from my art journals

Happy New Year!

I'll be playing piano at the Fairmont Hotel in Georgetown for New Year's Eve.   If you're in the neighborhood, drop by and see me...24th and M. St.

As I think about the past year and the upcoming year, I am grateful for the many miracles that God has sent my way.  I hope to place my complete confidence and will in his hands and not to forget how carefully, He has helped me in the past when I do that.

I'm enjoying teaching piano.  My students are all darling and totally talented. I'm using a Christian piano method book with all the young ones.  Hopefully, I'm influencing their hearts for God and  growing piano/keyboard players for the church

I'm also enjoying playing a little again and I'm planning to get more done on my own Christian projects.  I feel that God really does want me to use my talents to encourage others and spread the gospel.

Merry Christmas

to 

all my friends

and 

family!

This Christmas, I pray for peace, generosity, love, tolerance, forgiveness and acceptance.  May we all not get so caught up in "our stuff" that we forget the very real needs of others.  "They will know we are Christians by our love...."

What was Joseph thinking after the Lord told him that Mary was with child.
He knew it wasn't his.

This is where faith is not enough.  The next step is  praying for and doing God's will, not ours.  God knew who was growing in
Mary's body.  He knew exactly what was going to happen all the way up to you and me.  Now your choice is simply to "pray for" God's will and "do it."
Stop making a "Santa list" or a list of all the things you think you need.  God knows exactly what you need!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.
God loves you and watches over you.  He knows everything and has a plan for you, a good one, not to harm you but to prosper you.

Fransoddsandends: Thanksgiving I could've worried and made mysel...

Fransoddsandends: Thanksgiving

I could've worried and made mysel...: Thanksgiving I could've worried and made myself sick but I prayed and trusted. Even when one person deceived me about when I would g...

Thanksgiving

   I could've worried and made myself sick but I prayed and trusted.  Even when one person deceived me about when I would get a check (got it 2 weeks later) and another check hasn't showed up on time, I received another surprise.  Now, I'm meeting my basic needs and I can put together a Thanksgiving basket for the poor.  It's easy.  Buy an aluminum pan for the turkey and put the following imperishable items in:

   A paid coupon to purchase a turkey, a large can of gravy, a can of cranberries, a box for making mashed potatoes, a loaf of bread or box of stuffing, a couple cans of milk or boxes of dried milk, a large can of pumpkin, a box for making the crust, and 2 cans of green vegetables.  I think I've remembered everything.

Now, wrap it securely in see-through colored cellophane with a pretty bow and card wishing it's recipient blessings from our loving Savior and a secret friend.  (or something like that).

   Our church distributes them in the poorest areas to as many as we are able to collect from our congregation and our congregation is generous in spite of their own struggles.   

   You could also work in a soup kitchen, visit a nursing home or take something to a person in need or out of work.  Recently, someone slipped a $20 in my pocket, another person is leaving her dog with me instead of a dog hotel...."It is better to give than receive and God sees our immediate needs when we remain close to him and love him with all our hearts and minds and strength.  I am so grateful to be receiving the part-time work that I need and still give to the poor, visit the sick, and contribute to my church.  It's not about what I don't have, it's the blessings  I have, the greatest blessing to come and the ability to share God's love.

So many blessings when you trust God. 

   Since I've completely turned my life over to God, amazing things have been happening.  My first priority in life is my God.  I give 10% of my retirement money first and then 10% of my other income weekly, as it comes in, and it goes to Hope.  I love God more every day and see how he has been performing miracles in my life.

   I was very encouraged by a retirement dinner party that teachers from my old school gave me last night.  I really had not had a chance to say good-bye or catch up in what they're doing since I was out sick the last 3 months of last year.  

Anyway, we had a great time and they invited me to their Christmas party so I can see those who sent their love but had classes, were sick etc. 

  The art journal picture was a kind of planning wheel to prioritize my life and put God first, allow for rest to heal, be more involved with my church and have some fun. 

Trust God!  He is always working in your life!

