How Do I Receive This Love?

When I check the statistics of my blog readers, it overwhelms my heart to see people from countries all over the world.

 It staggers me really--that I would have the chance sitting right here in my living room to reach out to people from everywhere--well, who could have ever dreamed of anything this incredible besides God?!

My last post featured some art work and a scripture, well, part of a scripture.  Today I wanted to emphasize the rest of the scripture.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16 (NIV) To me there are several key words in this scripture *loved--I looked this up and really there are no words to describe real love especially that of the Father God towards His creation--it includes, unselfish, unconditional, mercy, grace, but it would take a book here to define God's love for us-- *gave--a free gift *whoever--that means you, me, all of us *believes--to accept the Word or Evidence with our whole hearts *perish--die *eternal--not die EVER This scripture emcompasses a lot but a study of the scriptures makes it very simple-- God wants us to accept His love--in the person of Jesus He wants us to believe in Him and in ALL that He says in His Word He is NOT willing that ANY of us should PERISH He wants ALL of us to live forever with Him A simple way to do that is this: Dear God, I realize that I am in need of a Savior--that I cannot save myself--I cannot be good enough-- I accept by faith that You sent Your son to live on earth, the perfect Son of God Who reflected You in every way--lived, was crucified and resurrected for my sake-- I come to You now in total and complete humbleness of heart asking You to forgive me for all of my sin Make me clean--give me a brand new heart-- By faith I accept that You have done this and I now give You thanks-- I ask that You guide me all the days of my life and help me live for You each of those days, making you not only Savior but Lord of every aspect of my life. Teach me each day. Help me to be faithful to read Your Word. In Jesus' name I pray.  Amen I am turning off comments just for today.  If you know this love already, would you please take the time it would take to comment and instead say a prayer for people all over the world who will read this today and ask God that their hearts will be touched, understanding will come through the Holy Spirit and that many will make Him Savior and Lord of their lives today.  Thank you, sweet friends. © all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted

God's Valentine for You!

Yesterday and today I have been down with a bad cold or allergies or a combination of both--I really don't know which.

 But I have decided that I think I know why I have fallen so in love with art journaling.

 Even though I was in bed most of both days, I did have to get up and tend to necessities at times.

I also had to walk by my little art studio as I was taking care of these necessities--

And as I walked by the power of paint and brush drew me in--

And though I didn't work for more than 5 to 10 minutes at a time for three times I think it was, I was able to create something--there are several things I would do differently if I had the chance for do-overs but for somebody like me who needs to create something each day, this will do!

For God so loved the world that He gave His only son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  John 3:16 Some day the pages of this book will be crumbling and falling apart--all flowers will wither and die--but the Word of our Lord, our God will stand forever--we can bank on this!  The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever."Isaiah 40:8

Do-overs would include:
1.  Not placing three flowers in a row coming down the page
2.  Not making the two big swirly-dos  ALTHOUGH I think I am going to try to make them look like a globe--I think it would go with God loving the world.
3.  Definitely NOT put the little tags on the "s"--maybe on the top, for sure not the bottom--
4.  And yes, I know I am wearing the flowers out but it was the quickest thing I could think of--I promise to branch out soon.
I always appreciate suggestions of how I could make things better or what your ideas might include--
I might put a bud offset to the left of those 3 flowers in a row--but knowing me .....I better stop while I am halfway ahead.  smile!

© all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted


linking to Spiritual Sundays today

I am so thankful that we serve a heavenly Father who doesn't need "do-overs."  His plan of action and its implementation was perfect from the beginning and continues to be down through the generations.  We serve a mighty God--the great and perfect creator!

Safe In His Arms

I love everything about this picture of my great niece, Lilly Jane--the rosy cheeks, the flawless complexion, the sweet, sweet sleep, the butterfly on her jacket, the serenity, the peace-- To me this picture is a perfect example of how God wants us to recline on His bosom--to literally lay every care, every negative thought, every weight that would beset us--on Him.

Hoping your day has been a peaceful one.

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.--Ps. 4:8

© all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted-picture of Lilly Jane taken by her mother, Lindsay.  Thank you for letting me use this, precious niece.

Faith Droplets

Yesterday I started painting a light watercolor floral of a vase of pretty flowers--today it turned in to the picture above--a loud, busy, acrylic painting--oh well!  And as I painted it I couldn't help but remember a picture I had seen on Pinterest with some visible raindrops.

So I added the pink, blue and yellow raindrops and then I thought how much the colors reminded me of a rainbow and then I thought of Chicken Little and "The sky is falling, the sky is falling" and then I thought--no, the rainbow is falling, the rainblow is falling and then and then and then................

And then I remembered a little phrase I calligraphed twenty years ago that stated, "Faith sees a rainbow in each teardrop."

And then I knew what I wanted to paint on the opposite page--a picture of a girl--and the caption will read,

Her name is Faith and she sees a rainbow in each teardrop--she will have one big tear coming from the inner corner of her left eye and it will reflect a rainbow--

And the moral of the art journaling project--

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.  Genesis 50:20  I'm sure Joseph cried many tears when his brothers threw him in the pit and left him for dead but I am also sure that he looked through his teardrops and knew God would bring a beautiful rainbow-- If Joseph hadn't been thrown into that pit, he and his family would have most likely perished--God knew, God knew--

Are we trusting God today with every aspect of our lives, with every teardrop?

He is trustworthy.

He is faithful.

His rainbows will fall on us if we trust Him.

© all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted


Linking with Spiritual Sundays today!


UPDATE:  Okay, dear friends, I humbly ask you to read the comments below-- the observations concerning this post are so insightful and I praise God for all of your comments and wisdom and knowledge.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I know comments are meant to encourage and support but to me the comments here have taken "comments" to another dimension--God taking what He has taught each one of us and putting it all together so that we can learn from one another is so helpful and makes "the tie that binds" ever stronger.  Again, thank you.

Coming Down the Mountain

A few years ago after a time of fasting and prayer, I wrote this in my journal.

Oh, God, as I am descending this mountain, I was feeling, yes, less than on the mountaintop and then I read Oswald Chambers devotional for October 1 and I knew it was for me.  Forgive my spiritual selfishness of wanting to stay on the mountaintop instead of operating in the valley. "Spiritual selfishness always wants repeated moments on the mount. The mount is not meant to teach us anything, it is meant to make us something. There is a great snare in asking "What is the use of it?" They are meant for something in God's purpose."--Oswald Chambers

So, God, today help me to be content in whatsoever state I find myself--whether on the mountaintop, coming down, going up, or in the valley--Teach me to live victoriously wherever you place me.

 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. 

Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.   

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.   

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. 

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.   

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.  Philippians 4:10-13

 © all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted