The Animals will teach you, Words of my Heart, Texas Artist Laurie Pace

"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you;  Job 12:7

From Job... and I love the reference I found that rephrased it for simple reading. If you have followed the story of Job, God and Satan are playing a game of chess with Job's life.  God believes Job will stay the course of faith and Satan believes he can bring calamity into Job's life and cause Job to curse God and turn away.  Job's friends come to comfort him after he has lost his home, his children, his family, and all of his belongings. You know how it is when your friends jump in with their advice to guide you. It is always not the best advice.

From Clark's Commentary:

"Why tell ye me that the Almighty hath brought this calamity upon me? Every thing in nature, the beasts of the field, the fowls of the heaven, every inhabitant of earth and sea, and every thing that befalls them, are the work of his hands; and every thing feels and acknowledges him to be the universal Creator and Controller. It is the common doctrine of all nature; but to apply it as ye would apply it to me, and to assert that I am suffering from being guilty of hypocrisy, is equally impertinent. He ordains every thing in wisdom as well as in power; but why events happen as they happen, why good and evil are promiscuously scattered throughout nature or human life, ye are as ignorant of as myself."

Thoughts of my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Trusting in the Lord, Words of my Heart, Texas Artist Laurie Pace

“Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.”  Isaiah 26:4

Cooler weather is here for two days... and then back to the normal Texas late fall heat. Meanwhile I am going to be outside enjoying it! 

I know the deer running across the dam this morning are definitely relying on Him for every need without the worried thoughts or stress. 

May you believe with this simplicity that He will provide.

Blessings to you, Laurie

A Texas Artist, Laurie Pace

The Master Gardener, Words of my Heart, by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,"  Matthew 6:9

I have written often about using the word ACTS to pray by.  Adoration, Confessions, Thanksgiving and Supplication.  Stormie Omartian shares in her book "The Power of a Praying Woman" on page 32, thirty good names to call your God.  Her list is in my heart when I pray and depending on the time and place I call to Him often as Healer, Redeemer, Everlasting Father, Mediator and many others.  (Only the Creator, Master Gardener could grow a tree this size. It was dead for two years before we took it down this spring. )

1. Healer (Psalm 103:3)

2. Redeemer (Isaiah 59:20)

3. Deliverer (Psalm 70:5)

4. My Stronghold (Psalm 43:2)

5. Refuge (Joel 3:16)

6. Friend (John 15:15)

7. The Righteous One (I John 2:1)

8. Restorer (Psalm 23:3)

9. Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6)

10. Love (I John 4:16)

11. Mediator (I Timothy 2:5-6)

12. Good (Nahum 1:7)

13. Bread of Life (John 6:35)

14. Hiding Place (Psalm 32:7)

15. Everlasting Light (Isaiah 60:20)

16. Strong Tower (Proverbs 18:10)

17. Resting Place (Jeremiah 50:6)

18. Spirit of Truth (John 16:13)

19. Shelter from the Storm (Isaiah 25:4)

20. Eternal Life (I John 5:20)

21. The Lord Who Provides (Gen. 22:14)

22. Lord of Peace (2 Thess. 3:16)

23. Living Water (John 4:10)

24. My Shield (Psalm 144:2)

25. Husband (Isaiah 54:5)

26. Helper (Hebrews 13:6)

27. Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6)

28. The Lord Who Heals (Exodus 15:26)

29. Hope (Psalm 71:5)

30. God Who Gives Endurance (Romans 15:5)

Sharing my thoughts and the Words of Stormie Omartian, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Just a Closer Walk with Thee, Words of my heart, Texas Artist Laurie Pace

“[Praise to God for a Living Hope] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”

1 Peter 1:3

Focus on Him. Focus on the light. 

"Lord, draw me into a closer walk with you." 

Everything we chase in our lives usually leaves us worn out or distant from true joy.  Distress seems to be a biproduct of our race. Discontentment deepens as we strive for more and want to accumulate more.  From that may evolve hopelessness and dispair. 