I did this "art journal" entry when Jerry and I played these two songs at church.  A few of the black keys are blue because we played "Amazing Grace" in a bluesey gospel style.  I love to worship God when it's so much fun.  Thanks, Jerry.  His wife was the first lead singer in my own band, long since retired.  He and I played together a couple times in my band but mostly at church.  It's so good to have them back in our church.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost but now I'm found 

Was blind but now I see.

Still growing in my faith and loving Jesus more every day.

I guess you can tell this is one of my favorite paintings because it's Georgie and I at the beach and I still haven't made it back since my PTSD.  If it's God's will, we'll make it.  One of the children at church said yesterday, that looking at video of the ocean and beach reminded her that God created all of that and us and we're all part of one big symphony.
Don't you just love that?

 An Apology To My Readers!

   Where am I?  Oh, yes, in my studio, blogging.  Of course, it would be nice to be in this picture again, but not now.

   I confess, I sometimes forget things.  Most adults do but sometimes my forgetfulness is a little over the top.  Pray for me.

    Oh, yes.  I was apologizing for forgetting that some of you might be responding to my blog in my Yahoo account.  Whoops, I hadn't checked that for awhile.  I promise I will since I now know that some of you are reading and responding to this blog.  Thank you for your sharing.   

   I am feeling useful, blessed by you, purposeful, or all of the above as I share some of my "growth odds and ends" (not advice-that title is bogus and I don't know how to change it.)  Anyway, thank you and forgive me.  I was actually looking for comments in the blog.  Now,  I'll read yahoo and grow some more.  Thank you for cheering me up, making me laugh, making me feel useful, stuff like that.  Love you all.  God Bless You.  

I'm so grateful for today, too.

   Today, I get to teach 3rd grade Sunday School.  We call it Power Hour because of the creative way it is set up for 1st-5th grades.  The children sing some great songs, pray  and then perform in a skit, watch a recipe demo (today's activity), go back to their tables to make the recipe....and get to move around and participate a lot.  I love my 3rd grade group.  They're so adorable...great kids.  Some of them are piano students and a couple of them are in a musical production that I'm playing for, in a dance studio.  

   At the rehearsal yesterday, one of them said, "I'm so glad you're my teacher on Sunday, Miss Fran."  Later they waved loudly from the group and said, "See you tomorrow, Miss Fran."  That kind of thing just gives you goosebumps.  Their mom is delightful too.  She's so generous, kind, and expressed such gratitude for having my humble participation in the show.  I'll have to make some changes in the score but it's worth it.  This is another great group of children.  I don't want to let them down.

   I expect the rest of the day to be great, too.  And, I've discovered if it doesn't always turn out quite the way I expected, God has a plan anyway and I trust him.  I've been working on "trust" and "staying in the moment" so that I don't project negative worries or worry, for that matter.  God has performed so many miracles because of that trust.  I love this prayer:

God, grant me the serenity 

to accept what I can not change;

the courage to change

what I can

and the wisdom to know the difference.

Your will, not mine be done.

Amen

This is Jessica and me (Fran) with Rusty in 1991.

My first band was a trio and expanded to 6 pieces plus a horn section add-on.  It was successful and made great money to support me as a single Mom but I was a mess.

  

   I was baptized into the church in 2001 and shortly after studied with Jessica.  Beth and Veronica helped me since it was my first time doing a Bible study to baptize someone.  When I was baptized, I finally felt that I had truly become a Christian by studying the Bible in depth, knowing exactly what I was committing too, and repenting of my sin before I was baptized.  

   Now Jessica and I are playing for free at nursing homes -one the day before Thanksgiving coming up.  Jesus said, "Visit the sick."  We got a big encouragement in seeing the differences that God has made in our lives, when we considered 20 years ago."

   I am so grateful for so many blessings, but baptizing friends into the church and my being a part of our church is a BIG one.  I love all of you in my church and I'm so grateful for the way it has changed my life.  

