What's Important?

What is important to you? I do not mean your new iPhone or recent paycheck I mean what is really important.

Recently, I had to make a decision and it got me thinking, "I wonder what is important to me?"

"My computer."

"Wait, huh? My computer?"

That is not what I envisioned coming to my mind first. I spend a lot of time on the internet but surely I would have thought of something else a bit quicker. That surprise made me consider what aspects of my life have the longest lasting impact on me. It also caused me to think about who and what are most important.

"So what is really important?"

"God."

"My students."

"My family."

"My friends."

It is funny how easy it is to get confused! There is a Bible verse that says "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." It is my opinion that your heart will be with the things you judge most important. I will be the first to say I need to double check where my treasure is, double check what things I value as important.

"Lord, I ask that what You see as important I would see as important as well."

My Advice for You

Summer's Day 

We live, we love, we forgive and never give up
Cuz the days we are given are gifts from above
And today we remember to live and to love

-Superchick "We Live"

That's my advice for you today. Live! Try doing something new and different! Love! Tell your family or spouse that you love them! Forgive! Don't hold grudges- they ruin life. Never give up!  Take a break if you need to, ask for help but persevere! 

Here's a painting I did. 

More Sketches

I'll be completely honest- I haven't posted something in a really long time. My mind has been in a lot of places lately. I don't know if you've ever gotten into one of those periods of your life where you are wondering where to go and what to do next but that is kind of where I'm at right now. I've done a number of sketches lately and here are a few. The two crazy looking ones are from my imagination. Shortly explained: 1) I like to fish, I like to eat fish and I like to draw fish. 2) I like to draw random objects and designs altogether. 3) This is a woman from the Asian calendar hanging on my wall. 4) I was thinking about ice cream and was inspired to draw a rather interesting version of the well-known dessert.

Creativity

Abstract

Butterfly

    A streak of creativity hit me today! Enjoy! :)
I've been trying to create more pictures from imagination and these are some of the results.

Flowers...

Random Flowers

Always Grow

Looking back at this past year, how did you grow? How were you changed?

     I like to draw trees. Every tree is different with its twisted limbs, leafy foliage, strong roots and rough bark. Some trees even seem to have personality to me. The bent over, crooked trees seem wise, old and full of experience. The straight, stately trees seem proud, maybe even arrogant and the little saplings seem full of life and energy.  Each tree grows a little throughout the year. Maybe a little taller, a little wider or a little more damaged. Each year a storm may tear off a branch. Perhaps a name will be carved in its trunk.

     Yet the tree continues to grow, to blossom, to bear fruit, to rest and to grow again. Ever and always growing despite what goes on around it. Looking back at this past year, how did you grow? What were your successes or your failures? In this new year of 2013, I challenge you to grow closer to Christ. Live each day for Him no matter what goes on around you. But ever and always grow. A tree that doesn't grow is dead. The old year is behind you and new year is before you. Determine to grow into a closer likeness of Christ this year. 

Happy New Years! 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!! Remember that Christmas is about giving with no thought of receiving in return. :) Here is my very first painting in oil colors! It is also a gift for my next door neighbors!

A Beach Full of Chicken Eggs

    I dream crazy dreams. They usually include flying, dangerous situations or wild twists on everyday objects. Last night was one of those nights. I dreamed I was at a beach surrounded by....what else? Chicken eggs! I wanted to find an egg that was about to hatch, take it home and watch the process of the young chick emerging. I remember dreaming that I picked up a big egg and put it in my bag. Well, a couple minutes later the egg was broken and a big mess in my bag. However, I went back to the beach to choose another egg. I broke this one as well. While I was in the process of choosing a third egg, some people came running towards me telling me to go somewhere else. I quickly took my bag and left. Later on, one of my friends approached me and told me that he knew I wanted to have a little chick. He then proceeded to hand me a cute, fluffy, yellow chick all for my own.

    Now I will leave you to think what you may about my dream. I personally woke up thinking, "How strange to dream about chickens!" I doubt my dream means anything more than an active night time imagination but I couldn't help but draw an object lesson from it.

    Sometimes I find myself thinking that my life needs a new start. I need to stop doing this and start doing that in order to be a new or better person. However, my attempts always fail. My resolutions to be better might stand firm for a little while, but I always find myself back where I started. When I try of my own self to be better, when I try to choose a new life for my own self, I usually end up where I began, broken and sometimes in a worse mess than before. The only Person who can really change me, who can take the broken, messy contents of myself and exchange them for a new life, is Jesus Christ. He gives me new life as a gift. It is not something I can manufacture on my own. I always end up breaking the promises I make to myself to be better. My only hope is to turn away from the 'beach' of my own wishful attempts at a new life and allow God to give me a new life which will grow to maturity with and in Him.