Bring it all to the Table... the altar, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Then to the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for his Name—there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice possessions 

you have vowed to the LORD.

Deuteronomy 12:7

Are you living your life bringing it all before Him?  Your tithes, your gifts, your serving... all the choice possession you have because of Him?

For this artist that is paint paint paint, and some more paint, then some canvas and a palette knife.  Every painting that comes from my heart is begun with a prayer to release all my worries before working and to allow His spirit to work through me on this composition. If I do not clear my mind, too much 'stuff' gets in the way before I can create. 

How can we live with so much stuff in our way?

Are you giving as you need to be giving to live the way you need to be living?

Words of my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist, Laurie Pace

The Lord is Witness to you in all ways, in thought and in deeds, Words of my Heart, Texas Artist Laurie Pace

"And about the matter you and I discussed—remember, the Lord is witness between you and me forever.”  l Samuel 20:23

Only the Father is full witness to who you are and what you do. He knows the contents of your heart, the hatred you have to some in your life, the love you have for others. He knows your thoughts before they form in your head. If you lean into Him and devote yourself to the Lord, the weight that drags you down will be lifted.

My mantra this month has been:

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."  Psalm 19:4

Whenever I begin to fall into a negative pattern I recite this mantra. I cannot hide from Him in anyway. I want to please Him because it is only through Him I find my peace and rest in His grace.

Words of my Heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Orchid in Bloom, God is at work, Words of my heart, Texas Artist Laurie Pace

     © G. O. D.  Laurie Justus Pace                                                          Graphics One Design 1998-2012



“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, 

neither are your ways my ways,” 

declares the Lord. 

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, 

so are my ways higher than your ways 

and my thoughts than your thoughts. " Isaiah 55:8-9

A second type of flower I grew up around was an orchid.  Admittedly I am not prepared to parent an orchid, but Mom gave me one at Easter and it is still blooming six months later.  My thoughts originally were more like, "I cannot do this, I will kill it!"  but it seems my Mother knew best and had more faith in me than I did. 

I am still confused at what to do with the stalk and will have to read up on things. This little one seems to love the window it lives in. This is the latest bloom. When it arrived there was a cluster of three flowers and they stayed almost three months. As they began to die off, this new bloom was born.  

Mom has provided the orchid in some special type container that basically keeps me from overwatering it I think.  Every morning when I arrive in the kitchen from the night, I take the left over water in my glass and water my orchid and my violets. 

His ways are indeed higher than our ways. His thoughts are far from our thoughts... our thoughts are buried in the life we struggle to live keeping up with extras we bring into our lives. God is never at the front of those thoughts.

I feel blessed to know my Father is on the job... and I remind myself daily of the many blessings and things I have to be thankful for.

Words of my Heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Help is Available, Apply Within. Words of my Heart, 100 days of Joy by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Help is available...apply within.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Under Siege Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Empty moments of peace when you mind is in siege.

Words of my Heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Praise be to the Lord, 

    for he showed me the wonders of his love 

    when I was in a city under siege. Psalm 31:21

Home is Where your Heart Is... words of my heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Home is where your heart is. 


I have moved more than most people in the military. Not quite sure why, but with my gaining years the insight into the whys are now spelled out clearly. 

Ducks are at home where every they land... God provides.

As children we associate 'safety' with home. When Lady L has a fall or injury and she is not home, her bottom lip trembles and she says, "Go home N O W." Her need to be safe is wrapped up in the physical presence of home. 


Most people are that way. We have this protected feeling of being safe at 'home'. Some people do not. When faced with mental, physical or sexual abuse from 'home'... it becomes a negative place.  Feelings of wanting what you see everyone else having triggers the 'search' for you for "home".  You simply want a place to feel safe and welcomed.


Home is where the heart is. If your heart is centered on God, you are 'safe' and you are 'home.'  There is no place in this entire world that can bring 'safe home' to you. Home is something you bring to a place.


No matter where you are, be at home with who you are. Be open and welcoming to people and they in turn will open their hearts and lives to welcome you. 


Welcome Him into your heart...and you are home.


Words of my heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist Laurie Pace


"But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain." Psalm 3:3-4
⁴ 

Refocus... where are you? Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Refocusing in Life


As you look at your life and what you are doing, often you find yourself wondering if you are heading the right direction. Things are going decently well yet something does not feel in balance. 

