forgiveness ... again

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I needed to revisit this one...

forgiveness

I hope it puts perspective in your heart today also

~katey

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Sir ELTON JOHN

Elton John - DANIEL

As has always been the tradition and intention of my blog - I bring you a mix of my art, along with music (cuz I can't live without it), and occasionally my little thoughts...

As I looked for an Elton song to carry your eyes through my Work-in-Progress photos here - I found this particular version of DANIEL.

I simply love the song... the two brother aspect of it always tugged at my heart (I have two sons). I never knew the context of the song until Elton explained it via the movie behind him as you can see in this Live version. The song is forever changed for me.

My Dad was a WWII soldier, and my grand-nephew is currently serving in the Navy.

God Bless the US Military & their families.

For lyrics to another song that perfectly illustrates my heart's cry - scroll to the end of this post... "What did he die for" ...

Reggie emerges...

On exhibition at Rick's STUDIO13 Grille & Bar in Mentor, Ohio

Please scroll waaaaay down this blog for MORE WiP - pics.

My affordable art is here:

http://www.blueyeduckstudios.etsy.com/

~kD

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WHAT DID HE DIE FOR

" He was twenty-one in 1944

He was hope and he was courage on a lonely shore

Sent there by a mother with love beyond her tears

Just a young American who chose to rise above his fears

And as I watch him struggle up that hill

Without a thought of turning back

I cannot help but wonder

What did he die for?

When he died for you and me

Made the sacrifice

So that we could all be free

I believe we will answer each to heaven

For the way we spend a priceless liberty

Look inside and ask the question
What did he die for?

When he died for me

To the darkest day in A.D. 33

Came the mercy and compassion of eternity

Sent there by a Father with love beyond His tears

Blameless One, the only Son to bear the guilt of all these years

And as I watch Him struggle up that hill

Without a thought of turning back I cannot help but wonder

What did He die for?

When He died for you and me

Made the sacrifice So that we could all be free

I believe we will answer each to heaven

For the way we spend a priceless liberty

Look inside and ask the question
What did He die for?

He died for freedom

He died for love

And all the things we do not pay Him back

Could never be enough

What did He die for?

When He died for you and me

Made the sacrifice
So that we could all be free

I believe we will answer each to heaven

For the way we spend a priceless liberty

Look inside and ask the question

What did he die for? When He died for me "

~Twila Paris

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iO1LSwfbAc

SiN

Someone saved my life tonight...

by Elton John

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"The Seven Deadly Sins"

Lust. Greed. Pride. Sloth. Gluttony. Anger (Wrath). Envy.

I just remembered -from English Lit- that "eggslap" was the acronym we were taught to memorize them by... envy, greed, gluttony, sloth, lust, avarice, and pride.

A series of events led me to drawing these nasty little beauties.
Some events I observed ...

Some events were hurled into my life ...

Some were recollections of the past year or so and the behavior of friends and so-called friends... even my own mistakes in handling events...

After coming across some small stone gargoyle statues in a gift shop - depicting the seven, so-called ', deadly' sins - another artist and I challenged ourselves to creating a series of our own interpretations of the sins in some sort of anamorphic format -- and so, these Gargoiles (pronounced Gargoyles - but emphasis on 'goils' as a play on 'girls') were born.

Lust was first and came easily. She evokes the most emotional response from me because she seems so innocent to her victims... and her (allegded) rewards are instantaneous. The Elton John song you are playing (you are playing it - yes?) - captures this one for me... such a passionate song... so well done. She is indeed that "princess perched in her electric chair" ... that "dominating queen" ... that "butterfly" ~ fly away!

And by-the-way, please don't get all offended at my use of the feminine - I recognize "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" - myself included. My artistic license has driven me to create these in the feminine form for better or worse.

With the little stone statues fresh in my mind - the flesh tones on my versions of these 'goyles is also stone-like and harsh.Each beauty measures just 2.5" x 3.5" (standard trading card size - known as ATC or ACEO). They have been created on black art paper with PrismaColor pencil.

