MY BOOKS HAVE FINALLY ARRIVED!

 

BOOKS HAVE ARRIVED! Here’s how you get your autographed copy:

 MCCORMICK AREA -

 “open house”  Sunday, October 5

between 12:30 and 2:00

and then again at 5:00 and 7:00.

$20.00 Cash, credit card or check.

121 Popular Circle. 

(I will schedule another date in the next week or so)

DIMONDALE -

PLEASE COMMENT BELOW (before Tuesday, October 7) TO RESERVE A COPY.

I won’t be able to leave extras. 

Delivering to Beth E. 

Meet her after the church service Sunday, October 12 

or at the knitting group Monday, October 13 from 3:00 - 4:30. 

Please make plans to pick up your book during one of these two times. 

Please mail all payments to me. $20.00

PILGRIMAGE -

I will bring a supply with me to MP#75. IF YOU AREN’T ON TEAM BUT know someone on team and want to make arrangements with them, please comment below to reserve a copy, payment method ($20.00), and who is collecting a book for you. 

If none of these options work for you, you can order through Amazon. https://a.co/d/eIw52zA

If you want me to send you an autographed copy, it will cost an additional $5.00 to cover shipping. 

Thank you and I look forward to nurturing your souls through this - my first real published book!

CHRISTMAS CARD SHOP IS NOW OPEN!

JUST CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW - IT WILL TAKE YOU STRAIGHT TO THE CHRISTMAS CARD SHOP. 

 https://intermissionsforhope.blogspot.com/p/christmas-card-shop.html

I want some peace - some good days

 

 Embrace peace—don’t let it get away! - Psalm 34:14 MSG

I can think of lots of things that make me crabby. Stiff, sore muscles every morning. A to-do list that should be called the never-ending list. It’s getting cold outside. Stresses. Pressures. Money. Traffic. Relationships. A sense of constantly rushing. Preparing for the upcoming holidays. I could work myself up into quite a sour mood … is that really how I want to spend my days? Continually all worked up - waiting for everything, everything, to calm down and be perfect so that I can finally relax and enjoy God’s blessings? There is an old hymn that says if you wait, if you tarry, you will never come at all…

For every complaint I can dream up, there is a blessing from God that I am overlooking when I do. Juicy peaches. Crisp apples. Colorful leaves. Clean, fresh air. Savory soups and stews. Favorite sweaters. Football games. One more campfire. Snuggly quilts. Seasonal teas and coffees. A pumpkin or two on the front step. Brand new episodes of your favorite shows. A good book to read. Chatting leisurely on the phone. Flannel pajamas.  There is beauty and times to relish no matter what else is going on in your life. 

Above all else, guard your hearts, for everything you do flows from it. - Proverbs 4:23

Are you willing to have your eyes opened to the glory of the Lord all around you? Right now? When you seek God - you will find it – peace and good days.

What would you add to this Fall blessings list?

A time to store up

 Are you watching, are you seeing all those squirrels - storing up for the winter months? They know, somehow, with God-given instinct, that what they need will at some point become scarce. And so they prepare now while there is time. While the food can be seen, found, and stored for the future. I’m not sure there is a squirrel not preparing for winter. I bet they all do it without even thinking of any other option. We know the Lord always provides.

 All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. - Psalm 104:2 NIV

What a miraculous thing to consider! 

The Lord offers us “a spiritual food”, His Word to guide and provide and fill our every need. We should not wait until the “winter months” of our life, when hope and faith may feel scarce. But we should gather up all the truths the Lord has for us, keep His promises buried deep in our hearts and minds. Stored up and prepared. Then the “winter” will not be so harsh. All we have needed, the Lord indeeds provides - offers - and we just need to take time to receive it.

Don’t wait for the winter storms, the blizzard, that may come into your life. Don’t let it catch you unprepared. Make God’s Word a steady intake of nourishment for your soul. It will provide peace and comfort when the storms of life come. There will be no need to panic because the Lord is faithful in offering all you need prior to you even needing it.

Come. Take. Eat.

