Tuesday, April 28, 2020

CHALLENGES

"I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:13

EL CAPITAN  -  YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
We face challenges from the day we are born until the day we die.  From learning to tie our shoelaces, to getting back on our feet after a divorce, to getting the news of a difficult health diagnosis... we are not defined by the easy, carefree days, but it's in our challenging times and how we deal with them that makes us who we are.  

For Lisa, she was inspired when thinking of her difficult times and overcoming the challenges that she has had to face in her life, knowing that she and God worked together to accomplish the unimaginable outcomes.  Resulting in gaining a peace that can only come from God.  For her, even a game of tennis that is challenging and competitive, helps drive her to be the best she can be!

I see photo's of El Capitan at Yosemite NP and wonder how in the world someone could climb the face of that granite monolith.   It seems insurmountable.  Life can be like that too...  problems arise that seem to be impossible... we say "how will we ever get through this, over this, around this?"  But with God by our side, we can!  
Always!    
Sometimes the way is straight forward, climb up the face of your "challenging situation."  Sometimes we take the meandering trail and eventually get to the other side.   Sometimes we just fall apart, and Christ will carry us the whole way.   Each challenge will bring its own direction, but it makes no difference, the result is the same, and we can rest assured that Christ will give us the strength to get through whatever comes our way.

We're all in uncharted territory right now, and we can't even imagine the challenges that will come our way in the near future or what those "unimaginable outcomes" might be.  We are definitely well out of our comfort zone and it can be overwhelming, but if we break it down, day by day or even minute by minute, we will come out on the other side stronger, more resilient with a new perspective for life going forward.  

_____________

If you're looking for something inspiring (scary and crazy insane) to watch during your time at home, check out 
"Free Solo" about Alex Honnold, the first to climb El Capitan  without a net... talk about uncharted territory!

this is the link to the trailer....the documentary is available on Amazon Prime and Hulu

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

A NEW DAWN


"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, 
for I have put my trust in you.  Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life."

Psalm 143.8

GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK  -  JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING


Last week I invited you to share with me what inspires you....  Thank you all for sharing... I am inspired to share your words of wisdom here.

Inspiration is such a big word... but sometimes it's the things that happen everyday, that we often take for granted, that are the most significant.  

Cassandra shared this:
"I am grateful that no matter what is going on, every morning the sun rises, giving me a chance to make something of the day."

Like a new day, soon we will witness a dawn of a new era, post pandemic, and it's up to us to make the most of it.  And a good place to start in defining our "new normal."  Everyday we have a choice....  24 hours to spend, or rather invest, in how we want to fill our time.  It's amazing to me how quickly the hours add up to weeks, and then months and pretty soon, years have gone by while we're waiting for things to change... instead, we must be the change.

What will be my new normal?  What adds to my quality of life and what detracts? In the past few months we've been  forced to clear our plates of my activities, so going forward, it's up to us to choose how to spend our time.   For me, I have felt like the busy-ness of life has left me precious little time for the important things in my life... so I'll be exploring how to go about that.

What about you??











Tuesday, April 14, 2020

INSPIRATION

"You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all the houses.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Matthew 5:14


He has Risen, Risen indeed!
but wait... the story continues.

I've been thinking that from the beginning of this global pandemic, what an interesting coincidence it is that this occurred during our Lenten Series.  And how each post I pre-planned seemed divinely chosen for that day.  I'm not sure how much I believe in coincidence, but I am very sure that God will always use our present circumstances for His good.   
So.... the story continues.

Put yourselves in the shoes of the Pharisee's on that Sunday morning.... what did they feel?  A sense of relief that his man who had become a threat to their normal mode of operation and to their authority, had died on the cross and finally it was over?  And so what if his followers had stolen his body from the tomb....  at last their lives could finally "get back to normal."   

How many times have you heard that phrase in the past month??  I've even said it myself.  But a week or so ago, my friend Peg, shared a post on Facebook that opened my eyes to the opportunities ahead of us.