Art Journal 

Blogging

as a part of your quiet time/devotional,
a way to relax, explore, meditate,
doodle-quest for answers,

a reminder of what works,

an art ode of worship to God,

a way to dream,

to grieve,

to celebrate, to express your feelings,

A way to free your creative self...

It can be anything you want it to be,

 but it's great!

   Whether you journal, art journal, blog or combine them, I highly recommend taking the time to do it.  

   There are many resources out there.  An internet friend that I met through a class, has a book called "Journal Bliss-creative prompts to unleash your inner eccentric" by Violette.  You can also google her for her blog/web under Violette.  Another good one is "Faith Books and Spirtual Journaling-expressions of faith through art" by Sharon Soneff.  If you look in the crafts section of your book store you'll find "Inner Excavation," "True Vision," "Creative Wildfire," and many others.  Stampington has a magazine called "Art Journaling" which comes out again Jan 1, I believe.  You can google Stampington, as well, to find it.  Look for art journaling on Amazon, too.

   I didn't plan this art journal entry, at the top of the page, I just created.  I think maybe it was an art quest and shows me what's been on my mind.  Simply exploring where I am today.

Be Brave and Be Proactive.  Depression Hurts.

Here are some things I learned and wrote in my little encouragement book:

• Sugar produces a stress response in your body.
• Sluggish, tired, brain-fogged...sugar does that.
• Eat low salt, sugar and saturated fat
• Good posture and breathing
• Relax, breathe, exercise, get a massage, take a nap, ride a bike or walk, take a warm bath, read, paint, play music, Chai Tai, play pool, help others, live in the present, lose weight, listen to music, dance, journal or art journal...
• Have a physical check-up including thyroid, sugar, GYN and mammeogram (guys too if you'e over weight.)
• Sleep study.
• Ask questions like:  Where do I want to be this time next year, 5 years, 10 years?.....What are my priorities?  What do I love to do? What part of my character needs work, be gentle but open?  What can I contribute to make the world a better place...can be more than one?  Add your own.  Play, dream and have fun.  Fake it until you make it.
• Yes, some people have to take medication for depression.  Different types of depression can be life threatening.  See a doctor and a counselor or psychiatrist. 

Loving and obeying God has to be my first priority!

   As an addict, in the past, I have used prescription pain meds, nicotine, relationships and until 8 days ago, "sugar."  Yes, I said sugar and junk food, actually.  

   When my mind is obsessed with my next comfort (and that's what addictions do for us), it is not focused on Jesus, God or the Holy Spirit.  1 Corinthians 3:16 say, "Don't you know that you, yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?  If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him, for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple."  That sounds harsh but most addictions do destroy us.  Friends, he really does know what's best for us.  

   I recently got a referral for a nutritonist from my doctor and turned my entire will (including my food) over to God   I'm 6 pounds lighter, more energetic and I'm happier.  

   I guess I thought that even when C.R., at my church, recently accepted "sugar" as an addictive chemical, I could still do this myself.  Well, with scripture, the fellowship, and prayer,  I failed for four weeks using my will-power.  The final pieces fell into place when I  realized at a Wed. night meeting, God wanted me to completely turn this one over to him as well.  It was my idol.  My favorite slogan from 12 step programs, has become "Just For Today."  

   By the way, paying my tithe and giving to "Hope Worldwide, " in other words to God, first, is working out too.  As soon as I wrote the check, my agent called and gave me two gigs in D.C. and a  sister in the church got me a musical production gig.  That pays for my tithe and I'm still praying for more gigs and more private students.   I'm still down-sizing.   This retirement will work for the basics and that's all I need.  I know that God's still in control and still working on me and my budget.  
   I also taught in "Power Hour" at church and had so much more energy after giving up sugar.  YAY!  

 Thank you for blessing me and never giving up on me!

   To God Be The Glory! 

