When Oceans Rise

     Love the way this song ministers to my soul.  It can be purchased here (affiliate link).

Copper Sea Shells for Fall

     I hate to put our sea shells away at the end of summer.  In fact, there are some sea shells that I like to leave out year round.  They remind me of special times.  They remind me that even though there was frost in the Hudson Valley last night, eventually, I'll be warm again.  They also remind me that we plan on moving south next year!
     So, I painted my sea shells copper.  They look great!  Copper is showing up in accessories everywhere.  I love copper because it pairs so well with other metals, especially oil rubbed bronze.

     These are small sea shells that we picked up on the beach this summer.  I have them in a bowl in our guest bath.

     I used Rustoleum Hammered Copper spray paint that I had left over from my Vintage Typewriter Table up-cycle.  I just took the shells outside and gave them a quick spray.  On the larger shells, I decided to just paint the inside.  I rimmed them with Frog Tape so that the spray paint wouldn't get on the outside.  (Sorry I was so excited about how the other shells looked that I didn't take a picture of this, but it's easy enough.)
     The extra large shell at top was a planter that I have had for years.  The inside looked a little pitted, but the paint made it look like new.  Now it's a copper eye-catcher.  I use it in our bathroom to hold an extra roll of toilet paper and a hand towel.

     I love how the copper shells gleam in the bowl in contrast to the natural shells.
     Have you added any copper accessories to your house?

Safe in the Storm

Unknown: See note below.

     About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came to them, walking on the water.  When the disciples saw him they screamed in terror, thinking He was a ghost.  But Jesus spoke to them at once.  “It’s all right,” He said, “I am here!  Don’t be afraid.”  Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you by walking on water,”
     “All right, come,” He said.  So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.  But when he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink.
     “Save me, Lord!” He shouted.  Instantly Jesus reached out his hand and grabbed him.  “You don’t have much faith, “Jesus said.  “Why did you doubt me?”  And when they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.  ~Matthew 14:25-32

     When most of the disciples first glimpsed Jesus walking to them on the water, they cried out in terror believing Him to be a ghost, a phantom, something frightening and insubstantial.  A ghost was not capable of dealing with a storm in the real world.  The waves were high. The boat was filling with water and their lives were in danger.  The disciples didn’t want a ghost, they wanted a savior.
     But then Peter boldly called out to Jesus to let him come to Him.  Peter climbed out of the boat onto the raging water.  Peter wanted to be where Jesus was, even if that meant stepping out of the comparative safety of the boat and into the violent storm.  Peter faltered when he saw the waves crashing, and felt the strength of the wind whipping through his hair and clothes.  Bedraggled and wet, Peter started to sink deep into the depths.  But his Saviors hand took a firm grasp on his. Stumbling and clinging, Peter was led back to the boat.  Peter held tight to Jesus. Jesus did not feel like a ghost.  Jesus felt like a rock.  Peter found safety in his Savior’s arms.
     We can falter in our walks, too.  When we focus on our circumstances and take our eyes off the Lord and His promises, we sink into hopelessness and fear.   Peter was clearly afraid, but he knew enough to cry out to Jesus, the only source of help.  Jesus reached out, grabbed hold of Peter’s hand, and walked with him back to the boat.  The swirling winds ceased.
     The secret of facing any kind of storm is not to watch the thunderous waves.  The way through is to focus on the God who is in complete control.  God knows when to watch us walk on the water and when to pull us up from the bottom of the sea.  He will calm the fierce and seemingly relentless wind.  He will calm the storm raging in our life.  Trust Him with all of your heart.  We may get wet, but He will not allow us to drown.
     One of my most popular posts shows the time that my children walked on water.   I think that you will enjoy it.

PS:  A few weeks ago I came across the incredible painting at the top of this post.  I have been unable to find out who the artist is.  If you know, or should this painting be yours, please tell me.  I would love to give credit.

This post was featured at Create With Joy.

Paint By Number Masterpiece

     Last week, I told you about a treasure that I did not buy.  This week, I am going to show you the one that I did.
     Patty and I were out when I spied this wonderful original painting of a clipper ship in full sail.  Isn’t it wonderful?
     Some of you art connoisseurs may have noticed that my treasure is a Paint by Number.  Paint by Number kits included a cardboard canvas with blue sketched areas appropriately numbered so that when you applied the coordinating paint to the segmented spaces, you would, eventually, end up with a masterpiece.

Source

     I loved these kits as a child.  I painted kittens, horses, ballerina’s, and landscapes.  Paint by number kits made me, ME, an artist.  Even the box proclaimed, “Every man a Rembrandt.”
     I still remember the scent that emanated from the little pots of oil paint as I carefully opened and stirred them.  And oh, the challenge of cleaning those little paint brushes so that the next color would be true and the brush supple enough to paint within those blue squiggly lines.
     The beauty of Paint by Numbers is that even though a kit may start out exactly the same as a million other kits, the end result was determined by the artists hand.  Some artists left sure deft strokes of paint, and others little blobs and smudges.  Some were signed with pride when completed and others left unfinished and hidden in the attic.
     Vintage Paint by Number paintings are becoming quite collectible.  An unpainted Clipper Ship is currently offered on ebay for $184.00.  There is even a Paint By Number Museum.  And look what I found on-line.  The same Clipper Ship painted as a mural in a nursery.

