Debbie Hannah Skinner

Wisdom In Watercolor

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Be The Kindness

November 17, 2016 by Debbie Hannah Skinner 2 Comments

BeTheKindnessIn the little circle of influence I’ve been given among my family, friends, church, and wider community, I am determined- now more than ever- to seek to be the kindness I think is missing in the world.

How? I can do these things. . .

  • Speak gently. Proverbs 15:1- “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
  • Stop the spread of hurtful information by not passing on (through my spoken words or clicks or tweets or posts) news stories that stir division instead of sowing peace. Matthew 5:9- “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
  • Be kind and compassionate and forgive others as I pause to ponder how much God has forgiven me of through Jesus. Ephesians 4:32- “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

In my paintings, dark is used as contrast to bring out light. In the world, the darkness that’s so rampant around us these days serves to make the light of Christ living in us glimmer and glow with a bright, heavenly radiance.

Reflect Jesus

Last Sunday night, we were driving back from Oklahoma to Amarillo when that big ol’ super moon was out. Did you see it? The moon doesn’t have the brilliance of the sun, but it’s a breathtaking reflector of the sun’s light.

I don’t own a fancy dancy camera with a fabulous lens, but here’s the photo I took with my iPhone as we stopped on I-40 at the giant cross in Groom, TX.

The image is a bit grainy, but keep in mind this cross is 19 stories high. . .

img_0817

If I were to give this photo a name it would be this: Reflect Jesus.

Dear friends, we cannot control the darkness- the meanness, the inflammatory rhetoric, threats, violence, and lies floating around in the world. But, we can make small choices with our words and actions in seemingly insignificant places- from the grocery store check out line to our social media posts to the dinner table- to reflect the pure light of our beloved Jesus in our small yet significant spheres of influence.

Do I have times when fail at this? You bet. Nevertheless, my goal is to be the kindness where I’ve been planted in the world.

Will you join me by seeking to be the kindness where you are today? If enough of us try, it can make a big difference in the world.

Have a beautiful Thanksgiving!

DebbieSig

 

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Filed Under: General Tagged With: Ephesians 4:32, Jesus, kindness, light, super moon

What Jesus Didn’t Pray

October 2, 2011 by Debbie Hannah Skinner Leave a Comment

Luke 22:32 “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.”

During the last supper. Peter’s bravado regarding his willingness to follow, and even die for Jesus, sounded great. But Jesus knew Peter’s actions over the next few days wouldn’t support his verbal commitment. 

Jesus knew exactly what was coming for Peter: a humiliating triple denial despite his courageous words. So what did Jesus do for Peter? He prayed for him.

What Jesus didn’t pray for Peter is powerful.

  • Jesus didn’t pray that Peter would not face difficulty. (I do that a lot.)
  • He didn’t pray that Peter would be delivered out of his situation. (Pray that a lot, too.)

Jesus knew full well that, in the long run, Peter’s coming denial would tear down Peter’s pride and that he’d emerge as a more humble leader for his brothers.

So what did Jesus pray? One simple thing: that, through the sifting and shame of the days to come, Peter’s faith would not fail.

Maybe that’s what I need to pray more as well.

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Filed Under: For Bible Study Tagged With: Jesus, Luke 22:32, Peter, pray

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Debbie Hannah Skinner

Debbie Hannah Skinner

Debbie’s water media paintings, presentations, and prints inspire women to savor, study, and share God’s word with people they love. Learn about her story and painting-based speaking presentations here…

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"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."
Proverbs 16:9 NIV

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