Ma Mère
Contemporary Palette Knife Art Horse Oil Daily Painting by Laurie Justus Pace

24 x 36 x 2 inches of Acrylic and Oil overlays.

SOLD (2 of 4 for a private collector in California)

Contact me for paintings for your home.This is the second in the Family Series for a California Collector. The series was designed specifically for her home and the versatility of movement with other paintings she has already purchased from me. I would love to work with you on something created Just For You.
Contact me: Laurie

"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17

The collector had loved the horse on Hints of Early Spring, so with this painting I remembered the tilt of the head of the horse and plowed forward. This "mother" piece contrasts the basic colors in "the Sire" from yesterday. Both horses show the strength of age and and majesty of grace. Watch for the colts over the next two days. I finished the last one yesterday.

When paintings compliment each other and they hang in a room together, they play off each other through movement and color. They literally bring out the best in each other. In our relationships in life we are blessed with the ability to stay positive and focus on the God given good in every individual. If there are two paintings in a room that literally clash in color and style, no one every looks at them or has a viewer relationship with them. No different, if your friends are living without God in their lives, they could possibly pull you away with their lifestyle if you are not cautious. If your closest friends know the Lord, then you will bring out the best in each other. The spirit within reflects outwardly and when there is a common element in the foundation of the painting/person, the best is always brought out by the strength of the common threads.


Be encouraged today to spend time seeking the good in others. Reflect out the great gifts God has given you. Find friends that help you grow stronger in God's love.

With Joyful Abundance,

Laurie

"I am a friend to all who fear You, to those who keep your precepts." Psalm 119:63

SIRE
Contemporary Art Horse Palette Knife Oil Painting by Laurie Justus Pace

24 x 36 inches Oil on Canvas
Commission Piece, 1 of 4 in The Family Series
SOLD

Contact me for paintings for your home. I have worked with this particular collector to plan out wall space and paintings for the area. We debated a HUGE piece vs four large pieces and between us decided the flexibility of the four pieces gave her more art to hang in different combinations. She already had purchased two small pieces from me and was ready for a large grouping. I would love to work with you on something created Just For You.
Contact me: Laurie

"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." Colossians 4:6

There was once a spice label out there called Seasons of Grace. One of my students gave me a gift set of these seasonings. I opened one and it was a combo of several herbs making up a fresh flavoring that seemed to work with almost any food. It was my favorite. It had just the right amount of garlic, with a tiny bit of sage and parsley and maybe a bit of basil. Whatever the combination was, it was wonderful. I could never duplicate it and when it was used, the food was scrumptious.

Seasonings are used in cooking to bring out subtle flavors in our foods. They are not dumped in to be the main liner in the dish, but simply to help make food tasty. The same can be true with your relationships with others. If you are praying for the right words to share with someone, God always does the amazing thing of not only giving you what you pray for, by adding His Grace to "season" what you say, but He also prepares the listener to be open, accepting and ready to hear those words.

Be it through those words or your actions, you never know when something you say or do will touch a person's life. Be assured your prayers "season" His grace in all you do and say.

With full belief of His abiding Joy and Abundance,

Laurie

"The right words will be there. The Holy Spirit will give you the right words when the time comes." Luke 12:12

In the Crowd no 36
Contemporary Art Palette Knife Daily Oil Horse Painting by Laurie Justus Pace

24 x 30 x 2 inches of Solid Thick Oils

SOLD
1/30/2009
Contact me to commission a similar painting for your home. Laurie

"The Lord watches over those who obey Him, those who trust in His constant love... We put our hope in the Lord; He is our protector and our help." Psalm 33:18, 20

Have you ever been squeezed in an over-packed elevator? What about in a stadium for a playoff football game? (Like Texas/OU weekend... I have been twice, and that was enough.) I can understand how trampling over other people happens if you are not careful. We have to watch out for our "neighbor" in the crowd. Meanwhile God is watching over us in the midst of it all.

His unwavering love will continue through the masterpiece paintings of sunrise to sunset, to greet you with new moments and new experiences. Despite the "crowds" around you, He never wavers His watch and His protection. He waits patiently and welcomes your prayers and time with Him. He surrounds you with a world filled with all you need and even more. From the cold of winter to the heat of summer; from the early damp spring and planting of seeds, to the crisp fall and gathering of crops; the thick leafy trees that shade you in the summer and the budding blooms of beauty as flowers cover the fields. He is there in every breath.

Stacey was here yesterday. We had a huge ice storm but Larry had to come into work, and with him, Stacey to be close to the hospital and her doctor. It was hard to stay focused on work while she is here and I would rather be spending time with her. I prepared Terry's mother's recipe for homemade meatloaf, also, homemade Audrey Bread (Our neighbor from Justin Texas makes the best homemade bread), fresh shelled organic green peas and organic carrots, and organic red potatoes mashed with their skins on. I am still full this morning. Chili is on the menu and I have to start it shortly.

All recipes will be posted on my Lakewood Series blog this week.

Stacey will be arriving in about thirty minutes so I have to get hopping.

With unwavering belief of His joy and abundance,

Laurie

"The earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord." Psalm 33:5

RED HOT no 34
Contemporary Art Palette Knife Horse Painting Mixed Medium Daily Painting by Laurie Justus Pace

20 x 24 x 2 inches Oil/Acrylic on Canvas

Contact me to purchase and mention the title of the painting: Laurie

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

It is cold cold cold outside and there is a thick, inches thick, layer of ice on top of everything. Terry left for the airport at 5 am and it is 6: 15 as I am typing and he still has not phoned to say he has arrived. It is normally a 25 min drive....All the schools are closed today, but by 11 this morning temps will be up over freezing and life will return to normal. In our circle drive out front there is a huge 50 ft magnolia tree. Magnolia trees have all their leaves right now and a lower branch was so heavy with ice is was on top of Terry's truck. I do not think he will park under it tonight.

SO in thoughts of WARM, I posted RED HOT this morning. She is strong and full of energy! PAINTING is on the agenda today... I have a commission of four paintings, 24 x 36 which will be hung together. We have decided to use the commonality of family in the thoughts of the painting and she wants horses of course... final sketches today and I will begin painting.

Are you living your destiny? Are you there yet? Many of us keep prodding along waiting to get there. Where is there? Why does it take growing older to get a bit wiser? Why can't some of this dawn on us at an earlier age?

We visit about having Jesus in our hearts and following God's directions to live. We read in our bible and we pray daily. With Jesus in your heart, is He only three inches tall? Is He a "good luck" charm that if you "believe" you are protected from the bad stuff? Is He someone you turn to only when things are going wrong? Do you pray once a day like taking a vitamin to keep you healthy and wise? Is this what you are teaching your own children?

Actually living in Christ will transform you into a new person. It will change the concept of who you are and His personality will mix into yours and you will become "new". New behaviors, new attitudes, new likes and dislikes...all new as you are walking in His love. The change starts in your heart as you realize you must depend on God to help you make those changes to be more like Him.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2

Believe in the good (GOD) inside of you...let it shine out to others.

