Shoreline, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

Galatians 6:7-8

This is edge of the trees lining the shoreline. They are without leaves standing like soldiers rigid and straight blocking the view of the water. Beyond them I can still see the water and across to the far shore.  

Did you ever think about your vision in life?  I have written often about the constant 'stuff' we bring into our lives, but did you ever think about how all that stuff appears to block your way from what you think are the most beautiful things in sight?  What you want is aways just beyond where you are? 

In actuality, what you need is right in your hands. Nothing is blocking you from His love and His grace but yourself. What is this life is basically the next life.  The earthly things will not follow you.  His love and His grace will be your constant.

Words of my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

The Simple Life, Words of my heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Eat the food as you would a loaf of barley bread; bake it in the sight of the people, using human excrement for fuel.”  The Lord said, “In this way the people of Israel will eat defiled food among the nations where I will drive them.” Ezekiel 4:12-13

On our new diet I often miss baking.  Terry had a 'hankering' for chicken pot pie and chicken is really not often in our diet but in these winter months I have used it to make a few things. So this day was the day to jump away from ritual of plant based eating and we had homemade chicken pot pie. 

Using the rolling pin that was the rolling pin of a grandmother, I immediately felt a sense of comfort in preparing this meal.  Often missing the now adult kids, cooking for two brings simpler meals.  

I do believe that God wants us to live a simpler life. It is a life that you will grow comfortable in. Change is always hard and sometimes bitter sweet, but we must remain trusting in Him with every step through the constant change in our lives.  The simpler we live, the easier the change. 

Words of my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Join my Mailing list for a once a week email. I will stop posting here daily in about a week.

Planting time in January? Words of my heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.” Mark 4:32

The new year brings a time to life of beginning again. Sometimes I felt like the slate was wiped clean and I could take a deep breath in January and make changes...positive changes.

What new things can you plant in your life to grow this year and become a large part of your community?

Words of my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Rejoice without Ceasing...Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The third week of advent begins this day... and joy fills the heart knowing that soon we will celebrate Jesus' birthday... It is coming near. Excitement fills each moment and the joy stays alive in the background of each day....waiting to burst through and be the glow in our lives.

Are you content in life?  Have you given where you need to give and provided for your neighbor as you have for yourself? 

Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4: 6-7

Words of my Heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

No Looking Back...Words of my heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."  Luke 9:62

Taking on a task in life is heading into something with confidence and trust that God is guiding you on your way. If you stop believing and start doubting, you are looking back and giving up on the trust in the Father to continue supporting and providing for you. 

When you take something on take it on knowing it will require sacrifice and discipline but do it knowing the Lord is there for you through it all. 

As we begin advent...this is the time to ask Him for assistance in guiding and directing you through the preparation time of the coming of His Son.  

Words of my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

The Narrow Road, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.  

Matthew 7:13-14

It is evident there is a message coming loudly this week. I pray before each blog that I do for guidance on the verse and the subject and my response and words.

Staying with the 'toos' in life and the busy bees...this certainly brings it back as a subject again this morning.  If you are on the broad road in life you are living broadly... participating in life broadly, eating broadly, involving yourself broadly in multiple areas of work, enjoyment and pleasure. You find it easy to explain things and rationalize things so you can continue in your lifestyle.

To be on the narrow road, is to keep your eyes on HIM.  There is only one way to God. It is not a broad path or wide road getting there... it is a narrow one that keeps you and I on the straight and narrow. The narrow road calls for self denial, strict obedience and watchfulness of the spirit. That broad road allows you to lumber along with all your baggage, and the narrow road wants you to leave it all behind.  

Keep your eyes on the Father.  

Navigation is necessary on this narrow road to avoid the twists and turns and dips. If you chose to be on the broad road it is easy going and there would be much company for you traveling on the same road.  The narrow road is less traveled but it is chosen because of the destination at the end of the road.  Where does the broad road lead to?

Words of my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace.

The Grass Withers... Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

“All people are like grass and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.  The grass withers and the flowers fall,  because the breath of the Lord blows on them.   Surely the people are grass.  The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” Isaiah 40:6-8

Terry often says we are only caretakers of what we have in life. We really truly never own anything for eternity... it is only for our short lifetime.  

We all are guilty of collecting possessions. We seem to have the mentality of who has the most wins at the end.  No one wins.  Possession bring responsibilities and with responsibilities comes 'tired and weary' as you continue to make more money to buy more 'possessions'. 

Life is not about our possessions. Life is not about the physical here on earth. Life is about the giving... and to find the path to harmony and peace with the blessings of inner joy, you must find your way back to Him.  (Cleaning out 60 years of living from my FIL's house several years ago was an awakening. We truly do not need everything we have and most of what we buy.)

I challenge you this holiday season to do something unexpected for someone you do not even know. Have you ever left a large tip to an over worked waiter or waitress? Or quietly picked up someone's tab you do not even know but you could tell it would benefit them either by the surprise or the need?  If there is a family in need with this recession, think about groceries, toys for the kids and box somethings up and mail them without a return label.   Take extra groceries to a nearby food bank, or drop new toys off to a charity.  In your piles of possessions could you part with one of your most favorite passing it onto someone else?  

It is so much more fun when you let God take the full credit.  Talk about inner joy, it will make you giggle.

Words of my Heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist Laurie Pace 

Looking through your heart, Words of my heart, A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.”

1 Peter 3:18

This is looking own our driveway to the street.  Some of the slower trees are just beginning to change with the cold weather the last few weeks. I am surprised this looked as green as it does as they are really rather bright yellow.

Things are often not as they may appear in life.  You may see things with your eyes, but are you looking with your heart?  

