Winter past!
Arise, my beloved!

The voice of my Beloved!
Behold, He comes
Leaping upon the mountains,
Skipping upon the hills.

The Feast of First Fruits 
Celebrate the Resurrection of Messiah
April 3-4, 2021

In this year of 2021, The Feast of First Fruits begins at sundown on April 3^rd and ends at sundown April 4^th. It is celebrated on the Sunday after Passover and during The Feast of Unleavened Bread. God appointed this day of observance for the Jewish people over 3,500 years ago as a day of praise to Him for the early spring harvest and the resurrection of the earth. (See Leviticus 23:9-14)

Hesed
The Indescribable Love of God

In the autumn of 2004, I heard about the Hebrew word hesed (or chesed) for the first time. My new husband and I had left our jobs to go to a 22-month Bible school in a new city. I remember walking out into the dark night after a class in a trance of joy. The deep, vast meaning of hesed captivated me.

Great love
Lavished upon us!

Behold, how great a love the Father has lavished upon us that we should be called the children of God! (1 John 3:1)

Beloved
I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine. (Song of Songs 6:3)

Many waters cannot quench love, neither can a flood drown it. (Song of Songs 8:7)

A Chronology of Jesus’ Birth 
A Family Reading and A Fun Quiz
Free PDF Download (Printable format)

The following passages are taken from the three Gospels accounts in the Bible that contain portions of the story of Jesus’ birth. As best as I could, I wove them together in the order that the events took place, gave subtitles, and color-coded the portions. I hope you enjoy reading the complete story with your family and friends.
Matthew 1-2 – Verses are in red.
Luke 1-2 – Verses are in black.
John 1 – Verses are in green.

The Feast of Tabernacles
He is with you! 

The Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot falls on the full moon of the 7th Hebrew month Tishrei in the fall. This year, this Feast begins at sundown on October 2 and lasts through October 10. It is a week of celebration and thanksgiving!

During this week of The Feast of Tabernacles,

Yom Kippur
The Veil has been torn!

In this year of 2020, Yom Kippur or The Day of Atonement begins at sundown on September 27^th and lasts through the 28^th. 

The Feast of Trumpets, celebrated last weekend, is followed by The Days of Awe – ten days of repentance and preparation. These days end with a day of fasting called Yom Kippur, the most sacred Jewish holiday of the year. On this day, only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies in the temple to offer a sacrifice for the sins of the people. A large veil of blue, purple, and crimson linen blocked access to this holy place where God dwelled. (2 Chronicles 3:14).

Yom Kippur
The Culmination of Adonai's Hesed

Jesus (Yeshua) fulfilled The Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur that comes about in the fall after the Feast of Trumpets that was just celebrated this past weekend (see last week’s post here). This year, Yom Kippur begins at sunset on September 27 and ends at nightfall on September 28.

Yom Kippur recognizes Father’s greatest act of hesed toward us. The Lord made His hesed (indescribable love) so tangible to me last August 8 in 2019. I am still not able to put the impact of the experience into words, but it affected everything including my prayers.

In honor of this special lavish learning from my Father, I created this long banner with green satin letters on white linen to be the centerpiece of our home – Hesed Adonai Khadash kol Boker or The lovingkindness of the Lord is new every morning!

The Feast of Trumpets
On the Feast of Trumpets and Every Day, We Celebrate His Return!

The Feast of Trumpets will be celebrated this year on September 19^th and will begin at sunset the evening before. It falls on the new moon of the 7^th Hebrew month Tishrei.

God appointed seven yearly feasts for the Israelites to observe (found in Leviticus 23) to foretell and foreshadow Jesus’ life, sacrifice, death, burial, resurrection and return!

Saved by the Blood
On the night that Jesus was betrayed, He celebrated the Passover with His disciples. He Himself became our Passover Lamb. The Passover card celebrates God’s deliverance for us through Yeshua’s blood. The card includes the artist’s notes and a celebration greeting on the inside. Here is some of the text included on the back of the card:

 Though the earth should change…

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the midst of the sea;

How are your sins like scarlet?

“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.”  Isaiah 1:18

Purim
Esther's Story
2018
Free Printable PDF Download

The Feast of Lots or Purim Card is from the The Feasts of Israel Fulfilled Collection at Flower Girl Greetings.com

The celebration of the Feast of Lots or Purim (poo reem’) begins at sundown on March 9th this year. The first Feast of Purim was recorded in the Megillah, the Scroll of Esther.  

