STAYING QUIET by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Staying Quiet

For some reason last night, I was in a foul mood last night.  Rare but easily understood with outside stress and news of loved ones struggling.  I never got to that ranting point, or slamming cabinet doors...but the voices in my head struggled with the "I, poor me, and the what if" syndrome.

My brain was not racing but it definitely was not on a straight path of thinking.

It was just hitting sunset as I began to pace the floors inside.

I escaped outside with my camera.

 The sun was dropping rapidly through the trees setting across the lake.

The water shimmered in brilliant gold and still I could not see the 'fire' on the water, the trees were in the way.

I could glimpse the ball of the sun still above the treeline...but not the reflections on the water.

 It set quickly as the clouds gathered above me kissing the sun good night.

My mind was still churning in thoughts between the clicking of the shutter...

I was still not sure what had drawn me outside.

The I saw it.  Less than a week ago I had pruned back my roses.  They had grown long and limp with the heat of September.  With all the traveling in and out of Dallas they had been neglected.

I looked down and realized the pruning had forced the new growth that will eventually bear fall blooms for the garden.

I came back inside and put the camera up till this morning.  I went into the bedroom and changed into my pjs and gathered my favorite book and climbed into bed.   I realized then all the crazy thoughts in my mind were spinning into a monster I did not need in m life.  Bitterness and anger accomplish little. I remember the trees that kept me from seeing the power of the sunset. The Power of Him. Those trees were the same as all the racketing noise in my head keeping me from Him.

The pruned roses were the second perfect message.  I had to cut or prune out of my mind the non-useful garbage, for as long as it was there, nothing good and new could grow.

Ridding myself of the negativity...  not thinking for one moment about anything else happening around me or to me or to those I love.  Emptying my mind to hearing the sound of my own heart beating and allowing HIS peace to fill me.  Staying Quiet and waiting.  As I did, the frustrated anger left my mind and the peace that replaced it was profound.  Can I do this anytime? I hope so because I was totally amazed that it had worked.

Take out the garbage inside of you.

We have the power to be free from fleshly anxieties. We can have the peace that surpasses all understanding.  We simply need to make our requests known to our Father.

Laurie


Philippians 4:6-7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

The Fire of Morning by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

The Fire of Morning

I am back home in Mount Vernon and this morning was out about 8 am watching the sun on the pond clicking pictures capturing the energy of the morning light.

 The home across the pond is a beautiful burnt orange so seeing the reflection in the pond this morning so vivid was worth capturing on my camera. It is like fire in the water.

God is light.

God is fire.

From the burning bush, the pillar of fire and the fire on the alter.

In Deuteronomy 4:24 the Father is described as 'consuming fire'.

We are often said to be 'on fire' for God. If you allow God to enter into your life at the deepest part of your soul you will find his fire to be a 'different' type of light. It does not destroy, it purifies, corrects and cleanses.

After being away from our home and my studio for so long, I feel like the fire of the Lord burns within me to create and paint again.  That is where I am headed after doing this blog this afternoon.

Allow His love to burn brightly in your day. Jesus spoke of the fire he brought to the earth (See verse below) ... the fire is indeed kindled. Has it spread to your life?

Laurie

"I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!"  Luke 12:49

 

Lack of Sleep by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Too Sleepy

Last night was void of sleep.

There were no 'worries' or squirrels... I simply went to bed late after the Cowboy game and woke up by 3:30 this morning. 

I prayed for friends and family; I sang praise songs in my brain; I did deep breathing exercises.   Then it was 4:30.

I got up then and took one Tylenol and drank some water.  Still no worries but a little tired. I knew for sure I would be back to sleep.

But I did not.

The clock showed 5:45 when I finally gave up and flipped open my ipad and started watching Heartland via Netflix.

Showered at 7 and here I am at 9 so sleepy as I type, I know I will be napping shortly.   I am not always clear about God's plans for me...but obviously I was to be awake.

I didn't solve any problems because I was not tangled or captured by any. Usually it is conflict in my brain keeping me awake.

We all have nights like this, so this day I will continue to put in His hands without expectations and know He will show me the way.

Laurie

"Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me." Psalm 31:3

Hide and Seek with A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Hide and Seek

In and out, around and through, between and under, over and back around.  Life may move in a circle, but our lives weave in different directions.



The road looms before us as our eyes dart
around seeing what surrounds us, often being tempted to leave the road and explore.

The 'lines' in society keep most of us moving in 'the direction' expected.  Crossing the lines is the sign of a rebel or a wanderer.

Childhood was blessed with days of freedom.  The lines were not important to us then.  We had a stronger sense of adventure and enjoyment of life.

Savoring the light in the day to stay out playing and being with friends was the top priority. There was no concern of staying in the lines driving down the road of life.

