Out of the Darkness, Words of my heart, Texas Artist Laurie Pace

So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows. Like the blind we grope along the wall feeling our way like people without eyes.  At midday we stumble as if it were twilight; among the strong, we are like the dead

Isaiah 59: 9-10

It is so easy to get lost in yourself.  It is so easy to have situations define you. It is so easy to have darkness overtake you.  Even the strongest face trials and temptations. And the weak struggle through each day seeking the strength to even rise from their bed.

Each of us suffers and each of us are vulnerable to be pulled into the darkness of life.  That is why it is important to have a support group of friends or family that can shine a flashlight right back at you... or appear in your bedroom to throw open the drapes in the morning.   You are not alone.

Make that call to someone today that you know needs light in their lives.  Many friends are good at hiding the darkness...but you can make a difference so try.

Words of my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Put Together by Light, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10

Light and life are woven together both in scripture and here on earth. Plants cannot growth without light. As God created plants, He had to create that photosynthesis we all studied in high school and college.  It translates "Put together by Light".  If you remember your text book teachings, it is the chlorophyll in the plants that uses the light energy from the sun to make a simple sugar from the CO2 and water. This gives off oxygen for us to breathe. Our life support system was intricately put together by God.  Our breathing is dependent on plants... our life support system all created by God... divinely for us to live. 

God provides exactly what we need each day... along with all the oxygen we can breath... are you making good use of it in your life?

Words of my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Battle Scars Beneath the Light, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Titus 2  2:2

Standing on the deck outside I see how high the snow is piled. The white softness contrasts to the hard old wood of the deck and railing. The wood is old, worn and cracked, but with the tall white pile of snow, you do not see or notice the worn wood.

I compare this to us in life. We are all seasoned and worn by the time we are in our twenties. From there on the wrinkles may be deeper and we have more 'battle scars' from life, but when you are covered in the light of God, that is all people see. It is the joy of your smile and the light in your eyes.  They no longer see the wrinkles and miles surrounding those eyes or lips or the many battle scars that made you who you are today.

Words of my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace 

In the darkest Hour...Words of my Heart, A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”  Colossians 3:16

Last night we were walking across a parking lot from the Verizon store to Staples. It was warm outside still at nightfall but a cool front was due to pass through.  It was still in the low seventies as we went into Staples.

We walked around gathering some things while waiting for my phone to be transfered and ready for me... and as we walked out of Staples an hour later the dark clouds were literally rolling across the sky and the moon would peak out from the thick clouds between the wind gusts.  It was remarkable beauty at night. There was absolutely no way for me to take a photo...no phone no camera...but the image of God's work is engraved in my mind with the brilliant moon edged by slight haze gleaming through the edges of the heavy night clouds. 

Just a reminder to me even in the darkest times His light is there and we only need to turn to find it. We want to begin our advent journey by turning to the Lord with great hope.  In the midst of so many discouraging challenges in our lives  and the violence in the world around us, 
spend this day in anticipation of the graces and gifts our God desires to give us as we begin this first week of advent.

Words of my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Daily Walks with Him, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

““Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”  Isaiah 1:18

Our daily walks are stretching to be two miles each day. The weather is about as perfect as one could order up with the nights in the high forties or low fifties and the days pushing slightly close to 70.  It eases the memory of the hot summers with temperatures pushing over 110 degrees. Just about gone are the mosquitoes and the threat of West Nile Virus. With every step my mind clears of stress and chaos as I connect closer to Him. 

With every season change comes new challenges and new joys. May you find your days filled with God's light allowing Him to lead, guide, guard and direct your ways. 

Words of my Heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist, Laurie Pace

Separated Light from Darkness, Shared Thoughts from my Heart, Texas Artist Laurie Pace

God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.

