PETALS IN HIS GARDEN

Listen!

Hushed.  Still.

Waiting. Pulsating.  Abating.

Behold!  The Beloved comes.

Awaken!

Inspired by Song of Solomon 2: 8

REMNANTS FROM A LIFE! Blogging

REMNANTS FROM A LIFE!  Blogging

Excerpt from the book:  The Return of the Prodigal Girl by Rita Burton

Fear and Honesty


There is a healthy fear that preserves life and there is an unhealthy fear that destroys life. We need to separate them in our thinking. One is good, the other is bad.

... In many cases, fear of man and man’s approval or acknowledgement became more important (to me) than my standing alone in what God said.

(I came to understand that) ... In Christianity, God is the great Jumpmaster. He is our Lifeline. He holds the reins until we are ready. But by refusing to let go we can hold back progress. The outcome can bring remorse if we do not follow through with what He shows us. God watches us from Heaven’s gate and tells us to trust Him. God’s mouth is still moving, even if we cannot hear His words. He presses us to do the only safe thing. God is shouting, “Let go!”

POEM

Heart of the Moment

Rain drops pound the roof

Of the old and broken house.

Dreams flow in and out!

LADY WISDOM:  Standing at the Gate

Soft Pastel Painting

"You're blessed when you meet Lady Wisdom,

when you make friends with Madame Insight......

With one hand she gives long life,

with the other she confers recognition.

Her manner is beautiful,

her life wonderfully complete.

She's the very Tree of Life to those who embrace her.

Hold her tight. ---and be blessed.

Proverbs 3: 1 and 13-18

Message Bible

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