Joy and Abundance... Terry just arrived at the airport at 6:40.

Laurie

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them." Ezekiel 36:26-27

MORNING HERD OF NINE
Contemporary Art, Palette Knife Horse Daily Painting by Laurie Justus Pace

18 x 27 inches Oil on Canvas

SOLD

Contact me for commission work: Laurie

"For man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." James 1:20

Icy weather is expected here today. Makes everything more difficult because folks in Dallas seem to lack the ability to understand ice on the roads. Most think it is time to go faster and slide into where you are heading. It is raining and temps are falling rapidly. The airports are in delay and schools are debating schedules for closure. Meanwhile Terry and I went to Whole Foods late last night and did our grocery shopping. We are stocked for the week and ready for the cold. Stacey will stay at home with Larry today because of the roads and we all will pray no labor in the ice storm.

Today is a suggestion that you either talk to yourself in the mirror or write something down on paper. Sometimes we get "stuck" in life. Have you ever heard the saying,

"He who angers you, controls you." unknown

If you are harboring anger in your life, it is obstructing your ability to love and to live in peace. A simple exercise on paper or in the mirror is to say/write:

I am angry because...

I am angry when....

I am angry at....

If you are doing it in front of the mirror, give it some emotion. Expend some of that built up energy and expel it as you voice what is buried deep inside of you. When you write, you tend to reflect a bit more than when you spontaneously voice hidden emotions. That is okay... figure out where your anger is today. Once identified and expressed you are on the way to healing and unlocking the peace inside.


Joy and Abundance,

Laurie

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:12-13

no 32 Determined
Contemporary Art Horse Equine Palette Knife Daily Painting by Laurie Justus Pace

24 x 30 x 2 inches Oil on Canvas
Contact me for information or to make an offer; mention title of painting: Laurie

"Why aren't you in awe before me? Yes, me, who made the shorelines to contain the ocean waters." Jeremiah 5:22

Short post this morning. Stacey is due over any moment. She is staying with us during her days because we live so close to the hospital where she will deliver. We both have Doc appts this morning as well, so time is slim.

FAT VIRUS?? ON the news this morning that said people are heavy due to a FAT VIRUS? I think I have heard it all. Next we will hear that they are putting addicting powers in the Blue Bell Ice Cream we all love, or the Godiva Chocolate. To me it is black and white. I didn't eat sweets until after I was age 50. I didn't gain weight until I ate sweets. It is not rocket science at all.

Yesterday Morgan was off from work and drove over and took me to church. There was pot luck after church which resembled Thanksgiving all over again, INCLUDING the desserts. I truly enjoyed the fellowship and getting back in touch with families I have known at the church over the years. This old German congregation is dwindling with many of the smaller churches trying to maintain younger families to shore up their existence, but it is not working. Morgan was so surprised by the number present in church. Maybe it will plant a seed.

God surrounds you and me today. I am sure He has His moments of wondering about us and our future as well. His work is well known, it is around you in everything, every place and every person. He protects you constantly and keeps our world in working order to His plan.

Joy and Abundance,

Laurie

"The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance." Psalm 16:6

Hint of Early Spring No 33
Contemporary Art Horse Equine Daily Painting by Laurie Justus Pace

24 x 36 inches Oil/Acrylic on Canvas
Contact me for purchasing info and include the painting title. Laurie

"We do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." Romans 8:26

Early Sunday morning and it is nippy outside this morning. This past week was a hint of spring coming at 75 degrees, but now it is back in the low forties. I can feel it in the air.

Stacey was glowing at her shower yesterday. Natalie and Shannon out did themselves with a plastic Ducky tub full of ice, fresh veggies and fruit and chicken on a stick. The cake was mouth watering...yummmm and I brought some home to Terry. Natalie had the nursery decorated and it was gorgeous! She is so creative and her photography is off the wall good. It was wonderful to see so many of my friends from Justin, Texas and that side of the metroplex. Wish it could have been longer!

When I stop and think of little Lauren still snugly tucked still in the womb. She is in a warm safe place free of the frustrations we all have. You can put your ear to Stacey's abdomen and hear Lauren's heartbeat. It is a miracle.

In turn the miracle is that God can hear our hearts before we hear them. He knows every frustration, sorrow, fear, hope and dream in your heart. He often knows them before you are even aware of it. Can you picture Him leaning and tilting His head down to hear your heart?

Joy and Abundance,

Laurie

"The Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will." Romans 8:27

Up to No Good No. 31

Contemporary Art Horse Equine Daily Painting by Laurie Justus Pace

30 x 30 inches Oil on Canvas
SOLD
Contact me if you are interested in this painting, include the title in the email: Laurie

"Sing to the Lord, you saints of His; praise His holy name. For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing
comes in the morning." Psalm 30:4-5

I do not know where my mind was when I painted this, but I do remember having fun. Terry was home and he kept spinning around in his chair to watch me. I had on my IPOD and was jamming and painting, oblivious to anything else. This followed a pretty treacherous week of kidney stones and busy schedules... it was time to dance.

In our lives there are always things creeping in to pull us down emotionally. If we didn't have the down days we would never enjoy those up days. God can transform your day in a blink when you least expect it. If you are sitting in the dark right now or you are emotionally drained, stop and focus on Him and the light will begin to come. Praise Him through it all.

Today is one of Stacey's showers. Her best friend is in from California to give it with her other best friend from Dallas. It is at Stacey's house so that is an hour in travel time from here. Natalie, the friend from CA, was Stacey's high school running buddy. They have definitely been through treacherous times together. Natalie will be back when Lauren is born to help Stacey through the first two or three weeks. THAT is a friend. I love Natalie. Natalie has her PHD in some science field, but she decided to follow her dream and she is doing photography full time. She is awesome.

Click here for her site: www.nmgphotography.com.

She travels all over the country following her passion. She is the daughter of two ministers....two...so she double carries her Love and Gift from God everywhere she goes. She is a bright light in our lives. Here is a photo she took of Stacey this week... and I am sure there will be more for me to share later.

From bed rest to delivery....we are rejoicing that Stacey is now 35 weeks and Lauren
(aka Tink) is now over five pounds.

Joy and Abundance,

Laurie

"You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy." Psalm 30 :11

MUSIC MAKER no. 30
Contemporary Art Palette Knife Daily Painting Guitar Oil Painting by Laurie Justus Pace

30 x 30 inches Oil on Canvas

SOLD Commission Painting

Contact me to paint for your home: Laurie

This seems to be a favorite painting composition for folks that want a guitar. Each time I repaint this the colors change and the guitar takes on it's own feel. This was requested by a mom for her son's room over his bed. WHAT FUN!!! I believe it is to be a surprise as well and that makes it even neater.

Surprises when you least expect it can catch you off guard. Surprise good? Surprise bad? When you are thinking the layers of yesterday, even the "surprise bad" may be a journey to good, so I am thinking better not to differentiate...lets just say SURPRISE.

I want to plant a seed today.

