Loving all God's people


" That is why since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God's people, I have not stopped giving thanks to God for you. I always remember you in my prayers ..."

Ephesians 1 : 15 - 16

Saturday, December 17, 2011

... creating a starry sensation ...

Hello world ...

Here are my latest starry postcards ... what I love most about them is the mix of digital printing and collage on top ... this mix of both mediums suits my style ...



Wishing you all a very Sensational Christmas !

May you find a few artsy moments to create your own masterpieces.

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

...

Saturday, December 10, 2011

... knowing your inheritence ...


 Hello world ...

It is only when I step back and look at the bigger picture can I get a glimpse of what Life is for me ... an understanding that sometimes the here and now can be a distraction ... sometimes the battle with my ego - the me, myself and I, can get out of control ... forgetting that I was created with a heart and hope for all things eternal.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,

Ephesians 1 : 18

 Imagine if I truly knew and understood my potential ... if behind my ego I could see God's heart for me and His dream for me ... Imagine if today was the day that all was revealed ...  

Well it is and it always has been ... TODAY  IS EVERYDAY ... an opportunity to grasp again a fresh heart and renewed hope ... a clear strong resolve to be the best I can be for God ...

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

...

Monday, November 28, 2011

... heart fill ...


 Hello world ...

I am constantly amazed at the infinite capacity our hearts have!
To keep enlarging and making room to love more ... and more ... ever expanding.

There are no bounds for Love.

There are no restrictions on our heart ... there is a limit to the amount of blood that a heart can pump through it ... but absolutely no barriers to the amount of love we can receive and give.

The heart's ability is endless.

 Created by an eternal Love ...

 And  Jabez called on the God of Israel saying,
"Oh that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!"
So God granted him what he requested.

1 Chronicles 4 : 10

I pray that you always grow in the grace that keeps our hearts soft and tender and open ...  enlarge the territories of our hearts ... to feel more and see more and know more ...

God is Good!

Feel the smile these bring to your face ... now think of someone who needs your love and encouragement ...

Why not drop in to see someone who has been on your mind recently ... or pick up the phone and call them.

Now you have just passed on God's Love ... it's as easy as that ... DONE!

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

...

Monday, November 21, 2011

. Don't be Fearful ... BE FRUITFUL .


Hello world ...

Fear is real and alive in all of us ... I am certainly not foolish enough to say that there is no such thing as fear ... or just get over it ... because I have felt fear in both extremes  ... from  the overwhelming, out of my mind fear which controls my thoughts and actions ... to the other end of the scale, where I just avoid answering an email because I don't want to deal with someone.

But I do have a secret weapon that is far more effective against fear.

That is the Blood of Christ.

For those that hear the word blood and go OOh Yuck then switch off the screen ... let me explain ... words can be powerful and the feeling associated with words can bring up varied reactions ... terminology can scare the pants off people ...

To me the words Blood of Christ is like saying, 'let's put on my superhero cape and superhero powers' ...  it's like calling down a protective force-field ... or when The Thunderbird's say"Thunderbird's are Go" ...

So next time ugly fear comes your way, call on the secret weapon that is the Blood of Christ ... my fear fighting weapon.  It calls me home ... brings me back to place of possibility ... where smalls steps can be taken to walk thru my fear ... it reminds me that my God is BIGGER than anything ... !

Fear is not the voice of God ... Fear is not the boss of me ...

Fear is not my friend ... Fear is stopping me from being my best  ... and my best is FRUITFUL ...

And in all of this wonderful wisdom ... it takes a friend to remind me occasionally to call on my secret weapon and don't let fear rule ... how quickly I get consumed by my little fears ... and how grateful I am that God reminds me through my friends ...

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

...

Friday, November 18, 2011

... make a difference ...


Hello world ...

I love Max Lucado's challenge ...

"None of us can help everyone - But all of us can help someone."

 'Out Live Your Life' by Max is a great read.
If you need a bit of encouragement to step up and make a difference. This is a book for you.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.  For I was hungry, and you fed me.  I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

Matthew 25 : 34 - 36

 Everyday is an opportunity to help someone ... the ability to see through all the distractions of a busy day and make time to say YES to a need ... Jesus has stretched out His Hand to embrace and Love us ... so let's pass on that love to others ... 


