Unexpected Surprises!

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In July 2021, I joined a local art guild that encourages its members to show their work in the monthly shows they host. My husband nudged me. “It’s time to do it,” he said. So I filled out the paperwork, and finished applying the proper hanging equipment on the back of canvases and I was set to go. Was I surprised when a few days later I got a call that my painting, “Poppies A Bloomin'” sold to a couple from New Jersey. My work was finding a home clear across the country.

We are encouraged to bring in a replacement painting to cover the empty space once one is sold, so I did that. Next thing I know, another call. “Vibrations in Color” sold to a woman who absolutely loved all the colors. Wow.

Last month, again, I got a call. “Autumn Glory” sold.

I will never take for granted the excitement or joy of selling my art work. To think that a stranger likes my painting enough to buy it is all the adrenaline I need to keep me going.

(I would love to show pictures of these paintings but I haven’t learned how to incorporate them in this new program. I hope to soon.)

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Creating through Pandemic

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This past year has been one of isolation, especially from our family and grandkids. But good things can come out of adversity and for me, this year has been one focused on art. I’ve taken many online classes and practiced and practiced. And recently one of my paintings was juried into the “Red Velvet” exhibit at Art on 30th Street in San Diego. The requirement was that the painting feature dominant red, honoring Valentine’s Day. My painting “Garden in Red” met that requirement. It was exciting to be accepted into such an illustrious gallery. Over 200 entries were offered and only 60 taken. I think all that practice paid off!

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Swap writing for painting … it’s all about creativity

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Swap writing for painting … It’s all about creativity.

It has been quite a while since I updated my website, but here I am, at last. Why have I been absent? It’s been in a long season of illness and pain. I couldn’t imagine sitting at the computer writing back then, but one day I heard a whisper. “Color.” That’s it. One word. “Color.”

But you know what? I didn’t need more. I knew what to do. Get out the paints. And that’s what I’ve done. As you can see from the posted photos of some of my canvases, I love color, all kinds of it. Always have. I have a red living room, a yellow and blue “French” kitchen area, a magenta office and a sea foam green bedroom. Plus take one look in my closet and you’ll say, “Yup, she’s a color junkie.”

So, please enjoy these paintings. I’m back, color and all!

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Painting/creating heals a broken heart.

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This past week I watched a video about actor/comedian Jim Carey. I hadn’t known he was a painter. And a good one, I might add.

He said a few things that struck me and stuck to me. One is that painting can heal a broken heart. I didn’t know he had a broken heart until my daughter explained about his painful relationship break up. I’ve thought a lot about what he said, about how the act of creating can heal something broken inside of us.

As a Christian I believe what the Bible says about how God created the world we live in. He merely spoke it into being. “For He spoke, and it was done …” Psalm 33:9. Speaking a word was God’s medium, the way paint is for artists, or printed words are for writers. Of course, God can choose any number of mediums and His work will be and is, a smashing success. But for us humans, we choose our medium and go for it. Lately, mine is watercolor. I love how the water interacts and joins with the paint. It’s like no other process and it is exciting to see the results. Painting is a creative act, and because we are made in Creator God’s image, we have that attribute in common. He creates. I create. Voila! Connection. All I know is there is bubble of joy every time I mess around with paint and paper.

Jim Carey also said that he needs color. In fact, that statement was part of the subject line of the video and those words drew me in immediately. It’s hard to explain, but I need color, too. If you were to walk through my house, you would see a red living room, a blue and yellow kitchen, my office is chartreuse and the bedroom is sea foam green. Need I say more? My clothing is colorful too. Vibrant colors make me happy, make me feel uplifted. If I wake up with the blues, I make sure to wear red or orange and pretty soon I’m ready to tackle whatever the day holds.

I think God likes color too. It’s more than a guess based on some of the sunsets we see, the tropical fish brilliant yellow stripes In the depths of the sea, and the shades of red in Hawaiian ginger and other flowers, oh my! Even the glaciers of the north are colorful. Gorgeous beautiful turquoise ice. Color is just another one of his marvelous gifts to us. Can you imagine a black and white world?

I guess I wanted to say all this because too often we say drawing a picture or writing a poem is only a hobby, something we do when there is nothing else to do. But I’m saying by making the time to follow your creative passion, even if it is just a whisper in your mind, your broken heart may heal and your life can’t help but be enriched.

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An angel’s job? To deliver a bracelet.

