Uh-oh!

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I was going to share this over at Texture Tuesday today (the theme for today is black and white with just a touch of color) but I forgot to place the texture over it before I flattened it (Photoshop terminology) and it would not let me add a texture after that even though I opened a new picture and started over.My computer is really "acting up" since I upgraded from Snow Leopard to Mountain Lion.  If I had it to do over, I would stay with Snow Leopard.  Anyway, I liked it so much, I decided to share it with you.
I love black and white but looking at the red apple makes me love that God decided to add color to our world.  How about you?If you've never read the book The Giver, it is about a society where there were no hills or valleys and no color.  It has a strong underlying spiritual theme in my opinion and is one of the best books I've ever read.  Looking for a good book with plenty of room to let your imagination run wild--this is it.Hope you enjoy!  And have a blessed evening.All my love to all of you,Dianne

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

Rejoice Again and Again

God has given me so many blessings and I love to stop and thank Him. I'm sharing just a few of them with you today and hoping that you are counting also.

My sorority sister, Ann Smith Ivey and I at a Pi Beta Phi Founder's Day luncheon honoring golden arrows--those of us who were initiated 50 years ago.  I can hardly believe it.

But you can see the date on the magazine below.  This is Ann and me on the cover of our national magazine.

That is a College Algebra book and I didn't take that course so I must have just grabbed a book from someone so as to look studious--G_U_I_L_T_Y--If I had my college education to do over, I seriously would make some better choices--mainly go to class--instead of staying in the Union playing Bridge.  And I don't even like Bridge.  Should I capitalize bridge, Bridge?  I only missed a lot for one class--that I can remember anyway.

Me, Mary McLaughlin Murphy and Ann--These two were "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities" and would have died before missing a class.

This was the beautiful view I had from the table looking towards downtown Little Rock.  To the right of the tree and one black pole, you can barely see the dome of the state capitol building of Arkansas, modeled after our national capitol.  It is so beautiful.

After all these years I still have to look up when to use 'capitol' and when to use 'capital.'

Some beautiful weather to work in the yard with my handsome husband--love this guy!

America's Favorite Pastime

A baseball game at the University of Central Arkansas with about 25 of the Renewal Ranch guys--tail gate party before hand--great food, fun and fellowship.  And we won--!!!

Celebrating Mother's Day last night with several of my family members.  Pardon my red nose--I had sat out in the sun all day visiting at the Ranch and got sunburned.

My daughter-in-law, Traci, and her handsome husband, Michael--(my middle son)

My oldest son, Jeff and I--

Traci and three of my granddaughters--Katelyn, Caroline and Kennedy

Remember these?

Eating and visiting with seven other artists at a Goodwill Luncheon at the Clinton Presidential Center where our "Turning Jeans Into Dreams" jeans were modeled and auctioned.  I forgot to take pictures of the back of mine but they went for $100.  A little help for a great organization.

And remembering (to me) the best and most beautiful mother who ever walked the face of the earth--thank you Lord for the sweetness, the humility, the love for You that she modeled to her children.

Yes, we have celebrated an awesome last few weeks but our lives are not without troubles and problems. However, God is the provider of all our needs no matter what they are and 

I choose to rejoice.  How about you?

Paul says to the church at Philippi  Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.   Philippians 4:4-7 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

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

WOYWW-Acrylic Calf in Progress

I started this little guy week before last.

And I got impatient and just had to see what he was going to look like on the wall.

But I promise you he is going back to my work desk.  I've got to rework his nose and mouth and finish his eyes.

But I have to say, I've already fallen in love with the little guy and can't wait to get him finished and give him a good home there on the breakfast room wall.

For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. Psalm 50:10

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

Linking to 

What's On Your Work Desk Wednesday

Wow Us Wednesdays

Paint Party Friday

Throwing All of Myself Towards Heaven

This morning at the close of my devotional time, I asked God to speak to me and got quiet to wait before Him.

When I say "quiet"--I am speaking of quieting my heart, my thoughts, my activities, my askings--

Just quietness and stillness before Him--

In my earlier prayer to Him, I had been asking Him to forgive me of some known sins and I was also seeking to think of anything that would be offensive to our precious Holy Spirit. As I became quiet before God, these were the words I heard in my spirit.

My darling Dianne (yes, He calls me darling), trust me with the shovel and the fork--let me do the winnowing--You cannot figure out what your unknown sins are but I can. I can separate your soul from your spirit. Trust Me to do the winnowing.

I had heard the word winnowing all my life and felt like I understood its meaning somewhat--especially in context.

However, I wanted to understand it more since I felt as though God had just spoken that word into my spirit.

After looking it up, I had a whole new revelation of what winnowing is.  We know it is the separating of the grain from the chaff but just how is this accomplished?

The earliest and most primitive method was actually throwing the grain and chaff together up into the air and letting the wind blow away the lighter chaff thereby separating it--the heavier grain would fall to the ground there to be gathered and used.

Suddenly what had been a chore became almost a celebration--instead of muddling around trying to figure out unknown sins to correct and repent for, in a burst of sincere repentance I could throw all of myself towards heaven and depend upon the Wind of His Precious Holy Spirit to blow the ungodly away.

Hallelujah!  What a Savior!

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Another page turned,
Dianne

Linking to Spiritual Sundays

UPDATE:  Congratulations to Lorraine, the Flower Lady, who was the winner of the book, Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ by Madame Jeanne Guyon.  Lorraine, your book has been ordered and should be arriving within 5 days.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I have through the years. God's richest blessings on you!

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

How Great Is Our God

When you've been blogging for five years as I have 

and have come to know people and popped in to their homes on an almost daily basis,

You find that you miss them dearly whenever the posts become fewer.

So, these flowers are for you,

those of you who have been so close to me through the past few years,

those of you who have never commented, just followed,

those of you who have commented on almost every post I've ever written.

Those of you who have disagreed me with me on my views through the years

and either been so tactful in your disagreements or didn't say anything at all--

To those of you who have gently set me straight when I needed it--

These flowers are for you.

To those who only pop in on rare occasions,

These are for you also.

Oh, and I mustn't leave out those who've never been here before today--
these are especially for you.

To all the wonderful, unique, incredibly Godly people I have found across the nation

and yes, you, in all those foreign lands--

My heart is thinking about each of you today

and missing you so very much.

Some day we will all rejoice together

but in the meantime............

Would you please rejoice with me today?

Whatever is your favorite mode or method of praise,

Would you join with me and all nature

in crying out our praise to Him.

"How Great Is Our God" The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty Let all the earth rejoice All the earth rejoice He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide And trembles at His voice Trembles at His voice How great is our God, sing with me How great is our God, and all will see How great, how great is our God Age to age He stands And time is in His hands Beginning and the end Beginning and the end The Godhead Three in One Father Spirit Son The Lion and the Lamb The Lion and the Lamb Name above all names Worthy of our praise My heart will sing How great is our God How great is our God, sing with me How great is our God, and all will see How great, how great is our God Song credit-Chris Tomlin

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