In my lifetime I have noted there are some people with the gift of feeling what others feel almost like a kinesthetic soul.  Many of us are capable of 'empathy' but often are still led more by appearances of a situation over the 'heart' of the matter.    

Are you looking at life with God through your heart?  Are you alive in the Spirit?

Words of my heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Enlightening Pinecones, Thoughts from my heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore your eye be single, your whole body shall be full of light.   --Matthew 6:22

"Throughout the span of recorded human history, Pinecones have served as a symbolic representation of Human Enlightenment, the Third Eye and the Pineal Gland.  Our “Pine”al Gland, shaped like (and named after) the Pinecone, is at the geometric center of our brain and is intimately linked to our body's perception of light. The Pineal modulates our wake-sleep patterns and circadian rhythms, remains uniquely isolated from the blood-brain barrier system, and receives a higher percentage of blood flow than any other area of the body save the kidneys.

It is considered by many to be our biological Third Eye, the "Seat of the Soul," the “Epicenter of Enlightenment” -- and its sacred symbol throughout history, in cultures around the world, has been the Pinecone." From Cones and Stones

I was reading about Pinecones before I started this blog and there are several biblical references to the Pinecone through the green pine tree in the bible.  This particular site also mentioned the placement of the Pinecone in Egyptian history as well as with the  Masonic Lodges and the Masons.

The site is worth visiting just for the information and as an artist I absolutely was drawn to a better understanding of the history of the pinecone in art.


This final verse from Hosea, seems to more directly address the connection between spirituality and the Pinecone/Pine Tree:

O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? 

I will answer him and care for him.

I am like a green pine tree; 

your fruitfulness comes from me. 

--Hosea 14:8

Thoughts shared from my heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist, Laurie Pace

Empty Pots, Words of my Heart, giving and receiving by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.

Matthew 12:36

I found this empty pot sitting on the deck caught between shadows and light. It reminds me of how we are living right now... we are all between shadows and light often pulled one way or the other by persuasion from others, or our own ego stepping out to control us.  

Empty thoughts, empty words, empty promises; we all have experienced both the giving and receiving of these. So when I saw the pot sitting there empty it was clear to me it would be another way to clear my mind of the many 'empty' needed thoughts that cloud it up each day.  I need to envision dropping them into this empty pot outside on the deck. Why keep those things laying around complicating  your life?

Throw it to the empty pot and walk away from it.

Words of my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

When People Insult You, Words of my heart, Texas Artist Laurie Pace

““Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  Matthew 5:22-12

My Father always spoke about integrity. 

My Mother always spoke of loving and finding 

good in everyone you meet in life.  

Combining all the many teachings together, I have learned the simplicity of "Sticks and Stones may break my bones but words will never harm me."    

Dad said 'Always take the higher ground' and do not lower yourself to the level of response that is not respectful or in love or part of how God would want you to respond.  Often we are faced with constant digs by friends or family that find fault with everything you do or say.  The fault does not lie in you. Somewhere deep inside of them rages something you cannot see. It pushes them to want to see others hurt like they hurt.  The hard part is letting it go and forgiving. Then placing their hurtful words at the foot of the cross, finding that good you know is inside of them as a child of God, and praying for them in love, blessing them with God's grace that they may find comfort and joy where they are.  

Stand with God and rejoice in His faithfulness for each of us.

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

Trusting the Journey, Words of my Heart, Texas Artist Laurie Pace

"The LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.”

Deuteronomy 2:7

A journey ahead.

Where are you bound?  

Only the Father knows and you must trust to take the journey He has ahead for you.  Can you climb into the boat not knowing the destination? Can you take off in these calm waters knowing they may turn rough ahead?

He will provide. You will lack for nothing.

Words of my Heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Happy Birthday to my oldest son...Justin. 

Blessings on the journey ahead.

His Brilliant Light and Breath of Grace...Words of my Heart, A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

His brilliant light and breath of grace fill our lives surrounding and uplifting us with His majesty.  Just look around, even in the heat of summer at 105 degrees outside the lush beauty just amazes me.

The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Psalm 85:12

Words of my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Where can you stick your nose safely? Words of my Heart, A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Our dogs are such loves. This is one of our grand dogs as a puppy. He was totally trusting in anything we offered him.  Terry had a bag of dog treats and his little nose fit right in!  


We fit right into the care and love of the Father... jump in and get acquainted with Him again. He has much ready for you to 'stick your nose into.'

Lord Almighty,  blessed is the one who trusts in you.  Psalm 84:12

Words of my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Pour out Your Heart, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

When you cannot breathe or find your way... trust God and pour out your heart to Him. This is a constant JOY that you can use 24/7.

Trust in him at all times, you people;  pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8

Joy all around us. Words of my Heart, by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Joy is the calm beauty of the lake where we live... this is off the dam on our property looking up a small channel to the main lake.  His beauty surrounds us.

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,

    your faithfulness to the skies.  Psalm 36:5

Words of my Heart, Laurie

A 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

Perfect and Flawless, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Do  you own a quilt?  This is not even a quilt but it is an apron.  Our lives seem to be 'quilted' together with patches of experiences.  I fell in love with this apron as it had some of my freshest colors and designs and it brought joy to me.  No matter what experiences are patched together to make your life and you into the person you are today... know that God's way is perfect and flawless. You were made by Him.

Words of my Heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist Laurie Pace




As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. Psalm 18:30

Joyful Answer, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Always there are questions racing through your mind about decisions unmade. Where do you go for answers?  The joyful answer is you go to HIM.  Call upon the Lord with you open heart and open mind and listen to what He tells you. You can hear that inner voice speaking and the gentleness of His grace. 

Words of my Heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist Laurie Pace





I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;  turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.  Psalm 17:6