Genesis 1:4

A good friend sent me a writing from one of her favorite sites and it created a lengthy discussion between Terry and I. Reflecting on the principles in art and composition light requires an opposite to make it appear strong in the composition. Perhaps that is true in life for each of us. The shadows of our lives plays an important part in the effects of the lights in our lives. One cannot exist without the other.

"At first glance, a shadow appears to be something that conceals light. However, according to the teachings of Torah, everything G‑d created was for His glory. This must apply to the shadow equally as to the light. Indeed, properly executed and skillfully placed, a shadow can actually enhance and highlight the effects of the light . . . From this, we can derive an important lesson whenever we encounter dark times . . . we should use the negative in a positive way, so that every spiritual “shadow” should come to be recognized as a “setting” that connects us to our Creator."

Shared thoughts from my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist, Laurie Pace

The Light of God, Words of my Heart, by a Texas Artist Laurie Pace

“Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”  John 3:20-21

Yesterday was a welcome day of rain. All day slow rain.  I have not checked the rain gauge, but I am sure we saw at least an inch.  We have vegetables that were starting to turn in the refrigerator so I decided to make up a batch of veggie soup.  We feasted on it last night and will today as well.

The verse I included above speaks to all of us. None of us have lived our lives with out the action of doing something that was not in God's light, or thinking thoughts or saying things that should never be said.  When we participate in that kind of living and thinking, the light of God hurts our eyes. Sometimes it feels easier to stay in the dark going about life in our own bumbling way.  Returning to His light takes courage, but once you begin the journey, His grace surrounds and lifts you up. Everything we do and say, everything we think... God knows before the thought finishes in our mind and before our mouth opens to speak. 

Words of my Heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace 

Let His Face Shine on Us, Words of my heart, Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Let His Face Shine on Us... Joy.

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us. 

Psalm 67:1

Joyfully cutting roots from the Old Ways, Words of my heart, A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Our lives seem to root out in every direction of things to reach out and be involved in. Some are worthy of Him as we serve and give to others. Many more tangle around us as we root our ways into earthly things that consume our lives.  Joy is knowing these earthly roots will one day be cut and our hope remains in the Lord as we grow in His unfailing love.

May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,

    even as we put our hope in you.  Psalm 33:22

Words of my Heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

He is our light, salvation and our stronghold in our lives, Words of my heart, by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Our grandchildren seem to hold us in higher esteem than our children did at the same age.  I love grandchildren. You can love them and spoil them and even lovingly share your opinions and they still love you. In so many ways we are the stronghold in their little lives as they grow. Parents seem to be in such a major growth area in careers and the busy world that they live in daily and they have less time for their children then I did when mine were young. Times change.


The one unchanging Joy in our lives is the Lord is our light, our salvation and the stronghold in our lives.  We need not be afraid.





























The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life -  of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1




Words of my heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Fourth Day of Joy, Kiss the Clouds of Heaven, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Open your eyes in any direction where we live and you are constantly reminded of God's glory here in the deep east Texas forests.   Several years ago we were in Wyoming for a gallery opening for my art and we stopped heading south through Colorado in Breckenridge.  

Breckenridge Colorado

This tops the beauty of east Texas as it literally takes your breath away. The sheer majesty of the beauty of the Rockies from every angle is awesome. From the break of early dawn until the setting of the sun in the west, here you are so close to heaven you can feel the kiss of God's clouds.  


The higher you drive toward Eisenhower Pass the closer you seem to heaven.  


Wherever you are today, raise your eyes to Him and open your arms to receive the great joys He has for you. They surround you...if you can't see them you are looking too hard in the wrong places. Look up.


Words of my Heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist Laurie Pace


"Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory  in the heavens." Psalm 8:1

What is your worth? Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

I was standing in the midst of friends and someone was referring to their "worth" as in money and assets.  It rather surprised me as this is not the norm for conversation in this small east Texas town.


Terry and talked about it on the way home from church yesterday contemplating what the true 'worth of man' is.   Are you looking at it from man's view of man or God's view of man?