When I decided to add the Purim Art Card to The Feasts of Israel Fulfilled Collection, I had no idea how difficult it would be… Capturing the dazzle and gold leaf reflections from the original art to reproduce for the printer was daunting! 

December – I am Redeemed
Redeemed is the Hebrew nîgāl.

­­­“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. Ephesians 1:7

November – I am Holy

­­And they will call them, “The holy people, the redeemed of the Lord.” Isaiah 62:12a

The heavens shall praise Your wonders, O Lord; Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones. Psalm 89:5

October – I am Beautiful
Beautiful is the Hebrew yāpeh

The King’s daughter is all glorious within; Her clothing is interwoven with gold. Psalm 45:13

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14a

You are altogether beautiful, my darling. Song of Songs 4:7a

September – I am a Reflector
Reflector is the Hebrew lashaqaph and means reflect, mirror, make visible.

For God Who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves. 2 Corinthians 4:6-7

August – I am Chosen
Chosen is the Hebrew bāhîr.

Jesus said, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit and that your fruit would remain…” John 15:16a

Zephaniah's Song
He Quiets Me

Dear friends,
 
Sometimes I have days. Days with disturbance in my emotions or mind. Days when I look up to my Father and ask for mercy and clarity. Last Monday was one of those days. Words that would describe my emotions were “limited, constricted, disquieted.” A friend listened to my heart and prayed for me. I went to my Father’s Word. Ahhh!

July – I am Sealed
Sealed is the Hebrew ’hātam and means kept secure.

After listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and also having believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise who is given as a pledge guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of God’s own possession to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13-14

June – I am Strengthened
Strengthened is the Hebrew chazaq and means strong, courageous, sure, steadfast, prevailing.

Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings as eagles; they will run and not be weary; and they will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Shavuot or Pentecost

The Feast of Weeks or Shavuot is celebrated seven weeks and one day (50 days) after The Feast of First Fruits to rejoice in the late spring wheat harvest. It is also called Pentecost, the Greek word for fiftieth.

Jewish tradition also calls this day The Time of the Giving of Our Torah when the Lord revealed Himself to His people at Mount Sinai; Mount Sinai quaked violently as He came in glory with thunder, fire, thick clouds and smoke to write His law on tablets of stone. (Exodus 19)

May – I am Hidden
Hidden is the Hebrew tsāphan and means hidden, treasured, protected.

One thing I have asked of the Lord, that will I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will set me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:4-5­

Our First Fruits
April 11, 2019

The Feast of First Fruits is celebrated on the Sunday that falls after Passover during The Feast of Unleavened Bread. It is a day of praise to the Lord for the early spring harvest and His reviving of the earth after the winter’s repose.

Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah died and was buried in the earth on Passover. He rose from the dead on The Feast of First Fruits. We celebrate this Feast on April 21^st this year on Resurrection Sunday!

April – I am Forgiven
Forgiven is the Hebrew nāśā and means lifted, taken away.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. Ephesians 1:7 ­

The Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many as He will bear their iniquities. Isaiah 53:11b

John saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

His Grand Compassion

The Grand Compassion Art Card is from the Thy Faithfulness Collection and is also available as a 4-Pack at Flower Girl Greetings.com

In April 2001, I traveled with a friend out west. I took this photograph in Arizona at the Grand Canyon as the sun set. The Canyon was bigger than anything I had seen; I just couldn’t grasp its magnitude in my humanness. And yet…

His song will be with me in the night
Gazing on grace

The Song in the night Art Card is available as a 4-Pack at Flower Girl Greetings.com

The Book of Psalms is a collection of songs for God’s people. They are filled with beautiful poetry that expresses the depths of the human heart. From raging pain and questioning to bursting praise and thanksgiving, the Psalms affirm that it is good to pour out our hearts before our loving God for in Him is our help, security and comfort.

March – I am Blessed
Blessed is the Hebrew ashrei and means I am rich in lavished grace and inheritance.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Ephesians 1:3

In Him we have also obtained an inheritance having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will. Ephesians 1:11

O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Psalm 34:8

I will never leave

The I will never leave Art Card is from the Presence Collection at Flower Girl Greetings.com

Your Bridegroom, Jesus, is closer to you than you can comprehend. Yeshua is His Hebrew Name. After you received Him (John 1:12-13), you became His child. He surrounds you, but then came in you. Look for Him. Peer through your tangible surroundings to see Him there. Look all around for Him. Your loving Savior wants you to develop an increased awareness of His presence and His voice calling out in love every single moment.

