Laveda D. Rockford

  The Hope That Is Within Us The Beatitudes “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.” – Matthew 4:23 “And seeing the multitudes, He went up into the mountain: and when He was set, His disciples came unto Him: And He opened His mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ...

  Painting on Two Surfaces As you know I have been painting an oil painting and I want to show you the progress. I love how the flowers reflect on the water as well as the trees. What a joy it is to paint water and make it look like a reflection that I have seen so many times. I must give God the glory for all of my progress when painting. As for that matter, I give God all the glory of any and all of my blessings. Life is not easy, but I still know that God loves me. No matter what happens in this world, God loves me as well as you. Never forget that!   Previously, when I was spending a little time looking at items to buy with a couple of gift cards that I received for Christmas, I found little glass balls on the discount table. I could not resist purchasing them because I have thought for the last few years to check my talent against them. With a little patience, I have come to like working with glass. Here is a photo of the project in process. In other words, this is no...

  DAZZLING LIGHT I hope that you enjoy this poem and update about my new painting. I know the days have been trying on a lot of people and if at all, my hope is that I can post something interesting to get your minds off the hardship, if for just a moment, my heart would be all the happier for it. So, enjoy this blog post and the photos of my painting, and let me know what you think. God bless and have a blessed week. Love always, Laveda D. Rockford © 2023 Laveda D. Rockford Dazzling Light by Laveda D. Rockford Light shines down on the water so clear, Making its path through the trees, Filling our days with warmth upon warmth, With each daily pass, its light oh so bright, What joy when the sun shines thus, Spreading its arms, Casting water into shades of light, Calm water making its way through the hills, Is dazzling, making things right. © 2023 Laveda D. Rockford

  Update: New Painting, January 2023 Here is a new update on the painting that I started last week. I love painting because it allows a person to think, dream, and create their own picture of a scene. Whether it is of a village or a natural sequence of events unexpectedly shining down on their patrons, it is always enjoyable to see. The background information that puts a painting together is in the eye of the artist, as this one is. When I have finished, I will introduce you and tell you the background and what this painting is all about. Until then, enjoy this update and have a blessed week. God bless! Love always, Laveda D. Rockford © 2023 Laveda D. Rockford

  A New Year I have not had time to post over the holiday weekend. I hope that everyone had a wonderful time and for those who are not having the best of times, please know that my prayers are for you. It is a new year, and who would have thought we would reach the year 2023 without a problem? We, the human race, have to deal with so much. It seems, at times, that we hear bad news every day. But the good news is that we are still here. The bad news is that we are still here. What do you know.   So, we will do our best for the year ahead of us. I decided to start a new painting for 2023. Yes, an oil painting. I do not have much time to paint but it felt good to get a paint brush in my hands again, other than painting the bathroom wall, which I did recently. And yes, I have another full-time job other than what I do here, and my time is limited. I will not say much about my new painting since my aunt commented when she first saw it, “Is that stairs?” Well, no, that is n...

  Pharez: A Christmas Story Part 2 As the light grew more intense, fear arose among the shepherds. Pharez averted his eyes and lowered himself into a submissive pose while raising his arms up in an effort to protect himself. Then they heard these words, “ Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Pharez relaxed and looked up again and saw the most amazing sight, an angel of the LORD. The glory of the LORD shown all around him. it was the most beautiful sight Pharez had ever seen. “Am I dreaming,” thought Pharez, but at that moment, he heard the voice again. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” ...

Pharez: A Christmas Story Part One   Pharez was awakened from a deep sleep. “Pharez, it is time. Wake up, my boy, she is bleating,” said the old man. Pharez rose quickly and followed the old man. The night was dark except for the brightness of the moon and stars. Pharez knew these hills and valleys like the back of his hand. As they grew closer, he heard the bleating of his ewe. He had been staying up every night waiting for this to begin, but last night he was too exhausted, and the old man offered up his services for the evening watch. Pharez followed the old man into the lambing cave with a mixture of trepidation and excitement. This could be the one. Pharez stooped down to comfort his ewe. He spoke softly while rubbing her belly, “I’m here, settle down, it will be alright.” The frightened look in the ewe’s eye softened some when she heard his voice. After all, sheep know the sound of their shepherd’s voice. The ewe gave birth to a little lamb. Pharez inspected the...