PawsNPrints: Mieke

Rest Once More

“Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.” (Psalm 116:7 NIV)

Rest can be a nice thing. Rest can also be allusive in these days of much to do about many things.

The psalmist’s words seem to indicate that rest for our soul comes and goes, that soul rest is a choice, and that this kind of rest comes from the Lord. Life definitely has a way of stirring up much unrest. Seizing those times of rest for our souls takes conscience effort, possibly even directing ourselves to “be at rest.” This passage brings up one reminder of a reason for choosing rest: our Lord’s goodness.

Psalms were actually sung. Picture the writer, stretching out his arms while sitting on his bed, then bursting forth into song as he allows his body to fall back upon the bed and pillow. Can you imagine it? Hey! Why imagine? Find your bed and experience it. Say or even sing your own tune to the passage above and take a few moments to rest your soul … once more.

Greeting Card Design:  THANK-Mieke –  click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog.  This is one of my sister’s three cats. She provided the photo for this card.

NOTE: The watermark only appears in the online version of the image in order to aid in protecting copyright.  Greeting cards and art prints do not have the watermark.

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PawsNPrints: HydroxChair

Never Unloved

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

Many people in my life have done many kind acts for me or on my behalf. Only One person has done such an extremely loving act as described in John’s gospel. God chose to show the depths of His love for me and every other person throughout time, even when we’ve all hurt Him tremendously since creation. He sent His Son to be the sacrifice for me. Instead of seeking my death for my own sin, God chose to accept the death of His Son in my place.

Not only has God shown His love in the death of Jesus, but He has also continued to show His unconditional love for me day after day. He fulfills His promises to sustain me, to meet my needs, and to take care of me. He chooses to call me His child and He allows me to call Him my Father, my Papa God, my Daddy. Because the Lord of all actively and genuinely loves me, I can never be unloved.

Greeting Card Design:  No10-ENC-HydroxChair –  click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog.  For four years, I lived in the country and was adopted by up to 14 cats over the years.  This guy, Hydrox, got his name because when he was young, he looked a lot like his mom, Oreo.  He was part of her third litter and the first one she had and raised on the porch. He was the BEST of the cats–loyal, loving, friendly, and such.

NOTE: The watermark only appears in the online version of the image in order to aid in protecting copyright.  Greeting cards and art prints do not have the watermark.

Kat Art: Jesus Loves Me

No Greater Love

“See what [an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on)us, that we should [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! … Beloved, we are [even here and] now God’s children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [as God’s children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is.”  (1 John 3:1-2 AMP)

Father, thank You for counting me as Your child! Thank You for loving me like no other ever could, ever would, ever has, ever will!

Greeting Card Design:  No10-GEN-JesusLovesMe – click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog.  This mural has been painted onto a wall in church nurseries or children’s ministry areas in churches in Indianapolis and two near Washington, IN.

NOTE: The watermark only appears in the online version of the image in order to aid in protecting copyright.  Greeting cards and art prints do not have the watermark.

Kat Art: 4Prayer

Intercessors, Faith & Us

News comes of an urgent need, a life-threatening illness, a tragedy, a life struggle, etc. that has entered our pathway. We are face to face with our own helplessness. We are paralyzed by life’s stuff.

Along come people who know us, who care about us. They recognize that their role is not to fix us, change us, mend us; yet, they know just what to do: Take us to Jesus.

Their knees bend as their lips address the Father–they know how to reach Him. As their praise of His sovereign power pours forth, they carry our mat toward Him, believing in His promises. Acknowledging that ONLY Jesus can help us, they speak forth their requests on our behalf, as their hands dig through toward His presence. Their hearts nearly burst and their bodies refuse to eat or drink as they attach ropes to our mat and place us into the hands of the One who holds the power that we need.

When others intercede for us through prayer, their faith adds to ours (or sometimes, stands up when ours fails), and we are placed into the hands of the Ultimate Healer. Some of these intercessors we know, we see, others we only hear about or can simply sense by the Holy Spirit that our names are being spoken to the Father. What a wonder it is to know that we’ve been prayed for!

Greeting Card Design:  THANK-4Prayer – click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog.   The cover design is available as an art print: click here to order.

NOTE: The watermark only appears in the online version of the image in order to aid in protecting copyright.  Greeting cards and art prints do not have the watermark.

Kat Art: Grapes

Abiding and Being Fruitful

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing … This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit … I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last…”  (John 15:5, 8, 16 NIV)

Not long before He was to face Calvary and give His life in our place on the cross, Jesus made these comments above to His followers. He paints a word picture with His words of both direction and encouragement.

Branches “abide” in the vine. They are attached, one with it, nestled in, dwelling as part of the vine. In order to bear fruit, the branch just stays connected. It doesn’t wiggle and jerk around to get that fruit to pop out. As the vine supplies the nutrients to the branch, they flow through the branch to form the bud, the blossom and later the fruit. The fruit blesses other lives around it–bringing glory to the Heavenly Father, the Master Gardener in this word picture.

When we make our home in Christ, nestling into His heart, choosing to abide in His will, and seeking to allow Him to flow through us, our lives become fruitful and those we encounter are blessed for having known us. Remain close to Jesus, no matter what–it’s a life that’s fruitful!

Greeting Card Design:  THINK-Grapes – click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog.   The cover design is available as an art print: click here to order.

NOTE: The watermark only appears in the online version of the image in order to aid in protecting copyright.  Greeting cards and art prints do not have the watermark.

Kat Art: Grace

The Gift of Grace

No matter who you are, when the Lord looks at you, His eyes may be looking at a sinner who’s not followed His commands; but His heart chooses to have an attitude of grace toward the person He sees. When you choose to go your own way, rebelling against what He says is best for you, He still chooses to extend His grace toward you. Though your ways may be unfavorable to Him, according to His Word, He decides freely to bestow His favor on you. He gives you a gift that you could never deserve . . . now, THAT’s grace!

