Friday, July 24, 2009

Zebras and Ladybugs!

Happy Friday! Woohoo! I am so looking forward to this weekend! Tomorrow, we pack up the Mama mini van and head off to the beautiful state of Tennessee to visit Hubby's parents. Y'all, my mother-in- love is the BEST cook! The boys and I have been putting in our orders for weeks now for some of our favorites (Fried okra is at the top of the list along with Munder's brownies!) I'll be posting again on Tuesday--hopefully, I'll have some fun pics to share!

Well, today is all about my precious little friend way...way...out in the Pacific Northwest! I would love to vacation there one day and actually meet her! Nichole (On Purpose) was the winner of the little canvas painting that I gave away on my 100th post! I had so much fun painting this for her! She told me that her favorite colors were red and black--I immediately thought of Georgia's football colors!(Once an SEC fan always an SEC fan!!) When I started painting, one of my boys referred to it as the ladybug canvas! It's red with black polka dots! Then, I added a funky zebra ribbon! I just love my zebra ribbon (I have found a pair of zebra shoes that I'm eyeing as well!!)
Nichole shared her life verse with me, and I painted it on the canvas. I had read it before, but when I took the time to painstakingly paint one letter at the time, God shed a new light on it! I love how He works!!

And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Cor. 5:15
Y'all, this is powerful! He made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us--sinners that we are even when we try to be good! We are to live for HIM. Put yourself in His place. Think about this...How would Jesus handle a job loss? What would Jesus say about that couple considering divorce? How would He respond to a family situation that's gotten out of control? This is it people! We as Christians are the temple in which He resides. There is no longer the temple that was built for the Lord by King Solomon. No longer is there a temple where a curtain separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the sanctuary. That physical curtain was ripped from top to bottom on the day of the Crucifixion! We now have the Holy Spirit within us and are to live as Christ did! That's what this verse is all about! Nichole, this verse is awesome! I am so thankful that you blessed us all with it, sweet friend!

As you enjoy the weekend, remember this verse! I also encourage you and challenge you to pray and explore the Bible to see if your life verse has been given to you yet! If not, pray and ask God to reveal it to you!! I am!! I would LOVE to hear your life verse if you already know it!! Please share with us!!

Sweet Blessings!

23 comments:

Joyful said...

WOW Susan, you did a great job! Nichole is going to love it.

Can't say that I have a "life verse", but the Lord directs me to a verse every year to embrace and apply. This year it is 1 Corinthians 2:2: For I resolve to know nothing this year except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Longing to simply know Him,
Joy

Amy said...

I love this life verse. Amazing grace!

Also, thank you for the kind words and your prayers about my trust post.
Blessings,
Amy

Ginger said...

That is so neat! You are so creative. I love that verse. What a message in that scripture!

I don't know that I have a life verse, but one of my favorites and the one that's on my blog is Hebrews 11:1. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

For a while now this verse and everything it means has given me strength when many times I wanted to give up!

So glad you had the chance to eat a banana sandwich! I love a good ole mater sandwich too...another summmer fav! Have fun on your trip.

Laura said...

What a beautiful work of art! Nichole is blessed to have such a pretty reminder of this amazing truth.

Have a sweet time in TN. Can almost taste the okra now...

elizabeth said...

That is so beautiful - both to look at and your words about it.

My life verse is "I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me" Phil 4:13 It has truly kept me going more times than I can count.

On Purpose said...

How great is this...that I get to see this BEAUTIFUL work of art before it even makes it to my doorstep!! Susan this is beautiful...I am so blessed. Thanking Him today for the amazing gift He has giving you!

But really girl I do have a teeny little complaint...ready...first of all I come here to visit and you have to mention something about brownies...yikes girl...I am having some issues...go read my blog if you need help identifying with my issues...and second of all if the Engineer finds out you pretty much okay'd it for me to get a new pair of shoes to match my canvas...he might just be beside himself!! HA!

I love you!

Enjoy your trip...enjoy every bite of the Fried Okra...and even the brownies!

I hope to meet and hug you REAL soon!

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Beautiful work, as usual. Even better verse. God does good work through you.

Enjoy your weekend.

peace~elaine

Anonymous said...

Hi Susan! I hope your flowers dry well. Good luck and remember it's all in the waiting~ Susie

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

Thanks for your comment...seriously, I will bring the Crocs..they are gorgeous and the most comfy things I have worn (and they are heels ;)

I wish I could say I haven't finished my talk...I haven't started. We have been gone for 2 weeks visiting with family and friends we hadn't been with. We hopped from place to place and every time I wanted to "work" I felt really guilty.I also have two writing deadlines that are due this monday and so...life happened. I knew I had to put this at the back, but it doesn't feel good. The Lord will reveal a lesson for me to learn, I know. :)

Sharon Sloan said...