Source

     The Book of Genesis says, “in the beginning God created.”  Stop and think on that, God created.  God made art with His actions.  And when God made us in His image, He shared the gift of art with us.  We are artists.
     Now some of you are disagreeing.  I’m not an artist.  I’m a principal.  A construction worker. An accountant.  Because chances are, most of us haven’t gone to art school or been commissioned to sculpt marble, or paint murals.
     But could it be that our very actions of service are the art that we are to create?  That the daily responsibilities and obligations, that we just want to get through so that we can get on to the bigger and better things, are the art arena’s of our lives.  Could it be that we are artists when we serve our spouse’s, care for our children, and be faithful in our work?  Could it be that the very place of service where our feet stand is exactly where God is calling us to create our masterpieces?
Let’s allow our lives to be guided by the True Artist.

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” – Ephesians 2:10

     You are an amazing work of art.  A masterpiece created and purposed in love.

Day 10: Losing My Mind

My son, Anthony, has lost his mind, too!  Don't try this at home, folks.  This can be dangerous.

    I lost my mind a long time ago.  My children will tell you that this is true.  My husband of thirty-three years can certainly verify it.  My parents, who have known me the longest, have said on more than one occasion, "Donna, are you out of your mind?!!!!"
     That I have lost my mind does not come as a surprise to me.  About thirty years ago, shortly after the birth of my first child, I made a cross stitch sampler that read, "Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most."  Some might say that I was going through a phase, like adolescence or the chicken pox, or even brainlessness induced by sleep deprivation.  But I know better.
     At school, I have a small poster hanging by my desk.  It says, "I've lost my mind.  I think the kids took it."  My first graders don't understand it.  The fifth graders want to know "Which kids?"  Parents, on the other hand, understand the sentiment and smile.
     The truth is, that most of you have lost your mind, too.  It's scriptural.
     Paul lost his mind on the road to Damascus.  He had lots to say about it, too.

     If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.  For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.  ~ Corinthians 5:13-14

     Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.   ~Romans 12:1-2 

     When I lost my mind, it wasn't just misplaced, and for sure the kids didn't take it.  Jesus did.  When we become believers we exchange far more than our sin for robes of righteousness.

     First Corinthians 2:16 tells us that we have the mind of Christ.  We can renew our minds by reading God's word and meditating on it.

     And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice.  Ant the God of peace will be with you.  Philippians 4:7-9

       I may have lost my mind, but really, it was no great loss compared with what I have gained.  Have you lost YOUR mind?
     This post is Day 10 of my 31 Day series, Welcome to My Mess.  You can read the other posts here.

Advice From the Ocean

Be shore of yourself.

Sea life's beauty.

Come out of your shell.

Avoid pier pressure.

Don't get tide down.

Eat ice cream!Make a splash!

White Heron

     This gorgeous white heron, also known as the great white egret,  was wading in the brackish water in Assateague Island National Seashore.  He graciously allowed me to take this shot.

Best of 2012: May - August

     Thanks for being such wonderful bloggy friends.  It has been fun meeting so many people over the past year.

May:
     Souvenir:  I Remember:  Pat and I were sent by our family on a cruise for our twenty-fifth anniversary.  In this post, I share the shadow box I created to house the memories of that special time.

June:

     The Refinished Dresser is painted a happy sunshine yellow.  The dresser once belonged to my Grandmother.  I think she would be pleased to know that I use it as a night stand by my bed.  Our bed is high and the usual night tables are much too low.  This is perfect and gives me some extra storage.

     Walking on Water is not such an easy thing to do, but my children were willing to try!  They had so much fun falling and running.

     God, George Washington & Me:  How did you picture God when you were a child?  Was He a gentle Father leading you with compassion or was He a stern disciplinarian?

July:

     Patty and I watched a sunrise over the Chesapeake Bay.  It was wonderful.  Where have you watched the sunrise?

August:

     I was enchanted by a set of milk glass snack plates at a local Good Will store.  Milk glass is so pretty.  These plates were trimmed with gold.  So lovely.

     It's fun looking back at reader's favorite posts.  We are expecting more snow today.  It's going to be a hot cocoa kind of day around here.

     Leave a link to your favorite post on your blog in the comments.  I'll be sure to visit.

I Believe

 

I believe in hugs.

I believe in keeping your wedding vows.

I believe in paying compliments to complete strangers.
I believe in my GPS, which my husband programmed to speak like Pepe Le Pew, ma cherie.
I believe in the reckless redeeming love of Jesus.
I believe in growing old with my husband.

