The Best Seat in the House, Words of the heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

“When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.  But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests.

Luke 14:8-10

It's truly the best seat in the house, well actually the best seat outside the house.  This family swing is going on 15 years old and has been at all our homes...making them homes. Here it at the lake it has even been more special as the view overlooks the big lake as well as Golden Pond.  Morning, afternoon or evening... it is the best seat in the house. It is from here you see constantly the beauty that God has created. It is from here you mediate and find a peace that you have never known. 

Each of us has a place in our lives that offers this joy in our homes.  This is the seat we offer to guests and family when they visit. Take the time today to sit in that seat and pray...giving thanks for the bounty He brings to you each day.

Words of my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist, Laurie Pace

Making Things Grow by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.   1 Corinthians 3:6

Speak with the Father... Believe.

His rain falls to bring life to the barren ground.

His sun shines to bring growth to the seeds.

His warmth will fill the days in the next few months and from it will come the tiny flowers breaking through the snow and the frost. Focus on the Father.

He will bring what you need for you and for what you are nurturing.

Words of my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Preparing for the new year...Words of my heart, Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Blessed are those that fear the Lord and walk in his ways.  Psalm 128

As we close out this year we think of preparations in our life for the new year coming.  Ben Pace was always smiling greeting each new day. It did not take a new year to roll around.  Whistling, dancing, sharing jokes, playing his harmonica... it was always about sharing and giving to others.

I want to take this joy with me as I remember the legacy he left to us...

to live each day to the fullest and to remember that you could get glad just like you got mad.

Words of my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

In moments of weakness... Words of my Heart, Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Strengthen the hands that are feeble, 

make firm the knees that are weak,

Say to those whose hearts are frightened:

Be strong, fear not! Here is your God,

He comes with vindication; With divine recompense He comes to save you.  

Isaiah 35: 3-4

The promise made to us is incredible. Just visualize waiting for the best thing that is getting ready to happen to you. (No not the lottery)  God has promised to save each of us and this time of advent is to prepare us for His son as He offers us healing, restoration, love and salvation. 

In the moments that you feel weak or overcome by everything, you must read Isaiah 35: 3-4 above. 

Words of my Heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Getting GLAD, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

But the Egyptians are mere mortals and not God; their horses are flesh and not spirit. When the LORD stretches out his hand, those who help will stumble, those who are helped will fall; all will perish together. Isaiah 31:3

Somewhere in all the psychology courses I took in college for teaching I learned that no one can truly hurt us but ourselves. I am of course referring to the verbal actions not physical actions. 

Our every day experiences occur and how we react to things affects how things appear to us internally. At any time we have the power inside of us to change how things are 'affecting' us.  

Hurt feelings rob us of joy; we can chose not to react or be hurt. My FIL Ben always said, "You can get GLAD just like you got SAD." 

Words of my Heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Attitude Adjustments, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

“He is not a mere mortal like me that I might answer him that we might confront each other in court. If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together, someone to remove God’s rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more.  Job 9:32-34

Sometimes in every marriage there are bumpy roads and words said that can hurt. My mom and dad always told us when we got married never go to bed not speaking.  When teaching I always called it the Attitude Adjustment. I had a sunhat decorated by my students and if someone was having a bad day... they were given the 'attitude adjustment hat'.  With little colorful furry balls handing and swirling around you there was NO way you could not giggle and smile.

Our 'time out' or 'attitude adjustment' place is the family swing (weather permitting) where we can sit in silence or just hold hands, or even speak our heart without worry of retaliation and more hurt. When we speak on the swing... the other person is committed to listen and not respond for at least five minutes.  

We all need to take a 'time out' for an 'attitude adjustment' in life.  Drop all of the complaints and pity parties and look for the good that surrounds you.

Words of my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

God is my Passion and my Constant, Words of my heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Let us go early to the vineyards to see if the vines have budded, if their blossoms have opened, and if the pomegranates are in bloom— there I will give you my love.  Song of Solomon 7:12

I always thought my roses and my zinnias were my staple each year with my Texas Lantana...but after having this passion vine planted this summer in honor of my FIL Ben Pace, I love having this blooming all summer and now fall. The caterpillars were suppose to come munch it all away and they neglected to show up... my good as the blooms continue even through through the cold.

Reminds me that I think I know what is my 'staple' each day and I really do not if I am not thinking it is GOD.  God is the only constant... the only staple. Everything else changes minute by minute.  

Words of my Heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Dormant Times, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.””  Joshua 24:15

This verse seemed appropriate following the elections. I truly try not to focus on the political turmoil our nation is in, and I did not hide the fact I was not pleased with either choice on the ballot this week.  Terry and I stay focused on the Father and pray constantly for the leaders of this nation and the people of our nation as well as the world, our troops and life on this planet. 

