Visions & Verses

Time for a Harvest!

But I tell you, open your eyes! Look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest right now. Those who gather the crop are already getting paid. They are already harvesting the crop for eternal life. So those who plant and those who gather can now be glad together.   ~John 4:35-36

I love harvest time.  At my house, we get a harvest of cherries, pears, apples, grapes and a few peaches.  And our annual tradition is to go to the local Farm store to pick pumpkins and gourds and marvelously mismatched Indian corn.  We were pleasantly surprised last year that our pumpkins and gourds from the previous year had broken open and planted seeds in the front garden, leaving us with an unexpected harvest.  Looking at that pumpkin vine, and also at the fruit trees every year, it amazes me how God provides this kind of bounty for us to just go out and pick.  You plant a tiny seed, and in time you reap a tomato or pepper or pumpkin.  So simple, yet so profound.

And this is exactly how God harvests his children also.  We plant a seed of encouragement or instruction and God nurtures it until there is a harvest of salvation -- amazing.  In my case it took 20 some years of sowing and nurturing before I was 'ripe'.  I sincerely thank all the 'sowers' who must have thought their work was wasted those many years.  And so, with Jesus' own words, I encourage you to look out at the 'fields' and begin the 'harvest'.  I could be wrong, but world events sure seem to be fulfilling some 'end time' prophesies.  If so, we need to be making that extra effort to bring the Good News to anyone and everyone who will listen.  Even if these aren't the 'end times', certainly our world could greatly benefit from God's healing forgiveness and salvation.  How to solve all these various world crises? -- Literally, God only knows!  I feel more confident trusting in Him than in any political candidate.  Jesus is the answer, so lets 'Get Out the Hope' while we still can.

Lord, whatever the future holds for this country and this world, remind us that You are in control and that it is all part of Your divine plan.  Strengthen our courage to share our faith.  Strengthen our courage to put Your Kingdom ahead of this world in our lives.  Strengthen us to be 'shining stars in a crooked and depraved generation as we hold out Your word of life' (Phil 2:15-16)  And forgive us for all our failings as we give thanks for all the blessings you continue to pour out on us.

Inspiration ~ Jesse Willcox Smith

 My blog friend, artist Kasie Sallee on her blog, The Art of Life, posted a little challenge to share our inspirations.  Today she shared another of hers, Norman Rockwell, who is also one of my 'big three'.

One of my other inspirations is Jesse Willcox Smith, a prolific illustrator who specialized in children and families, though she never had either herself.

Jessie Willcox Smithwas born in Philadelphia in 1863. She originally studied to be a kindergarten teacher and actually served in that capacity before accidentally discovering a propensity for drawing. Amazingly, she was probably around 20 before she took up a pencil.  She studied under Howard Pyle, and slowly gained notoriety.

It was on the covers of Good Housekeeping that most people became familiar with her art. For over 15 years, from 1917 - 1933, she painted the covers for one of America's most popular magazines. She painted the universal child, but the dresses and playsuits they wore helped shape the dressing habits of a generation of children.

For me, it is the simple, sweet faces, everyday poses, and admittedly idealized depiction of childhood that capture my heart and my interest.  I'm also attracted to the heavy outlining.  And as I research her images, I am also captivated by how many of the scenes capture a moment in time, now history, that tells us a little something about how people lived in the early years of last century.  This is true for Norman Rockwell as well.  And what struck me, looking at so many illustrations, was how frequent depictions of praying were.  And these were for national magazine covers, not religious books.  I wonder what life in America must have been like when saying grace in a restaurant was the rule rather than the exception, and when prayer was still welcome in schools.  I suppose I'll never know, but it reminds me how much our culture has changed.  And that brings me back to where I am now, wanting desperately to share the wisdom of the Bible with a generation that literally has never cracked it's cover, and is no longer even clear on Adam and Eve and Noah.

October Contest

 

The leaves are turning, reminding me that September has turned into October and I'm overdue in announcing the October giveaway.

This month, the lucky winner will receive the 'Let Us Be Thankful' Decorative Ceramic Tile which can be used as a trivet, or placed on the display stand that comes with it.  If you just have to have one right now, you can find it on my website for $17.45.

To enter the contest, just enter your name and email address in the sign up box on my website, www.visionsandverses.com.  It's just that simple, and you'll be entered for as many months as you remain signed up, although you won't be eligible to win two months in a row.  As a bonus, you'll also receive our monthly newsletter informing you of new products, sales and specials.

Have a wonderful Autumn, and forward this site on to your friends so that they can enter too!

Light the Night

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven. ~Matthew 5:16

I have a dear friend whose son was diagnosed with leukemia last year, just as he learned he was going to be a father.  After months of treatments, weight loss and being out of work, he was declared cancer-free right when his beautiful son was born.  She has organized a team to participate in the 'Light the Night' event here in Baltimore, and is requesting participants or donations, but the event itself is nationwide. 

If you would like to help out, you can sign up on the website www.lightthenight.org to register to walk or collect donations. Her team's name is Matt’s Family and Friends.  You do not have to walk to register. Depending on how much money you raise you may be eligible for a 2008 incentive.  To make an online donation, simply click on this secure link: https://www.active.com/donate/ltnBaltim/2425_dlabrador.

Every five minutes, someone in this country is diagnosed with blood cancer. Every 10 minutes, someone dies. Leukemia is the leading cause of cancer death among children and young adults under the age of 20. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Light The Night Walk is an annual event to raise funds for cures. It’s the nation’s night to pay tribute and bring hope to thousands of patients and their families.  Funds raised through Light The Night Walk support the work of hundreds of the world’s best and brightest researchers in their search for better therapies and cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. 

Anyone can take part—children, adults and seniors are all welcome. This is a casual Walk with no fitness requirements. Walkers hold illuminated balloons – white for survivors, red for supporters, gold in memory of a life lost – and light the night with hope. The Walk culminates in a community celebration with music, refreshments and entertainment – where friends, family members, neighbors, co-workers and others come together to demonstrate their support for cancer patients.

Here is the information for the Baltimore area event, but you can check the website (www.lightthenight.org) for information on the event in your area.

Walk Information:

When:  November 1, 2008 5:30pm

Where: Towson University

Who: Anyone who wants to fight cancer is invited to join. No particular level of fitness is required.

Anything you can do to help would be greatly appreciated!  And if you can't help by walking or donating, please do keep Matt, my friend Danni and their family in your prayers!