Then suddenly before we know it, we are enclosed as adults into the lines and boxes society puts us into.

Insecurities fall in as we adapt to the adult world struggling to stay in the lines and be a contributing member to society.  Our hearts long for the freedom we once had but our brain tells us we must conform.

Is there a happy medium?

Terry always said he wanted the kids to just be happy and be productive members of society able to earn their living and care for themselves.  We are almost there.  Personalities and life experiences have handed us some unexpected things that leaped beyond the 'lines' and we still struggle with the fall out from decisions they made.

God wants us to live our lives more like the child we once were. To trust in Him and place our growing concerns and fears at His feet.  Is it possible every time worry begins to conquer your mind that you can stop it?

When you were a child you did not wake and begin to worry.  You woke hungry and your needs were met with out you having to think about it.

Your day seem to just unfold before you and you played and ran from one attraction to another taking delight in the simplicity of color or movement.

When did we lose the trust in our lives to live without worry?



When did we lose the ability to delight in the simple? Who are you hiding from and what do you seek?

Laurie

'Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

Family, Beauty, Gifts and More, God is Good by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Family, Beauty, Gifts and more...

Sunday growing up was always a day of church and family. 
Sunday always meant a special meal as well that we all gathered around to share.

Sunday was a day to count blessings and give thanks for the week and all the joys and sorrows.


And by evening thoughts turn to the new week ahead and preparing for the journey.


Sunday evenings are a great time to sort out all of the problems and issues of the past week.  Write them down and cross them off your list.  As you do say a prayer releasing them to God.

As the new week opens there is much ahead for you in growth and in serving or giving of yourself.  The horizon is endless, your choices are endless and your steps are limited.  Choose wisely.

There will be moments of decision for the correct path to take.


Reflect back to your Sunday night list, your family and pray with God as you make the decision to take the upper road or the lower road.


My Mom always said growth comes from climbing and developing strength from the challenges in life on that upper road.  

The lower road looks easier as it is down hill, but if you arrive too quickly you will have not experienced life.

Gather God's gifts close as you live this next week of your life, just as you would gather flowers in a bouquet.


He continues to bless us richly in so many ways through the beauty of the earth, to the personalities in our families and friends, and on to the strangers we encounter. You never know what they will bring something into your life.

Laurie


Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (NIV)

Angels Unaware Words of the Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Angels Unaware

Angels  are messengers of God.  Is it possible to  know if you have an 'angel' touch your life?

It is not like they leave 'angel dust', a visual marker that they have been there. Perhaps they leave a heart print or a smile or a very warm feeling of safety.  

"He will give His angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways. On their hand they will bear you up lest you dash your foot against a stone."  Psalms 91:11-12

Who is the person ahead of you in line? 

Or even the one just behind... the pleasant smile you share is a spiritual gift unaware.  

You pass on the light of grace in that smile across your face.

Only a second or two flashes by as their eyes light up and you hear a sigh.

Deep within they released their pain, and on their face mirrors a reply to remain.

Later in the day they will turn their head, eyes meeting eyes from the spirit led.

The gentle gift of that smile passes to another and His love gifts on  a little further.

"Lord, give Thine angels every day, Command to guard us on our way. And bid them every evening keep their watch around us while we sleep. So shall no wicked thing draw near to do us harm or cause us fear; and we shall dwell, when life is past, with angels round Thy throne at last."

by  John M Neale.

Laurie

A Texas Artist

 "We should not forget to entertain strangers, lest we entertain angels unaware."- Hebrews 13:2

Choices in Life in Decision Making by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

CHOICES IN LIFE


What do I do now?


Making decisions in life is often not only challenging but can be overwhelming as well.  Looking back at life there can be questions as to some of those choices.

Bad decisions from the past are mistakes we must make amends for within our minds as well as with those that were affected by them.


It is not possible to move forward until you can forgive and ask for forgiveness. 


How does one make better choices today and in the future?  


Inside each of us is an innate ability to use our wisdom and discernment led by the Father... spiritually.

Often we are led by emotions or physically needs and take action based on those things alone...  


NOT WAITING
NOT TRUSTING 
NOT PRAYING
NOT MEDITATING
NOT LISTENING


Jesus went up to a mountain top to pray to remove himself from all the 'noise' and 'commotion'.  We should do the same.


Maybe we cannot climb to a nearby mountain top, but we can retreat to a quiet place and lay our heart and mind out to the Father.


Through meditation and prayer, the seed will be planted.   From the seed grows the new vine... and from that new vine will be new healthy growth.


Through the Father and spiritual discernment will come wise choices.


Laurie


"I do not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ."  Galatians 1:12

IN HARMONY by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace, Words of the Heart

In Harmony


Depression or sorrow can be part of positive healthy growth.
Low times of grief are needed to provide the contrast to joy and fulfillment.


