It this is the way, walk it. Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:2--22

We weep and moan over much in life, but you will weep no more if you wait upon the Lord fully trusting in Him for your needs. 

God works miracles by the dozen... can you allow yourself to imagine His touch transforming you? It is not the situation that will change but it is you that will change and how you look at things. 

Wait patiently during this time of advent and allow God's work to evolve and happen in your life.  Can you let Him into your heart? 

This truly is the way... walk in it.
Words of my Heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Promise of Hope... Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

Luke 12:27

This is a photo from last week and my last roses before all the cooler weather...although it is definitely warm outside today. 

When I have flowers around me I feel God's promise of a day filled with Hope. With hope I seek a peace and with that peace the grace of our Father.  

In anticipation of the birth of Jesus... we have the full promise from God providing us with hope. This is the time to spend our day in preparation and anticipation of what is to come to us spiritually. Are you open and ready? 

Words of my heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Do Good, Words of my Heart, Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Do good.  Think good. Talk good. 

Reach out with His good to all people.

Trust in the Lord, and do good;

     dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Psalm 37:3

Words of my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

The Temptations and Traps, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Something that seems to be at me daily is trying to stay out of the trap of eating from stress. Having lost close to 20 pounds last year and staying at the lower weight for over a year now, I really am ready to lose the last ten pounds.

I seem to forget again that my body is a gift and it houses my spirit and soul for this earthly journey. My bad habits and temptations from life are always pulling on me. Somehow it bothers me at night when I climb into bed and think about the day and groan... and then in prayer in the morning KNOWING what I need to do. 


Then stress will hit from somewhere during the day and I am searching out the almonds. We do not keep anything bad snack wise here at all, but too many almonds in one day can do some damage. I need to listen to my inner voice to walk away from that stress and not be motivated to seek food as solace. 

This is a retraining again of saying NO to the traps that are there. Finding strength and reminding myself I am not hungry.  This is where the vision of healthy and whole must come to play and a prayer of gratitude to God for helping me reteach my body how to respond to this chaotic life. I am open to receiving grace for this. I am open to healing and wholeness.


Words of my heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist Laurie Pace


"Peace, peace, to the far and the near, says the Lord; and I will heal them." Isaiah 57:19

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

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

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

Surrender

Darkness and difficulties cloud the day.

Often they cloud your entire life.

In the face of any challenge you do not have to be alone. There is hope even in the toughest time. It is when we are at the lowest point that we are the most open and unguarded... a time to hear and learn.  Our defenses are totally crumbled.  We are now reachable.  We are now teachable.

As we make our way from that dark pit of difficulty, back to the light, we appreciate new understanding about ourselves and situations in this life's journey. This gives us the strength to step out and go on.

His suffering was agony at its deepest. His rising was love and joy at its purest.

His sacrifice was for you and me.

Surrender to Him. Be enfolded in the peace that extends beyond all understanding.  Be still and surrender, know He is there.

Words of my Heart,
Laurie Pace

"Then Jesus crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." Having said this, he breathed his last." Luke 23:46

Celebrating Life Words of the Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Celebrating Life

Do you have your list ready???

What is on your list to celebrate life?

Can you make a list of twenty things to do that you actually want to do?

It could be something as simple as sitting outside as the sun rises sipping a warm cup of tea or coffee.

 It might be curling up on the couch by a sunny window and immersing yourself in a good book.

Or it might be spending two hours at your favorite book store, including a cup of coffee or hot tea.

It might be holding a baby and smelling that sweet baby smell.






It could be painting with friends... and getting away from your every day life.

Or spending some time with someone you love paddling around the lake on a beautiful sunny day.



What are twenty things that bring you joy that you can celebrate life?  Make it easy. Keep it simple.  God graces us with so many choices in life, make the best of them and choose wisely.