Life is about going through the days with our eye's wide open ... stop making the simple seem very hard because all things are possible with God ... we all have what it takes to do this - Jesus.


Who is that person in your life, who is constantly on your mind?  
You know who I mean!  
Reach out! 


Just imagine the story of your life ... imagine it intertwined with blessings from helping people ... how rich that life would be ... how happy God would be that you shared His Love in action ... 


I pray that God puts opportunity in your way ... everyday.

 Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

...

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

... what's fresh and new ...

Hello wonderful world ...

I get so exciting when I am creating and dreaming and pondering ... so here are my latest creations.  I have called them the Jesus series and Amen series.  I really love the impact of Black and White and shadowed text.



Lime has been a color That I have been exploring for a while ... it is so unlike me - it almost seems perfect.



Well ... onto my next creating and pondering splurge.

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

..

Saturday, November 12, 2011

... changing the world by chatting at the sky ...

Hello everyone ...

You know my heart is to spread the blogging word ... and get more people starting their own God Blogs.




I came across this blog ... and I get very excited when I find people that put God's heart into action.

Chatting at the sky - is a breath of fresh air and I really did come away feeling encouraged and inspired.

Absolutely loved this below post ... so let's get on board and go with it ...




Emily went on a trip to see Compassion in May so check out what she got up to on her travels.



I would encourage you all to start blogging ... you can do it for free ... if I can help you get started, just email me ... anyone can do it and it is a great way of communicating with this wonderful world we live in.

"Praise Him with the harp and lyre"
Psalm 150 : 3

 Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

...

Sunday, November 6, 2011

... China and beyond ...

Hello everyone ...

I have been hiding away in China for a few weeks ... and have come back with a few thoughts ... China was very different from what I expected ...  very big city skyscraper ...

But after having time to ponder life ... this is what I know for sure ...

God has written a beautiful story for each of our lives ... God knew us before we were formed ... He called us by name.  What He has started, He will finish.

"Just think—you don't need a thing, you've got it all! All God's gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale. And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus.
He will never give up on you. Never forget that."
1 Corinthians 1 : 7 - 9

Trust Him and Pray.



I visited many places and saw many sights ... God was working on me ... some things changed in me as I wandered but also many things remained the same.  How China has adapted and changed over the centuries is amazing ... the rich history of Dynasties over the centuries ... an old way of living - small fishing villages that are being lost amongst the skyscrapers ... an indifference that is pervading our earth everywhere ... and also a generosity and kindness that brings a smile to my heart ... life is a mixed bag ... everywhere there is good and bad ... I want to open my eyes to See God more and more in my day.

Happy pondering to you all ... and may your eyes be opened.

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

... newspaper taxi competition ...


Hey everyone ...

Newspaper Taxi is a local vintage store that sells amazing stationery and all kinds of goodies to make you smile. They are running a fabulous stationery competition ...  "We LOVE mail" ... so get creative and send them some mail.  Share your love of stationery with the world.

The prize is all the stationery sent in for the competition.  GET OUT OF TOWN ... I am telling the truth ... imagine the treasures that await.

Hurry  Hurry ... closes on 4th November ...

Remind the world how precious is the gift of a hand written letter. 


 Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

...

Monday, October 10, 2011

... God reads blogs ...


Hello everyone ...

Well ...
after my last blog ...
at church on Sunday ...
Tim Ross spoke about getting closer to God through sacrifice ...
and Yes I was listening ...
so God must have read my last blog post and was speaking to me ...

"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."
Romans 12 : 1- 2 

The essence of God's heart is in the everyday ... it is in how I drive my car and share the road ... how I speak to my work colleagues ... how generous I am with my time ... how open I am to be distracted by God's whisper ... every minute of every day ...

I was focusing on getting lost in an intense explosion ...  and what I need to do is get immersed in my everyday ...

I am now very clear ... the sacrifice is opening my heart - every minute of every day - so God can work through me ... the sacrifice is laying down my agenda ... being open and willing for a God plan ...

MY GOD IS AWESOME

Thanks Tim for a very encouraging message.

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

...

Thursday, October 6, 2011

... 101% takes effort ...


Hello everyone ...

I have been pondering over my relationship with God ... and the excuses I come up with why not to spend time in His courts ... my question is?? ... If my heart is so for Jesus then why don't I spend more time hanging out with him ... and I am not talking about the everyday general stuff ... I mean the personal, endless chatting and spending time listening and waiting for His Voice ...  this is what I want more of  ... more quality time ... more soaking up the essence of God's Heart  ...