Workaholism

an exerpt from 

"The Artist's Way Every Day"

by 

Julia Cameron

(A Year of Creative Living)

November 5

   Workaholism is an addiction, and like all addictions, it blocks creative energy.  In fact, it could be argued that the desire to block the fierce flow of creative energy is an underlying reason for addiction.  If people are too busy to (write, paint, draw, compose- my interjections.  Julia talks about "Morning Pages" which is what I'm doing with my different journals including this blog.  She also talks about an "artist date" which you put on your calender to do a creative activitiy.)  She says, "if you can't do either of these then you are probably too busy to hear the voice of authentic creative urges.  Only recently recognized as an addiction, workaholism still receives a great deal of support in our society.  .............The truth is, we are very often working to avoid ourselves, our spouses, our real feelings.  In creative recovery, it is far easier to get people to do the extra work of the "Morning Pages" then it is to get them to do the assigned play of an "Artist Date."  Play can make a workaholic very nervous.  Fun is scary.

   Oh, by the way, when I blogged about not having my tithe but planning on giving it anyway and trusting God, I immediately got 2 gigs playing piano at the Fairmont Hotel in Georgetown.  God is good.  Since Sat. was Mr. Warren's funeral, I played a few tunes in his honor, like "Satin Doll" and thought about him a great deal.  How grateful I am that God put him in my life AND made this gig possible.

God Has A Plan For You!

Knowing God has a plan for your life is very important.  

   When things happen that are totally out of our control, it can be very discouraging.  It's easy to become frustrated, to feel afraid and to question what the future holds.

   Putting faith in God's plan allows you to trust that events in your life are meant to be or that God will turn it into the best for you.  It helps us make choices based on prayer, the Word and spiritual advice, knowing that God is , in fact, in control.  There is a peace in knowing that His plan is playing out in your life.  When you are confused, remember that God is not a God of confusion, is still in control and He loves you very much.  Thank Him and His plans.

   You are not alone and you never will be.  God is with you every step of the way.  He is lighting lamps to guide you.  And if you ever do feel for a second that He is not right there beside you, perhaps it's you or perhaps he's building a bridge for you that will keep you safe from harm.  He will lead you on toward the light shining through.  

   As a mature disciple of Jesus, I have seen,  felt and experienced this many times, even in the darkest pit, before I truly became a dedicated Christian.  He still loved me, even then, and he loves you, where ever you may be.

Where's my Evo chicken and turkey dried food?  We're out?  You don't have enough money to buy any?  Meow!!

   Do I love Jesus radically and completely enough to put him 
first in my life?  How much have I been trying to do in my own will- power, knowledge and strength?  Good question?

   In my human pride, it's difficult when my disability checks 
only cover my bills and my three piano students don't cover 
food for myself and my pets.  And forget about the new 
brake pads and Christmas gifts.  But I have to ask myself, 
"Where is my first priority?"

   It was only after a lesson on Sunday that I could buy a little food, $25 worth and only on Monday after a student $25, 
that I could get Riff's cat food, just in time and a little food.  

   A radical love of Jesus calls me to tithe first to Him;  If I love him first and foremost, I can't give him my left-overs.  That's my choice this Sunday and then just as he has done in the first 4 months of my disability retirement,  blessed me in many ways to take care of my bills and basic food for my little family.  

    I'm looking to down size and get a one bedroom condo.  The buyer's market is good but can I get enough for my  3 bedroom.  The seller's market is awful.  Maybe I can sell mine and what's left to pay off on mine could be added to my new mortgage.  It's the condo fee on the 3 bedroom that's killing me.  I feel like it's wasted money that I could give to the poor and my church even when I do get enough students and gigs to make my budget work.

    I still have things to sell, a violin, a PC and an engagement ring, although that's not easy. I can still downsize to a small basic cell phone, get a land line/DSL and get rid of my broadband wireless.  That will save some.  I'm already at the most basic cable, just enough to get the news and a couple shows on my little  t.v.  Don't watch much t.v. anyway.

   I made very good money as a teacher but I've always tithed and I paid at least half for my sons' college.  I socked away as much as I could for retirement after they were out of college.  I showed my Italian half brother the states on a credit card.  Well, that's done.  

