VBS is ...

VBS is a Carousel

(the carousel in our children's church building)

A Carousel of Color

and CreativityVBS is Messyand Noisyand Fun!

because God is Colorful, Creative, Messy, Noisy and Fun!

A Lesson in Tailoring

"...God has allotted to each a measure of faith." Romans 12:3

"But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift." Ephesians 4:7

I've read these verses many times, and always pictured a measuring cup in God's hand. Somewhere in a corner of my mind, that image evoked words like ration, portion; which in turn suggests God maybe favors some people with a meager 1/4 cup of grace or faith and others with 3/4 cup. Great men of faith must have gotten a full cup, otherwise how could they have been used so mightily! Of course I know that's not true; God is not stingy with His love or His gifts.

However, the word 'measure' is also a tailoring term. Ahhh...now I can relate. When something is tailor made, it's a perfect fit just for you.

 

God's grace is tailor-made for your situation! There is nothing you will ever face that He does not have the perfect-fit grace for you to deal with it.

God's gifts are also tailor-made for you and His plan for your life! The problem comes when people don't want the gift they were given; they'd rather have something else. Here's a little illustration:

Once upon a time a delicate piece of thin, tan paper was covered with an array of lines, numbers and symbols. Its Designer had in mind for it to be turned into a beautiful purple jacket. The paper would be cut into several pieces and laid onto the rich fabric. There were 2 fronts, 2 side fronts, 2 sleeves, a back, collar, etc. The front & side front pieces, even though curved, would line up at the notches and fit perfectly together to create a nice form fitting look. The designer could see it in His mind's eye. How perfectly it would fit! How elegant the wearer would look in it!

But one of the side pieces did not want to be a side piece. It desired to be a sleeve. After all, the sleeve covers the arm which is connected to the hand and surely that's where all the action is. That's where sermons are written and miracles happen and everyone wants to clasp the hand in prayer and friendship and love. No one notices a side piece! Being a side piece is B O R I N G.

A silly story, I know. But can you picture this garment put together? The side piece doesn't cover the arm properly and there's nothing connecting the front & back, just a gaping hole where the side should be. What was intended to be an elegant purple jacket, tailor-made for the wearer, is a mess. It can't be worn like that. It's useless.

Ephesians 4 continues to explain Christ's gifts and their purpose. They are to equip His church so that more will come to know Him (v 12). We are not to be like childen, who always want another child's toy (v 14). We are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head (v 15)

(v 16) "...the whole body, being fitted and held together...according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."

In other words, it's not about what the pattern pieces want to be; it's about the finished garment. How exquisite it will be; perfectly tailor-made and fit for a King of Kings!

Strange But True

Ok, this is just strange...
(Copied from an actual Facebook page)

RECENT ACTIVITY
God edited their Subject's sex is unknown, {profile-field2} and {profile-field3}.
God edited their Birthday and Location.
God joined Facebook.

Even God has succumbed.
*heavy sigh* No wonder the world is such a mess. He's doing Facebook instead of takin' care of business.

Memorial Day

You cannot imagine what this looks like in person. Photos just cannot capture the powerful sight of over 2600 U.S. Flags flying in one place (one article said there were 2,749).

Each flag covered the casket of a veteran who died while serving our country. Attached to each one is a tag identifying the deceased. They are donated by the families to honor their memory on this day.

Each flag represents someone who gave up their own plans and dreams to preserve the legacy of freedom for all.

Selah.

It's a moving and humbling sight. Click here for more information.

A Love Note

I will extol Thee, my God, O King; And I will bless Thy name forever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable. Psalm 145:1&3


For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 9:38-39

Beautiful scriptures. The morning sun. White batting. Doll arms yet to be assembled. A pretty trim of pink hearts on white ribbon. A nice camera and just a tiny smidgen of Photoshop.

Who says God isn't into art?

Introducing ...

