It is there, just look up... Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you,  or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you.  Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?  In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.  Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food?
 Is not wisdom found among the aged?   Does not long life bring understanding?
Job 12:7-12

I do believe with all my heart when it looks so bleak, God has something ready and we just have to open our hearts and turn around to find it.

Words of my heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Over Come by Rising Waters... Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,  Acts 2:46

This is the back of our home on Golden Pond in the snow.  Our fountain was overcome by the rising water in the pond and is barely gurgling...but it struggled on through the past few weeks as the pond has leveled out again.

God with nature brings seasons into our lives. Our homes are where we dwell connecting to God giving thanks for all He provides.  Even in times that the water rises and we seem to be struggling... if we relax and remember He is in charge, the water begins to recede and we find ourselves cleaned of the old and ready to take on the new, infused with light, grace and energy from the Father.

The snow covered the lands around us... washing away the dark damp of autumn and bringing in the new year with His light and grace. May this season of winter open to new beginnings and new journeys in 2013.

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

The LIfe of a Dog, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

“Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”  Matthew 15:27

This is Lilly. She is our grand-dog with the prettiest eyes.  Her immediate family is expecting a new baby boy early next year and Lilly's life will change as her family grows bigger with more love.  All part of that change and transition that appears in our lives.

Lilly lives her life day by day knowing Justin and Tara will provide for her every need. She has no thoughts to changes in life, or even to danger until it rares it head and alerts her. To live your life with such relaxed contentment would be pure grace.  

He provides that grace, but we seem to bury ourselves into busyness. 

Words of my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

What's for Dinner? Words of my Heart, A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

      © Selah Ranch                                                                                                  http://selahranch.com

"For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves."

  Luke 22:27

This is one of those 'ahah' moments... we always immediately think of ourselves as 'special' as we enter and sit down waiting to see what wonderful food will appear. Our appetites are ready, our stomachs are growling in anticipation. 

We are not so 'special'.  

It begins with all those hands that grew the food, prepared the food and served the food.  As a mom I loved preparing meals and serving my family. I looked forward to seeing their joy when their favorite foods were placed before them.  It made the day worthy for preparing the meal. 

What are you serving this day?

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

Hay Baling, Words of my Heart, Texas Artist Laurie Pace

    Photo from FreeFoto.com  Hay Bales by Ian Britton

When the hay is removed and new growth appears

    and the grass from the hills is gathered in,

the lambs will provide you with clothing,

    and the goats with the price of a field.

Proverbs 27:25-26

New growth... even possible in the fall and the winter. Fall Gardens, fall winter rye grass.  Growth continues every single second with every breath of God. Are you open and ready to grow this fall?  Prepare your heart by removing the old and allowing the new to appear and strengthen. Find the gifts He has provided. Get rid of the things that hold you back and bog you down. Those are not just earthly things but emotional things as well.

Words of my Heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Hear my Prayer, my Joy is in you. Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Hear my prayer O Lord...my joy is in you.

But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O Lord, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation. Psalm 69:13

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

What defines you? Words of my heart by a Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Sometimes you feel overwhelmed by life, you cannot allow people to define you.

 Do not empower them.


My earthly father always taught me to not listen to the words of those that try to undermine you.  If God is your constant, let Him define you. Go forth in His light forgiving them as He forgives you each day. 

When I saw this creek next to the road in Virginia, I had Terry pull over so I could shoot it from the window of the car.  The water flowing over the rocks spoke to me. Having a good relationship with the Father allows you to flow with His power just as this water does, making it's way around boulders in it's path, your boulders in life.  Your spirit cannot be disconnected from God's spirit and in truth, independent action against others is really not possible because you simply do not have power. God has the power.

Everything is perfect right now at this moment... find your joy and turn your energy from the negative in your life to the positive. God is good. All the time, God is good.

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 
1 Corinthians 1:10




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

Uplifted by Mom, Words of my Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Uplifted

Think in your mind today of a person that has touched your life that brings a smile to your face and that joy of love to your heart.

When it comes to pure first love, it is my Mother that fills my mind and heart.

 When it comes to laughter and life with love it is my husband that fills my mind and heart. 

There is something about having such a great Mom that keeps her always there in mind and heart when you think of needing comfort. From your earliest years it was your Mom that was there before you even understood the word God or Mom.  She provided for all your needs and your comfort.

Today as an adult, she still provides that but it is truly under the guidance of our heavenly Father.

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day…for some as you receive my updates through blogger email, it is today.  So I honor my Mom this weekend today, Saturday as I write this and tomorrow as well.

Thank you Mom for always being there.

To be continued….tomorrow.

“You will have confidence, because there is hope; you will be protected.” Job 11:18

Words of my heart,   Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Life Softly Spoken, Words of my Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Life Softly Spoken


With over 30 years of teaching experience in both public and private schools and my own art studio, I have learned early on that speaking softly and saying less controls children the best. When you set the mood of your classroom, it always works best to keep it simple.  

The KISS method was one my husband told me was used by all the mechanics at American Airlines. They referred to the acronym as Keep It Simple Stupid...but I had to adjust that for the classroom to Keep It Simply Soft. My classrooms were home away from home for these children as they spent more time with me during their waking hours than they did with anyone else.  


I wanted that to be quality time with both respect and gentleness. I found that softly spoken word last night when Terry and I watched a series on Netflix. My heart was moved to the core of my soul in a scene from the upper room. 

It was a series called CLOSE TO JESUS, the stories of those he touched.  It includes Mary Magdalene, Joseph of Nazareth, Judas, and Thomas.  It is directed by Raffaele Mertes who has done quite a few movies including one on the Holy Family, The Apocalypse, and Esther: the Bible.  We watched the first one in the Close to Jesus series on Thomas.  The setting was just after the crucifixion. It started out sort of slow but within about ten minutes I was on the streets with Thomas as he sought to find the body of Jesus. By the end of the movie you realized Thomas ran in search of something that was right there in front of him. He was outspoken and direct and simply would not let go of what he saw or wanted to see. The other disciples and Mary Magdalene each had their own struggles.  The disciple that stood out the strongest was not the casting of Peter as the Rock, but the soft spoken highly convicted disciple John.  In the series his eyes seem to penetrate your soul as he softly repeats the words of the 'Master'. He never seem to have second thoughts or questions... he simply believed. He spoke from his heart in a place of love.


As you bring yourself to prayer with the Father and then to life today... keep at heart the KISS method, keep living from your heart, a place that is filled with pure love.  Keep your faith simple and steady as Jesus shares it. 


Words of my heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist Laurie Pace


“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” Luke 2:49