An Artist's Thoughts

"My instinct about painting says, 'if you don't think about it, it's right.' As soon as you have to decide and choose, it's wrong. And the more you decide about, the more wrong it gets." ~ Andy Warhol

An Artist's Thoughts

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." ~ Pablo Picasso

A Current Favorite

One of the songs on the Barlow Girl CD is Never Alone, probably one of their best, I think. A reminder that even when I feel completely alone; and I wonder if even God is there still, I know that He is there just as He has promised ... He will never leave me, nor forsake me. He is unchanging. He is omnipresent. He is the great I Am!

Even though I can't see Him, I still know He loves me and is right there with me.

"So I'll hold tight to what I know
You're here and I'm never alone."

Barlow Girl

Project Read, The Spy Wore Red

Interesting account of a spy during World War II ... and of course, I'm a big spy fan. Maybe I should go work for the CIA.

Treasures

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God." 1 John 4:1-3

Project Read, Nighttime is my time

Finished MHC "Nighttime is my time". Really good!

Project Read, Tuesdays with Morrie

Decided to read this after Manning mentioned it in his "Ruthless Trust."

Treasures

"Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, that you and your descendants might live! Choose to love the LORD your God and to obey him and commit yourself to him, for he is your life. Then you will live long in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NLT

Project Read, The House of Mirth

"The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth" Ecclesiastes 7:4

This morning I finished another of Wharton's books, a bit depressing with the tragic ending, but still extremely good. Lily wants to have it all, but especially the life in high society, and struggles to afford it, thus leading to her downfall.

"Once--twice--you gave me the chance to escape from my life and I refused it: refused it because I was a coward." she tells Seldon.

Interesting Finds

In Praise of Old Books (Charles Colson, Breakpoint)
Colson's Summer 2004 reading list

From Studio 109

I've recently made some updates to my web site, and have finished a couple of paintings finally that I've been working on for the past couple of years. Visit the online gallery:

Two Sunflowers

On the Run

State Fair 5K

After determining that neither of us was really ready for this race today, my running buddy and I decided we would just run incredibly slow, instead of sprinting at the beginning and losing the energy to run the race in it's entirety. Time 31:28. (we managed to finish without walking)

T-shirt is definitely cooler than last year's.

Project Read, Ruthless Trust

Manning is a good author. Some gleanings:


"Live in the now-here. When you walk, walk. When you wash dishes, wash." Don't be spending that time thinking and worrying of all the bazillions of things you must do later. Just enjoy the walk, and trust that God has everything in the future taken care of.

p163- "In everything, give thanks [whether good or bad]." 1 Thes. 5:18

p178- "You will trust Him to the degree that you know are loved by Him." After experiencing Him, you come to love and then trust Him.

Project Read, The Great House of God

Another great Lucado book!

"One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock." Psalm 27:4-5, see also Psalm 23

"The best to be is at home with God, never to leave ('pray without ceasing' 1 Thess. 5:17). Worship instead of worry. Let His grace flow through you to forgive, etc."

"So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ--that's where the action is. See things from his perspective." Colossians 3:1-2, MSG

"As long as our eyes are on His Majesty there is a bounce in our step. But let our eyes focus on the [path] beneath us and we grumble about every rock and crevice we have to cross. We become sullen and selfish."

"Do 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." Romans 12:2

Project Read, Ethan Frome

I've been wanting to try one of Wharton's. Very well-written.

Project Read, Twanged

On the Run

Ran a 5K today benefitting the Christian Care Center.

Clocked 26:42
:: had a long seemingly unending hill for the third mile
Nifty Tshirt =)

Project Read, In the Grip of Grace

Took awhile to find the time to finish this one. But a very good one of Lucado's!

Project Read, Decked

I feel the sudden urge to go on a cruise!

Project Read, Pemberly

This was an interesting take on what might have occured to Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy had Austen continued their story with a sequel.