Our Savior

Our Savior
The beauty of nature is medicine to the soul

Thursday, March 27, 2025

Jesus Our Only Hope

When I was going through some dark times in my life, it felt like I was in a dark storm that would never end. It was a very painful time for me. I didn't really understand why God would allow such bad things to happen to me or my family, the ones I loved. Yet now, I can see that God ws removing all the garbage in my life so he could begin rebuilding, restoring and renewing everything bad in me. That is His way of cleansing and helping us begin a new. He used those aweful and painful times to refine me, purify me, by bringing the impure things up to the surface, which by the way is a very tough thing to go through. Then He could remove them only by His grace. I had built my foundation on myself, my family and some worldy things instead of Jesus. So when everything fell apart so did I. In my painting that I have posted here, I can see Jesus extending His precious hand to me, saying "Come to me all who are burdened and heavy laden and I will give you rest." Today I wish blessings for each of you. Grace, forgiveness, healing, freedom and wholeness in Christ. That the fingerprints of Jesus would be seen upon your lives and evident to everyone around you. That Jesus would be at the center of your heart and your home. Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well." Jesus is and always will be "Our Only Hope", this is what I have titled my latest oil painting. It is very special to me and hangs next to my door to greet everyone into my humble home. His hand extending to all who will take it. If you are interested in a print of any size, please visit my Pixels website. May God bless you today and always. Until next time - God willing, have a beautiful day.

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

How do you view God?

Good day to you. I just finished ready a really good book called "Trusting God when bad things happen" by Shelley Hitz and I had to share. It was an interesting read and really helped me get a better view of who God really is, his character his widsom, and on how much He truly loves us. He gave His only begotten son for us, is there a greater love than this. I also want to leave you with some things to ponder, and things to ask yourself on your view of God. First of all how you view God determines how you approach solutions in your life. Let that sink in, it sure did with me. Many of us may have a legalistic or perhaps rules-based view of God, which would make Him harsh and judgemental and who is angered when we do not do as we should. In this instance God would be unapproachable and our relationship with Him would be of fear and to only follow the rules. Do you view God as Harsh or Loving? Condemning or Grace-based? Angry or caring? Demeaning or Affirming? Hurtful or Kind? Far-off or Present? Demanding or Fair? Perfectionist or Forgiving? To better understand the character of God we need to look at scripture to see how He is defined. My personal view of God is that He is loving, approachable, honest, dependable and faithful. I am comfortable in His presence and spend as much time as I can in His word and trying to do His will for my life. There is a healthy fear of God and I realize that He judges fair and justly. Having a healthy view of God is so important especially before a crisis or in any situation where you need to stay peaceful and in control of a situation. Otherwise we will view God through the crisis instead of viewing the crisis through God and His character. In conclusion, read the book, it's on Amazon and for a very reasonable cost. It is so worth it. Now may your day and week and month be blessed in everything that you do. Keep God first and everything else will fall into place. Happy Valentines day to you all!

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Introducing my new Inspirational Gifts on Etsy

Good morning! I hope you are all well and staying warm. It's about 35 degrees here in Oak Harbor, very chilly indeed. It's not as cold as some other parts of the country and we do not have any snow, although I would love some about now. Today my post is to just introduce some of my new "inspirational" gifts that I have for sale on Etsy. They make great gifts for anyone in the family. Here are some pictures and links to the listings on Etsy. The "Eagle with scripture" is an 8x8 ceramic tile with a black stand, the "Floral" with a beautiful saying about how "God doesn't give us what we can't handle, God helps us handle what we have", this is a canvas print and can be ordered in various sizes. Have a wonderful blessed day you all, and remember God loves you so much that He sent His son to die for you and me. Isn't that terrific. Spread that good news to everyone you meet. Blessings!