Anger was really suppose to be Wrath. Afterall - anger in itself is no sin - "Be angry and sin not" -- It is the wrath, avarice, vengeance, and smoldering hatred that can follow that is actually 'the sin'. So, I wish I would have placed Wrath on her sash instead. *sigh* but I didn't - I was so completely into the doing of the thing - pencils flying... imagery crawling out onto the paper... it all happened quickly. I confess to having sinful thoughts while creating- recalling certain people and events and allowing myself to indulge in bitterness briefly. I stomped it out though - and chose forgiveness instead.

Anger is often tied up in passion and can cross-over into so many other areas of danger (visiting and mingling with these other ladies of darkness), but anger used to fuel what is good and right is a powerful tool in the human condition ...in which case such passion is a gift.

I hadn't intended for Envy to have green eyes - rather funny now that I see her there all unhappy with everything.

Poor Gluttony - her 'y' didn't even fit on her sash. Such a big title for a big issue. Never satisfied - with anything.

Pride - so confused. Isn't is good to be proud? Why is pride a sin? Look at her - all self-assured that she has no sin. That is it then - Pride is utter self assurance - no need of anyone and certainly no need of God. Pride has it all handled - completely.

Greed can never have enough - I think she and Pride may be twin sisters here. No one else exists. She will never know peace.

Sloth *yawn* - no big deal ... someone else will do it. She is not responsible. She is here for her - and so are you. You are here for her - you do it. It's your problem, not hers. That's how she sees it all.

The series will be available in print at a later date as a set.
The originals are at auction on eBay (the link is to the upper left).

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
~Romans 3:22-24

joy in the journey,
katey-D
Psalm 103

~*~SiLENCE~*~

Sometimes
you just have to be
silent....
even when
it makes no sense
to anyone else
even if they say
it is
unreasonable
even though
you want to shout
even though
it hurts

Sometimes you just have to be silent.






featured art:

~Altered Art~

handmade necklaces

created from actual dominoes
See my eBay store for more info
(top left)

joy in the journey,
~ katey-D

UnHappy Anniversary

Memorials & Memories…

I would be remiss to not quietly acknowledge that each of us has been touched in some way during this week of deep sorrow and unspeakable pain. We collectively add Virginia Tech to other such grief-laden words like Oklahoma City and Columbine.

Evil is NOT the opposite of God.

Evil is the ABSENCE of God.

When you find yourself saying Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas, remember that removing God and closing the doors to His presence invites evil.

Still - He seeks us and waits for us, and loves us…

FORGIVES US...

As small children, He is our superhero … as troubled teens He is a secret friend… As new parents He holds us when we struggle. And when we are ready to leave this life He is there to comfort & keep us…

~joy still,

katey

I Am

(by Nichole Nordeman 2002 Ariose Music)

Pencil marks on a wall, I wasn't always this tall

You scattered some monsters from beneath my bed.

You watched my team win, and watched my team lose

Watched when my bicycle went down again

When I was weak, unable to speak, still I could call You by name

And I said Elbow Healer, Superhero, come if you can

You said, I Am

Only sixteen, life is so mean

What kind of curfew is at 10 pm?

You saw my mistakes and watched my heart break

Heard when I swore I'd never love again

When I was weak, unable to speak, still I could call You by name

And I said Heartache Healer, Secret Keeper, be my best friend

You said, I Am

You saw me wear white by pale candlelight

I said 'forever' to what lies ahead

Two kids and a dream, with kids that can scream

Too much it might seem when it is 2 am.

When I was weak, unable to speak, still I could call You by name

Oh, Shepherd Savior, Pasture Maker, hold on to my hand

You said, I Am

The winds of change and circumstance

Blow in and all around us

So we find a foothold that's familiar

And bless the moments that we feel you nearer

When life had begun I was woven and spun

You let the angels dance around the throne

Who can say when, but they'll dance again

When I am free and finally headed home

I will be weak, unable to speak, still I will call You by name

Creator, Maker, Life SustainerComforter, Healer, My Redeemer

Lord and King, Beginning and the End

I Am, I Am

Featured Art: original Domino Pendants by Katey-D

INSPiRaTiON

A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble.

~Charles Spurgeon

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Many of the artists who gather in special, small groups on eBay to support one another are a community like no other. They are chosen family. I have chosen them, and to my great delight, they have chosen me. Oh, we have our odd ‘uncles’ and wacky ‘aunts’, but we are caring and understanding and the support is quite comforting.