What truly amazes me is four years without a budget... what will the next four years bring? This is not fiscal responsibility overall pointed at both parties. We could not run our household on the "rob Peter to pay Paul" mentality.  Social Security has been drained to pay for other things and now medicare is being tinkered with. Our family would be on the street if we were not fiscally responsible.  I truly believe this responsibility starts in the home, the community and spreads to the state and the nation. 

This is one of my last yellow roses as the freezing temperatures have reached us at night and my roses will go dormant. I pray our nation does not go 'dormant' for the next four years.

Strength in Numbers Praying, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Yet give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, LORD my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is 

praying in your presence this day.

1 Kings 8:28

Strength and power in numbers... strength in gathering together to pray and the laying on of hands for those in need.  The power of belief and treasure of church family and friends binding the need and bringing it to God for healing and mercy. 

Great Aunt Jo taught us to list our prayer requests and then pray ceaselessly for however long it takes. When a prayer request is answered, we date it next to the request.  God works 24/7 and it shows in our prayer request book.

Words of my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist, Laurie Pace

Even while you sleep... Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Prayer time is a time to share a close to a day with your children and family. What a joy to sit in the quiet of the evening praying together with the Father.

Even while you sleep among the sheep pens, the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver, its feathers with shining gold.” Psalm 68:13

Words of my Heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

100 Days of Joy

His Unfailing Love Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

This was our granddaughter a few years ago mesmerized by our glass coffee table and looking through it to see things and how they looked. She would run get her toy and stick it under there and then climb half on the table to see the funny distortion. The giggles erupted and back for another toy.


God wants us not to take so much so seriously that we make ourselves sick with worry or indecision.  We need to look at things from out of the box, or maybe like Lady L, through glass to see it from another perspective. 


His unfailing love is there. What is needed He will provide. Be patient and wait upon the Lord.

Words of my heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist Laurie Pace


For I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness. Psalm 26:3

Acceptance of Others, Words of my Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Acceptance is a powerful word in the world today. It was also powerful over 2000 years ago.  Human desire is to be loved and accepted by someone. Do you open your heart to others different from you?

Acceptance implies an ability to listen and be open.  


While you desire that of others, do you in turn offer it to others?  


Listening to another persons point of view does not imply you must alter yours. Listening is simply listening and acknowledging to that person that you are attentively hearing what they say. 


From this perspective it allows you to accept people for who they are with out judgement. There are people of other cultures, faith and lifestyles, each still divinely created. 


"Do not judge, so that you may not be judged." Matthew 7:1


Words of my Heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Daily Bread, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

He provides exactly what we need each day. He provides our daily bread.  We struggle with nutrition and weight, and we keep missing the picture. Do you eat to live or live to eat?

The emptiness inside of you cannot be filled with ice cream and cookies, OR with margaritas or a cold beer.

The stress inside of you cannot be quieted with candy bars or wine coolers.

Get more basic.  Return to Him to fill the emptiness and allow Him to handle the stress. 

Live to serve. 

Live to praise. 

Live to share His glory. 

Why not start today?

Words of my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

"Give us each day our daily bread." Luke 11:3

STOP BY and check out the new blog, "His Morning Glories" inspired by God's creation and moved to share with you.  Sign up to receive it by email.  Beautiful glories from God.

Paths Chosen, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Paths Chosen


Are you the type that wants to drive down those small roads to see where they go? Terry shakes his head, but takes off at my plea for a new adventure. 


We have discovered that is not always good, and sometimes it is just the opposite, you find things you would have missed in your lifetime.   

 Paths before us, clear cut or full of obstacles, are both new to us.  The 'obstacles' path may not have been used much before you and poses a bit more daring to take it, but in the same sense, the well worn path has been walked by others before you, but it is still totally new to you. No matter which path you take, your every footstep and action is decisive as you blaze your way on your personal journey.


God is with you which ever you choose. His presence may be the guiding force that pulls you to uncharted paths of discovery.  He will guide you where you are to be if you are listening and following Him. Walk with Him, not away from Him.



Each of us chooses our path. We share this world with many others. How you meet, greet and treat individuals in your journey reflects the light of Him in your word, thought and deed. 


Safe Travels this weekend.


Words of my Heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist Laurie Pace






"Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind." 1 Peter 3:8

Golden Friends, Words of the Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Old Friends


This morning breaks with excitement for Terry and I. We are going to see our dearest friends Arlo and Jan today. They have traveled all the way from Arizona to Texas for a granddaughter's wedding and driven to the area for us to see them.

Make new friends, but keep the old,

some are silver and the others gold.

TP and I have lost twenty pounds since this picture in 2010.
This is Terry, Laurie, Jan and Arlo at our Lake.

Old friends are so dear as they have walked so much of your journey in life with you. Jan has seen me through many moves. Prayed me through many crisis and been there as my sister though the last 15 years of my life.  Our backgrounds are so similar and our beliefs are tightly placed in the light of God. 


Near and dear!  Tomorrow I hope to have some pictures to share of this gathering in 2012 and I do not want to wait until two years to see them again! Guess I have to fly to Phoenix now.