Lloyal
Lloyal was Not Forsaken—A Tribute

Dear family,

Within the Portrait Art Card Collection, Flower Girl Greetings spans the ages. The original artwork for the Lloyal Art Card was given to my friend, Brenda, for her birthday.

The card was painted with watercolor from a photograph of her father whose name was Lloyal. (See the Art Card at the end of this post.) Mr. Lloyal Burkey inspired me with his loyalty to the Lord Jesus Christ over many years and his passion for his Lord’s love letter, the Bible. He read the Bible through every year of his life. This card was a tribute to his life. I penned Psalm 119:105 over the pages of his Bible, “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Sparrow
Are you discouraged?

Discouragement comes in many forms. It can be difficult to know the source. Loneliness, depression, and failure can bring discouragement. Some people have had emotional trauma that surfaces at certain times of the year that needs to be healed.  Some people have personalities that are very affected by the weather. 

The Love of Christ

The love of Christ Art Card is from the Florals 2 Collection and is also available in a 4-Pack.

To read the text on The Love of Christ card, please continue reading:

February – I am Beloved
Beloved is the Hebrew yādîd and means I am greatly loved by the Lord and I am the one the Lord loves.

See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us that we should be called children of God!  1 John 3:1a­

The beloved of the Lord rests securely in Him for He shields him all the day, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders.  Deuteronomy 33:12

Daddy Loves you!
Avinu Abba - Engulfed in His Gaze

The Avinu Abba card is from The Hebrew Names of God Collection at Flower Girl Greetings.com

Dear friends,

Today I remember 7 years ago when my father passed away. I think about him a lot when I “engineer” or analyze a drawing, a document, a task or a plan. I think about him when I do things that reflect what he did, like putting little labels on drawers and paint jars, and appreciating handmade wooden furniture and puzzles, and finding satisfaction in a job well-completed. I’m grateful for the little and big traces of good things that came to my life because of him. 

January – I am New
New is the Hebrew chādāsh and means new, fresh, born again.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26v

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In His great mercy He caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3

Avinu, Abba
Father, Daddy - Engulfed in His Gaze

­­­The Hebrew word Avinu means Father. The Hebrew word Abba means Daddy.
“But now, O Lord, Thou art our Father; we are the clay, and Thou our potter, and we all are the work of Thy hand.” Isaiah 64:8

Celebrate with Anna!

Anna is from the Portrait Collection and is also available as a Celebrate His Birth 4-pack.

“She continued to speak of Him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:38b) 

In the Bible, Anna was a woman of strength, dignity, faithfulness, vigilance, peace and joy in her redemption in Jesus!
The text on the back of this card says: 

We have victory through Messiah Yeshua!

The Feast of Dedication, Hanukkah Art Card is from the Feasts of Israel Fulfilled Collection.

Hanukkah is also called The Feast of Dedication and The Festival of Lights. Did you know that the Bible references Hanukkah in John 10:22-29?

He is the image of the invisible God!
Celebrate His Birth!

The Brightness of His Glory Art Card is available as a 4-pack.  The back of this card includes the following verses: 

God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers by the prophets at many times and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son whom He appointed heir of all things and through whom also He made the worlds. And He is the brightness of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. Hebrews 1:1-2

El Roi
God Who sees me

­­­The Hebrew name of God El Roi is found once in the Old Testament in Genesis 16:13-14 on the lips of Hagar, Sarai’s maid. Because of Sarai’s jealous, harsh treatment of her, Hagar fled and found herself in a desperate, lonely, thirsty place.

Together, let’s raise praise!

The Grateful praise Art Card is found in the Thanksgiving Collection and is also available as a 4-Pack. 

On October 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln gave our nation’s first formal Proclamation of Thanksgiving in Washington D.C.  The proclamation was written by Secretary of State William Seward, and was an invitation to thank God collectively for His provision and care!

Shout joyfully!
Celebrate with thanksgiving!

Shout joyfully is a high-quality art card that can be sent with just one regular stamp! It is available in the Thanksgiving Collection at Flower Girl Greetings.com

Shout joyfully to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of His name! Make His praise glorious! (Psalm 66:1-2)

He came for you!

The He came Art Card is a simple watercolor painted with green and crimson watercolors and silver metallic ink. The special watercolor paper was soaked in water first, so I could drip the paints to create patterns of different greens. 

Share His salvation!