Is that where you want to be?

You do not even have to 'chase' after God.  He is right there ready for you to join Him for not only this lifetime but in heaven hereafter. Choosing Him will bring comfort in times of sorrow and illness. It will provide light and grace in times of darkness and need.  He will continue to fill you with more of His love as your relationship deepens and you will find all your needs meet as well as the true desires of the heart. 

Words of my Heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Safety in Him, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD 

is kept safe.”  Proverbs 29:25

When I was out in the backyard snapping images of beautiful orange butterflies on my orange and red lantana, I was afraid of startling them and missing any shots of their journey.

My fear was unnecessary as I kept a steady distance moving slowly and the click of the camera did not seem to phase them. I did not want anything from them, I only wanted to share the beauty I saw before me.

So true in our lives....God does not set out to 'snare' us or entrap us, but our fellowman often has other ideas. Trusting in God to provide the path and provide what you need overpowers the plans of the people in your life. While man plans, God provides all we need. 

Our trust should be in Him alone. 

Words of my Heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

When People Insult You, Words of my heart, Texas Artist Laurie Pace

““Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  Matthew 5:22-12

My Father always spoke about integrity. 

My Mother always spoke of loving and finding 

good in everyone you meet in life.  

Combining all the many teachings together, I have learned the simplicity of "Sticks and Stones may break my bones but words will never harm me."    

Dad said 'Always take the higher ground' and do not lower yourself to the level of response that is not respectful or in love or part of how God would want you to respond.  Often we are faced with constant digs by friends or family that find fault with everything you do or say.  The fault does not lie in you. Somewhere deep inside of them rages something you cannot see. It pushes them to want to see others hurt like they hurt.  The hard part is letting it go and forgiving. Then placing their hurtful words at the foot of the cross, finding that good you know is inside of them as a child of God, and praying for them in love, blessing them with God's grace that they may find comfort and joy where they are.  

Stand with God and rejoice in His faithfulness for each of us.

Words of my Heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

The Day of Christ by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,” Philippians 1:9-10

As I reread this verse several times yesterday reflecting on the weight of each word and each phrase I settled on "Be pure and blameless for the day of Christ."

My first leaning was to talk about that of 'depth of insight', but in reality I think most of us realize the meaning behind 'insight' with God and His far reaching knowledge that supersedes anything we could begin to dwell on.  So coming back to 'Your love' being 'pure and blameless for the day of Christ'... I began my search to see exactly what was the 'day of Christ' that Paul was referring to.

With searching I found there is a difference between the Day of Christ and the Day of the Lord. Read more here.

This chart is from the article that is linked above

Day of Christ	Day of the Lord
Is for believers (Body of Christ)	Is for rejectors of Christ
Is a day of blessing and reward	Is a day of judgment
Is a heavenly hope	Is earthly despair
Is eagerly anticipated	Is feared and dreaded

The entire blog article is pretty good and deserves a few moments to read and consider the difference from the writings.

But my greatest joy in my reading research came from the blog on DesiringGod.org  with this blog writing by John Piper

"God's faithfulness is experienced in his continually awakening in us the grace to keep believing. He keeps us.  And he does it by giving us the passion to treasure him and pursue holiness." John Piper

To have the simple faith not to worry about each thing that crushes our minds and keeps us spun into tight webs is hard.  Giving it up God is hard. But He is ever faithful you and I will get there as we grow in our faith and our ability to let it all go and rest in Him.   If you were able to let it all go, would your day not be blessed and rewarded with rest and peace?  Would you not eagerly anticipate each day without the pressure and the worry?  If you are a believer, there is a 'heavenly hope' that you will one day release it all to Him to be pure and blameless on the day of Christ.  John Piper believes surrounding yourself with other believers will not only encourage you, but will allow them to pray for you as you embrace your journey in faith. 

Words of my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace