Empathize-‘Tis the Season to...

Christmas Over Venice- Acrylic - By Karen Ann Hitt

As this begins the final week before Christmas is celebrated... Tis the season to share this painting, painted in 2011 I believe it was. Another original that i do wish that I had held on to.  Alas, I hope that it continues to bring a slice of Christmas thoughts to Venice... the beloved town that I am blessed to call home sweet home for many a year now.

As began to attempt to journal the other day... after going through files, that surprisingly had me reliving many recent trials... the word EMPATHIZE is what was called to, again and again. 

Yes, this joyous time of year, for many is the opposite of that.  Remember to simply choose to be kind... you never know what another is going through.  Below, easier to typing it all out, are the journal pages from the entry in my 155th journal.  If you click on any of the images, you should be able to enlarge them enough to read them.  I never know why sometimes I am compelled to share beyond my quiet time chair... but alas, that is where this blog site began...  it has been a very long time since sharing here.  Simply want to wish to all, a season of JOY finding its way to filling your hearts with love and encouragements, no matter the place you find yourself today.  This heart simply knows first hand, tiz the season to empathize... LOVE and JOY i send to you.  Read at will the entries below.  May they somehow encourage you, no matter what you are going through.  I, NO scholar, theologian, writer, or or or.... heck, i do not even know the true formula for a proper sentence or how to spell to save my life.  Simply know, that through it all, LIFE is GOOD, exceedingly more than could ever hope for or imagine abounds... even if a tear should fall.  It all plays a positive roll in this life... as this study reminded this heart that it Tis the Season to Empathize... 

Empathy - Noun....

  

Evil remains evil and hell bent, Good remains Good, and heavenly bound.  I do not EVER seek to talk politics or religion, or do I ever want to offend anyone. I simply seek to reflect the inspirations inspired to paint.

'Master' Inspiration - 'Master' Encouragement

A Art major, which is indeed a NON Theologians sharing here, who doesn't know how to write a proper sentence to save their life... God only knows why this share from Quiet Time Chair finds itself across the country from its usual home sweet home. Sometimes God's encouraging Word, simply feel compelled to share.  Master: meaning 'The Master', our loving God, and 'Master' Artist's works of art too, both a source to study and hopefully learn from.  Visiting Family in California this past month, has landed us up in the Sierra Mountains and beautiful Lakes up here too. The area is also experiencing epic snow melt run off everywhere we visit.  Its overwhelmingly beautiful up here.  Mind boggling too for this Artist.  Inspirations may abound, so does the humbling of the majesty of the images before me.  

Michelangelo's quote comes to heart:  

"The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection"

so the mornings study...

A few Red Letters my Bible is

Inspiration: Edgar Payne- 62x52 Painting of the Sierra's

bookmarked at today:
Matthew 9:16 No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. 17 Neither do we pour new wine into old wineskins.  If they do; the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined.  No, they pour new wine into new wineskins and both are preserved. - Jesus

*Jesus brings a newness that can not be confined within the old forms

Thank you Lord for Your God breathed LIVING Word - relevant to every breath taken in these today's -- spoken Godspeed.

Edgar Payne

Edgar Payne

 This/these led to after praying the day before; Forgive me Lord, my insecurities are running rampant - feel like a failure because of them.  Show me how to overcome Lord, in your ways filling the errors in mine, mercifully so. Praying Lord to reflect Your love, grace and fellowship-- to be a good steward of Your gifts and talents.

personal attempt at surroundings...

Being reminded that if we proclaim to walk by faith not sight; we must Believe in ALL of God's Truths.  These Red Letters are Jesus' reply to "Jesus Questioned About Fasting"  Verse 9:15 Key to His reply.

Key: faith is NOT 'ritual religious' practices as in Biblical times when the Pharisees would call their disciples to fast 2x's per week.  Jesus does not measure one by their 'ritual religious practices' - He measures one by the motive of their heart.

Faith in Christ; back to John 1:14a The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us... 17 For the law was given through Moses (10 Commandments) ; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. <><  
Yes, It is important to hold onto the Truth as one walks by faith.  The Law remains; we are blanketed in it with grace and truth through Jesus Christ.
     The motive of ones heart if of Christ Jesus, is Love.  Jesus speaks in the language of love and in absolute truth.

God knows are human weaknesses better than we do ourselves.
"God is Love." "God so loved... He gave... Jesus Christ..." (see John 3:16) " that none should perish...<><
*Jesus brings a newness that cannot be confined by/in/within the old forms.