A few posts ago, I put up some teaser pictures of "something new" I was working on and invited you to check back. So here it is. Let me introduce you to ...Sorry, she's rather shy.She knows she is a FirstMade and for now, the only one of her kind.I think, for that reason, her name shall be "Eve."
She's already made her debut to the Tulsa Dolling Dames, who receieved her most kindly.
She is a 21 - 22" soft-sculpted art doll. She has a dancing partner on the way. He is running quite late. They are dressed up and and in clown makeup for Le Masquerade.
Eve was 'born' during the spring snow storm. It was a magical day. A dozen ladies with their beautiful fabrics and trims, busily cutting, sewing, encouraging each other and learning new techniques in our workshop with the doll's designer, Barbara Schoenoff, while the hugest snowflakes I've ever seen were tumbling down outside.Just a little note: her yellow underskirt is made from a piece of silk Joe brought back from India for me - exactly 20 years ago! (Heavens, where did the time go? Does anyone else have fabric in their stash that old?) It's been fun to see all the different interpretations of this pattern from our club. Barbara calls the dancing pair "Pas de Duex." They, and her other patterns, can be seen/purchased at Joggles.com.

Star Trek

Oh.
My.
GOSH!!
Star Trek: The Future Begins was a JOY to experience. What a great job by everyone involved. I felt proud of them and I don't even know these people. Each character was spot on. The bridge was beautiful. I usually don't notice the work of the sound engineer, but I did this time. Every little beep was perfectly placed. I love all those movie space sounds; the computer beeps & chirps, the transporter, the low rumble as the ship moves thru deep space. You must see this movie. And if you have, then you already know this: you've got to see it again.Shot these pix at the Star Trek Experience in Vegas (2003). I read somewhere that it's no longer there. Bet they're kicking themselves.

Pixelations

New header is up! Just couldn't let go of "Mystical Gypsy" but I think it works well with the byline. I really tried to think about why I have this blog, what my real purpose here is, when trying to come up with a new name. I guess it should have been obvious (photography) but I tend to over-think things. And so, may I present: "Mystical Gypsy: Life in Pixels"

I love, love, love digital photography. I've considered taking classes but there's something different about this particular hobby. I like being alone with it; working it out on my own. This is really quite unusual - normally I like to learn a new skill from someone already good at it. But this is different. Can't explain; maybe I don't want to "learn the fun out of it."

Going out with the camera is a total de-stresser. Peering thru the lens causes me to hyper-focus and the world goes away. All I can see is what's in the viewfinder. All I can think about is how it looks, interesting angles and compositions. It's like becoming one with the camera. (Star Trek fans, remember this line? "Spock, be one with the horse!" "I'm trying, Captain!")

And when I'm finished, it's off to the computer where I can get lost again manipulating the photos in any number of ways. Or not! Once in a while there's a shot that's so perfect as is. What a joy! Experimenting/learning digital editing has helped me learn to make decisions a little faster (over-thinker, remember?) I know when the picture is right. I've learned to trust my instincts more which has spilled over to other areas of life.

And that, my friends, is why I enjoy Life in Pixels!

Eggs-asperation

I want to change the blog appearance. I have a very faint idea stirring around but I can't see it clearly. It's kinda frustrating because I really want a change. But I don't want to do the work unless I have something I LOVE. I'm waiting on INSPIRATION.

Not only do I want to change the appearance, but the name. Although I really do like Mystical Gyspy. It just seems like it's time for a change. Something whimsical & artsy.

Must be spring fever.

Here's the problem: I picked up a copy of Artful Blogging magazine. It's so inspiring. Beautiful pictures, fabulous art, thoughtful prose. But my brain is on overload from work projects and I'm empty when I sit down at this computer. *sigh ~ oh to be filthy rich* (read: cottage by the sea, studio with big windows, creating while watching afghan hounds frolic in the sand and waves)

I can see conceptual sparkles glimmering off in the distance. Surely an idea will hatch soon!

photographs by Mystical Gypsy; Serendipitous Moment at Honor Heights Park, Muskogee, OK

On Being Anonymous

I'd just like to go on record that I knew about Twitter & Facebook before they became mainstream. I even knew (thanks to college son) that MySpace was for high schoolers and Facebook for cool college people only. Until the Boomers discovered it, that is. Poor Boomers - we're having such a hard time giving up our coolness. Always chasing the kiddos to the next new thing in our attempt to stay forever young (cue Rod Stewart song). Not that I'm immune. I myself am addicted to the bottle - L'oreal, that is.

And so, yes, I am bragging about my cyber-savviness. However, this blog is as close as I care to come to cyber glass housing. I will never Tweet. I barely keep my cell phone charged. Facebook, though.... *heavy sigh* I really don't want to have one but now hubby has reloaded his and I admit, it is fun to look through it & see what's going on with everyone. I may have to eat my previous rants and start one. I don't know. Trying to hold out; just out of sheer obstinance. My Boomer-rebellious tendencies are still pretty strong. We'll see.................................