Cash in hand? Castles built in sand? Wisdom in his words or the things he has amassed on earth?


A man's worth is what he does in reaching out to others to help them make their journey. 


A man's worth would be his heart and soul invested in making this a better world by using all the gifts and tools God provided to give hope and a better life to others. A man of worth will light the way for those lost in the dark of depression and despair.


Words of my Heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist Laurie Pace


^"This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." John 2:19-21

Empowered by the Father, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

With every change in life, every move we make, in everything we do, we are given the gift of insight with the experience. Many of us miss the 'insight' and cling to the experience without a second thought. We are caught up emotionally.

God is the constant in our lives that empowers us through His word, His affirmations, His creation... through everything around us. Many of us miss the 'constant' of God.


It is this power from Him that propels you through challenges and comforts you in stress.  Pay attention to these moments to feel His presence within you.  Don't miss out on it. 


"To you, O God of my ancestors, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and power." Daniel 2:23


Words of my heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Reflections, Words of my heart by a Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Reflections


When things happen in life they seem to make a permanent mark in our memories. We remember every single detail down to the temperature outside and maybe even what we were wearing.


It is those memories that comes back to us for 'reflection' through different times in our lives. The good and the bad memories. Then to reflect on this very Friday back in 33 A.D. is something more than remarkable. 

Reading through the gospels and their versions of this day evokes a deep sense of sorrow and pain for me. Despite it all Jesus never gave in.  His last words were "Father into your hands I commit my spirit." 


If your life has been filled with sorrow and pain. If you are carry burden and weight that keeps you from feeling joyful... it is time to speak these words from your heart and really mean it enough to place it all at the base of the cross.


Father into your hands I commit my spirit and my life. Jesus gave His life for us and our sins. He will bear the pain that you are trying to carry right now. 


Give it up to the cross. 


Words of my Heart, Laurie 




 Acts 2:20  The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.

The Jo in Joy, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

The Jo in Joy

You can feel her joy before Jo even walks into a room.  She brings a loving smile, a full laugh and always a positive outlook on everything in life.  I have been blessed with knowing her only two years and she still takes my breath away with her joyful nature and her enfolding love for God and for everyone she knows.

She and her husband Tony are celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary and this past weekend was filled with the complete joy of family and friends honoring this time in their lives.

Jo lives in my neighborhood here at the lake.  Her home, yard and life embrace their happiness and joy in life. They both celebrate the gifts provided and Jo shares some of that with our church choir.

Like all of us, they have faced many challenges in life with health and family. They stay the course with their faith and their positive attitude, always thinking of others first.

What made me write this to share it with you? I was walking last week on Friday and she and Tony whizzed by me in their van heading for the clubhouse. They were preparing for the party on Saturday.  Jo had the window down and a big smile splashed across her face singing out a joyful good morning to me.  What a blessed way to start my day.

We all need more Jo's in our lives... and I am blessed to have one as my neighbor. God is good and Jo is joyful sharing that in life. Thank you God, and thank you Jo.... Joy... it is all from God.

Words of my heart,
Laurie

"Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!" Psalm 98:4

Is Something Holding you Back? Words of my Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Is something holding you back?

Have you figured out in life there always seems to be something holding you back from things?  Not sure if it is fear or feeling inadequate...but negativity often crawls through your mind when you are confronting new challenges or changes.

There is door before you. Will you open it?  Are you leaving somewhere or going somewhere? When you do open it are you facing bondage to something or freedom from something? Technically different doors require different approaches to open them.   A simple turn of a handle opens most doors, but often some heavier doors require a key and some are simply a push door requiring nothing but a slight push of your hand or shoulder.

Decisions in life, life changes, life challenges are like those doors. Some require more effort than others to get the door open. Willingness will open those push doors, while the locked doors may require prayer and persistance.

What doors are in your life right now? Some doors are opening up for a new beginning while others signal an end to a time in life. Know which ever you are facing, God is will walk through it with you, He will even enter before and extend His light to guide you.

