Heart Inspirations
Scripture art….to glorify God…and inspire the heart with His truth!
In the Shadow of Your Wings I Will Rejoice! Psalm 63:7-8
With the coming of beautiful sunny spring days once again, isn’t it easy to rejoice and feel hopeful? Certainly, springtime is a gift from God!
But can you discover in this passage something of far greater value?—something that can give us significantly amazing and lasting rejoicing? Rejoicing of the kind that can completely fill and satisfy our hearts as nothing else can!
For now…and eternity!
“Because You have been my help,
Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
My soul follows close behind You;
Your right hand upholds me.
Psalm 63:7-8
We see in this passage a beautiful description of a walk so close to God that it is pictured as one protected in the shadow of His wings—-following close behind Him, just as a child totters in his beloved father’s footsteps—-and actually held up by that loving Father’s strong and capable right hand!! What a beautiful picture for us of the rejoicing we may have too, if we follow close to the God Who loves us so very much!
That’s the gift He wants to give us!
Will your heart say, “Yes!”?
How will that happen?
Let’s notice the earlier verses from the same chapter in Psalm 63.
“O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.
So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory.
Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You.
Thus I will bless You while I live;”
True and real rejoicing is found in God…by the thirsty, seeking, and thankful soul! Is that you?!
(Matthew 5:6; Jeremiah 29:13; Psalm 28:7; Romans 6:1-11.)
Hugs!
Lisa
p.s. I hope you enjoyed the pretties in the photo! I am so blessed with dear and precious friends! The beautiful antique hand-painted china plate is a gift from one dear and precious friend—-and the lovely soft pink tulips, a gift from other dear and precious ones!! I just had to capture them in a picture to share with you all here! THANK YOU Marilyn! THANK YOU Lynn and Wayne!
p.p.s. Please feel welcome to copy and paste this graphic, if you would like it for personal use! This image would make beautiful cards!
Give Attention to my Words…Keep Them in the Midst of your Heart
Are you one of those people who just love the haunting sound of the Canada geese in flight?
And you’re delighted to welcome them home each spring, if you live in the northern climes? Well I am one of those spring people, too!
Opening the window this morning to let in the fresh air, I heard them! The geese were coming! And straining my eyes and searching the horizon, I could eventually see the flock!
But—there was a serious problem! The formation was flying—south!—instead of north!
What?
The entire flock was following a leader—the wrong way! It was disturbing to watch—because I knew that all the days they’d already been flying—all the miles that they’d already covered—were being wasted if the flock completely back-tracked south!
Guys! Geese! North is the opposite way! Your destination is behind you! You CANNOT reach it going south! What are you thinking!
As I watched, the flock began to veer west. Good for you! But only for a moment—and then the whole flock began a southerly flight-path again!
Why? Why are you all going the wrong way?!
What was the leader thinking—what were they all thinking? Or were the followers not thinking at all—but totally relying on the lead goose? I wondered about their built-in sense of direction—had they forgotten to check with their inner compasses? Or was the wind throwing them off course? One-hundred and eighty degrees off course? Yet they continued in their wasteful southern flight.
You’ve already covered that ground, geese! Why are you going in a big wasteful circle?
And then it happened! From somewhere in the back of the flock, I could see two strong geese flying quickly against the present course! That meant they knew! They knew the flock was on the wrong trajectory! And they were willing to do something to change that, if they could! With necks straining and wings flapping harder than the others above their heads that were flying southward, these two geese were determined to lead the entire flock in a different direction! They were straining to reach the edge of the flock where they could lead in the proper direction. Way to go! Diligently they struck across the wayward flock’s formation, and soon others noticed them! And how could they not—for the two geese certainly stood out! They were flying in a different direction from their peers!
When they reached the edge of the formation, they just kept on flying—hoping that at least some others would follow them—and it worked! I have no idea what the original lead goose must have thought as the entire formation shifted away from his course and followed the other two birds—but it worked, and the whole mass changed direction! It was amazing to see—and demonstrated so clearly the power of one or two strong and brave souls to help others see truth clearly!
~~~~~
There are many reasons that we go off course—distractions; false information; a false sense of direction; overwhelming winds or storms!
But there’s-only-one-true-compass! God’s truth—His word! We must grab a hold of it—and cherish it! We need God’s word entrenched in our hearts—to arrive at the final, happy, glorious destination! It will be so worth it–but it’s going to take much quality time, searching God’s word, the Bible, and praying for His help, as we seek Him!
