Rope Swing Blossoms! – acrylic on canvas board (SOLD)

             “Ready or Not…” (sold)

  (Acrylic on canvas board)

This is #3 in the Dreamscape series. For now it’s called Rope Swing Blossoms, but I’m thinking of “Ready or Not…”. The tree sort of entered itself as a recent inspiration  from an amazing acacia tree that we have here on the property at Gingerbread hill. A couple weeks ago, it was in its glory in  full bloom! I need to improve the photography bit. Seems too easy to sacrifice colour for light or clarity…and using a flash just causes reflection and glare. As I said…definitely just learning! Anyway…here is a happy tree, with a rope that will swing you over into some mystery! Click on image to see a bigger image.

“Hidden Badger” acrylic painting on canvas

 

             Hidden Badger

           (Acrylic on canvas)SOLD

This is #2 of the Dreamscapes. The mountains actually rise a bit higher in the distance. I hope it makes you smile. My sister, Ceese, came up with “Hidden Badger,” as an alternative name to “What Dreams May Come.” She’s so clever! Thanks, Ceese!

Click on image to see a larger version.

I’ve just added a new section that will stay fairly active!

Dear Friends,

Just to let you know, last night I added a new page/section…and I am certain that it is the real reason I even have this blog. It’s called, “My Conversations with God.” Note: If that title is a turn-off, then so am I, and so be it 😉 At any cost, I would hope that anyone who knows me would somehow manage to see, through words or deeds…or “through a glass darkly,” at least a fleeting glimpse – a slight flash – of the One who loves us most. So I would say that if it is a turn-off, the idea of someone presuming to have conversations with God, just give it a shot anyway. C’mon… Mind that you don’t throw the Baby out with the bathwater!

For “donkey years,” I have personally been”turned off” by the merchandising of what I call “Godstuff.” For that reason I will not put a price or cost on what is given to me freely and lovingly and is completely beyond price – priceless. I hope you find the ensuing posts of what I’ve been learning from my Father as encouraging as I have, myself!

Blessings,

Clover

excerpt from July 7, 2015

 me:

I see myself in the past, and even these days, still slipping into huffing and puffing and “trying to do it all.” What a silly picture I see!

You:

Silly and sad too, because My people are so resistant to simply resting in Me. “The work of the Lord,” is simply resting in Me with full confidence and trust that I will both lead and do what is best…because only I know what is best.

 me:

Yes, only You know, and yet we grapple with knowing when all we have to do is listen to Your heart!

You:

“Grapple with knowing” is a good way to put it. There is a striving that needn’t be. It steals the peace that has already been provided and puts it in the background or the foreground off in the distance, as something to be attained. You do not need to achieve My peace or anything else! It has all been attained and provided for you. All you need do, if you choose to, is to walk in it – abide with Me. Abide in My presence, being watered by My Word and My Spirit. The fruit is inevitable! And nobody can argue with lovely, juicy, ripe fruit. It simply is, and it is for the taking. And as people partake of it, they become transformed by its nourishment – revived, made more alive. It is always this way with Me. Always.

If there is a sense of being less alive, it comes from an opposing something that fights against My Good Truth and Love. It is easy to recognize and to nip in the bud: When there is not peace ruling and leading, find what is ruling and leading and put it out. Then hop back on the “peace train,” to quote an old favorite song of yours. You have ME – all of who I AM – in your spirit. This includes My peace, love, wisdom, perfect divine life and health, kindness, patience, understanding – everything I AM in in you. And you can yield to all of it, some of it, or none of it. None, some, or all.

me:

I’m thinking of the parable that speaks of 30, 60 or 100 fold return…How do people function on the planet, yielding to ALL of it?!?

You:

Only One person has ever done that. But it is possible, as He said, through Him, to do. My people just don’t believe it, really.

There are physical laws/parameters that, while you are in this cosmos, you need to work within. However, if My will being done requires over-riding these laws, My Spirit easily over-rides them. That’s how it works. It is My will – related.

 me:

But isn’t healing always Your will? So why are we not always healed: an over-riding of physical laws/constraints?

You:

Sin, sickness and disease are all equally related to the fall and all equally annihilated by the Life, death and resurrection of My Son. It has been done. Man fell. World system was hijacked by air prince who deceives. Individuals are redeemed by Son’s sacrifice for them at their acceptance of Our love. Ideally, at the moment of new birth, all would be transformed. But you know the soul and the body are not as easily inhabited as the spirit of a man. They have their set ways that were formed in fallen-ness.

As you know, as you press into Me, they become less and less fallen or set in their deceived fallen-ness. They become transformed. You will prosper as your soul prospers. Your soul will prosper as it is transformed by My Spirit. It is inevitable, whether it happens on this plane or the next, now or later. But I know you want to see it happen here and now. You fight and resist it also though. You know you do. The only way not to resist Me is to actively take captive every single thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of Me and to submit to My higher, supernatural Life in all you do. Simple!

me:

Well, you make it sound that way! And I see that we’re the ones who complicate it. That’s certainly very easy to see. And…we’ve got a lot of “help” in the complication department.

You:

Yes, but not nearly as much Help as you have in the transformation department!

me:

So true! Seeing You’re omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient and “all!”

You:

Right, so it is very thick of people to bog down in the whole thing, when all they really need do is fly!

me:

Thick, indeed…one of Mom’s favorite words. How is she?

You: 

Joyous! You reason that anyone 100% in My presence will be joyous. But picture her: Dancing, singing, painting, forming beauty with her hands, laughing. Now picture this: Picture you doing all that here on Earth – in complete freedom. Picture it! See it. You do all these things but not in complete freedom. Yet you could. You have all of Me here now. Use My Life. How I long for My people to use My Life! It’s as if it weren’t unlimited! People are stingy with Me. This should never be!!! It is a grave error. Turn the tap on all the way. You never need to conserve Me. Ever.

There are times when I will share with you counsel that is only for you. That is not what I mean about conserving Me. Pieces of wisdom fit into place and all have their places. But if you keep the tap open to Me at all times, you will find so many needs being met in and all around you. It is What I Do. It is Who I AM. It is not a matter of coming back to Me for more. It is a matter of My being always here, available on demand, as called upon. You see, this is regarded by the religious as, “radical.” Good! I Am radical. Look it up.

And so I did look it up and discovered the following information from the dictionary:

radical: as adjective:

1. (especially of change or action) relating to or affecting the fundamental nature of something; far-reaching or thorough, complete, total, comprehensive, exhaustive, sweeping, far-reaching, wide-ranging, extensive,across the board, profound, major, stringent, rigorous
2. advocating or based on thorough or complete reform / revolutionary

as noun:

chemistry: a group of atoms behaving as a unit in a number of compounds

as adjective:

1. of or relating to or proceeding from a root
2. of or relating to the origin
3. a) very different from usual or ordinary
b) favoring extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions or institutions

origin: Latin: radic-radix / root / foundation

free radical: an especially reactive atom or group of atoms that has one or more unpaired electrons; especially: one that is produced in the body by natural biological processes or introduced from an outside source that can affect cells, proteins, and DNA by altering their chemical structure

me:

Hmm….lots to consider here! If I read without negative context, “introduced from an outside source (God as invited in) that can “affect” cells, proteins and DNA by altering their (fallen) chemical structure…producing healing!

In the context of the body of Christ, one of us free radicals can affect the whole body by altering its DNA…as You alter ours.

You:

In science, free radicals are “bad rebel” atoms that cause trouble Well, I cause big trouble to a fallen world and fallen humanity, because I radically transform those who have Me in them and I change their fallen-ness to wholeness.

The world prince (temporary) reads this as big trouble (as in, ‘Houston, we have a problem!”) But that’s because the world is operating backwards and upside down from My kingdom. (Think: Screwtape Letters.)

Within you is the transforming power to re-create everything for My glory. Everything in and round you!

Remember, at the beginning of your trip to the States I said to you, “I am in you, therefore everything is supernatural.”

me:

Yes, I well remember it.

You:

I meant it!

me:

You mean everything You say, Lord. You don’t ever not mean it.

