Who is better?

(Luke 18:9-14) I often hear the phrase "thank God I am not like that" or see someone criticised for not being like someone else. I have endured criticism most of my life because I did not conform to someone else's idea of whom I should be. The person I should be like is usually the one doing the criticizing. I have heard prayer like the one Jesus speaks of in Luke 18. Self righteous Pharisees are what they are. Read the passage above. Be sure you are not counted among them. Pray for them in humility. Remember the Jesus Prayer, " Lord Jesus, Only son of our father, Have mercy on me, a sinner." I once read that each of us is everything that everyone else is. On a personal rendition, "all that you are I am." It is a good thing to remember. Under the right circumstances it is not impossible that we could be that person we do not like. Do not judge another lest you be judged as you have judged. (Ezekiel 7:27) As for who is better, scripture is full of verses to answer that question. Jesus had the answer that pretty much says it all. (Matthew 20:21-23) 

Today I am sharing a classic puzzle from the 1920/30 era. It is a well loved puzzle with some damage and two pieces missing but still in rather decent shape. It is called "Spanish Dancer." I tried to find it on the net but all I could find is a smaller version of the same puzzle from a different company. 

The one offered on the net is at least an inch smaller in all dimensions.

As you can see the box is showing wear but is still in good shape.

For the most part this is in good shape. It was not easy with two pieces missing and one piece damaged but well worth it. Love the image. I guess I am old fashioned in many ways but that is OK.

That is it for this week. May the good Lord bless and keep you well and safe. Remember to always "Love The Details."

Love of Hate

 

The quote above is very true. The title of this post is not a mistake. In light of the state of the hatred of race, religion, and overall condemnation of all things we don't understand or believe in it would appear that there is a love of hate or a love to hate in this world. Christianity is based on John 13:34 we should love one another. If we think we are true Christians then 1 John 4:8 states that "God is love and who ever does not love does not know God."  1 John 4:16 says "God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them." Those that hate have no part in the life in the hereafter. All forms of hate are abhorrent to God. The quote from Dr. King is true only when it is practiced in faith towards all others with sincerity and belief. In this way there can be no doubt of the truth  you display toward your persecutor. Remember the three scriptures above are the cornerstones of our faith. The more you practice it, the more you believe it, the more you will experience the truth of it.

The image today came from Pinterest. Unfortunately I don't know where on Pinterest since it has been some time since I have been out there. I have found that the images I like are not always free of copyrights. I often hesitate to post a colored image from Pinterest for this reason. This is one of those images. It is simple and yet beautiful in that simplicity. Color makes the image come alive. 

The Copic colors used are:

I tried to use only the minimal colors to keep it simple. Beauty is often in simplicity and this face is beautifully simple. 

That is it for this week. May the good Lord bless and keep you safe. Remember to always "Love the Details."

Luke 13:22-30

 

(Luke 13:22-30) This reading is of the narrow door and what it means for us. It is important in our walk with Christ to realize that many will attempt to enter but few will be admitted. If the door were wide and easy to enter there would be no reason to continually try (knock at) the door. This does not  mean we will not be granted entrance to heaven. It does mean some will find it easier than others. Our deeds are not what gain entrance to the door but our faith, our brokenness. I certainly do not want to go over this subject again but it is good to be reminded that faith is what we must have for many doors to be opened.

The image today is from Free Vintage Digital Stamps.com. The leaves on the rose bush would not show green so I left them "as is".

The Copic colors are:

That is it for this week. Thank you for stopping by. May the good Lord Bless and keep you safe. Remember to always "Love The Details".

Love's Gift

 Most of the posts in this blog are not guides. I write to encourage, to make you question, to make you think. Scripture provides the answer.

I  really like this quote. It is a perfect description of Jesus Christ. It is also what becomes the light that shines into those places we tend to hide exposing the folly of hate. The places we think of as hidden and not seen are not hidden forever. We see them and that in itself makes them visible to our creator. Those around us may be blind to the things we hide but rest assured they are not hidden from God. Why do you think He gave his only son to atone for our sins. (Matthew 9:16, Mark 2:17, Luke 5:32) The story of the saints is not one of perfection but of following Christ and daily repentance for the sins that they committed on a daily basis. In this way they found that love became a life changing gift and a blessing that was sacred, life changing. Many live their lives, fall in and out of love, sometimes many times over, but never really find what they are looking for. Love is not ultimately physical but much deeper. It may start in the physical world but to become what it truly is meant to be it cannot remain there. It must transition  to the spiritual. That is to say it will grow to take in your whole being. It will encompass you and all that your world encompasses. It is what Christ experienced. It is what He wants us to experience. All He touched was made sacred because of His love. How wonderful that love. It is your choice to go on that journey. The way can be easy or hard. How much do you want it?

Today I am sharing two images. The first is no longer available. It is from Imagine and Do. The site is no longer available.

The inks ran a bit on the paper they provided the image on. Since this is an enlargement it really shows.

The Copic colors are T5 & YR68.

The next image is from Blue Knight red rubber cling stamps. This was done for DW for a card she is doing for someone. 

For some reason the white background came up brownish. The camera does not always record the actual colors for some reason. Color correction did not work.

The Copic colors are:

That is it for this week. May the good Lord protect and keep you safe. Remember to always "Love The Details."