The Artist's Life: Autumn Inclings

The Artist's Life: Autumn Inclings: "The colors of fall are like none other, they are so vibrate, alive, so full of light. I get so excited when I see the colors begin to change..."

Our Weekend

It's been a while since I have focused on my personal end of lifes events. Things continue to be busy, but God-kissed.
I finally have time to write as I sit in my big comfy arm chair and listen to the cooing sounds my husband makes to our little puppy Amber as he gives her a much needed bath. TOO CUTE!!!  He just arrived home from taking our "after-dinner" stroll through the neighborhood, looking at a couple homes that are for sell. No, we're not looking to buy just yet, but a fun little hobby my mom passed down to me, what we call "window peeking"! So, we went to empty homes, and peeked. It was a load of fun, and Amber enjoyed exploring new yards.
We got to meet another neighbor, her home was for sale, she is a booking agent for the music industry who has worked for big named artists through the years! So many interesting people to meet!

Anyway, our weekend was relaxing. We soaked in the cool, first-of-fall weather, driving out into the countryside, spending time with family, and walking with the grandparents.  My life is rich with heritage! Enjoy some pictures, the result of the weekend, and keep an eye out for some potential paintings posted on http://www.jonathanhowefineart.blogspot.com/ that would look similar to them! You wonder how he gets his inspiration? Here it is:

Two roads diverged in a wood and I, I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. -Robert Frost

The Artist's Life: Place in a Piece of Elegant History

The Artist's Life: Place in a Piece of Elegant History: "If you ever find yourself in Franklin, Tennessee, you are now cordially invited to come and view Jonathan's art in the exquisite 'Gallery 20..."

Why Do I Do What I Do?

The Lord asked me last night "why do you do, what you do?"

At that question I began to relay in my mind all the possible reasons for, the "Party in the Park". 'Was it because I want to see the lost come to a saving knowledge of Christ? Or was it because I want honor among people for the "works" that I do?'

It is always good to question the motives of your heart. But here is the reality that removed ANY reason I could have had for taking credit for ANY good work that would flow forth from me:

Philippians 2:13- For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."

ALL good things come from God.... Every good thought comes from God!

Psa 16:2
I said to the Lord, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing."

So, know this... before you, or I or anyone we know attempts to receive praise for what "they" have done. Know that God gets all glory, because Apart form him, we can do nothing good.

This party is thought of and predestined by God, who by his kindness granted me and you my family, to see it brought forth!

Lets go forth knowing we are perfectly in the will of God this evening!

My House, a fountain of blessing, my haven, my testimony

One of the deceptions of mission ministry is to believe that you must look like those to whom you are reaching out to. Tatoos to reach the tatooed, goth to reach the goth, preppy to reach the rich. Well, for me and missions, my mindset was, I must change my living lifestyle to reach those who are poor, needy, hurting... the list goes on.

Last night the Lord removed this deception from my eyes. Two dear people, whom I had never met before, and whom Jonathan hardly knew came to my house for dinner. And what a blessing it was! An older couple who have been on the mission field 30+ years!

They began to share stories from their life in Africa, and in Vietnam. And they told me: "Don't ever be ashamed of how you live. God created you, and raised you with your needs and desires, not so that you would be denied, but so that WHO you are can be a testimony to Christ. And this includes your home, and the atmosphere you create for yourself."

You see, the truth is, if we live like the world, then what good do we have to offer? If we look like the world, then what can we give to give to the needs of this world?

One of their stories from Africa was: they had a young african man come and talk with them, and they asked him how the appearance of their affluence made him and his people feel [They lived in a better situation then most of the african people there]. His response was this: "If you lived in a mud hut like me, and if your kids had the same health issues as ours do, then what would we see different in you that would tell us we have something to gain by listening and learning from you? However, we see your kids live long healthy lives, ours do not, and we see that you have a nice house, and we do not. Therefore you must know something we do not, and I desire to know what it is."

They also reminded me of the charge that God gave Adam, to take dominion over the land. Well, God has given me this home, and I am proudly taking dominion over it, and by the grace of God I will make it the most wonderful living space possible. Why?