Take time to call that special friend today and share a moment of joy with them. Surprise them!


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


Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘The LORD is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.’” Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town. 1 Samuel 20:42

Taking a Stand, Words of my Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace.

Taking a Stand


Humans tend to be passionate people. Our youngest son leads the pack when it comes to passionately standing up for something or someone. Our causes vary depending on what directly affects our way of life or our personal rights. Our reactions are fueled by others around us.

There is much in the media about the Zimmerman case and the protests surrounding the death of a young black teenager in Florida. Protests that have raised anger and marches across our country; yet the two white men that planned a pre-dawn trip around Tulsa shooting five black people - killing three, the media's reaction was on a smaller scale so our passion responded differently. The shooting in Tulsa resulted only in: TULSA, Oklahoma - Wednesday, "a group of black residents plans to protest outside the Tulsa County Courthouse. They are upset that the two white men accused of shooting five black people could post bond - and get out of jail."


This is but a recent example of how passion ignites and carries through the populous. The lives of those innocent victims in Tulsa are not less than the death of the teenager in Florida. Both are horrific happenings. Bottom line, the media has the most control over us influencing our views on everything. 

Why am I writing about this?  It's about taking a stand in your life to clean it up.


What has the most control and influence over you right now?  


What is controlling your life? Is it the world, your friends, your habits and possessions, or is it the Lord? 


What would the media have written about Jesus before His crucifixion? Would you have stood up for Christ or been part of the crowd pushing to watch Him die? Would there have been a follow up story?   It is up to you today to be that follow up story. To take a stand for Him. He gave His life for your sins and mine. This is an ongoing story still developing today. 


How passionate are you?


Words of my heart, Laurie


"Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures," 1 Corinthians 15:1 3-4

Take my Hand by Shawn McDonald, Favorites of my heart, A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Take my Hand by Shawn McDonald

Some incredible music with generations between, but the same connection to God. Take my hand, Father, take my Hand.  I cannot walk this alone without you. Take my hand.  

I found this beautiful song when I was looking for the one I posted yesterday and just had to share it too!

Favorites of my Heart, Laurie



Take my hand to the promise land
And on You I want to stand
'Cause I cannot do it all on my own
You're what I need and I need to be
Right by Your side 'cause I cannot hide
Lord, I know that I need You
Na na na na na na na na na, I need You
Na na na na na na na na na
Without You I'm so alone
I am weak but You are strong
You pick me up when I'm falling down
And I am crying
Out to You inside of my heart
I need You, Lord, oh so, for the part
I want You to have my life, Jesus
Take my hand to the promise land
And on You I want to stand
'Cause I cannot do it all on my own
You're what I need and I need to be
Right by Your side 'cause I cannot hide
Lord, I know that I need You
Na na na na na na na na na, I need You
Na na na na na na na na na
I fall to my knees
And I'm begging You, please, oh, Lord
Won't You change me
Make me new from the inside out
I want to shout out Your name
Take my hand to the promise land
And on You I want to stand
'Cause I cannot do it all on my own
You're what I need and I need to be
Right by Your side 'cause I cannot hide
Lord, I know that I need You
Na na na na na na na na na, I need You
Na na na na na na na na na

Coming Home, Words of the Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Coming Home

As we were driving home last night at ten pm from Dallas... cruising the freeway, ducking traffic... my mind lept back in time to our trip to New York in 2010. We were driving from Virginia through Tennessee trying to make it to Memphis. Terry's dad was very ill at the time and we were anxious to get home.



There always had been this sense of safeness in coming home. My mom was there at her house and Terry's dad at his place.  Home was not a place but it was the people. Ben is not with us as he died just before we made Dallas that trip.

Terry and I were on our way home... and yes the thought of sleeping in my own bed was huge, we were coming home to make church this morning.  Our joy was being with our church family and waiting to be fed by Jack's sermon this morning on the suffering of Jesus on the cross.

Coming Home... that should be something we all feel the comfort in with our prayers each day, coming home to God...to gather in His love and comfort. Spiritually we will be reunited with our loved ones there. Coming home is truly an expectation to embrace.  God awaits your call eager to hear from you.  Wasn't that what you parents always said?  Call us and let us know where you are.

God is no different. Give Him a call today.... He is waiting at home.


Words of my Heart, Laurie

Colossians 3:1-3  " Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."

Praying for Others, Words of my Heart, Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Praying for others.

Circumstances in life happen. They happen to all of us. Sharing a prayerful life that includes the needs of others.  We have to look beyond the temporary that surrounds us and focus on God's perfection... God's perfection for each of us.

The power is among us and as we gather together that power is multiplied. This is the presence of Christ.  Honoring His presence in others and lifting them up.

No matter where you are today or what you are doing... stand in line and pray for others. At the next red light, pray for others. Every moment offers the opportunity to bless others and pray for them.

You are enfolded in love...

Words of my Heart, Laurie

"I pray that... Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love." Ephesians 3:16, 17