Take It, Break It, Make It

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So often I find myself saying, "But I only have...." 


Each time I utter these words,  I imply the gifts my heavenly Father entrusted to me are not enough, and I have somehow come up short. Time and again, I forget God's divine power has given me everything I need for life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3)


In Matthew 14:17-21, the disciples said to Jesus, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."  In their eyes, a few fish and loaves were not quite enough to feed the 5000 hungry men and their families that stood before them.  However, Jesus's response to the disciples perceived dilemma was simply, "Bring them here to me."


"Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were leftover."


As a result of the disciples giving what they had to Jesus, all of those present not only ate and were satisfied, but there were even enough leftovers for each of the disciples.


What? You mean that is all I need to do?  Just bring what I have to Jesus?


Yes.  As I  bring my giftedness to Jesus, He will take it, break it and make it.  He will not only make it enough, but he will make it more than enough....more than enough to satisfy not only my own needs, but  the needs of those around me.


The next time I am tempted to say, "But I only have....", perhaps I will remember this lesson and instead declare,  "I have not only...."  I have not only enough, but I have more than enough.  I have leftovers! 



Creative Expression

"Every creator painfully experiences the chasm

between his inner vision and its ultimate expression."

~Isaac Bashevis Singer ~ 

The above quote eloquently sums up the perpetual inner struggle I have exprerienced as an artist.  Once my brush goes to canvas the end result is seldom what I had in mind.  What is in my mind's eye is always far greater.

In view of this, I reluctantly ask myself...."Is there a chasm between the Master Creator's inner vision for my life and my life's ultimate expresssion?"

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that is at work in us, to Him be the glory...."  Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)






Just Clay

"May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;

establish the work of our hands for us ~ yes, establish 

the  work of our hands."   Psalm 90:17 (NIV) 

Recently, my youngest daughter was given an opportunity to "throw a pot" at a nearby potter's house.  Before beginning, the instructing potter said, "Do not be afraid to mess up.  It's just clay!"

So often we fail to begin, because we believe in the end we will fail.  We should remember the words of the potter....for perhaps the Master Potter too is saying, "Do not be afraid to mess up.  You are just clay!"

The One who formed us understands.  He will take our unskilled hands in His and with the skill of the Master potter, help us to begin again.

I so love fresh starts!

VIP Seating

What a thrill to be "front and center" as the Master Artist wields his brush and ushers in yet another breathless masterpiece!

"He sends his command to the earth; His Words runs swiftly.

He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes."

Psalm 147:15-16  (NIV)

Shining Knight

Some days a girl just needs a knight in shining armor. . . . I'm just sayin'. . . .

"I love you God ~ you make me strong.  God is bedrock under my feet,the castle in which I live, my rescuing knight!"

Psalm 18:1 (The Message)

Remembering . . . .

"Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past."  

Deuteronomy 32:7 (NIV)

The ability to remember; to bring to my mind something or someone that I have seen, known or experienced in the past is a blessing I so often take for granted. Remembering brings enjoyment, sadness and sometimes a bittersweet combination.  

Today, I am reminded through the pages of God's Word, to remember the One who remembers me.  Remembering God's unfailing love and faithfulness in the past, instills in me the hope of a future worth remembering.

"Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you.  I have made you and I will carry you;  I will sustain you and I will rescue you."  Isaiah 46:4  (NIV)

What is wrong with this picture?

"God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him....God rewrote the text of my life 

when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes."

Psalms 18:20,24  (The Message)

I said, "All the pieces?"

He said, "ALL" the pieces!

In Step

"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."  
Galatians 5:25  (NIV)

Keeping in step with the Spirit ~ yielding to His leading ~ is much like following the lead of a dance partner. Between dance partners, there is only one designated to lead.  If two are trying to lead the dance becomes clumsy and awkward, and a lot of toes get stepped on.

The same is not only true for my physical life, but for my spiritual life as well.  If I do not learn to flow with my partner, a lot of toes will be stepped on and I can assure you . . . . they will be mine!

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."  

Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)

More Simply Said Than Done!

The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies."  Jesus replied, "You may go.  Your son will live."  The man took Jesus at his word and departed.  While he was on his way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living."  
John 4: 49-51  (NIV)

 The man....cried out.  Jesus....answered.  The man....departed.  The boy....lived!

Oh, for the faith to simply take Jesus at His word and be on my way.  It is in the going....the living begins!  It is there....He meets us!

My Place

"....and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey....sat down by the well....when a Samaritan woman came to draw water...."  
John 4:6-7  (NIV)

Even Jesus took time to rest.  It was there in His place of rest, ministry came to Him.  

Why do I so often feel I have to "find" my place of ministry?  

Instead, I should just "find my place"; find my place before Him; find my place of rest. Perhaps, when I am at my place, ministry will present itself!