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vonda drees

journaling the Spirit's stirring

40 Days of Giving

ELCA World Hunger – 40 Days of Giving

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“[I]nstead of saying that God came into the world through Jesus, maybe it would be better to say that Jesus came out of an already Christ-soaked world. The second incarnation flowed out of the first...” —Ilia Delio “I pray to be in the flow: to be present in it without fear and without resistance, simply gracefully riding the wave of life energy that is me and all of creation around me.” —Gena Davis, YogaMass: Embodying Christ Consciousness Grace re-arranges as ‘scared’ revealing ‘sacred’. Way opens again. #vondadreesart

“And wonder is born when inside-out You decide to turn.” —Joe Grant I’ve added my previous ‘small wonder’ paintings here - https://vondadrees.com/2019/02/20/a-beginning-with-oils/ #vondadreesart

My online journaling session through Gena Davis’s book, YogaMass: Embodying Christ Consciousness, begins today. For the next four weeks, my morning posts will be dedicated to that work. “The only unique contribution that we will ever make in this world will be born of our creativity.” —Dr. Brené Brown, The Daring Way “As a science, yoga facilitates connection to the highest truth and awakens greater awareness and connection to self and life.” —Gena Davis To Gena’s statement I add, “...and as an art?” Here we go... #vondadreesart

This flower’s story, like yours and mine, begins in the stars. #vondadreesart

Who holds this key? Perhaps, as the old song says, the One “who holds my hand.” It could be you. One more time I extend the invitation to join Gena Davis and me journaling our way through Gena’s book, YogaMass: Embodying Christ Consciousness. Info here - https://grunewaldguild.com/events/yogamass-online-journaling-with-gena-davis-vonda-drees/ #vondadreesart

“A blessing is the natural expression of the fiery love and inclusiveness of our inner spirit. It is the manifestation of a soul-fire, and each of us can be its hearth. Each of us, you and I, can be points of reconnection, points of remembrance, points of love. We can be blessings.” —David Spangler, Blessing: The Art and Practice “Grace takes us by surprise, when—for whatever reason—our defenses are relaxed. And there it takes root. Because when we see differently, we value differently.” —Terry Hershey “Remember, light is not so much what you directly see as that by which you see everything else.” —Richard Rohr I am the Light of the world. —John 8:12 #vondadreesart

“What I do know But this: it is heaven itself to take what is given, to see what is plain; what the sun lights up willingly...” —Mary Oliver From time to time small glimpses invite big wonder to emerge from within me. One with many, the familiar with the mysterious... It’s often those sideways-eyes of grace that are sensitive to light’s invitation. Since moving to the Guild I’ve created a library of photos in an Instagram called Grunewald_Graces. I’ve longed to spend more time with the images, and it seems a logical next step to paint them. It’s what I’m about these days, so every other day or so, you’ll see a new painting. It’s funny... what I’m finding is that an exact painting of what I see does not seem to be what I’m being called to in this work. I am so grateful that alongside studying the photo with great attention comes something more that the paint offers, perhaps even requires. “Go not to the object; let it come to you.... What I need is not to look at all, but a true sauntering of the eye.” —Henry David Thoreau “But nothing you ever understand will be sweeter, or more binding, than this deepest affinity between your eyes and the world.” —Mary Oliver Hat tip to The Religious Imagineer, Jim Friedrich’s blog, for these wonderful quotes... and so much more. #vondadreesart

For sixty years, I have been forgetful every moment, But not for a second has this flowing toward me stopped or slowed. Today, I recognize that I am the guest, The one the mystics talk about. I play this living music for my Host. —Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks Opening to the Yes that sings my soul and letting it play on. #vondadreesart

Pondering how every flower’s work is to “kindle love again to living flame.” St Valentine —by Malcolm Guite Why should this martyr be the saint of love? A quiet man of unexpected courage, A celibate who celebrated marriage, An ageing priest with nothing left to prove, He loved the young and made their plight his cause. He called for fruitfulness, not waste in wars, He found a sure foundation, stood his ground, And gave his life to guard the love he’d found. Why should this martyr be our Valentine? Perhaps because he kept his covenant, Perhaps because, with prayer still resonant, He pledged the Bridegroom’s love in holy wine, Perhaps because the echo of his name Can kindle love again to living flame. #vondadreesart

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