The Simeon Art Card is available in the Celebrate His birth-Simeon 4-Pack and the Portrait Collection at Flower Girl Greetings.com

The text on the front of this card is, My eyes have seen Your salvation! The inside is blank, so you can share your own personal message or include a letter. The back includes a paraphrase from the passage from Luke 2:21-32 about Simeon...

Wise Journey
His word lights our path!

The Wise journey Art Card is available in the Celebrate His Birth-Wise journey 4-Pack at Flower Girl Greetings.com.

The white text on the front of the card says:
I have seen Your Star and rejoiced exceedingly!
I will seek Your face continually!
Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path!

El Shaddai
The beginning word El means God of Eternity or Eternal One.

­­­El Shaddai is used 48 times in the Old Testament (31 times are in the book of Job, spoken by almost everyone in the story). Shaddai is translated as Almighty, All-powerful. Shaddai is a compound of she (meaning who) and day (meaning enough) which means The One Who is All-Sufficient.

Elohim
God the Creator

The Hebrew Name of God Elohim means God the Creator, Sovereign God, Majestic God, and God of Eternity. 

Elohim is a plural word used with singular verbs, adjectives, and pronouns conveying both one God and the unity of the one God in a plurality of persons. It is the first place we see the concept of the trinity and the confirmation of Colossian 1:16 about Jesus – “For by Him all things were created both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created by Him and for Him.” 

Redeemer
Gō’ēl

The Hebrew word for Redeemer, gō’ēl, is found most abundantly in the book of Isaiah. God’s redemption comes after a recounting of loss or waywardness. To redeem means to restore, to clear by payment, or to exchange something bad for something good.

Remain steadfast!
He was looking for the city…

Steadfast is from the Portrait Collection and is also available as a 4-Pack at Flower Girl Greetings.com 

“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise for He was looking for the city that has foundations whose architect and builder is God.” (Hebrews 11:8-10)

Be patient in hope.
He will come!

Springs rains is from the Thy Faithfulness Collection at Flower Girl Greetings.com

Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord; His going forth is sure as the dawn, He will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth. (Hosea 6:3) 

Here is a little hymn that have so shaped my life...

O satisfy me...
in the morning with Thy lovingkindness

O satisfy me is from the Florals 2 Collection and is available at Flower Girl Greetings.com

O satisfy me in the morning with Thy lovingkindness that I may sing for joy and be glad all my days. (Psalm 90:14)

The Psalmist encourages us that God is waiting to feed us with His presence. This morning, I read Psalm 84 that also encourages us to dwell in His love.

Yahweh Nissi
The Lord our Banner

­Moses called God Yahweh Nissi after their victory over a cruel enemy. Nissi is derived from the Hebrew nēs meaning signal pole, standard, banner or sail. Yahweh Nissi means The Lord our Banner.

Springs of joy!
Celebrate a new birth!

Springs of joy is from the Joy Collection at Flower Girl Greetings.com

Psalm 87 is a beautiful gem of rejoicing!  It reflects with nuances of the joy of the Lord Most High, His city, His kingdom and His people. The sons of Korah sing of Adonai’s love for His people and the place of their birth. Verses 5-7 read:

Of Zion it shall be said,
“This one and that one were born in her,”
And the Lord Most High Himself will establish her.
He shall count and say, “This person and that person were born there.” Selah.
And the singers and musicians (dancers) shall sing:
All my springs of joy are in thee!

His presence
Our solution

Under His shadow is from the Abide Collection and is also sold as a 4-Pack at Flower Girl Greetings.com

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High God
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God in Whom I trust.
(Psalm 91:1-2)

Psalm 91:1-4 reads like this the Complete Jewish Bible:

Shāmar
The fullness of God's protection

Shāmar is a Hebrew word that expresses the rich fullness of God’s protection. The entire devotional word study is found on the back of this Art Card in the Care Collection at Flower Girl Greetings.com

Shāmar is the detailed all-encompassing, constant, permanent protection of the Sovereign Creator God over His children. English translations use words such as keep, guard, watch over, and preserve to attempt to convey its meaning. God cares for us as a good shepherd cares for a flock or a gardener delicately tends the garden.  

Full earth!
O Lord, how many are Your works!
In wisdom You have made them all;
The earth is full of Your riches.
Psalm 104

O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth!
Psalm 8:9

Yahweh Raah
The Lord is my Shepherd

Isaiah 40:11
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with His arm and carry them in His bosom and gently lead those that are with young.