It is not because my neighbors live this way, I am surrounded by little houses, slowly deteriorating, and covered in clutter. It is not because I am rich and have nothing better to do.

It is because this is my home. It is where I come home and rest, it is where I lay my head. This is my home, where I will host as many lost and saved people as I can while I am here. It is where the Lord has placed me, it is by His grace and by His will that I am here. So I will create a home AS UNTO THE LORD.

This is my home where I can honor my Lord in the way that I tend to His blessings to me. This is my home, and my avenue for creating beauty, and creating a lifestyle of beauty.

And as my home is a haven for little Cassidy, so it will be haven and testimony to many more. Giving God ALL glory and honor.

And when i move, be it another town, or another country, I will make for myself a home as unto the Lord, to the best of my ability! And I will not be ashamed to call it.... My home

We ALL have a home. My question is this:

What does your home say about the Lord? Your home is an outspoken testimony of God in your life. What does your home speak to the lost, to the saved, to those who need rest? What about to you? Or your family members?

I was raised in a beautiful home, where I knew the goodness of God.

Lets start a revolution of creating homes to be our testimonies!

A Day With Cassidy

Saturday Jonathan and I went out and bought a bunch of berries which we had found at a good price. So my plans for the day were to spend a quiet afternoon with him, and bake some delicious fruit deserts to enjoy.

But when a knock came at my door, and little six-year old, freckle faced Cassidy walked in with a big grin, I knew exactly what God's plan was.

We donned on our aprons [that's what real women do when they cook by-the-way], and began to get to work.

With flour covered faces, we baked, and ate half the ingredients before they even neared the mixing bowl [Cassidy loves berries we've discovered].

By the end of the day we had made twice baked potatoes, homemade bread, bruchetta, and a big berry shortcake.

Cassidy looked up with all grins licking her fingers and said, "I love your house, you know why?" I was shocked to hear her offer an explanation so I asked why. She said, "Because your house is pretty, and clean, and Jonathan paints pretty things all over your walls."

What a blessing!!!! Wow! My LIFE is beautiful, and THAT is what makes this home beautiful. The presence of my Holy Father, the heritage of a Godly family, and blessings of God's glorious gifts and abilities in Jonathan and I both, have made my home a haven for little six-year old girls who need Jesus.

Cassidy's mom came over to get her, and I left them with all we cooked to enjoy for dinner, and as they left, I sat down tired, happy, and FULL. I intended to bless little Cassidy with a fun time, and she blessed me with a revelation of the Lord's goodness to me.

And when I see this family come into a relationship with the Lord, my heart will burst forth with even MORE joy and gladness. I await this day in anticipation.

You're Invited!!!!

As if the flyer didn't say it all!!!! One of Jonathan and my first big steps to "REACH" our neighborhood, and our precious team of teenagers"CCF" [the Called Chosen and Faithful] have pitched in to help us make this happen.

So if anyone desires to see fellowship in outreach at work, and would like to have fun doing it.... Come on out!

Father's Day

Satan hates a good, godly father. He hates a man who raises up children in the way they should go, and never strays from that conviction.
My father is one of those men. He has raised my family to love and honor that which Christ loves and honors. And I am so thankful for that. This fathers day we enjoyed fellowship with one another, not just as a father with his children, but as a family who is standing in relationship with Christ and fighting for what is righteous and holy in unity.
In this world, through the flesh, a person can only fellowship and love another with limitation. In Christ, you experience a whole new unity which extends beyond the natural.
On Fathers Day, we as a -righteous in Christ by grace- family stood and fellowshiped and had a blast enjoying the favor and blessings of the Lord.
And God blessed us with the miracles of nature, getting to see, in a little hidden suburban spot, the gorgeous display of God's creation. Fireflies, engulfing the trees which surrounded us, all glowing in unison. Such a beautiful, peaceful sight.

Dad- you are enjoying the favor of God with your family who is now also: "highly favored of the Lord"!


"I would have fainted had I not seen the goodness of God in the land of the living"

--- we, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, can on a daily basis enjoy the goodness of God. This land is alive and ripe with the Harvest! Just as my father enjoyed a taste of the Harvest with his children, who are walking in relationship with Christ, and just as more fruit keeps pouring into the church by his continual sowing. That is God's promise to us also, so let us all go reap!

