KNOWING WHAT IS RIGHT

I found a nugget of truth this morning during my reading.  It is not that this truth was unknown to me.  Just that I needed the reminder.  Here it is:

Knowing what is right is like deep water in the heart, a wise person draws from the well within.  Proverbs 20: 5

As a follower of Christ, I think I walk on sturdy ground until the day of testing arrives.  It is when we are squeezed that our true nature rises to the surface.  The ugly face of fear often appears in my mirror.  Thoughts like, "Am I making the right decision?  Will I lose friendship?  I am shutting doors!" create turmoil in one's soul.  At these times we make rash and greedy determinations.  I know I have.  Only by the grace of God do I find a way to correct the jagged and make my path straight again.

God's Word is truely 'Living Water.'  It cleanses.  It illuminates.  It fills the cistern of our spirit and soul.  It shines a light on our path.  It is the bread that sustains us to move on and live another day.

I shall drink from the well within.  Now you can see why my favorite scripture verse is "His mercies are new every morning."  Lamatations 3:23.

Deep Calls to Deep

Acrylic Painting - 24" x 30"

THE ALMOND BLOSSOM - Symbol of "The Watcher."

The almond branch is a symbol that tells us God watches for the times and seasons to bring forth the promises of His Word.

I use this symbol for my new Website:  Rita Burton ART Studio.  So many of my paintings seem to be a discourse with God about mankind and the seasons of our life.  He is watching.  His Word will not return to Him void.

Please check out my new Website at:  http//ritaburtonartstudio.com

My Rainbow in the Cloud

POEM

My Rainbow in the Cloud

How brightly do I shine?  I ask.

Among so many Lillies,

Hiddenly by the clouds,

My soul does often wither.

---It's unbelief and doubt.

When finally I cannot stand;

All my life seems bland,

I lay my head upon His breast.

He kisses my brow.

God does understand my thrust:

I am but shattered shades of dust.

With artist' Hand, He makes me bold:

He paints my name in young and old.

"Be thou My Rainbow in the Cloud!

It may be you alone they see.

So many eyes are casted vague.

Their broken souls plagued.

If you do not believe and shine,

Who else can I send of Mine?"

God put a Rainbow in the cloud.

It is His covenant of love bequested.

It is our chance to test it.

Our light, our reflection, hues,

And, depth of saturation:

One with Him in all Creation.

Painting and Poem by Rita Burton 2012

Our life becomes transformed as we do serious business with God.  We become His hue and saturation painted upon the earth, refractured and reflected.  ---Showing the Father's Glory.    ---Rita Burton

Excerpt below taken from My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers, ---Date:  December 6

My Rainbow in the Cloud

"I set My rainbow in the cloud,

and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth."

  1 Genesis 9: 13

...Waiting for God to act is fleshly unbelief.  It means that I have no faith in Him.  I wait for Him to do something in me so I may trust in that.  But God won't do it, because that is not the basis of the God- and- man relationship....

It is a question of faith in God---a very rare thing.  We only have faith in our feelings....

THE RECEPTION: The Celebration of Hope!

Captain Hal - My Host last night.  He took care of the refreshments for me.  A BIG thank you!

I never displayed the painting of the Eagle 1 before.  Hal was first Captain on this Hopper Dredge.

Showing a very old study and loved painting of my daughter, Rita.

Getting ready.

A new little star is born:  Mia Rose

A Rose is a Rose is a Rose....

Proud to be Grandmom

Proud to be Grandpa

My life is a shadow passing through.....

My Beloved is like an Apple Tree!

How does one paint a Self Portrait?

Deep Calls to Deep!

Some lingered......A few bought my book.  Be Blessed!

Loved seeing Linda and her daughter

Some of my favorite ARTISTS:  Jennie, Rosemary, Jackie and Nita...

"Eden" -  Tell me what you see!

That was good!

Lots of folks looked through MY SMALL SPACE IN TIME.