Words of my Heart,
Laurie

"Look, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut." Revelation 3:8

Celebrate the Light, Words of my heart, by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Celebrate the Light

There is light even in the darkest of night. There is light in each of us, even in our darkest moments. We are made from God's love and light. It is woven into our very being.  


Thinking of old Testament stories as the Israelites broke their bondage from Egypt, they followed the light into freedom.  The light came through Moses to them from God.


Be aware of the light inside of you... God's light. Your life is unfolding as He wants it to unfold. Even the missteps will lead you somewhere and you need to be certain God is right there beside you. Continue to learn and grow and be open to new thoughts and ideas. Share your light with others and be a blessing this day.


Words of my heart,
Laurie


"I will cause your name to be celebrated in all generations." Psalm 45:17

Ash Wednesday, Words for the Heart

From our First United Methodist Church Mount Vernon Texas Email this morning:

"Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lent season.

Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter

by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline.

FUMC Belvidere Site

Ash Wednesday emphasizes two themes: our sinfulness before God and our human mortality.

The service focuses on both themes,

helping us to realize that both have been triumphed through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The use of ashes as a sign of mortality and repentance has a long history in Jewish and Christian worship.

Historically, ashes signified purification and sorrow for sins.

The ash cross on the forehead is an outward sign of our sorrow and repentance for sins."

The image is from First United Methodist Church of Belvidere, Illinois.

Words for the heart, 

Laurie

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18 NIV

One Person at a Time, Perfect Harmony, Words of my Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

One Person at a Time... perfect Harmony

Must be the week of old camp songs.  Harmony, love and life. How does it all work in the world we live in?  One person at a time.


Remember the old Coca Cola song?



I am NOT promoting soft drinks. We have never kept them in the house except for company, but this commercial awakened the power of the sixties and seventies of make love not war.  My children sang this song. My Mother sang this song. I did not know anyone that did not know the song... 


The true essence is the gathering of people (here for coke) but in harmony...living lives in harmony.  One person passes it on to the next and then there are two. The two each pass it on and then there are four. Exponentially it spreads through a community with joy and and harmony lighting the way.  No one is left in the dark. No one can be disconnected from the power... as it comes from one person to the next. No one will be skipped.  


We are all members of one family...we all live here on earth and we must learn to unite in harmony.


Words of my heart, Laurie


"You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt." Deuteronomy 10:19

Oh What a Day to Whiz in the Park, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

 Oh What  A Day

I truly debated on my feelings last night. I was in my studio cleaning up and a group of children and some parents arrived at the pond behind our house. Part of the pond is our property, part is with the lot across the pond, which belongs to our Home Owners Association.

This is a gorgeous neighborhood of high end homes in the millions on this lake.  Ours is quite a bit simpler as we are next to the lake but not on it.  It is also a gated community. I love watching children fishing in the pond with parents as it warms my heart to see time spent with young ones...but late yesterday caught me totally by surprise as one of the men in the group basically unzipped and whizzed away right in public. A long whiz.

You seen pictures of where we live.. it is beautiful and very natural... but that was beyond my thoughts.

I decided next time I will shoot pictures and share them with the Home Owners Association. Perhaps they want a port-a potty in our neighborhood area. (I know not.)


I know growing up my parents demanded manners from us. There are certain rules accepted in our lifestyle that to me are pretty basic. This violated everything I have been taught. My anger grew and I walked away... bringing Paddy inside and settling back to work on my computer. I knew I had to recenter and not think about it.  Terry suggested having homemade cookies ready to share with them and try to approach it from a different angle.  Tomorrow we will walk around and clean up all the trash they left behind.

Think about others when you do things today. Your actions speak loudly.

Hummm...maybe a sign...No whizzing on this property? I can only imagine how God feels about many of the things we do that totally bring His jaw dropping.

Words of my heart,
Laurie

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 NIV