 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. - Isaiah 55:2 NIV

 But Mary treasured [kept; preserved] these things and continued to think about them [pondered/considered them in her heart]. - Luke 2:19 EXB

Direct link to my new book on Amazon:

https://a.co/d/eIw52zA

Direct link to my card shop:

https://intermissionsforhope.blogspot.com/p/new-card-catalog-1123.html

MY BOOK - ON AMAZON!

 Here I am - on Amazon! I’ve placed my order for several copies (delivery date October 2-5) and I still plan on hand delivering copies to those in Michigan. From impossible dream to reality! Take a look at the READ SAMPLE option when you click on the book in Amazon. It will take your breath away! It turned out so awesome! Thanks be to God first and foremost. Thanks to the Well Publishers for pulling it all together! Excited!

Below is the direct link to my book on Amazon:

https://a.co/d/eIw52zA

Direct link to the card shop:

https://intermissionsforhope.blogspot.com/p/new-card-catalog-1123.html

Who wants one of my books?

 

Just take a look! Look at all the color! It took my breath away - just holding it in my hands! It is so awesome in real life! I have already showed it to a few people and they love it too! My first real book! 

I will be ordering some to sell real soon. Looks like it will be $20.00 plus $5.00 if I need to ship it. I will be in Michigan the end of September so reach out to make arrangements for pick up or delivery. It will also be available on Amazon soon as well. I am new to marketing a book so help me get the word out. As you can see from the video, it would make a great gift for a variety of people. Not only the heartwarming pictures, but some great messages of the love and care God has for you. Email me to place an order and make delivery arrangements.

juliecrane.57@att.net

Thank you for all your love and support!

 

In case you missed it…(and book update!)

 

Pausing in His Presence … A proof copy of my devotional book is on its way to me and should arrive in my mailbox this Saturday! I am beyond excited! I get to hold the real thing in my hands! Once I approve of the final copy, it can be published and available for purchase. I will be getting a supply for myself - and autograph some copies - for sale. But it will also be available on Amazon. SOON!

Enjoy some other messages God has placed on my heart to share:

God bless you one and all!

Julie

 

It bears repeating

 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13 - NKJV

Today's post is meant to be read aloud, or at least a whisper ...

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. - NIV

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me (I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency). - AMPC

I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength. - CEB

I can do all things through him who gives me power. - CJB

Christ gives me the strength to face anything. - CEV

I can do all things by means of the One strengthening me. - DLNT

Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do. - ERV

... for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power. - TLB

Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. - MSG

I have strength for everything through him who empowers me. - NABRE

And I find that the strength of Christ's explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty. - TPT

Feel free to share this post. You wouldn't believe how many of your friends are really battling with something right now and need an encouraging word ... battles you know nothing about.

2016 and again today

 This is an article I found on a free website called archive.org where you can find publications no longer in print. One of my favorites was a magazine called Weavings. This morning’s reading hit me hard because it is still so relevant today. Just reading the first page… look and see if it doesn’t relate to you in some deep and meaningful way as well.

https://archive.org/details/weavingsjournalo0314unse

(Click on each picture for better viewing)

Fall temptations

 

Oh wow! Just look at all the offerings for the fall season! Are you excited? I sure am! I bet you can find several you would like to have on hand. Visit the card shop and place your order today. 

https://intermissionsforhope.blogspot.com/p/new-card-catalog-1123.html

NOTE: New pricing for those orders that need to be shipped:

10 cards for $12.00

Orders that can be delivered or picked up remain the same: 12 cards for $10.00

BUT GUESS WHAT? I WILL BE IN MICHIGAN LATE SEPTEMBER AND AGAIN IN EARLY OCTOBER- so maybe we can make delivery/pick up arrangements and you can get more bang for your buck. 😊

I’m here to meet your stay-in-touch with loving supportive note needs. 

(Click on photos to enlarge for better viewing)

Are you okay?

 

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

They all looked so normal. Holding coffee cups, reading books. Someone on their phone. Others heads together chatting softly. Normal people stuff. Sure looked like regular people having a regular day. Right? Are you picturing a coffee shop perhaps?

The fact is, this is taking place in a hospital waiting room.Waiting for lab work to be done. Waiting for radiology. Which means all these normal, average looking people have some real issues they are contenting with.

