The Evolution of a Thought

Call to Me, and I will answer you,
and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3

Today I got to face the challenge of declaring my independence from self-imposed limitations as mentioned in my July 4th post.

I write a bi-weekly amateur photography column for an online magazine that publishes on Fridays. Deadline is Monday evening, so here it was, Tuesday morning, and I didn't have my column done. I hadn't even started it.

I've had a very busy last couple of weeks and though I had been going through ideas to begin a new series of photo lessons, nothing was clicking (pardon the pun). Nothing.

I could have given in to the writer's block, and I would have been forgiven for missing my column this one time. However, while considering throwing in the towel, just this one time, I felt a still small voice whispering- "don't give in to your self-imposed limitations." Arrgh! Okay. Now what? The editor had given me an extension til the afternoon. I needed something quick.

So, I asked the Lord to give me something to write on. Going on His promise from James 1:5-7 which says " If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;" (NKJ). Lord, I need your wisdom to get this done!

Then I had a thought--photograph that bag of potatoes you bought yesterday. Didn't have a clue what was next, but I got the bag of potatoes and put them on the wooden swing on my front porch and photographed them. Not much to look at...just a 5-lb bag of red potatoes which were going to be part of chicken stew I was making for dinner.

Then decided to take some potatoes out of the bag to photograph. So I brought them back inside, and began arranging potatoes on my kitchen counter and taking shots of them at different angles, using the window light in the kitchen.

And then something clicked. From there, one by one, I started adding the rest of the ingredients for the chicken stew and before I knew it, I not only had a sample still life image, but also a creative exercise to share with my readers, in giving them tips on how to enhance their own creativity by allowing a thought to evolve.

What I learned and am sharing with you:
Don't allow self-imposed limitations to limit you. If you've run out of your own ideas, thoughts, ways to do something, etc, and you need a solution... Ask the Lord! He promises to give wisdom to whomever asks Him, but you must ask believing He will answer.

Next, when you get a small thought, go with it no matter how obscure and insignificant it may seem. I'm reminded of the story of Naaman the leper, in 2Kings Chapter 5 who went to see the prophet Elisha for healing. Elisha sent him word to go wash in the Jordan river 7 times. In his pride, Naaman almost didn't do it because what came from God seemed ridiculous. And he almost missed getting healed.

So, don't discard that seemingly obscure thought that may come when you ask God for wisdom. It could be the door to something more than you ever thought possible.

An Idea That Evolved

O give thanks unto the Lord
His mercy endures forever
To Him who made great lights...
The sun to rule by day...
The moon and stars to rule by night,
For His mercy endures forever.

Psalm 136:1,7-9

One good thing about living in the desert, at least where I am, is that there's little light pollution. Therefore, starry nights are a common treat.

My image for today, (or rather tonight) is of the moon filtering through some trees. I probably should photograph the moon tomorrow night, as that is when it's supposed to be a real full moon. Looks pretty full to me tonight, but I guess there is a difference. I've always liked watching the night skies when there's something to see. For years I've been saying I'm going to get a telescope and use it to photograph the moon and stars. Perhaps this will be the year! LOL

I like this verse in Psalms. It's a good reminder to be thankful unto the Lord, for He is good. And He is merciful. Admittedly, there are some things in life that just don't make sense; and there is unfairness and bad things do happen. Yet that does not negate the fact that God is good. And that we can depend on His goodness to carry us through the trials and tribulations of life.

Yesterday I was talking about it how seems, for me, that many of the ideas I get from the Lord go through an evolving, sometimes taking years.

For example, back in the late 80's I decided I would like to make photo plaques with scriptures and inspirational sayings on them. So I teamed up with a friend who knew calligraphy, and she would do the writing on parchment paper, and I would do the photographs. We then would decoupage those onto the stained wooden plaques. We started off selling them at a church conference, and to family and friends. The venture was very short-lived. My business partner ran into some problems in her personal life, and then had a serious illness. We ceased production as I couldn't find anyone to take her place, and I didn't know calligraphy and didn't have the time to learn it. PC's were not the norm at that time.

Today, with the skills I've learned over the years in graphic design and in the use of PhotoShop, I create my own inspirational posters, cards, etc., with relative ease.

God doesn't waste anything in our lives, if we allow Him to take those things and use them for our own good, and the good of others.

If you have a dream from sometime ago that maybe you've abandoned, perhaps it's time to give it new meaning. Doesn't hurt to ask God and find out.

The Evolution of Ideas

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways, my ways," says the Lord
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are My ways higher than your ways,
And my thoughts than your thoughts"
Isaiah 55:8,9

Today's image is entitled "Waltzing Roses." Don't you think these roses look like they're in movement? Like they're dancing together.

