Can You Paint With All The Colors Of The Wind?

"Like the appearance of the bow in that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord." - Ezekiel 1:28

Hello friends in Christ! I'm so sorry I haven't posted in a while. My schoolwork has been very hectic lately. But God has definitely been helping me a lot to get through this rough patch. Anyways, I wanted to share with you about the wonderful colors God has bestowed upon us in His amazing creation! Recently I had several coloring assignments for my classes. It's funny because I'm a senior in college and my professors are giving me things to color—like when I was five. However, I'm not complaining, it was a lot of fun.

For my Renaissance class we were all given panels from the Sistine Chapel. Each person in the class was assigned a partner to color with. The panels were separated into several sections. It was our job to color them with the right colors and to keep the panels seamless, in doing so. The girl I worked with gave me some of her colored pencils to use so we would both be using the same colors for the panels. The assignment ended up turning out very well. It is so bright and vivid. The colors are absolutely beautiful! The section of the Sistine Chapel we colored was the throne of The Delphic Sibyl. She is one of the most beautiful figures Michelangelo painted on the ceiling. Her garments contain hues of deep oranges and reds, light greens, and various shades of blues.

Michelangelo, The Delphic Sibyl, Sistine Chapel, 1509

After coloring the large panel sections I recalled Our Lady's recent Medjugorje message. On September 25, 2012, she said, "Dear children! When in nature you look at the richness of the colors which the Most High gives you, open your heart and pray with gratitude for all the good that you have and say: 'I am here created for eternity'—and yearn for heavenly things because God loves you with immeasurable love. This is why He also gave me to you to tell you: 'Only in God is your peace and hope, dear children.' Thank you for having responded to my call."

After reading her message over again I just walked around my campus and took in all the beauty, the colors, and the light God has given us. He has created the most wonderful and glorious work of art in history—which is the Earth and life itself. Just think about how many beautiful things in this world can leave you in complete awe...such as the ocean, the sky, the sun, the clouds, the mountains, the aurora borealis, all of the rainbows, waterfalls, trees, flowers, plants, animals, etc. The list goes on and on! With every form of creation we have amazing colors. This world has so much beauty to offer. For instance, there are so many colorful fish under the sea, vividly painted flowers of the Earth, multicolored butterflies, picturesque landscapes, blazing orange fires, and crystal blue waters. We need to take the time to appreciate the beauty around us. Even admiring the metallic feathers of a peacock, created by the Most High, illustrates our understanding of God as the ultimate creator of beauty and wonder. Having an artistic background myself, I have learned to appreciate this beauty even more deeply.

Maybe you have heard of Akiane Kramarik. She is an artistic child prodigy. She started drawing around the age of four. Without any art lessons she began to paint mesmerizing pictures. Her imagery came from visions she received from God at a very young age. Akiane is known for painting portraits, scenic landscapes, religious, and spiritual images. She tends to use extremely vivid colors for her compositions. At ten years old she painted Creation (2005), a colorful depiction of the stars, planets, and galaxy. This is Akiane's interpretation of the universe which came from God, Himself.

Akiane Kramarik, Creation, 48"x48", Age 10 (2005)

She painted another incredibly vivid image in 2006. Again, her interpretation of Heaven came from these visions. This piece is called Supreme Sanctuary, completed at age eleven. Talking about this painting, she said, "In Heaven I believe there is a place where each of us will be able to choose and create a sanctuary. I believe that certain things will be somewhat similar to the earth and many things completely different. This is the garden and a mansion I would like to plant and build. In fact, the colors in the original painting are so unique and mysterious that it was almost impossible to reproduce them for the print reproduction."

Akiane Kramarik, Supreme Sanctuary, 30"x40", Age 11 (2006)

Akiane's striking images speak to us through the colors she utilizes inspired by God's creation. Although there are many beautiful creations in this world, the most beautiful of all is God's mother—the Blessed Virgin Mary. Akiane also painted a portrait of Mary, titled Innocence, at the age of twelve. She describes the painting as her interpretation of purity, gentleness, beauty, and humility. Even though she is not Catholic, Akiane recognizes the importance of Mary and her eternal, youthful, glorious beauty.

Akiane Kramarik, Innocence, 48"x60", Age 12 (2007)

Observing God's creation and the beautiful colors in found nature, I'm sure you have heard the famous song that correlates to this topic. It is from Disney's Pocahontas called "Colors of the Wind." In the movie, Pocahontas asks her friend, John Smith, "Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?" This seems impossible, right? The wind itself does not have color. It is invisible. And yet, everything it touches is saturated with color. Even though we cannot see the wind, we know it is there because we can feel it. This is the same as our Lord. Although we may not see Him, we can always feel His presence among us through His beauty in nature.

Even though we are speaking about visible colors, the song is also referring to our way of life. Like an artist, striving for perfection, we must also strive to seek perfection in our own lives. Living according to His word is key. Can you just image painting the most beautiful, colorful, and glorious picture of yourself to offer God at the end of your life? I don't mean painting a physical painting. I mean painting the image of your persona with the actions you live in this life. Let your soul be illuminated by the love of God. Only then will you be able to reflect all the colors of the rainbow. So having said this, may I ask you a question...can you paint with all the colors of the wind?

Check out my Pintrest page and view my board "Beautiful Places" if you are interested in seeing more of God's beauty. I love to pin stuff! So check out everything. I even have some great Catholic boards you can follow and pin from. Enjoy! 

