Was Jesus White?

A friend of mine seems to feel that pictures depicting Christ as a white person is bad. 

Honestly, I think God is so great He would come to any single person in a manner that would make them the most comfortable. Jesus came into this world into a country where skin was darker.

I think it would be silly to assume though that God would not come in any color He so chose to appear in. I imagine He would be an ocean to sooth the sad, or a sunset to enthuse the romantic. 

In fact as an artist honestly how could I not image Him in everything around us. Look at the light that sheds upon a mountain and glows. See the sun on a blade of grass. Look at the tiny vines in a leaf just dropped from a tree. Watch the wind shuffle the flowers in a field.

Feel the waves slapping the shore and you tell me God is not everywhere. 

See a child born into this world and tell me, God IS everywhere. 

Is God white? Is Jesus white?  

I don't care what color Jesus is, most likely He is every color or any color you need to see. 

Be blessed. 

Sphere of Influence

     SPHERE OF INFLUENCE, does everyone understand what that means? Do you know what the best use is of that sphere of influence? I think I do. Amazingly enough even living out in the middle of nowhere with half a house I still have some amazing connections from my past life. At times I call on them. Not for me but for total strangers.

     I was in my least favorite store the north Walmart yesterday for a bathroom is a bathroom no matter where it is, when I noticed a woman sitting at the customer service desk. Slow tears were coursing down her face and the look of desperation was palatable from across the floor as I passed to go to the bathroom. When I came back I saw that her head was hung low as she quietly whispered into the phone. I stopped and slowly approached her. I looked into her eyes and reached out and hugged her and said, "Honey, it will be ok whats wrong?? She said she bought something on the walmart website that was 25% off and yet they charged her card the full amount and it was the third time and now she could not pay her rent on time and the landlord was very upset. She used his full name and it clicked into place that I knew him. As I stood there listening the customer service person came over and explained to the woman that they would return the funds to her account within ten days. The woman started to cry again and slumped into the chair.

     I said I will be right back just sit here will you for a second. I walked back into the bathroom and called her landlord, for I even had his number still in my phone and explained the situation to him in full. I then asked him to call her and give her grace right after I got off the phone until she could get the rent to him in ten days. He agreed on my word that I would trade him a painting for her rent if she was unable to get it to him by the end of the month.

     I walked out of the bathroom and walked back over to her just as he called. I stood there waiting as she listened to her landlord tell her a friend had just called and asked for a favor for her and he was happy to give her the time to get it sorted out. Her eyes got wide as she looked into my eyes.

     I gave her another hug and walked away.

    That my friends is what meaning of sphere of influence. Having relationships with enough people who deep in their hearts care so much about other people that just a phone call can effect a total stranger. That type of influence to me is the most important influence anyone should develop. If I don't have that influence with you why not? Join me in being able to call each other and help those in need. A little kindness goes a long way.

      I am thankful that even though I don't have a lot in material things, I am thankful for everyone who has helped us in the past and I want to remind you all, if it is within my virtual means, if I can use one of my artworks to help someone else truly in need I will answer a call from you to help.

     I challenge you all to do the same.

A Bit Of Morality And A Bit Of Fun

     I love the fact that my husband does not find certain types of fashion-fashionable. 

     You know how you think something and then without realizing it say it out loud instead? We were in Yokes walking down the bread aisle when brushing past us with a hurried walk jiggled a short blond woman, cute with all her flashy rhinestone bling on the butt of her pants. My husband who finds pants with bling on them rather silly, said in his head but out loud, "Hey sparkly buns."

     Immediately he realized what he had done and turned to the hamburger buns and as he did his best to stick his head into the shelf said very loud, "oh honey, they are out of sparkly buns."

     At that moment the girl turned and said "Sparkly Buns? What are those?" as my husband repeated, they are all out, they are usually right here." I, in great humor kept walking down the aisle trying not to fall over laughing my head off.

~*~

Now I know that it is not considered immodest to wear gold 

jewelry or braiding the hair for those things are considered an

 excepted fashion. But the fact my husband struggles with a woman

 wearing something that forces him to notice her butt and he does 

not want to notice her butt is respectful to me his wife. I find my

 husband a very thoughtful husband and Christian man. 

~*~

1 Peter 3:3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear. 

Classes-Workshops-Seminars

Classes-Workshops-Seminars

·         Business Basics $25.00 per person, 2.+ hours, minimum 5 persons for a class.

Many of you know me, know I have offered a business class for new business owners for the last eight years. This used to be held on premise at our old business. I now hold these classes in an informal manner at a few places in town. I believe I will have a permanent place soon. This class although filled with many things you will be able to use running your business, it is about two specific things to have in place before you begin. The business plan and how to fund the business. The classes are about two hours long but don’t look at your watch I tend to go over in an attempt to give you as much information as possible for your money. The more you know when you open a new business the better your chances of succeeding, even in a bad economy. This is a fast paced class.  One thought to remember, when you purchase information, you have a tendency to remember it and pull needful things from that information as you live out your business plan.