Several of the more ‘with it’ artists blog more regularly than I do. Many of them have my blog linked on their blogs (something I will reciprocate soon - I promise!).

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Each week they blog one entry with a theme.

This week it is ‘inspiration‘.

I skipped right over the theme of “organization” (ha ha ha).

INSPIRATION

All my inspiration is spiritually motivated...at least I think it is... Really, I do!

This morning... Easter morning… I was at church an hour early as another family member had technical commitments that took all of us there extra early. We drove in one vehicle since there happened to be an odd snow storm this lovely Resurrection morn!
I sat with my drawing paper and pencil and got lost in the music in my head. I draw when I worship and pray (if I am able - which rarely happens in church by the way [the drawing part that is!] - but as I said, I was early). The church band was practicing, but I had my own tunes playing in my head…

I was thinking about what an incredibly tough few months it has been with what has seemed like a barrage of continual insults and arrows aimed at my heart or the heart of my sons (which is the same as my heart to me)…
We have become something like a family walking around with our skin burned off so that even comforting one another hurts and can cause the other one pain. So, where is my inspiration in such a time?

Often it is in music, and the promises I already have hidden in my heart. AND, I am reminded: it is in FORGIVENESS.

Recently I revisited an old album by Steve Camp -- particularly the song : Forgive Me Forgive You.

I have been thinking of this CD lately while I draw and pray...and when I am driving....although I ALWAYS sing & pray while I make art... and well, also when I drive!

When I searched for the lyrics online (so as not to have to sing and type at the same time from memory) - I came across Steve Camp’s blog with a wonderful teaching on the Resurrection by John MacArthur…

An inspirational find! I needed these good, solid promises today. No sugar water & no tap dancing… just solid food and a full orchestra.

Inspiration can happen at any moment.

http://www.stevenjcamp.blogspot.com/

Domino Collage Pendants

I have been reminded again (and again, and again) this Easter of the indescribable gift given to me - that all I have ever done (or will do) is forgiven (and there is nothing I have done to deserve such a gift - yet, there it is - right there, for ME)… [[and YOU too]]

So, how willing do I need to be to forgive those who offend me?

No matter if they ever change?

That is not the question… the question is do I forgive anyway?
I have been forgiven more than I will ever need to forgive.

“I don’t know if I can forget… All the pain that you caused me. How do I deal with this bitterness that lies deep inside of me? To turn the other cheek is so hard, when the other cheek is already bruised. I want to be whole again (I’m so tired of feeling used). Forgive me, forgive you. Forgive the hurt that we put each other through. I know the Lord can heal the deepest wounds - but He begins with: forgive me, forgive you.
Love must be tender. Love must be strong to make it through the storm. We can’t trust in our feelings - we must stand in the Lord. For love is a choice that we make. A vow of our wills - forever to take… (I’m tired of hurting you - for hurting me) so I humbly come to you (yes, I come to you) Forgive me, forgive you…forgive the hurt that we put each other through…” *Lyrics by Steve Camp ...typed while singing from memory afterall !

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working on it...

trusting...

joy in the journey regardless of the circumstance...

~ katey

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I must post script this entire 'post' as I post script the entire day - with one of my LIFE SONGS:

Take My Heart ~ by Phil Joel

(from THE most EXCELLENT CD: Bring it on)

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Today’s another day. Let’s forget about yesterday. Tomorrow’s another wayto distract us from now. So here we are. The day is young. What will be? What will become? I’m gonna let You decide. I’ll be me and You be You. Why do I confuse the two? I gotta swallow my pride!

Take my heart! Take it all! I lay my life down at Your feet ‘cause I want what You want for me. Take my heart. Take it all.

Today’s another day. This tomorrow’s yesterday is now. We’re only one breath away from it all falling down. So, let’s scatter those dreams. The ashes of our own opinions! Here’s to good health, selfish ambition - creates our own custom religion. I’m so tired of myself.

Here we are the day is young. What will be? What will become? I’m gonna let You decide. I’ll be me and You be You. Why do I confuse the two? I gotta swallow my pride.

Bring it on! Bring it on! Oh, Lord, I want what You want for me. Whatever it takes. Whatever You want - Bring it on!