Maybe you will be the influence for change in the direction of those around you! Truth is worth sharing! And there’s room in heaven for those who will seek God with all of their hearts!
So, in which direction will you be flying?
Psalm 119:35-36
Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it.
Incline my heart to Your testimonies,
Proverbs 4:18-23
But the path of the just is like the shining sun,
That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
The way of the wicked is like darkness;
They do not know what makes them stumble.
My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
Do not let them depart from your eyes;
Keep them in the midst of your heart;
For they are life to those who find them,
And health to all their flesh.
Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.
Hugs!
Lisa
FAITH, HOPE and LOVE
“…now abide FAITH, HOPE and LOVE, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:13
An awful lot of things in our world are transient, temporary or disposable…sadly…from friends…to jobs…to possessions. Too many things cannot be counted on…
…but there is something that NEVER fails!
Never.
It’s a guaranteed promise!
And that one thing that never can fail…
…is LOVE!
The genuine article–I’m not talking about counterfeit love. But the real thing!
Found in the Father’s heart…for us!
And sometimes found in the hearts of those rare and special people who care selflessly…more for others than themselves…
I hope you know someone like that….
…and that you desire to be one of those genuinely loving people…not with an agenda…not with a selfish motive…
…but giving love because the receiver deserves no less than the love God desires for you to give to others!
I’m offering you some sketches to download if you’d like them, so that you can make some of these paper cones as gifts or favours, or decorations.
There are 2 designs on one page–you may download and print the sketches on standard 8 and 1/2 by 11 inch copy paper, card stock or scrap-booking paper. Then simply cut the page in half and you have the foundations for 2 paper cones.
Fold each design in half and pinch that centre point.
From that point, fold over a small section to ease the process of rolling the paper into a cone…
…align the high points, and using a glue stick, fasten it closed.
Now you can punch 2 holes on either side and thread on some ribbon and embellishments.
The next page offers a collection of several Bible passages on LOVE.
You can simply copy, and then cut the paper to separate each verse, forming strips. I found it worked well to fold each strip in half, gather them all together to form a bundle, then wrap them loosely in a pretty piece of tissue paper, nestling the verses and tissue down inside the paper cone.
Ta da!
A pretty little gift of love from your heart…
Hope you’ll relish and appreciate the LOVE of GOD, determining to walk in His ways, loving Him…and joyfully reflecting His love toward others!
Deuteronomy 10:12-13
“…what does the LORD your God require of you,
but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him,
to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes…”
HE deserves no less!
Hugs!
Lisa
Thanksgiving and Honor…be to our GOD Forever and Ever
A lovely little stream meanders through vibrantly-coloured trees…can you just hear it?
Leaves that drifted to the ground, crisply rustling under your feet…can you just feel them?
The sky, a vibrant blue and so alive! Can you see it?
All of nature is rejoicing…with an expression of beauty and praise for the Creator of EVERYTHING GOOD!!!
We relish such days!
And we raise our voices to join their praises to our mighty God!
“Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be to our God forever and ever.
Amen.”
Revelation 7:12
Hoping that you enjoy your Thanksgiving—today and everyday—praising God!!
We have so much for which to thank Him!!
Truly!!
Hugs!
Lisa
I Have Loved You with an Everlasting Love
Jeremiah 31:3
“…I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you.”
I
Have
Loved
You
Can you imagine that the Creator of everything offers intense and eternal love for humans…for people just like you and me? And yet He does!
And because of His amazing love…in loving kindness, He draws people to Himself!
He doesn’t force us to love Him…
…….instead, He gives us the choice…He allows us to respond to His amazing love and kindness,
and offers showers of blessings—more than imaginable—for those who will come to Him–and obey Him!!
Imagine!
Now, a delicate spider’s web is a beautiful thing, glistening with the morning dew and catching the light…but its strength is very insignificant, except to tiny insects. It’s nothing for us to run just one finger through a web to sever its strands, ruining its beauty instantly, with no effort at all. That’s because it’s no match for our strength.
Similarly, we must understand that the confidence of those who do not want God in their lives—those who choose to spurn, or even just ignore His loving direction—for those ones, their confidence is a very fragile thing—their hope will perish—because their trust is in something as fleeting and disposable as a spider’s web. This text explains:
“…the hope of the godless will perish,
whose confidence is fragile,
and whose trust is a spider’s web.”