Trust God with your dreams and He may surprise you.

Now it is your turn to figure out your priorities and dreams. Try not to be too "Plan" specific and get down to the simple requests.... joy, abundance, love, grace, comfort etc...

How can you simplify? The human race seems to invite complications and busyness into life. We become overwhelmed by the responsibilities we have added to our lives. That includes debt and overbooked schedules. When you figure your way out of all of that, you will find a gentler life filled with His grace, surrounded by His love. Are you surprised that life could be that simple?

If you can get there, you will never go back to the life you live today. Call on Him and He will lead you out of the chaos. Trust Him; the results are surprising.

Joy and Abundance,

Laurie

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:33

THE BLUE DANUBE no. 28
Contemporary Art Mixed Medium Child at Piano by Laurie Justus Pace

24 x 36 inches Acrylic and Varnish Overlays
$1850
Contact me with a best offer or commission one the size you need: Laurie

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” - Matthew 7:7-8

Made it through yesterday... and now today I will be pulled between commission work and cleaning house. Oh, throw in making dog food this morning for my hungry dogs and also making fresh chicken and veggie soup with pasta dumplings for dinner....somewhere in there I will paint and try and clean a bit!

This painting I finished up yesterday. It is at this moment hanging in a 9 million dollar home as part of its staging for sale. I work with a decorator here in Dallas that does fabulous work. Last summer I did many pieces for her that she has used rotating them in and out of different homes and has sold some of them. This was needed to fill in a gap on the fireplace where the Grand Piano sits close by. It is for sale through me or through her. I rarely do one of these this big because of the antique music I used behind the paint.

Behind the Paint...humm, where can we go with that this morning? Hang on and here we go with my thoughts...

An artist starts out with a blank canvas. Sometimes there is a vague idea in mind of direction and the artist picks up a piece of charcoal or a brush loaded with watered down burnt sienna...and the artist begins to sketch and draw. Now visualize that white canvas with lines beginning to shape into form. The artist steps back and analyzes the composition, often reaching in and changing a stroke here or there firming up and giving shape to form.

As the artist begins to play with the form and add colors, values and texture, the unconscious image truly become visible and the form now identifiable as it comes "to life". The viewer is an awe watching the process of the artist as he layers each area with values and highlights. Once complete, we become attached to the final painting, no longer seeing the original sketching in charcoal, or the layers of intermediate colors and values building on the surface, from the under painting to the top layer of finish paint and varnish.

But it is still all there...now invisible to the naked eye, but still there in reality. The end result of the picture could not be where it is with out the layers of work. Such is true with ourselves and God. We are so busy on the surface of our lives at this moment, we forget the under layers of ourselves and our true nature from God. There are creative layers of gifts he has given us that we have "painted" right over. There are experiences we have had in our lifetimes that are part of that layering of ourselves that brought us to be who we are today. Every day you are evolving to a new point and a new place. The only unchanging thing in your life is GOD with His ever-giving grace and love for each of us.

I was walking Annie-the-dog yesterday around one in the afternoon. I was trying to get some exercise due to a painful kidney stone. We took off and I headed toward the elementary school. My little brother went to school there MANY years ago and I taught there for two years. As I walked by the south east wing of the school and saw the windows of my old room, I could almost feel the energy radiating out of the building accumulated over the past 50 years that school has been there. It was in that split second I realized I taught there over 15 years ago. That was a layer in my life. I have entertained the prospect of returning to the classroom, but now after that realization, I do not believe it is the right direction. I cannot go back to that layer in m life, I have to build forward from where I am at this moment.

As I sit here typing this morning at 6:30 CST, I realize that God is working right now and I am still painting on this layer of my life preparing for the next layer. I want to stay close to Him and prepare in the right ways for what is ahead and I can only do that through Him.

Have you forgotten the layers in your life? Concentrate today as you realize what you do today prepares you for tomorrow. Allow His grace to move into your life and it will transform you and arm you for what is ahead. Pray as you go for guidance to use the right paint on this layer of your life.

What's behind your paint?

Joy and Abundance,
Laurie

"When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion."--Acts 11:23

Different as Night and Day No.26
Contemporary Art Horse Equine Painting by Laurie Justus Pace

6 x 6 inches Oil on Linen Canvas
$100 SOLD
Contact me for commission work: Laurie

"He has done everything well!" Mark 7:34

Why do Wednesday's always seem so crunched? It used to be just a work day, but then I added music students and that means lesson prep on Wednesday. Toss in regular unpredictable stuff and I get into a tizzy on Wednesdays as I feel that I fall behind before I even start my work week.
Today is finishing up mailing out packages, wrapping and boxing several by myself. UGH. Painting a commission that HAS to be done today...no pressure, going with mom to her hair appt as she is still in a sling thing for three more weeks, no driving yet, making sure there is dinner for TP and I and of course that daily thing of wash and cleaning up just a bit. Add the hour of music prep and an hour and a half of lessons, oh and don't forget walking and some exercise for my won health....it will be late tonight before I hit the bed.

Are you tired just trying to figure it all out? I am.

Today is the day I need to believe in perfect peace. If I keep the Lord in the front of my thoughts today...perfect peace; nothing can creep in with negativity despite the huge mountain I have to climb. STAY FOCUSED on HIM. That control issue is such a human factor that is a constant. We wrestle for control from others in our life and most definitely from Him. If you choose to go your conflicting ways today, you will suffer the stress and chaos that results. If you focus on God's peace today and choose His way over your way, you will find that perfect peace.

Joy, Abundance and Perfect Peace

Laurie

"You keep Him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because He trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever." Isaiah 26:3-4

SNOW HERD
Contemporary Art Palette Knife Horizon Painted Pony Horse Art by Laurie Justus Pace

18 x 27 inches Thick Oil on Canvas
$750 SOLD off the BLOG.
Thank you!
Contact me with an offer:
Laurie

The Sounds of Silence

“The Lord was not in the wind . . . the earthquake . . . the fire;
and after the fire the sound of sheer silence.”
1 Kings 19:11–12 (NRSV)

When I posted this painting I immediately thought of the quiet silence of snow falling totally out of focus of the horses, which of course are a contrasting noise; even when standing they snort and stamp their feet, eager to push on in the silence of falling snow. Where is the strength, in the snow or in the horses?

Wondering and roaming through my bible, I remembered in my distant brain the power struggle between Elijah and Ahab's wife Jezebel. She was a foreigner and she worshiped Baal and not God. When she moved in with Ahab (King of Israel), she brought 400 of her favorite prophets and priests. Can you imagine sitting in your home surrounded by non-believers for several years? That is when Elijah enters the picture and tells Ahab there will be a drought because of these Baal believers. The drought comes and does not let up. Ahab calls Elijah back to do prayer combat again the Baal believers. The Baal group sings and prays and surrounds Elijah trying to get rid of the drought...

