Prayers and smoke requested.

Bobwhite

Bobwhite

Joined
Nov 30, 1999
Messages
2,913
OK all, I am asking for some spiritual offerings. It is very hard for me to explain. I feel I am in the midst of a spiritual quagmire. My faith is being tested on many levels. I am not questioning the truths I've come to accept as much as my place within them. For the record, I am a Christian. I became one about 10 years ago after being raised Catholic, but an Atheist by choice. Them my life got shook up and I returned to Jesus, but not a Catholic. I think my spiritual malaise began in the recent religion themed threads in the political forums. It is tough for me to argue my points with people who are using the same arguments I used to use. I know where they are coming from, but can't explain why I don't see it that way any more. So I take some kind of middle ground that is entirely indefensible. I am a peacemaker, I hate fighting and arguing, so I jump in there and try to work things out for everyone. It seldom accomplishes anything but take it out of me. The not too distant troubles with Simon were the same thing. In my marriage too, I feel like I am the one trying to find common ground and smooth over the rough spots. My wife is a strong person, part of why I love her, but she is not very emotional, generous or nurturing. I guess all in all I feel like my voice is weak and maybe I just shouldn't use it. I feel like I get steamrollered all the time. So I share this with some elders at my Church. They prayed with me and told me it was a lie and that I should use my voice more. They think that I have been bound up in my own limitations and I have a gifts that needs to be exercised and developed. Concurrent with that, on the same day actually, I found out that I was selected to be the artist in residence at my Church. A few years ago, the worship leader was inspired to return to the church tradition of comissioning artists to do pieces for the church. The artist will recieve payment from the church for a commisioned peice with a religious theme. My wife and others coerced me into submitting some whittling projects. I did to shut them up. And now I got picked and I feel like a fraud. I have never considered what I do art. The worship leader knows this and has given me incredible leeway in my project. I have some ideas for a project, but it is on a scale I've never worked on before, and incorporates new techniques for me. There will be actual woodcarving in it, and I have never tried that before, but the project idea demands it. I do feel the idea is inspired and I want to be obedient to it. The theme I am to work with is "release". The elders who talked to me about freeing my gifts do not know I am the new artist in residence. It has not been anounced yet, only I, my wife and the worship leaders know it. I am equally elated, depressed, honored and terrified, but I think a feeling of resignation underpins it all. I feel like God is calling me out, and I feel like crawling under a rock. It is very hard for me to share this, but if I can do it anywhere, this is the place.
 
For my vote, I am 100% with the elders in your church.

told me it was a lie and that I should use my voice more. They think that I have been bound up in my own limitations and I have a gifts that needs to be exercised and developed.
Click to expand...

Absolutley. Peace and smoke for you, Bro.
 
God never lays more at our feet than what we can handle, Bobwhite. You've been given a wonderful gift. A gift that God truly apprciates. We are supposedly made in His image. What He dreams, He can create. Artists have the same power. Some do it on paper so that the words they arrange paint the most vivid picture in your mind. Some do it on canvas bringing wonderous landscapes full of rich color and dark gloom. Others do it with a camera. They have the gift to capture people in the very intensity of joy, heartache, or surprise and record it for future generations. You have the gift of 3D creation. Not only can you image something in your mind, but you can turn it, twist it, take a little off here, sand a little there. What you have left over is something that everyone who sees it knows what it is. Think about it. That's powerful, friend:)! You take a block of wood cut from any old tree and carve it into a horse. Taking great time, sweating much, splinters, cuts, etc. THe passion that goes into everything designed. Now take that carving and show it to anyone in the world. They'll be able to tell you EXACTLY what you were trying to convey. Diplomats can't do this 10% of the time. Writers can't do it 30% of the time. Actors can't do 50% of time. Powerful, powerful stuff.
I'm not a learned man of the bible. I'm Christian, but i have no "training" per say. I've read through most of the bible. I've learned faith. I accept God and Jesus, but i'm not sure that it is the only path to God or Enlightenment. I am but a speck of space dust that believes his Creator loves him as much as the rest of the space dust. I can know nothing more, just have faith that i'm right and try to be a good little speck of space dust;) However, from the stories I've read and heard from the bible God tends to use broken souls to do His work. Those that have had a tough time. Those that have cursed his name. Those that have been stepped on more times than they can remember. You've been called to do something. Be scared, be honored. Just do what your hands have been given the gift to do. Nothing more is asked of you than that.
Smoke and prayers, friend.

