Illustration Friday: Monster (and Feet)

"You have armed me with strength for the battle; you have subdued my enemies under my feet."

(2 Samuel 22:40)

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Oh goodness, I have really missed taking part in Illustration Friday for the last couple of weeks. Trying to make up for it a bit by combining last week's topic "Feet"and this week's topic "Monster". I had a number of ideas for feet, but I was sick and had no time or energy, so this worked out great. It's important to note that it is God who provides the strength we need to overcome the "monsters" in our lives: greed, jealousy, envy, gluttony, lust and so on. He has already won the battle for us - and He lets us enjoy the spoils. You can't fail with God on your side! Struggling with these ugly critters on our own can keep us worn out and feeling constantly defeated - but victory is ours in the Lord!

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"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."

(1 John 4:4)

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"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

(John 16:33)

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"Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good."

(Romans 12:21 - the Message)

Illustration Friday: Insect

Metamorphosis

How could the caterpillar possibly imagine what she would become in time?

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How many times have we believed that we can never change? How many times have we tried to rush the process? How many times have we not moved forward from fear? How many times have we chafed against the confines of the cocoon? How many times have we lost hope that we will ever soar?

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"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven"
Ecclesiastes 3:1

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"And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more..."
2 Corinthians 3:18

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If you'd like to see a great teaching on metamorphosis, check out this online streaming video sermon by my pastor, Kerry Shook of Fellowship of the Woodlands church. When I heard this message this weekend, I knew what I had to draw for this week's Illustration Friday topic: Insect.

Illustration Friday: Tea

Tea for Every Season

(click image to see more detail)

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Barely made it in on time for Illustration Friday's topic: Tea. I had many ideas on and off this week for this topic, but very little time. I'm not a big tea drinker (except for iced tea) - BUT, I love everything about tea - I collect teapots, I adore all types of teacups, and I love tea parties. So, I guess I'm really just a tea wannabe.

NOTE: So sorry that I don't have much time at all for leaving comments on your blogs - I have seen lots of nice tea illustrations - I hope I can find time to stop by and say hi.