Our Journey's Path

How I wish that sometimes my journey with God began as Paul's did. His encounter with God caused an immediate transformation, and a life lived with one goal, one passion, that did not change with life's circumstances, trials, culture, the daily living of life. My journey has not been so. Mine has been a gradual transformation, changing from my old self to the new self, which is the real me. I am sad to admit that life, circumstances, trials, culture, the daily living of life does interfere with my transformation. Sometimes my heart grows cold, the passion subsides. Is this my desire?? No!!! My desire is to be focused on God more than myself and what I want. But I am week, and I can stray from my deepest desire. Sometimes I can get caught up in my own little world, that I forget the bigger picture. God's picture. But, the length of time between these times is becoming shorter, I am learning to listen as God gently draws me back. God is gracious, patient, loving, and the pursuer of our hearts and souls.

I pulled out a book titled Devotional Classics put together by Richard Foster and James Smith.I read it many years ago. I love reading books I have read before and seeing how God uses them in a different way, because I am different. How truths are better received in my heart and not just my head because it has grown enough to receive them.

The introduction speaks on discipleship, on surrender, on commitment. It goes on to say: "these sober us and remind us that grace, while free, is not cheap, as Dietrich Bonhoeffer taught. Our discipleship to Jesus Christ costs nothing less than everything. But as Dallas Willard writes, the cost of non-discipleship is far greater. Non-discipleship costs abiding peace, a life penetrated throughout by love, faith that sees everything in the light of God's overriding governance for good, hopefulness that stands firm in the most discouraging of circumstances, power to do what is right and withstand the forces of evil. In short, it costs exactly that abundance of life Jesus said he came to bring. With one voice these authors witness to us that the cost of discipleship is a far better bargain than the cost of non-discipleship."

I want the abundant life Jesus came to bring. Even if in moments it seems like it is NOT the easiest path to take.

Blessings to you all!!!

What Color Is Your Rainbow??

I saw this on Marsha's blog. Thought I would give it a shot. Kind of fun, and kind of accurate.
Although I must say, I was not crazy with the color of my rainbow. I like brighter colors!! :)

Your rainbow is strongly shaded violet and white.

What is says about you: You are a contemplative person. You appreciate beauty and craftsmanship. People depend on you to make them feel secure. You are patient and will keep trying to understand something until you've mastered it.

Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.

Would like your input

I have the opportunity to share with other ladies what a wonderful avenue visual journaling can be into our hearts. I will be sharing visual journaling at a retreat in March. The theme is Going Deeper with God. For those of you that journal, weather it is a visual one or not, would you be willing to share with me how it has helped you?

New Class

I just signed up for a wonderful class. Creative Textures. The workshops are incredible. You learn loads of different ways to add texture to your work. You view the videos and work at your leisure. You can combine various different techniques or use them individually. So cool!!

http://creativetextures.ning.com/

Be sure to check it out.

My loss could be your gain!!!!

I have been itching to see 'The Secret Life of Bees'. I read the book and loved it. Sooo, I was in Target yesterday and saw that it was out. I picked it up and thought my daughter and I would have a nice evening watching it together. When Meg got home she saw it, and then said, "Why did you buy it in Blu-ray". We don't have a Blu-ray player! I was so bummed!! I just thought it had a pretty blue border!!!!! Well, I had already opened it in my excitement so I cannot return it.
If anyone has a Blu-ray player and would like to have it let me know!!!! My loss, or should I say my stupidity is your gain!!!!!
Blessings!

Oh, does this count as my first blog giveaway???? :)

New seed

I seem to have a soil thing. Maybe because I acquaint it with the heart so much of the time.
It is where things grow. I have been thinking about my garden, it's time to clean it out and get it ready for planting. I wanted to get an early start this year. I want to plant some lettuce and some other cool weather plants. Every year I want to do that, but I wait too long and do not. Maybe this year will be different. Sometimes my heart is like that too. Sometimes I know the "work" that has to be done will not be pleasant. But left undone there will be no harvest. A copy of this prayer fell out of a book I am reading, like a gentle reminder to me. I cannot say for sure where I first saw it, It might have come from one of Ken Gire's books.

God stir the soil,
Run the plough share deep,
Cut the furrows round and round
Overturn the hard, dry ground,
Spare not strength nor toil,
Even though I weep,
In the loose, fresh mangled earth
Sow new seed.
Free of withered vine or weed
Bring fair flowers to birth.

Blessings to you all this Monday morning!