Thursday, April 4, 2019

The Awakening of Wildflower Annie



You never really know when its going to happen...the awakening of creativity then the desire that swells up inside that opens your mind to possibilities of expression and design.  Life gets busy with doing the daily lists and we forget about this part of ourselves that others thankfully remember. 

I remember my first art lesson from my next door neighbor who had a studio in his garage.  I was a youngster when my Father signed me up for lessons on Saturday mornings that lasted about a month.  The primary colors painted on the white paper stand out in my mind.  I remember my neighbor, who was an accomplished artist in town, just wanted to give me some basic training.  The smell of oils, canvases and paint brushes are painted forever in my mind.  

My comfort with creativity also stems from countless hours of coloring with the Crayola's along side my sweet Mother.  Sometimes she would draw scenes for me and had beautiful handwriting.  My Father painted some while on his Naval tours of duty. So I get this trait from both sides and I'm grateful. 

Today, I enjoyed publishing my Wildflower Annie Designs page on Facebook.  Gathering photos of my work from the past 23 years brings back wonderful memories of friendships that stem from painting for my clients.  This happens in the most natural way from the beginning.  It goes like this...you get the call from a potential client and discuss what they need.  The exchange of ideas start flowing and the creativity begins.  The idea takes on a mind of it's own as I begin to sketch and mold the image into final designs.  I take these designs back to the client and they say "yes" or "no" or "modify".  Once the finished product is sketched or painted, we look back and say "yes" to the friendship that happened along the way. 

I'm looking forward to meeting new people who appreciate creativity.  My Mother fondly nicknamed me "Annie" and but you can call me "Wildflower Annie" anytime. 




   

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

The Season of Christ's Birth


A Special Star created in the Heavens


Numbers 24:17
"...A Star shall come out of Jacob and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel"

I've had a renewed joy in studying new details about the season of Christ's birth. 
I've been reading a book that includes narratives by Rabbi Jason Sobel, Messianic Jew.
As he shares knowledge of Hebrew meanings to words, areas of the Bible and significance of details as it pertains to the daily life of the people living in The Holy Land B.C. and after Christ, I truly find a renewal in my soul and in my faith realizing God's supreme purpose in every detail of creation and life.  This in itself helps me today in my own life...reminding my mind and heart to not worry about how things are going to work out at the end of the day.  It's all in God's hands. 

When I researched "Sceptre" as it pertains to Jesus Christ, several things came into my view like a Sceptre is a rod or staff (Shepherd's Crook).  It is a sovereign symbol of supreme authority.  Ofcourse it is! The Son of God, King of Kings and "man child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron, be called up unto God and to his throne" as found in Revelations 12:5 establishing our Saviour's authority.


Wise men were led to the Christ child by a Star

Matthew 2:9
This Star "went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was"

Curiously I've wondered about the Bethlehem Star.  After researching I've discovered it really was a supernatural event, a supernova. Normally stars do not move in the sky as they rise in the East and set in the West and circle around celestial poles.  The Virgin Birth itself was a supernatural event and cannot be explained by natural laws.  So, it should not be surprising that the Birth of the Son of God would be accompanied by a supernatural sign in the Heavens that was previously mentioned in Numbers 24:17, a detail allowed by God.


Nativity in Bethlehem

A Holy Delivery Room...a Birthing Cave for sacrificial lambs was kept in a state of ritual purity since these lambs were used as sacrifices in the temple and male lambs born around Bethlehem would be used for the Passover (Rabbi Jason). 

The shepherds...oh the special shepherds, were Levitical Shepherds, who guarded their sheep used for sacrifices in the temple in Jerusalem, were given a message by an angel of the Lord..."For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord". Luke 2:11

"And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes...
 lying the a manger." Luke 2:12

 This is a beautiful Scripture to me now realizing how special and significant the "swaddling clothes" were in the eyes of the people beholding their first view of the Christ child.  The clothes were cloths used for swaddling sacrificial lambs to keep them clean and prevent blemishes before taking them to the temple.  It is believed by Hebrew scholars that these cloths were made from Jewish Priests' tunics.  Any priestly garment would not be destroyed even though it was badly stained.  It would be used for another holy purpose like making wicks for a menorah or swaddling cloths for the sacrificial lambs. YES, God takes care of all details.


Luke 2:13-14
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."


I hope you do your own research into the word of God and find your own answers. What I've read recently has opened my mind to the beauty and significance of God's order of things that happen and are to come.  Keeping your faith strong requires going to the Source...Almighty God and His Word.

Merry Christmas With Love






Sunday, November 4, 2018

To Be or Not to Be....Entitled













Entitlement.
It's such a finicky thing.
Makes me feel uneasy.

Does this sense of entitlement become a way of life if you are:

-born into it
-buy into it
-mimic it
-strive for it

-get by with it

Or

Do you choose it?

I've seen different examples of it in my life.  

Greed, ungrateful hearts, entitlement
Where does it begin and where does it end?




Sunday, September 23, 2018

Which Way To Go From Here



                          Which Way to Go From Here


God has brought you to a place.  Life is changing.  
It's hard to know which way to go from here.
So, just sit still.

Place God back on His Throne.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways, acknowledge Him,
and He shall direct thy paths.
-Proverbs 3:5-6, KJV

Isn't God "Sovereign"?
He reigns in all situations and takes care of all the details.
I've been focusing on this lately.
Distinguishing between the truth and emotional response to reasons change happens.
Sometimes, it's out of our control and decisions of others finally make the change occur.

I'm clinging to my God who sits on His Throne of Glory.

Take time the read Psalms 105 and 106.
If God created the streams in the hills to provide the beasts of the Earth water to revive them,
think about how much more will He provide for His children who are dear to His heart.

Psalms 106:48
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: 
and let all the people say, Amen. 
Praise ye the Lord.

Saturday, August 25, 2018

Here Comes the Sun





His mercies are new each morning.  Yes, "weeping may endure for a night...but Joy cometh in the morning...Psalms 30:5.

There are so many experiences in life that can steal your joy.  A loved one's choices that conflict with your lifestyle, your goals and your mindset can interfere with your joy.  Your trusted friend or co-worker can turn on you. A relationship may end.  Your neighbor may not be especially helpful or kind. These situations can be disappointing and leave you struggling at the end of the day.

Remember to ask the Lord to help you...and He will answer your prayer in a way that's best for you.  Remember, each day as the sun rises, is a new day offering new mercies, new answers and perhaps new beginnings.

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Forgiveness



Kelsey Witte Photographer

FORGIVENESS does not mean ACCEPTANCE


We are called to Forgive one another by our Faith in a loving God and His Word.
This does not mean we have to accept someone's choices, wicked words and hurtful ways.
It just means "we" must experience a change of heart ourselves.

Something happens inside of our minds and souls when we Forgive others.
It frees us...the chain of negativity is broken. 



WE then find Peace in the "Garden of our Soul"



It is well in the garden of my soul
It is well in the garden of my soul
The Lord knows my heart and all is well
In the garden of my soul

Written by Angelia Nabors 2001



Forgive others … as God forgives you.
The Book of Matthew 18




Monday, August 13, 2018

PHI - God's Perfection



PHI - God's Perfection



I am amazed at the beauty of our God's Creation, perfect in every detail.

I was recently reminded of His presence in all things.  
He is still taking care of each and every detail in all situations and in all things.

Thank you Lord

AMEN