Yahweh Rapha
I am the Lord Who heals you.

Healing is a restoration of something that has been damaged or is not functioning in its intended capacity resulting in pain. Although we don’t always experience God’s healing, we should not limit His desire or ability to heal, even when the damage is self-inflicted.

Yahweh Shalom
The Lord our Peace

Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord God! I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face.” The Lord said, “Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die.” Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and named it The Lord is Peace. Judges 6:22-24

Yahweh Shammah
The Lord is there.

Yahweh Shammah means The Lord is there. It is the name of the Heavenly City of God and is found in the last verse of Ezekiel (48:35).

Yahweh Tsuri
The Lord is my Rock

Throughout the Psalms and the writings of the prophets, God is spoken of as our Rock – a reliable, sure source of strength; an enduring firm foundation; a strong refuge.

Yahweh Yireh
The Lord will Provide

The Names of God were given by individuals when a characteristic of God became powerfully personal to them. Often they named the place where they were standing as a remembrance.

Genesis 22:14 says, “And Abraham called the name of that place Yahweh Yireh, meaning In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen. Abraham called God Yahweh Yireh when He provided the ram to replace the sacrifice of his son Isaac.

Yahweh Yireh means Yahweh will see, which translated means He will appear on the mountain. Yahweh Yireh has traditionally been translated The Lord Will Provide, because God powerfully appears in our lives when we are in need. His appearance is our provision.

Woven
You wonderfully wove me!

In January 2017, I painted this portrait of my new grandniece within a womb of light. The rainbow colors symbolize the miracle of life, the child’s progression in the womb, and the surrounding warmth, protection, and love. I painted each oval one at a time filling it with water first and then dropping the watercolor onto the wet surface to create the gradations. After the painting was dry I added white chalk highlights.

Over and over, the Scriptures speak of the lovingkindness and compassion of the Lord. The Hebrew word for compassion is râchâm and means the nurturing love of a mother for the child in her womb. That is how the Lord love us. His compassion is infinitely tender, watchful, and hopeful.

I Am the Alpha and the Omega
The Beginning and the End
The First and the Last
The Author and Finisher of your faith

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. (John 1:1-4)

I Am the Anointed One
The Messiah
The Christ
Yeshua haMashiach

I Am the Bread of Life
He who comes to Me will not hunger,
and he who believes in Me will never thirst.

After God delivered His people from bondage in Egypt, He provided manna for them in the wilderness. “It was like coriander seed, white and tasted like wafers with honey.” Exodus 16:31

I Am the Door of the sheep
Whoever enters through Me shall be saved.

Jesus said, “Truly, truly I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.” (John 10:7)

“I am the door. Whoever enters through me shall be saved and shall go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:9)

I Am the Good Shepherd
The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

I am the Good Shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one Shepherd. (John 10:14-16)

I Am the Light of the world
Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

I Am the Living Water
Whoever thirsts, come to Me and drink.

Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will shout for joy. For waters will break forth in the wilderness and streams in the Arabah.

I Am the Resurrection and the Life
He who believes in Me will live even if He dies.

John 11:25 – Jesus said to Martha,
“I am the Resurrection and the Life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.”

I Am the Resurrection and the Life
He who believes in Me will live even if He dies.

John 11:25 – Jesus said to Martha, “I am the Resurrection and the Life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.”

I Am the Root and the Offspring of David
The Bright Morning Star

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright Morning Star.” (Revelation 22:16)

I Am the Vine
You are the branches.

Jesus said, “Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.

I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life
No one comes to the Father but through Me.

And He said, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17)

I AM that I Am
Before Abraham was born, I Am.

While Moses was tending sheep, He came to Horeb, the mountain of God. God called to him from a burning bush appointing him to deliver His people from Egypt. Moses asked God to tell him His name. God said, “I AM THAT I AM.” (Exodus 3:14)

Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation
A Family Reading
Free Downloadable PDF

I divided the Proclamation into five parts with headings making it easy to read in a gathering. I then attempted to translate it into simpler language so that I could understand it. This simpler version is at the end of this document and may be helpful to read next in the gathering or to use for discussion and prayer. If you print off the PDF at the link above, it will be easy to cut the portions for each reader. 

For fun pictures of Abe, please read this post to the end!

I know that my Redeemer lives
and at last He will take His stand on the earth. Job 19:25

I created the original art for this Art Card by painting thin paper with inks and watercolors, tearing the paper into pieces, and then gluing the pieces together onto a board.