Let's do ARTIST TRADING CARDS

Loved being with Dr. Brenda Kelly and Linda Bemis.  I am excited about Dr. B's upcoming Women in Christ Conference - ENCLAVE- August 4th at the Holiday Inn in Titusville.  I have been invited to paint on sight.  A Blessing!

Several liked my Apples.--Including Pastor Jeremy from Westside Baptist Church.  I so appreciate my friends attending from wbc.  Also my family life family with Jerry and Karen and the gang were there.  Thank you for your support and love.  I wish we had gotten pictures earlier.  All of you ushered in the bustle and excitement of the evening and created a wonderful atmosphere.  Others drifted in and out of the Exhibit, stopped at my SPACE Studio area and purchased some of my work.  You blessed me very much.  Hugs and love.

Here comes Max!

One of my favorite paintings by Maxine.

Maxine Trainer, Founder of StoneFireARTStudio and Artist extraordinaire!

One Woman ART Exhibit at StoneFireARTStudios by Rita Burton : HOPE - The Substance of Things Not Seen! Small Reception - Thursday Night, July 12, 7:00 PM

HOPE - The Substance of Things Not Seen -  Come walk in His Garden!

PETALS IN GOD'S GARDEN

MIA ROSE - In Honor of My Granddaughter Mia Rose

LILLY

VESSEL OF HONOR

SELF PORTRAIT

EDEN'S SHADOW

THE APPLE TREE

EDEN - The Trees Cry "Holy!"

CHEERS! - For everything there is a season...

DEEP CALLS TO DEEP

IMMERSION  -  LIFE'S SHADOW

MICHAEL'S DYING  -  NEW TOMORROW

APPLES

THE GARDEN  -  IT IS FINISHED

ANNOUNCING THE RELEASE OF MY BOOK: The Return of the Prodigal Girl

If you look to the left side of my WebPage, as you read this article,  you will find details for my new book:  The Return of the Prodigal Girl.   I began writing this book right after I broke my foot in January of 2010.  Remember?  I mentioned that I thought: God sat on me!

I am honored that my work was accepted by several co-publishing companies, including Creation House.  Creation House is a subsidery of Charisma Magazine.  However, it would cost me $6000 to co-publish with them.  At first I tried to earn this money by working as Caregiver.  The energy level just wasn't there.  I did not want to take out a loan on something that might not be received by the public.  So, I decided to go with LuLu Publishing.

I am printing off my books, one copy at a time.  Therefore, your cost will be slightly more than what you would find at Amazon.com.  I do hope to make it into an ebook eventually.  I have to figure out one more Template.  That will wait awhile.

I hope I spark your interest and I hope you buy my book.  My greater hope is that it will bless your life with new vision and understanding of a Father God who never ceases to hound us to return to His lap and into His arms.

A SPECIAL PRESENTATION FOR THOSE MARINERS WHO SAILED WITH CAPTAIN HAL

This print is now available!

I painted this 30 inch by 40 inch painting for Hal, after he became Master on this unique split Hopper Dredge.  Many of the men who sailed with him at that time have remained on the Eagle 1.  Some have advanced to Officer status.  In a tribute to them, and their friendship to Hal, I am pleased to offer this print.

Below is an excerpt from my book, telling more of the Eagle 1

THE EAGLE 1

Shortly after we settled into our new home location in the Ozarks, Hal became the first captain on the Eagle I.

The Eagle I is Dutch designed. She was built in the Avondale Shipyard (New Orleans.) It cost 40 million dollars to build her. At that time she was the largest split hopper dredge in the United States. Bean Dredging had the Eagle I built with the idea of being able to work in the entrance of Harbors where seas can be rough.

While Hal was Captain (close to three years) the dredge worked various ports in the Gulf; the West Coast of the United States and in the country of Columbia.

Yes, the hull does split! The design is two hulls longitudinally hinged and opens and closes with hydraulic rams.

We went to the christening of this amazing vessel in New Orleans. From a handout, celebrating the event, I used a small photograph to paint the painting.

The Eagle I painting has a prominent place of honor in our home, needless to say. Captain Hal has his small domain of memories, with articles and paintings reflecting back close to forty years of sailing many seas and waters