We are blessed with opportunities and gifts from the Father and offered opportunities every single day, but still things may not be as they should be.  Maybe some small changes are in order. Trying something new might bring back the order you are missing. 


Start with how you think about things and view them.  Can you climb out of the box you are in and look at everything from a different perspective?  God will support you spiritually if you are including Him on your evaluations.  He will be there with you no matter what you choose to change or do.


Words of my heart, Laurie


"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8

Surrender, Words of my Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Surrender

Darkness and difficulties cloud the day.

Often they cloud your entire life.

In the face of any challenge you do not have to be alone. There is hope even in the toughest time. It is when we are at the lowest point that we are the most open and unguarded... a time to hear and learn.  Our defenses are totally crumbled.  We are now reachable.  We are now teachable.

As we make our way from that dark pit of difficulty, back to the light, we appreciate new understanding about ourselves and situations in this life's journey. This gives us the strength to step out and go on.

His suffering was agony at its deepest. His rising was love and joy at its purest.

His sacrifice was for you and me.

Surrender to Him. Be enfolded in the peace that extends beyond all understanding.  Be still and surrender, know He is there.

Words of my Heart,
Laurie Pace

"Then Jesus crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." Having said this, he breathed his last." Luke 23:46

The Linen Cloth, Words from my Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

The Linen Cloth   by Laurie Justus Pace

The linen cloth tied round his waist
to catch the filth from my journey's haste,
He knelt before me basin at his side -
Water mixed with tears as he knew what I would hide.

His assurance softly spoken that I was a part of Him
Though through the battle growing in my mind the light seemed very dim.
The candle's glow softly outlined the crown of his bent dark head,
as His hands gently washed my feet I thought of what He said.


"Unless I wash you, you have no part with me"
So calmly spoken in my ear but more for open eyes to see.
He knew I would betray Him and He knew I was not clean,
yet here He was before me and His words did not demean.

"Do you know why I have done this for each of you this night?
For you to do for others with humility forthright."
"You will be blessed if you commit yourself to serve,
my Word is through life and giving and not just things observed."

It was not long after I saw him with His body packed with spice
Linen cloths tied round him I knew He had paid the price.
The price of for all my hidden deeds
the height and depth of all my needs...
They all were laid to rest in His death upon the cross
My Teacher and my Master I cannot allow the loss.


"Do you know why I have done this for each of you this night?
For you to do for others with humility forthright."
"You will be blessed if you commit yourself to serve,
my Word is through life and giving and not just things observed."  Lpace 3/7/2012

Words of my heart,
Laurie

" Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him." John 13:16

Stones of the Heart, Words of my Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Stones of the Heart

Weeping tears 

wash the dirt from rock

but not from my heart.

Silent thoughts scream

with echoes of memories past

piling beyond the limits of 

my mind.

Can I climb the pile to the

highest point to

see through eyes of grace?

Only through the giving of grace

can I clean my 

heart of hurt.

This morning he gave me a single stone

To always remind me 

The rock of grace withstands

The elements of life.  lpace

Thank you  for my 'rock' Pastor Jack Wallace, First United Methodist Church, Mount Vernon, Texas.

Jack had a large basket of stones for each member to take one before entering the sanctuary.  Being the hard core artist, I had to hand select and try out each 'rock' before I chose the one I wanted... I called it my "Worry Stone" because somewhere in my past an older relative told me to carry a worry stone in my pocket and every time I began to worry, to take the stone out and begin rubbing it with my thumb.   

So I took my hand selected stone into the service where again life changing things always seem to happen. 

When I left later,  this was now my Rock of Grace.  

Words of my heart, Laurie

"Peter replied, 'Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed.  The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.  Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times."  Luke 22: 60-61

Pastor Jack reminded us that the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter through the eyes of grace.

Read more: http://lauriepace.blogspot.com/#ixzz1oFy4D5eL

Everything You Took From Me, Words of my heart, by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Everything You Took From Me

I was reading the newest issue of AARP (they start sending it to you when you turn fifty) and was deep into the article on Sharon Stone.

I shoved the magazine in front of Terry and he said,
"Wow she looks better today than back then."

"everything you took from me..."

How did she get there?

