Something To Blog About

There are blogs about everything under the sun. I've seen blogs about family, fashion, food, sports, college life, travel, relationships, art, the environment, the economy, entertainment, politics, technology, animal rights, and quite frankly, blogs about absolutely nothing at all! We live in a time where information, ranging from the vitally important to the absurdly ridiculous, is literally at our fingertips 24/7. Yet, at the end of the day, there is only one thing that truly matters...and that one thing is whether or not a person knows Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Most of the things listed above are of great concern to us all....but none of them, individually or collectively, can be compared to the importance of knowing where we will spend eternity. No...not even family (as much as we love and cherish them), for each of us is born into this world alone, and each of us must face our Creator alone, not as a family unit. The word of God tells us that we are but a mist. I think about that often when I spray perfume or air freshener into the air. Now you see it...now you don't! In the time that it takes the mist to disappear from the air, precious souls all over the earth have departed from the land of the living and gone onto the hereafter to await judgement. A fate that they are not prepared for.

But those of us who know the truth and have received salvation by surrendering our hearts and lives to Jesus Christ by faith in Him have the most precious gift of all. We have TRUTH, and in this truth there is freedom from the fear of death (Hebrews 2:14-15). In this truth there is the confidence that we are delivered from destruction and torment, both in this life and in the life to come. The Holy Spirit has placed within us the seed that bears witness of the Good News of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God which can transform, restore, heal, and renew all who will believe and take hold of it. We have a golden opportunity through the web to touch the world with what really matters. I want to encourage all of you who profess Christianity and know Christ as your Lord and Savior to share over the internet the hope that you have and how a personal relationship with Jesus has changed your life . Spreading joy, hope, and light, healing the sick, freeing the oppressed, bringing forth the revelation and wisdom of God, strengthening the body of Christ, and rescuing lost and hurting souls.....NOW THAT'S SOMETHING TO BLOG ABOUT!!!

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Copyright 2009-2010. MyJunkyTrunk, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Beginning

I painted this painting in 2006, and it is my very first painting ever. My sister invited me to go to an arts and crafts store where an art teacher would be instructing beginners on how to paint. I thought to myself...I haven't drawn anything in years, and the last time I attempted, I was almost certain that I had lost my artistic abilities completely. I went anyway. When I got there, I looked out over a very large table filled with people and wondered how only one instructor could handle teaching "one on one" with a crowd like this. It turns out, she couldn't. I waited and waited, but she never got to me. So I decided to start on my own. What's the worst that could happen? An hour or two wasted and the cost of a few paints and a canvas wouldn't be so bad, I reasoned.

The Holy Spirit inspired me to begin sketching an American Indian woman sitting on top of a mountain, witnessing and pondering the rising of the sun, as the moon prepared for its departure to make way for a new day. As I picked up a paintbrush for the first time, I felt God's hand guiding me...reassuring me....creating with me and through me. After I had completed the painting, the instructor finally made her way over to me and declared, " You never needed my help at all...you already know how to paint!" I laughed to myself. I knew that it was the hand of God that taught me to paint that day. He did not give me a "perfect" gift, however. For if He always gave us our gifts fully perfected, we would have no reason to practice, to cultivate, and to master our talents and abilities. What He did give me was a perfect annointing, and a perfect seed bursting with potential and promise, just as many of you have been given. By the time I had walked out to the parking lot with my newly created oil painting, I realized that my life had changed. By His love and grace, my Heavenly Father had given me a perfect BEGINNING, from which MyJunkyTrunk would be born. For years this painting had been untitled...but in January of 2010, the Holy Spirit impressed upon me to entitle it, "Beginning". Quite naturally, I think that suits it perfectly!!!

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Copyright 2006-2010. MyJunkyTrunk, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Get On Fire!

It was only a matter of time before I began to create images that celebrate the curviness, sassiness, spiciness and exotic beauty of Mexican, Puerto-Rican, and Latino women. As I painted this image, words like fire, fearlessness, and boldness came to mind. I was reminded of the time that I watched a small Mexican woman overpowering a man twice her size, beating him over the head with her handbag. She perceived that the safety of her children was being threatened, so she courageously stood up to this man with no regard to her own safety. Naturally, I started thinking about how this world would be if more Christians stood up for Christ with that same kind of passion, commitment, and self-sacrifce.

So many Christians put on their "religious" faces to go to church services, but then almost immediately take them off after leaving the building. Then, as they trudge their way through yet another week, the zeal, dedication, allegiance, and worship that they lifted up to the Lord on Sunday, fizzles down until it is virtually non-existent. They become "under-cover Christians " again. They listen to co-workers use the Lord's name as a substitute for a curse word and laugh. They sit around at the breakroom table and not only listen to endless gossip and filthy talk, but also freely engage in it themselves. They're embarassed to carry their Bibles or to pray openly over their lunches. What would happen if we all decided, "I don't care what anyone else says or does, I LOVE THE LORD, AND I WILL HONOR AND SERVE HIM LORD BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE FOUR WALLS OF THE CHURCH BUILDING!"

What if we got BOLD enough to show everyone we meet who we belong to by demonstrating Christ's love and light to them without fear? What if we exhibited a little non-violent, righteous anger and intolerance toward behavior that is in conflict with and therefore, against the word of God? What if we decided to stand up and walk in agreement with God's laws in the face of those who would persecute us for what we believe instead of cowering in a corner? Without subjecting ourselves to any feelings of guilt or condemnation, let's ponder this question: "What will it take for us who have been asleep at the wheel to finally wake up and get fired up again about the things of Christ ?" I believe that it will start first with the awareness (which the Holy Spirit brings), that we have been "sleepwalking" rather than fully walking in the spirit. This is followed by a decision to change. It's a new day, a new year, a new decade and a new season in the Lord. Now is the time to get on FIRE for Christ!!!