As i read on in Chapter 9:18-22 illustrates.  
9:20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for 12 years came up behind Him and touched the edge of His cloak.  21 She said to herself, "If i only touch His cloak, I will be healed"
     22 Jesus turned and saw her,  Take heart, daughter, He said, your faith has healed you.  And the woman was healed from that moment. <><<><<><
The significance of who this was and when -- profound.  Old made New is defined.  By faith old made new-- defined.  Faith is NOT ritual religious practices - faith is believing in the Gift of life in Jesus Christ, at least what this heart hears here.
 Seeing no prejudice of who or whom is IN Jesus Christ; only motive of heart & faith is measured. 
     Perhaps foreign to a non-believer.  Understanding, learned from others that shared the history of Biblical times, that in Biblical times; this woman, for 12 long years was not even allowed out in public, let alone in a crowd, let alone 'touching' anyone! Can you imagine? No other medical remedy tried had worked... desperate for a cure, in faith, she went out - seeking Jesus Christ - believing with her whole heart - that just a 'touch' would save her. 'Touch' to this woman profound -- for she was not 'allowed' to be touched , or touch, in the laws of the pharisees.  12 long years with no human touch.  She did not give up.  She did not bury her head and give up, in faith she looked up, went out, took action, in faith!
Jesus' Word "Seek and you shall find"
Matthew 9:22 Jesus turned and saw her,  Take heart, daughter, He said, your faith has healed you.  And the woman was healed from that moment.

Forced to ask therefore self; 'Do you have faith to believe in the miracle of Jesus Christ's touch on your life?

*Jesus brings a newness that cannot be confined within the old forms.

Red letters 9:16 "No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse." --Jesus.

Are you trying to take "New Creation" in Christ Jesus and sew it onto your old self?

I confess, i wake up here, far too too often.  That self defined 'most in-secure confidant person known' cripples me on a regular basis.  I 'say' i have 'faith;' in truth- i lose it far too easily.  Every stroke of the brush - so to speak - and literally .

Trusting fails if you are relying on self to trust in .  Faith fails if you are relying on self too.

     Yet- we are called to action.  We are not called to 'sit there' and dare to ask God to come serve us!  We are called to serve Gods call on our hearts in faith.  This looks different to each of us.

     We each have different gifts, talents, and needs.  Romans 12:5-6; Eph 4:7; Rom.12:2-3;

Eph 4:7But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

Romans 12:2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- His good, pleasing and perfect will.

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 

...6a We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. ...(on thru v.8 context)

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Leading next to "Love: Romans 12:9-21. Recorded only in part here: v.9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good...11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor serving The Lord. 12 Be JOYful in Hop, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 14, 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn. 16 Lin in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited. 

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19-20,21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

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Faith in Gods plan, God's LOVE God's provisions, God's grace, God's call... on us each and everyone of us.

*Jesus brings a newness that cannot be confined within the old forms<><

"...Take Heart..."He said

"your faith has healed you."

...from that moment.

From THAT moment on -live out loud - God's love IN you forever more.  Once touched - nothing can separate you

believe - walk by faith

reach out and touch the life Christ Jesus has for you---Godspeed.

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Thank You God!  As You always reply: with exceedingly/immeasurably MORE than i could hope for OR imagine. Thank YOU.

Humbly and boldly You call us to step out IN FAITH and press on to take hold of ALL Christ Jesus took hold of us for.

as i continue to seek to GROW not only as an artist to meet the next seas in life - to live out this walk of faith that has forever 'touched' this life.

Prayer remains to reflect God's Word as the LIVING God breathed Word that it is.  Relevant to EVERY breath we take in our today's... Godspeed indeed--

Godspeed.

Humbly and boldly in FAITH may i indeed proceed... 

i NO theologian or authority in any way shape or form.  Simply a believer... compelled to share from my quiet time chair of how God's Word lifted me up when discouraged, or overwhelmed.  I am thankful that I have the opportunity to study and learn, not only in the Word, also from the Artist's that came before me, and also living Artist today.  These mountains to this Florida gal are indeed a challenge and I love it, even though it makes my brain explode and it beats me up.  Being an Artist is about as humbling profession as known... there is amazing talent everywhere you look. As we HITT the road, its a challenge to try and get work done worthy of competition deadlines.  I am missing many and blessed to have been accepted into others.  I'm thrilled to be signed up for a workshop with Jill Carver in October. Not long after that I will be participating in one of the top Plein Air Events in the county; En Plein Air Texas.  Before all this, on our way back home, we pass by CO where I am an associate member of PAAC (Plein Air Artist Colorado) where I am honored a painting was accepted into their 21st annual show held at Mary Williams Fine Art.  Bottom line, just as another Michelangelo quote: "I'm still learning" that he shared at the ripe ole age of 87.  I sincerely repeat.  Growing never ends, and that is more of the Good news ...so i simply press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me for, encouraged by God's living word.  God-breathed and relevant to every breath we take in our today's!  Godspeed. 

sister Pamela at sunset, her birthday being celebrated in heaven July 29th

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* equals NIV Study notes

mornings creations song...

click on image to enlarge type

Seasons Changing...Godspeed!