You:

Yes, but I mean: IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO ACT LIKE THIS IS TRUE!

me:

Okay! Please help me do it!

You:

I will! I Am!

me:

Lead the way. Please keep me open and hearing You, Lord. I am completely dependent upon You.

today: My Husband…

…is just so simply pleased. I mean, really! The husband sits in his chosen chair. He has received his protein, veg, and little bit o’ fat all carefully selected, aligned and proportioned just for him, personally, on his plate for consumption. He knows full well that he is truly well cared for. It is all so simple. He watches his game  on the television. He eats his food…his body maintenance. His darling woman’s careful provision. He is so well cared for. He needs to know. And I need to show him. Check! Got that one covered!

He nods his soul’s deep and heartful approval. I respond, “Cool! So happy you are pleased.” And, truly, I am pleased, no pretense. It was  bit of work, but not, at this point in time, so very much, I’ve got it down by now. We got it.

All these things and more I have come to take on, through the years, as “life as usual.” He lovingly provides certain and numerous things. And I, too, lovingly provide certain and numerous things. And, according to the songstress, it goes “round and round and round in the circle game.”

So here I am to tell you, Sweet Ones, that this weird handout is genuinely OKAY! You have permission. We, as women, are not ripped off! On the contrary, we are blessed…if only we can see it. We do have an enemy who would prefer for us not to see it. Will we, defensively, agree with the enemy of our souls? I think not! Not me, at least! Not THIS kid. Don’t you do it either.

Listen, Girls….We must “stand fast therefore within the liberty wherewith Christ  has made us free, becoming not entangled again in the yoke
of bondage.” Been there, Baby… done that. Got a couple stupid  T-shirts, and more junk to prove it, etc… At some place and time we must/can/might choose to bust loose from our entanglements and move forward into glory. Might we….Goils? C’mon! This is big adventure time! Let go of your fears and press on into the challenges of God’s awaiting adventures!

This is my invitation to you, Sweet Ones, to embrace your opportunities to learn, and to reject the notions that they (these opportunities) “hold you back”.  It is in the thick, mushy, messy matter of our soul’s  resistance where we choose to either learn and move forward or turn away and stay the flaming, boring same.

We choose, Darlings. We choose between life an death.  PLEASE choose Life so that you may continue to move forward together into His glories,
prepared for us! Nothing is as it seems. Listen! I’m telling you the truth, and there aren’t many out there who will.There is always so much more than what we perceive. We cannot control our circumstances. But we CAN control how we respond to them! Awaken to the leading of His Spirit! Leave behind the safety of what you know. No matter WHAT, God is always GOOD! Come away with me on into the vast unknown! Give. Love. Forgive. Bless. Treasure the love that is. Nothing else really matters. I love you, and so does the Lover of your souls. Believe!

Love

Clover

Old

Old

Excuse me if this sounds too bold,
but I’m much too young to be this old!

You see, inside, my smile is wide.
I’ve got no wrinkles there to hide…
No love handles for you to hold,
cuz I’m much too young to be that old!

Another year has come and gone
with lists of learning going on.
But I don’t always do as told,
cuz I’m still too young to be that old.

Some things get better as they age,
like wine and wisdom from a sage,
like precious gems and solid gold.
But I’m not too young to be that old!

And so I shall renew my youth,
just like an eagle, wing and tooth!
And every year when Spring has sprung
I’ll look and see myself as young.

You’re only as old as you think.
Renew your mind and take a drink
of God’s rejuvenating Word.
And you’ll become what you have heard.

You’ll start to feel what you believe,
and your “old” body will receive
the Life that has no end at all,
and lifts what tends to slip and fall.

Renew your mind! Be brave and bold!
Become too young to be so old!

– Clover

Dogs

Dogs seem to think it’s their job to simply be with their people, wherever they go. Our dogs follow me from room to room, outside, into the garden, next door to the guest lodgings. They jump into the car with me whenever they think they can get away with it.  They go with me wherever I go. One cat, Kismet, does too. It’s a little parade of one human and three animals, trotting along behind! If they happen to be snoozing when I relocate myself, then I soon find them running to meet me wherever I went. Why do they DO this?