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Copyright 2009-2010. MyJunkyTrunk, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Lighten Your Ship

Too much baggage can be a hindrance while traveling on a business trip, a vacation getaway, and especially on this journey we call "life". Immediately after I woke up this morning, the Holy Spirit led me to open up my Bible and turn to Acts, chapter 27. Even though I read the Word regularly, I was led to a passage that I don't recall reading before. Paul was taken prisoner and forced to sail on a ship that had begun experiencing great turmult due to some very treacherous weather. Paul advised the others in verse 10, "Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also of our lives." Then in verse 18 it says, "And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day, they lightened the ship."

There are times when we all need to lighten our ships. Reading this passage today made me think about the things that we carry with us as we travel along our way. Unlike the girl in the image "Travelin' Trunk", who packs only what she truly needs , we often drag unnecessary, burdensome, or even harmful things around with us year after year, to our own detriment. Sometimes the baggage that we carry is a job that we have become complacent with. This job can be stressful, thankless, and dead-end, yet we hold on to it for dear life. Because we are bound by fear, we never step out to pursue our dreams, and instead resign ourselves to the perceived safety of the "status quo". Sometimes the baggage is a relationship that, although it is abusive, stressful, and unfulfilling, we just can't envision existence without. In most of these cases, "staying put" seems far less scary than opening ourselves up to someone new. Sometimes our baggage is the opinions, judgements, and expectations of other people in our lives. We can become bogged down with feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and condemnation. We spend so much time seeking the approval of our parents, friends, spouses, or employers that we never develop into the person that God has called us to become.

Whatever or wherever the baggage comes from, we must begin to walk in wisdom and discernment regarding these things. Once we become aware that we are carrying around this excess baggage , we can then take the necessary steps to "lighten our ships". Most certainly, saying good-bye to what isn't working is easier said than done. In challenging times like this, I always remember to seek God in prayer, get some godly advise from someone that I trust, and study the scriptures that pertain to the situation. After that, the only thing left to do is to plow through the fear and do what needs to be done by faith.
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Copyright 2007. MyJunkyTrunk, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Our Trials Are Our Greatest Teachers

Originally, when I was inspired to create "Teachin' Tush", I'd been thinking about the amazing school teachers that I was blessed to have as I was growing up. However, as an adult, I have come to appreciate a teacher that has made a far greater impact on my life than any elementary school, highschool, or college teacher ever has. It is the trials that we all must go through, that shape, mature, equip, and strengthen us to be all that we were created to be. I suppose it's human nature to gravitate toward all of the "warm and fuzzy" promises of God. You know the ones that speak of blessings, favor, prosperity, and victory. However, there are many other promises that are a lot harder to digest. In John 16:33 (NKJ) Jesus says, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world".

The Amplified version says, "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]Wow! How comforting to know that even though we will always face challenges as long as we are alive in the earth, Christ has already placed all things that would try to destroy us under His feet by His sacrifice on the Cross. Therefore, these things are also under OUR feet! Believe it and walk boldy in it!

James 1:2 (NKJ)says, "My bretheren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work , that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Now the use of the word "perfect" in the last part of that scripture doesn't mean perfect in the sense of doing EVERYTHING right ALL the time. It simply means "whole". OUR TRIALS HELP MAKE US WHOLE! Remember this when you're going through difficult times. Especially when dealing with others. Instead of hating or resenting those who cause you pain, consider this....they are actually helping to make you better! I know, I know. That's a tough one, but if you will adjust your thinking, you'll see that there are "teachers" all around you, and more than enough opportunities to learn every day.

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Copyright 2008-2010. MyJunkyTrunk, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

It's Not All About Me

"Blingin' Booty" was my very first MyJunkyTrunk Girl. I still remember the day that God began to nudge me with the idea of creating these images and "cataloging" all of the funny names for a butt that we could think of together. I know that may sound silly to some, and offensive to others. Whatever. God is the Creator, yes. But, He is also my friend. We laugh together often. It's beyond religion.....it's relationship, and it's the thing that I treasure most in my life. When I sketched this girl, I was thinking of how much people are addicted to SELF these day. Many are constantly medicating themselves with THINGS so that they can feel relevant, successful, or accepted. All day, everyday it's about their clothes, their shoes, their cars, their furniture, their jewelry, their makeup, their hair, and on and on and on.

In the last days, according to 2 Timothy 3:2, "people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud arrogant and contemptuous boasters." The girl in this image has learned a secret. She has experienced the joy and lasting fulfillment of giving to others. She realizes that it's not all about her, even though "treating" herself sometimes is an act of kindness as well. The point is that she knows she's blessed, and there is always someone within her sphere of influence that can be touched by the love of God that is in her. A thoughtful card, a colorful journal, or a yummy-smelling candle are all inexpensive ways to tell a family member, friend, neighbor, or co-worker, "I'm thinking of you today". I think of these things when I see this image, and it always makes me smile to recall the reactions of those that were touched when I remembered to put them before myself.

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Copyright 2007-2010. MyJunkyTrunk, LLC. All Rights Reserved.