     If I'm going to finish this Christian C.D. and publish this children's book, I'll need extra money for that.  I don't expect to make a profit but I would have to recoup my expenses, at least. 

     Well, here goes.  I'm working on it all.  Some say I'm being radical, but hey, that's what Jesus and the early church call us to do.  Perhaps it's the world that has "watered down" their faith and I'm the normal Christian.  Oh, and I might be making my Christmas gifts.  
    I don't need much but have so very much compared to the largest world population.  I can do my part in changing that ratio.  If a lot of people do that,  we can feed the starving.
    Meanwhile, God blessed me with disability retirement, 
brought me through a very difficult illness and I am very 
grateful.  I'm also grateful that he has put me in a place
where I must totally trust him.  I need him for everything and love him more than anything, but I still have to depend on him for even the love to give away.  Thank you so very much, 
Jesus.  I am truly blessed this Thanksgiving.

Gratitud

Gratitude II


This is a gratitude placemat that you can make.  More about it is explained on my arts integration blog
www.drumdream.wordpress.com

Gratitude 


   I am so very grateful for God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in my life.  I have received so many blessings in my life.  God has always loved me but now that I've repented and been baptized, I am able to draw close to Him every day, all day.  And he truly has blessed me.  This is a poem I layered on to a picture of my childhood rocking chair and the overgrown road into the coal camp where I was born and spent the first 9 years of my life.  There's nothing there now.  You can't even get down the dirt road.
   I was reading this morning in "Crazy Love" and the author was saying that the Bible said that we could test God on tithing.  That he has promised to bless us.  I haven't quite made my retirement checks cover my bills, food, gas etc. but once again I will tithe 10% of my earnings, knowing that God will bless it.  I need a few more piano students and a couple solo or duo gigs a month to be secure but God keeps making it work with surprises...selling an instrument or two, babysitting, and gifts.  I'm not worried, I know he's looking out for me.  Jess and I are sharing our talents with nursing homes a couple times a month.  Jesus calls us to visit the sick, to give (Hope Worldwide) and serve our church community as well.  Started working in children's ministry again, occasionally music and of course CR.  All these are also gifts from God that help me and others.  Thank you, God.

He gave us life so that we might seek and know Him.

   Today, I'm thinking about the joy of service to God.  This week-end was very encouraging.

   I read this morning that George Bernard Shaw wrote, "This is true joy in life, the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; (I add "it doesn't have to be big or famous but never the less a calling from God or obedience to His Word).  Shaw continues, "the being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy."  I like that.  That's what we do.  Isn't it?  We can so easily become self absorbed.

   Francis Chan adds in his book "Crazy Love," God is the only true Giver and He needs nothing from from us.  But still he wants us.  He gave us life so that we might seek and know Him."  That's both very humbling and very encouraging because He loves us and yes, we are called to be his ambassadors to the world and obey His Word, but we can't say, 

"Look at everything I do for God."

   We need the love from God to love and serve others and be ambassadors and obey His Word, but not for His sake.  It's for our sake.  Even loving God is for our sake.  The Holy Spirit was a gift to help us and our repentance and faith allows us to draw close to our awesome God.  I am so grateful!

Praising God for another day and the beauty 
of his creation.

Whatever is true, whatever is noble,

Whatever is right, whatever is pure

Whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable or praise worthy,

Think about such things.

Whatever you have learned or received or 

heard from me or seen in me,

Put it into practice and the God of peace

Will be with you.  

Philippians 4:8

   For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  2 Tim 1:7


   Rejoice in expectation:  the hope of heaven is more wonderful than we can fathom and if we suffer righteously during this life, God will use even that to shower us w/ blessings.


