"Once we clearly acknowledge the soul, we can learn to hear it's cries. - Dallas Willard, Renovation Of The Heart."

It takes courage to pursue our dreams. It takes time and patience to unearth buried treasure. But I believe with all my heart that we must do both.

12.14.2010

Third Tuesday of Advent



Advent Reading

Psalm 34:1-8; Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13; Matthew 21:28-32

"God as a Lover is passionate about his people. God as a Father cares, as a parent cares about the growth and character of a loved child, about their relationship to him." (Lucy Shaw, God with Us)

Have you tried hard to not do something you do? Have you tried hard to do something you know you should do without success?  We can discipline ourselves, (which is good) we can work hard (which is good) but relying solely on our own strength, even our own willpower and good intentions is not enough.  If the change does not happen at the heart level it is not permanent.  Our actions may change our behavior for a time, but it does not change our hearts.  Only God can change a heart.

Christ came to make that possible.

"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes."
2 Samuel 22:28, The Message 

"You did the unthinkable.
You built one bridge to us
Long enough, strong enough
to link the unlinkable."
Lucy Shaw

"Merciful God, in this Advent season we thank you that you can rewrite the script of our lives, moving us from wandering to arrival, from self-hatred to acceptance, from distance to nearness, from loneliness to belonging, from weakness to energy, and all this because of the enfleshment of your dear Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus, who became one of us and showed us the way. (Luci Shaw, God with Us)

Amen

8 comments:

studio pashnada said...

love this piece Mary

Unknown said...

Happy Holidays Mary : )

Martha Lever said...

I love that 2 Samuel Scripture. I assume that was David speaking but I better go and check. I love this journal page and I love how you are creating your pages along with the Advent Scriptures. I so love how you layer the paint. It's so great, Mar!!!

Jennifer Richardson said...

Oh yes, oh yes.
Thank you for this, Mary.
I LOVE Lucy Shaw...thanks for
introducing me to her.
And the beauty of your art
warms me deeply.
Love and Merry Christmas hugs,
Jennifer

LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagious said...

I LOVE this scripture and your art page. This scripture is written so personally to me and I know to all, but it feels like it is to just me.

Lucy Shaw's words are so encouraging and the truth of learning to let him do the total fixing sure takes the pressure off.

Love ya Mary!
Lee Ann

The Charm House said...

Hi Mary... I have been very tired and little energy to do anything. I have my tree up with probably 15 ornaments on it and a wreath on my front door. Def. not the Christmas decorations my family are use to. My mind seems to be in a blur for some reason these days.... Hope to be thinking better soon. It could be the increase in meds, not sure.
Love to you during this wonderful and beautiful season!
Yvette

Unknown said...

I love your art and the reflections on the scripture!

Sunny K. Lee said...

Your Art Journal is so inspiring... Yes, I totally hear you on giving heart to the LORD.. We know it but it's not always easy to...