Comparing it to music is looking at the 'harmony' or lack of harmony, which is dissonance.
Cognitive dissonance refers back to the core of life and living.  Conflict or incongruity.

There is a vast collection of music in the world with thousands of voices, instruments and infinite ways to arrange notes together to create something unique.  Music is made up of simple basic notes.  The notes are complied to make harmony and in some cases dissonance. It takes both the positive and the negative notes to complete the work.


The final always brings resolution and a type of peace or ending.

In the symphony of life we must all learn to live and work in harmony. Those same positive and negative notes complete who we are and who we are becoming.


What note or contribution do you bring to the symphony in your family or workplace?


Are you a voice of peace?


Are you a voice of love?

Are you a voice of healing?


Are you a voice of dissonance?


Are you a voice of God?

Children from my classes in Texas did a beautiful job of bringing together all of their energy, notes, playing, singing and dancing to perform our version of Grease.

These children, now grown, are in high school or college; I can't help but wonder what notes they bring to the symphony in their lives today.




Laurie


"They were all under the direction of their father for the music in the house of the Lord with Cymbals, harps and lyres for the service of the house of God." 1 Chronicles 25:6


Also catch my latest Art Lesson Here... Chalk and Buttermilk.

Turning it Over...to God, Words of the Heart from A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Turning It Over


When those words run through my mind I think of the soil outside.
Or even the days spent at the beach digging in the sand and watching sand castles dissolve back into the ocean.

It is not always just letting go and letting God, but sometimes there is more involved when you cannot seem to let go.


Turning it over with God.  Digging into the heart of the issues and 'shoveling them out of the way.


Turning the soil over and making way for new growth in life.


Letting go is always hard.

Tirelessly Terry worked at digging up a root next to the house.


Only two weeks before we closed on the house in March of 2010, there was a huge storm. Lightening hit this tree right next to the house.  The owner did not of course do the 'right' thing of having it removed and taken out of the way.


The main part tree trunk was drug over to the pond and pushed in.  Out of site, out of mind.... but the root of the problem was still in the ground next to the house, constantly tripping us up and making it impossible to mow or grow anything there.

Slowly using his saw and shovel, Terry took it on and turning the soil over and over exposed the things that needed to be removed.


Perhaps that is what we need to do in our minds or lives.  We might have to dig around to find the true rooted problem or issue.  When we find it, we have uncovered it and that is what we need to turn over to God.

In the void that is left, Terry planted Lantana... to bloom and set root into newly turned soil.

He worked the area, also adding leached soil back to the foundation around the house.  


Think what good things can grow in the place of the things that drag you down that you cannot seem to let go of.






Laurie
A Texas Artist


Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.--Hebrews 12:11

Pre-Packaged from Heaven - Words of the Heart from Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Pre-Packaged 

by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

From our birth God has knitted together the genes and the particles of our being that come basically 'pre-packaged' to earth as we arrived.  

He has taken care to choose exactly what we need for our lifetime in our earthly journey.  

Our life experiences shape this soul to be who we are as others see us.    We learn by example as well as by experience and if we are blessed with parents that are believers, they instill in us from birth their beliefs and together they help us build the foundation of who we are.

The precious time spent with a granddaughter as she explores her world and the moments spent with my Dad who has Alzheimers, as he gropes his way through the shadows of his mind each day...provide me with a remembrance of who I am.

I am beloved of God.  Just as these two people are precious to God and to me in my life, I am in the same way, precious to the Father as well.


I am a daughter of our creator.


His love is shown to me through my family, through the beauty of nature, thoughts and deeds of kindness and compassion and through unexpected opportunities. 


Keeping the heart open to feel and experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit, I know my connection with God abides in me wherever I am.


There is no limit to His love for me.  He will care for me as a father cares for his beloved child. 


Laurie


"A voice Came from Heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." Mark 1:11

What Comes First


First thing on the mind ... when you wake?
Morning meetings or carpool for school
Maybe emails you have to remember to send off.

Finish painting today in the kitchen.
Next clean out the cabinets,
but first don't forget to start the dishwasher.
And move the wet clothes to the dryer.




Lives filled with busy.  That is all God hears is the 'busy' signal.

My life has been beating around the paint brush and constant pressures associated with 'having to paint'.  Painting begins to lose its soul when it is not begun with God first in the creative process.


Would that not be the same with our lives every day? Putting God first would ensure a quality day.  With all the power and might of His love and grace infused with His wisdom and strength...He is present everywhere all the time. He is the source.  Why would you want to begin the day without Him with you as you greet the day?

Help me this day to open my inner self to Jesus.
Help me to release all of my day to Him.


Help me witness where I am in my life with Him.


Abiding in Him. 


Laurie
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29 

Pruning

There are times in the cycle of my roses that I have to prune them back. While I hate disrupting the growth and the blooms, it is the right thing to do.

