Saturday, October 5, 2013

Joy…and Sadness?

Lady of Sadness wm

Is it possible to have joy and sadness in your heart at the same time? I think so. Is it possible to have happiness and sadness in your heart at the same time? I don’t think so.

It seems to me that joy is a state of being. I have an eternal joy in my heart that is a direct gift from God (a “fruit” of the Holy Spirit), a result of being His child, by my own personal decision/choice. Because that joy is given for eternity, the joy never leaves. My state of being (who I AM) is always full of joy.

But happiness is something entirely different. It is a state of mind, a temporary state that can be caused—and controlled—by individuals and circumstances. The same is true for sadness. I can determine my own state of mind, to a large extent. I can allow circumstances to manipulate my state of mind-- but not my state of being.

Are Christ-followers sometimes sad? But of course. The sadness can even overshadow the joy at times, if sadness is allowed to become more than a temporary state of mind. Even David prayed that God would restore to him the joy of his salvation (Ps 51:12). But the joy is there, in the heart, ready to be restored, at any time the individual is ready to rely on the state of being rather than the state of mind.

So, my answer to my own question is this: While it is not possible to be happy and sad at the exact same moment, it IS possible for joy and sadness to coexist in the same heart at the same time.

Sometimes I am happy. Sometimes I am sad. Always I am joyful.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith…Galatians 5:22.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Walk in the Light {Pump and Pumpkins in Altered Book}

pump and pumpkins wm

(Sketch idea from friend Laurie May)

5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

This passage helps me understand why in some situations, such as in some family settings, it is difficult to have meaningful fellowship.

We know that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness. According to this passage, some may claim to have fellowship with God, while they are walking in darkness. This claim cannot be true. One who is walking in the Light (God), can have fellowship with another who is walking in the Light. But having fellowship with someone who is walking in darkness? That is not promised in this passage.

Does this imply that one who is “walking in the Light” is without sin or blameless? Certainly not, as the Bible also teaches there is only One who was without sin, and that was Christ himself. But it does imply that it is possible to “walk in God,” through the cleansing (from sin) that takes place upon acceptance of Christ as Savior. And when we do walk in God, we can expect to have fellowship with others who are walking in the Light. Note: It is not possible to walk in darkness and in light at the same time.

This “blessing” (of being able to have fellowship with others who are walking with Christ) is available to anyone who is willing to come out of darkness and into the Light--for one who has come to God in repentance and acceptance of Jesus as Savior.

If you wonder how it would be possible to turn your life over to God, click on this link.

Artwork is watercolor on gessoed page in my altered Purpose Driven Life book..

altered pdl book wm

(Linking to Artistic Stamper challenge, Alter Something.)

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

12 Tags of 2013: October

oct tag 12 wm

 

It’s been a while since I have participated in Tim Holtz’s 12 Tags, as I’ve been wrapped up in art journals and scrapbooks. But I do love autumn, so this one required my attention!

 

I’m not a huge Halloween fan, but I love pumpkins and harvest time. Tim suggested using the Distress Paints for the marbled background, so I used the three I own: Peeled Paint, Seedless Preserves, and Wild Honey. I also love the first Tim die I purchased—the little pumpkin and acorn.

 

oct tag 6 wm

 

I never seem to be able to get a good shot of glitter, so here’s a closeup that shows it some better.

 

closeup wm