It sure is hard to tell just by looks who is dealing with pain.Worries. Strife. Anxious over the possible outcomes. They sure looked okay - just by looking. But this scene could very easily be found in a coffee shop, grocery store line, worship center, at the bank, at work, any group gathering really. 

It made me pause and think - so many of us, carrying burdens, yet carrying on with regular normal routines of daily life.

Looks don't tell the whole story. Stuff is going on the the life of the one with the smile. Stuff they are trying to grin-and-bear through. More people than you realize.

So let's be gentle. And kind. You don't need to know the whole background story. Just like we all have sinned, we all have trials and tribulations too. 

Let us pray for the known - and the unknown - burdens of each other.
Let's just be a little more gracious and forgiving.
Let's draw everybody a little closer to God.
The God Who carries us through it all.

And you know that the Lord has taken care of us the whole time we've been in the desert, just as you might carry one of your children. (Deuteronomy 1:31 CEB)

Whose turn is it?

I think I need a rest from all the pursuing and striving; the trying; and being so focused on being a good servant every minute. It is draining and daunting. God doesn’t refer to us solely as servants. But also Beloved. Child. Friend. I think we are meant to enjoy life as it comes. Trusting the Lord to lead us into good service - in His timing - His place - His ideas - His energy.

You will hear His voice. He knows how to reach you. He knows how to lay things on your heart. You must believe that you won’t miss a thing. In the meantime, enjoy His blessings until He summons you. And when He calls, may your spirit respond. “I get to serve the Lord! With His wisdom and His power infused in me!” You can’t miss! And gladness will fill your soul. Be grateful for this thin-space, this bonding time with the Lord.

Yes. When He calls on you, when it’s your turn - serve the Lord with gladness. Share in His smile. Walk cheerfully into the commission. You don’t need to run and chase after opportunities to serve God. God already has it proportioned out. Which one of us does this or that. When and where. He won’t let you miss your turn to share in the joy of working closely alongside Him.

And in between - rest and play and enjoy living in His love and care. It is to His good pleasure to see us enjoying Him and all the benefits of being His servant, beloved, child, and friend. 

 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands!

Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing!

Know ye that the Lord, He is God; it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves. We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. 

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise!

Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name!

For the Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.

- Psalm 100

 

Growing in comfort and ease

 

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence … (Hebrews 4:16)

We rescued our two cats from the shelter several years ago. One of them had been left alone a lot in her previous home, so she hid under the couch and behind the bed all the time when we first got her. Of course we worried. We wanted to love her and feed her and let her know she was safe with us.

Do your fears sometimes keep you from spending time with God?

Eventually she dared to come out in the open. She was cautious and she wasn’t crazy about being picked up; didn’t want to be held.

Are you sometimes cautious about how you allow God to approach you and what you allow Him to do with your life? How you let Him love and care for you? 

After some time, she felt safer and more secure and moved more freely about the house. On occasion, she even jumped into my lap for a back rub. But it was on her terms.

Do you also need to be in control of when and how you meet with God?

And now she’s grown to the point of letting us pick her up and hold her.

Are you comfortable living in front of God? Are you able to enjoy His presence – get up in His lap?

We didn’t get to the comfort and ease part with her right away. We had to keep connecting with her, seeking her out. A safe and comfortable – approachable - relationship developed with constant nurturing.

Are you growing into a confident relationship with Christ?

May the peace and love and care of the Lord be yours…

Instead of…

Many of you have flower gardens and I know you spend a lot of time pulling ugly weeds to make more room for your beautiful flowers; in hopes that the flowering plants will overrun the weeds and take over the space.

Grow, flowers, grow! Reach down deep and suck up all the nutrients from the ground. Leave nothing for those weeds. Reach up high for the sunlight and all it offers as well. Keep the weeds hidden beneath your leaves so they die in the darkness. Yes, speak softly and gently to those flowers and prune a little back for more growth. Right?

As one grows; the other will surely die for lack of attention.

And so it is, or can be, in the world around us. So much attention to the weeds and thorns of life. When the Bible says to overcome evil with good - isn’t that just like tending to your garden? Drown out the hurtful; crowd it out, with more lovingkindness.

Can you see it; envision it? Dream. Imagine. And now begin replacing. Displacing.

And let it begin with me. In my heart. My motives. My outlook. My impact.