"Nothing should go back to normal.
Normal wasn't working.
If we go back to the way things were, we will have lost the lesson.
May we rise up and do better."

The Pharisee's thought it would go back to the way it was "before" but no, not even close....things had changed for them... and for us... forever.

Life has changed for everyone of us with COVID-19.  For some, they may have lost their jobs, or even their homes, or worse yet, a loved one or friend.  At the very least we've all missed spending time with our friends and family and perhaps taken a beating with the economy at a standstill. And we've all gained a fresh perspective on many things we took for granted.

I pray that our country will unite, and come together to rebuild... and we, as Christians are called to lead the way. 

After Jesus rose from the dead, he spent the next 40 days on earth, teaching, instructing his followers on how and where they can be "the hands and feet of God" before His final ascension into heaven.  As we reach the peak of this pandemic, see then curve flatten and then watch as it comes back down, I am certain God will be showing us the way forward.  Let's watch and grow together, support and share, show the love of Christ in all that we do.

During this time, rather than get back to posting the art I've been working for clients, I'll continue on our Lent theme with a sketch and a message that will hopefully bring you inspiration and hope.   

So what inspires you?  
For me, it's nature, and I particularly love the National Parks.  If a National Park has a lighthouse, even better!  This one is the Bass Harbor Lighthouse in Acadia National Park. 
The first lighthouse was built by the Pharos in Alexandria in 280 BC.   Since then, lighthouses have been showing sea captains the way to safety.  I see God in this way.... directing our path.  We sometimes choose to go off course, but He keeps that light shining, waiting for us to come back into His loving arms.  Likewise, we are that Lighthouse to others.  During this unique time in our history, your friends, family, grandchildren will watch and learn from you.

So, what inspires you? 
A sunrise, a rainbow, a particular bible verse or poem, maybe it's someone you know?  I'd love to hear from you and incorporate these into my upcoming posts.  I hope you'll e-mail me at accentsinart@gmail.com and share your thoughts!

Stay Safe and Healthy!
Barbara

Saturday, April 11, 2020

REJOICE - Easter Sunday

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.

Matthew 28:6


Today we pause to remember and rejoice 
in your sacrificial love;
That shone light into darkness
That bore life from such emptiness
That revealed hope out of devastation
That spoke truth through incrimination
That released freedom in spite of imprisonment
And brought us forgiveness instead of punishment.

 Thank you that we can walk in the light of your life, 
Hope, truth, freedom and forgiveness,
This and everyday.

Rejoice!
He is Risen, indeed!!

Thursday, April 9, 2020

FORGIVE - Good Friday

And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head.  They put a staff in his right hand, then they knelt in front of him and mocked him, "Hail, king of the Jews!"  They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again.  

Matthew 27: 29-30



In just one week, Jesus was welcomed by the crowds with cheers and praise, he shared a last meal with his disciples, knowing that one would turn on and betray him.  Finally he was tortured, beaten, and mocked before dying a gruesome death on the cross.  
Yet, before He took his last breath he said 
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they're doing."

What are you holding on to that is blocking your relationship with Jesus?

It's time to let it go.
Today.


Wednesday, April 8, 2020

REMEMBER - Maundy Thursday

While they were eating, Jesus took the bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying  "Take and eat, this is my body."  Then he took the cup and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them saying, "Drink from it, all of you.  This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."

Matthew 26:26-28
"do this in remembrance of me"

Saturday, April 4, 2020

BLESSED - Palm Sunday


Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  And the crowds that went before Him and that followed Him were shouting:

"Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!"

Matthew 21: 8 - 9



"Triumphant Entry" can't even begin to explain the energy and excitement in the crowd that day... the Savior they had waited for... for hundreds, if not thousands of years had finally come!  Just imagine how you'd feel if you happened upon this scene, an hour after Jesus had gone through.. you just missed it!  That pit in your stomach... you'd feel like you had just missed a once in a lifetime opportunity.

But that's not the way it is.  The "Good News" is you haven't missed it.  Over two thousand years later, you can still choose to follow Jesus and experience "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding."