Sentiments

 

I spent most of a day going through all of the cards sent to me and that I made and kept for later use. After reading them and filing them away for safe keeping it left me with a sense of calm thankfulness. The quote above is correct in most cases but not all cases. There are those individuals that put their hearts into the cards they send out. The sentiment, verse, poetry or whatever they created or chose the for the card was from the heart. They may not even have much else to give so they send out a card. To not appreciate or be thankful for the thoughtful gift of that card would be a travesty, a slight to the beauty of the heart of that person. I realize there are those that send cards for other reasons and purposes but there are those who send cards and choose sentiments from the heart. Our blogs are much the same as cards we create or purchase and send out. They are a sharing of self that can't be done in any other way. For most it is not possible to travel to where others live and meet in person. Card sharing and blog sharing give us a way to share ourselves with one another. I don't know about you but it is a blessing to know those that do this kind of sharing and giving. For me it is a positive way of giving some of who I am in a way that could not happen any other way.   

I spent the better part of a day trying to find where on Pinterest this image came from to no avail. It was colored and shared with a friend. They liked it so much I gave it to them for their kindness over the years. 

For some reason the colors the camera picked up are different than the image. They are not homogenous, free flowing and blended. The image is signed just above the shoulder on the right. It is not legible. 

The Copic colors used are:

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

The end

 

What do you think about Death? Are there really living dead? What comes after death? Do you believe in life after death? Do you fear death? This year was somewhat traumatic for me. It was realized that those that I was really close to in the past are now all gone to be with Jesus. There are a few that were friends and acquaintances still here with us but close friends there are none. Two of my three siblings are still alive but we are not very close. I have a few surviving cousins but we were never really close. Over the years those we love or were once close to drift apart, lose contact with, have changes in interests or move away to new adventures in life. In this world it is hard if not impossible to make a friend that is willing to spend the time to be with you and get to know you as someone who matters and cares. It is sad that people form immediate "impressions" as to who we/they are or are not. I make no excuses that I am guilty of this. It makes me guilty of putting myself above someone, assuming I am better than they are. This also places me/us at an endpoint where we are now isolated not just from others but Christ as well. It makes us feel that this is the end. It makes us ask "is this all there is?" My scripture for today is Philippians 2:1-4. This is the essence of who Christ was and who we are to become. It is not an easy lesson to learn but it is one we must learn. Christ felt alone and isolated just as we do. He knew who he was while we struggle to know who we are. He loved us completely and utterly as He gave His all for us. How is it we feel alone and isolated when that kind of love is still with us. It is not the end but the beginning. 

Today's image is of the Chinese Sacred Lily. The lily is not really a lily but a narcissus. This was a fun image to color. I am not sure which  Vintage site this was pulled from but was a fun image to color.

The Copic colors used are:

The diamond shaped marker in the lower right corner is a Wink of Stella silver pen. 

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

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."

Finley Peter Dunne

I am foregoing the message today but will write one next week. Instead I would like to share a card sent for my birthday from Em of Creative Em. Thanks Em. 

The "Non sibi sed partiae" translates to "not self but for country". Yep! I was in the navy during the Cuban crisis of the 1960's. 

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

Resurrection

 Outside of the cross of Jesus Christ, there is no hope in this world. That cross and resurrection at the core of the Gospel is the only hope for humanity. Wherever you go, ask God for wisdom on how to get that Gospel in, even in the toughest situations of life.

Ravi Zacharias  From Brainy Quotes

1 Corinthians 15:35-49 Every so often we come back to this subject. It is important to be reminded that we are on this earth to get ready for our birth and resurrection when this earthly body wears out. It is good to be reminded that just as a child grows and develops in the womb we are in a kind of womb in this life. How we develop and grow not just physically but spiritually is important for the preparation of our eternal birth. (1 Corinthians  15:35-37 "35 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” 36 Fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37 And as for what you sow, you do not sow the body that is to be, but a bare seed, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain.)(1 Corinthians 15:42-49  42 So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 Thus it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 But it is not the spiritual that is first, but the physical, and then the spiritual. 47 The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven.)

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition (Washington, DC: National Council of Churches of Christ, 1993)

We were created from dust and our earthly body will return to dust so that we can be born of eternal spirit. Scripture is very clear about how we are reborn, raised from the dead.   

Today I am sharing two birthday cards, one from Jill's step sister and one from my DW. First, the one from my siter-in-law. 

This is special because for many years I never got any cards from her. This is the second or third card from her.

Next the card from DW. It is special this year.

There are no words to tell the bond we share. The card will have to do.

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

Psalm 90:10-13

 

The subject today is from The Wisdom of Solomon. It struck a chord with me two days before my birthday as did the quote from Socrates. The reading stopped me in thought for a few seconds. This is what it says (from the New Jerusalem Bible); " 10 The span of our life is seventy years— eighty for those who are strong— but their whole extent is anxiety and trouble, they are over in a moment and we are gone. 11 Who feels the power of your anger, or who that fears you, your wrath? 12 Teach us to count up the days that are ours,   and we shall come to the heart of wisdom." I soon turn eighty! I never expected to live past 50. The power of the word of God through the Holy Spirit is in truth a wondrous thing. How many of you count up the days that are yours? In a recent post I wrote about seeing each day as a miracle, in another about praying for wisdom and still another about how those who think themselves wise are fooling themselves. Socrates has it right. We have it wrong. Verse 11 is speaking of God. By taking note of each moment of our lives, counting up the days, we give homage to the Lord our God for the gift of life we are blessed with. All things are turned to good for the glory of the Lord for those who love Him.

 

The card I am sharing was posted on the 30th of August by my DW for our wedding anniversary of 59 years. It is a really neat card.

She picked what seems the right era for our ages. 😁 She is definitely the love of my life. 😍 

This is a short post by design. May the good Lord bless and keep you safe. Remember to always "Love The Details."

Spiritual Sight

 

There is power in this Brainy Quote. It is how I often approach the pain I see in this world and in my life. If we really want to we can focus on the pain in our lives and in the world around us as the press is want to do or we can look at all of the good and beauty that is left untouched and often unnoticed. I know all of us face unpleasant realities every day. At those times, how often do you stop to notice all of the beauty that is left behind? Do you ever acknowledge the the fragile beauty of God's creation or of the beautiful souls that are all around you? Do you ever stop your daily routine to breathe in the wonder of your surroundings? Anne Frank was in a position unimaginable for most of us and yet this is how she saw things. This is an example of what it means to be spiritual. This is what it means to be in touch with the Spirit of God. This is a place our Spirit meets Jesus and finds peace. It is a place that is just for you and Him. It is a place where the intimate touch of God has the power to lift, to inspire, to give peace and to talk to us of His love for us. It does not matter what our situation might be or the pain we are in at the time. It is hard to imagine the emotions she felt when these thoughts were penned. It was a desperate time of  trials and loss. It was a time when it felt hopeless. It is at these times that Jesus is there for us if we allow Him to enter in. In Him our hope is realized.

This image is from Free Vintage Digi Stamps. This is a very large site and I have had this image for some time so have fun. I did this for DW (Jill) so she could get her Christmas card stock pile up. 

This Copics used are;

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