The Palm Tree in Snow, Words of my heart, Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ Exodus 33:1

I worried about the palm tree when I saw it weighted with the snow this month.  Why someone had planted it on this hillside has always been a puzzle to me.  I know in Dallas people will plant them by their pools to have that tropical feeling, but why on a pond in the country next to the lake filled with fisherman and boaters?

In the 'tale' of this home and land, one of the owners felt moved to plant this palm tree, so Terry and I have nurtured it through the droughts and snows. Terry went and gently knocked the snow off the long leaves and slowly it regained it shape.

We need to be 'planted' in the right place and we need the nurturing of those around us to be the best we can be.  

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

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

Joy in Life, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

“A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!”

Proverbs 15:23

She is all girl. Lady L's favorite color is pink, can you tell?  Her mother phoned yesterday and said Lady L did not want to wear jeans to school, she wanted to wear a 'beautiful dress'.   We all tend to dress in a certain style and speak in a certain way that is unique to us. What influences that?

Lady L chooses to be joyful from the inside out and let the beauty of her spirit come through.  What are you wearing today? Is it just comfy clothes, or did you dress with 'spirit'?  How can you adjust your attitude this day to give 'joy' with your actions and words?

Words of my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist, Laurie Pace

Who goes ahead of you? Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go.

Deuteronomy 1:33

He has the plans for all of us. He knows what we think before the thought forms in our head. He knows what simple needs we have and what completed desires and wants that crowd our minds and lives.

He will show you where to go.

He will provide for you on the way.

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

Our portion... Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

We have taken on eating a more natural plant diet. 

We are not vegan, but we are plant based.

This marks 9 weeks and we have adjusted to the excitement of discovery in the kitchen. After tracking protein in food for a few days I realized immediately we were getting plenty of protein.

Giving up dairy was the hardest...but God is our partner in this as we know he provides our portion each day.

Psalm 119:57

You are my portion, Lord;
    I have promised to obey your words.

Words of my Heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

You have given me Hope by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Petals from my summer roses gather in an old pie pan from 

Great Granddaddy Haskell.

Funny how so many things stay with us for what seems to be a lifetime. 

Psalm 119:49

Remember your word to your servant,
    for you have given me hope.

Words of my Heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Out of the Mud and Mire, He will set you on solid ground, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Out of the mud and mire... He will set your feet upon solid ground.

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit,  out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock 
and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. Psalm 40:1-5


Words of my Heart, 100 Days of Joys and Psalms.
Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Monkey See Monkey Do... Words of the Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Monkey See Monkey Do


When Bampa and I are visiting Lady L, the two of them, Bampa and Lady L are like monkeys.  TP loves to take her out on her "Park".  That is what she calls her swing set, the Park. He does stuff and she is right behind him imitating everything.

She and Bampa are two of a kind when it comes to Monkey Business.  They are best friends always and the trust is that based on unconditional love. 



When a child trusts an adult in their life so simply... that is an opposite reminder of how we do not seem to trust God so simply. We still want to control everything.   








Terry will never let Lady L down. 


God will never let you down.


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

 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 3: 5-6

Rest with Him Words of my Heart by a Texas Artist Laurie Pace

REST


Every day we confront the need to make decisions.  Simple decisions as well as life changing ones. 


Every morning take the time before you rise from bed to give this day to the Lord and for all the worries that are piling in your mind, the schedules and the wants... put those at the foot of the cross. 

As an artist I have begun to do visuals with my prayers of what the foot of the cross has beneath it. Broken cups, broken hearts, torn clothing, baby dolls missing an arm, teddy bears without one eye. Each symbolizing something that has caused a fear or worry to manifest itself within.  Put those things at the foot of that cross. 


Affirm your faith in God. Release everything else. The joy is in the release of getting yourself and your controlling thoughts out of the way. God cannot guide you if He is constantly tripping over your baggage. 


We are so blessed. Lean back into Him this day and trust He will take care of you.


Words of my Heart, Laurie


"Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10

The Pit... Words of my Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Pit of your Stomach

They say the 'pit of your stomach' is where fear or nervousness strikes first.

Fear seems to be the thing that holds us back from enjoying our life or trying new things. Fear keeps some of us on the run.

Terry has always said fear controls nations. Fear controls people in masses. 

Post Game Mayhem Kentucky

Let's face it, fear controls individuals daily. We empower others to control us through fear. Authority and fear tend to run hand in hand. Mob scenes breed fear and frantic actions.

Someone once said, "Wars are fueled through peoples' fears and are ended through peoples' understanding." I have also heard that fear will eventually turn to anger and from anger will come a need to make things right.  

Think about this... fear knots up that pit of your stomach, but does not extreme happiness and joy hit the same area but triggered by a positive emotion?

If that is true, can we not use love instead of anger? Can we not use our faith and God to stay in sync with reality?   

Breathing is always recommended, slow steady inhaling and exhaling, but try it with a vision in front of you.  Think of a broken dying tree, decaying and ready to fall over. (Feel that pit in your stomach just from my description? Eyebrows knitted?) 

SUDDENLY there are tiny leaf buds beginning to unfurl from the knotted dark branches and as the leaves open and unfurl the tree begins to straighten in the wind. A full green canopy erupts around the tree and immediately birds are flying between the branches singing. 

It's not Walt Disney... it's God at work.  He takes the worst and brings out the best.  He does it with all of us each day.  For me my days were filled with worry and baseline fears about deadlines, extended family problems, finances... you name it.  But this Lenten season has opened my heart in new ways of seeing life each day. I accept there will be darkness ahead. I accept there will be negative things happening. I accept that God is there to keep me balanced. If I keep Him centered in me, fear cannot take over.

Words of my heart, Laurie

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

2 Timothy 1:7

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

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

Climbing

When you are at the base of a mountain and know you need to climb the mountain, it almost seems insurmontable, but looking up you cannot really judge how high the mountain is.  From where you stand in the valley below you see what is immediately around you, the rippling brooks in the stream at the foot of the mountain and that first knoll before where you will begin your climb.



The higher you go, the more you see, across the valley and over the nearby hills. When you reach the top of the mountain you can see for miles around you. There is a town in the distance,  a thick forest the other direction and a large lake to the far side of you.   If you had not climbed the mountain you would have never known what was beyond your valley. The world has opened before you.

Follow Jesus and living your life in God's light is the same.  When you first discover the joy and light of God, you have no idea what power and might is there for you. The more you 'climb' into your new life, the more you can see and experience. Every challenge, every hill, every problem you face in life has you climbing closer to God. From one day to the next. From one year to the next.  You are climbing deeper into God, deeper into the light filled with joy. It matters not what the climb is before you because He is with you.

If you are not ready for the climb... it is time to take my hand and begin the journey.

Words of my Heart, Laurie

"Get thee up into the high mountain." Isaiah 40:9

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

Take my Hand Precious Lord preformed by Selah, favorites of my Heart A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Take my Hand, Precious Lord  preformed by Selah.

Selah has done an incredible work with this old Gospel Song... I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! When I thought of coming home yesterday, I thought of God reaching out His hand to capture mine... and I began humming, Take my Hand, Precious Lord...

Favorites of my Heart, Laurie

Take my Hand

Take My Hand Precious Lord

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on,
Let me stand
I'm tired, I am weak I am worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When my way grows drear precious Lord linger near
When my life is almost gone
Hear my cry,
Hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When the darkness appears and the night draws near
And the day is past and gone
At the river I stand
Guide my feet,
Hold my hand
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on,
Let me stand
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home