The Prophetic

God speak through prophecy, and prophecy is spoken through word, and word can be spoken through song. This is exactly what this song IS for Harvest Church. Never would I have imagined that the prophetic word the Lord gave to me would be a hopeful prophetic promise that would see it's reality so soon. But here, as Harvest finds this season come upon us, let us dwell on the prophetic word and claim it in faith!

He is coming, He is coming to take back the Land
Are you ready for the Harvest?
The prayers that you've prayed, the seed that you've sown, desire of your heart he's preparing to grow. Are you ready for the Harvest?

There is MORE, so We WILL GO, we will STAND we will FIGHT and PROCLAIM

For God is faithful to all that he says, he is faithful to His promises.

The days been approaching and now it is here, where the Lord of the heavens has come and drawn near.



How are your preparing for the Harvest? I tell you now, the Harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. We need to open our doors, and let the gospel flow forth, and make room for the new children of God that he is about to bring forth.

This Battle is the Lords

There has been a war waged in Harvest Church. A line has been drawn, and a side must be chosen. Who are you going to serve? "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord." Since this line has been drawn, many have chosen to serve the Lord, but some has chosen otherwise... And sadly, as of this moment in time, my brothers are two of them. It has been a long, tiring week, for many know that waging a spiritual war saps someones strength quicker than many things in life. But, the Lord has promised my family this: That the battle is HIS, and He has already won the victory. He is returning to us, not only what the devil had attempted to steal, but also ALL the spoils of war!

I stand firmly on this promise, it is my reality. And I am seeing these spoils spill into Harvest Church in miraculous ways. Last Sunday a dear friend was saved and baptised, this spurred on by the drawing of a line. I have found out that a friend of my brothers has come to repentance at another church due to watching the lives of my brothers [What satan isn't smart enough to realize, is that when God awakens a heart, sin is no longer deceitfully appetizing, but intstead it a fearful dread]. And THEN!!!!!! Yesterday, in MY HOME another young man, one who is friends with my brothers, came to Christ again. He will be baptised in the church this Sunday. This will be the fourth consecutive week of baptisms in Harvest Church. God is fighting the battle for us!!!

The devil tried to enter into my families home, and steal from us, but NOW in the name of Jesus Christ I say the BATTLE IS THE LORD'S AND HE HAS WON THE VICTORY!!! And that is not going to be the only salvation within this home. For as for me and my house we will serve the Lord, and may all who enter within, find Him!!! AMEN

We stopped at harmony coffee house. so jonathan can finish his studies before tonight:-) so my job is to sit, and listen patiently. now i see what mom does every saturday night!

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FWD::) :)

:) :) we're on route to dayton tennessee! to a bible camp jonathan worked with years ago. he's speaking to the staff in training there tonight. our first little road trip since being married:-) how excited am i to accompany him:-) so we've left my amber to the loving care of my sister and brother.in.law. i left my home to justin at the door with amber in his arms whimpering. to me it's like leaving a child. thanks hannah and justin for BABYsitting:-)

Wifely blunder

My first wifely blunder:-(. . . . saturday, i sweat and slaved over my dear husbands messy car since he let me drive it. i was thorough as always, cleaning not just the outside, but wiping down, vacuuming, and throwing away all trash from inside. . . throwing away things, this is a wonderful, disasterous trait inherited from my dear mother, and is now the terror of both my husband and my father. needless to say this trait led me to the unwiiting mistake of throwing a box with my husbands old cell phone inside away. oops:-( this phone was there to return since it was messed up and under warranty. unfortunately now, he has a clean car at the price of a new phone. lucky for me he doesn't have a bad temper and he thinks i. cute as a button. it kept me out of TOO much trouble ;-)

My sweet little amber! she is the cuddliest, sweetest thing. like i've said before she never leaves my side. if i'd allow it, she'd be by my side even in a bath or shower! ain't she cute ya'll!?