Jake
 
BobWhite, I married a evangelical Christian who used to be a Catholic.

I considered myself a Christian until fairly recently when I began to wonder just where I did fit in. I was an atheist who after wandering the Mojave desert for many months and years (no- not all at once!!) came to accept the presence of what I call the Great Heart; what Christians call the Holy Spirit.

I've decided not to worry about the particulars; where stuff lays. IT's not really my responsibility anyway.
I think men get it wrong. If you look at this Country and biblic interpretation, you will see many churches have changed over the years regarding certain matters.
There was a period in my life where I read the Bible carefully, lovingly, needing hope, and there will be again.
I wish you could talk to my wife.

But be all this as it may, accept the new road in front of you and attempt a carving. Did you know Mahler fought for a clearer understanding of Jesus and God his entire life and was never satisfied?

Remember this- there is a time to keep some thoughts to yourself and God, and a time to share these thoughts with others.


munk
 
Colonel Crockett used to say, "Be sure you are right, and then go ahead". Can't me nor anybody else tell you what's right for you, that's for you to decide. Stay strong, keep faith, and while you're at it have some faith in yourself. You're a good man, and I ain't worried that you'll get things sorted out.

Smoke and prayers,
Sarge
 
God doesn't always give us what we want,but He always gives us what we need.Maybe this is His way of erasing your self doubt,if I may call it that.Go ahead on,and tackle this project head on,and I believe you will come to see His hand guiding you all the way.God Bless.
 
Wood carving is the highest calling in my MOST humble opinion. I haven't been called, but am making chips anyway. Will be sending considerable smoke your way.
 
I have been in your very shoes, Bobwhite...but mine was for the general public, not church affiliated.


I still have mixed emotions about the whole process...and it's been 7 years since I was comissioned to do the art piece. It became the central point of a large debate, got media coverage and everything. Ended up being carelessly destroyed. At some points I hated it because I could see every error a mile away...yet the viewers did not see any mistakes at all. When people look at "art" they are more inquisitive than investigative. Sure, they can be judgmental too...but no one ever said anything negative about me, or my technique.....hence the mixed emotions.

I still feel that way about nearly every knife that leaves my shop...rare are the ones that really piss me off, or, conversly, make me cry with joy. More often than not, they all drive me a little crazy, they all bring satisfaction, and I'm left with mixed feelings.

Wish I had something uplifting or positive to say....best I can do is say "You're not alone". Others have gone before, and more will pass in the future. Pour your heart into it, but be able to jump ship at any moment.
 
What everybody else has said.

There's a lot going on in your life at different levels.

“So I take some kind of middle ground that is entirely indefensible.”
It’s pretty hard to mount a compelling case for believing in God when you limit yourself to the atheist lexicon. If the trumpet be uncertain, who will hear it ? If you have something to say, just say it, courteously. Let him who has ears to hear, hear. Also, Mother Teresa said “we are not called to be successful, we are called to be faithful.” You’re not the savior; let go, & let God.

“I am a peacemaker, I hate fighting and arguing, so I jump in there and try to work things out for everyone. It seldom accomplishes anything but take it out of me.” Don’t mistake quietude for “the Peace that surpasseth understanding.” That’s not your gift to give. Again, you’re not the savior; let go, & let God.

Do you & the wife both need to confront, & renegotiate, some things openly ?
(We can all probably hear ourselves saying "I love so & so, but their such & such just drives me bonkers.")
Sometimes, we shouldn't hold it in, but may need to acknowledge it openly, & work it out with them.
We may find out that we are both "offending," (!!!!) as well as "offended" !
What bothers us about them may be their reaction to something about us that bothers them, and then again, maybe not.
It can be a blessing to be able to bring things out into the open, agree to disagree, & to then give each other space to be themselves.
It can also be a blessing to bring it out into the open & learn that this is not acceptable to the other. At least then, you are living in truth, not assumptions & wishes.

