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

Peace shall surround us... Joy will fill us. Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. Then all nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed  

Psalm 72:17

Peace and Joy... God saves each of us. Jesus comes to teach each of us. From our advent journey through our last breath, may we praise His name and call Him Blessed. 

His son came to us to walk this earthly mess as a human among us. Still today he comes to us through advent offering us this new journey in our lives. 

Words of my heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Hold my Hand, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

When we are feeling insecure we reach out for someone's hand in comfort. All of us are needy in life and we seek something to bring us comfort.  Often we seek the wrong things in life.  It is only the Father that can refresh us and restore our balance in life. 

In advent we realize this promise comes through the birth of Jesus who gives His life for us, for our sin and our salvation.  God promises to strengthen us and help us... He will uphold us in his hand.

Words of my heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

When the water sweep over you...Words of my heart, Texas Artist Laurie Pace

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Isaiah 43:2

We walked down to the big lake to the sound of geese and ducks.  I love seeing them paddle around in the glistening waters... reminds me of God's promise.  He is with me through the waters that seem to overwhelm me as they sweep over me. My trust is in Him to protect us through all times.

Words of my Heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist, Laurie Pace

Taking refuge in Pink, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Psalm 5:11

Well, Lady L's mother allowed her to take life a step further. 

Pink brings this child such joy.  Wisely her parents allow her the freedom of one wall of her color choice in her room.  Surrounding herself with something joyful means she  gives back 100 fold with her laughter and her love as she is influenced by the pink in her room.

What fills your life and your home? Is your house cluttered with 'stuff' piling up?  Are there broken things that need to be mended that you have been trying to get around to for the past few years?  

Nothing feels better than clean sheets on the bed. Nothing smells better than almond oil on the furniture in the house. Nothing is calmer than a room swept and things neatly put away. Work is behind you and giving thanks and being joyful is so much easier. 

Do not just open the window for fresh air in your life, but open your life to God's fresh grace... everything in life will begin to balance out. Surround yourself with Him and joyfulness will fill your life.

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

Reflections of His Love, Words of my Heart, A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, LORD Almighty, my King and my God.   Psalm 84:3

So beautiful on the pond.  Every morning and evening we sit outside or walk our two acres over to Lake Cypress Springs and watch the ducks on the big lake... on one side or the dam and our pond and house on the other side.  

Reflections of Him. 

Reflections of His glory. 

Reflections of His creation and reflections of His love.

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

What does God have to do to Earn your trust? Words of my heart, Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Earning the Trust.  What does God have to do to earn yours?

Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. Psalms 86:2

Words of my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Create and Renew, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Create and Renew....rebirth of spirit.

Create in me a pure heart, O God,  and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Psalm 51:10

Words of my Heart by a
Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Sweet Spirit is falling... Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Church is always good with Jack on Sundays.  I need to give you links to his sermons on the FUMC site. This past Sunday's sermon will not be up until midweek, but it is good. Click here for the link.

Jack entitled his sermon 'Who me?' and as always everything he shares sends my brain off into several directions and Terry has to endure the journey as I think things out and research and dig deeper for my own thoughts inspired by others.  So today I am focusing on the "Sweet Spirit fall upon us." The Joy of this happening...

January in Texas 2011

My Mother always used the phrase, "when the Spirit moves me." It must be close because if the Sweet Spirit falls upon you.. you are going to be motivated or directed to go into action of some sort. It can be a quiet 'falling' like the soft snow in early winter, or it could be like the Texas spring hail storm... with a bit more force in the delivery and a defined fall out. 

It just might depend on how well you are listening or communicating and how hard God has to get your attention. 

April in Texas 2011

Often when it happens in the Texas storm route, it is more like, "Why me?"  Warning is to stop what you are doing and listen to the Father. He has something for you and you are too busy to see it in front of you. We never want to do things that are not on our agenda... and it seems to fall back to 'when the spirit moves me.' 

Open your heart and your life back to serving in His name. Listen to what God is telling your heart. Listen to that inner voice that you can hear quietly in your mind. (Not the loud voice that rationalizes everything... the quiet one.) Think of the relief of a hot shower as pulsing water covers your body and you let go of tension and worry.  Same with the Sweet Spirit falling upon you.  Allow it to wash over you as that shower does... pushing out of your mind the things that fog it up and create the worry.  Now, what can you be doing to help someone else out of their state of tension or worry? 

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

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.  Matthew 25:36-36   

But you will love reading the full parable of the sheep and the goats. Click here.