes and sunset celebrations - not my idea of Christmas! Nevertheless, somehow my husband coerced me into a trip to Florida earlier this month.   I loved it, but because of my surroundings, I often forgot it was Christmas – it didn’t look like it and it sure didn’t feel like it.

Ya see, my memories of Christmas includes “dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh”, and “I’m dreaming of a White Christmas.”   I remember the time that Santa (the real one) actually came in our front door, his breath visible as white puffs of vapor accompanied each ho-ho-ho, toting a bag full of gifts – and (you’re gonna be so jealous), he actually knew MY name!!!  (Not sure I’ve ever recovered from that.)  

I remember receiving lots of gifts (Barbies, Barbies, and Barbies) over the years, but maybe more than the "things" I received, was the excitement and anticipation of opening them, the aromas wafting from the kitchen, the sweet smell of my grandma's Tabu cologne as she held me on her lap, imperfect homemade ornaments, and helping mom, dad, my brother and sister decorate the tree (well, maybe not my brother :)  I remember our church decorated in bold reds and the playing of Christmas carols upon entering those bright crimson doors.  And then there’s the extreme anxiety the night I "had the pleasure" of playing the music for our church service – O Holy Night!

Later, after having my own children, I remember the stressful late hours on Christmas Eve working on the  “easy-to-assemble all-parts-and-tools-included” boxed race car sets and doll houses, the sound of their little footsteps running way too early in the morning downstairs to the Christmas tree, then the playing with said boxes, and the non-stop giggling of our daughters as my husband tickled them relentlessly.  And now…. the sound of grandchildren’s footsteps running down the same long hall and stairway - still oh so early in the morning!

That may not look like any of your Christmases – but I’m sure you have a story.  We all have our past experiences and present expectations.  Perhaps this Christmas just doesn’t feel like Christmas because of your circumstances. Maybe you have more to do than there are hours in the day.  Maybe it’s your first Christmas without a loved one, or you don’t have the resources to make it quite as merry as in the past.   

Wherever we are, whatever our need, God promises to meet us in it – great or small.  If we can just choose to set ourselves, our problems, and our expectations, apart from the hustle and bustle, from the sadness and tears, and call to Him, He will come.

Step out of your “scene” and  

Give Him praise,
Rejoice in His birth,
Recount His past faithfulness,
Thank Him for His present activity,
and Be grateful for the people He has put in your life!

You will find His compassion, His comfort – His unconditional love. 

Whether your evergreens look like palm trees this year, or your snow filled scenes look like desert expanses, Jesus is there, even if it doesn’t feel like it ~ Hope is here!

Christ is Born!!

Matthew 1:16

                                                                                                                      

The Golden Dome

"Domer"

12" X 12" Oil on Raymar Canvas Panel

NFS

Here in southern Indiana, we are deep into that time of year –time to close up the swimming pools, store the patio furniture, change the wreath on the front door, and make sure the rakes, blowers, and mulchers are all in good working order………because the greens have turned to red, orange, gold, and brown, and are falling to the ground.   And ya gotta do something with that new ground cover!  Few things stay the same in our surroundings when the seasons change.

We have made quite a few trips to the always beautiful and immaculately kept Notre Dame campus in Notre Dame, Indiana this past year.  With the construction of a new building and various other updates, it never quite looked the same each time we visited.  However, it seemed the one thing we could count on was the notably identifiable Golden Dome – its presence towering magnificently at the end of the tree-lined boulevard.  The only difference in its appearance each time was how it was ”framed”:  nestled amongst abundant green foliage, various jewel-toned autumn gems, or bare branches creating gaps filled in with a patchwork of gray skies.  While the Dome itself never changed, its “frame” sometimes affected our perception of it.

What’s different in your landscape?  What has changed with the seasons – seasons of victory, joy, abundance,……..and seasons of sadness, depression, or loss?  At the risk of sounding like my grandma, I will have to say things have changed so much in our culture during my lifespan, I hardly recognize us at times! 

With the  assurance of change, it’s hard to know what or who one can depend on.  Perhaps the one thing you have put your security in is losing its power.  Relationships come and go, the economy is up and down, political issues go round and round, and laws/rules are in and out.  Often change results in insecurity, anxiety, and insomnia, among other issues.  That is, IF you focus on your circumstances.  Fortunately, we serve a God who never changes, loves unconditionally, and is “compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love”. 

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower;

the righteous run to it and are safe.”

Proverbs 18:10

Just wonderin if you’re believing that today……….

Poppy Field

"When I Was in Italy ...."

8" X 10" Oil on Linen Panel

 Original photo

Cropped for my purposes

Several of my friends have traveled abroad, but none of them have told their story quite like Christina.  In fact, within the first few minutes of meeting her, I learned that she recently took a university class in Florence, Italy called “The Diet and Lifestyles of the Mediterranean.”  Her entire face lit up as she related her experiences with fresh enthusiasm!   (You should see the food pictures!)

If the students wanted to see any other parts of the country, they were on their own to plan day trips on the weekends.  They had to choose between trying to squeeze in as many places as they could in a short period of time, or spend more time in fewer places.  Christina chose  to embrace all she could.  Of course, that meant literally running through the streets in some places, and viewing others from the inside of a vehicle. 

I loved looking through all the photos, but was specifically drawn to the one above.   I actually looked at it for a while before realizing it was taken through the bus window.  (Some representations can be deceiving!)   I asked her if it was a poppy field, and because she was just driving by, she really didn’t know for sure.  She just knew it was a pretty field with reddish-orange flowers and a few buildings that obviously attracted her enough to take a picture.  And it attracted me enough to take a second look, zoom in, choose the part I liked, and crop it.  Then when it came time to apply the composition to my canvas, I just made the things I couldn’t discern into whatever I felt suited my goal of a well-balanced landscape.

Viewing someone’s life from a distance is somewhat like that.  We see some dots and connect them in a way that seems logical to us – and bingo, we’ve come to a conclusion that may not be the truth.  Yeah – it's all too easy to “judge from afar.”  But, the closer we get to someone, the more we can see how wrong – or right - our assumptions may have been.  (For example - those may not be poppies at all!!)

And what about our relationship with God?  Are we settling for the drive-by, the view from the foggy window, or even looking through someone else’s lenses?  It may obscure the truth, or misrepresent it, and if it does, we lose.  We lose because we put God in a box that we’ve constructed – we make Him what we want Him to be – “to fit the landscape” – and He's so much more than that!  

You want to know if “poppies are really poppies?"  Find out for yourself - go straight to Him - because you can!

“Come near to God and He will come near to you.” 

James 4:8

[Guess I'll have to go to Italy!  :)))]

Oh, and you're wondering about the title?  According to Christina's father, since her return, she often begins her sentences with, "When I was in Italy, ....."  There's that passion - gotta love it!   (I think he's given her a new nickname:)