In November 2014, my husband and I took a trip and during that time, my husband bought me a beautiful tanzanite bracelet. After returning home and unpacking, I realized I couldn’t find my bracelet. Anywhere. I searched and searched. Distraught, I prayed, “Lord, I don’t know where that bracelet is, but You do. Please send an angel to return it to me.” Then I forgot about it.

Many months later, I was cleaning our guest bedroom and opened the top drawer in the dresser. There, to my dismay, was the jewelry store box for the bracelet! Excited, I opened the box expecting to see the pretty bracelet. But it was empty. How did the box get in this drawer, and where was the bracelet? Again I prayed. I felt certain this was a sign that the bracelet was nearby.

Just yesterday, January 29, 2017, I was preparing some watercolor painting supplies to work with a friend today. I have a fishing tackle-type box where I keep supplies and in it I had a brand new roll of rice paper. I wanted to rip off a big piece to take with me to my friend’s house and when I lifted the roll of rice paper out of the box, guess what fell into my hand? The bracelet!!

I am still amazed by this answer to my prayer. It has been many months since I’ve gone into this paint box. Yet there was my bracelet, safe and sound, sparkly and new. How did it get there? I can’t say for sure, but I know in my heart one of God’s messengers put it there for me to find.

This experience says so many things to me. God cares, even about bracelets. He loves to answer our prayers. Nothing is too small or trite in His view. Have faith that He hears. Angels are real! Just believe. His ways are mysterious and wonderful. Thank you, God!

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Reader’s Favorite 5 Star Review of Unloving Whispers

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Reviewed By Deborah Stone for Readers Favorite

Unloving Whispers (War of Whispers Trilogy, Book 3) by Martha Pope Gorris is inspiring, insightful, encouraging and discerning regarding the spiritual realm. Martha Pope Gorris lets us look into the spiritual realm and see the battle that rages around each one of us. We see that whether we win or lose depends on the choices that we make. Violet and Birch meet and are drawn to each other, even though they are an odd pairing. The challenges of life and the related spiritual consequences interfere with Vi and Birch’s new and tentative relationship. Before they can move forward, each must deal with their own hurts, failures and family issues. Only then will they know where God is leading them and whether or not they are destined to be together. To help them find those answers and win the battles along the way are those who stand guard in the unseen spiritual realm.

Martha Pope Gorris tells a well-written and powerful story about spiritual warfare in a way that even the non-religious can understand. Her knowledge and understanding of Scripture and spiritual warfare are evident and are put to good use, telling a heartfelt story that will encourage you to be much more aware of what goes on around you. The story of two troubled people finding their way through the maze of past hurts, addictions, lies and more is truly inspiring. Martha Pope Gorris’ story is thought provoking and will cause you to evaluate your own spiritual situation as it enlightens you and offers restoration and healing to your soul. I thoroughly enjoyed and was blessed by this book.

5star-flat-web low res READERS FAV

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Autoimmune Diseases and Loving Yourself

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We hear the word, “autoimmune” a lot these days. You can’t miss all the TV ads for drugs that fight autoimmune diseases, or you learn a friend is diagnosed with Lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Autoimmune problems are becoming an acceptable part of modern life.

So what exactly is an autoimmune disease? Simply put, in every case, it is the body attacking the body because the person is attacking themselves through negative thoughts and feelings. Or, for a simple medical definition: conflict causes the white corpuscles to attack living flesh and destroy it, because it sees the living flesh as the invading enemy.

There is a spiritual dynamic also; the white corpuscles are invisibly redirected to attack living tissue while ignoring the true enemy which is bacteria and viruses. As the person continues to attack him or herself spiritually, the body finally agrees and the white corpuscles start attacking the body.

Why would a body attack itself? Thoughts and feelings of not being loved, not being accepted, self-rejection, self-hatred and bitterness coupled with guilt are the fuel. In fact, it could be said that autoimmune diseases are primarily self-hatred diseases with a fear-anxiety-stress rider attached to them.

Let’s look at an example: a beautiful young woman discovers her husband of three years is having an affair. She was so in love and his infidelity crushes her. How could he betray her this way? The rejection she feels turns to self-loathing. Obviously, there is something lacking in her that prevented her husband from being faithful. It’s all her fault.

In her heart, she tells herself all kinds of lies about herself and who she is. She blames herself, accuses, finds fault with herself in every way. She may hate her own body for not being thin enough, or maybe her skin isn’t perfect, or her hair isn’t blonde or long, or silky. Whatever the comparison she makes, she falls short. She is not loving herself for who she is. And what of the fear that if she forgives him, maybe he’ll do it again?