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."   
Matthew 6 : 19 - 21

I would encourage you to never give up ... keep following after the treasures of heaven ... be renewed everyday with God's strength ... and keep on keeping on.

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

...

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

... Have you heard of ETSY ...

Hello everyone ...

Just wondering if you guys know about ETSY ... it is a place to sell all the stuff you are creatively making ... they have absolutely everything on their site ... well almost everything ... it is a great place to buy interesting stuff and find new artists ...

I am so thankful for a forum like ETSY to sell my postcards ... without them I would have been still stuck in telling myself excuses about why not to sell my art ...Etsy helped me realize my dream  ... the process was easy and straight forward to set up and I cannot speak highly enough of their format ... they are so helpful with weekly newsletters and articles and blogs on how to improve and get better at doing what you LOVE ...

... I would encourage all creative hearts to take the steps to put your Art out into the world ... 

... Etsy is just what I needed ... Thank you Etsy ...



One step at a time is all it takes ... just start taking small steps and see where they lead.

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

...

Saturday, October 1, 2011

... charity water ...

 Charity Water has a great story ...




what I love about their story ... is the HEART and INTENTION behind what they do ... it also shows what is possible when a dedicated group of people work together with one aim ...

Thank you Charity Water for changing our world ... one water well at a time ... congratulations on 5 years.

I encourage you to support great initiatives like Charity Water.  We are so fortunate ... our need is so little and their need is so great ... great need for basic necessities.

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

 ...

Monday, September 26, 2011

... sneak peek ...

hello everyone ...

Just thought I would show you a sneak peek of what I have been working on this weekend ... some new digital postcards ...






 ... and the beginnings of a collage series called Rainbow Promises ...





... I have always had a love affair with red and gold ... it keeps me alive ...


I hope all you creative souls have had a hands on Arty kind of weekend ... or at least dabbled in the musings that color brings ...

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

...

Saturday, September 24, 2011

... mathematics and God ...

Hello everyone ...

my nephew shared this with me and I think it is fantastic ...

All things are possible with God ...



Feel the smile these bring to your face ...

Think of someone who needs your love and encouragement ... send them this link  ... Now you have just passed on God's Love ... it's as easy as that ... DONE!

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

...

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

... be a peacemaker ...

 Hello everyone ...

Wednesday 21st September is International Day of Peace and also World Gratitude Day.

Be the change you want to see in this world ... be a peacemaker ... show the world a better way of being and advocate for peace and gratitude and all things founded in Love.

Be someone whose actions speak louder than words.


 The LORD bless you
   and keep you;
 the LORD make his face shine on you
   and be gracious to you;
 the LORD turn his face toward you
   and give you peace.
Numbers 6 : 24 - 26

 Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

...

Friday, September 16, 2011

... JOY and GRACE postcards ...

I am really liking my new postcard series ...JOY and GRACE.


This series is all collage ... with text and colored letters ... all individually collaged by hand ... layering up ... but after making this series I am seriously considering doing the next lot digitally ... just to see how it looks?? To see if I can achieve the same look using Photoshop or Illustrator.

I will let you  know how the experiment goes ... 

VERY EXCITING ...

Be blessed and be a blessing

 Teena

...

Monday, September 12, 2011

... count your blessings ...


Hello everyone ...

I am officially calling today 'Count Your Blessings Day'

Everyday should be count your blessings day ... because I belong to God ... and His abundant awesomeness abounds.

"so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,  may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,  and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Ephesians 3 : 17 - 19

This verse would be my hearts prayer for me and everyone ... it is my deepest desire to know God better ...

That all things are possible with God.

There is so much to discover about God's love for us ... let get into it!

Think of someone who needs your love and encouragement ...maybe it's someone who catches the bus everyday ... maybe it's the petrol station cashier ... why not just give them a smile or ask them how they are?

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

...

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Lakshmi Pratury on letter-writing

Hello everyone ...

I am a big fan of sending a handwritten card ... and the possibility of a resurgence in handwriting does excite me ... the personal touch of caring words and seeing someones personality on paper ... so when I saw this Ted Talk, I was  ... Yes Yes Yes!

Lakshmi talking about leaving a legacy of handwritten letters and journals ... precious memories.