Elijah is only human and probably made some off the collar remark about Baal off doing something else so he can't hear them. Then with firm belief, Elijah falls to his knees and prays . The result was immediate as God sent fire down. This was impressive. A thunderstorm followed the fire as Ahab hurried home to tell Jezebel there was only GOD. Jezebel was pretty ticked off and sent Elijah a message to watch out for he was basically a dead man.

Elijah fled through the desert and into the wilderness. Angels cared for him and guided him. He traveled 40 days to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God and there he found a cave. In the silence he heard the Lord speak again, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" Elijah left the cave as instructed telling God he was worn out from standing up to non believers. As he stood outside, he watched the Lord pass by with a mighty windstorm that tore rocks loose from the mountain. That was followed by an earthquake and then a fire. As the fire sizzled down and silence took over... there came a whisper from God... Elijah rose and listened as God told him to go back and deal with the problem at hand.

Every day we deal with so much around us. Often it is fear, violence, chaos, noise, noise noise...and then silence. God will speak in that silence. Are you listening? Discouragement tires all of us and in the silence God continues to work strengthening us to pick back up and deal with life lighting the way for others.

If you are down today, feel the silence of the Lord as He is working all around you. Take the time to heal and gather back up to go out and light the world.

A quick note to let you know Stacey saw her doctor today and they think all is well but she must stay on bed rest. Mom is in a sling for three more weeks with her dislocated shoulder and then therapy is in store. Thank you for your prayers.


Joy and Abundance
Laurie

"I cried out to the Lord, and He answered me from His holy mountain. I lay down and slept. I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me. I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side." Psalm 3 4-6

Breaking Dawn No 25
Contemporary Art Horse Equine Western Oil Painting on Linen Canvas by Laurie Justus Pace


6 x 6 inches Oil on Linen Canvas
$100

SOLD

Contact me to purchase. Laurie

Promises Promises Promises


"Then the Lord told Abram, "Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's house, and go to the land that I will show you. I will cause you to become the father of a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and I will make you a blessing to those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you."
Genesis 12:1-3

Have you ever had one of those invitations come in the mail for three full days and airfare paid to a resort, if you will come and spend three hours and tour the resort and listen to a sales pitch? They truly reach out and bait you, don't they. OR you get something in the mail saying you just won a fabulous gift, if you will drive out to the new lake lots being developed north of town, you can get your free gift... the promises are endless. How do you know the trip is really free and the resort is great? How will you ever find out what the gift is or if you will really miss out if you do not take it?

I guess you won't unless you step out in faith and just do it. I know Abraham had to do just that. God gave a heavy promise of many things in the verse above. It was absolutely everything a man in that time period could want and even more. Abraham had to weigh the promises with that of what he had to leave behind... his family, his home and his country. He had to travel to a place he didn't know anything about to receive all the promises that God made to him.

Did you ever make promises to your children? What is the difference between a bribe and a promise of reward? I truly would welcome comments on this. Terry and I took a course for our Foster License and this was part of the course, but I want to hear what you think about it.

Was God bribing Abraham? Was God making him a promise of reward? What was God doing here....and what do you do in your life?

Promises Promises Promises....I break them more when it comes to myself. If I will break promises to myself so easily, how can I keep my word to the Lord? Are you keeping your promise?

Joy and Abundance,

Laurie


" After Lot was gone, the Lord said to Abram, ' Look as far as you can see in every direction. I am going to give all this land to you and your offspring as a permanent possession. And I am going to give you so many descendants, that, like dust they cannot be counted. Take a walk in every direction and explore the new possessions I am giving you.' " Genesis 13:14-17

Three in the Field
Contemporary Art Horse Equine Daily Oil Painting by Laurie Justus Pace


6 x 6 inches Oil on linen canvas
$100.00
SOLD at 5:30 am Eastern Time January 19th.

Contact me to purchase: Laurie

These three horses speak to me of Family. As Terry and I wait in quiet anticipation for Lauren Gracen to be born into our family, we remember and celebrate how Adam and Eve must have felt when they created their first child and Eve gave birth to Cain. God's creating continued...He only let us believe He was done....and today He is still at work 24/7.

It is His divine process that makes conception and birth possible. We always think of this happening involving the creation of this child due to the parents, but it was the third presence of God that truly made it all possible. This child grows up as all children do, learning to be independent; yet always with this child is the indwelling spirit of God.

Celebrate Family today. Call someone you love and tell them something special you remember from earlier years. If you call mom or dad, remember something really special they did for you in your lifetime that might have made you who you are today. If you call a sibling, remember some childhood moments you shared that made life extra special.

As I reflect back, I remember a grandmother that put her love in caring for all of us. Her delicious home made caramel rolls, fresh rolled out egg noodles and the times she would read to me from the book , "The Secret Garden". Grandma was always quilting and sewing too. (If you are a blog reader, remember the green polyester robe I kept for 40 years?) From my Mom I remember her singing and bringing the joy of music into my life sharing her gifts and providing me with lessons for the piano. For my Dad, he was always working. From him came my sense of strength to go after what I believed in life and to never give up. If you keep working at it, you will get there. My older brother, gee, he used to make me play army men and managed to always direct me to sit somewhere ...in the ant piles. My younger brother, well, Mom had him for me and no one else. He was mine to love and care for. My best friend had a little brother too, and we took them everywhere. It was nice once I could drive, Mom would always give me the car if I took my little brother with me. My St Louis Family, home, laughter, love and the smell of Dial soap from my aunt and uncle's downstairs shower. OH, and as I have shared with Terry, the wonderful bakery goods from a bakery in South St Louis. Eating a piece of coffee cake full of icing and still mounding butter on it with my knife. Family, ah the memories..... thank you God.

Joy and Abundance,

Laurie

"Now Adam slept with his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant. When the time came, she gave birth to Cain, and she said, "With the Lord's help, I have brought forth a man." Genesis 4:1

First Bloom 2009
Contemporary Art Magnolia Flower Daily Painting by Laurie Justus Pace

16 x 20 inches Oil on Canvas
Commissioned Painting SOLD

To commission a piece, contact me: Laurie

"So the power of God could be seen in him." John 9:3

As you can tell I have been adjusting things on the blog. I had noticed Jelaine's blog and loved her three column approach and when I wrote her, she sent me on to Sarah Trefny, who was kind enough to help me add my third column. What I still need to figure out, is how to adjust the type margins not to hit the edges... but I am way out of my knowledge area now. You will see adjustments as I play with it!


Yesterday was catch-up day. I had clients to meet with at lunch; infact Morgan and Kelly came too and hopefully both Morgan and I will be able to do some art work for this project. It is a Doctors Office of the future, so it is definitely pulling at my heart. Currently the practice is 30 years young and at this point totally built to serve medicaid patients in a hispanic area of Dallas. This doctor has kept his vision and his service to the Dallas community on target all the way. With his new clinic he will provide full services of OBGYN, Pediatrics, Family Practioner, in house Pharmacy, large x-ray area with CSCAN etc. etc. etc. If our involvement is blessed to continue with them, I will definitely share more. It is so unusual in this day and time to find folks that have dedicated their lives to help others with out worrying about what's in it for them. This husband and wife team is very dedicated to this community. That is why I chose my verse above to reflect this moment. God's power burns brightly in this doctor and his continual gift to serve and now to provide a new well-equiped facility for the practice. Obviously God has nurtured a vision within him to complete this goal. Through blind trust he is watching it all come to be.

