Video – UPDATED video – https://youtu.be/cVIlxXlnMyE
Hello friends,
Welcome to this week’s Sunday’s ART of Truth. Today, we are continuing with the 3rd video in the Christmas series. The first video was The Gift, the second was The Hope, and this one is The Promise.
This series is all about rejoicing over The Gift, The Hope & The Promise of Jesus.
What is The Promise?
Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope.”
He brought us hope, unfailing love & a promise that He would be with us always.
Life can be hard, yes. Extremely hard. Hopelessly hard. In those hard times, it is impossible at times to see and know that He is there. It is hard to reconcile a loving God with all the horrid things that happen here on our earthly journey. Our struggle remains, as does His steadfast love and presence.
We don’t have to go it alone.
God sent His precious son, Jesus to be Emmanuel, that is “God is with us”.
God with us. Always. Even in the dark. I’m not talking about religion, but an ever present relationship that has ‘tooth’ to it.
As a babe, He came. He suckled at His mother’s breast. He grew tall and strong. He played. He knew His destiny. He knew His purpose. He came willingly. He left this earth just as willingly. He did it for us.
I don’t know about you, but I needed the Gift, that Hope & this Promise.
My life was broken. My world was dark and psyche was decimated by the choices of people. He was there when I didn’t want to live. He is here now in the celebrations of all that has healed within me.
He promised He would heal me. He did. He promised He would use me, He is. He promised He would always be with me and hear the cries and praises of my heart, He does.
I shared some time ago about my elderly friend. Before she was my friend, she was my counselor. She walked with me for 17 of the 31 years I was in therapy. Her faith, unshakable. Her love, never wavering. Her support, constant and trustworthy. She was diagnosed with a brain tumor not too long ago. She underwent the surgery to remove the tumor, but now she is declining quickly. When I got this news while in my car on my way home from work, I couldn’t catch my breath. The invitation to go see her has been open and I know I can go and see her…but, I “can’t”. I am sure you can imagine the internal heart struggle. I can’t watch her die. I must remember her as the strong, beautiful, faithful & loving woman she was. I struggle. Is it wrong to not go? No. We all must traverse these legs of our journey, honoring what we feel and need. She would understand, I know this. As I was stuck in traffic getting home that night, I was struck by The Promise…
I will see her again, just as I will see all my loved ones. I cling to that. I will think on meeting her again when our bodies are whole and free of disease and pain. We will dance together. We will stand face to face with the Jesus that we love, speechless and in awe. I am grateful for this promise.
Bonnie, I dedicate this piece to you. For all the years and the tears. For all the support and the outpouring. For all the patience when I just wanted to die. I dedicate this to you because you embodied everything that Jesus was and came to be. You are who He wants us to be in this dark, and often cold world. You taught me the depth of The Gift, The Hope and The Promise. I know He is whispering to you…I know that He is calling you home. I know that He wants you to be with Him and be whole again. Thank you for teaching me what love is. Thank you for never walking away or giving up.
Thank you for being Jesus with skin on. I will never forget you. I pray you will be ushered to His side surrounded by peace and His light. I love you.
My friends, I did not intend to do that here in this blog but before I write, I pray. I ask Him what He wants me to say. This is where He lead me. “Be you. Be real. Be authentic. Translate hope. Lend courage…let them know they are not alone”
I know many of you have chapters and paths in your journey that are full of loss, crippling and unbelievable. You have told me of such things. I hope in some small measure, you can know that you are not alone. I pray that your heart is comforted in big and small ways. I lend courage to you if you are smack dab in the middle of the hardest stuff. I will leave it with you and send good to you in ways that are perfect for you. I leave you with love, soft and knowing…
Blessings dear ones,
Beloved-Reborn
Supply list under photos!