I had a great idea today! And I know it's a'God-idea'. And the reason I know is because it's part of an idea I've had for a while now, say about 15 years, and now it has evolved into maturity.

That's the way, it seems, ideas work for me. They evolve. Seems like, usually, when God gives me an idea or gives me something to do or work on, it takes a while for it to come into full manifestation. (No, most of them don't take 15 years!). I will admit, this has been the cause of a lot of frustration throughout my life. Especially when I know it's something that has come from the Lord, and I'm the type of person to get things going! No grass growing under my feet!

I hear other believers say how God has given them an idea, they do it, and it works fantastically! They have this huge success, make all kinds of money, etc, etc,. And what He gives me...most of the time--it takes time.

Most of these ideas that I'm talking about have to do with creating new products, developing workshops, writing, music---things in the creative arena. So what I do is I write them all down in a special book I keep just for my creative ventures. I continue to work on them until I have developed them as fully as I can, and then I return to them when it's time. All the while, I am saying to the Lord--'okay, whenever you say go....'

In that frustration that used to plague me, I almost said at one time that I didn't want ideas any more if all they did was sit there. I backtracked on that thought (read: repented) really quick, because to take that kind of stance blocks creative flow.

I don't know why things work that way for me. But that's the way creative development works for me, most of the time, and I've learned to just flow with it and trust the Lord that He will bring things to pass.

I used to asked the Lord "Why don't you give me some instant success thing like you did so-and-so? Why did you make it where with me, things have to take time to develop?" Yeah, guess you could parallel me to this scripture in Romans 9:20

"But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” Does not the potter have power over the clay..."

Ouch.

So I stopped asking "Why me like this?" and I've just learned to flow with it. One thing I've learned is sometimes the things I get ideas for are stepping stones to even greater ideas. Or I have them already developed for a more opportune time.

So to keep this from being a ridiculously long post, I'll give an example of that tomorrow.

Declaration of Independence

I spent a little time in the late afternoon chasing this elusive butterfly. He (or she?) had some interesting, tangerine-colored markings. The butterfly was not interested in posing correctly so I could capture an image of him in his full glory. Nah, he preferred to stay partially hidden between the leaves.

Not too much you can do in situations like this, except wait. One touch on the leaf, trying to push it aside, and the butterfly would be gone. So, this was as good as it got.

Today is Independence Day! And today, as I've done in the past, I asked the Lord "Is there some area in my life where I need to declare my independence?"
And, I did hear something that I have heard in the past..."Let go of your self-imposed limitations."

Okaaaay. I see I still need to be mindful of that area. Limitations, for me, start in my thinking. I'm actually quite creative, and I enjoy finding creative solutions for challenges. But I must need to stretch some more.

Soooo, I'm asking the Lord to show me where, and let me know when, I'm imposing limitations. And when He does, I'll be sure to share.

Searching for the Open Door

Show me your ways, O Lord;
Teach me your paths
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For you are the God of my salvation
Psalm 25:4,5

I tried a door, and it didn't open. And so, unless God says otherwise, I'm moving past it.

I had applied for a full-time job with a well-known organization whose purpose aligns with my life's purpose; and I see now that the position is no longer available, and I'm not the one who got the job.

How can someone who has their own business ventures even think of going to work full-time for someone else?

When I put in a prayer request to my Master Mind group, asking them to pray with me, to have God's guidance and wisdom in pursuing this job, one of them asked me --'Do you really want a full-time job with all the things you already do? Is it a position that will allow you to still pursue your other interests?'--

The answer to both questions is NO. I don't really want a full time job with all I already do; and the position would be time-consuming where I would have to lay my other interests aside, or find someone else who could carry them.

Yet, I don't have a problem or an issue, if the Lord has me take such a path for a season and His reason.

I know some people would say they would never consider going back to working a regular job once they started their own business...they would just keep pressing at it to make their ventures work, or they'll find another avenue. And that's all well. That kind of grit and determination has fueled some to break down doors to get to where they want to go.

However, I choose to be flexible. "Lord, if you say I need to be working somewhere for someone else for a period of time, then so be it." I know that I'm called to be an innovative and creative, entrepreneur. But I also understand seasons of life, and I understand there may be a season where I need to make such an adjustment.

Actually, 1990 was the last time I held a regular job--you know-- the 40-hour day job with benefits, seniority, and a paycheck every two weeks. I was actually pretty comfortable. I had this dependable income, and also had my photography business on the side, which brought in even more income.

And then I heard the Lord tell me it was time to leave where I was and open my photography business full-time. Yes! Now life was going to get even better!

There I was--standing on the brink of something wonderful! As a dedicated, die-hard follower of Jesus Christ, a person of prayer and faith, one who had seen God's miraculous hand work for me in difficult situations I had on that day-job--I just knew I was stepping into my own Promised land flowing with milk and honey. Yes, I knew there would be the struggles to get things established, but eventually everything would be in place and set up to be wonderful and everything I expected. I knew that because I was already connected with others who had set up like businesses.