It is an honor to participate with my art work. The power of the Lord is amazing.

Kelly and Morgan

They are cute together. They knew each other while growing up at St Paul United Church of Christ in Dallas. I do not think they had seen each other in 15 years and they caught up this past week. Friends are one of the best things we can have in life.

Stacey remains on bedrest and her best friend is flying in from Los Angelos tomorrow to stay for a week. She will help Stacey get Lauren's room ready and there is another shower next week. Natalie will return when Lauren arrives and will stay with Stacey for a few weeks to help out. DID I SAY YEAH?? Yes I did! My mother came with two of mine and stayed to help me for a week. I would not have made it otherwise.
Here are pictures from the shower last weekend:

I am off to paint! May He fill your every need.

Joy and Abundance,
Laurie

"God, order up your power; show the might
power you have used for us before." Psalm 68:28

Painted Pony
Contemporary Art Horse Daily Painting Palette Knife By Laurie Justus Pace

24 x 36 inches Oil on Canvas
SOLD
Contact me for Commission work: Laurie

"In the Morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." Psalm 5:3


Have you spent some time yet this morning talking to the Lord? I have always felt morning to be a good time to speak from my heart undisturbed to Him. No phones ringing, no little people tugging at me; nothing to interrupt the flow of prayer and thoughts exchanged with Him. This early morning time is a beginning of the day and the beginning of my waking hours. By spending this time with Him early, it reinforces my direction for the day and places me in the place I need to be, listening.

Too often I am always in prayer requesting, asking, searching, probing, pleading and tearfully in despair. Most likely I should have sat in silence focusing on Him alone and the gifts I already possess and asking simply what can I do in this day for you? .... and then waiting for His answer. Isn't that always true? Once you stop focusing on yourself and put your energies to helping others, your problems and situations ALWAYS resolve? His answer is always there, we are just not tuned in to listening.

Some folks in our family mention to me that He is not answering their prayers. I am not sure how to respond, but first you have to believe and have a relationship with Him. Not just one of those "When I need you I will contact you" relationships....but a true relationship. Once you have bridged communication and have a true unconditional relationship with Him, you will hear Him when He whispers to your heart. You will see Him working circles around you daily as He lights up the world around you and you realize you are never in the dark.

Can you hear Him? If not, be still and listen.

Joy and Abundance,

Laurie

"I will listen to what God the Lord will say, for He will speak peace to His people." Psalm 85:8

"But if we look forward to something we don't have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently." Romans 8:24-25

HANDSOME HONEY
Contemporary ART Daily Painting Horse Equine by Laurie Justus Pace

20 x 24 x 2 Oil on Canvas


SOLD -THANKS!
Contact Me for commission work: Laurie

I am on a new mouse today. Logitec finally shipped my mouse to me. I ordered ONE WEEK ago and paid for overnight shipping as I was with out and using a small mouse on the computer. UGH...Finally they shipped it. Originally I figured, order online and ship overnight. Faster than going to Best Buy where they may or may not have it. It is the new AIR mouse that I can sit back in my chair and put my feet up and navigate by twirling my hand in the air like a conductor. Pretty darn cool and very touch responsive. I am beginning to get use to it.

Yesterday I wrote about feeling overwhelmed. I had a long list to do plus an appointment with mom and lunch with my brother. I did it all. I refused to get anxious about my long list yesterday and focused on God and the current project I was on and I blew through everything, including being home in time to varnish eight paintings before I taught my guitar students.
I highly recommend it....being overwhelmed with the Lord and His gifts.

Yesterday I drove Mom to the hairdresser. Now normally she does this herself, but she made a questionable choice this weekend and ended up injuring herself. She dislocated her shoulder in a fall. I debated sharing the entire story and I decided I can't, but lets just say she was doing something incredible dangerous that most folks under 20 do all the time. As we get older we hopefully get wiser NOT to make those mistakes. Well, I know she won't do it again. My brothers took her to the ER on Sunday night while I was at the wedding. I distinctly remember my oldest son had a reputation at the ER we went there so often. They designed a paper plack with his name on it and would stick it up with tape over an exam room door whenever we walked into the ER with him. He ate his grandfather gout pills; he ate deoderant; he climbed up the side of the piano and fell off sitting at the top; he rode his tricycle down a 60 degree angled driveway crashing into the street; he was stung by wasps as a toddler; I could go on...but I know you get the message. Hummm, I do believe at Doctors Hospital they are going to do that with Mother. This is trip four in less than a year. They are going to suspect "Parental Abuse" at this rate from us kids. I promise I was at the wedding, I didn't push her...she always pushes herself into doing things she should not do.

This is going to be along blog because where I was going with this was to the book I am reading (Thank you Kathy) called Twelve Extraordinary Women by John MacArthur. I am also reading the male version of the disciples that he wrote first about the 12 men, but I grabbed this book heading to the hairdresser appt so I would have something to read. I made it through the preface and into the first chapter. The deeper I got the more I appreciated John MacArthur. If he is married, she is one lucky woman.

In the first Chapter of Eve, he is quick to point out that Eve was the only being created by God's hands from LIVING TISSUE. Everything else was made from nothing and Adam was made from a handful of dust...or dirt you might say. So man came from dirt and woman was intentionally created from living tissue and was flawless. Hummm, don't you like John too?
As a major character (Eve) in the history of creation and our being here today, we know very little about her; she is only mentioned by name four times in the bible, twice in the Old Testament and twice in the New Testament.

The book is really good and I am still not finished with the chapter on Eve because mom was not there long. I left off where John was writing about Genesis 2:20-25 where God caused Adam to fall into the deep sleep and took one of his ribs to knit together a woman. John's logic here is wonderful. God did surgery on Adam, yet Adam felt nothing. Pretty serious stuff don't you think? The words in the bible say," The Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept." Genesis 2:21 Adam was in a natural sleep, a deep sleep and felt no pain. John feels the pureness of this moment reflects how God's grace is always received, naturally. It takes no effort or activity but flows naturally to us.

Sit and be quiet today and receive His grace. Allow it to seep through every tense muscle and focus on breathing while it does. I think you will find His grace restful.

Joy and Abundance,
Laurie

"So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept: and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and they shall become on flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashmaned." Genesis 2:20-25

New York Koi
Contemporary ART Palette Knife Daily Painting Koi by Laurie Justus Pace

24 x 48 inches
SOLD COMMISSION PAINTING

contact me for work: Laurie

I am truly late blogging, but have been here in front of the computer for an hour piling through emails. How so much mail clogs up every night I am not sure. Meanwhile I begin my list of what HAS to be done today as I plow through the email. My list is too long. It is enough to give anyone a headache. It is full of all the crossing the t's and dotting the i's and everything I did not do Monday or Tuesday. Do you have days like this?

