Holy Spirit - Creating in Faith

I woke up this morning with a purpose there were many things that I wanted to get done, I needed to do yet another list to accompany the list I had from before just to make sure that I wouldn't leave anything off.  I had planed to rise earlier and restart my morning walks, since I've been away I got out of practise and hadn't been pushing myself as I had done prior to going away, but I am determined to take action with my health and make a change to what I am doing. 

Book mark with encncouraging words..

 
I know the walk would have been lovely, feeling the breeze against my skin, hearing the morning sounds of the birds in their nests, and the stillness as everyone sleeps.  The more I walked the easier it became and the aches and pains decreased. This morning it started slower, no longer able to blame jet lag for my lethargy I have to take myself to task and recognise that when you allow things to drift or get out of shape you can become complacent.  We can become complacent with our health, our lives our surroundings and before you know it you look around and wonder how it got so far.

We should be treating our bodies as the temple that they are, and watch how we treat it with the correct food and exercise.  Equally where we live and the environment should show how we care about ourselves.  This morning it felt as if the scales were lifted from my eyes and I saw the things that had been allowed to pile up, the clutter and potential mess that was brewing, and I knew that it was time, enough is enough.  

As a mixed media artist I have told myself that I need all the things I have cause they can be recycled, re-purposed and used in my art, and I have created some lovely things that I have yet to share.  The truth is I can't use everything, but there is someone out there that needs the very thing I have allowed to gather dust.  I can't turn everything into an art project and some things have to make their way to the recycling centre.  I don't know about you but the minimalistic lifestyle is becoming more and more enticing.  Being on holiday (I will share some of the photos on Tuesday) we had beautiful surroundings clear of any clutter and coming back home I had to wonder whose house it was, because it is not reflecting where I am or want to be in my life.  And it's beginning to feel as if everything is in need of a shake up!

The Holy Spirit is working within us to stir up our gifts and release them in the world, that we can be a generation along with the ones to come that see possibilities, stepping out and stirring up the water, people who are not afraid of change or doing things differently, that are bold in a world where there are people crying out in need!  

What can you identify in your life that needs shaking up, or changing and what steps can you make today?

The greatest among you shall be your servant.  And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted... Matthew 23:11-12

He who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully...11 Corinthians 9:6

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 1 Peter 1:15

 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38

Generousity - Creating in Faith

We can think of many people we know who have a generous nature, always giving of themselves whether it’s the time they give, or that they always remember your birthday or that person who always has an encouraging word for you. We know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of someone’s generosity and it can bring much needed relief to a difficult situation, especially if the generosity was unexpected. 

How are we in turn giving of ourselves to others, we can decide what form it could take, what impact are we making to our friends, neighbours our local community, do we really listen to what others are saying when we ask them ‘how they are’? 

You could find different ways to give to charity, thinking of unique ways to raise and get your creative juices flowing. You can give without expectation that you will receive in return. The ultimate sacrifice being given by God, when he gave his only son reminds me that the very things we can hold onto and feel precious about in the bigger scheme of things have no value whatsoever.   

As we take some time this week to really re-evaluate our lives, let us think of all those areas we can work on that can bring joy to someone else’s life, if we all gave something there would be no lack in the world.  Join the ‘It Starts with Us Team’  15 minutes of your time once a week to touch hearts and change the life of someone somewhere in this world – maybe even your next door neighbour.

Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice Psalm 112:5 

The generous will themselves be blessed,
    for they share their food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9

Creating in Faith - Faith

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

If you would like to see how I made the pockets check out the post Bookmark Pockets

Come join the group - Creating in Faith, show us how you will be incorporating the words and scriptures in your art this week. Each week I will be sharing words, reflections, scriptures and the bookmark holder.  Step out and be a blessing and you will also be blessed!

Creating in Faith - Prayer bookmark holders

I have been asked by Mika from Motley Soul to contribute on a weekly basis to her Creating in Faith group.  Each Sunday I will be posting a word and sharing a reflection and scriptures, it would be great to have you join us in the group and share your faith filled insights and the creative activities that you get up to.

