He called her Hephzibah

  "Come to Me all who are weary and burdened & I will give you rest." -Matthew 11:28 I must ask for grace this month as it is going to be really short.  I've had a lot going on recently and I'm not able to dedicate the time to this devotion that I would like.    I need this verse right now.  I need to know that Jesus can carry these heavy burdens.  They are not too much for Him. When I painted this, I was thinking of things that bring me comfort in the fall.  What is something that brings you comfort? Lately, these things have not brought their usual comfort- my brain and body are too overwhelmed by a heavy heart.  I'm too tired to paint or light a candle or even make a cup of tea.   I'm having to take extra steps to help my body get through the day- and it is exhausting.   If you find yourself exhausted this month- take some time to just breathe.  I have a bad habit of holding my breath when I get stressed.  Thos...

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace." Her name was Helen Howarth Lemmel.  She was born in England in 1863.  She loved music and studied under the best vocal teachers of the time in both America and Germany.  She married rich, but in the middle of her life she lost her vision and her husband abandoned her.  She grew older and ended up living with government assistance in a single bedroom.  She initially didn't find the words of this beloved hymn to be a song, but the Holy Spirit worked to bring it to life.  This song was one of nearly 500 hymns that she wrote during her lifetime.  She died blind and in love with her Jesus just two weeks shy of her 98th birthday. (Morgan, 2011) When you hear the phrase, "turn your eyes upon Jesus." what comes to mind? When you think of Jesus, what do you see? I'd like to press you on that second question- don...

  For Katie My brother Noah was still living at home.  He would go and walk the neighborhood with "this girl named Katie."  Before I even met you, Katie, I knew Noah was completely smitten.  I knew if things didn't work out when you were dating, Noah would never have gotten over you.  He loved you and it was obvious to everyone who knew him.  I am so thankful for you, sweet Katie.  You bring so much light and joy to our family.  You are an excellent match for my brother.  Thanks for loving him so well.  I am so thankful to call you "sister."  I love you lots!  Thanks for sharing your heart with us here on the blog.               "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you."  - Isaiah 26:3 "When I was working night shift at the hospital when my husband and I were first married, there was a period of time where I dreaded going to work. The hours were ...

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,...