"everything you took from me..."

It is an incredible article that covers a journey in her personal life.  A prayer shared with her by a close friend kept her sane and kept her focused on Him.

"Thank you, God, for everything you gave me, and thank you more for everything you took." 

It was just yesterday afternoon I was on the phone with a fellow artist facing many worldly changes in her life. Her foundation is with Him, but she was questioning why change was so abrupt and so far reaching at times that it reduces everything in your world.   "Thank you more for everything you took."

In church yesterday, Jack chose for the offertory, Luke 6:38:"Give away your life; you;ll find life given back but not merely given back, given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting is the way. Generosity begets generosity."


It's that baseball bat theory... if you are not listening and focused, sometimes that baseball bat thumbs you hard across the head and sets you spinning. Spinning back to Him.  Can you give away your life? Can you give away how you live your life? Can you trust Him enough to step out of your comfort zone and give it all up and start again?  "Thank you more for everything you took."

Can you forgive things that have set your life on a course filled with doubt and anger? Can you give away that life? Can you accept what you deem as failure as a learning tool and fall to your knees and ask Him to pick you back up?  Your bonus will be joy. Your blessings will be your gifts, and those you must be ready to share with those that have a need you can fill. "Thank you more for everything you took."

My recent vision has been more like a lump of wet clay.  When you feel 'deformed' and unable to find your way or your identity or when things are just not working right, you have to give up where you are right now. God will work with you. The clay is wet down and reworked and reformed into something different; something useful; something that has the ability to serve and give to others. Giving not getting. Generosity begets generosity. God will do the same with you.

"Thank you God, for everything you gave me, and thank you more for everything you took."  When I lost those things that I thought meant so much to me, I felt lost and desolate with their absence.

You begin to give back and fill me with new things, new gifts and new opportunities.  I would have never let go of those things, but you knew... you knew I could not move forward with all of it around me, pulling me down.  Those things were holding me back.   I am made new only in You.

Words of my heart,
Laurie

“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” 1 John 4:9NIV

The Heart of it All, Words of my Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

The Heart of it All

"We are  committed to caring for individuals touched by life limiting illnesses, grief and loss. Our hope for our patients and families is that as we apply our training, experiences and compassion, we are able to relieve their physical, emotional and spiritual pain.  Our patients and families have the assurance that they are being served by one of the oldest and most respected hospice programs in Northeast Texas."   Cypress Basin Hospice

Last night we attended the annual charity hospice ball for the second year.  Mark Scirto was the emcee again this year and he is quite a special person. Good food, good friends, good dancing, good auctions and a good cause.

 The time we have between this life and the next I like to think of preparation to the day of continuation. Hospice walks with families through out this entire journey.

Many people do not realize Hospice serves more than the last few months or days before death. Hospice is available to families from early on.   They set up weekly visits to monitor patients and as the decline sets in, Hospice ups their services to provide all the needed things to make the situation both livable and comfortable right to the end. No suffering is needed. Pain does not have to be part of this transition. Hospice meets the needs for the patient as well as the family. 

Hospice has played a part in our lives often, with Terry's brother, his mom, his dad and now with my dad. I encourage you all to donate and give to your local hospice knowing you gift a peace to many families.

Words of my heart, Laurie


"For the director of music. Of David the servant of the LORD. He sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said: I love you, LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:1-2 NIV

Be Still, Words of my Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Be Still

Yesterday in church Pastor Jack had us starting out singing an old favorite...
How Great Thou Art.  "O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, Consider all the World thy hand hath made."

He is all around us. In the quiet of a sunset, or the gentle rain, or in the early morning dew, our God is our constant.

Be still where ever you are as you read this and know His hand made and provided all around you.

"I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy Power throughout the universe displayed."

Jack spoke about God calling to us and all the many excuses we come up with not to listen or follow His direction.

If we are burdened by life and it's circumstances, it is hard to be still and listen to Him. We are busy trying to repair things and get back our balance.  That is really the time to be still.  It is time to affirm His presence in us and in our world.

It is easy to view the sunset above and see God's hand, or the beautiful mountains in eastern Oklahoma in the next picture, but can you see Him here in this town ravaged by a tornado?

Be Still.

He is here as well.