He is risen 
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ the Messiah
A color-coded merging of the Resurrection accounts from the four Gospels is on the back of this watercolor Art Card.

Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8;
Luke 24:1-12; and John 20:1-10

Redeemer
I know that my Redeemer lives

I created the original artwork for this Art Card with red and green ink in a Gocco screen printer. The Gocco uses flash bulbs to thermally imprint my original calligraphy onto the master screen...

Adore Him!
O come let us adore Him!

This Art Card is a photograph of my nativity. This nativity began years ago with a gift of small figures. We would gather around it with neighborhood children to read the story and celebrate the birth of Jesus. At the brief mention that more sheep were needed for the pasture, offerings from family and friends began to arrive. As the number of sheep grew, so did the pastures, shepherds, and trees. The many sheep remind us that we are all unique and cherished in His sight.

Maidens in the midst
Let us exalt His Name together!

In July of 2012, some friends in our precious home group congregated in our basement to pose for pictures from which I would paint. Maidens in the midst and Strength and dignity are two Art Cards that were crudely created from that photo shoot. I say crudely because the letters were crude, created using Watercolor Art Masking Fluid...

Strength and dignity
She rejoices at the future!

In July of 2012, some friends met to pose for pictures for me. Strength and dignity and Maidens in the midst are two Art Cards that were created from that photo shoot. The crude letters on these cards were created using Watercolor Art Masking Fluid. The watercolor was painted over the masked letters. Then, the dried masking fluid was peeled off to reveal the white, cold-pressed, cotton, watercolor paper underneath. It is very difficult to create letters with masking fluid! You may read the Maidens story here.

Great faithfulness
His Steadfast Love

The letters on the original artwork for the Great faithfulness Art Card were created with a pointed brush filled with blue and purple watercolor and painted onto Arches Cold Pressed watercolor paper. The border was created with torn paper that I painted with gold, purple and blue metallic inks.

Great faithfulness Cross Stitch
His love is new every morning

The original artwork for the Great faithfulness Cross Stitch Art Card was designed on graph paper and cross-stitched with gold, pink, and light green floss on purple cloth. The border was painted with metallic inks.

Free place
The Art Card Story

The original artwork for the Free place Art Card was created by painting the letters onto heavy cotton Arches paper with watercolor and a pointed brush. The border was created with thick, torn, painted watercolor paper.

The Spacious Place Art Card contains the same words on the front and back. Here are the words on the back of these two cards:

Lifted hands
The Flower Girl

At the age of 45, I married. A year later, we left our jobs and moved from Dayton, Ohio to Columbus, Ohio to participate in an intense 22-month Bible training that was specifically designed to span denominations, so that our convictions would be our own, rooted in the infallible Word of God. Sometime after we completed our courses and graduated in 2005, and during tedious employment grading 3^rd grade papers online, I took a short break to uncover my watercolor paints from their boxes.

In Him we live
and move and have our being

The text from Acts 17:22-31:
      So Paul [on his missionary journey] stood in the midst of the Areopagus [in Athens] and said, “Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in all respects. For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.

Come unto Me
The Art Card Story

The original artwork for this Art Card was created by painting the letters onto heavy cotton paper with art masking fluid. This fluid repelled the vibrant powdered Ukrainian ink dyes that were sprinkled onto the paper and sprayed with water. The colors soaked underneath the masked letters because I left it out in the rain. I added the gold letters, “I will give you rest.”

Everlasting arms 
The Art Card Story

The original artwork for this Art Card was created with watercolor on wet Arches Cold Pressed paper. The letters were painted with a pointed brush. The verse on the back is from Deuteronomy 33:26-27

Lifted eyes
My help comes from the Lord.

In 1977 while I was in art school, the contrasting colors of a tiny photograph in a magazine caught my eye. So, I cut out the image and began to paint it on a large canvas with gold and brown luma dyes. Luma dyes are no longer made. They were heavy, transparent, vivid inks.

Years later, after I had “lifted my eyes” to the Creator, I discovered the old painting in a portfolio and added verses of Scripture with opaque white paint and a pointed pen:

Young man
An example

The Young man Art Card was created to celebrate a young man’s graduation, birthday, or new adventure, and to encourage him in the Lord. It is sold in the Portrait Collection or as a 4-Pack at Flower Girl Greetings.

My writings, The Charges of Paul to Timothy for All Soldiers and The Charges of Paul to Timothy For The Young are free PDFs that you can print and include in the Young man card for more good encouragement!