 At those times in life when we cannot see beyond our nose we lose sight of what can be.

 Turning it over to the Lord and following the lead of Jesus encourages you to do your own 'pruning'.


We have to let go and walk away from things that we are comfortable with; things that appear to us to be perfect for our life. But truly are they?

We soon realize the jewels that fill our 'crowns in our life" are only of this earth and not of heaven or of God. Taking off the "crown" we realize we are not the important person we thought we were.


Perhaps we are nothing more than those empty colorful  bubbles reflecting the lights and enticements of this world, floating aimlessly until they encounter something solid or tough. Then they burst. Nothing remains.



I am beginning to leave behind many things that use to be 'necessary' to me in life. The slow yet sudden dawning of what is truly important brings a new focus to actions each day.


Laurie          

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4 NIV

COMFORT in HIM

Life moves forward around us every single second. Those seconds make minutes and those add up to days, months and years.  Moments can be filled with joy or sorrow, peace or chaos, but through it all despite discontentment or circumstance I must trust that God's hand is in everything.  I have to turn to Him.

 Truly making a day would be impossible with out His presence in our lives. Some days are harder than others when the situations involve those I love and I feel so helpless to meeting their needs. I have to remind myself, only God can meet those needs not me.  In the depths of 'hell' the only source for good and light is the Father. 

You will find if you can get to that place of relying on Him you will have balance in the moment and regain your ground. This works through times of discord and despair. 

God brings harmony if you are listening and waiting on Him and through this you will find peace.

 Laurie         

 

" I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them and give them gladness for sorrow." Jeremiah 31:13

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DRESS UP

We arrived at Tara and Justin's house last week and Tara brought out this special box. It was medium large in size and we were all inquisitive.  As she pulled the box open out erupted beautiful fabrics in every imaginable color. It was memorizing just to witness the box opening. These rich fabrics were her collection of dance costumes over the years of dancing.  After every performance her mother had carefully packed away the costume, collecting many years together in this one special box.

 Lady L was in awe of the colors and the fabrics and she reached out, eyes sparkling with a growing smile across her face. Tara carefully pulled each one out and spread them across the floor as Lady L ran between them giggling try hard to make a choice of a favorite one to put on.

In this life we are often faced with decisions about things. That is where my dad would say, "Laurie, have you made your list of priorities?" Artist friend from Colorado, Armella Benton, reminded me of that this summer when I was struggling with health issues and the heat. Sometimes we have very limited choices and other times we are overcome with too many choices.

Finally Lady L choose a beautiful pink netted dress with white dots and black ribbon. ( I wish I could show you the whole picture... it is awesome.) She even managed to hold her dress up as she waltzed around the room dancing in this floaty puffy netting.

Choices we make in life usually affect deeper things. Sometimes our choices affect other people.  Our negative choices often weigh heavily on those that love us, forcing them to make choices of their own creating a domino affect in a family.  With every choice is a consequence and we must always consider what will follow with the decisions we make.  

Brings back vivid memories of Sesame Street when they would run that story about 'IF I DO THIS...then this will happen, which will make this happen and then that will happen.'   Maybe we need to think about things in a simple way like this... Make your list first and then a second list of the things that could happen from your initial decision. 

Seems like in today's world the pressure is so intense we make hasty decisions often regretting them later in the day or even later in life.  Too bad life is not as easy as Lady L sees it.  It should be...God wants it to be.  He wants us to live our life and be happy, NOT stressed.

I had to throw in a picture of my outdoor boots for a laugh.... quite a contrast from Lady L's precious pink... but it brings me back to what I wanted to blog about this morning. Dress Up or dress down with boots?  Is it important to dress up to impress people with who we think we are?  That is where I was going  originally with this blog. What does your 'dress up' have to do with who you are?

James 2:2-4

New International Version (NIV)

"Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,”  have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts" 

Know a man/woman by their actions and their travels through life.  We all leave a trail on this planet with our choices and our actions. How we 'Dress Up' our lives and our appearance means very little if we are dark of heart.  Do not judge by appearance but judge by heart and actions. Those decisions you make today create changes in the future, basically echoing on forever.

Laurie          

2 Kings 1:1 "And when King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth and entered the house of the LORD."

My Blog   My Website   Giclees on Canvas, Prints and Cards    The Five Graces    The Artists of Texas      Daily Painters     Contemporary Fine Art International   Artists of Texas Blog    Daily Painters of Texas Blog  

 

GALLERY LINKS

Mirada Fine Art Denver CO,  

The Rare Gallery Jackson Hole WY 

The Dutch Art Gallery Dallas TX 

Our House Gallery El Dorado Hills CA 

SR Gallery Hong Kong    Gillian Jones Gallery Ohio