Words of my Heart,
Laurie


“Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.” Proverbs 14:22 NIV

Heart to Heart, My Valentine Rose Words of my Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Heart to Heart

There is no place beyond God's love.  It is so easy to ignore or forget the fact that His grace is bestowed on to all of us unconditionally without any request on our part.  Unlike the need we have to please others to be included in their 'grace' or circle....God does not require that of us.  We do not have to do anything to be worthy of His grace, we must only open our heart to Him to feel it.  God is always eager for us to come to Him.

Earthly relationships seem to be filled with the need to please or seek the acceptance of others. God keeps it all free... heart to heart. There are no agendas required, no obstacle course to run, nothing to prove or do to win His acceptance.  He loves you heart to heart just as you are.

Terry made my Valentines Day pretty special yesterday.  It was a long stress filled weekend in Dallas with family; dinner out with friends last night soothed away the worries. Gathered at our Valentine's table were Sheriff Paul and Vicki (our high school friends), the Mayor and his lovely wife, and our "western dance instructor" the lake Sheriff JR and his wife Kelly.  It was laughter, stories, wine, love and friendship along with a spectacular dinner.  I had chicken but everyone else had prime rib cooked various degrees. Chocolate covered strawberries finished it all off.

Each woman at the table was given a beautiful single red rose.  Heart to Heart.

When others try to steal your joy, keep your eyes focused on His love... He is with you Heart to Heart.
Thank you God, for your gift of grace and your unending love.  I remain in your loving care.

Words of my heart, Laurie

"Grace be with all of you." Hebrews 13:25





 

One Person at a Time, Perfect Harmony, Words of my Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

One Person at a Time... perfect Harmony

Must be the week of old camp songs.  Harmony, love and life. How does it all work in the world we live in?  One person at a time.


Remember the old Coca Cola song?



I am NOT promoting soft drinks. We have never kept them in the house except for company, but this commercial awakened the power of the sixties and seventies of make love not war.  My children sang this song. My Mother sang this song. I did not know anyone that did not know the song... 


The true essence is the gathering of people (here for coke) but in harmony...living lives in harmony.  One person passes it on to the next and then there are two. The two each pass it on and then there are four. Exponentially it spreads through a community with joy and and harmony lighting the way.  No one is left in the dark. No one can be disconnected from the power... as it comes from one person to the next. No one will be skipped.  


We are all members of one family...we all live here on earth and we must learn to unite in harmony.


Words of my heart, Laurie


"You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt." Deuteronomy 10:19

Live with Joy, Words of my Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Live with Joy

Sometimes you simply have to write things down to accept them.
Seeing it written on paper makes everything seem more official. I think that is why my Dad always had us making lists.

Write it down...

I LIVE IN JOY.

You have the ability to do this. You do not have to wait for something or someone to change... YOU CHANGE.  You live in joy.  Choose to be joyful right now as you read this.

Now that you have written the words down... read it out loud. Read it again.

I live in Joy.  Are you smiling yet?

Just speaking it out begins to lift your smile and your mood. Give the joy to others today. The more you give out, the more joy you will have inside of you.
Feel the joy of God, share the joy of God.

Choose to live in Joy.

Words of my heart, Laurie

"Be Glad in the Lord and Rejoice." Psalm 32:11

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

Relationships

Terry is always leery when I turn off his television at night and want to talk. Immediately he feels he has done something wrong.  How did we get here? Does not seem like a healthy reaction, especially when I am not frowning. I have known him for 48 years of my life. I know him pretty well.

How can you improve your current relationship?  I know as we talked last night I literally prayed before responding to some touchy things we were discussing.

 I stayed quiet and sought oneness with the Father before replying. I did not want to speak out of emotions and not from my heart. Our lives have been up side down since he retired in April 2010. We need to get back on the same page and I was ready to talk about it. Praying as we spoke kept me from over reacting to some of his responses.

The impact of this spiritual security brought about a change in him as we talked and I could visible see him sigh and relax. He was still hesitant speaking of painful things but it was something that had to be done.

It is so easy to lose sight of God in our relationship.  Staying aligned with Him helps each of us stay aligned in our relationships with others. Knowing God is with you provides a sense of security and joy. Divine love nurtures all of us. Divine love will bless every relationship in your life.

