Potter and Clay

"...He will rejoice over you with gladness and singing and calm your fears with His love." Zephaniah 3:17

Today I had the pleasure of seeing my cousin, twice-removed (or rather, my grandma's cousin), do a presentation on his testimony through the use of his pottery.  Having a love for the creative arts, this was my jam.  It was fascinating seeing him work with such ease as he related his art to how we are the clay and He is the master potter.

Afterward, as I went onto my small group, Renny's message stuck with me.  We just started our study of James had memorized James 1:2-4,
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Now for a little lesson in Latin...
The word sincere comes from the Latin word for wax, cera, and sine, meaning without.  That seems odd, eh? Well, I'll just let you know what I was taught--as there IS some controversy on the etymology.  In classical culture, as pottery was being made, there were vessels that were without flaws and those that had cracks or would not be suitable for carrying liquids or other contents that could slip through the cracks.  Therefore, if a vessel was not made that was up to standard, it was sealed with wax.  When a vessel was not sealed in wax, it was considered sincere.

As I pondered trials and pottery and being sealed without wax...I was so grateful that we are not simply made and then marked sincere or not.  We are constantly being molded and shaped by both the good and bad trials we face.  We must therefore rejoice in the opportunities of growth; knowing that each obstacle we endure, we are becoming more sincere in our faith. Not until that glorious Day will we be finally marked sincere--made perfect in Him.

We all took home a little treasure of his art...perfect for flowers or coffee, don't you say?

Have you seen any art lately that stuck with you? Inspired you? Made you think for days after?

This one was incredible...a verse from Isaiah in Norwegian! 

From up above

Do you ever think about your unique experiences and how different they may be from those around you?

I find it so interesting, especially in this day of being over-stimulated by Pinterest, Instagram, fashion blogs and the like, what a fascinating concept that we will never see ourselves in the same way as those around us may see us.  Sure, we can glance in the mirror or snap a quick photo...but even then, the true image of how we see ourselves is our legs below us, our surroundings, and those we choose to share life with.

So as I was three stories in the air, trusting my life to a harness and catwalk, I thought to my self, "this is an experience only I have been given to enjoy at this moment." And on popped the lightbulb...see lightbulb below...

Starting today, I will consciously snap some photos of my day over the next week--only from the view of the world at 69 inches off the ground.  So stay tuned for what life is like from my perspective of the world!

Have you ever considered the same? When you look down, what's your favorite sight? Coffee in hand, or a fluffy new animal friend, maybe a treadmill (or preferably yet, pavement!) beneath your feet?

Cheers,

Alissa

The world isn't big enough...

This past week in my small group, we chatted about the faithfulness of God.  Reflecting on a sermon by Geoff Bohleen, our discussion questions brought up the topic about our patience in the difficult and "waiting" periods of life.

As I hopped in my car ready to buzz over to The Gathering, I heard this song on the radio.  It struck my heart with such truth as Josh Wilson says, "I hoped to get to know you when everything was going well, but evermore do I cling to You as my world falls apart." (I paraphrased...I am clearly no lyricist)

In the sermon from the last week, Pastor Geoff spoke of a friend he had that was 80+ years of age; and, as this man reflected on his whole, but difficult life, he remarked on how much he saw the Lord's faithfulness--especially through the difficult times.  As I reflect on my short but variant life, even I have seen the Lord's hand in my life--what a treasure to look back on 80 years!!

John says in John 21:25, "Now there are also many other things that Jesus did.  Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written (ESV)."  In our daily life, is that our perspective?  That if we were to recount all the things the Lord has done in our lives and guided our ways, that the world could not CONTAIN all the good and faithful things He has done?  What a thought!

I so often forget of His faithfulness when I struggle with patience.  I guess that is why patience is a virtue...it's something we strive for and work on every day.  I think the perspective of hindsight is a glorious gift from God...what better way to see his good and perfect ways and/or timing than when we can look back on a situation and see how wrong we would have been to receive what we originally desired!

What is your favorite song, poem, or work of art that reminds you of His faithfulness?

Cheers,
Alissa

Decorating Discoveries

I finally came to a time in my life when I felt I needed to redecorate.  Gone were the days of having bright pink floral flannel sheets. Yes, we had those as children.

This is my cure-all trick: when you are not feeling quite of age in a world of grown-ups (cue the theme music to a quarter life crisis), change your sheets.  It's really as simple as that. Who knew new $19.99 sheets from IKEA would provide a new lease on life?

Well, that brought about a deep cleaning of my room and surrounding areas...therefore, I began discovering some treasures. I thought I would share one with you.  In an almost empty journal, I flipped open to a page with some multicolored pen scribbles and was reminded of a lovely evening from when I was working at J.Crew:

"There is so much to be gained from children.  Today my lesson came in the form of a young girl, no older than 5 years of age.  She was running errands with her mother in large snow-boots, an ill-fitting red velour jumpsuit, and a bright white Easter hat; but most importantly, her outfit was completed with the most unwavering air of confidence.  As her mom was finishing up at the register, she turned to go and called out to the young girl, 'Come on, beautiful girl,' and without hesitation, she offered one last glance my way and clobbered out, twirling her Easter hat in hand.
Reflecting on this somewhat insignificant event, I was reminded that in His own way, our Heavenly Father calls to us, 'Come on, beautiful girl.' "

So, on this lovely snow-covered day, let us be reminded how He has covered our sins white as snow!
Cheers,
Alissa