Do You Have Questions?

We have answers. David Benjamin in Christ

ABC’s of Salvation in Jesus

How to Go to Heaven
It’s ABC Easy

Admit you’re a sinner, in need of a Savior.
(Roman’s 3:23)

Believe the eternally existing Son of God, God the Son, Jesus Christ died for all your sins — past, present and future; was buried and rose again on the third day according to the scriptures. (1st Corinthians 15:1-4)

Call on the Name of the Lord, for all who shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved. (Roman’s 10:13)

day is ending on the fields

NASA SpaceX Launch: Looking Up for Our Blessed Hope

Are you looking forwardto our blessed Hope, the return of Jesus Christ to bring His people home with Him, those who place their faith in Him and His finished work on the cross at Calvary,  and His glorious resurrection?

Faith in Jesus Christ, OSAS

The ABC’s of Salvation through Jesus I have been saved through the finished work of Jesus Christ. If you confess with your heart Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.

 

 

 

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It’s been a busy summer. Art and business and college  — it’s all coming together into one focus these days: my art business. Balancing is the fun part, while I figure out all the steps it takes to market a business while getting my college assignments in on time. It feels like I need a vacation.

It’s all good, learning and growing.

What’s your summer been like?

LightSings Creations at Etsy

An update: My art prints and note cards of my original paintings are for sale at LightSings Creations on Etsy. It’s been a busy year: finishing up my transfer degree in Business Administration, and my business has recently launched online and locally. I signed a contract with a local handmade shop that also has a small art gallery where my art will be featured.

It’s a little exciting, putting my creations out there. What I really enjoy is connecting with people, to find out what moves them artistically, relationally and creatively.

So, come join me at Etsy, and take a look around at my little shop, LightSings Creations, and support an enthusiastic, creative college student (and help fund my coffee addiction). Thanks!

Twitpic – Share photos and videos on Twitter

Twitpic – Share photos and videos on Twitter.

Why Country Rocks

2012 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 6,300 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 11 years to get that many views.

Click here to see the complete report.

The Trees Stood Reverently; the River Flowed Turquoise

“The forest was ancient and, surprisingly, not quiet. The river that commanded our attention was given her due, her turquoise eyes glistening with beauty. No, the forest stood watch while telling us stories of fairies, woodland creatures that spoke, and mysteries that no human had could understand. We sat and listened quietly, reverently.” ~ Kathleen Felmey

Under a canopy of trees

“A grasshopper greeted us with the clicks of his wings, while looking for a nice place to sun himself. His cheery outlook set the mood as Russell and I inhaled the mountain air.” ~ K. Felmey

We found an interesting viewpoint

“It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men’s hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

“I kept my ears open and my eyes sharp, eager to see any signs of woodland fairy activities. You know, there are always some Fairies that like to play sport with the tourists, and will leave little hints they have been there.” ~ K. Felmey

A small tree growing inside a dead tree trunk

“Wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on the top of the forest, a little boy and his Bear will always be playing.” ~ Winnie the Pooh quote

“If it had not been for the childlike desire in me to continue to listen to the trees’ stories, the warm breezes between their branches would have lulled me to sleep.” ~ K. Felmey

I listened to their stories

“Life without love is like a tree without blossoms or fruit.” ~Khalil Gibran

Sitting on a log, with my love

“Never say there is nothing beautiful in the world anymore. There is always something to make you wonder in the shape of a tree, the trembling of a leaf.” ~ Albert Schweitzer

“It was a meal of love. My husband lovingly packed his stove, macaroni and cheese, and a can of soup. We dined under a canopy of trees, the honey rays of the sun filtered through their branches.” ~ K. Felmey

“The river held our attention for a long time. The current swirled past the rocks and headed toward the sun. We could see the fish jumping in the crystal blue-turquoise pools, where the waters were deceptively tranquil.” ~ K. Felmey

“Russell retrieved a fishing line with a bobber, but left the glistening penny on the rock under the water, where some soul had made their wish.” ~ K. Felmey

Looking downstream on the Clackamas River

“The most fun was when we competed with throwing rocks across the river. Russell hit the trees on the highest point on the rock cliff, while I was content with hitting the rock cliff. He showed me how to throw like him.”

We threw rocks at this rock cliff for fun

Headed down the highway

“We spent time stopping for places to photograph and explore. I wanted to remember that I had been here.”

At the top of the forest

“I always feel a little sad when I have to leave a place. It’s especially sad when the memories I’ve made are treasures of my heart.” ~ K. Felmey

“We had spent the day unlike any other day  —  with no real plans to find anything, except for ourselves again. Eventually, we headed towards home, the sun beginning to set as we found old familiar views.”

Mt. Hood

“It was a day to remember, one to add to our book of memories that was full of stories of our family. Russell and I told the stories of times camping and fishing with our children when they were young and so were we. Now, here we were, beginning new adventures. Just the two of us.” ~ Kathleen Felmey

“He led the way in under the huge branches of the trees. Old beyond guessing, they seemed. Great trailing beards of lichen hung from them, blowing and swaying in the breeze. Out of the shadows, the hobbits peeped, gazing back down the slope: little furtive figures that in the dim light looked like elf-children in the deeps of time peering out of the Wild Wood in wonder at their first Dawn.” ~ Treebeard, from Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers

Values in Black

It was very interesting working with this particular piece. I drew this from a bust of Michaelangelo’s “David” with Conti Crayons. The knowledge I gained from values working in black and some colors was so wonderful and I hope to work more in pastels again.

Use Your Imagination

How will you use your imagination today?