When the mind and heart are still you become an open conduit for God to speak to you. Your thoughts no longer are centered on what is about you in the external concerns, but you are comforted by the pure presence of God. He will lead you out of the turmoil.  He has something more for you to do this day... can you hear His message? Can you be a sanctuary for others bringing a calm to their day and the light to their darkness?

Words of my heart, Laurie

"Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee, How great Thou art."

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

Kinesthetically Speaking Words of my Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Kinesthetically Speaking

Wikipedia Kinesthetic learning is a learning style in which learning takes place by the student actually carrying out a physical activity, rather than listening to a lecture or merely watching a demonstration. It is also referred to as tactile learning. People with a kinesthetic learning style are also commonly known as do-ers.


I come from a teaching background and this word has been apart of me a long time. Every student has a different learning style. While they may all overlap, they are still distinctive to them.  As Terry always says... it depends on what motivates them.  Every one of us is motivated differently.

I have always been one of 'THOSE' people that can walk into a room and immediately feel the atmosphere or 'mood' of the room down to individual people.  One glance into their eyes or watching their hand motions tells me volumes.  I am often swayed by the emotions as they seem to wash through me. 


It comes from being a do-er... everything is tactile or hands on.  I watch tutorials for the new CFAI website, but I do not 'own' the material until I do it myself. I cannot in the same sense understand people unless my emotions can associate and feel their joy or pain. 

We are all connected by the threads of the Spirit that weaves us together as children of the Father. "We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord."  We have to have that same sense of connection of kinesthetically being hands on with God. That brings the harmony to our lives and to the lives of those around us.   While we all have outer differences as well as habitual differences, our hearts beat the same; our feelings get hurt just the same; we get too proud just the same; we love just the same and we hold grudges just the same.  Yet we are still bound by that same beating of the heart, the same need of our humanly  condition to be loved by someone during our life and the need to feel needed. We are truly one in the Spirit with God and this Spirit transcends any differences we come up with.


Words of my heart, Laurie


"You are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind" Philippians 1:27

Staying in Line, Words from my Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Staying in Line.

Thoughts of childhood and all those lines we stood in. Minutes that seemed like hours.

Times you broke out of line only to be corrected and times your mind wandered and you forgot to follow the line... you were staring off into space.


OR there was a really neat rock almost five feet away and you desperately want to make a dash for that rock... while no one is looking. No one like the adult in charge.

Remember those lines? Hands to your side. Do not touch anyone. Walk in a straight line.

How about  these lines? These children have no food.. they are staying in line..hoping and lifting up there hands for nourishment. They are starving. They will not budge from this line. If they did they would miss what is being offered to them.

Are you starving for joy in your life?
Are you in need of a plateau to rest?
Is the climb to hard right now?

God does not demand a line...but staying in His light makes a huge difference. When you turn away from His light and make a dash for that special 'rock' or thing that is tempting you... or push the limit on the direction you want to go totally opposite of where He is leading you...the result will be less than satisfying. We are often tempted to put more faith in what we perceive around us than we do in what He offers from His kingdom. His light will fill you with the power to make this journey. His love and grace will support you in every need, providing exactly what you need.

Words from my heart,
Laurie

"When a land rebels it has many rulers; but with an intelligent ruler there is lasting order." Proverbs 28:2

Grumpy Day? Words of my heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

A Grumpy Day? I don't think so.

Well yesterday was overcast and dark...with thick fog and altho the day started out good, by early afternoon I was tired and ready to nap. Terry was in a really grumpy mood as he has an injured back.

Despite the mood and the back, we took down the Christmas tree and dismantled the decorations on the fireplace mantel and put away the stockings. That alone was a mood setter for sure.  Then came the realization that there are always choices to make new things happen in our lives... my life is under God's authority, not the dark clouds outside.  

Choosing peace and prayer I retreated to my studio to work on a painting.  With that peace came a freshness to my work and the light seemed brighter despite the thick fog. The power of the indwelling spirit is strong if we open our hearts to Him.

Stacey sent this adorable picture of our Grand-dogs sleeping side by side. They have two kennels but they prefer to nap touching closely. That warmed me more with a wide smile.

Choose Peace by faith. Know you have support from Him and your earthly family and friends. The essence of life is God within. Let this year begin with the amazing power of a new start in your life.