Are there any christian marriage counselors in your area who are good BOTH professionally AND spiritually ?
(King David's approach: pray like it all depends on prayer; work like it all depends on work. David didn't hang around Saul's palace relying on God to keep him safe while he waited for God to deliver on his promise to make him king someday; he worked at keeping himself safe). Also, there's a (PRE-2005) story of the guy whom God told in a dream that He would save from a flood. When the rescue truck came, the guy declined, saying "God will save me." When the rescue boat came, the guy again declined. When the rescue helicopter came, yet again, the guy declined. Then, the guy drowned. When he got to heaven he reproached God saying, "You told me you'd save me from the flood." God replied, "For crying out loud, I sent you a truck, a boat, & a helicopter !"
Good counseling can help to tease out true virtue from things masquerading as virtue. Somewhere, in Timothy ?, St. Paul instructed to have a "true" estimation of ourselves (i.e. rather than false modesty or unfounded pride).
Good counseling can also help to tease out the misuse of virtues. For example, it is good to tell the truth. But, we all know folks who use the truth as a weapon, enjoying the power they feel when they crush sombody, perhaps by telling them that their dress is truly ugly, or whatever. These virtuous truth tellers smugly say "I didn't do anything bad; I only told her the truth."

Until they are brought out into the open, into the light, a number of things in our lives & relationships can cause a lot of trouble because we have mis-identified what they are.

Also, it might be helpful if the Elders then supported whatever you might be trying to work out.

In the meantime, remember the words of 2 old preachers:
1. "While you're waiting for your miracle, Bloom where you're planted."
2. "It's Friiiiidaaaayyyy; Sunnndaaayyy's a-comin'."
 
He nevers asks you to do something without giving you the means to accomplish it. We are given callings mostly for our own growth and to learn something we need to learn. Things will get done with or without us, but He gives us opportunities to learn and grow. That's why we are here in the first place. Trust and go, He will give you what you need whether it is the inspiration, the skill or the comfort and support you need.
God Bless,
Terry
 
Since you have a Faith

Trust in that Essence

By whatever name



Even the best actors can get "stage fright"

Many say it gives them something they need to succeed



Prayers



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what other people think. The statue isn't for other people, it's for the Creator. And it could very well be the Creator's gift to you, a chance to show yourself that you can accomplish anything with love, sweat and faith. It's easy to talk about something, it's easy to buy something but it's not so easy to create something with your own two hands. Even attempting such a task puts you one step ahead of the flock, in my book. The simple act of putting steel to wood can inspire others to test their own limits, stretch their own wings. Do not pay too much attention to amatuer art critics who have never attemped what they criticize.

Think of the khukuri. The handle rings may have variations in thickness. The blade may show marks from the forge. The sword of Shiva may not be perfectly straight. But to my mind they're more beautiful than any G-10/ supersteel folder out there. They were made with love and hard work. That they have imperfections from Human hands does not make them any less a work of art.

So it is with your wood carving. The Human spirit reaching out to the Creator is a thing of wonder. Do not be afraid.

Frank
 
It is obvious that forces beyond you are conspririg to motivate you in a direction that makes use of your talents. If this is what is intended for you, the inspiration and guidance will be there when you most need it. You say you have come back to Jesus; trust in Him to provide the guidance.

Pick up the tools, Bob, and trust in the Lord.

Noah
 
Smoke for your creative spirit, Mr. Bobwhite.

Remember the creative can never be forced, nor can you create anything great if your heart & mind are not working together.

Only if you decide to create something for the right reason will the greatness come.

Like a diver on a high board, stand as long as you need to. Compose.

Dive.

It will be great.

And if the judges only give you a 9.8, remember we're all only human.

What do judges know, anyways. Critics rarely create.


Ad Astra
 
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