Creating in Faith - Understanding (Special Request)

Good fortune can fall on the just and the unjust in equal measure, we know not when or where disaster will strike.

This week my brother was rushed to hospital, they had found elevated levels of calcium in his blood, he hadn't eaten for 3 days and was very weak.  The doctors did their tests, scans, mri's and  have come to the conclusion that multiple myeloma is back.  After his bone marrow transfusion, chemo and radio therapy last year we thought there would be at least a 10 year gap before we would have to worry about it, unfortunately the reports say no.

I tried  to understanding why 'our family'.  Why mum with dementia, Robert with this cancer and my father passing 20 years ago with an unknown illness.  There seems to be so many that have been struck down, we seem to be in a generation now where our parents were when we were younger when we can count the passing of friends and relatives that we know being affected by some illness or the other.

After getting the news I felt washed out, what words of encouragement could I offer to him when all I wanted to do was cry, as I sat thinking the words that came to me were, ‘....the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much’ James 5:16.   It was then that I understood what I needed to do.  My tears cannot bring a cure but prayer can.  Despite it all we have to stand firm on the word of God.  There can be no compromises, no excuses, though at times our faith can be shaken by the very circumstances, I have found a renewed strength in the word.

I am not one who normally likes to ask for help, but the word says...were two or three come together ... I know that there will be strength in our prayers as we come together.  I ask you now to join with me in prayer for a miraculous healing for my brother Robert, and for his family, 3 children and wife.   We have to stand on the word of God, have faith and believe that we have the victory over defeat.  I would thank you in advance for taking the step for I know that God is working in all our lives and as we continue to move in faith,  a change will come and we will be blessed beyond our wildest dreams. 

As you go about your week, along with prayer ask God to enable you to understand the impact that your very gifts which you sometimes hide can, if nurtured, be a blessing.  Create a journal page or piece of art that expresses this.

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gifts of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind 2 Timothy 1:6-7

If you would like to see how I made the book mark 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 and reflections in your art this week.  Step out and be a blessing and you will also be blessed!

Gratitudes - My Car

My car

For its warmth in the winter, and not giving any major problems.  It has been what I rely on to help me with caring for my mum.

What are you grateful for this week?

52 Weeks of Colour - Gentleness

Reflection 

Amazing blessings will start to unfold into your life.. 

Quote 

The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change. ...Carl Rogers In the going I am there. ...Yevgeny Yevtushenko

Scripture 

...Everything is possible for him who believes....Mark 9:23

Creating in Faith - Belief

Whose report do you believe?  It can be far easier to accept a negative comment and spend time mulling over in your mind how someone could say or think that about us and we spend days going over the conversation even delving to the depths to ask ourselves what is wrong with us. 

When someone says something encouraging or complimentary do you find yourself going over this in your mind, agreeing with the positive comment about your life in the same way as the negative?  The chances are you don’t. We have all had times when somebody says something nice about what your wearing and before you say thank you start to put yourself down and say “this old thing, I’ve had it for years” you feel uncomfortable when people say good things about you and for every positive comment you can probably find 100 negative ones.    

Last year I did a course called Crafting my best life, and one of the exercises was ask 5 people (friends and family) what they loved, valued and admired about you.  I initially had difficulty with the thought of asking these questions, you know that they care for you but sometimes you get lost in the well of ‘stuff’  and can’t see the good things that others see and think about you.  I was really touched by the response and have put these reminders in a place for times when I forget my strengths and can only see my faults, for those times when all seems like it is lost and I get lost in the ‘stuff’ because I know that these times will pass for I am fearfully and wonderfully made!

Despite what you feel about yourself there are others that wished they were in the same room as you, could receive a smile or kind word from you, and who are really inspired by you and your creativity and find you a blessing. 

As you go about your day to day this coming week think about 3 things you love about yourself and 3 things you admire and place these in a prominent place and look at them every day.   How can you express these in your art journal or another creative way.  Please share your thoughts   Blessingsx

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight...Proverbs 3:6

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.   John 3:16