 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Starve the old out of its energy and strength and power. And the old, bitter, hurtful will be outnumbered. Spend less energy on trying not to be sinful and more focus on being more of what God wants you to be. Let the better take root. Let the better take over. 

Grow, dear child of God, grow! Reach down deep and suck up all the nutrients from the ground (the firm foundation of Christ). Leave nothing for those weeds. Reach up high for the sunlight and all it offers as well.  Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”  John 8:12 Keep the weeds hidden beneath your leaves of trust and belief so they die in the darkness. Yes, speak softly and gently to those flowers of faith and prune back any doubts for more growth. 

Let the earth be full of His glory. 

From 1 Peter 3:8-12 MSG

 Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing. Whoever wants to embrace life and see the day fill up with good, Here’s what you do: Say nothing evil or hurtful; Snub evil and cultivate good; run after peace for all you’re worth. God looks on all this with approval, listening and responding well to what he’s asked; But he turns his back on those who do evil things.

Orders to be shipped

 Effective August 1, 2025 - there will be a price change for those orders that need to be shipped versus picked up or delivered locally. THIS IS FOR ORDERS THAT NEED TO BE SHIPPED ONLY.

10 cards for $12.00

to help absorb some of the cost of postage

All other orders will remain -

12 cards for $10.00

Thank you for your continued support of this ministry!

Julie

More seeds, please

 

Today I’m thinking about seeds and how small they are. And how we often think of an act of kindness is a small seed that will hopefully grow into something! But I’m thinking about seeds plural and multiple seeds, that maybe somebody has already planted seeds in someone’s heart and maybe it just takes one more small seed in order for that person to have their life completely changed in Jesus.

 We often reference the stick that broke the camels back. Piled up and piled up and now that last one made all the difference. So don’t think your seed is too small to make a difference. Don’t think you’re one little act of kindness as ineffective. You’re one little share about Jesus… that one moment you have in the closeness of God - then you tell someone else - don’t think for a minute, that it’s not having an impact. Surely, surely … God is at work and is piling up seeds until that one last seed makes all the difference in the world to someone’s life … and then the miracle. Because we all made an effort to contribute a seed. So whether you are the first seed, or the 19th seed, or the hundredth seed, they all play a role, they all have purpose, in getting to that end result of every seed glorifying God. Know that every seed has purpose. You have purpose. Your story has purpose - you’re sharing has purpose like building blocks. And who knows whether you’ve come for such a time as this? At some point, the scales will tip, and someone’s heart will be overflowing with all this goodness from God. And they finally realize in their head and heart and mind that this is God, the real God, over and over again piling on His love and blessings and care.

My work was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos’ work was to water it, but it was God, not we, who made the garden grow in your hearts.

- 1 CORINTHIANS 3:6 TLB

Words of comfort and of hope

 Which one meets your need today?

How may I pray for you?

Tell me…. juliecrane.57@att.net

Thanks and praise? Now?

 It’s hard not to focus on all the hurt, pain and suffering… it’s hard to rise up above its seemingly endlessness. It feels guilty to enjoy and rejoice in the more pleasant things. There is still an abundance of blessings from God’s heart and hand - and yet - if I wait for everything to calm down before I praise Him… if I don’t go to Him even in the bad times… I may never enter that peace that passes understanding. My stirred up soul will never find rest.

I know from John 16:33 that in this world there will be trouble. I don’t think anyone likes that verse…

But there are other verses promising strength for those weakened; hope for the weary; help for the heavy-laden; and a God Who promises to carry us through.

So even as our hearts are breaking, may we invite the Lord in to be our Comfort and to help us carry all this grief, sadness, and yes, anger. Lord, be the Light in the darkest dark. Don’t leave us alone and feeling helpless and so distraught.

May we start now giving thanks and praise to God - for the hope and help He offers.

Beginning with morning coffee

And the rising sun

Birds chirping

Cleansing breaths

and the ever present Father

Be merciful, O Lord.

Be gentle with us, O gracious God.

Thank You for hearing every kind of prayer.

Thank You for Your comfort.

Thank You for peace that passes understanding.

Thank You for light in the darkness.

Walk with us through this day…

Open our eyes, Lord. O God, we need to see You.