Well, my list is made and in front of me and I simply refuse to get too hyper about it. I just need to trust in God and take it on, one at a time.

There are times in life we are overwhelmed by our job or our life situation. Despite our tense thoughts, God knows right where we are. You can be on track spiritually, but slowly become totally lost with your life situations. Still, He knows right where you are, and where you are going.

God wants your attention. Listen to Him today. Perhaps He wants you to be overwhelmed with Him. When those worldly things continue to pull you down, you need to replace your anxiety with positive thoughts of God's giving grace of love, joy and peace. He wants us overwhelmed with His presence in our life.

Today exchange your worries with His peace. Trust that God knows your tomorrow and let Him overwhelm you with that knowledge.

Joy and Abundance,

Laurie


" When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then you knew my path." Psalms 142:3

Tentative
Contemporary Art Daily Painting Horse by Laurie Justus Pace

18 x 24 inches Mixed Medium, Watercolor, Acrylic and Oil on Canvas
Contact me to purchase: Laurie

I was not sure what appealed to me here to define it....but this painting makes you take several looks at it...you can't just look once. The rhythm of the brushstrokes and the evolving colors seem to bring you back for more. If a painting is too perfect or too"comfortable".... you get bored easily and you don't look back. An artist strives to capture an emotion or feeling in their work that pulls the viewer into the painting.

I firmly believe that happens in our lives every day. Seems like our society today pulls us many directions with enticements of color and excitement. Small example: Terry and I were walking out of the local Sherman Williams store and he goes "CHICKEN, I Smell fried Chicken." Of course this is after our one hour walk that morning when we both pledged to watch the intake and monitor our exercise this year. Yes, he bought the darn chicken. I nibbled on a wing and declared it was not worth the calories or heart attack as the chicken tasted old to me. I opted for yogart and a few french fries slathered in catsup.

We seem to get comfortable with doing it wrong, be it our diet, our spending, our party time out at night, too much drinking, doing drugs, tv watching, etc. There is sooo much to do and choose from that it is easy to sit back and live life in the zone of entertainment. Such was true with the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

"So the Lord told Abraham "I have heard that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah are extremely evil , and that everything they do is wicked. I am going down to see whether or not these reports are true. Then I will know." Genesis 18:20-21

Abraham was concerned that innocent people would die and ask the Lord to spare those that were good. The Lord sent angels down to destroy the city that was filled with people that had lost their focus and were mired in sin. They found Lot and his family that were the exception and God provided a way for them to leave safely. Although, Lot's wife did not follow the angel's directions (that came from God) and she took that one last look back.... and was turned to a pillar of salt.

As we are all God's children, we do have needs and we really enjoy the tantalizing excitement of life. A selfish life of convenience is not always a good thing as it slowly deadens us to the sensitivity of the needs of others around us and we forget. We forget about them, we forget about God and we forget about living in the light.

With this new day go forward into the light and do not be tempted to look back.


Joy and Abundance,

Laurie

"Do you have any other relatives here in the city?" the angels asked. "Get them out of this place, sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone else. For we will destroy the city complete. The stench of the place has reached the Lord and He has sent us to destroy it." Genesis 19:12-13

RAW BEGINNINGS
Contemporary Art Palette Knife Daily Painting Horse by Laurie Justus Pace

24 x 24 x 2 inches Oil on Canvas

SOLD
Contact me to purchase: Laurie

I finished my book last night. The ending was good with drawing some solid parallels to use in life, but there was no "happy ending" that the adult child changed and went and lived happily ever after.... the adult parent did though and that was important to me.

The parallel drawn was to Isaac, son of Sarah and Abraham. The late in life child, the apple of their eye, the purpose of their life, and God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son on the altar on the mountain.

"When they arrived at the place where GOD had told Abraham to go, he built an altar and placed the wood on it. Then he tied Isaac up and laid him on the altar over the wood. And Abraham took the knife and lifted it up to kill his son as a sacrifice to the Lord." Genesis 22:9-11

Despite his heavy heart and his anxiety, Abraham followed God's instructions to the point of placing the boy on the altar after gathering the wood for the fire to burn him after killing him with a knife. I have no idea of what type of conversation would have transpired between father and son to the point the father placed him up on the altar. Any normal young teen would be saying, "Whatcha doing that for dad? What is going on, why am I up here? WHAT? YOU Are going to burn me alive?"

I sure for the son he felt totally abandoned and shaken to his core; Abraham must have felt devastated but committed so fully to the Lord, that he followed and trusted 100 percent. I have to do this with one of my sons now. My question to you is, what is your "Isaac" in your life? What are you controlling so tightly that you cannot give it over to God? What are you planning and doing, pushing and pursuing that you are hovering over it to MAKE IT HAPPEN and you feel it will all fall apart or fail if you step back? What are you NOT letting go of in your life?

God loves you. God will push it through to where it is suppose to be if you have the simplicity of child like faith and belief that He will provide what you need. Who on this earth today, could fathom sacrificing their own child, knowing the request came from a loving compassionate God? It was a test to strengthen Abraham's faith. He had to trust God.

Can you trust God with your life, your treasures, your future and your obedience? What is your Isaac?


Joy and Abundance,
Laurie

"Then the angel of the Lord called again to Abraham from heaven," This is what the Lord says: Because you have obeyed me and have not with held even your beloved son, I swear by my own self that I will bless you richly. I will multiply your descendants into countless millions, like the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore. They will conquer their enemies and through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed, all because you have obeyed me." Genesis 22 15-18

No 13 Day of Reckoning
Contemporary Art Palette Knife Daily Horse Abstract Painting
SOLD
24 x 36 inches Mixed Mediums Oil on Canvas
Contact me to purchase: Laurie

Terry is home today and we have a wedding in the family. I did take pictures at Stacey's shower yesterday but have not had time to unload the camera, so those will follow later this week.

It was nice waking up in bed at 7:00 a.m. and not 4:30 a.m., and the two of us just talking and reflecting on things without any tension or direction of negativity. Yvonne, one of my oldest friends, and Stacey's Godmother, was in for the shower yesterday. We visited for quite a while in between all the festivities and something she said made powerful sense. I have always been a goal setter, but she revealed that she and her husband limit the goal setting to 3-5 years out and they adjust it annually. Deep rooted in their faith, they know their plans are not the same as God's plans, but if they didn't continue to keep a goal in front of them, they would lose purpose in life.

All of us worry so much and lose so much of our life to worry or guilt. We often become discouraged by situations and know things cannot stay as they are and anxiously await the change we know is coming, bracing ourselves for the fall out. The uncertainties of the future have always weighed heavily on mankind. The "What Ifs" can really send you into a panic.
Resolution is in God's time not ours. It is not easy to sit back and wait upon the Lord; when we make the decision to make changes on our own without praying about it first, we invite in the pain that results.

