Daily Drawing #208, Whose Holding Your Umbrella?

The title of today’s drawing is, “Umbrella Man.” There are some who view God as the umbrella man. You know the guy who is going to cover your head so the rain doesn’t get to you. Isaiah 4:6 does say that God will provide,”a booth for shade by day from the heat, and for a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain.”  I however have learned over the years there are times when God lets the rain wash over us because He wants us to learn something from the trials or troubles in which we are embroiled. I have grown stronger in my faith through the trials I have had in my life, diabetes, cancer, deaths in the family. Each one has given me more wisdom and prepared for what is yet to come in my life. I have also lived through the times when God returned the umbrella and stopped before it became to much for me to bear. Still I must say no matter the weather condition I am living under I will put my faith In God and live my days with joy in my heart.

 

 

 

Daily Drawing #206, Put Your Hands Together

The title of today’s drawing is, “A Little Prayer Goes A Long Way.” Philippians 4:6 ESV  has this to say about prayer, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” One of the most important aspects of Christian life is praying. We are called on in another Bible verse to, “Pray continuously.” This does not mean you walk around with your hands folded in prayer as you walk down the street. It does however mean you must be in a constant mindset where you honor and thank God for what He is doing in your life.

Daily Drawing #203, Enjoy A Quiet Picnic with Your Friends

Today’s drawing entitled, “Goin’ On A Picnic,” is offered as a piece of advice. Life is hard, we work, work, work and then work some more without ever really taking some time for ourselves. The problem is God designed us as being who need to rest once in a while. the easiest and cheapest way I know to do this is to gather family and friends together and go to a local or state park and have a picnic. Picnics are fun. There is a lot of food, fellowship and of course relaxation. So if you’re reading this right now, take the advice and plan pot luck picnic with fun and games. Oh, if you don’t know what pot luck means, it is where everyone brings some food or drink to share.

Daily Drawing #202, Takin’ A Stroll in the City

I used to live on the outskirts of Philadelphia. One of the things I loved about where I used to live was my being able to make daily or weekly excursions into the city especially the downtown historic district. I have a history buff so I enjoyed walking into our countries. I walked the streets many times reveling in the fact that our forefathers once walked these same streets. Another thing I liked was all strolling in and out of all the little shops especially record stores like 3rd Street Jazz. I snagged a lot of good deals there.

Now driving and walking around Philly I get a little saddened because it has changed so much since my youth. The charm I used to feel is a little weakened but still there. One of the things I like to do now when I venture into my home city or Philly is pray as I walk or drive around. Each city or home town is filled with people who all need the Lord. So my advice today is do the same, pray for your hometowns or cities. Pray for the people, the government or whatever God lays on your heart, but pray.

Daily Drawing #199, Summer, A Time to Enjoy?

I must admit again I am not a big fan of the summertime. I used to like summer but only because it meant we got out of school for 3 months. Today, I still get off for the summer because I work for a school district, but now I spend my days off working around the house, mowing grass, painting and a whole lot more. Not the way I would like to enjoy my summers. I would much rather spend some time outside, lounging around on a patio or deck, drinking a cold sweet tea, while conversing with my friends. The title of today’s offering is entitled, “Little Red and Her Cat in the Sunshine.” Little red and her cat are enjoying being outside on a nice summer day. My hope is you’re doing the same. Happy summer to all and to all have a good bright (and sunny summer of fun).

 

 

Daily Drawing #198, Celebrate Your Freedom to Art

There are many times as artists where we pigeon hole ourselves into one style or one medium of art. It is what we know so we naturally stick with what we know. As I have progressed through this art challenge I have tried to make sure to delve into new mediums, new styles of art. I have learned to enjoy my freedom to art. Today’s piece, while not as colorful as a Dr Seuss picture is my first attempt at a fantasy landscape. The piece is entitled, “Dilbo in the Wilderness.” I hope to do more drawing in this style in the future. Until tomorrow feel free to art.

Daily Drawing #197, Are You Prepared?

Over the course of my lifetime I have had various occupations. I have worked as retail managers, in factories and currently in a local school district. As I look back at my various jobs I think the worst place I ever was employed worked was at a fast food restaurant. I only worked there for one year but I learned a lot about dealing with irate customers as well as employees who don’t take there job seriously. You haven’t lived until you try to calm down an irate customer because of an unwanted piece of cheese or a couple of misplaced pickles on a sandwich you didn’t have anything to do with creating.

Still I look back at these times and realize how much they prepared me for later positions I have had in life. In all of life we need to look at our current employment, or training (as in sports) and think about about how much we are being prepared for what comes next in life. So take the time to prepare yourself by working hard to learn and grow. It will pay off later in life.

Daily Drawing #196, Count It All As Joy

If your life is like mine there are periods of time when life feels anything but joyful. Still God calls us in James 1:2 to, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” This means no matter what happens in life we are to call it joyful. Really? God says, yes. If you have an illness don’t dwell on it but look to God to give you comfort and peace throughout the trial. My joy and your joy comes from knowing God is always there for us and as 2 Corinthians 1:4 insures us God is the one, “who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” Our joy in life comes from helping others who are going get through the same storms we are weathering. It is hard to look for joy in times of trouble or sorrow but it can be found when your heart is in the right place.

 

Daily Drawing #195, Face 2 Face

We live in a world which is linked electronically like never before. Young people interact today through tweets, texts, Instagram posts, Face Time chats a few among many choices. Still my favorite way to talk to someone is person to person. Ask my wife she’ll tell you I don’t even like to make phone calls. I have always loved to talk face to face. There is nothing more thrilling than to share a few words or laugh with someone else. To gaze across and sense the other person’s emotions through facial expressions as we talk. This is true conversation. Not a tweet or a text or whatever. God created us to be social beings who rely on fellowship with each in order to live a balanced life. It is time to put down the phones and start talking – face to face.