Evidence of Fresh snowfall is

on top of the Grand Tetons Peaks- as it rains here in the Buffalo Valley this morning.  A theater is out our front window of the RV as we watch the changing weather passing through the mountain view.
My Bible is open to Isiah 37:30-39:2.  Here begins Chapter 38 of Isaiah 'Hezekiah Illness' its title.
Hezekiah became ill to the point of death. Isiah as a prophet went to him and said, "This is what the Lord says; Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover." (excerpts from verse 1)

verse 2: Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord. 3 "Remember, O Lord, how I have walked before You, faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes" And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
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This caused me to pause, and yes ponder what i had just read as Gods, God breathed breath of life for us to witness.  See how Hezekiah '...put your house in order..' as the prophet Isaiah counseled him to do?
He prayed a prayer of faith and trust in God----  to remember his life and his life's walk of faith.  Then, he wept at the news-- yet STILL and always 'in faith'.  Trusting  fully that God's Will was perfect.  Like David "wholehearted devotion"  Hezekiah was faithful.  God remembering him and His Will was the order he sought for his household.
Hear verses 4,5&6; excerpts here:   "...This is what The Lord, The God of your father David says; "I have heard your prayer and seen your tears;...' 7-8 too!<><<><<><

This reply/answer to Hezekiah is also our living Word reply to our wholehearted prayers of faith.

God WILL always remember

you,

me, us

our household

as we trust, obey and put ALL our faith in Him-

in life, in death

no matter the season

in ALL hope, every hope lifted to Him.

'Faith, hope and love remains.  And the greatest of these is love'

'Gods love endures forever'

AND

through Jesus Christ our Savior, death even, has lost its sting...

though tears may fall in the good byes - faith tears fall bitter sweet in the 

'peace beyond understanding' in trusting GOD with this hour, just as we trust Him with every hour... along the way.

Seasons in our lives also bring us to bitter tears and sweet love

by faith is always

God's reply.

God keeps His promises

God's Love endures forever

Great is His faithfulness-

just a few of His promises that we may hold on to.

Happiness is temporal

God doesn't promise us happiness, in fact it is written that in this world we will have troubles.  When you/we/me find our-self in them, may God hear our pure heart cry of faith, above the fear that with a whole heart God has called us to cast it to Him- 

Good News remains "He cares for ..." your

Joy remains in the Sovereignty of God-

no matter the view.  Sometimes it is best seen through bitter sweet tears of faith-- in them, through them comes our "Thank You God"

Those whom have gone through tragedy seeming know this more than most.  There really are no words to describe: God's PEACE beyond understanding" except that it is as true as the greatest symbol of the Truth that "God keeps His promises' -- the Rainbow.
 A Rainbow only comes from clouds... ever notice that?

Its a  rainy rainy rainy day here in the Grand Tetons.

The season in life remains renewed in God's hands.  Fall marks Winter is coming.  No matter the season at hand, in Gods hands - Peace remains and His care for us too.

Isaiah 38:9-20 is Hezekiah, king of Judah's than you prayer through illness to Gods recovery for him.  "Great is His faithfulness" proclaimed loud and clear.

Insight and wisdom of the Lord delivered too as seen in verse 17: "Surely it was for my benefit that i suffered such anguish.  In Your love You kept me from the pit of destruction.  You have put all my sins behind your back"

<><<><<><  Such a reflection of God's glory in ones heart is in this verse.  Read all for complete context.  Rescued from the grave-- we each may proclaim-- by grace; a GIFT from God Almighty Himself directly to us each- God-breathed.  Be it physical or spiritual healing. 

Here, Hezekiah's illness revealed both to him.  

TRUTH:

God not only puts our sins out of sight, He also puts them out of reach (Micah 7:19; Psalm 103:12)

and out of mind (Jeremiah 31:34)

and out of existence! (Isaiah 43:25; 44:22; Psalm 51;1,9; Acts 3:19) 

v.18 For the grave cannot praise You, death cannot sing Your praise; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness.

19  The living, the living ---they praise You, as i am doing today;

fathers tell their children about Your faithfulness

20 The Lord will save me, and WE will sing with stringed instruments

ALL THE DAYS OF OUR LIVES

in the temple of The Lord

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It is a very rainy morn here in the Grand Tetons Buffalo Valley--- ALL is well-- a rainbow is out there somewhere, as is the truth of God:

God keeps His Promise

God's Love endures forever and ever!