Is it simply the sense of fidelity that Fidos are famous for? Some dogs are so tuned in to their people that they pick up on slight head movements or a certain flash in the eyes or a smile. These are not overt gestures such as a shout or a  command. These are very subtle innuendos. But a sensitive dog will notice, and be ever aware and poised for the next one. Why? Why do they care? Is it just a built in “heed the alpha being” instinct? Heed the alpha being….meaning the one who is clearly in charge. Alpha. I know a Being who describes Himself as the Alpha and the Omega. The Beginning and End. The Endlessly Be All, End All… not of one species but of all creation everywhere! The Alpha Being: God.

You see, I often think about this when I see the dogs do this following-me-around-thing. I think,”Gee…this is how God wants me to be – in step with Him at all times. Following the lead of His Spirit always. But I “lord it over” the dogs sometimes in ways that God never “lords it over” me…as if I’m really something! Well, God really IS Something…in fact, Everything! Yet He desires for us to come to Him willingly, of our own hearts’ desire. He never “makes” us heed Him. Just as the dogs follow me of their own hearts’ desire…just to BE WITH me, we have the opportunity to follow God’s Love and walk in His grace…just to BE WITH Him. Yes, He is always with us. But we are not always consciously with Him. We must choose to be, which is a moment by moment choice that I describe as “momently.” Mind you, I do not succeed at this! Maybe 30-40% of my waking moments (and  I’m probably being very generous…, and it’s ever so much easier to do alone than with people! 😉 )  am I consciously attuned to being in step with my Lord, Jesus Christ, the Alpha Being. But I’m practicing His presence, and it does get easier to do, not because of me, but because of His incredible faithfulness and grace to meet us where we are and to return to us many times the energy that we put forth toward intimate fellowship with Him.

There are jokes/ponderings about DOG being GOD spelt backwards. And I know that some dear animal enthusiasts proclaim this is no joke, no coincidence at all. I don’t, however, think dogs are backward gods. But my dogs certainly do create pause for thought about my God. Their faithfulness to a very imperfect me,  far exceeds my own faithfulness to my absolutely perfect, unconditionally loving God. Dogs sometimes let us down in some of their other doggy ways, but even in those less appealing characteristics we can see reflections of our own rebellious ways. To me, this is what can make dog man’s best friend..if we have eyes to see. Sometimes I wish I didn’t have ears to hear the endless barking rampages in the middle of the night, as Pepper tears around the property snuffling, snorting and screaming at all possible imagined intruders into her people’s space. But then she is protecting us, isn’t she? Hmmm…

May 14…Noah

Two days ago Noah turned 20. Wow, my baby, Noah, with the extra 21st chromosome that makes him so “special!”
Hard to believe two decades have passed since he was born upstairs in the tree house room. Such an easy labour and birth!
We’ve learned so much since hisarrival into this FamiLea. All of us have. From Noah we’ve learned: to be here now, to comfort others, to not hold grudges, to only remember the good stuff, to love everyone equally, to actually LIVE in love….not that he doesn’t have his moments of struggle with self. We all do. But he actually TELLS us many times a day how much he loves us. What a great reminder he is to put our GOOD thoughts into words and actually express them! They call it Down Syndrome, but I like what a little girl friend once thought it was called: “Dancing Drome!” Noah loves to boogie.

So here’s to Noah, who now sports a white-blonde mustache and goatee, and who tells EVERYONE how cute they are! I am so blessed to be your mama, Noah. We re so grateful that you came into our family. WE are the lucky ones! And YOU are blessed by having such wonderful brothers and sisters who love you soooooo much!

NoahGirls

PS to Recurring Dreams and the Point of Choice

Do you ever have a conversation and then think about it later, realizing that there were other things you wish you’d said? As I was meditating on what I wrote yesterday I realized that I could have filled it in a bit more…to make it more substantial.

