Broadening My Vision

Over the last 90 days I have expanded my view as an artist. I have learned how to do new things, but also strengthened my current skill set.

The funny thing is when I was making goals for this year, none of these new skills were even thought of.  That thought makes me truly excited about all of the things I will learn next year.

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I achieved about half of the goals I had for this year.  The truth is lots of things in my life changed, but it changed for the good.  I am always amazed at this time of year when I sit and review. I look at all that I have done and it floors me.  God is good.

It is very important to write down the things you want to accomplish.  That list will remind and encourage you to make those things happen.  It will also help you cut down on the distractions in your life.  Those are the things that come along and are good things to do, but they don’t really fall into plans for your life.  They distract you from accomplishing the plans God has for your life.

Make 2018 a year like no other in your life.

First, write down a list of things you want to accomplish in 2018.

Second, pray over that list everyday.

Third, keep that list in a prominent place. Maybe create a folder for it.  I keep a list of overall goals, but also one that has specialized goals, such as financial, spiritual, etc.

Fourth and Final, get out of your own way. Sometimes we don’t accomplish stuff because we get in our own way. We don’t believe we can do something.  We would much rather believe the negative things people say about us, rather than the beautiful things God tells us about ourselves every day.

God places desires in our hearts that He longs to accomplish through us. Believe Him. I am doing things I never dreamt I could do.  It is fun.  Trust God to take you on an adventure that will change your life.

 

 

Are You All In?

or are you sitting on the fence waiting to see which way the wind will blow?

In today’s sermon, my pastor discussed how it can be deadly to just pretend to be all in when  you just trying to look like other church folk.  In Acts chapter 5, Ananias and Sapphira wanted to look like  good church folks.  They even had their lie together so whether you questioned them together or separate, you would get the same answer.

What they failed to realize was that God knew their heart and their game.  It cost them everything they had thought they gained. Are you building up treasures in the right place?

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We only fool ourselves. God is not surprised by our actions.  It is kinda like those lights above. The white lights are rising above the fray.  There are some white lights mixed in with the colors. They look like they are all going the same direction. But. They. Are. Not..

Darkness and fake light does not fool God. He sees right through to your heart. It is our hearts that decide if we are all in or not.  Pray for a responsive contrite heart. It is a battle everyday to lay it down and not pick it back up.

Lets remind ourselves of Joshua’s words in chapter 24:  Choose for yourself this day the one you will worship. As for me and my family, we will whorship, Yahweh! Joshua 24:15.

Some Call It A Hard Rain

while others might refer to it as a storm. A metaphor for struggles in life, we  all encounter them in our lives and have to decide how to deal with them. In this collection of short stories, Dancing During the Storm, each main character had to decide what they would do when their life turned upside down.

This book is available:

Books2Read

Amazon

 

How to Raise God Wise Kids in a Satan rich World

 

This week I learned that art is hard and endangered. While I spent the week fighting with draping and achieving good tone, I learned today that many arts programs are on the way out to make room for more STEM.
The world is not a good place without art. Without art there is no science and technology because first you have imagine and create.

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This semester I have had a professor who continues to drive home the connection between science and art.  I get to challenge myself in a way that I have not before and find in the discomfort of it I am growing in new areas. Everyone deserves the chance to do this. I hope you will join me in praying for a reversal.

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The Updated Version of Dancing During the Storm is available.

Imagine living in a world where women are second class citizens.  With the world on the verge of war, women decide it is time to stand up, but there are some who would hold them back. In this short story, 14 to Fate, two women make decisions that the rest of the world will have to live with. But what do they decide?

Find out in Dancing During the Storm, Vol 2.

https://www.books2read.com/u/31MY0v

How to Raise God Wise Kids in a Satan rich World

Captured Great Moments

at the When Jade Smiles Golf Tournament on Friday, October 13, 2017.  When Jade Smiles is a grief resource for children. It is a nonprofit dedicated to providing assistance to children who have lost a parent.

Annually the organization hosts a golf tournament to raise funds.  This was the 4th Annual Tournament.