"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"
Hebrews 9:14
About Me
- Art & Poetry By Barbara Carlan
- Lawrenceville, Georgia, United States
- Barbara Carlan is a self taught artist living in the southeast. She was born in Washington D.C., was primarily raised in the panhandle of Florida and traveled all over southeastern United States and parts of Washington state as a child of the military. Barbara from an early age showed a passionate interest in art. She began painting and writing poetry in the late 1980's. Now that her life is free from the responsibilities of parenting and the necessary demands of having a growing family, she's able to pursue her true passions, painting, writing, photography and sewing. Barbara has discovered through art that life with it's complexities can find a sweet fragrance of release through the creative process.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
"Laying Up Treasure"
"For where your treasue is there will your heart be also" Matt.6:21
Today more than ever, we're able to aquire more than an abundance of things or stuff, because of easy credit. Our economy is dependant on consumer spending, so most of us have followed suit and tried to do our part in shoring up the walls of our ailing capitalistic system. Most, if not all of us, have our closets, attics and garages crammed full of things we've garnered over the last thirty years or more. Some things are perhaps valued family heirlooms or just memorabilia from our vast experiences and travels through the years. I know in my own case, much of what I have stored lacks any real value to me or will garner more than a few dollars in a yard sale. Growing up as a child, we were taught that if you didn't have the money in hand you couldn't buy. Somewhere through the years we've been seduced into believing we could buy now and pay later and buy we did! The current economic crisis in America has brought to light a new and disconcerting concern to me. Many are comparing this recession to that of the mid seventies. I remember the long lines at the gas pumps and the slow employment market. The recession of the mid seventies is the reason our family sold our home and relocated to the south. The sale of our home was enough to pay off the mortage and the note on our new 1978 Oldsmobile Cutless Wagon. The balance sufficently cleared all our debt and put a down payment on new residence in the state we were moving to and we began again to try and build the American dream. The present recession is much different. Many Americans are carrying more debt than ever in the history of our nation. Sadly for most, the level of their indebtedness makes the likelyhood of financial liberty appear nearly impossible. This country was built on the hopes that common men could work with their hands and build a life of substance for their families. Many of the people who settled and developed this country were Europeans who were offered freedom from debtors prisons if they were willing to leave their homeland and help in the development of America. It's took a little over two centuies to once again enslave the masses through financial bondage! They say, "if we fail to learn the lessons that history has taught us we are destined to repeat them. "Slowly our liberties have been eroded though our own desires to aquire physical treasure, enslaving ourselves and future generations to follow in the chains of financial bondage! How could we have let this happen? Most of us have been taught history! What once was deemed the ,"American Dream" has developed into an "Amercan Financial Nightmare." My concern as a Christ follower is, have we believers also been seduced by the world and sacrificed spiritual wealth for following after the dainties of living in a prosporous society? We cannot excuse ourselves, for God in his word forwarned us!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Psalm 149: 4
"For the Lord taketh pleasure in His people: He will beautify the meek with salvation."
Friday, July 17, 2009
"Freed By His Grace"
Freed by His grace to stand before Holy,
delivered from sin to worship Him soley.
Quickened from death, to live as I should,
He payed my sin debt because I never could.
God in His mercy, lead me to repentance,
granting my pardon, in forms of deliverance.
From a life plagued by sin, filled with delusions,
seized from hells tortures and empty seclusions.
Freed by His grace to dance in His prescence,
filled with His Spirit to bask in the fragrance.
Of the One who was chosen in eternities past,
To stand in my place before I ever asked.
Never in time has there been so much love,
displayed by One who'd come down from above.
To ransome men's souls from the judgements to come,
on a world set in darkness, by deeds that it's done.
Freed by His grace to stand before Holy,
set free from my sins to worship Him soley.
Sealed by His Spirit for eternities offing,
as we wait here below to hear Jesus is coming!
Barbara A. Carlan 7/7/2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
"In His Presence"
When we're facing life's complexities,
we must trust God for the things we need.
When the roads not clear, as we look ahead,
we shouldn't look down but above instead.
When we think our fears, have the best of us,
we can never give up, but in God should trust.
For none of us knows what the morrow may bring,
for just after winter comes the early spring.
Just as the moon sets the course of the tides,
all things are renewed in the course of time.
Even as the darkness will yield it's place to the light,
the troubles we know, in His presence turn to flight!
Barbara A. Carlan 5/31/2009
Romans 12: 11-12 "And that, knowing the time, that now is high time to awake out of our sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
"Hebron's Rose"
Out of the realms of Heaven,
He came in the light of the morn.