For my creative pieces for this project I am making a series of book mark holders for each week, decorated with the word for that week in what ever style speaks to me at that moment with an image or collage or both!  The bookmark holder has a space in the side that allows you to place your prayer requests, thoughts and what ever else comes to mind.

Here is how I went about making them

 I took card, cut to 35cm x 8cm, decorated with stamps and inks and folded in half

I then took some fabric, painted and stamped on it, then cut them into strips that I then sewed in between the  longest side of the book mark holder, the two shorter sides were also sewn together to form a pocket

.  The book mark inside the holder is cut from the same card and 

is 15cm x 8 cm 

 I decorated the sides of the book mark with Washi tape that I also had a go at making - will share the process in another post.  The book mark is where I will be writing my thoughts, prayers, achievements, and wow moments for the week.

The aim is to be able to look back at all the prayers and scriptures and see how God has truely been working in my life.  The bookmark holders will eventually be joined together to create a mini book

This is the holder for last week, with the word for the week being Hope come and see the scriptures shared

Growth is this weeks word.  When I look back on my journey I see how much I have grown as an artist, and the changes that continuously take place, also thinking about the steps that I have taken and have yet to take and the amazing creatives that I am meeting  and have yet to meet along the way.

Come join the group - Creating in Faith, show us how you will be incorporating the words and scriptures in your art. Each week I will be sharing the next word, insight or reflection, scriptures and the bookmark holder for that week.  Step out and be a blessing and you will also be blessed!

The Week that was....

I have had a busy couple of weeks,  It is still wet and windy here in London,  but luckily every now and then the rays of sunshine continue to tease us of pastures filled with palm trees, the rushing back and forth of the waves and the soft sand between our toes....in the meantime its a toss up of deciding whether or not to dig out my winter wear and thick socks.  The garden is picking up and the Arboriculturist are trimming the trees outside the house which makes them look slightly bare at the moment.  

The neighbours cat still seems smitten with my garden and just comes over and sits on an old chair at the back of the garden sunning himself.  He still has an expression of disdain as if I have interrupted an important meeting.

I have been doing a mixed bag of things this week, alongside work. I love being in the studio, and  I have been working on some of the sessions in the 21 Secrets and will be sharing some of the art that I have been doing.  

After coming to the end of the 365 days of colour, I celebrated with having a massage.  I will be doing another challenge and be sharing some of the digital art work that I have been doing with my photography.  I will also be contributing to Motley Soul and Mika's Create in Faith Group we share our faith, our creativity and so much more!  Here is a page from my prayer journal.

Health wise, started doing some walking again, I also came across nutritionalist Daphne Cohn and I am taking part in her challenge.  She has a range of recipes that she will send you and they are delicious. I made one this week using the following:  

Handful of spinach, 5 x cabbage leaf, Half iceberg lettuce, Nob of ginger, Cup of water, 2 bananas, 1 pear, Fruit sweetener

All of this made 1.5 litres primarily because of the fruits and especially the lettuce is 70% water.  Daphne has got a 10 day challenge going where she sends you ideas and advice for a variety of green smoothies.  

Last week I gave a talk to a group of social workers about my role as a carer and was able to use some creative exercises to enable them to look at how they relate to different issues in their own life and the experiences that a carer can feel, it was interesting to be on the other side of the coin and get a different perspective of my role through their eyes and talk about the role in a positive light. I will be doing more talks and sharing some of the creative tools I have been using.

Our City of London Festival officially begins this weekend and there are over 100 events running until 27th July, I am hoping to go to a few and will share any pictures I take. The fun starts tomorrow with a tour of the Bank of England, and on Sunday running until 13th July - there will be 50 Street pianos just waiting to be played at a variety of locations around London.  

And finally, my son has finished his exams - a big WELL DONE goes out to him, routines have changed and there is now talk of learning to drive and A'Levels which he will be pursuing in September.  He has his Prom dance next week and went out and got a suit, he looks so mature in it, and has grown a bit bigger and currently towers over me at around 6ft 2.  Time has flown indeed.... 

Hope you have a blessed weekend!