What a great idea ... something for your family and friends to cherish.

My grandmother sent me a letter many years ago ... talking about her life and her grief over my husband dying, it was an amazing gift of insight into her personality and was the first time I actually saw her as a woman and not just my grandmother.  Years later when she died ... I would read the letter to remember her ... and feel her voice through the pages.  She was a big influence on my life.  I am very thankful for that letter.

Don't waste any time ... start building relationships while you are still alive ... send a handwritten letter.

Be a blessing

Teena


...

Monday, September 5, 2011

... Don't give up ...


Hello everyone ...

Everyone has an amazing gift to offer the world.  What is yours?

One of my gifts is encouragement!  I love to uplift ... while I am on the journey of life, there has been many opportunities to come alongside people and encourage them.

Life is all about keeping the momentum going and resisting the urge to give up when the going gets tough.  The trick is not to stop but to slow down ... take time to rest while taking small steps ... take time to recoup while putting one foot in front of the other ... keep looking up ... keep looking forward.

Don't give up ... congratulate yourself on coming thus far ... be kind to you ... seek God's voice and hear His whisper ... hear His roar ... hear His heart for you.

Be encouraged ...

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4 : 4-7

Feel the smile these bring to your face ... now think of someone who needs your love and encouragement ... send them this verse ... Now you have just passed on God's Love ... it's as easy as that ... DONE!

"Even youths grow tired and weary, 
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD 
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; 
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40 : 30-31

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

...

Friday, September 2, 2011

... Spirit of Faith Postcards ...

Hey everyone ...

Just uploaded my new postcard series for sale on Etsy.

I am SOOOO excited!!!

Spirit of Faith series

They are prints of my collage art.  I love the luxurious hand feel of the card and the textured envelopes.





GodTags is all about telling the people in your life ... they are loved and valued.

Nothing beats opening the mail box to find a letter from a friend ... it puts a smile on your face and encourages your heart.  Send someone a handwritten note today!

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

...

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

... Saying Thank you is a gift ...

Hello everyone ...

After having a weekend of sunshine and family ... I am counting my lucky stars ... and feeling the Love.

I have decided to challenge myself ... to start approaching life with an open heart ...

I came across this video about thanking the people in your life and being vulnerable enough, to ask for what you need.





Just what I needed to hear ... thanks Laura for being an inspiring angel ...

If you can think of someone who needs your love and encouragement ... send them the link.           

Now you have just passed on God's Love ... it's as easy as that ... DONE!

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

...

Monday, August 22, 2011

... winds of change ...

 

"And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered."

Matthew 10 : 30


Hello everyone ...

I have this theory that the wind makes everyone a little stir crazy.

It is as though on windy days ... the wind gets caught and whirls around in our heads ... somehow it unbalances the certainty of our well being.

The winds of change have the same effect.  When change is creating ripples of a newness that we don't understand ... the urge is to resist.  It is at these times we need to sit down and wait out that strange feeling of newness.  Don't act in haste and battle against the unfamiliarity.  Instead watch and observe and learn what this new way of being is bringing.

When new things come they don't always come as expected.  Sometimes things happen at the turn of seasons ... just like putting on a new winter jumper.  At other times it may feel like you have moved to another country where everyone speaks a different language and you struggle to fit into their culture.

This newness does feel uncomfortable sometimes ... but with time, it will become like an old familiar friend.

How high and majestic does the soul soar in these triumphs.  How great God's heart must be for us is indescribable. That he wants us to learn and grow and change.

Then blink ... just for a second and remember ... what if you had decided to say NO and stay in that old skin, back in that old familiar place that was the past ... what if you never found the courage to say YES and wait out the feelings of the strange newness??

For the courage comes from a faith, in knowing the creator wants the very best for us and loves us beyond anything.


"And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered."
Matthew 10 : 30


Feel the smile these bring to your face ... now think of someone who needs your love and encouragement ...

Quick send them an email with a big smiley face.

Now you have just passed on God's Love ... it's as easy as that ... DONE!

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

...

Sunday, August 14, 2011

... God's Lead ...



 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
   and lean not on your own understanding;
 in all your ways submit to him,
   and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6


hello everyone ...

One of my  favorite conversations to have is ... 'hearing the voice of God'.

I am so passionate about having a living breathing relationship with God ... about making it a real experience and not just a paper book experience.