Words of my heart, Laurie

"I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love." Colossians 2:2

Thoughts from the Road Trip on Sunday by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Thoughts from the Road

We made a short/long trip to see the kids yesterday...there and back. Five hours total driving time.  One of those love hate things of being on the road, but knowing it is rare for the family to gather in one place.

It helped that our son-on-law Larry was whipping up some healthy chicken chili. It was the thought that kept us coming... that and playing with Lady L.

As we left Mount Vernon, Terry had on a variety of political talk shows.  That alone is a retreat into prayers or other thoughts for me. Everything gets hashed and bashed on the TV and I truly did not want to hear it for two and 1/2 hours in the car yesterday morning. But I did.

The saving part was as we hit the edge of Dallas crossing Lake Ray Hubbard the George Bush Turnpike was open.  Taking that cuts off about 30 minutes in driving time. THAT was a nice surprise.

We enjoyed our visit, good food, good conversation, many hugs, and not near enough time as we headed home by four...but with this return trip we had the Giants/Packer Game. It lasted the entire trip home. Those Giants really cleaned up.

How do men do this? Trying to follow that auction type gibberish almost drove me crazy. AND he could drive at the same time and change stations on his steering wheel.  Truly men must learn these things from an early age. There is not a radio or tv that they cannot figure out and work without a look or a blink.

God is truly good and patient.  He must feel very much the same way about us and our constant gibberish every day. We stay motivating in the direction we are heading. The few times we turn our attention to Him... we still have not slowed down to breath and prepare for conversation.  I think we have too many computers, too much TV and too much noise in our lives. We have TOO TOO much. We can control and conquer all the electronics but we cannot let go and live our lives with joy.  Maybe it is time for a challenge of less when it comes to electronics...of all sorts. Time to be set free.

Words of my heart, Laurie

" To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."" John 8:31-32

What is Indwelling within You, Words of my Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Indwelling

If someone were ask to describe you with one word what would it be? What is indwelling in your so strongly that it is something identified with you?

HINT:  It is never what you think it is, believe me.  When we look in the mirror we see something totally different than everyone else sees.  We see what we want to see. So what do others see?

When we are born we arrive totally dependent on others for our existence.  So from earliest moments we relate to 'others' before we learn to become aware of ourselves. If we were blessed with a loving family, we were kissed and nurtured and raised in God's light. We felt significant and loved and we grew up knowing of the Father's hand in our daily life.

Now what about everyone else?

They missed the nurturing. They might have missed God. They grew up feeling rejection, hurt and hungered deeply for attention they never received.

We are each a by-product of our environment from birth forward.  We have the power to change. We can let go of that which no longer serves us.  At any time we can seek God's light and presence in our lives. We can become a by-product of His indwelling grace and share His word and truth with others.

So what is indwelling with you? What is the one word people would use to describe you?

Words of the heart,
Laurie

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21

Beginnings and Expectations full of Grace and Truth, Words of my Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Beginnings and Expectations full of Grace and Truth

In any relationship there are beginnings and expectations.  Most ignite with hope and excitement. Would it not be nice to wake each morning with that joy igniting your day?

I have memories of when Terry and I fell in love... we talked about it last night. We met in 1963, but it was in 1964 that the relationship began. We were in eighth grade.  That first love is filled with new beginnings and expectations.  You literally cannot wait to see him every day.  Your emotions run wild from excitement to love, to worry and back again...but yet every day you wake in anticipation of seeing him.  As we grow older do we have to be laden with the world on our shoulders? Why can we not wake today with that same joyful expectation?

No matter what the season is in life, there is a need to embrace the joy of the day.

With this first week in advent based on hope and expectations, I pray for that lightness in your life and your days. I pray for you to wake with hope and expectation to discover the gifts coming to you on this very day.  Despite pain, illness, family troubles, financial stress, unemployment, and whatever else seems to burden you down, allow yourself to have time each morning to open your hands up to heaven and allowing God to carry your burdens.  Begin to list those positive things you do have.  Not just in your head, but list them on paper.  Focus on them only.