   But the fruit of the Spirit is love, peace, patience kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things, there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23


   I'm reading several good non-fiction Christian books now.  My church is doing "Crazy Love" together (great book).  A few of us are reading "The Disciple of Grace" and I'm reading "Crave" and a few books about the "Moral Compass" and the "Addictive Personality."  My addictive personality has landed on food for the last few years and I've really struggled with using sugar products for comfort.  I'm one of the leaders in a "Chemical Recovery" group at my church and haven't smoked in 10 years and gave up pain meds as well.  It was recommended by another leader that I write another journal and attend an OA meeting (overeaters anonymous).  The 12 steps and others with the same challenges will be good for me...9:00 a.m.  Sugar does serious damage to my health and I need to finally and completely surrender it to God and realize I'm out of control...steps 1 and 2.  We'll see what happens because on my own, I failed again this week. There are two great sisters in our Fredrick church who have given up sugar.  I need to talk with them, too.
   Have a blessed day, breathe deeply, relax, and give your worries to the Lord.

Fransoddsandends: Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their stre...

Fransoddsandends: Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their stre...: Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not grow w...

 Those who wait on the Lord 

shall renew their strength.

They shall mount up with wings like eagles.

They shall run and not grow weary.

They shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:30

Still taking pictures from my art journal

and words of encouragement I wrote in the little book I made myself in a time of great discouragement and depression.  I love this verse.  It really helps me especially as I get older but I'm going to start exercising again, today.  I always walk my dog but today I'll ride my bike and do my back/ab strengtheners and stretches.  That makes a huge difference in how I feel physically and emotionally.

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  Matthew 5:10




   Jesus goes on to say in the next verse, "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."
   This is the hardest of the beatitudes for me.  Sometimes, others think I take my christianity too far but I've never been truly persecuted for it.  We live in a country where we, Christians,  enjoy freedom of religion but people of different religions are often badly treated.  In other countries, Christians continue to be persecuted, imprisoned, disowned by their families and even killed.  
   Would I deny Jesus in these situations?  My first and last reaction would be no but then I study Peter who swore he could never be capable of that and yet he did, 3 times.  I must test my faith and ponder my response and finally,  I can rejoice in what Jesus has revealed to me that enables me not just to exit but to truly live and rejoice in the power and joy of his resurrection.  Following Jesus has pulled me out of the pit of worldly sin and the casual sin that the world has come to accept.
   Would you still follow Jesus, if you were faced with torture, death, or family rejection?  Yes, I will but I hope I never have to face torture and death.  Many of us have already experienced family rejection because of our zeal and passion for following Jesus. But as I look at the world, I know that it is worth it. 

Blessed are the peace makers for they will be called sons (and daughters) of God.  Matthew 5:9


What would you put in the windows and door of this church?  I continue to study the beatitudes but my heart is challenged today.  I have envisioned children waving from these windows which is why I have a heart for teaching and writing for children.   And so I write,  even if no one reads, it helps me to cling to God and share his love no matter how I'm feeling today.

• Jesus said that we would have challenges in this life and wouldn't always understand.  God is beyond our understanding but if we trust him, we will have peace.  His loving hand is our anchor, Jesus, our salvation and the Bible and Holy Spirit our guide.
• "Jesus is Lord."  This surrender to Jesus will give us the assurance of God's help whatever hardship we face as we share his amazing message.  I have found the most valuable knowledge in the world, yet I struggle to share it.  I have felt so much rejection in my life.  Help me, Lord, to share anyway.
• Today, I wrestle with an addiction to sugar that I must conquer before I'm officially a diabetic and obese with a stroke or heart attack.  God calls me to care for the "temple" that he has given me and so, I need so much help in overcoming this addiction.  I must turn to God and my Christian friends for help and take this very, very seriously.  Yet, there are only 4 of us in the CR ministry of my county's church.  Why so few?  What's your addiction?  What do you turn to in times of anxiety and trouble?
• I've been feeling  deeply the grief of losing family and being misunderstood and rejected by them.    I loved, I cared and I tried to protect.  I offered help and it was rejected.  I tried to protect and was misunderstood.  Help me figure out what I did wrong and how to love and forgive despite how I've been hurt.
• I pray for  additional income (piano students and gigs) to support my retirement.  My health is better but I still have to make a schedule that I can handle and survive on.  
• I feel insecurity in the calling I have sensed from God to write, compose and record books and music for children.  "Who am I?"  I question my abilities, my character and sometimes my very sanity.  I love you Jesus.  Here I am, Lord, send me.  I'm listening.  