Aslan and Shasta and Your Story

Are you listening to your own unique story? Let God speak to you about your own adventure with Him today.

Evening Mist Forest Sketch

This is a first draft, rough sketch of the painting I will complete. I think I enjoy sketching in charcoal almost as much as I like painting. It’s so freestyle and feels like an extension of my own hand. This painting will be in the spirit of LOTR, as my husband and I have been watching that on DVD lately.

A Stream in the Desert Painting

This painting represents my travels to Eastern Oregon as well as a spiritual representation. Going through hard times is often described as going through a desert, or a rocky, mountainous pass. In this painting I wanted the waters to have a crystal blue depth to them that led even through the difficult desert.

The Good Work Ahead

Do you need encouragement to press forward today? Have you lost focus? Does it seem like you’re on a treadmill, going nowhere? I want to tell you that today is a day for change.

God has a plan for your life, and it doesn’t begin when you get your job, or start attending school in the Fall, or when you find the love of your life, or when your frustrating situation finally changes for the better. He has a plan for you today that will take you on a journey toward eternity.

Are you ready? Do you want to free your mind from the thinking that has held you in a discouraging, negative pattern for so long? Then, trust God that He has given you today and the rest of your life to discover those plans with Him. He wants the best for you.

Sunlight, for my day.

Did you awaken with a song in your heart today? That’s how I felt this morning. It’s restful and quiet where I live, and it’s easy to just want to enjoy sleeping in on summer mornings, as I did when I was a child. Memories of early summer mornings, with a gentle breeze whispering in from the window and sunlight filtering in through the trees capture my heart. There is hope and joy and promise of adventure that comes with each morning sunrise, as God has told us. Take time to really experience this quiet miracle each day.

Simple Things of Life

This is a simple poem. I wrote it several years ago, when my children were younger. Sometimes the most profound thoughts are spurred on by the most simple things. Sometimes we just need to remember what is important  — what is right now important, and yet, long-lasting important.

Simple Things

popcorn

daisies

babies feet

sprinklers

pail and shovel

sand

ice cream cones

raindrops

bedtime stories

Lucy, The Wardrobe and Aslan

hot chocolate

snow

dinner at six

mashed potatoes

It’s A Wonderful Life

Family

God’s Love

Simple Daisies

The End of an Era

Coming back to my blog is strange. I’ve been thinking about my blog for a while. It has served my purposes over the years, but doesn’t really reflect where I’m at now in my life. Things have changed, my perspective has changed and I feel ready to start something new and different.

Johannes Vermeer “Woman Holding a Balance” 1662

Some changes that have occurred over the years is that my children are grown and have either married and/or joined the military. They filled my life with activity, laughter, worry, prayer, love, hugs and treasured memories. We used to attend a church together that became a very unhealthy place for us as individuals and a family. This had a bad impact on them, but I pray for them to know the truth of God’s Word and be filled with His Spirit. His Holy Spirit brings life and liberty, and I want them to walk in these things.

Another thing that has changed is that I’m attending college. I have finished my second year, worked on getting my pre-reqs for a bachelors in Business. So far, I’m minoring in Art, and I love what I’m learning in that. I have a practical side and a creative side. The practical side wants to have a tangible business background to be able to either start a business successfully or work for someone else with good skills required for business. It’s a toss up at this point whether I’ll go for Business Administration, Accounting, Human Resources Management or Marketing. All four seem interesting.

Art, on the other hand, has a special place in my heart. I took an Art History class (The Renaissance) and was mesmerized by the art of the Masters during this time and up through the early 19th century. History is so much more interesting when explained through the visual art form these artists produced. It helped me understand the human element of history during this time, and the struggle for meaning and especially spiritual meaning.

Rembrandt’s Return of the Prodigal Son, courtesy of Wikipedia

The path I am on is one of discovery and deep reflection right now. God is showing me more of how He made me and my talents. Frankly, I don’t know where the road will lead  — I have some ideas of where I want to go, but I don’t know the details yet. Do I want to start a business, or do I want to go the conventional route and work for an established business? These are the questions I ask God every day.

Rembrandt, “Open Mouthed and Staring” 1630 (I love this sketch)

There is time to decide. This next year is an entire year of science. I’m finishing up my Statistics class and Economics in the Fall. Perhaps there will be time to work on my paintings and drawings soon, too. God is allowing me the time, today, to seek Him in the middle of these things to know which step I need to take.

Eventually, I’ll take down this blog, yes. The growth that has occurred in my life and my family’s life over the last 6 or so years that this blog has existed has made this blog kind of a memory, and not an active part of my life. Blogs have really changed, too. They are really much more effective when attached to a cause, or a business. Being relevant and part of today’s listening and reading world means change.

William Blake’s “The Ancient of Days” 1794 watercolor

Business, academics, creativity, prayer, my kids’ lives, my husband’s love and God’s will and love are what really take up the space in my mind and heart right now. It’s been a very busy year for our family and at this time, I feel like I’m on a long hiatus from all the rushing around I did during the school year.

Maybe I’ll publish my art critiques. My art instructor, a woman with her own art business and expertise from around the world, had good things to say for my grade A work. I think my readers will be blessed by my insights.

Regarding previous posts listed on my site: They are for those who have been struggling through some of the same things I struggled with to get to a healthy (spiritually and physically) place in my life. They are for exhortation, warning and growth, so read them with the understanding that they are from years ago (even though they don’t show the original date, they were from up to 6 six years ago).

So, have a blessed day. Walk in Life, Liberty and Love today.