Quiet Contemplation - "Here I AM"

This past week I have been meditating in the wonderful things the Lord has done for me and my family. And it's not just the good times that come to mind but also the trials and tribulations that He has guided me through. For it is said that we don't truly learn how to walk in faith unless our faith is tested. It's easy to give praise and glory to the Lord in times of happy circumstances. But the true mature spiritual living is found in the praising of our God during the times of upset, disappointment, and uncertainity. In the times of abstract living where nothing looks as it should; which is truly how the Lord guides my Art Memories. 

I find a peace that brings me a spiritual joy when I surrender to God's word. It's a joy that is not dependant on circumstances but only on my faith that God is working His best for the children who He loves. I am that child! You are that child! 

It allows me to tread deeper into the water with Jesus; totally dependent on Him to direct my heart and mind to draw, paint, collage the artwork that will become my Art Memories.

Mini Artwork Mixed Media Collage "Here I AM" size 3x3 inches

This latest mini artwork is titled "Here I AM". It's my artistic response to the meditation of the following scriptures in my current situation of buying a new home (when all houses we view are vacant boxes and what my husband and I are searching for is a HOME). We pray, Lord, bring us HOME. We pray, Lord, let Your presence be found there. We pray, Lord, let it be a blessing to our hearts so we may use it to bless others. 

This artwork is an abstract storytelling of how the dark gray clouds and crimson red blood waters flowed over Egypt during the days of God's anger towards Pharaoh. For Pharaoh did not honor God's name, the great I AM and hear the words of his servant, Moses.

Exodus 9:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh and say to him, 'This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: "Let my people go, so that they may worship me."

The colors in the background collage painted papers is a remembrance of ancient times when things appeared bleak to the Israelites. Where even Moses doubted if he was the right person for the job. But God answered Moses to remind him and reassure Moses of who it was that Moses served.

Exodus 3:14
God replied to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM."

It was by faith that God lead Moses and the Israelites from Eygpt and parted the waters of the Red Sea to bring forth a new joy to His people. For when things appear impossible God does the possible. 

Psalm 92:4
For You have made me rejoice, Lord, by what You have done.

The foreground is collaged with painted papers of various shades of green and blue; a tree grows. There is a joyful movement of a winding path set before mountain peaks. The pathway beckons to follow by faith towards living waters yet its end is not in sight. Kind of like our house search. We started in May 2016 and now it's August and with our house (the house we are selling) under contract and our settlement date scheduled for end of September we pray for God to do the possible and lead us HOME (to the house we will buy).  

In my meditation of the word and through my art practice I become made new and pray my heart's prayer to God with a new found spiritual joy. 

MY HEART'S PRAYER 
(This I pray when in doubt and in anixousness)

In the stillness, in the quiet, in the surrender of all worldly things I find God. 
Here I AM...

In the present, in the now, in the HERE, the great I AM, my Father God, my Lord, my Rock, my Redeemer takes me by His powerful right hand and guides my pathways. Anxiousness has no power within my heart and mind. For my heart is not consumed with earthly falsehoods. Instead I meditate my mind in quiet contemplation on the words of my God. 

Exodus 3:14 God replied to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM."
Psalm 92:4 For You have made me rejoice, Lord, by what You have done.

In my Father's hand I am in the Spirit; in power and glory. All wisdom onto my soul is sowed through the grace of the Lord that saves me. My joy is aboundant and my soul's desire to come closer to the Father has come full circle. It is the Alpha and the Omega that I trust my life to. For the seeds He has sown within my heart have developed into the harvest of Love that saves me from the fire of the wicked. 

In light we travel. My Savior and I. Hand in hand. To where? Heaven only knows but God is my guide. That is enough. My JOY is found in HIM, here I AM.

In Jesus name I pray.
~Sandra

Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am GOD.

God has been so good to me. He gave me an art ministry that brings me spiritual refreshness to make me into a NEW CREATION each day. My prayer relationship with God is my lifeline and that is why I make Prayer Pillows designed and inspired by scripture to encourage others to pray daily. When we PRAY we are living Psalm 46:10 Be Still and Know That I Am God. Praying is DOING, by slowing down to allow for a prayer life you are opening yourself up to surrender to God's will and ministry over your life. In today's times we are often too busy and too rushed to honor and value what it means to be STILL in the word of God. After I PRAY I often meditate in the word of God by making artwork inspired by God's ancient words. Below is a mini artwork 3.5 x 2.5 ATC card I created inspired by Psalm 46:10 and what it means to me to be STILL and be made into a NEW CREATION. The ARTWORK is titled "NEW CREATION"
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"NEW CREATION" mixed media size 3.5x2.5 inches

STORYTELLING - When I rise in the morning I trust in the Lord who has prepared the day for me. The seeds have been planted and are growing according to the power of the Holy Spirit that guides my pathways. Seeking the will of God as my teacher I surrender to Him and kneel, with folded hands, my eyes on Him only. He is the Savior that I cannot see in flesh but I put my trust in the abstract, the spiritual, and believe He is a living God that desires a personal relationship with me. My prayers are heard in the oneness I experience when I am STILL in the presence of my God. ~ Sandra

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Below are 2 Custom Prayer Pillows I created using this mini artwork and scripture as my inspiration.

GROW 18x18 mixed media Artisan Prayer Pillow.

Custom Prayer Pillow made as a gift for a male teenager.  The artwork was scanned and printed on cotton fabric using Spoonflower as my digital printer. I added a wooden fish as a reminder of how Jesus taught his disciples how to become FISHER of MEN. He developed them into men who would share the gospel so everyone may be saved by the word of God. It's tough to be a young person growing up in today's time, even when you grow up in the church. There are tons of questions and worldly temptations that can lead a young person away from living a Christian life. But it is okay to have doubts and concerns when you are in the process of becoming a mature Christian. When those times come take everything to God in Prayer. He will lead you to the TRUTH.

NEW CREATION 18x18 mixed media Artisan Prayer Pillow.

Custom Prayer Pillow made as a gift for a woman who recently bought a new home. The artwork was scanned and printed on white canvas using my personal HP Inkjet printer. I added the glass beads to reflect the raindrops that God provides the land so that it may bear good fruit and be fertile. Just as God provides for nature He provides for our needs such as a need for shelter, a home we can serve the Lord in. It's a BIG responsibility to buy a new home and money might get tight at times but God always provides for His children and through prayers we can stay connected to His peace and love to keep us afloat during times of tribulation.







To view current Artisan Prayer Pillows up for sale click here. To order your own custom prayer pillow email me at alchemymanager@yahoo.com.