BIRD I

 

Many years ago, some hand unknown to me painted this beautiful bird. Who was this artist? How long did it take to develop this unique and luminous talent? How many decades did it take to weather the paint to this mellow beauty? Whose was the great talent to make so wondrous a work of art, a bird which looks ready to break into song at any moment? So many questions, and the answers known to Almighty God.

We are all artists. We create, bring beauty to others' lives. Mothers bring talents of nurture, fathers give talents of protection. Teachers impart talents of education. Doctors impart blessing of continued life when they save us from premature death. Nurses give dedicated care. All who draw or sculpt or paint or craft or mosaic or clay work give the beauty of art to the world.

What is your gift?

You will have gifts. Usually, more than one. Artistic creation, musical ability, strength of body to help others, strength of mind to make decisions to ensure a better world. Caring ability to help others. Dentistry to save from pain and ease the lives of others. So many talents.

Why not develop your talent? God will help you.

As this beautiful bird has inspired me on my journey, and I thank the unknown artist  - so may Almighty God strengthen you with confidence to create art by writing, journalism, music, poetry, driving ... whatever is your beauty of talent.

And rejoice! Life is meant for living, not for grieving over a buried talent. Take out your talent, dust it off, and do something with it. We all need your brilliance and amazing unique ability in our world!

And shine ...

FAITH

 

Faith sustains us at all times. In difficult times, have faith that God is still in control. Turn to Him in prayer, asking for the best for your final holiness. God will always help you to make the best decisions.

If the storm is howling, Jesus will eventually calm the tempest. If the way is rough, perhaps God is allowing you to be tested. If we are never to have rain in our lives, if we are cushioned through too much luxury and ease, we will not grow to our fullest potential.

If you are afraid, turn to God. And trust in your inner strength as son or daughter of Almighty God.

As Eleanor Roosevelt so famously said, we are like a teabag -  we never know how strong we are until we get into hot water.

Have faith! We will all win through to holiness with the Grace of God leading us along our path.

Do not fear. All will be well. and all manner of things will be well. (Julian of Norwich)

DREAMING MIST

 

It is good to have regular prayer times: such as morning, midday 

and evening. And many other times in-between! 

The Grace of God comes upon our hearts and souls, 

much as the beauty of the mist comes upon 

a slumbering earth.

Feed your soul - turn to God!

URBAN ART XII

 

URBAN ART XI

 

NIGHT MOON IN DAYLIGHT

 

GOOD MORNING

 

URBAN ART VI

 

THE THREE SISTERS

 

VELD BEAUTY

 

ROCKS X

 

VELD STARS

 

URBAN ART XII

 

PENSIVE ANGEL

 

Photograph taken with permission. With thanks to the sculptor

So it's like this. As humans, often we look at things from humankind's perspective. Looking up from earth to heaven, we think of God our Father. We ask our guardian angel to help us - (knowing that Jesus Christ explained that all of God's children have an angel in heaven interceding on each one's behalf - (Matthew 18:10).

Yet do we ever think of matters from the angelic perspective? Mom had invited me to visit a local sculptor in Africa. When we visited, I was amazed at the beauty and precision with which the various images were made. This image of a pensive angel made me stand in wonder at the angelic beauty. It is almost as if the angel - a fledgling guardian as it were - has received the mandate from God to be guardian to a little human.

The angel looks out over heaven, hands clasped in prayerful thought, as if pondering how to go about this momentous task. How shall I protect this little one? What issues shall I warn my little charge against? How can I keep this little human made in the Image and Likeness of God safe from the wiles of the evil one?

A stone lies at the feet of the angelic sculpture in the photograph, with the word "Liefde" engraved upon it. This is the Afrikaans word for "Love". A fitting encapsulation of the vocation of each angel guardian.

Let us remember our dear guardian angels. Let us spare a thought for the multitude of guardian angels who have had their charges wrested from their angelic care through abortion, murder or sin. Let us pray for all who have not - or do not - listen to the angelic promptings of their angel guardian, that their hearts may become open to the guidance of their angel.

Let us pray the following prayer:

"Angel of God, my guardian dear,

to whom God's Love commits me here,

ever this day be at my side,

to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBYEQvVRRKQ

With thanks to youtube

AFRICA - DEEP IN THOUGHT

 

Photograph taken with permission. With thanks to the sculptor

DIAMOND HEART (AFTER THE RAIN)

 

This beautiful South African plant held a heart of water after the rain - which glistened like a diamond in the sun. Intent on gardening, I stopped; arrested by the beautiful sight. 