Supplies used:
Liquitex Fluid Matte Medium, Gesso & Matte Gel – See Basic Mixed Media Supply list below
Golden Fluid Acrylics – Raw Umber, Quinacridone Nickle Azo Gold, Paynes Gray & Iridescent Gold Fine – See Basic Mixed Media Supply list below
DecoArt Americana Paint – Alizarin Crimson –http://DecoArt.com
DecoArt Crackle Paint – http://DecoArt.com
Liquitex Heavy Body Acrylic – Bleached Titanium – https://www.amazon.com/Liquitex-Professional-Acrylic-Unbleached-Titanium/dp/B0012F3E0U/ref=sr_1_3?crid=23TY4OZ0JAE35&keywords=liquitex+heavy+body+unbleached+titanium&qid=1639884505&sprefix=liquitex+heavy+body+un%2Caps%2C789&sr=8-3
Paris Script Stamp – See Basic Mixed Media Supply list below
Corrugated cardboard and wood stamp from my stash
Digital Kit – Winter Wonderland Kit – My Porch Prints Etsy – https://www.etsy.com/listing/897279131/junk-journal-winter-woodland-forest?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=myporchprints+winter+wonderland&ref=sr_gallery-1-2&organic_search_click=1&pro=1
List of basic mixed media supplies:
TCW Light & Fluffy Modeling Paste – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=light+and+fluffy+modeling+paste&crid=3PFDSLJUPLGOO&sprefix=light+and+flu%2Caps%2C272&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_13
Shoresua Script Stamp- https://www.amazon.com/Shoresua-Transparent-Silicone-Scrapbooking-Embossing/dp/B07PGN3MR3/ref=sr_1_77?dchild=1&keywords=bo+bunny+stamps&qid=1601231832&sr=8-77
Golden High Flow Acrylic – Transparent Yellow Oxide – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=goldenhigh+flow+acrylics&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
Liquitex Matte Medium- https://www.amazon.com/Liquitex-Professional-Matte-Medium-8-Ounce/dp/B000IYWYNE/ref=sr_1_1?crid=74CDOKRUL040&dchild=1&keywords=liquitex+matte+medium&qid=1586229506&sprefix=liquitex+ma%2Caps%2C291&sr=8-1
Liquitex Glazing Medium- https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Multi-Purpose-Acrylic-Polymer-GAC-100/dp/B001YJPX58/ref=sr_1_46?dchild=1&keywords=golden+glazing+medium&qid=1586230065&sr=8-46
Liquitex Heavy Gesso- https://www.amazon.com/Liquitex-Professional-Super-Surface-Medium/dp/B001UNREO6/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=liquitex+heavy+gesso&qid=1586229647&sr=8-1
Penny Black Script Stamp- https://www.amazon.com/Penny-Black-Script-Unmounted-40-470/dp/B01HNO5R08/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Penny+Black+script+stamp&qid=1586229678&sr=8-1
Shawn Petite Stencils- https://shop.shawnpetite.com/Stencils-c14287046
Decoart Crackle Paint – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=decoart+crackle+paint&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
Rembrandt Soft Pastel – Black – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rembrandt+soft+pastel+black&ref=nb_sb_noss
Golden Fluid Acrylics – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=golden+fluid+acrylics&crid=1140N398O4PP1&sprefix=golden+fluid+%2Caps%2C520&ref=nb_sb_ss_ac-a-p_1_13
Junk Journal Basic Supplies List –
FabriTac Glue – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=fabritac&ref=nb_sb_noss
Art Glitter Glue – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=art+glitter+glue&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
Ranger Archival Ink – Vintage Photo – They no longer make the pad so I bought the reinker and a DIY ink pad – https://www.amazon.com/Ranger-AIP48077-Empty-Archival-Pad-Empty/dp/B016A88EAI/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=ranger+diy+ink+pad&qid=1626104364&sr=8-4
Https://www.amazon.com/s?k=vintage+photo+reinker&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
Cara Renee your blogs touch my heart in so many ways. I did not have a happy childhood and I too have spent a lot of years in and out of counselling. I think your friend would want you to do what you are most comfortable with and be understanding about that. Often they don’t want you to see and remember them in there decline but have no way of letting you know that My friend that cancer took two years ago felt that way and only let a few people in at the end of her life. I felt I was chosen to be the one to be with her to the end as she had no family to do that for her so we became sisters. My mother in law wanted to die at home not in a hospital and again I was honored to be in a position that enabled me to help her to do that. It truly was the hardest thing I have ever done but I believe God gave me the strength to see it through to the end Cancer is such a horrible disease and we have all lost so many friends and family to it. I have been blessed to survive it twice It has certainly changed my life and the way I look at things now. I have always said that God doesn’t lead us to it unless he can see us through it. I know I have not gone through all I have without his support . I am feeling like I was lead to this channel for a reason You have chosen a beautiful way to honor your friend and whoever receives that piece I hope they will feel the thoughts you expressed every time they look at it. I am praying God will help you through this very difficult time and give you the strength you will need. Take Care my friend. Hugs and Smiles and God Bless
Thank you Lori for sharing a part of your heart. For you to walk with people through that is amazing. I think we are given what we need for what we must do. I went through watching my mother in law die in April and my father in law 18 months before that. It is so hard. They were in memory care and he was right at the beginning of COVID and she, 18 months later. I was not able to see her until she was put on comfort care at the hospital and transferred back to the memory care facilty for hospice care. I spent time with her over a 2 day span. It was agonizing. I know that my friend would understand for sure. I enjoy your words so much Lori 🙂 Blessings
Cara -thank you for continuing to bring us your inspiring messages both in your blog and with your beautiful creations. Jesus is with us each day and this piece “The Promise” represents the struggles he too went through and his promise to be by our side each and everyday and to give us eternal life. Thank you for continuing to share his love and to carry his message that we are not alone. You will see your friend Bonnie again and you are in my prayers. Merry Christmas!
Thank you Patricia 💛 I love that we don’t have go do this alone. God is good, all the time. Merry Christmas 💛