Monday, January 13, 2025

Prayers for California

My heart is very heavy today for everyone who lost their home or someone they loved in the California wildfires. I wanted to just take a few minutes and say a prayer for everyone. There is power in prayer and God does listen to us. Heavenly Father, we come before you humbly and acknowledge that you are the creator of all things. Today, we lift up every individual who has suffered and is a part of the disaster fires in California. Dear Lord, give them comfort and strength to keep going and not give up. Also to all the first responders and firefighters, give them super natural strength and abilities to keep doing what they need to do under exhausting circumstances. Help each of them to do their best and get the proper rest they need as well. I pray for resources to come to them from every direction to help everyone that needs help during this time. In Jesus name we pray. Those individuals will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers and I encourage you to seek out a place to donate, or help in anyway you can. There are so many organizations that you can contribute to, it doesn't have to be large sums, but anything will help them I am sure. Some that come to mind are the Salvation Army, Red Cross, etc. Thank you for reading my post today. May God Bless you in all that you do to help these individuals.

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Grateful and Blessed!

As we approach Thanksgiving day on Thursday, I am so saddened by the state of our world. Fortunately the election is over and we will have a new president come January, but in Israel and Ukraine things are looking grim. I want to take this time to just say that no matter what God is still in control. When I focus my thoughts on that, there is hope for tomorrow. I do hope this post finds you all well and getting ready for the big turkey day. I know I am, God willing my family and my friend will be joining me on Thursday to say "thank you" Lord for all your wonderful blessings you have bestowed upon us during the year. A lot has happened this past year that I have not shared on my posts, some good, some bad. But through it all Jesus has been with me, lifting me, encouraging me and giving me strength through the power of the Holy Spirit. So for now, I just want to wish you a very blessed Thanksgiving, may you be surrounded by your loved ones and may Jesus be at your table. God Bless!

Friday, June 28, 2024

Announcing the "Tour and Tea" event!

Hello everyone. I do hope you are all enjoying the nicer weather here on Whidbey Island. It's finally beginning to feel like summer. Which reminds me about an event I will be participating in tomorrow.The"Tour and Tea" on Saturday June 29th from 10-4 location is 4909 Jones Rd.,Oak Harbor. It is sponsored by the Oak Harbor Garden Club and is sure to be fun. Here is a glimpse of one of my "mini acrylic paintings", "Beach Buddies" which will be freatured for sale. "Beach Buddies" is truly a splash of delight, brining a playful blend of vibrant hues and whimsical subjects that I am sure will bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart. "Beach Buddies" captures a charming scene—two penguins standing side by side on a beach, their eyes set on a horizon where the ocean meets the sky. These adorable friends are facing to the right, with their reflections beautifully mirrored on the wet sand beneath them. It's a moment frozen in time, yet filled with so much life and energy from the dynamic setting around them. Imagine the sky with a rich gradient of deep blue, softening as it approaches the horizon. You can almost feel the breeze and hear the gentle crashing of the waves behind our penguin pals. I've used vivid and bright colors to encapsulate the serene yet lively essence of a coastal environment, making sure this piece brings the comfort and tranquility of the beach into any space. The inspiration behind "Beach Buddies" comes from personal reflections on friendship and life's simple joys. There’s something incredibly heartwarming about the unspoken bond these penguins share. Much like human friendships, their togetherness amidst the vast ocean backdrop reflects resilience, companionship, and the beauty of life’s shared moments. So, whether you’re a beach lover, a penguin fan, or someone who simply finds joy in colorful, dynamic artwork, I hope "Beach Buddies" brings a dose of joy and serenity into your day. Stay tuned for more artistic adventures! Hope to see you at the event! God Bless you all. Mary

Thursday, June 27, 2024

Introducing my newest acrylic painting!

Guess what, art lovers? I'm thrilled to unveil my latest creation: "Golden Dawn at Deception Pass"! Imagine crossing a stunning iron bridge at dawn, where the sky melts from golden hues into a dreamy blue — all while lush greenery frames the scene. 🙌 This 7x13 acrylic on canvas piece really captures that perfect harmony between nature and human ingenuity. I had so much fun playing with the vibrant acrylic colors to bring out the bridge's structural details and the serene surroundings. 🌅 Inspired by the breathtaking beauty of Deception Pass Bridge that connects Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands, this artwork is a love letter to one of my favorite places. Dive into this tranquil moment and let it transport you to a place of peace and natural splendor! Please do check out my Pixels website where you can order prints on canvas, metal, wood or anything else that strikes your fancy. Blessings to you!