Amen!!

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noting some previous shares in this life; the highs and lows and the ALL good remains.  Life is hard, GOD is good.  His LOVE endures forever! 

A little of my before is at Fine Art Connoisseur Collector  

and a little of my after is at An Original Hitt Events  

and a little of my current is at Karen Hitt Out And About Blog 

I don't usually share these details here at my Christian blog site.  Do believe they are relevant this hour too though.  For God seems to be showing me more and more, that no matter what we see, no matter the season, it is His GODSPEED that leads us on if we choose to walk by faith, not by sight-

Godspeed lives out loud indeed.  

  

Negate

quick mobile phone pictures...

click on any to enlarge

Ash Wednesday "In His Light...Before The Dawn" illustrated by " No Mooring Today, Saw The Light" painted en Plein Air on the Grace Love Fellowship Tour at Scituate Harbor MA, Leg IV..Part of a solo 21K+ mile, 5 month journey culminating to the "At That Moment..." Exhibit, opening on 27 February 2015, 5pm. I hang that exhibit on Monday! As finalizing titles, got a smile on how this ones fit in today's thoughts.  To save time am simply posting the literal Journal Pages today... as have many pressing deadlines at hand. 
Gods word shared 'negate; with peace.  For nothing can 'negate' the Word of God-- or His mission for us each.  As He speaks personally to us each, yet also that same Word is for all... Without prejudice.  I so LOVE God!!!
And thank Him for the blessing of this day... Godspeed.

Revenge is really meant as another R word

A NON theologian, NON authority... thoughts:

Mary's Chapel- by K Hitt

The LIVING Word is God's First fruit for us,  especially when applied as the first fruit to the day.  

For this IS a day that the Lord has made, and we may indeed rejoice and be glad in it. 

Beyond any circumstance.

Gods LIVING Word- Godspeed; answers our prayers... for God's word remains in our heart;  Prayerfully to overflowing.

Such hope is in Rom 11:29-36

v29 for God's gifts and His call are irrevocable...

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God

does NOT change His mind

with reference to His call.

God's purpose remains and shall 

be fulfilled-- even in unbelief,

God's GOOD purposes and truths remain, 

and shall overcome.

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v.36 For from Him and through Him and To Him are ALL things.

To Him be the glory forever! Amen.

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in this hope, pray to apply God's GIFT with His call on this heart in a manor worthy of the gospel of Jesus Chrst.  Praying constantly for focus, ability, details, strokes, motives..... work; God to get done, where i am weak, HE be the strength.

Paint The Trinity, if 'we' are heirs, we therefore also a part of that image... 

then 'we' are a portrait of God too.  Humbling thought God.. yet God the Almighty is from where we come, through whom we come, and are the 'to' where we come-- and indeed our ALL things.

To God be the glory forever and ever.  In Jesus' name the Amen is spoken and it is done.

Romans 12:3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: do NOT think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

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12:6 (A) We have different gifts, according to the grace (God has) given us...

(B) If a mans gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.

<><<><<>< noting: Gods balance here-- there is to be NO false modesty that denies the existance of gifts or refuses to use them... in proportion to His faith.

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by faith we walk, not by sight.

Faith breaths hope that blankets love.

Faith, hope and love remains and the greatest of these is love.

LOVE

Romans 12:9-21

Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves  

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor serving the Lord.  

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  

Share with God's people who are in need. Patrice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 

Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn.  

Live in harmony with one another. 

Do NOT be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  

Do NOT be conceited.  

Do NOT repay evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do NOT take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written;

"It is Mine to avenge; I WILL repay, " says the Lord. 

On the contrary; "If your enemy is hungry, feed him, if he is thirsty, 

give him something to drink.

in doing this you will heap burning coals on his head."

do NOT be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with Good.

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noting v.20 instead of trying to take revenge, may bring about their repentance.

May we each never forget that is God's ultimate hope for ALL mankind. 

NOT ever to destroy- instead to reconcile the world to LOVE.  

God IS love.

reflect that as our call... 

Godspeed.

We all hear the truth in our hearts here too that when we read this word here about God revenging our enemy that we let out a silent little cheer.  

The TRUTH here in God's message is the truth underlying God's motive 

-- LOVE -- 

leading to repentance 

as the greatest revenge... 

hold that thought in your heart and press on in it...

Godspeed indeed.

a prayer;

God, thank you for this your word... may it be the focus as seek to press on .  

Guide with it Lord, and may it be the peace-- Godspeed