 Why are you in despair, O my soul?

And why have you become restless and disturbed within me? 

Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, 

for I shall again praise Him 

For the help of His presence.

O my God, my soul is in despair within me 

[the burden more than I can bear]; 

Therefore I will [fervently] remember You 

from the land of the Jordan 

And the peaks of [Mount] Hermon, from Mount Mizar. 

Deep calls to deep at the [thundering] sound of Your waterfalls;

All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me.

Yet the Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,

And in the night His song will be with me, 

A prayer to the God of my life. - Psalm 42:5-8 AMP

Did you forget something?

 

There I was, in the middle of baking up something really terrific - when I went to the pantry for an ingredient, and, you guessed it - there wasn’t enough. I saw the bag on the shelf earlier but didn’t check the amount inside. So I had to stop what I was doing and run to the store. But I did find exactly what I needed. Before I knew it, I was back in the kitchen and filling the room with a scrumptious smell! And the treats were delish!

Prayer works the exact same way. You don’t have enough of something? Perhaps you are low and need another carton of strength, or a big bottle of patience, or a bag of fresh hope.  The first thing you need to do is… stop. Then you go to the place where these things are found. That would be God. You will find everything and anything you need in Him. You can just ask for it. You turn your heart towards Him and whatever it is - is freely given. (I found so many scripture verses that support this). Now you can go back to what you were doing and finish with amazing results. Just like my treats! Heavenly!

And this same God Who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:19 NLT

 “Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.  For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.  Is there anyone among you who, if your child asked for bread, would give a stone?  Or if the child asked for a fish, would give a snake?  If you, then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him! - Matthew 7:11 NRSVUE

 You can never please God without faith, without depending on him. Anyone who wants to come to God must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely look for him. - Hebrews 11:6 TLB

 We know that we can trust God to do the things that he has promised. So we must continue to expect those things. We must tell other people that we trust God. We should not stop doing that. - Hebrews 10:23 EASY

God said, “I dare you.”

It happened just a couple months ago. I had already signed up to attend a conference for Christian creatives. I was hoping to get some encouragement about my blogging and notecards ministry. Some direction. Some clarity from believers in the industry. But in March, God put a challenge before me. It interrupted my morning prayers. “Submit your book drafts to the contest.” You see, I had written a children’s book, goodness - years ago. And it sat on a back burner because 1) what if it wasn’t good enough, and 2) I don’t want to invest all that time and effort in illustrating it if it wasn’t good enough. I also started writing a devotional book that included much of my own artwork, along with scriptures and prayer prompts. I put together a sample copy using a self-publishing company. But the draft copy they sent me was a real disappointment. So that, too, went on a back burner. I guess I wasn’t meant to go in that direction after all…

So in March I saw the advertisement on social media for submissions to the Oasis Award Contest held by the Well Publishers and the deadline was fast approaching. And that’s when God stepped in. So I did it. I closed my eyes and just did it.

To make a long story short, here is a picture of the announcement made on the last night of the conference.

And now there is a contract with an editor and the publishing company underway. And I will be a real published author… never saw that coming… Lord, you have taken my breath away!

To God alone be the glory… (but, wow, I can’t wait to work on this with You, Lord!)

Reunion!

My husband and I just got back from a trip of seeing family and friends and attending a conference. I can’t tell you the immense joy of gathering with them to share hugs and tell stories and all the catching up. All the love flowing! Getting together with those you love - and who love you - has such a healing power.

At the conference I saw past acquaintances, plus made some new friends, all who have a love for Christian writing, artwork, worship, music… How wonderful to spend time with a group of people who love the Lord as much as I do! And love expressing it in so many creative ways! It, too, had such a healing and inspirational power.

We also worshipped at different places while we were away from home. We enjoyed different styles of worship. And it really broadened my view of just how vast and diverse the love of God and the love for God can be - and yet, at the heart’s level, we are all the same. We all love God. Praise Him. Desire Him. Invite Him into our lives. It was powerful to stand in the midst of it all and be impacted by it.

Now that I am home, I look forward to other groups I am a part of - knitting, bible studies, etc. Getting together with people who share the same interests is empowering and gives such support and encouragement to whatever it is you have in common. There is an excitement that flows between you. And joy! Certainly good for your mental health!

