Goodbye Artful Monday

One of my favorite blogs to create is Artful Mondays, unfortunately, it seems to be a favorite blog to steal. After only two postings of the Artful Monday blog, I have found my art on more than 13 sites where someone is claiming it as their own.
I know that imitation is the strongest form of flattery, but theft is theft. When art is created, it becomes an extension of you, albeit, its an extension you want to share with others, its still your and a very personal part of you.
Due to the theft of intellectual and creative property, I will no longer be posting the Artful Monday blog.
Thanks to all who responded to the blog entries during their short run.

Artful Monday - Up Close

Up Close

In Times of Depression

It's that time again, all my regulars know we take a minute to ponder God's word on Sunday, and I hope that on your own, you spend some time during the week in study of the bible, koran, etc.
Today, we are pondering "In Times of Depression". As always in this blog, each person is encouraged to apply words, phrases, and the blog as a whole to their lives and experiences in a way that it best serves them. Depression can be an emotional, financial or even physical state; regardless of the state, God's word has a message for us in response to depression.
At some point, all of us have been depressed in some form. Many people suffer silently from severe depression, never going for the professional help from man or the spiritual help from God. In all things that we experience in life, God has given us the tools we need to survive and to overcome obstacles, depression in no different.
Although its natural and human to be afraid and get discouraged, especially in times when we might be depressed, God has supplied us with a roadmap to make it through the darkest of hours. In Deuteronomy 31:8, the bible tells us "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged". This scripture lets us know that all of us can expect some trying times and some depressing times. It is in these moments when we must trust in God and in his word. He has assured us that he will not leave us alone in our darkest hour. Sometimes when the times are the toughest, it is only God that remains with us, even when our closet friends and family have withdrawn.
When you are depressed, do you draw near to God and lean on his word and the promises he has made? Even though your faith is tested and it seems depression has overcome you, can you still feel the hand of God supporting you through the toughest of times? For You To Ponder...

Artful Monday - SURFACE

Surface

Artful Monday

Ok, we are trying something new, be nice and oblige me by playing along. It's time to expand our horizons. I think it's clear we all love the written word and dissecting its meaning as it pertains to each of us, if we didn't we wouldn't blog or read blogs would we.
I'd like to embark on new territory; I'm a fan of abstract art, partly because it leaves lots of interpretation to the viewer, and its a wonderful tool for expressive conversation. I'm no Pablo Picasso, but I like to dabble in abstract art, I find it to be a useful mechanism in relaxing. Starting today, we will make Mondays our art day. I will post a piece of abstract art with no supporting verbiage, the piece should communicate to you on its own. Let's see how each of us views it and what comments it can shake up, most of all, lets have some fun doing something different!
Today's piece For You To Ponder is titled Madness.

Is Prayer Enough

You know Sunday always brings a dose of religion for you to ponder. Today, we ponder, Is Prayer enough? I know, you're thinking "prayer is all you need", well, not exactly. Prayer is the main ingredient in making requests and expecting a response from God. The part that seems to be overlooked is another main ingredient, believing. Matthew 21:22 tells us " And all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Many of us forget this key word and ingredient when going to God in prayer. It is essential that we believe that God CAN answer our prayers. It is not enough just to pray, we must also believe.
This ingredient is again provided to us in Mark 11:24 where we are told "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. God has provided all the directions we need for prayer to be a major vessel in our lives, we need only follow the instructions provided and believe in him that has the power to deliver.
I would be remiss if I neglected to also mention that our character comes into play when we pray. It is not intended that we go out and knowingly commit sin, yet turn around and ask God for blessings in prayer, never stopping to ask for forgiveness for our sins. God takes into account the status of our soul when we pray. Proverbs 15:29 tells us "The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous". The status of our soul does matter when we pray. 1John echoes this in 3:22 as it tells us And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight". The scripture is telling us that another main ingredient in prayer is following God's commandments.
On this Sunday, let us ponder, are our prayers enough? Are we including all the needed ingredients to get our prayers answered? For You To Ponder.

A Simple Tune

I'm awake. It's the middle of the night and a simple tune is playing in my head. Over and over again I hear the opening bars of Harold Melvin and the Blue Note's I Miss You. I'm trying to think of other things, was I dreaming something that sparked this tune? Was it something I was thinking as I eased into sleep earlier? Whatever the reason, this simple tune is relentlessly playing in my head.
I don't quite know what to do with myself. I could drink, of course I have to be up and ready for work in a few hours so drinking now would make me resemble an alcoholic and there will be none of THAT round here! I could eat, but then I would be packing on pounds that I am so doggedly trying to loose. I guess it's clear to see what I will do as I attempt to get this song out of my head, I will blog.
The keystrokes seem to be in time with the tune playing in my head, I type faster but the song is still there. I see her picture when I close my eyes, it fits with the song. I am tempted to look at old pictures but that will only bring up old memories and give a new hurt.
I'm convinced some higher power has decided its necessary that I am awakened and reminded of the past and how it came to be the past. The mistakes i've made where she is concerned are being shown to me during these wee hours of the morning, they are masquerading as a Simple tune, I Miss You. Perhaps this is not for you to ponder, but for me to ponder.