As the plant was - after the rain - so, too, are we. Each of us has many layers, different talents, various capabilities - much as the many-layered leaves of this little plant. Within our hearts, all of us contain a diamond. Each of us has a prism of the Almighty God within our being, we are all made "in the Image and Likeness of God" (Genesis 1:27). Humankind has been made in God's Image in our moral, spiritual and intellectual nature.

Let us never disrespect another individual. If we do so, we run the risk of disrespecting the Image of God within that person. The diamond within our being also may be tears, sorrows or grief. We may have a struggling Image of God within our souls due to sin, difficulties or lack of knowledge. Yet: here is the wonderful truth. We are all bound towards God, on many different roads. Let us reach out our hands across any perceived divide and connect with others on their traverse towards God.

Let us discover the diamond within our hearts and souls; and help others, to discover theirs.

AFRICA - RHINOCEROS

 With thanks to the sculptor

ROSE STAINED GLASS WINDOW

 

Rose window often refers to a circular window, especially those found in Gothic Cathedrals and churches. The windows are divided into segments by stone mullions and tracery. The term rose window was not used before the 17th century, and comes from the English flower name 'rose'.

Like the Eastern mandala, rose windows often symbolized how various smaller parts could form a harmonious whole and attain perfect unity.

Our families, societies, places of worship and countries form rose windows. Every family has family members. When all pull together with their diverse personalities and talents, a familial rose window may be formed. I know, I know . . . sometimes easier said than done. But a family is a living rose window. There are times when sorrow and suffering weave less light-filled experiences into our lives. Yet there are always the luminous joys and the good times - much as the rose window.

Every society has members. When all join together, a beautiful harmony may be created. Let us uplift those in difficulty, support those in need, and rejoice in all achievements. Let us form rose windows of peace, joy, tolerance, respect and patience within our societies for all.

Our place of worship has congregants. Let all who believe in God be a light upon a hilltop to the world, a rose window of individuals with talents working together to bring peace, harmony and the message of our Loving God to all.

Every country has citizens. Let us uplift the beautiful countries into which God willed us to be born.

Let your individual life be a mandala, a rose window of beauty to the world.

REMEMBRANCE

 

With thanks to the street artist

ANGEL

 

GUARDIAN ANGEL

 

ANGEL

 

CANDLES

 

LADY

 

ROSA

 

REMEMBER WHO WORE THE THORNS

 

With thanks to the poster artist. Photograph taken with permission

CHRISTMAS TREE

 

With thanks to the poster artist. Photograph taken with permission

MOTHER AND CHILD IN THE WILD

 

THE WAY IT SHOULD BE

 

Mother and children free to roam the fields, 

loving and accepted neighbors. 

This is how it should be . . . 

OIL IN YOUR LAMP

 

All of us require oil in our spiritual lamp. Perhaps our daily oil is patience. Perhaps it is perseverance. Sometimes it is an effort of faith. At times it may be example to others of our belief in Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. And don't rule out at times we carry out actions of benefit for others as we serve the Living God, our Father in Heaven.

Whatever the oil in your lamp, have faith. Even when your faith is tested. Especially when your faith is tested.

And be serene. Whatever happens, all will be well.

Why not sing this beautiful song?

Give me oil in my lamp

1 Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning.
Give me oil in my lamp, I pray.
Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning.
Keep me burning till the break of day.

Refrain:
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
sing hosanna to the King of kings!
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
sing hosanna to the King!

2 Give me love in my heart, keep me sharing.
Give me love in my heart, I pray.
Give me love in my heart, keep me sharing.
Keep me sharing till the break of day. (Refrain)

3 Give me joy in my heart, keep me singing.
Give me joy in my heart, I pray.
Give me joy in my heart, keep me singing.
Keep me singing till the break of day. (Refrain)

4 Give me faith in my heart, keep me praying.
Give me faith in my heart, I pray.
Give me faith in my heart, keep me praying.
Keep me praying till the break of day. (Refrain)

With thanks to the composer, origin unknown

ROSE OF SHARON

The name "Rose of Sharon" first appears in Hebrew in the Tanakh. In the Shir Hashirim ('Song of Songs' or 'Song of Solomon') 2:1, the speaker (the beloved) says "I am the rose of Sharon, the lily of the valley." 

Many symbolically call Jesus Christ the Rose of Sharon. This rose has perfection of shape, color and fragrance. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is perfection. He has the firmness of a man with the tenderness of a woman.

The rose is the universal flower of beauty - it belongs to all, rich or poor. Thus, too, does Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, belong to all.

Christ, Son of the Living God, be to us a living fragrance of the world that is to come, Amen.