Having a focus makes that wait possible to endure. I can compare it easily with a pregnancy. When you get pregnant, those nine months stretch ahead of you. Nine months that you could loose that baby, or something might go wrong. You endure the nine months often in a state of worry or concern until the baby is safely born and in your arms. Your focus is that moment that gets you through those nine months. God's plan is in process and all the worry is done by your choice, not His. He is not worried, and He truly does not want you to be worried.

It was easy to use the pregnancy as an example as my daughter is on bed rest in her 33rd week and we are praying for at least three more weeks of growth in the womb before Lauren arrives. But I know there are many of you out there reading this blog that are enduring something horrific and suffering through it. You know things are changing and you feel powerless in the struggle and wait. Realize there is an end to it eventually and a resolution will occur. I can hear you crying out to the Lord, "How much longer do I have to wait?"

Be patient. Be careful what you ask for. God hears your cry and He knows your heart. He alone is the master of the plan. I promise you, your waiting will not last one second longer than it is suppose to in accordance to His plan. Let it all go, if just for today. Be childlike and let your Father take control. Give up the worry and live today; laugh today and love today. Give it to Him to carry.

Read Psalm 13 today when you have time...

Joy and Abundance,

Laurie


"Look on me and answer, O Lord my God, Give Light to my eyes." Psalm 13:3

"But I will trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you ahve rescued me. I will sing ot the Lord because He has been so good to me." Psalms 13:5-6

No. 14 the heART 1
Contemporary Art Palette Knife Painting Hearts for Valentines Day by Laurie Justus Pace

24 x 30 x 2 inches of heavy Acrylic Overlays
Contact me to purchase or commission one: Laurie

Secrets. Do you have a secret to share? Secrets of the heart. Usually when you do your eyes are sparking with delight that you know something that someone else does not know and you cannot wait until the time is right to share that secret. You wait in anticipation to release what you know. In the bible we read words of "hidden treasures". Those are like secrets. I believe God has many secrets and treasures that are there for us to discover, if we take the time to seek them.

"And I will give thee the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I , the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel." Isaiah 45:3

It is amazing to me, that once you being to share with God daily, He awakens in you things you have not even thought about; places, people, and insights that would never cross your mind, begin to pop up in your head. These are treasures to be gained with His guidance, if you take the time to listen. God is waiting, His eyes twinkling and that Fatherly smile on His face, waiting for the right moment to tell you His hidden secrets.


Are you listening? He is waiting....

Joy and Abundance,
Laurie

"Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3

Midnight Run
Contemporary Art Horse Palette Knife Daily Painting by Laurie Justus Pace

24 x 30 x 2 inches of acrylic and oil overlays.
Contact me to purchase or commission one of your own size and colors: Laurie

Well the squirrels did not visit last night and I had 8 hours of sleep. YEAH and did I say Thank you Lord?

I am waiting a canvas delivery to start some commission pieces of Koi and of horses and today I must clean for the shower for Stacey tomorrow. I am still concentrating on the thoughts of boundaries and conflict.

I have almost finished the book, Setting Boundaries for your Adult Children, and decided this is actually information that mothers and fathers need to have from the beginning when the child is born. The enabling actions of always saving your child are seeded early in their lives. Easy examples are: rushing left homework up to school when the child forgets it; OR running their lunch up to school because they irresponsibly forgot it. When you begin to be too controlling in your child's life and try and make their life be the perfect life with the perfect child, you are crippling your child. Those crippled children grow up to be crippled adults. They never learned any coping skills because you ran circles around them making sure everything was always all right. After all, you wanted them to have the highest grades, participate in the most sports, play with the most popular, and be liked by everyone. You never allowed them the experience of failure and consequences that occur naturally with the lessons of life. You only want them to succeed. They have to fail many times before they can find success.

My generation was suppose to be the one that was inspired by decision making by giving our children limited choices but allowing them to choose and make decisions and participate. We grew out of strict disciplining from our parents and swore we would never be so rude to our own children. Somehow that backfired; by us choosing the predetermined choices for them, they never truly learned to sort out a situation to make a healthy decision from life itself.

Hey, I am at the front of the line of enabling parents. Somehow reading this book has encouraged me to realize that I can have a life and not feel responsible for these adult children anymore. My Mom and Dad never paid my rent, co-signed on a vehicle, college loan or an apartment, or paid for any of my bills. My mom and dad never had to answer the phone and hear that recording of "Would you accept a collect call from an inmate at the county jail?" My parents would have never bailed me out of jail, or out of any other situation I managed to get myself into. How many of you have moved your adult children several times? How many of you have adult children still living at home? How many of you chime in constantly on voicing your opinion about what they are doing in their lives as if you still want an investment vote? Our adult children are really good at manipulation. They have had years of practice knowing how to get us into action to benefit them. They have learned to rationalize every situation to make them be the injured party and make us feel we have to save them.

Occasionally in an enabling family you are blessed with a child that somehow gets life despite your "protection" and learns to live as a normal adult. These children are usually more compassionate and have a gifted ability for problem solving. Go figure.

I have chosen this year to invest in God first, and then myself and my husband. I choose not to have a woven interest in the survival of our adult children when it involves money. I choose not to participate in their melodramas as they cannot make right and wrong decisions that are simple no-brainers. Yes, I feel a bit guilty as I have allowed this to happen, but I am strong in the Lord knowing HE will provide for my adult children. I no longer have to. I have to honor my commitment to God, keeping my eyes on Jesus at all times and walk away from the chaos knowing my heart will eventually mend. I cannot save someone else, I can only save myself. I will keep my eyes on Him.

Terry and I have been praying together on this as we are putting together our boundaries for the new year. Everyone needs boundaries. This applies to not just adult children, but to all relationships in your life. We all have situations with friends and coworkers that we can enforce our personal boundaries, protecting ourselves from added stress. We CHOOSE what we accept to be involved in. Actions speak louder than words. Our behavior is testimony to who we are and how we think. I will let go and let God.

Food for thought....

Joy and Abundance,

Laurie

"So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, Leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person Then come and offer your sacrifice to God." Matthew 5:23-24

no. 8 Watching Over Her
Contemporary Daily Painting Horse Art by Laurie Justus Pace

24 x 30 x 2 inches Oil on Canvas
SOLD TODAY AS I POSTED IT!
THANK YOU!

Grumpy.... Is Grumpy in the bible? I didn't see it in my quick reference section. So I am sitting here trying to define the fog in my brain. Could it be discouragement? Or is it conflict? When I woke at 2:00 a.m., Terry was messing with his alarm clock and suddenly I was awake thinking it was time to rise and shine. One blink of my eye noted it was not only NOT time to wake up, but I had only been asleep four hours at best. He went back to sleep as I discovered my head was pounding in my left sinus and that began the process of rolling around and NOT going back to sleep. By 3:00 a.m., the squirrels were up running on the treadmill and there was no way sleep would be had. By 4:20, I was ready to go back to sleep, but knew I had to get up in fifteen minutes so I didn't do it.