·         Art Classes-Fee Based and Free Classes

~ Basic Art Principles $15.00 for a two hour class, see the calendar posted at the link, for the next class or email a request to theheartofspokane@gmail.com minimum 5 persons to a class.

I have also taught art to individuals and held group art classes in my business. Both for a fee, as well as the free classes for the homeless and disenfranchised. The one supports the other. I will be continuing this at the beginning of 2017. Although I have a few free classes ongoing, they are filled to capacity right now. The free class is not a non-profit class, I pay for it with a percentage of the funds I earn from the paid classes or my husband supports it with our current income. The free classes are offered as I find someone or a family in need and are not formal classes that can be signed up for.

·         Workshop – Tools For New Christian Writers

Minimum 7 to 10 persons.

Announcing a new workshop specifically for those who also feel the need to write for God. It is meant to encourage those who secretly desire to write but are afraid that they have nothing to offer. As like I was and learned, they are misinformed. They can do anything God asks of them, and I will inspire them through these classes to follow God’s niggling in their souls if He wants them to write. The tools are actually very simple. This class is offered to churches and individuals. It is supported by any donation offered. Usually as long as I have gas money to get to the classroom that is more than enough.

·         Seminar - Creativity To Know Our Creator

4+ hour class, $10.00 per person, a minimum of 20 people are needed for a class.

This is a special inspirational seminar and art workshop that relates to my first book for God, Light Within Cobblestones. I delve into the reasons why God asked me of all people to write for Him. And why God’s plan is the same for you too. I offer insights to why we should look to this inspiration God offer’s each of us when he gifts us at birth with the things we truly need for our lives. This class is both an art class as well as a seminar on God’s light as seen and practiced through our lives and how creativity can bring out the best in us within His light.

lightwithincobblestones@gmail.com

Two More Reviews for Light Within Cobblestones, Are In From Beta Readers

Light Within Cobblestones is now on the market. Beta Reviews!

Just before the book was uploaded we sent out several requests for beta readers. These are readers who are charged with looking for mistakes as well as offering their opinions.  Each one was given a slightly different set of directions based on their background. The Christians were asked to check the Biblical facts. I did not ask my close friends because I was afraid they would not be one hundred percent truthful to me in fear they would hurt my feelings. Sometimes people are too kind. I associate with all kinds people but most of them are very kind-hearted. It is one of the qualities I look for in my associates and friends. But I can say, I chose people who I knew would be brutal if they did not like the book and I was prepared to get blasted if they felt it was necessary. Three answers out of seven is pretty good odds. I hope the others give me a review. The first one is already posted in another blog. The book is out but still I would like to know how it is received. Good or bad.  

The beta readers were chosen for specific reasons. I wanted to make sure that even though I was writing about God, I did not offend anyone with anything that remotely sounded superior to any of their knowledge or lifestyle. It’s not that I’m not prepared to offend someone nowadays that is impossible not to do no matter what is said. There are such things as consequences from the truth but this is not that type of book.

On the list were two Christians, two agnostics, one reader who clearly stated in answer to the seven questions on the list sent out, they would not ever be turned by mere words to believe in a God. There were also two others with alternative lifestyles. I have no intention of telling you whose review is who’s for I believe each one of them are smart, well-read informed people capable of reviewing a book without inserting their lifestyle preferences. I don’t expect them all to like the book I just want to know, is it a good book? I’m not partial to some of the greatest books written but I still read them. I promised to post their reviews in their entirety no matter their opinion.

I received two more beta reader reviews this morning. They are listed below. One prefers to leave their name off which I will honor. It is fairly obvious which category they belong to without pointing it out.

~*~

Anonymous: I was surprised I was chosen to read this book. I did not expect to like the book at all. The information is presented in a manner that is straightforward but colorful. I don’t believe as the author believes but the historical facts give real precedence on the possibilities. I looked them up because I’m rather cynical, I don’t believe everything I read.  I expected to be but was not offended by what I thought was going to be the typical Christian blabber. The style of the writing felt like a hug that’s the best thing I can say. At the very least it was well written. I actually know someone who would love this type of book.

~*~

Mariah Peters: Great book. Nice job. I don’t know what else to say. I sent the file to my mom. Since getting paid was not part of the deal I figured sharing with her was ok. She has to read this.

                                                                       ~*~

When you send something out and tell them they are free to say whatever they want you never know what you will get back. I keep my word, I will post them all.

I told Mariah I would respond to her message on my blog.

Mariah, you made me laugh at that, it’s okay your message says all that needs to be said, and thanks for the review.

Buy Here: Light Within Cobblestones

Blessings, Cecile