That’s why it is so important to gather as Christians, celebrating the love of God in and between us. There is joy in doing things together. There is joy in being surrounded by people with the same passion for Christ and Christlike living. It is healing and strengthening. There is a time for private personal time with the Lord. And there is a time for gathering with like-minded believers.

And it is so good! So good for your spiritual and mental health! And for theirs!

I encourage you to enjoy the fellowship found in so many areas of life. And know it is all love poured out from our Heavenly Father. It does His heart good to see us loving and celebrating life with each other. 

They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and to fellowship… all the believers were together… they continued to meet together… and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. - Acts 2:42-47 

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together… but encouraging one another… - Hebrews 10:24-25

 

Get in the car!

 It was raining. Hard! It drummed against the roof of my car. I couldn’t hear anything outside but the downpour of rain. I couldn’t see anything through the windows. It had totally blurred the view. Wind a-blowing like nobody’s business. No way was I going to step out into all that drama. I’m staying here where it is safe. Until the storm passes.

And that is what it should be like for us as believers. 

Are you sitting in a storm? Torrential pounding rain? High pressing winds? Can’t see?

Then stay surrounded by the presence of Jesus. Let Him enfold you in protection until the storm passes. His protection will be your peace. His rod (that beats back the enemy) and His staff (that pulls you back from danger) will comfort you.

Did your test results come back not as expected? Does your doctor want you to see a specialist? Is that appointment seven weeks out? The storm of fear is pounding. You can see the blinding rain and hear the powerful winds that’s out there. And you can step out into it. Be drenched by it. Overcome by it. Or you can stay in the safety… in the ever present, not leaving you arms of Jesus. You will still see the storm but I encourage you to close your eyes and sense His promised presence and remember His God-given authority over the wind and the rain. And your circumstances. Everything in heaven and earth is under His reign. He will order your storm to pass…

 Be merciful to me, O God; be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, until the destroying storms pass by. - Psalm 57:1 NRSVUE

Nailed it!

Creator God, so often we are stymied by our own doubts that we hinder Your gift of creativity in ourselves. And yet the ways of creativity are endless.

If there is anything I have learned about creating art, it is that there are literally millions of ways to do it. And that has really opened me up to trying to pursue it. It doesn’t have to be one certain way - it doesn’t all have to look like a photograph or real life. There is a beauty and fun and joy found in various expressions. You can use pencil or paint or chalk on the sidewalk.

Creativity can be found in all kinds of places. Think of all the genres of music and forms of dance. Arranging flowers in a garden or a vase. Writing a note - or a whole book. Even from the way you place food on a plate, or decorate a cake, all the needle arts, and sandcastles… vacation photo collage. 

Why do you think God added creative juices to our souls? And don’t say you aren’t creative. Just look at the list above!

As we read in the first chapter of Genesis, God created and it was good. Over and over again… it was good. It felt good. Could it be that creating something is rewarded by a feeling of Joy and Satisfaction?

I know, I know… you’re going to tell me you have attempted creativity and it mostly comes out imperfect and not shareable. Believe me, I know. You have to desire and pursue that special joy that comes from going through the process of good, better, best. I can’t stop drawing because the first attempts look pre-schoolish. But in the tweaking I find, it does get better. And oh, you should see the smile on my face when it all comes together! 

So I encourage you to get up and try. To open your eyes to things that call for creativity and imagination. Maybe, like my cookie pictured above, it will bring a smile and laughter in spite of its imperfection. God’s amazing grace! But maybe, just maybe, it will turn out to be a blessing and a joy after all.

 God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. - Romans 12:6

 The women skilled in sewing and spinning prepared blue, purple, and scarlet thread and cloth, and fine-twined linen, and brought them in. Some other women gladly used their special skill to spin the goats’ hair into cloth. The leaders brought onyx stones to be used for the ephod and the chestpiece; and spices, and oil—for the light, and for compounding the anointing oil and the sweet incense. So the people of Israel—every man and woman who wanted to assist in the work given to them by the Lord’s command to Moses—brought their freewill offerings to him. - Exodus 35:25-29 TLB

 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” - Luke 6:38

Looking for some joy and light in your life? God Himself and shown us and has paved the way…