The squirrels literally dug up a bunch of dust from the back of my brain and caused thoughts to build and multiply at frightening levels. Sort of when you get up you have a full head of steam going and a several directions to maneuver for the day intending to resolve all the issues now built up from simple treadmill dust to be giant rocky mountains to climb.

I believe I am discouraged and there is conflict in my life due to relationships where boundaries have disappeared. Out of this arises conflict. When this occurs on several levels the squirrels in your head have a hay day. Mine did. As I hit the computer this morning, I read email first. Perfect way to put your own personal issues on hold. I discovered a note from a fellow artist that is in a creativity block. She wrote to me from an icy cold snowed in civilization in Wisconsin. It was her vivid description of gloomy days and high snow banks that made me realize why winter in Texas is really very nice. She reminded me through her short note expressing her past year (2008 was a hard year for many of us) that GOD was still in charge. She unknowingly ministered to me as she had discovered my blog from Daily Painters. She lost her mom a year ago.

For a woman, losing a mom is losing part of your heart and your life. This is the woman that gave you love as you grew and constantly nurtured you into adulthood. Your heart echoed her heartbeat until you grew to be a woman in your own right, and then her heart echoed yours as she watched you grow to full beauty in your life discovering who you were and making your mark on the world. Seven years of full recovery is what we found with the loss of my mother-in-law. Seven years accompanied by occasional dismal moments of WHAT IF she had lived and still been here to share in our lives? WHY did you take her so early from us? I am angry Lord. I am hurt and disappointed. I feel so alone and abandoned....

God called her home to brighten the heavens. She left you a legacy to continue this earthly journey being the best you can be. In every painting you do, allow her spirit to be in the colors and allow the memories to stay alive as you create. Rejoice as she is in the best place she could be....

The rest of us are here on earth muddling along, dealing with the world. Me? I will be dealing with new boundaries. For those of you out there feeling discouraged, you are not alone. For those of you that are in conflict, again you are not alone.

"He said, "Listen, King Jehoshaphat! Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says "Do not be afraid! Don't be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord's victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afriad or discouraged. Go out there tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!" 2 Chronicles 20:15-17.

Stand firm with me, let go and let God. We do not have to fight these battles, but trust in Him to lead the offense. You do not have to carry it by yourself...you are not alone.

The battle is not yours, but God's....discouragement often comes after a great spiritual experience.

Laurie

"Overcoming discouragement brings great blessings." Galatians 6:9

no. 7 Hearing the Call
Contemporary Modern Art Palette Knife Horse Painting by Laurie Justus Pace

24 x 36 x 2 inches of THICK buttery oils applied with a palette knife.
Contact me for more information: Laurie

How did it get to be six thirty already? I have been sitting here an hour and just now blogging. I had to make my way through a truck load of email. That is how.

Okay so I was surprised this morning. As I set out to meditate and pray and read in my bible about what to write about this morning I read "Always be generous, open purse and hands, give to your neighbors in trouble, your poor and hurting neighbors." Deuteronomy 15:11

I am (Pardon the pun) "Hearing the Call".

In contrast at night I am still reading "Setting Boundaries for your Adult Children". Humm, they are indeed my neighbors in trouble, but somehow I have to set some boundaries here. I can't help but wonder if the Lord thinks that about us sometimes.

When the Israelites settled down after traveling, finally arriving in the land promised to them by God, they found Him instructing them to do something quite unusual. At the end of seven years they were to cancel all debts. Can you see my raising my hand for those college loans in our names? During that seventh year the Israelites were also instructed to put down their tools and take a time out. They were given a year of rest from toil and obligation. (My hand is back up in the air again.)

Why do you suppose God did this?

When He created the heavens, the world, the animals and all, He rested on the seventh day. Do you think He wanted the Israelites to understand that everything they had came from Him? God has always been a benevolent God. He provides for all of our needs, and we know this if we are paying attention. We miss much in our busy worlds. We need to be as openhearted with others as He is with us. God is a giving generous God and I believe He wants us to be the same to those in need around us.

This is a new thought for the new year. Give not just of your money, but of yourself. Be creative and find something different than the norm of dropping coins in the Salvation Army bucket, or dropping off coats to Good Will. What gifts can you share this year?

Joy and Abundance,
Laurie

"Give to them freely and unselfishly, and the Lord will bless you in everything you do." Deuteronomy 15:10

SELF PORTRAIT
Contemporary Art Daily Painters Challenge January 2008 Self Portrait by Laurie Justus Pace


8 x 10 inches Oil on Linen

I cannot image WHO would want to buy my self-portrait, but contact me if you are interested in commission work! Laurie

I was ready to blog at seven this morning but then read my emails and realized we were suppose to post self portraits today. I have one done back in 1995 and it is 2/3rds complete. I also have a watercolor done LEFT handed in 2003 but I do not know where it resides in my portfolio cases. So I decided to paint one from scratch. I had my FAVORITE RED SCARF made by Charlotte in Sacramento, and I tossed it around my head, snapped a few shots and then printed one out to work by. This is 2 and a half hours later and you have my self portrait.








If all of a sudden you got this visit from the Angel Gabriel to your home...yes he just appears next to you in the kitchen, or across from you sitting in the living room....what would you do? Most of us might faint and some might have a panic attack. Gabriel assures you that he was sent by the Father to you and he was interested in finding out what you thought you could put into a self portrait of your life.

My suggestion to figuring this out is for you to go buy an inexpensive sketch book about 11 x 14 inches in size. Fine some scissors, glue and big envelopes. Mark the envelopes LOVE, FRIENDS, HOME, HEART, FAMILY, GOD, DREAMS, WORK, and ENJOYMENT. Now pull out all the magazines in your home and begin looking through them. The sky is the limit. Cut out anything that calls to you. (this is like going into a store and buying ANYTHING you want and price does not matter...you cannot believe how enjoyable this is.) Place your cut out item into one of the marked envelopes that best fits where it falls in your life. Fill those envelopes. Take several weeks. Make sure you ask at the doctors office when you are there next week, if it is okay if you tear out a page or two. You will find yourself addicted to scouring through print magazine for things for your envelopes. OH cut out words and phrases too.

After a decent amount of collecting...divide your sketch book up into sections for each envelope. Then begin with your first one. YOU CHOOSE the order you want the nine things above. What I listed was a random order. Being collaging the cut out things onto the pages...overlap and glue and sit back and enjoy yourself. This is your self-portrait.

This will show you who you are and what things you usually keep hidden from your life or from others. I have two of these started. I will try and remember to find them and snap photos for a slide show so you can see who I truly am, besides this painting above. I have one book complete and started another one in Wyoming with Amanda Smith, the international Photographer I did a show with in August of 2007. I need to finish it up...and start my third. When you go back and look through them you will be amazed at who you are and you begin to see all the good God placed in you when He created you.

Go and create.... start it today. If you have children old enough, allow them to do one too.

Joy and Abundance,

Laurie

"And then the Lord God formed a man's body from the dust of the ground and breathed into it the breath of life. And the man became a living person." Genesis 2:7