Mary, mother of Jesus

"Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God."


   The only way I can be pure in heart is to allow the Holy Spirit to work in me.  I have repented and been baptized, so, now continuing to study the Bible helps me see Jesus as he was here on  earth.  To imitate Christ and to reveal him to others in my words and actions is not easy.  That's why he gave us the Holy Spirit when we chose to follow him.
   I know that "WWJD" is wide spread, but do we really know "what Jesus would do."  I read about him and study him.  I find his character from his words and deeds in the Bible.  i.e. He healed the sick, shared his love of God, fed the poor, cared for the widows, and he demonstrated obedience to God.  He never sinned.  He was gentle with the woman at the well and the adulteress but make no mistake, he told them what they must do, change.  He saw the hypocrites for what they were.  He wept........  
   I pray to have the same zeal and passion for the things Jesus cared about.  He never said that it would be easy but we have been given all the tools that we need. 
   His last words to us was to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them all that he taught.  (Matthew 28)  It sounds like the best answer for this crazy hurting world and I want to be one who works for that change.
   

"Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy."  Matthew 5:7

   Today, I think of a dear friend who's husband just up and left her and her three young children.  I won't presume to know what in the world he was thinking for Jesus calls me to have mercy.  But, I ache for his wife, left with 3 children and a broken heart.  Yes, I know that broken heart that feels like it will actually break and be torn from your body.  
   But, this friend loves God and has raised her children to love God.  She is beautiful and talented and even through her tears, she is strong in the Lord.  Her heart is good, soft and strong enough to not only raise her son and daughter but adopt a child with many needs and requiring patience, prayer and even more love.  She was strong enough to let the man she loved explore all his "boyish" dreams even when it meant staying home alone, waiting all night, long after her children were asleep.  
   She has a heart big enough for many, many friends that love her and ache for her, now in her need.  God, I know you will be merciful to that family and love them through it all.  I can't help but pray the hardest for her and her children even though he is so lost to think hormones and mid-life crisis mean "love."  No, staying with your family is love, the hard kind, the good kind, the kind that God gives us.  I hope he wakes up and realizes before it's too late that he's really going to regret this.  I pray that she will be greatly blessed and favored, Lord.  Hold her and love her and fill that place in the heart that only you can fill, anyway.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteous, for they will be filled."  Matthew 5:6


It is through the grace of God, that we can even aspire toward righteousness.

• Acknowledge that life is meaningless without God.
• Read the Bible, hunger for its teachings and inspiration.
• Put God's Word into practice, and celebrate the freedom that comes from building our lives on the "Rock."

This is a drawing I did for my Dad's book that I made him.  It went with the page for the song, "I'll Fly Away."  I miss you Dad but now I can talk to you every day.

1. 

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."  Matthew 5:5

• Trust God completely; affirm what he "has done  for us" already and decide to trust him for the future.
• Turn control over to God, knowing his plan for us is absolutely perfect and that all things happen just as he decided long ago.
• Be totally confident that God will protect us-that even if we experience pain and loss, he will be right there giving us the strength to survive and grow through the experience.

This does not mean we are to be a "doormat."  If we are truly "in Christ and Christ in us,"  we have the power, love, strength, talent, peace, faith and self-control through our Savior.  To God Be The Gory.

" Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
Matthew 5:4

These pictures are from a book that I made for my Dad a month before his death.  It contained favorite hymns, verses and art to comfort him after he found out that he had stage 4 cancer.

Yes, Jesus did comfort me and my father.  He led me to my father's bedside to pray and comfort him in his last 3 days on earth.  My sorrow was indescribable.  He died at 3:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, Sept. 25, 2010.  I returned to Md. the next day to mourn with my family.  He was my last remaining parent, my children's last remaining grandparent.  My mother had died many years ago.