Words of my heart,

Laurie

 "Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying"Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border..." and God graned what he asked. 1 Chronicles 4:10

Perfect Order, Words of my Heart by A Texas Artist Pace

Perfect Order?

Not sure it exists in my world, but it is suppose to be there. God promises His perfect order.

As the days and weeks unfold things never go the way we think they should go. We all struggle with God's way as it happens, trying desperately to make it 'right' the way we think it should be.

One of my favorite chores is folding wash. I have so much control. I am very particular about things being folded in the proper manner to fit in the drawer neatly.  God has His particular way too and we fight Him all the time.  He is unfolding in our lives the path He has chosen for us. It is never neatly packaged because we are human and always tinkering with our own lives and those in our family.

If we would stop and look around in the world, we would remember that His plan is perfect. Examples are the way it all works from caterpillars to butterflies and more. He has a process for everything including us.

Patience is the prayer for the day, that we can be patient with this day, this week, this time in our lives to allow Him the time to work.

Words of my Heart,
Laurie

"Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming." 1 Peter 1:13 NIV

Deep Do-Do, Words of my Heart, by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Deep Do-Do

I KNOW you all have heard that phrase before.  We get there in life all the time.  Either we produce the mess we are knee deep in, or we wade in often not realizing it.

Well, I laughed until I cried yesterday when Stacey sent this image of Lady L. If you recall they have two new puppies they rescued that are about 4 months old. They are little miniature Schnauzers, but I really believe one is really part black lab.  So the dogs love playing in the back yard.  This is Lady L's personal territory with her new "Park".

She walked in the house late yesterday with dog poop all over her shoes, socks and lower legs.  Her mom could not even imagine HOW she got into this much puppy poop. The backyard is sniped every afternoon and these are only two little dogs... how did she manage to get covered in so much dog poop?

So this morning after the big clean up yesterday... Lauren solved the issue herself by putting on her bright new pink rain boots.  She was determined not to have poopy shoes this morning when she went out to play.

So my friends, remember to pull on those rain boots when you are knee deep in problems.  God has the perfect pair ready for you... in your favorite color.  Like reading in the bible about arming yourself... see below.

Words of the heart,
Laurie

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:14-16

Healing Thoughts for the Year, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Healing Thoughts for the Year

The well being of our bodies can be changed at any given moment in our lives. We are often challenged by disease that appears unexpectedly.  Our bodies have a marvelous ability to rebound back and fight off and restore itself against most attacks.  Everything in us is alive and good health is a state we all seek.

It is at times that 'bad health' creeps in that we must keep our thoughts on life and healing and affirming His hand in our lives.

If you know someone that is suffering right now from a disease they cannot fight and 'win' on this side of life, time to prayer for healing to rise up and heal them with the life ever after.   Pray for each other. Times are hard and often people do not share where they are in life.  Affirm with God all things are possible in His time and His way.

Words of my heart,
Laurie




“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,” Titus 2:11-12 NIV

Simplity in Soup and Salad Words from my heart, A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Simplicity in Soup and Salad

Well I got on the scale. I was really scared after the food we inhaled over the holidays. I did not eat that much more, but I tasted more sweet things that I have had in the past year. I need to wean back off the sweets.

Terry asked me to go out for specialty pizza and I jumped on the scale and jumped off and said, Not until I am back down the three pounds I had obviously gained.

Soup and Salad. Keep it simple sweetie. 

Oh how I wish I could keep my life that simple right now. Tax time to close out accounts and gather receipts. 

The gathering word crops up again.  We seem to be good at gathering STUFF. We are good at gathering belongings. We are good at gathering too much food at the table. We are good at gathering to much responsibility. We are good at gathering problems. We are good at gathering in general. 

Time to FORGET all of that gathering.  Gather in prayer with the Lord. Gather in prayer with your friends. Gathering in circles of love to pray for others. Gather in work that serves others, not serving yourself.  How hard is it to put self last? Last from belongings. Last from tv. Last from food. Last from more responsibilities. Last from self?

Put Him first and NOTHING else has to be...just wait upon the Lord.  He will provide direction. He will provide for your needs. Keep your life simple... and He will provide simple abundance.

Words of my heart,
Laurie

“Of David. Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—” Psalm 103:1-2 NIV