"Never Ending Love"
And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. -Ephesians 3:18

"Never Ending Love" Original watercolor painting by: Kelly Bermudez

IF: Puzzled

 

Whenever puzzled, confused or just don't know what to do....seek a Heart of Wisdom....

 

"Heart of Wisdom"

Remember the old saying, "Wise as an owl"? What a great reminder of Psalm 90:12- So teach us to number our days, that we may get us a heart of wisdom.

Watercolor painting by: Kelly Bermudez

IF: Swamp

                 

This week’s Illustration Friday topic, “Swamp” was a bit of a challenge for me, as I am not too fond of swamps:)  It definitely wouldn’t be on my list of places to visit.  Trying to find the beauty in a swamp was difficult, but somehow my mind made its way to the dragonfly.  Some may not think they are much to look at but I find them beautiful.  This made me think of the importance of looking for the beauty in the not so pleasant experiences in our lives…there is beauty that can come from these places…Isaiah 61:3 says “To provide for them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”

 God desires to use those difficult moments of our lives to bring forth something wonderful and beautiful!  In my life personally, I thought of how I had struggled with sickness for the last 4 years.  Although it had been the worse 4 years of my life in many ways...I have also seen the amazing hand of God moving in so many other ways...I have grown deeply in the areas of mercy and compassion for others...which I am not so sure I would have had it not been for the journey...Today I renamed my Dragonfly to “Beauty Fly” J

IF: Shades

Shades of Spring

I so love this time of year!  When the flowers start bloom and the beautiful shades of yellows, pinks, blues and greens cover the earth.  A time when new life springs forth and baby animals are born.

'For behold, the winter is past,

The rain is over and gone.

'The flowers have already appeared in the land;

The time has arrived for pruning the vines,

And the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land.

'The fig tree has ripened its figs,

And the vines in blossom have given forth their fragrance.

Arise, my darling, my beautiful one,

And come along!' "

Song 2:11-13 (NASB)

IF: Yeild

   

                             
                              Olive You!
                                                            
Yeilding a harvest of love...

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever. Psalm 52:8

IF: Intention

Bird of Hope

Romans 12:12

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.

My intention is to be all these things. However, sometimes life has a way of pulling us down. During times of struggles we can feel beat down and fall into a pit of despair. I am so thankful for a Savior who gives us Hope, teaches us patience, is acquainted with our afflictions and draws us to prayer. I named my bird "Hope", to always remind me that God takes care of His creation no matter how big or small. Matthew 6:26 says, look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? If He takes care of them, than how much more will He take care of us?

I love this verse on  "Hope",

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
 
This week I will be more intentional to cling to hope and patience, and go to Him in prayer! There is no better place to be then in the presence of the One who loves us the most!


Check out the blog feature I was recently in if you get a chance:
http://angelsneverlastings.blogspot.com/2012/03/shop-feature-gentle-whispers-visual.html

IF: Capable

                                                          

Asian elephants are capable of being extremely clever and Wise!

They have an extreme cooperation and intelligence that is rare for most animals.

Another Wise creation!

We are capable of obtaining wisdom as well, if only we ask the Lord: )

For the Lord gives skillful and godly Wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

Lord,

Please give us Your wisdom for every situation we are facing now and in the days to come. I ask that You surround us with Your peace and protection.  Please flood us with Your love and grace. In Jesus Mighty name! Amen: )