Mother Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth

"A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and on her head a crown of twelve stars." - Revelation 12:1

Hello dear friends in Christ! Today we celebrate the feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is a wonderful commemoration because it is with this event Mary was crowned as the Queen of Heaven and Earth by God the Father, as His beloved daughter, by God the Son (Jesus) as His dearest mother, and by God the Holy Spirit as His chosen spouse. She, who is human like us, rose to enteral glory in Heaven---being both regal and humble, merciful and powerful, human and divine. Her purity and holiness was exalted at this moment. She became not just the mother of Jesus, but also a mother to all humanity and the entire universe! Mary's intercession is the most powerful of all because she pleads our cause as the most perfect adorer of the Holy Trinity.

Earlier today (August 22, 2012), Pope Benedict XVI said, "Mary is a Queen in service to God and humanity; she is Queen of love, who lives the gift of self to God in order to enter into the plan of salvation for mankind." Click here to read more from the Catholic News Agency on the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In the video below Scott Hahn, Catholic author and theology professor at Franciscan University of Steubenville, shares his insight of Mary's Queenship and glory. Join me in honoring the Blessed Mother and this triumphant occasion with a novena for the intentions of Queen of Heaven and Earth.

Novena to the Blessed Mother, Queen of Heaven and Earth:

I greet you, ever-blessed Virgin, Mother of God, refuge of sinners, and Queen of the Universe. Most loving Mother, attracted by your beauty, sweetness, and tender compassion, I confidently turn to you, and beg of you to obtain for me of your dear Son the favor I request in this novena: (mention your request). Obtain for me also, Queen of Heaven and Earth, the most lively contrition for my many sins and the grace to imitate closely those virtues which you practiced so faithfully, especially humility, purity, and obedience. Above all, I beg you to be my mother and protectress, to receive me into the number of your devoted children, and to guide me from your high throne of glory. Do not reject my petitions, Mother of Mercy! Have pity on me, and do not abandon me during life or at the moment of death. Accept this offering, sweet Queen of Heaven and Earth, and obtain for me from your dear Son, Jesus Christ, the favors I ask through your intercession in this novena. Obtain for me also a generous, constant love of God, perfect submission to His Holy Will, the true spirit of a Christian, and the grace of final perseverance. Amen. 

Moment of Impact

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7

All of a sudden...BOOM! Your life is never the same again. Just like that! In the blink of an eye! And there's nothing you can do about it. What is done is done. Have you ever experienced that moment or known someone who has? Let me tell you, it isn't fun if the moment of impact is traumatic. I have been in a state of shock for the last few days with what happened to a church friend of mine.

It all started as a peaceful day in Daytona Beach. My friend, Austin, was having a family reunion for Father's Day weekend. You wouldn't think there would be anything to worry about on this beautiful, relaxing day in the Florida sunshine, right? ...Wrong. Apparently the guys decided to go body surfing in the Atlantic. Somehow Austin caught a dangerous wave that threw him down hard. He must have hit the back of his neck in a certain place that shouldn't have been hit. From there the paramedics took him to the Halifax hospital in Daytona where he has been in the ICU for a few days.

It is awful to think that this beautiful young man of God, a strong devout Catholic who just graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville, may have a very hard life ahead. He is basically immobile and has no feeling in all of his limbs. I am literally torn up by this thought and it has brought me to tears. How could this have happened? Why? WHY?!? Especially Austin, who is a wonderful man and comes from a great Catholic family. He, of all people, does not deserve this one bit.

As Father's Day weekend came to a close my parents put on a movie for our family to see called The Vow. It is a great movie. I loved it! I saw it in theaters before with my friends, but as I watched it back over again it really hit me hard when Channing Tatum's character Leo started talking about "moments of impact" in our lives. Moments that hit you hard all of a sudden which you can't control. In the movie he says, "The moment of impact. The moment of impact proves potential for change. Has ripple effects far beyond what we can predict. Sending some particles crashing together. Making them closer than before. While sending others spinning off into great ventures. Landing them where you've never thought you've found them. That's the thing about moments like these. You can't, no matter how hard you try, controlling how it's gonna affect you. You just gotta let the colliding parts goes where they may. And wait. For the next collision."

As I see it, in moments like these, friends and families either come together, stronger than ever, or begin to fall apart...(referencing the colliding particles, as perviously mentioned). In the The Vow, Leo was entirely dedicated to his wife... willing to go above and beyond the duty of a normal husband because he loved her so much. I can see with Austin's situation how supportive all of his friends and family are for him!! Prayer warriors across the globe are praying for him day and night. He has a whole fleet of angles at his beckon call! I can see from going on his website and his Facebook posts from friends just how much everyone cares for him. I, myself, have been constantly keeping him in prayer throughout the day, during Mass, and in my rosary intentions. If anyone can get through this it WILL be Austin! :) What a testimony that would be! Such a glory story for the power of the Almighty God if he is to have a full recovery.

I'm sure if you have read my other blog posts you know that I believe God can do impossible things. Miracles do happen! In fact, they happen everyday if we open our eyes. It's a miracle that you are alive and breathing right now, right? Everyday is a gift. Every moment is a miracle. We must never let the little things in life be taken for granted. Just the thought of walking right now is beyond what Austin can bare at this moment. He is taking it day by day. One step at a time. Which is the right thing to do for his recovery.

Reading the verse Philippians 4:6-7 gives me a peace of mind and a hope for Austin. So in situations like these that are very traumatic lets not become panicked or flustered. God wants us to take a deep breath and relax. Worrying is not going to make it any better. Once we have surrendered our anxiety over to God we need to be faithful in prayer and place all of our trust in Him. Through this we will experience God's peace in our heart and mind that will get us through all of life's trials that wait ahead.

If you would like to send a prayer message to Austin please visit his website http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/austinjsmith. Even if you have never met him before I'm sure he'd love to hear of your prayers and support. Thank you so much! God bless!