I'm feeling "Risky"

Why is it that I have this desire to jump off perfectly normal cliffs into the water below? What makes me have the urge to jump on the back of a motorcycle? Why does learning martial arts all of a sudden thrill me? What motivated me to start a business with no background knowledge in business ownership? What possessed me to reach out to a stranger online (who ended up being my husband)?  I'm not sure what is happening, but lately I have been feeling rather risky. Am I just wanting more adventure in my life? Am I testing the limits of my abilities? Is God preparing me for something major? I hope its the last one.

I have been reading the book "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day" by Mark Batterson. Its an amazing book and its stretching my mind to think outside the limits. I read this page today that resonated with my so loudly....

"Obedience is a willingness to do whatever, whenever, wherever God calls us. And that looks very different for each of us. It doesn't always necessitate going halfway around the world. Often the most courageous actions only require us going across the room or across the street. 

I'm not sure what lion God has called you to chase. It may mean teaching at an inner-city school or starting a business or becoming a foster parent. It may mean ending a relationship or beginning a new one. But one thing is for sure: You can't remove risk from the equation.

Part of me wonders if we've been sold a bill of goods. Is it just me or does it seem like some people act as if faith is the reduction of risk? They act as if the goal of faith is to eliminate risk so our lives are, in the words of the old hymn, "safe and secure from all alarm." 

Have you read the Bible lately? Faith is risky business.

The goal of faith is not the elimination of risk. In fact, the greatest risk is taking no risks. Isn't that the principle in the parable of the talents? Jesus commends the two men who take a risk and make a return. But the servant who buries his talent and breaks even is called "wicked." Why? Because he wasn't willing to take a calculated risk. Maybe risk taking is at the heart of righteousness. Maybe righteousness has less to do with not doing anything wrong and more to do with doing things right. Righteousness is using your God-given gifts to their God-given potential. And that requires risk. Maybe our view of sanctification is too sanitized. Maybe our view of Christianity is too civilized. Maybe we need to reconsider what made our spiritual ancestors heroic."

Go out and take some risks today...Chase your lion!!

Art abounds

I would never had thought that we would become "art collectors". I love art and always have. It was a vital part of my adolescence. I often say that if it wasn't for my art and photography classes in high school, I never would have made it out with my sanity. I owe a lot of that to my favorite teacher, Mrs. Hill. She was an inspiration to me back then, and was always so willing to sit and listen to the childish rants of teenagers...you know how hard life is for a 16 year old. Art was my escape from the stresses of life, school, home and work. It was time for me to be creative and explore talents that God has given me. It was the pressure relief valve of life. Sadly, I haven't kept up with my art in a LONG time. I still have unfinished projects from senior year of high school that still beckon for my return. Life got busy, and I got lazy. Plain and simple.

It was interesting for me to find out that most of the Lovell side of the family (Daniel's family) are very talented artists! When I met Daniel's grandfather Charlie, who used to have his own darkroom and is an avid painter, I knew we would be instant friends. He inspires me too, but just like me, he hasn't done as much art work lately. When Daniel and I went on our cruise back in the spring, we took the opportunity to attend an art auction on the ship. We did it in an attempt to kill an hour or so during a rainy afternoon, and for the free champagne (HA). Well it turns out that we really enjoyed the art and left the ship with 4...count them...4 pieces of art for our house!! So, I guess we got thrown into being art collectors after all. Here is the beginning of our collection.The first three are all in our guest room, and the last is a stand alone investment piece in our hallway.

The first two are by an artist named Linda Le Kniff.

This one is by Itzchaz Tarkay (Little Round Table #7)

And the legendary Peter Max (Woodstock Series: Profiles)