Paint by Dot: Waterfall – Easter

Waterfalls

“A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” (Proverbs 19:10 NIV)

What if, as the water poured over the rock, the rock was to become offended and make a scene?  What if the water were somehow diverted by the unmerciful rock?  Where would the beauty of the waterfall be?  For it takes both the water and the rocks to bring forth the often breathtaking scene of water cascading downward, over rocks, fallen trees, and other debris, into a pool or a moving river–a waterfall.

Relationships can be a lot like a waterfall.  More than one person plays a role and each must face the choice of employing wisdom, choosing patience, and deciding not to dwell upon offenses in order for the beauty of the relationship to emerge.

Greeting Card Design:  REZ-H2Ofall – Waterfalls – click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog

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Paint by Dot: Snow – Christmas

Cleansing

Over and over in the times described in the Old Testament of the Bible, the Lord pursues His people with an offer of mercy, forgiveness, and cleansing. He says, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool” (Isaiah 1:18 NIV). No matter what they had done, He expressed His genuine willingness to wipe their slate clean and allow them to start over.

He offers the same cleansing to you and me. If you’ve not yet begun to follow Him, He offers you a new life, a life that’s free of the guilt of your past, the bondage of your present, or the fear of your future. If you’ve been following Him already, but your steps have wandered or you’ve given in to things that tempt you to take your eyes off Jesus, He offers to forgive you and to purify you from all that leads you away from Him.

What’s the common doorway for these offers? It goes back to the beginning of that verse in Isaiah, “Come now, let us reason together …”  He’s just waiting for you to ask Him for what He offers … and when you do, He’ll remove every stain from your heart, mind, and life, until you’re as white as fresh fallen snow!

Greeting Card Design:  CMAS-Snow – Cleansing – click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog

Paint by Dot: Mill – Christmas

Reflections

An old mill, lots of snow, a wooded area, a small body of water . . . parts of a picture which bring back memories of my childhood and teen years: My family spent a little time camping at a state park with an old mill. There my sister and I would ride our bicycles all over the roads and among the campsites. Back home, we played in a woods that was about a quarter mile behind our house. We’d sled on the little hills, fish in the small pond, hike on the winding cow paths, and play in the woods. . . Special reflections on days now past.

Christmas holds its own opportunities for reflection: A time to consider the year that’s nearly over … A time to count the blessings of family and friends … and most of all, a time to remember a different kind of old building, one that housed animals and smelled of hay and such. It was one night long ago in a stable that “God SO loved this world that He gave His one and only Son, so that whoever believes in Him would never die” and be separated from Him (John 3:16). There was no room in the inn on the night Jesus was born, because the only room for Jesus was on the cross, where He died for you and me!

Greeting Card Design:  CMAS-Mill – Reflections – click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog

Paint by Dot: Shell

Coming Up for Air

”May Your unfailing love be my comfort, according to Your promise to Your servant.  Let Your compassion come to me that I may live…” (Psalm 119:76-77 NIV)

A heavy heart can sink us to the very bottom of the ocean of life.  Grief includes a time of simply feeling the pain of loss, floating in the numbness of mourning.  For each one of us, the timing and process of rising from the depths and coming up for air can be as varied as the diversity of people in this world.

The one constant in our deepest lament is the faithfulness of our Father God, the Source of all comfort.  Whether He brings that solace through people in our lives, His creation, or directly to our hearts through His Spirit, only He knows just what we need.  His timing is perfect.  His ways are gentle.  His comfort is satisfying and life-restoring.

Greeting Card Design:  SYMP-Shell – Coming Up for Air – click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog

Paint by Dot: Dark Light

A Light in the Dark

“You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” (Psalm 18:28 NIV)

Life’s journey can sail in and out of darkness, whether by choices of our own or those of others, by accident or disaster, and so forth.  Our God is an enduring light, a beacon which dispels darkness, guides us through to safety and peace, or warms our hearts as we endure the path ahead.

May your lamp know the faithful light of our Lord no matter what your journey holds.

Greeting Card Design:  SYMP-DarkLight – A Light in the Dark – click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog

Paint by Dot: Rainbow Light

Being Thankful

“give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV).

It’s easy to look at that verse and think of some of the worst circumstances you’ve faced or are in right now, and think, “HOW?!”  But, take a close look at the first part of the verse: It says “in” all circumstances, not “for” all of them.  The Lord wants you and me to express thanks to Him in the midst of whatever we’re dealing with, whether it’s a joy or a struggle, a pleasure or a pain.  The act of thanking Him turns our focus off of ourselves and onto the One who takes care of us no matter what.

Greeting Card Design:  THANK-RainbowLight – Being Thankful – click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog

Paint by Dot: Boy Bridge

Level Route

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life … Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.  Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm” (Proverbs 4:23, 25-26 NIV).

“Level paths” and “ways that are firm” for a heart that’s guarded and eyes that gaze directly ahead can describe the journey of a life that seeks to avoid or remove triggers that can lead one away from following Christ.  When we choose to feed our minds upright and healthy concepts, that which goes in has a better chance of being what comes out as we interact with others.

The author of Hebrews encourages us in our journey with “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).  Our example, our guide in this journey of life are the same: Jesus–who can sympathize with our weaknesses and our struggles with temptation.  He lived as a human and showed us how to live differently from this world’s norms.  In addition, He promises to always be with us during our time here until He returns to take us to our true Home.

Greeting Card Design:  THINK-BoyBridge – Level Route – click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog  (also CMAS-BoyBridge)

Paint by Dot: Savior’s Serinade

Savior’s Serenade

 “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 NIV)

The One who created our hearts and emotions has shown His romantic side throughout history, even our own history–whether we’ve noticed Him or not.  He woos us, draws us to His heart.  He lavishes us with His perfect love.

Take a moment to reread the prophet’s word in the scripture above.  Envision the Lover of your soul choosing to delight in you (even on your worst day).  Imagine His presence calming your heart and mind (even when life has you in chaos).  Hear Him signing with joy over you (above the noise of this world).  Your mighty God is surely with you always, delighting, quieting, and rejoicing … simply because you are YOU!

Greeting Card Design:  CON-Irises – Savior’s Serenade – click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog

Paint by Dot: Shrimp Boat

On the Journey

The psalmist wrote about some who “went out on the sea in ships… They saw the works of the Lord.”  When the seas got rough, “their courage melted away…they were at their wits’ end.”

In their depths of emotion, “they cried out to the lord…and He brought them out of their distress.  He stilled the storm to a whisper…it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired haven” (Psalm 107:23-30 NIV).

The Maker of the seas is the Maker too of you and me.  Whether it’s rough seas or calm waters in our lives, He never leaves us and is always in control.  He is more than able to handle any swell, wave, wind, or storm we face.

Greeting Card Design:  PRAY-ShrimpBoat – On the Journey – click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog

Paint by Dot: Lake Mountain

Facing Mountains

Mountains can be found in all sorts of sizes, shapes, and climates in the geographic sense. When life’s challenges are compared to mountains, such multiple variations can be experienced too, yet with more abstract traits.

David faced a mountain named Saul. When the Lord helped him surmount that challenging peak, he was led by God to pen these words:  “It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He enables me to stand on the heights” (Psalm 18:32-33 NIV).

Our confidence, strength and ability to navigate the hurdles and hardships, cliffs and complications of this life come from the God of the universe. The One who is more-than-able is the One who enables us as we seek Him and entrust our path to Him.

 

Greeting Card Design:  ENC-LkMtn – Facing Mountains – click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog (also SaS-LkMtn)