Begin to nurture back the light and love in your life that seems to have been crushed out by the world.

I struggle often trying to separate my human frustration and problems from that spiritual relationship that offers total freedom from all the problems I carry, those rocks I pick up and shove into my pockets.

I choose to do this, and so do you. How do we stop collecting those rocks that weight us down?

I am challenging you now to let those problems fall from you.  Let the wind (God's breath) take them off from your mind if only for a short time as you begin to grow spiritually. As you start this new relationship with God today have hope and expectations. He will not fail you.

It is your choice.

I light the candle this day to mark a new beginning to chose the light of God and prepare my heart in expectation of the celebration of Christ's birth. I will put aside the issues that cloud my mind and open my heart to receive His light.

Words of my heart,
Laurie

“[The Word Became Flesh] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-2, 14 NIV

Do you Remember When... Words of the heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Do You Remember When?

Families ate dinner together at the table every night?

Families went to church together several times a week?

When going out to eat was something special to look forward too?

 When you put puzzles together as a family?

When TV dinners were a treat that mom would buy at the store for you when she and dad were going out to eat?

When singing together around the piano as a family was still considered fun?

Families that played charades?

Families that prayed together?

Playing cards together with your cousins?

Strumming your guitar and singing with your best friend?

Riding bicycles every day after school?

Playing outside until dark?

Sometimes going to bed at night without watching TV?

When everyone at the table ate what mom cooked no matter what it was?

AND there was always a sweet desert?



Words of the Heart,

Laurie

"But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace."
(Psalm 37:11)

Healthy Living and Giving, Words of the Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

 In Partnership

We are spiritual beings that exist in a physical body. I find more and more as I grow older my "want to" exceeds the ability of my "can do". While this should be a partnership there are frustrating moments as in any relationship.

Considering things further, each of our "beings" is in partnership with our families, our communities and the world.  Even further we are all in partnership with the universe.

Working together in partnership it actually starts with your spiritual being. Praising the body that was created by God and knowing and accepting the limits of that body.  The divine life that gives us presence gives out to others in life.

Embrace the beauty of this partnership with God. Live healthy. Give of yourself to others.  Live in God as God lives in you.

Words of my heart,
Laurie

"Glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:20

Colors of God, Words of the Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Colors of God

God is the light that surrounds me.

God is the love that enfolds me.

God is the power that protects me.

God is the Father whose presence watches over me day and night.

His artistic touch was present yesterday when I was visiting a my friend Ann at her country home. Her gardens were in late summer bloom with the continued Texas heat. Despite the drought the color was surrounding us just as His love surrounds us in the 'drought' times in our lives.

 Celebrate 'moments' today. Just stop and listen and look around you.


Notice His handiwork encompassing your life.


His light, His grace, His presence....

Words from my heart...

Laurie

"The sun rises and the sun goes down, and hurries to the place where it rises." Ecclesiastes 1:5

Artists of Love a Sharing Thought from A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Artist of Love

Sometimes in our walk we meet those special people.

You know immediately who they are when you are introduced.

My Mother was the first one I meet.


Then for sure my daughter's close friend Shannon.


Then I had a workshop this past year and I meet Ann.

At the workshop, every person that attended was special.  I felt blessed by every single artist.

When I say special people, I mean they don't just 'live' each day, they 'love' each day.  They give this love freely to every person they meet in their lifetime.  They rarely waste time on negativity and always look for the positive.

If a tense situation comes up, they begin to immediately breathe in the grace of God and their response is love. The outcome for them is to give their love to the others around them. Naturally their heart rate remains low and they maintain an inner calm.   The kindness they extend to others keeps them in harmony with the world.   

They are the 'artists of their life' and they choose to color their world with love in harmony with God.

These special people are blessings to our lives and bring a richness of a complete masterpiece of light and color to each of us.

Laurie

"Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is not cause for stumbling."  1 John 2:10