my amaryllis

A friend of Mike's gave me this amaryllis bulb in a red pot. I put it next to the kitchen window. It seemed to really like this spot and shot up very tall in a matter of two weeks. I took photo's of this plant as it bloomed. It has a beautiful bloom! It was fun to take a picture each day and watch it open. Do you think God watches us like this and records the ways that his children bloom?

Skippy in the Snow

Skippy and I took a walk in the snow today. He is usually very excited at the word "Walk"! Yet, at the sight of his blue snow sweater, he hid under the table. I dragged him over to put on his sweater and then pulled him out the door. He basically took a quick poddy break and headed back toward the door. So I pulled him over to the side of the house and started walking through the foot or so of snow. I was surprised that he passed me and ran up ahead as you can see in the first picture. He sniffed around for squirrels, foxes and rabbits which live in our yard. I tried to wack some of the snow off of the poor bent trees. Unfortunately, Skippy was in the wrong place and got covered in snow. He shook it off and pulled me back into the warm house.

I love it when everything is so white and covered with a layer of snow. It is so pretty right now because it is still coming down. I also love a sunny and warm day. God created such amazing contrasts in the seasons, day and night, opposite personalities. One helps us understand the other. If we didn't have winter, would we be able to truely appreciate summer?

This snow reminds me of the verse: Psalm 51:7b Wash me and I will be whiter than snow. I can't imagine anything whiter than snow. Possibilites, an egg, a lily, my dog skip (his left side), milk.... I can't seem to come up with anything! Anyway, I suppose that David was referring to God forgiving him for the mistake that he made. I'm thankful for God's forgiveness. Another contrast is God's forgiveness or spiritual darkness. If we don't want or accept His forgiveness, I guess we are in darkness in contrast to the beautiful freedom of grace. Grace, I guess that's whiter than white!

Little Star

Twinkle, twinkle little star,
In the heavens, so very far!
Reminds me of Jesus that special day,
In a manger is where he lay.
He came to bring us hope. Love and life he gave.
For our very sins, he died, to save.
Twinkle, Twinkle little star,
Which brought the wise men from afar,
Bring me now this very day,
Closer to Jesus, this I pray.
by Heidi Johnson

My Pumpkin Painting

Happy Fall Ya'll !

I can't hear you!

I wonder how often God is talking and we just can't hear him. My husband Mike has had an ear infection for a few weeks and he is constantly saying," huh, What did you say?" I am wondering how often I say the same thing to God and then just ignore HIS response. Sometimes I am just too busy to even hear him in the first place.

Mike has an appointment with an ENT doctor on Tuesday. I am curious to find out what is wrong and how his hearing will be restored. The doctor will probably clear out some gunk in his ear. I wonder what kind of gunk needs to be cleared out of my life so that I can better hear God?

I think He tries to speak to us through our thoughts. Kind of like the image of the angel and devil sitting on your right and left shoulders. However, it isn't an angel speaking, it's God. Sometimes, He wakes me up in the middle of the night to bring something to my attention. Sometimes He gives me a verse from the Bible that speaks to a need that I have. Sometimes He shows me something beautiful in nature that he created to make Himself real to me. Sometimes He is silent. He is usually silent when I ask Him a question and expect an immediate response. I often ask God, "What is your will in this situation?" This is when I am really listening because I am not sure what to do. However, I have found that sometimes God just wants us to ask and pray and seek him for a while before we get an answer. This meditation draws us closer to Him and prepares our heart to accept the answer. Lately, I have asked God several questions but haven't heard any clear answers yet. I guess I need to keep asking, praying, reading his word and listening. Huh? God is that what you said?

Creative Caring

Creativity

I recently had to write a definition of creativity for an online class that I took. Readers feel free to post your definition below.

A definition of creativity would need to be in transition since as you grow in your knowledge of inspiration, you are constantly adapting the meaning.

My current definition is:

Creativity is the process of inspiration, designing something new and meaningful to you, usually in the format of your giftedness. I believe that creative ideas and thoughts are gifts from God and sometimes come to us in supernatural ways. People experience flow or joy as they participate in creative acts. Creativity is enhanced through the arts. I see creativity as a seed and the arts as the water, sun and soil that help it grow. As it grows learning occurs. The arts are avenues used to express what you are creating and learning. However, as you are participating in the arts, you are creating and learning through the process. It is a harmonious relationship. Creativity can also be expressed through technology. People can use blogs, pod casts, animation.... These avenues allow the author to share ideas with a global audience if they wish. Technology provides feedback for the author of the creative work as people comment or share work.

Check out this site:(http://www.creativitywith.com/) It is a great site to encourage creative thought. My favorite part is its study of creative people and what we can learn from them. We can learn to be more creative by studying techniques of creative people. For instance, Leonardo Da Vinci was one of the most creative people. Some of his creative practices were to write with both hands and to look for patterns and relationships among everything he encountered.

As I watch the butterflies in my garden this summer, I am amazed at God's creativity. I personally think the butterfly is one of his most beautiful creations. So graceful, gentle and lovely! Why don't I study the techniques of creativity from the creator of the heavens and the earth? I can study His creativity easily because it is all around me. However, I can also go to his human form by studying Jesus's creative acts. Jesus, God's son used some of the most creative ways of relating to people in his time. He washed his disciples feet, showed love and acceptance to women and children at a time when they were belittled. He made wine out of water. He took what he had, a basket of bread and fish, then multiplied it to feed thousands. He spent time with his Father and withstood temptation by quoting his father's words. Above all, He saved all of us by dying for our sins.

What does this teach me about creativity? To care for people in a creative way, I need to use His techniques and tools. Spend time with God. Study his word. Humble myself. Believe and expect miracles and love those who are difficult to love or unaccepted by society. Use the gifts that he has given me. Be ready to sacrifice what I have for others.

God Created Everything

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens! These are a few of may favorite things!