Here are my after-thoughts:

Realizing Choice #1 (that we do HAVE a choice as to whether we’ll respond from our freaked out human self standpoint or from the position of who we are in Christ…dependent upon Him in utter childlike abandon) is much easier if we actually practice LIVING in this mode. Then when we’re in a jam, it will come by way of habit. Retraining our brains is such a crucial part of the progressive sanctification of our souls (minds, wills and emotions.) Our souls will completely run the show unless we steer them where we want them to go, in alliance with Him. And we really can DO this by the power of God’s Holy Spirit who will lead us into all Truth, as we seek Him and His wisdom through our personal time with Him and in His Word.

Regarding dark forces that try to derail us, I know that some folks don’t like to think about this. But in this case, our ignorance of them is NOT bliss…for anyone but those very same forces that would try to keep us from being the free children of Light that God created us to be. God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above and beyond what we could ever even begin to hope or imagine!(Ephesians 3:20,21) Let’s go for ALL of it with eyes wide open and senses sharp!

How do we respond to this exceedingly abundant grace of God? The more we consciously abide in His presence, the greater the power we allow Him to direct our lives and the freer and more effective our lives become!

Acknowledging Him is no big deal. (The Bible says that even the demons acknowledge Him.) But ACTING on our knowledge of Him is what makes the big difference! (James 2:26) I then got to thinking that faith without action is sort of like inviting folks to dinner: You cook this lovely dinner, they arrive and smell the wonderful kitchen aromas, but then you don’t GIVE them the food! Whassup wi dat????? Faith is in us – all prepared in the kitchen of our spirits- but we must serve it up with our hands into the evidence of what we believe in order for it to make any difference to anyone, including ourselves.

These are just my after-thoughts.

Love,

Clover

Recurring Dreams and the Point of Choice

Do you have an unsettling recurring dream? I can think of two that pop into my subconscious dream world now and then. Actually, I think that the one I had in my early years has morphed into the newer one of the past decade or so. I had it just last night, so it’s fresh in my brain. Here’s how it goes:

I am driving on a very winding road at night. There is a steep hill/cliff on one side. Sometimes I have passengers and sometimes I am alone. I begin to feel a numbing weight begin to put pressure on me and spread downward from the top of my head. It dulls my abilities to react quickly. At the same time it begins to numb my senses…as if to stupefy me. At the SAME time, I realize I am fighting with the steering wheel to correct it from steering me off the cliff. It is TRYING to get me off the road!

At this point I have two choices: The first one is to realize or NOT realize that I DO actually have a choice: Then I either cry out to God for help, at which point I get teleported or time-warped onto a straight piece of road where the sun is suddenly shining. If I do not cry to God for help…I inevitably crash. I never dream through the crash. I always wake up (or am awakened) just as it is happening. And when I awaken (as from a nightmare,) my heart is racing and I have this dreadful feeling of having failed the test…having missed a great opportunity, not to mention having hurt others if others were in the car with me.

As you were just reading this, it was probably very easy to connect the dots in finding meaning to the dream. It’s interpretation is pretty obvious. But in much more subtle ways, this learning opportunity plays itself out frequently in everyday life: When we are in danger, oppression, or threatened in any way that places us in a fragile state, we DO have a choice: We can call on the Lord who lovingly awaits our calls, ready to help in every need, or we can “handle it” on our own. We can make a determined choice to completely depend on Him or we can fight through it in our own strength (…or just toss up our hands and give up in defeat.) There are forces that do try to derail us on our journey with Christ. We’re warned about them. We’re told not to be surprised when they present themselves, but to stand fast in our faith and press onward with joy! When our own weaknesses are made painfully obvious to us, these are the miracle opportunities for us to take heart that it is in our weakness that He IS our strength. He WILL do it. We must LET Him do it… It’s our choice! God does not barge in, but He joyfully responds to our invitations!

Dear Father,

Please help us to see by the Light of Your Spirit….to have eyes SEE and ears that HEAR what You want us to understand and grow by. Please help us to always be remembering Your ever-presence in our lives. Keep our hearts and minds fresh to your love and Your wisdom at all times. You are amazing in our lives! It’s all about You.

I thank you for this, in the name and the good standing of Your Son,

Love,

Clover