Mail Art / Postal Art / Correspondence Art & Dürer's Praying Hands

So I entered a contest and learned about a worldwide artistic movement
that was invented in the 1950s called Mail Art. 

Basically an organizer calls for entries and invites participants to write and make art. The pieces are then sent through the postal service to a destination where the organizer then collects them and plans a gallery event to display the entries. There is always a theme so that artists have a guideline for their creativity.

The Nashville Arts Magazine featured the opportunity and I thought to myself, why not?! 

For those of you who did not grow up writing letters using traditional pen, pencil or crayons and then adding stickers, marker colors and ink stamps to embellish the page, my image might be a treat. :) 

Here is the web site link for the "Letter to Me" opportunity. 

It also features links to the history of Mail Art and other Mail Art sites:

 http://lettertomemailart.blogspot.com/

p.s. The sticker of Dürer's Praying Hands did not show at the bottom of my Letter to Me entry. Inbetween the diagonal words "Free!" should have been an image that resembled this charm.



These charms are sold through various Internet and retail stores across the U.S. and Canada.
Bliss is a U.S. manufacturer that creates them.

Have a super day! <>< Laura

http://latestlinesfromlaura.blogspot.com

Sharing is Caring: Many people are Freecycle.org Members!

Rose of Sharon seedlings 

God's plans are always the best plans! Often our Lord Jesus pleasantly surprises me with how He orchestrates each day's activities.

Even when a situation goes awry, it is always possible that there is something better coming next. 

Take this afternoon for instance: Two Freecycle.org acquaintances did not meet me at the designated time so I could give them the plants I was offering and that they said they wanted. I know that life happens and sometimes delays are unavoidable. Believe me, I get that! :)

At 20 minutes after the meeting time, I decided to go on with the rest of my day by running a couple errands. During the drive, I thought how I really didn't want to return the plants back into the yard.

This is because I still had two hundred more seedlings to give away! (The hardy Rose of Sharon tree was quite prolific this year.) 

Thankfully my Lord Jesus always knows exactly what is happening and He already knew all my concerns regarding the circumstances.

At the second stop, a grocery store, I picked out my items and then stood in the check-out line to make my purchase. During the transaction the child waiting behind me caught my attention. I inquired if she and her family liked to garden.

She and her sister chimed in together and said that they used to have a garden. The Dad added that they had not made one this year because the mom had been in the hospital.

I then told them why I was asking. I explained about the Freecycle.org group and how my rendez-vous today with those who wanted my plants did not happen.

"The plants are in the car and I would love to give them to you if you want them," I said. 

One of the young girls asked, "How much do they cost?" 

Proudly I said, "They are all free!" (The Freecycle.org idea is a very biblical concept - sharing with others in need.) 

I could tell that the girls' synapses were firing and they were considering all that would come next after they had the plants. I asked them if they knew anyone else who might want some plants. They replied that some friends had brought them food and cleaned their house while their mom was away and how they could give some of the plants to them as thank you gifts. 

Praise the Lord Jesus for working in all our lives! He always meets our needs. The girls now had a project to keep their minds off their mom's circumstances and I was able to unload some more of the multitude of wonderful plants that our Lord Jesus allowed to grow in the yard! I love to see my God at work!

May you be His hands and feet too! Wishing you much joy and peace daily as you grow and live and love.

<>< Laura 

(Verses from the Holy Bible: Matthew 6:25-34, Matthew 25:31-46, Mark 10:17-31.) 

http://latestlinesfromlaura.blogspot.com

Always Growing - The Magnificent Journey

Photo by Laura Moody. Copyright 2015.  

Deer head oak with ferns on its trunk - McClellanville, SC

Every second of every minute of every hour of every day of every year we grow. 

Praise the Lord!

Sometimes we grow smarter, sometimes we become more wise, but in my opinion, ultimately it is best to grow in understanding.

What do I mean by that you ask? Well, what I mean, is that if you have surrendered your life to Christ and understand that He is the Lord your God and has a unique plan for you, that my friend is understanding!

As time moves forward, humans increase in age. They learn life lessons as well as historical,  grammatical, mathematical and scientific lessons. Jesus at the same time also coaches his children about himself. The magnificent journey is filled with revelation and discovery. 

The Holy Bible, filled with the Word of God, is sometimes described as having an acronym B - I - B - L - E "Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth". It is more than that though. The Bible describes the one true God. If you want to know Him better, read the Bible and pray a lot! Jesus wants a relationship with the people He created!

To reflect our creator well is a result of understanding and letting Him lead and love through you. In other words - surrender and shine. :) Others will recognize the Lord's reflection regularly, guaranteed! Many will share positive feedback with you and you will know that it is Jesus living through you. As sinners we regularly fall short, but as saved Christians we stand tall, recognizing our short comings but allowing our Lord's plan to unfold and thus leaning on Him for direction at every turn. May our Lord Jesus glorify Himself through His children. Seek Jesus our Lord daily, listening and watching and reading and praying. You will be blessed in unimaginable ways!

In the Holy Bible some verses compare plants to people. Also the analogy of the growth of plants is some times used to describe how people understand the Word of God. Isaiah 61 features a few I really enjoy. I highlighted them for your review.