I live my life trying to be aware of God's Hand at work in my life.  His whispers of love gently guiding me.  Sometimes I know when he is nudging me and I act but at other times I feel the nudge and don't act.  I am definitely a work in progress.

The faith that is involved when deciphering whether it is God's voice or my voice.  That inner confidence I get and instantly Know that God is leading me ... a truth knowing ...

Other times a feeling that is followed by prayer and reading my bible to confirm uncertainty.

Life is about questioning whose lead am I following ... but the big picture for me is that I know God will use everything in my life, no matter where it comes from.

His grace has been my safe place, my whole life.  As long as I keep my heart attitude toward Him on track and my actions tasked at matching my words ... He will provide.

Know him well so when he speaks you know His voice.


If you can think of someone who needs your love and encouragement ... send them a quick text or give them a call to say Hi ... share that God Love you have inside you, with the world ...

Now you have just passed on God's Love ... it's as easy as that ... DONE!

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

...

Sunday, August 7, 2011

... Jesus ...

 
Hey everyone ...

Jesus is always my starting place ... though sometimes my ego does have a very loud voice and gets in the way.

Whenever my mumble grumble gets out of control, Jesus reminds me
'Hey ... It's all about me'

I seem to get so involved in what I can get out of something, I often forget what I am blessed to give ... this is when the neon flashing lights go off and I need to have a big hang out session with God and  realign my attitude ...

How easily I get distracted and forget but also how quickly I remember what it feels like to be near Him.

In a blink of the eye, I remember his smell, his voice, his presence with me ... nothing beats a good worship session to get back in the zone ...



Today I wrote a list of everything that reminds me of Jesus and who He is to me ...
  • amazement
  • wonderment at creation
  • rainbow miracles
  • my one true constant
  • lush green grass
  • sunshine through the kitchen window
  • good coffee on a winters afternoon
  • laughing till you cry
  • feeling someones heart breaking and handing their hand till the pain passes
  • feeling exhausted
  • showing me, myself at it's worst 
  • showing myself at my best
  • words that rhyme and make me smile
  • the emotional roller coaster of lack and abundance
  • the sense of reassurance you get when praying for some one
  • the cloak of invisible protection
  • a crystal clear pure voice singing on it's own
  • how the tides ebb and flow all over the earth
  • the birds chirping to greet the sunrise
  • lightning in the distant sky and the crack of thunder
  • honeycomb pieces in vanilla ice cream
  • the echo that comes back in a valley
  • the genius of how the human brain works 
  • the unknown in life
  • seeing the good come out of something bad
  • walking past a bakery while they are cooking
  • the smile you see on someones face, when they are glad to see you
  • the ability to learn to walk again against all the odds
  • playing with your puppy in the backyard
  • the colors created when burning different minerals
  • the courage people show in difficult situations
  • He is my everything ... 

I am truly blessed to be a child of God ... a gift available to everyone!


My list just goes on and on ... What is your glimpse of God? 
Let me know ...


Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

***

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

... GodTags is alive ...


 
This moving ... changing ... evolving body of work that is GodTags ... has been evaluated.

And the score card has come in ...

A+ ideas and purpose
B+ content and direction
C+ art and postcards
F- marketing and sales

Though GodTags is alive ... it is a work in progress ... and far from my expectations.

God is moving and I can feel he is pushing me and moving me in His directions ... I just have to keep listening ... I just have to keep on keeping on His path because it will all come together ... I can feel it in my bones.


I also need to put more of me into my GodTags blogging ... so you will start to see some of my 'post it' fetish appearing ... bring back the bullet points ... I am all about note taking ... and I love the idea of a taste testing plate ... in the form of writings and photos and stories and colors and textures ... glimpses of various things that I love and want to share with you ...

... my epiphany moment came today when I realized that I actually like the content in my newsletter better than my blog ... so lets migrate these two together and I think I have found my voice. 


GodTags is alive!!!  Stop Revive Survive


As always

Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

...

Friday, July 15, 2011

... GodMoments that matter ...

Welcome to Friday GodMoments ...

community and caring for each other in death and life ...

Jok Church reminded me how important it is to care for each other ...

I want to be a person who is remembered for being full of heart ... an open and caring heart ...

Thanks Jok for your wisdom ...





 Be blessed and be a blessing

Teena

...