Greeting Card Design:  THINK-Grace – click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog.

NOTE: The watermark only appears in the online version of the image in order to aid in protecting copyright.  Greeting cards and art prints do not have the watermark.

Kat Art: Bowl

Fragrant Gift

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” (2 Corinthians 2:14-15 NIV)

A beautiful bouquet of fragrant flowers sitting in a room can be noticed long before a person is near the vase or can even see them. The aroma greets the beholder and invites him to come savor their delight. Carried by the favorable scent, he seeks out the source of the fragrance. He desires to see for himself the blooms which have drawn and welcomed him toward such natural splendor.

Long before a person in this world knows a follower of Christ personally, an aroma permeates the believer’s sphere of influence ahead of her. Her words, actions, and reputation precede her as others without Christ observe her ways. Only by the incomprehensible grace of God, her life, complete with both failures and successes, becomes a “fragrance.” He uses this inner perfume to carry to the senses of the seekers the very knowledge of the One whom they seek. We are transformed by His mercy and grace into a flower with such sweet savor that other lives are drawn to know the One who does this masterful gardening within us.

Greeting Card Design:  THANK-Bowl – click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog.

NOTE: The watermark only appears in the online version of the image in order to aid in protecting copyright.  Greeting cards and art prints do not have the watermark.

Kat Art: God Knows

God Knows

“Of what account is anything if my King knows.” “God knows. Don’t fret. Go on.” These words were from Amy Carmichael, a woman known for her faith as she followed our Lord. Whether these words were spoken or written just as she was coming into an understanding of the truths behind them or whether they came after she had experienced the truth by clinging to them in the face of life herself, the simple words can bring both hope and challenge.

“God knows.” The Scriptures reveal in many passages that our Father knows us and all that concerns us. David wrote, “O Lord, You have searched me and You know me … You are familiar with all my ways” (Psalm 139:1,3 NIV)

“Don’t fret.” Three times in Psalm 37 David wrote “Don’t fret,” with one instance continuing with “…it leads only to evil” (v. 8 NIV). Paul uses a different word with the same meaning, “Do not be anxious about anything…” (Philippians 4:6 NIV). He writes “do not be” in the imperative tense, which conveys the meaning of “stop being anxious,” as though it’s a thought process we have the power to control and put an end to.

“Go on.” Paul faced many trials and struggles: persecutions from fellow believers and church leaders, trials amidst nature and the elements, a personal “thorn in his flesh” to contend with, disagreements with brothers, physical danger, etc. Yet this same man was used to write words that encourage others throughout centuries to do what he did, “… But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on…” (Philippians 3:13-14 NIV).

No matter what we’re going through, God knows and He is attentive to our needs and what is best for us through it all. With that hope, we can go on.

Greeting Card Design:  PRAY-GodKnows – click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog.

NOTE: The watermark only appears in the online version of the image in order to aid in protecting copyright.  Greeting cards and art prints do not have the watermark.

Kat Art: Armor

Dressing to Face the Days Ahead

Exodus 14:14 tells us, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to stand still.”

In Ephesians 6, we find a description of the “armor” God has provided for us to put on through committing our lives to Him by our faith in Christ Jesus.

We can affirm each day that we wear His armor:

1. BELT of TRUTH, which affirms who I am in Christ.
Because of Jesus’ death on the cross, I am a new creation of infinite worth. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

2. BREASTPLATE of RIGHTEOUSNESS, which protects my heart.
Because of Jesus’ death, I have been justified–been made “just as if I’d” never sinned.
I am completely forgiven and fully pleasing to God. I no longer have to allow my emotions to control me; they are protected and valuable in Christ.

3. FOOTWARE with the readiness of the gospel of PEACE
Because of Jesus’ sacrificial death, my life has been reconciled with my Heavenly Father. I am totally accepted by God. I can know His peace personally and live in His will as a peacemaker

4. SHIELD of FAITH
Because of His sovereignty, God is in control of all things. I can trust Him with my whole self.

5. HELMET of SALVATION, protecting my mind.
Because of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, I have been made brand new, complete in Christ, and a child of God. I have the mind of Christ. I can choose on what I will or won’t think, allowing Him to renew my mind.

6. SWORD of the SPIRIT, the WORD of God
Because of who He is, I am deeply loved by God. I no longer have to fear the enemy. God’s Word is my weapon: defensively–to ward off the attacks of the evil one; offensively–to speak to others regarding Jesus’ offer of salvation to us all.

Our Father provides this armor when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Four different times, He tells us to put it on.
Four times He says to stand, stand, stand, stand….
For the battle belongs to Him… and He is already the Victor!

Greeting Card Design:  PRAY-Armor – click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog. The image was inspired by several works of Timothy Botts, who has used calligraphy and mixed media to depict scripture passages.

NOTE: The watermark only appears in the online version of the image in order to aid in protecting copyright.  Greeting cards and art prints do not have the watermark.

Kat Art: Not Quit

Enduring Patiently

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4 NIV).

This passage doesn’t tell me to pretend to be happy when I face pain. Rather, the Lord tells me to choose to have a positive outlook. I can choose to look at my struggles as opportunities for my growth. It’s left to me to choose to see my hardships as windows through which I get to watch Him work in my life. When I look at my challenges through the lens of the cross, I can hold onto the truth that I never face any of them alone. No matter what I face, blessing or burden, I can be assured that each one is for my growth, for His glory, and for Our fellowship together as He works His purposes in my life.

Greeting Card Design:  ENC-NotQuit – click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog.

NOTE: The watermark only appears in the online version of the image in order to aid in protecting copyright.  Greeting cards and art prints do not have the watermark.