The Year of the Lord’s Favor

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

    because the Lord has anointed me

    to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

    to proclaim freedom for the captives

    and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]

2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor

    and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,

3     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty

    instead of ashes,

the oil of joy

    instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise

    instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

    a planting of the Lord

    for the display of his splendor.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins

    and restore the places long devastated;

they will renew the ruined cities

    that have been devastated for generations.

5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks;

    foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.

6 And you will be called priests of the Lord,

    you will be named ministers of our God.

You will feed on the wealth of nations,

    and in their riches you will boast.

7 Instead of your shame

    you will receive a double portion,

and instead of disgrace

    you will rejoice in your inheritance.

And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,

    and everlasting joy will be yours.

8 “For I, the Lord, love justice;

    I hate robbery and wrongdoing.

In my faithfulness I will reward my people

    and make an everlasting covenant with them.

9 Their descendants will be known among the nations

    and their offspring among the peoples.

All who see them will acknowledge

    that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”

10 I delight greatly in the Lord;

    my soul rejoices in my God.

For he has clothed me with garments of salvation

    and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,

as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,

    and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up

    and a garden causes seeds to grow,

so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness

    and praise spring up before all nations.

Footnotes:   Isaiah 61:1 Hebrew; Septuagint the blind

New International Version (NIV)

For commentary on the Isaiah 61 verses, click on the links below.

https://bible.org/seriespage/23-spirit-filled-servant-and-kingdom-god-isaiah-611-11

http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=23&c=61

Every person's journey is about growth. 

Our amazing Lord planned it that way! Hallelujah!

May our Lord Jesus shower you with much 

grace, mercy and peace as you move forward with Him!

http://latestlinesfromlaura.blogspot.com

The Orchid Tree and ExporationFilms.com

Photo by Laura Moody. Northern catalpa tree at a Tennessee Library.

How marvelous that Our Lord and Savior Jesus thought it was a great idea to put orchid looking flower blossoms in a tree! I have learned since that this tree is called a Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) and is also sometimes called a "cigar tree". This may be because of the seed pods it produces after the blooms are gone. I am excited to see those too once the seasons change!

Plants and animals are such an amazing testiment to the wonderful creativity of God!

If you are curious about creatures (notice how even the word creatures denotes the fact of creation!) locate a copy of the DVD titled Incredible Ceatures That Defy Evolution. 

Here is the DVD promo video from You Tube -

The presentation of Incredible Creatures That Defy Evolution is very well done. Sequels have been made since I saw the first one. I am a huge fan of documentaries on plants and animals and this one does not disappoint!

The company Exploration Films sells many books and DVDs to inspire its readers and viewers. Their categories include History, Exploration, Nature, Science, Freedom, Kid Universe, Narnia and TV Specials, Take a look at their web site http://www.explorationfilms.com/ . Also, be sure to ask your local library if they have any of their products!

Have a super day! <>< Laura

http://latestlinesfromlaura.blogspot.com

Keith and Kristyn Getty - Gettymusic.com

Youtube.com is filled with videos of performances by Keith and Kristyn Getty. Yahoo!

I first learned of this group when they performed at McLean Bible Church during the holidays for their Joy An Irish Christmas tour.

The music was outstanding - full of peace as well as blessed vigor and energy depending on the song. Totally a show that gave glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

I decided to post two videos of one of Keith and Kristyn's tunes that I found on You Tube. It is beautiful.

Click the center of the videos below to see two different presentations of Still, My Soul, Be Still.

This one shows The Gettys performing.

This one shows very nice images while the tune plays in the background.


To view The Getty's own web site with upcoming conference dates go to http://www.gettymusic.com

Here is a promotional video of the Christmas tour I saw. It was just incredible! :)



I hope you have a chance to see them in concert one day!

Love, Laura

http://latestlinesfromlaura.blogspot.com

Direct Correlation

Photo by Laura Moody. Hibiscus flower at the American Horticultural Society, 
located at River Farm, Alexandria, VA. http://www.ahs.org/

There is a direct correlation between the amount of trust and faith in Our Lord Jesus Christ that one has and thus how much rest and peace they experience. 

Grow your relationship with God and be blessed physically, mentally and spiritually.

You share in Jesus' victory over this fallen world!

Wishing you much joy in the journey!

http://latestlinesfromlaura.blogspot.com

Make It Happen by Lara Casey

Photo taken by Laura Moody at a retail shopping center.
The wild violet's will to survive in a cement world is apparent!

This week I found much comfort in the words of Lara Casey. She is the author of a book entitled Make It Happen which gives readers insight into her own journey, her successes and hiccups, as well as reveals her desire to be a light for Christ in spite of challenging circumstances.

She offers ideas and suggestions on how to live free and move forward as you grow daily with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The author has a web site with downloadable power points to encourage readers as well as web sites with details on her magazine and workshop conferences.

Visit http://makingthingshappen.com and http://laracaseymedia.com to learn more.

May you experience much peace and joy this very day!
<>< Laura

http://latestlinesfromlaura.blogspot.com