I believe in saying "I love you," everyday.
I believe in coffee - truly, madly, deeply.
I believe in  Super Hero's.
I believe I love reading books on my Kindle.
I believe in date night with your husband.
I believe in chickens.

I believe that children live up to our expectations.
I believe in the magic of Christmas.
I believe in family.

I believe in kayaking across quiet lakes in the summer.
I believe that my actions can be a ripple in a pond.

I believe in smore's made with graham crackers, marshmallow, and peanutbutter cups.  Yum!
I believe in rescuing children from poverty through Compassion International.

I believe in miracles.
I believe God loves my children even more than I do, and I love them lots.
I believe that you really can hear the ocean in a sea shell.

I believe in coffee.  I may have mentioned this already.
I believe in buying shoes and great bags.

I believe in planning to be spontaneous.
I believe in saying "Merry Christmas," instead of "Happy Holidays."
I believe in helping others with no expectation of anything in return.

The eternal God is your refuge,  and underneath are the everlasting arms.                     ~Deuteronomy 33:27

What do your believe in?

Linking up with Erin at Living in Yellow.  Fabulous idea for a linky post!

Fishing Isn't The Same As Catching

The Chesapeake Bay at sunset.

     Our family recently returned from a trip to Virginia to see my Mom and Dad.  My parents are fortunate to live on the Chesapeake Bay.  A canal goes from their back yard into the deep waters of the bay.   Dad loves to be in his boats.  One of the highlight's of our trip is when he takes us  fishing.

Captain Don

      We motor out to where there is a sand bar hidden about thirty feet under the water.  The water is shallow enough for the fish to enjoy the warmth of the sun.  This is one of his preferred fishing spots.
      Dad always offers the privilege of putting the bait on the hooks to anyone who would like the job.  My kids will do almost anything - but not that.  There are no takers.  My boys chime, "That's gross, Grandpa."  Patty murmurs, "Nope," with a quick shake of her head.  I explain that, "I'm not a bait kinda girl."  My Dad cheerfully cuts, dices, and selects various yucky things that he thinks a fish would like to chew on a hook for.

Patrick

     For me, fishing isn't about the fish.  I enjoy sitting on a gently rocking boat, holding a pole, chatting with family.  I do not care if I ever catch a fish.  My children, however, are not so complacent.  They are happy and excited when someone catches a fish,  but in their heart of hearts each wants to be the one who reels in the biggest fish.

Patty -the fisher"man" of the day

     Patty is a patient fisher.  She casts out on her assigned corner.  She waits until she feels a tug on the line, or sees the end of the pole arch as a fish gives her bait an experimental tug.  When she reels it in there is a fish on the end, or her bait has been nibbled away.  On this trip, Patty caught two fish.

Anthony

     Anthony and Connor fish with enthusiasm.  They cast their lines about causing everyone near to duck fearful of being snagged by a hook.  When their bait settles near the bottom, contrary to all fishing wisdom, they begin to reel it back in.  Sometimes, this fast and furious pace works for them.   This time, not so much.

Connor squinting into the sun

     Our oldest son, Patrick, came with us, too.  He caught a crab.  The little creature was determined not to lose her meal, so she held on tight and took an elevator ride up to the boat.  When she hit the deck she scuttled about causing the kids to shriek and tangle their poles.  This crab had a bright egg sack on her underside.  We were able to get her back in the water by giving her a piece of rope to pinch her snapping claws on and gently lift her back over the side.

     Pat missed the trip this year, but when he comes, he wisely sits well out of range of the action of the children, the poles, flying hooks, gushy bait, and flapping fish.  His motto is, "If it's from the sea, it's not for me!"
     Fishing trips always remind me that many of the disciples were fishermen.

     As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men.  At onece they left their nets and followed him.  ~Mark 1:16

     Jesus called us to fishers of men, too, but we're not in this alone.  The  Holy Spirit is the One who causes the response.  There is a difference between being a fisher and a catcher.  All we are required to do is to fish.
     Think about your life journey.  How often did God use a person to drop a hook in front of you before you grabbed a hold of the new life you found in Christ?  I know God cast a lot of lines in my direction before I believed.

Buoy to mark a crab pot riding the waves in the sunset.

     My husband, Pat, was rather like the little crab.  When he saw the gospel he grabbed on so tight that he was pulled right up.  He has been known to cause people to shriek and run about, too.
     When a person decides to follow Jesus, to allow themselves to be caught up in the cause of the King,  even the angels in heaven rejoice.  Forgiveness is gained.  Broken hearts are mended.  Wounds are healed.  Lives are transformed.

     Jesus got into Simon's boat and sat down to teach the crowd of people.  When He had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."  Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything.  But because you say so, I will let down the nets."  When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.  So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.  So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.  ~Luke 5

     Do you go fishing with your family?