Christ Is My Builder

There is a tapestry which has hung on my mothers wall for years, given by a dear friend of ours. Hebrew 3:4 "For every house is built and furnished by someone, But the builder and furnisher of all things is God." Today I was building in the natural. Standing on roof trusses, sweating like a man, with the men, doing what the men do. I enjoy this kind of work very much. But my favorite building, is the building which can only be done through the power of Christ [though it doesn't mean that we do not toil in labor at times, as we are his instruments for building]. And today, I also got to enjoy Christ supernatural building! How blessed am I that it was in our sweet little house. Tonight we had youth group, just a fun, simple, game night, playing, screaming, developing relationship in the best of ways. And to make it even sweeter, my neighbors [not just the teen, but her little sister and mother as well] all came and spent the entire evening with us, laughing and talking with the rest of them. Tonight as I look back and think through my day, I think of that tapestry I read everyday as I was being raised. Mom, Dad this is your spiritual harvest. It is not just Jonathan and my gift from God. It is the blessing handed down to us through a Christ centered, hospitality and ministry focused Heritage.

Good morning all! see my honey this morning. messy hair, sleepy eyes, and poetically reading from one of his favorite authors e.m. bounds "the essentials of prayer"

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I know there are many posts for today. But, I must start off my blog in a way which leaves you feeling at home. I want my home to be a familiar place to you. After all, isn't that what hospitality is about? That warm, welcome familiar, inviting you to sit back, relax, and enjoy?

So.... Sit back... Relax... Enjoy... and I pray.... feel more than welcome!

Welcome to my first home =-] Come in, and make yourself at home!

Here's my handsome husband painting away:-) singing exuberantly to his worship music.

My monday

this rainy monday my sleepy puppy amber lays beside me, she is guaranteed to be found at my side as long as i am home. i have worked a short day, cleaned house for college group company tonight (i'm always excited to have company), and now i will relax and enjoy watching my husband paint as i ponder tonight and what we want to share.

Here is a picture of my little blue gill from yesterday:) with my cute HOWE hat. . . hand made with love by my sweet sister

My memorial day.

what a lovely day jonathan and i had yesterday. we woke up late monday morning, headed to my parents where dad played chef for the day. from delicious biscuits and gravy to the best bbq ribs i've eaten. SO GOOD! i relaxed better than i had in what feels like ages. enjoying a leisure evening with your family@ your closestfriends in such a gift from god. we ate dinner then went fishing in the late evening@ and EVERYONE caught a fish:-) jonathen catching the biggest. i begin to ponder@ :-) for such a small man of stature@ he is doing and will do such BIG things in the kingdom and in business. god has truly blessed us and poured his abundant favor on us allowing such small people to see and do such BIG things. thank you jesus for family. and favor. and thank you dad and mom for the best memorial day yet.

Help! another one of lifes wonderful journeys. my sixteen year old brother with a permit. we have the wonderful priviledge of serving him and his buddy all night and saturday. this requires grace? oh my yes. two teenagers, attitude, and loud music till late at night. much listening to conversation which consists of simple words like dude, whatever, sick, please please please and few thank you's. why do i endure it? a jerking car no peace and little sleep? somehow grace plays in and reminds me that the lord. . . . . . . . . WANTS MY MOM TO HAVE A "FREAKIN" BREAK!! :-) and on another note, i want to love like christ and believe that god will touch their heart towards tenderness someday. memories with my brother. . :) . . . someday will be priceless:-)

My first blog via my phone. i'm currently in the car with my husband- we've been out in the thunderstorms capturing shots of beautiful misty terrain for his paintings. what a talented husband i have:-) however, what a test of grace at work when he's behind the wheel with a camera in front of his face. we swerve, we stop suddenly, park unexpectedly in an unsuspecting county man's yard so jonathan can innocently take pictures of the man's home. my nerves begin to wear as his artistic tank gets more and more full with each shot. what's grace in action? :-) his willingness to keep it to just a couple hours and repay me with a walk in the ghetto mall near our home:-) i LOVE walks and since it's raining . . . we get t further our adventurous nature in the empty haunted halls of east town mall. we enjoy these memories with rich love for one another:-) there's joy to be found in the most
inconvenient of circumstances. grace and peace to you my friends.