He called her Hephzibah

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. - Genesis 1:1 If July was the most personal painting of 2025, August was the most challenging.  This painting has 26 rainforest animals in it.  Can you find them all?  Last year I spent a lot of time on animals in my artwork - I studied their shapes and colors.  I was particularly fond of the animals in the rainforest at the time, thus this painting came to life.  As I painted different animals, this hymn kept going through my mind. All creatures of our God and King Lift up you voice with us and sing Alleluia! Alleluia! Thou burning sun with golden beam Thou silver moon with softer gleam O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! It is said that this hymn was originally written by St. Francis of Assisi in 1225.  The story goes that one day he came across a flock of birds.  The birds didn't fly away and so St. Francis told them the gospel.  As if in response to hearing the goo...

Out of all the paintings I've shared in my calendars from the past few years, July 2025 is by far the most personal.  I only publicly share about 10% of the paintings that I create in any given year.  The rest are stored away & kept private from the world, but not this one.  This one I share because the Lord let me know that it was time.   There is a whole story behind this particular painting.  Even when I finally made the decision to add it to the calendar, I didn't know what I was going to say come devotion time. To be completely transparent with you, I have gone back and forth and struggled throughout the month of June with what to share or not share about this piece.  I hope what I've landed on will be an encouragement to you.  Perhaps someday I will be in a place where I can share the full story, but for now- this is the direction we are going to go. Scroll back and look at the painting again.  Ask yourself these questions: When you...

Note: My symptoms are a lot right now, so this month is going to be a bit shorter.  I pray God would use this post to springboard you into His Word and a time with Him. It Is Well with My Soul Horatio G. Spafford, 1873 When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul. Refrain: It is well with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul. My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!— My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live: If Jordan above me shall roll, No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul. But, Lord, ’tis for Thee,...

This painting is dedicated to my students. I was in a classroom for 9 years before my TBI in 2021.  If I had them in kindergarten, we watched the transformation of going from a caterpillar to a butterfly. This painting is dedicated to all the kids I got to know during my 9 years in a classroom. During that time I had students that ranged from preschool aged to rising 6th graders, and I can remember them all.   I miss them.   I miss all of them.   Today, one of them is already in heaven. The rest currently range from 3rd graders to college age. Students, You still bring me joy - even all these years later. May the Lord bless you and keep you. I love you and I remember you. Thank you for the honor of being your teacher. Love, Ms. Emily/Ms. Fowler _____________________________ I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Do n...

For my precious friend, Lara. Lara is one of those kinds of friends that is there for you no matter what.  She has found ways to include me in "life" since the TBI unlike anyone else.  We met almost 10 years ago after she moved to Huntsville and she came to my small group.  This past fall, she invited me to her small group and it is there that I've found community with a TBI.  She is one of the faithful few that goes out of her way to love on those who can be difficult to love (i.e. me with all the TBI stuff).   Lara, you are a gift to me and so many others.  Thank you for allowing His light to shine through you day in and day out.  I love you lots and I'm so grateful you've shared the heart behind the hymn, Tis So Sweet. When I couldn't go to church, she took me anyway.  When I was upset and overwhelmed, she came and was there for me. The following is written in entirety by my friend, Lara: I recently picked up a paint by number kit. I wante...