And besides, GOD had called me to take the leap! It was His ideal. It was something I had been praying about for years, and believing Him to open the door at the right time, and I had patiently waited and my time had come!

Now it was the time, and yes, God called me to take that leap of faith. So surely things were going to all work out.

And yet.

It didn't wind up being this wonderful, glorious thing I had envisioned. It's been a wild ride and I have loved and still love what I do, and wouldn't trade any of the experiences for the comfort I had before. But it has not been easy.

From that point on, back in 1990 when I took that leap, I landed in the midst of a battle that is continuing to this day.

Will explain more later.

What is it about the desert?

O taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Psalm 34:8

A trip to the backyard arbor this morning yielded a nice surprise, as the arbor is just laden with bunches of grapes. This is the most growth I've seen from this grapevine, and I have to attribute that to the pruning it was given earlier this year.

We probably have another couple of months before the grapes are ready to harvest. I don't know what kind of grapes they are, but when they ripen, they are still small, but quite sweet.

This morning, I made some notes in my journal while pondering the question "what is it about the desert that is spiritually significant?" So many times when we hear about Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt, we think of them traveling straight to the Promised Land. Not so.

In Exodus 3:18 and 5:1, God instructs Moses to tell Pharoah to let His people go, so that they could sacrifice to the Lord in the wilderness (desert). So God was requiring that they go through the desert first, and that they spend time with Him there.

Before Jesus started His earthly ministry, he was in the desert for 40 days...sacrificing through fasting, and no doubt in an encounter with His heavenly Father.

What is it about the desert? Why is it that the desert route is the only way to the Promised Land? Why this place that can prove to be precarious because of the challenges it presents?

In the desert, it can seem that God has left you to your own devices and without resources in a hot, dry, thirsty place.
The desert is the place where you can become bitter about having to even deal with it.
It's a place where dreams can wither and die if you don't stay focused on the Lord and what He has promised you.

The desert is the place where, stripped of your own self-sufficiency and your reliance on your own natural gifts, talents, and resources to make your way--you can learn to depend on, and trust God more, as your only source.

The desert is the place where you can have a face-to-face encounter with God, and come out of it triumphantly with power, just as Jesus did.

The Power of the Cut

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine dresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes that it may bear more fruit"...John 15:1

The image for today is of this rose bush that I planted a while ago. We're waiting for new buds and blossoms to appear, so right now it's just leaves and thorns because we've already picked it's bounty.

I planted this rose bush about six years ago. I nurtured it and fed it organic rose food, but until last year, I had never pruned it. And it produced a couple of blossoms here and there that were pretty to look at, but they never lasted long.

Early last year, at the advice of a friend who is an avid gardener, I cut it back a little, and it produced a few buds more than usual. And I was so happy to get a few more roses--but they were small and still didn't last long.

Then, at the end of the year, dear husband who had just completed his Master Gardener's class, told me he wanted to prune my rose bush, and I agreed. He said he was going to really cut it back, and I said, that was fine. However, I wasn't prepared for the shock of seeing my rose bush cut back to a nub, a stump, a bare stalk! He seemed apologetic, saying that it even had some diseased areas , but he assured me it would grow back in better shape.

Well, he was right! I was surprised at what transpired this past April, when the rose bush, (much smaller than it was before), produced a bounty of deeper-colored, big-headed, sweet-smelling blossoms that I had never seen before. (photo to the right)

I was awed! I'll have to find and post the photos I took of my meager roses before the big cut, so you can really see the difference.

So all my years of nurturing and feeding it the best food possible, still did not produce the results that the cut did.

The roses made me think of the scripture in John (above) which talks about God pruning--giving the big cut--that makes us produce more fruit.

Arrgh! The pain of it! Who wants to be cut back, pruned? No doubt requiring the cutting away of some things that are comfortable and familiar.

God allows us to choose. So I'm choosing to submit to the Lord, allowing Him to prune areas of my life that need it. Asking Him to show me where changes need to be made, where things that are not necessarily wrong, but are hindrances, that need to be cast aside (Hebrews 12:1). And also asking Him for the grace to just do it!

However painful it may be, when I look at the choice between big, beautiful, perfume-laden blossoms, and the meager ones I had before, I've decided the sacrifice is worth the reward. if God's pruning will produce results like this, where I'll be more fruitful, more beautiful and giving off that fragrance that He loves, prune me! Though it may be painful, as He cuts away those dead, non-productive areas of my life, I want to experience the power of the cut!


ADDENDUM: I did find an image of what the roses looked like before. This is one of the few that appeared on the bush last year, and this was as big they got.