Clothed in the swaddle of a baby,
Clothed in the swaddle of a baby,
bringing men hope that was born!
Jesus, the child in the manger,
sent down from Heavens domain.
Came to give life through redeeming,
the souls of those dying in shame.
What joy man can know in this Savior,
who gave up His life blood for them.
To open men's eyes that are blinded,
by paying their great debts for sin!
Jesus, the child in the manger,
sent down from Heavens domain.
Came to give life through redeeming,
the souls of those dying in shame.
What joy man can know in this Savior,
who gave up His life blood for them.
To open men's eyes that are blinded,
by paying their great debts for sin!
Barbara A. Carlan
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Do You Love Me?
Do you love me more than these, I heard my Savior say
Will you lay aside your plans, to work for me today
Won't you leave all those things, that take up all your time
And give yourself to me today and truly show your mine
Can't you see that all I want is what only you can give
Your life laid down for me alone as I showed you how to live
Will you leave the plans you've made and set aside your dreams
Dress for labor in my fields then come and work for Me?
Written By: Barbara A. Carlan
Sunday, July 5, 2009
"His Glory My Highest Aim"
Lord there isn't much that I can do, to change this course I'm on.
Except to learn in all that comes, to clutch your outstretched hand.
You see dear Lord I've done some things, to mess up what you planned.
I've set my feet upon a road, where feet can hardly stand.
There is some good that has come, from the problems I have made.
I've learned to search your word each day and I'm learning how to pray.
I've realized through all my pain that Jesus loves me so.
When there's sorrow I must bear, to Him in prayer I'll go.
Then In Heaven's light I'll see, the glory of your face.
I'll humbly serve your prescence here and praise your saving grace.
Bare me Lord upon your wings and raise me higher still.
Place my feet on solid ground to do your blessed will.
There still are times within my life, when I am tempted sore.
To plan and do the things I will and bring me troubles more.
Thank you Lord for all the things, that teach me who you are.
That prayer is key in granting here, your blessings from afar.
Teach me Lord to hear your voice in every circumstance.
To live in wisdom from on high and never live by chance.
Your glory is my highest aim, in all I strive to do,
to breath the life of your dear Son and do His bidding too!
Written By: Barbara A. Carlan
Friday, July 3, 2009
"Truth and Freedom"
On this "Fourth Of July," many Americans are wondering how the two words,"truth and freedom" equate to our present culture anymore. Never before in our history or even my life time for that matter have we doubted that these words were even applicable to our American way of life. Our's is an ever changing world and I seriously doubt there is much that most can do to prevent the further eroding of our civil liberties. In a world of change and uncertainty, the message of the Gospel of Christ is more relevant than ever before! Our present culture with all of it's mandates seeks to further enslave men by removing certain freedoms of expression through personal economic sanctions. We are told in the scripture that true freedom is found in a person not in governments or institutions of enslavement. In John 8:32 it says, "And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." The truth referenced here is the revealation of God's son, Jesus Christ! Further in the gospel of John 8:36 it states," If the Son therefore shall set you free you shall be free indeed." Christ is the liberator, who through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, sets men free from the bonds and captivity of sin. Sin is at the core of all mens difficulties in this world. The root cause of man's seperation from God and his inability to please God at any level in the flesh.
God desires a personal relationship with man, that relationship was severed when sin entered into the world through Adam. Men from that point on were essentially dead men walking, physically alive but spiritually dead, seperated from the life of God in this world and eternity. Jesus Christ is the repairer of the breach between humanity and God! Christ is calling man to repent of his sin and turn to Him through the eyes of faith and be saved! No one can give to God what He desires from you in a relationship, but you! This is truth and freedom at it's personified best! I hope you'll make the decision to live for Christ today, He's waitng to hear from You!
John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Isaiah 45:21b- 22a
"There is no God else beside me; a just God and a Savior; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God and there is none else." KJV
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
"He's Jesus"
Five little letters comprising His name,
hearts touched by His message are never the same,
He's Jesus!
His home is a temple, not made by hands,
designed and constructed from Heavenly plans,
He's Jesus!
A comforting sound to those broken by pain,
a balm full of healing, His glorious name,
He's Jesus!
Hallowed in Heaven in power proclaimed,
five little letters comprising His name,
He's Jesus!
A song of hope for those burdened by sin,
a victorious banner to an army that wins,
He's Jesus!
Five little letters comprising His name,
lives touched by His message are never the same,
He's Jesus!
Written By: Barbara A. Carlan
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