Category: Inspiration

I believe

Posted in essay, Inspiration

PrayerNow faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

I believe. I believe despite anything that tries to erode my belief. Life happens, not always in the way I want it to. Humans build elaborate castles of expectation and dream impossible dreams, but in the end we do not know what will happen or how we will react. As a woman of faith, I build upon the foundation of God’s love so when things go sour – and in the world they will and do – I am grounded on the sure promise of God’s presence. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (NIV Joshua 1:9) God knows the road ahead; I do not. Whether I ride on a wave of success, or am in the throes of distress, I have the certainty of this: God is with me through everything.

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ADVENT WREATH

Posted in Inspiration, Poetry4 Comments

Advent

Advent reminds us
that around the Christ candle there is –
Hope.
Peace.
Joy.
Love.
Words to live by
in an often tumultuous world.
Amazing Grace says eloquently
what we most need to know about these words,
especially Love.
We are redeemed, not because of who we are,
but because of who Jesus is,
born in lowly circumstances, Savior and Redeemer.
We cannot earn God’s saving Grace;
it is freely given,
Love personified –
Christ in a manger;
Christ teaching and healing;
Christ on a cruel cross;
Christ dead and buried;
Christ arisen, Triumphant!
The best gift we can give
is to be there for people when they need us.
God’s gift is the gift of Love,
a gift we can share all through the year.

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The Prayer

Posted in Arts, Inspiration, Life2 Comments

cropped-Christ-Child.jpg

In a chaotic world this song – so beautifully rendered by these talented young men – reassures and uplifts. Merry Christmas. I’ve posted it before and will probably post it again.

 

Thank you for being a reader/subscriber. It is my goal to present informative, interesting and creative content on this site. Your likes, shares and comments are welcomed and hugely appreciated.

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Mist

Posted in Arts, Inspiration, Life, Poetry2 Comments

Misty morning

morning’s misty glow
filtered through foggy dawn light
a new day is born

 

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My New Mexico

Posted in essay, Inspiration, Poetry

Sun on Snow - Fall 2019

Autumn warm, the kind inside your heart
when you sit comfortably by the hearth.
A brisk and stormy day
when snow crystals come out to play.
The gentle swell of joy comes along
giving all of life a happy song.

Autumn warm, a stirring of leaves,
winter has surprises up its sleeves!
Take in those splashes of color bright,
iridescent in Autumn’s light.
The aroma of chile roasting and pumpkin pie
gives us all an Autumn high!

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Courage

Posted in Arts, Inspiration, Poetry

Sundown

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” 1 Peter 3:13-14

Sometimes courage shows
when we do the right thing;
when we stay quiet
in the cacophony of raised voices;
when gossip is being spread about.
Perhaps it is speaking faith
by your actions
when others say, “There is no God.”
Could it be prayer raised
on behalf of someone who is not like you
or who has treated you badly?
Don’t fear what other people think;
be true to who God made you to be,
that is the step-by-step journey
called courage.

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Tears are not enough

Posted in essay, Opinon, She said...

Sad situation

I’m working on an article for the Las Vegas Optic about animals – mostly dogs – in the most recent incident of a woman accused of animal hoarding. All I can say is, it’s heartbreaking. We do not have an animal in our home. The last dog we shared our house with was killed when he wandered out of our yard – despite our best efforts to keep him confined – and got run over. It was horrible. That was more than two decades ago. Our youngest son was in high school. It broke his heart, and ours. I vowed to never have a pet again. It was like losing part of the family.

The photo above is an aerial shot of the compound where 60 animals were sheltered, if that’s what you want to call it.

It is sad that anyone would knowingly create a situation in which animals were underfed (starved), medically neglected and caged in poor excuses for shelter. More troubling is the snail-pace judicial system that has resulted in a lengthy road to justice. The first incident occurred in January of this year. A second incident just a week ago, involved the same person. More than 60 animals were added to the 32 already under the care of the local animal shelter, a community resource that is stretched past its limits. Look for the Optic article, which will appear in the next week or so, which will talk about how you can help. In the mean time, if you are a Facebook user, you can find out more here. Looke for the DONATE button and conveniently give online.

Please help. Donate money or food. This is a serious situation. I commend the Animal Welfare Coalition and all it does to protect the animals who share this planet with us, but they can’t do it alone. They need our help.

Note: Photo of Rowe property from AWC Facebook page.

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Strength

Posted in Inspiration, Life, Poetry2 Comments

Strength

 

Trouble comes.
Faith builds.
The Foundation is solid;
it is called the Foundation for a reason.
The mortar that holds it together cannot be broken.
Trouble is just another name for courage.
Trials come and go;
the Foundation remains.
We are better after the battle than we were before.
Stronger. Wiser. Resilient.

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Artist Profile: Kathy McCoy

Posted in Arts, Inspiration1 Comment

Kathy McCoyFrom the artist: Kathy McCoy has been a soldier, artist , museum director, published author, performing arts director and lecturer. She holds a B.F.A. in sculpture from Northern Arizona University. She worked primarily in bronze and showed professionally in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. Kathy was selected as the inaugural artist to show at the DeGrazia Gallery of the Sun in Tucson, now a National Historical District.

Kathy returned to her home in the southeast to complete studies in Applied Anthropology at University of Tennessee and Georgia State University. She became the founding executive director of the Monroe County Heritage Museums in Monroeville, AL, the home of Harper Lee and Truman Capote. At that time she began her journey from visual arts to performing arts. She founded, directed  and toured  nationally and internationally the production of To Kill a Mockingbird,  which was selected as a Millennium Year production at the Kennedy Center.

Kathy continued her visual arts artistry as a performing arts director in Pell City,  Alabama until her retirement . At that time she returned to her “roots” and began finding her way back into visual arts. Kathy now spends her time between Alabama, Florida and LeDoux , New Mexico.

In the eye of the artist Q. What art medium do you work in?
A. Oil and ink.

Q. Why that medium?
A.  I like the flows and colors.

Q. What inspires you?
A. Natural surroundings, animals, people. The  profound beauty of New Mexico is so overwhelming that one has to stop and take notice. And being an artist , I have the passion to interpret that beauty through my oil and ink paintings, whether they be on canvas, tiles or anything with a surface!

Q. What is your preferred work environment?
A. New Mexico!

Q. Who do you most admire and in what ways were you influenced by the individual?
A. I am not influenced by one particular artist  but, like all artists I believe, I am influenced by the works of many ,many artist , past and present.

Q. What do you most want visitors to the show to know about you as an artist?
A. I have been both a visual and performing artist all my life.

Q. Where can you work be purchased?
A. Black Belt Treasures, Camden, Alabama, and ARTSCAPE Gallery, Pell City, Alabama. Both are cooperative galleries.

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