So cute....the girlfriend and the artwork! Great verse!

So excited you are going to She Speaks!!!! Can't wait to hear all about it!

Empty Nest Full Life said...

Your words are always the best!! What a great canvas and it does remind me of GA colors. I am in GA my daughter is in FLA, and she is coming this weekend. We will be going to visit my parents in Athens and to a 50th anniversary Party. It is going to be an experience with 3 dogs all together at my mother's!!! I will try to return with pictures. Where are you in SC? Would love to meet sometime. Jackie

Marilyn in Mississippi said...

Nichole's life verse just got me to thinking again about how "it's not about US --it's about HIM" ! How often I seem to forget that and take my eyes off Jesus and turn them back to myself!

I love the "ladybug" canvas! You did a super job on it! It made me think of my little granddaughter's meltdown at McDonald's yesterday. They are giving away Ty beanie baby McDonald toys right now and her's was a Ronald McDonald. Evidently when hubby had her out on the play ground she saw another child with a LadyBug toy. When it was time to leave so we could get home in time for hubby to leave for work she just had a meltdown. I thought she just didn't want to leave the playground but she kept sobbing, "I want da LadyBug toy!" over and over. (she is three) Finally I got her by the hand and said, "Come and show Granmamma!" She took me to the display case with all the different toys in it and pointed to the furry red and black LadyBug beanie baby. "Dat one! Right dare (there)! I want da Lady Bug one!" I hugged her sweet littly sweaty neck and told her we'd try and get one the next Happy Meal. I hope McDonald's can come through for me! ha ha

Hope you have a very wonderful time in TN!

God bless you and yours!

Marilyn....in Mississippi

Empty Nest Full Life said...

Susan, cute giveaway over at Lucky to be blessed blog. If you tell her I sent you, we could both possibly be winners. Jackie Ends at midnight tonight.

Yolanda said...

Enjoy the time in TN w/family. The art work is fantastic!

Lovingly,
Yolanda

Empty Nest Full Life said...

I am in Vidalia HOT Georgia. My daughter lives in Florida, that is where you got confused. My son lives in Augusta. I will be headed to Athens this weekend to see my folks and attend a wedding anniversary reception. Have a great weekend and your time in TN. Jackie

Lelia Chealey said...

Okay, not only do you run mega miles, get to stay with Elaine and have the cutest accent ever...you are also so creative Susan! I am going to have to buy something from you for my girls.
And thank you for picking apart this verse...how awesome is the God we serve? Wow!! What a great start to my morning.
love you,
Lelia
Have fun visiting your husbands side.

Jennifer @ JenniferDukesLee.com said...

Susan, That is simply beautiful! Wow! So glad you shared it. Nichole will love it.

Another note: I enjoy how you called your mother-in-law your mother-in-love. I have one of those, too -- a dear, sweet soul of a 'mother-in-love.'

Blessings, dear one.

christy rose said...

Susan, I hope you have a great time with your family in Tennessee. I have family there too.
Beautiful piece of artwork with that verse. I love it.

Isabel said...

Safe travels and happy time with family dear friend. The canvas is adorable. Simply cute. What talent you have!! :)

See you in a few days. Can't wait for She Speaks.

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

It's beautiful - truly appreciated, I'm sure.

Sarah said...

You are just everything I want to be -- runner mom and so stinkin' creative!! That is precious! I've been 'blog-flitting' commenting on blogs of others' that I have seen that are going to She Speaks. I have noticed that you are, but never commented here. I've commented on your blog a time or two, but it would be way cool if I get to meet you this weekend!!

I saw your offer of a run on Saturday morning, but since my body won't be on the same time zone, I'm hesitant to commit! I will definitely get some form of exercise in for the day, but maybe not first thing!

Danielle said...

Oh, Susan, that is beautiful!!

I don't know if I have a 'life verse', but one that God continually brings me back to is... Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.Ps. 19:14

It shows me that God is always listening and watching, and when I am troubled, to bring everything to the table before Him. He is the One who is strong, Who is able. He is the One that has redeemed me. If I meditate on Him, truly, it will be life that comes forth from my mouth.

I hope I get to meet you at SS... but I will not be running. Sorry! This body would die!! Wicked, weak flesh.

Unknown said...

My life verse is Ephesians 3:17-18

That being said, about 4 years ago, God placed another verse heavily on my heart. I call that my middle-age verse. LOL It's Genesis 17:1