He called her Hephzibah

Like several of the paintings in this calendar- this one holds special meaning.  It is dedicated to my lifelong bestie, Shannon.   We met in 2nd grade and have been keeping each other laughing ever since.  We learned how to drive together, laughed until our sides have hurt, and have cried together.  When my mom let a few close friends know about my head injury, Shannon hopped in the car and drove 5+ hours to hang out in the hospital parking lot while I was inside.  She brought me granola bars, face wipes and bottled water.  She is my sister and very dear friend.   Thanks for sharing your verse with us this month, Shan. "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." -Psalm 23:6 What follows you around?  Your kids? Your dog? Your phone? Your past?  According to this verse, the goodness and mercy of the Lord are what follow you. This verse begins with the word "su...

  "...He is not here; He has risen!  Remember how He told you while He was still with you in Galilee, 'the Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and, on the third day, be raised again."                  -Luke 24:6-7 I will never forget having my kindergarten class sit with me on our classroom carpet as I told them the story behind Easter.  After the story, I did my "teacherly duty" to check for understanding.  One of the questions I asked them was "What held Jesus on the cross?"  I was expecting "nails" but one of my kiddos blew that idea out of the water. What held Jesus on the cross? "His love for us" That six year old was so sure of himself, and he could not have been more right. The inspiration behind this painting came a few years later as I watched my students create a cross with fresh flowers. I remember being in such awe that God would take ...

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.  - Numbers 6:24-26  Last year my sweet cousin (sister to the one mentioned in February's post) came to visit me during the initial stages of my recovery.  She brought me a pink lady plant.  This opened up a whole new hobby for me in plant keeping.  After having this happy little plant in my window for several months, I soon noticed a mushroom! Until that little guy popped up, I really didn't know that much about mushrooms.  So when I noticed this guy in my pot, I did a little research.  Essentially what I found was this: It was likely a leucocoprinus birnbaumil or a similar variation Toxic to people and animals Not harmful to the plant Breaks down dead organic matter in the soil From what little I know about plants, the breaking down of organic matter is good for the soil because it then releases things that...

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.  -John 16:33- This painting is dedicated to my lifelong sister, dearest friend, and beloved cousin, Dawn.  We've been buddies all of our lives and I am so thankful for her.  John 16:33 is her favorite bible verse.  Her words sum up this verse in a beautiful way, so with her permission I'm sharing them with you.  This is what she says: I have many "favorite" verses and passages, but John 16:33 seems to have become my personal anthem. Three short sentences spoken from the mouth of Jesus have been a balm to my soul in many seasons of life. I hear them in my head, like a beautifully broken record, "take heart... take heart... take heart." As I've grown in years and (hopefully) maturity, I've found this verse is key to daily peace in a world moving at breakneck speed. It's Jesus. It's always been and wi...

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.   -Psalm 103:13- Take a moment & reflect: Who loved you best as a child? Polar bears are among the best mothers in all of nature.  They feed and protect their cubs for 2 1/2 years before sending them off to start their own family.  I remember being upset in elementary school when I learned that father polar bears are not good fathers.  They leave or try to attack the cubs.  If you already knew that, you may have scratched your head to see this verse about good fathers on a painting with polar bears.  As I contemplated which verse to add to this painting, I struggled with Psalm 103:13.  I could think of so many who I know and love that did not have a compassionate father.  How can I put this verse in here, knowing these loved ones would be getting a calendar?  I know some wonderful fathers, but I also know some lousy ones.  What do I do ...

Welcome!  I'm so glad you're here! Beginning on January 1st I will post a short devotional to go along with January's polar bear painting.  Subsequently, I will post on the first of each month to share the story behind each painting in the calendar.  Until then, feel free to check out the links above.   See you in 2023!