But again, this particular part of Jesus' sermon was referring to being vulnerable, recognizing and acknowledging our sin...mourning the sin that hurts us, others and God.  The Bible helps us identify particular sin and encourages us to confess our sins to one another and repent.

There is great joy when we repent not only to Jesus who bore our
sins but to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

"find out what pleases the Lord."  Ephesians 5:10

"Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God."
Matthew 5:3


I used to think that this meant Christians were supposed to be very sad, serious, with no self confidence.


Now I call these the beatitudes of JOY!


Jesus is speaking of our dependence on him for our best in life. ..to be humble enough to realize how much we need him, to take pride in his gifts to us and be utterly grateful for his ultimate gift.


Yes, I eagerly seek God and believe that if I keep trusting God and seeking his way, I will find the fullness of life that he promises.  We, as Christians and disciples of Jesus have every reason to be joyful in spite of circumstances.  Because Jesus took the consequences of our sin, we can come before God in his holiness.  We no longer have to sin for we are not under the power of evil.  We're still human and yes, we still need Jesus and his forgiveness, but do not have to be slaves to sin and are free to grow in character and all the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Pick-me-ups

Today, I scanned directly from the little book that I made myself and carried in my purse.  I wanted you to see what it looks like.  All the pages are different and I had fun making it.  That's part of it's power, too.  

These are all things I could pick from to "pick-me-up."

Organize studio desk and closet is one that's harder but once I get into it, I always feel better.

Hopefully, this will give you some ideas or remind you of ones you already knew.  Have a great, fabulous, stupendous and wonderful day and smile more:)

      "PTSD"
post traumatic stress disorder
                     or
Loving the Beach
       Again. 






I like jazz and the Rolling Stones,
Playing with others, playing alone.
I can play every instrument except trombone
But my kidnapper played the saxophone.
I love the piano, I've struggled with violin
I bought myself a trumpet
And sold it again.




I love the beach, haven't been for years
It brings back nightmares and terrifying fears.
But, I'll envision Georgie in his adventure by the sea
I sure hope he loves it as much as me.
The bruises are gone, rape was the crime
Kidnapping is brutal, the memories, still mine.
But, surf and sand will cool my toes;
Sun and wind will burn my nose.
I'll be cleansing my spirit of the vicious past,
Finding real freedom, at long, long last.
Loving the beach, again.

I Like...

An "I like....poem" is another way of feeling gratitude and concentrating on the positive.  I wrote this in a very difficult time.

I like purple, music and poetry.

I like horses, dogs and cats.

I like books and time to read,

Mystery, Christian, stuff like that.

I like James and Chris and wearing God's ring.
I like to paint, and play and sing.

I like to eat but not to cook. 

 It shows on me, when I look. 

 I like to paint and draw and stuff, 

Watch movies when my life gets tough.  

I like to dance and laugh with friends.

Georgie and Riff are two loyal friends.  

They love me no matter what I look like and snuggle with me every night.

I say my prayers and read my Bible.  I go to church, more as I'm able.

I'm loving retirement and hope to travel.

But best of all, I'll be a grandmother.

I'll carry on a fine tradition of teaching them stories and Bible verses.

I'll write them songs about God's love and tell about my own grandmother. 

Mom and Dad, they all loved God.

One day, I'll be in heaven with God, 
But we'll always be watching and singing our love.

I love you so much before you're even born,
I love my kids at church, too
 and I leave you these gifts:
My faith and songs and stories 'bout God.
God Bless You!             Grandma Fran

Fransoddsandends: Laughter A laugh is a smile that bursts.Smile. S...

Fransoddsandends:
Laughter
A laugh is a smile that bursts.Smile. S...: Laughter A laugh is a smile that bursts. Smile. Sunshine is good for your teeth. He who laughs, lasts. Laughter is the sun t...

Laughter

A laugh is a smile that bursts.

Smile.  Sunshine is good for your teeth.

He who laughs, lasts.

Laughter is the sun that drives winter from your face.

The earth laughs in flowers - eecummings

Do it often!  Research shows that it's healing.