Our Motive in Creating Art
July 27, 2009
In her book, Hidden Art►, Edith Schaeffer explains:
“All art involves conscious discipline. If one is going to paint, do sculpture, design a building or write a book, it will involve discipline in time and energy — or there would never be any produce at all to be seen, felt or enjoyed by ourselves or others.“
How true this statement is! Without perseverance, and a great deal of discipline, art cannot be produced to its greatest potential! If we rattle-tattle around and do not diligently strive to make progress, how will our talents ever develop?
Art can be beautiful. Art can be ugly. What are we striving for in our art? What are we spending our time creating? Are we producing work that honors our Creator (who created beauty), or work that dishonors our Creator? What is the motive of our art?
We must create art that glorifies God. Our motive should not be selfish gain, money, praise, or anything other than to point to our Lord. It is He that created us, and why would we wish to do anything that would displease Him and bring shame to is His Name?
Just as art requires “conscious discipline”, so does our motives. It is only by God’s grace that we breathe, that we see, that we hear, that we feel, . . . and that we create. It is He that gives us those talents, and the patience to cultivate and grow them. No matter how “good” our art becomes, may we never refrain from giving God all the praise.
As we create art around us (and as we do everything), let us forever keep at the forefront of our minds that our motives (in everything) should always be to glorify God!
God is the Lord of Our Lives
July 25, 2009
The venue where the Crossroads conference was held.
We need to view everything in how it relates to God.
Mr. Botkin addressing the audience during one of the sessions.
It is our duty to equip our children to be ambassadors for our King.
Mrs. Botkin speaking to the ladies on teaching children.
When we study the earth, we are studying God’s creation.
We need to see God’s handiwork in every created thing.
Ben Botkin speaking as his sisters listen intently.
We do not have “free” time. All of our time is God’s.
We need to look at all we do as things done for Him, because no time is our own.
Mr. Botkin teaching from Scripture.
These were notes from Mrs. Botkin’s 30-minute talk on How to Teach our Children to Teach Themselves, & How to Teach Them to Love Learning. My sister has done a wonderful job of compiling and posting her notes from the conference which you can read here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4. Momma also posted about the conference here.
The Botkin family plan to have their next conferences in Washington state, California, South Carolina, and Tennessee. You can find out more about the conferences here. I encourage you to attend one, if you can make it, they are life-changing events and a great blessing!
Friends from the Crossroads Conference
July 23, 2009
Aside from being encouraged by the sessions, the wonderful part about conferences is getting to visit with other like-minded families!
Emily and I. We were able to have Emily and her mother over for lunch the first day of the conference, and found out that we live not too far from one another.
Katherine, Breezy, Laura, Madeline, Me, and Caroline. We met two of these sisters at the Father & Daughter Retreat in March, and this time we got to meet the whole family.
Me, Nowelle, Kate, and Breezy. We were able to get to know Nowelle and her family better (we met her at the first Crossroads), and Kate is a close friend (who happens to be very much like my sister).
Oh, the joys of Christian fellowship! (There were other dear ones we enjoyed visiting with during the conference, but we didn’t get a picture of them all.)
Christian Families at the Crossroads – Columbus, Ohio
July 19, 2009
Last weekend I left you with a post about cinnamon rolls, and said that I was somewhere enjoying them. It ends up (I wrote that post the day before) that I actually never got around to eating any (though I had several opportunities).
We were at the Christian Families at the Crossroads conference in Columbus, Ohio.
In February, we were able to attend the Botkin’s first conference in Columbus, Georgia, and were greatly blessed by it. With them being so close, we could not pass up the offer to attend their second conference.
The Botkin family’s second conference was a great blessing, just as the first was! The Lord has given them boldness to speak the truths of His Word, and they are faithfully sharing with others the teachings of Scripture. Another special part about the conference was getting to visit with other like-minded families and encouraging one another!
Over the next few days, Breezy and I will be posting photos and notes from the conference. Stay tuned for more about the wonderful and refreshing weekend!
(If you are wondering what happened to the cinnamon rolls, we shared them with several friends we had over for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I believe that everyone enjoyed them immensely, as we came home with empty containers.)
A wedding took place 26 years ago today!
July 16, 2009
In 1982, soon after my parents met.
“I’m not planning on getting married,” to which my mother replied, “I’m moving to Chicago next month for college.”
This was one of their first conversations, but it was not their last. My parents “fell” in love. My mother did go to college, but returned home after staying only four months because she missed my father (I don’t think it was because she missed her job a McDonald’s).
My parents were married about a year later. I am so very thankful for God’s grace in their lives, and the miracle He performed. They were not Christians, but later in life He saved them, calling them into His service.
Breezy and I have been blessed to be raised in a Christian home, where we have grown closer as a family as we have grown closer to our Lord and Savior. I praise God for my parents and how He has used them to teach and train us — all in the fear of Him.
I am inspired by my parents. I am inspired by the way my parents serve, the way they study God’s Word (and share with us), and the way that they fear the Lord and not man. I will be forever grateful for my faithful parents!
“In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
And his children will have refuge.” – Proverbs 14:27
In 2009, now married for 26 years. (Photo by Breezy)
I love you Daddy and Momma!
All rolled up . . . with icing on top!
July 10, 2009
If you’re wondering where I am . . . I’m somewhere eating these delicious homemade cinnamon rolls (made by my sister), which are freshly covered in icing right before the first bite.
Have a wonderfully blessed weekend!
Green Beans & Hidden Art
July 6, 2009
This morning, Momma picked our first harvest of green beans from our boxes. The plants are happy and healthy (though a bit short), and are producing delicious-looking beans. And that color of green is downright charming!
Yesterday, I rebound (using the Zutter binder) an older copy of Hidden Art by Mrs. Edith Schaeffer. I wanted it in notebook form so that it would be quick to flip through and I could easily take notes. I did do something silly with the binding (as in punching the holes on the wrong side of the book), but it just reminds me that I’m not perfect and how much I need my Savior — even in the little things!
As to my recovery, I am doing very well indeed! Friday was the first day that I was able to bearably go without pain medicine, and I have been feeling progressively better each day. Now, I am nearly back to normal (minus four wisdom teeth). Thank you all for your prayers!
While living the life my Lord has blessed me with, I am at home with my family enjoying being a daughter, homemaker and artist. My highest goal is to give glory to God and enjoy Him forever. It is He that has saved me with His amazing grace and is continually molding me; to Him I owe everything. Read more . . .