This example merely scratches the surface of reasons why autoimmune disorders thrive. But the good news is, if we know the problem is self against self, we can do something about it. We can search our hearts, asking God to show us the truth. We can start in small ways to love ourselves. To honor and respect who God created us to be. To stop taking blame for things that aren’t ours.

Again, we see the importance of 2 Cor. 10:5 where we are admonished to “take our thoughts captive.” That is, if they aren’t God-thoughts, we shouldn’t be entertaining them. And the good news is all throughout scripture, God tells us that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made,” that He loves us with an everlasting love and we are the “apple of his eye.” If He thinks of us this way, then this is how we should think our ourselves.

My prayer for you: Father God please help us to see ourselves the way you see us. Help us to choose to rise above life’s circumstances, and to grab hold of Your truth that we are loved and accepted by You. What more do we need? Each day, let more of Your light and truth into our hearts. We want to agree with what You say with all our hearts. Thank you and Amen.

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New Release! “Unloving Whispers,” Book #3

Unloving Whispers Cover CSP FC

Hungry for love, Violet Vander hides her secret from everyone.

Its roots are buried in her dysfunctional childhood.

She discovers a way to soothe the empty places in her heart. But an unloving demonic spirit uses Vi’s pain to feed her thoughts :

Not good enough.

Don’t fit in.

You’ll never succeed.

                                                  God doesn’t care.

She believes these lies about herself and God.

An unexpected love interest emerges with Birch Montgomery, who is also plagued by unloving spirits. Guardian angels Pell and Laine must free them from their bondages and guide them to God’s love and their kingdom destinies.

Can Violet and Birch endure arduous spiritual battles to find the way to breakthrough and healing—together?

Now available on www.Amazon.com, and soon on Kindle and Nook

 

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What Should We Know About Angels?

Category: Angels

Angels. We see cute little cherubs asleep on shelves in gift shops,  or with wings unfurled in tinkling wind chimes. They are everywhere, but are we aware of them, really?

What are angels? They are heavenly messengers, sent by God to minister to and for us. Whereas the Holy Spirit dwells in us, angels do not. They have completely different tasks.

Are Satan and his demons angels? Yes. They are fallen angels. Angels have free will and Satan exercised his by rebelling against God. The result? He and his cohorts were cast out of heaven. His mission is to steal, kill, destroy and rob all that he can from us.

angel

Angels are characters that play an active part in my novel trilogy, War of Whispers. All three books have guardian angels, with specific assignments for their charges. Before writing these novels, I read a lot about the heavenly messengers and I thought I would share some interesting facts.

They are mentioned 297 times in the Bible. In the book of Daniel, he says, “thousand thousands ministered unto him (God), and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.” Or in Luke’s words, “a multitude of the heavenly host.” That is to say there are countless numbers of angels in the spirit realm and there are several types but we won’t go into all of them here.

One type is personal angels, or guardians. In Acts 12, Peter is rescued from prison by an angel. The church was praying for him to be freed and the Lord answered their prayers. Peter knocked on the door of the praying believers, but they did not believe it was him, but his angel. And in Revelation 22:16, it says, “I, Jesus have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches …”

Angels will get involved in your finances, your health, business affairs, or in any other area of your life. But unless you believe this and act on it you will not receive the full benefit of their assistance. Have you ever  asked God to send ministering spirits to come and cause His Word to be performed on your behalf?

And then there are the times when you didn’t have to ask for help. A friend shared an experience with an angel when she was 16. She was driving home on a very dark, narrow stretch of road when her car stalled. That was before cell phones and the nearest gas station was well over a mile away. What should she do? Stay in the car and hope help would come, or start walking? She decided to get out of the car and when she did a man approached her. She didn’t know where he had come from, but she wasn’t afraid. He told her to get in the car and steer while he pushed. She did as he said and for the entire mile he pushed her car. When they arrived at the gas station, she got out of the car and turned to thank him but he had vanished. She knew in her heart that he was one of God’s helpers.

There is so much more to learn about these heavenly creatures. Above all, I hope you will be alert to their presence and ask God to send angelic help when you need it.

A few books to recommend: Heavenly Hosts by Finis Dakes

Entertaining Angels by Randy Clark et al

Angels by Charles and Annette Capps

The Angel Book by Charles and Frances Hunter

Angels on Assignment by Perry Stone   angels wings

 

 

 

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Radio Interview 7/14/15 “War of Whispers” Trilogy

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Blogtalkradio interview about writing, success and novel trilogy.

http://ow.ly/PAiHv

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