Job 8:13-14
It’s something to think about.
What will our choice be? Please know that it’s very significant! Will we choose to respond to God’s love—with nothing less than obedience and thankful praise?!
I’m so thankful for the lesson of the spider web! For the blessings of God’s love are not to be missed!
Hugs!
Lisa
p.s. Much thanks to Laura Greenawalt for sharing this stunning photo of the fragile spider’s web with us!
Psalm 46:10
Hello all!
Sure hope that you’re enjoying your summer!!
Below is a special video that I made just for you…
To see it, please click on the link below…and make sure to watch it in “full screen” mode, for better veiwability! 🙂
http://www.smilebox.com/playBlog/4e4445774e4451354f54673d0d0a&blogview=true
Much thanks to Alan Williamson for sharing his beautiful pics with us!!
Hugs!
Lisa
The LORD is GOOD…and HE KNOWS THOSE WHO TRUST in HIM
Can you find yourself walking right into this setting? First, maybe stepping beneath the dappled shade of the outer limbs of the trees…and then walking deeper, and feeling the calming, nurturing effect of nature enveloping you?
The leaves playing with the light as they move with the breeze. The water lapping on the shoreline, and crickets singing nearby. Overhead, birds flit and twitter. The grass is cool. Ahhh. Peace. Haven. Safety.
But all too often, in real life, we don’t experience nuturing environments…solid refuge….or safe havens.
In reality, often, life is jarring–ugly–screaming demands–dishing out harshness–heartache, hurts and dissappointments.
When that happens—
there is One
Who is always, always good!
Who can always, always be trusted!!
Who cares deeply about what is happening to you…
…and if you will come to Him with your tattered heart…
….offers you a true, safe haven in the midst of your chaos, sickness, fears or uncertainties…
…light in the darkness…
…and purpose for your life!
HE makes all the difference!!
HE KNOWS those who really TRUST Him–and is right there, drawing near, no matter what is happening in your life around you–
HE is near–when YOU draw near to Him!
Hoping you will draw near to God, and be nurtured under the shelter of His goodness…rejoicing in Him!
Hugs!
Lisa
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
James 4:8-9
The Eye of the LORD is on Those Who Fear Him
MERCY.
Have you ever thought of how it’s certainly something we all want–and all need–from the LORD!? We all have the horrible reality of our sins…that we can do nothing about…blackening our souls and chaining us in guilt! We need God’s mercy!
How would you define MERCY?
If you said that mercy is loving kindness when it’s undeserved, or that it’s goodness or favour….you would be right.
It’s beautiful to realize that God’s eye–His attention and concern–are on those who fear Him–upon those who are reverent toward His awesomeness, His truth and His justice!
And His eye is on those–and this is a promise–His eye is on those who wait, or hope patiently, for God’s mercy!! Through God’s amazing love, He offers us a ransom…His only Son…Who alone can pay to redeem us from sin–if we’ll follow Him!
Could there possibly be any place we could rather be than in the centre of God’s attention and care, love, mercy and favour?
I don’t think there is a greater place in existence!
Mercy.
It’s something to long for…and live for!
Thinking of you and sending hugs!
Lisa
p.s. This little picture was captured in the garden of our American parents! They love to coax beauty to life at their home! Thank you Macon and Clara for all the love and attention you shower on your flowers, friends and kids….and not in that particular order!
p.p.s. If any of you folks have a beautiful pic you would like me to consider sharing here with others, please send it along by following the contact link at the top of this page.
Behold Children are a Heritage from the LORD
Just sharing a little something I wrote for the front of my beautiful mother’s card…for Mother’s Day today…..
….and she gave me permission to share it with you….
…about the tremendously critical, soul-affecting work of mothers…and the reward that it brings…
“Behold children are a heritage from the LORD…” Psalm 127:3 affirms.
God Himself invented motherhood….and has entrusted mothers with the very most precious thing in His creation….little hearts and souls!!
He is counting on mothers to do our jobs well—to nurture and direct these precious souls in such a manner that they will come back to Him….home again!! He’s paid everything!!!!!!…through Christ’s gift!!!!!!….to make that homecoming a great welcome!! But it cannot happen if the children don’t know and follow the loving heavenly Father!
Such is the greatest task of motherhood!
Hope this touches your heart…
Feel free to send it on to someone who has made an investment in you….affecting your heart with their love….for good!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Hugs!
Lisa
Heart Inspirations 