This Woman Writes by Carolyn Henderson

Autumn Sail — The Story of This Painting

Posted on November 4, 2014 by This Woman Writes

The story of the painting, Autumn Sail, by Steve Henderson at Start Your Week with Steve:

Anyone who spends any time at all outside knows that not all days are sunny and warm — what we term “perfect.” And while one does not want to go recreationally sailing on a stormy, wet, blustery day, when we avoid the water because there are a few clouds in the sky, and the sun isn’t blazing overhead, this means that we’ll miss a beauty of a different kind.

Autumn Sail inspirational original oil painting of sailboat on Columbia River Gorge by Steve Henderson licensed prints at Great Big Canvas iCanvasART and Framed Canvas Art

There is a time and a season for everything, and every season has its own unique beauty. Autumn Sail, original oil painting by Steve Henderson; licensed print at Great Big Canvas, iCanvasART, and Framed Canvas Art.

Autumn Sail catches us on just such a day: it is late in the season, and the trees are in full bloom with their final color for the year. The air is brisk, and though some rain gently falls, now and then it stops while the sun emerges from its clouds and pours golden light over the landscape — the oranges, reds, corals, yellows, and bronze of autumn literally shout, reminding us that every season — not just the warm summery ones — is beautiful in its own way.

So it is with life. Some days are sunny, warm, calm and perfect, and we feel as if we could stay there forever. But time never stops, and circumstances were made to change, and without any effort on our part we find ourselves on a cool, grey day with a bit of a brisk breeze, and we think,

“I wish it were warm and summery and calm again.”

Wishing autumn were summer won’t make it happen. But just because it is autumn does not mean that we cannot sail, and when we open our eyes to the unique landscape of fall, we see color and form that doesn’t exist in July. Though the sunlight may be less, we appreciate it more, and when we stop wishing that it were a different time and a different place, and accept that we are in THIS particular time and place, we can look for, and appreciate, the beauty around us.

Read the rest, and subscribe for free, at Start Your Week with Steve.

Autumn Sail is available as an original oil painting, 20 x 24 on canvas, with the frame included in its purchase.

Autumn Sail is also available as a licensed, open edition print at Great Big Canvas, iCanvasART, and Framed Canvas Art.

As always, feel free to contact Steve Henderson Fine Artdirectly by e-mailing Carolyn@SteveHendersonFineArt.com with your questions and comments about Steve’s original oil and watercolor paintings or licensed open edition prints.

Posted in Art, blogging, Culture, Daily Life, Encouragement, Faith, Family, fine art, home, Life, Lifestyle, newsletter, sailing, simple living, success | Tagged autumn, Autumn Sail, beauty, painting, sail, Steve Henderson | Leave a comment

God Knows We Don’t Confuse Him with Santa Claus

Posted on November 4, 2014 by This Woman Writes

As Christians, we scold ourselves a lot, not the least of which is about prayer.

Have you heard this one?

The Christmas List inspirational original oil painting of Santa in North Pole with reindeer by Steve Henderson licensed print at iCanvasART and discount decorative flags

Too often, we are accused of treating Jesus like Santa Claus, when actually all we’re doing is asking Him for heartfelt needs. The Christmas List, original oil painting by Steve Henderson; licensed print at iCanvasART and Discount Decorative Flags

“God isn’t Santa Claus, you know, and He gets tired of our putting a wish list in front of Him all the time.”

While it’s true that God isn’t Santa Claus, the implication that He emits an exasperated sigh whenever we approach Him with our requests, belies the encouragement we are given to do so in Philippians 4:6:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

The Santa Claus association also reduces the trusting belief of the average believer to childish demands, implying that we are focused on Me Me Me all the time when we express our fears about finances, health, relationships, or life direction — key areas all humans struggle with.

If you’re tired of the accusations, but perhaps, at the same time, confused about the nature of prayer, please read the rest of the story at Confusing God with Santa? Yes. And No. at my Commonsense Christianity column, BeliefNet.

Posted in Art, blogging, Christian, Christmas, Culture, Current Events, Daily Life, devotional, Encouragement, Faith, Family, holiday, home, inspirational, Life, Lifestyle, painting, prayer, religion, spirituality | Tagged Christian, Christmas, God, prayer, Santa, Steve Henderson | Leave a comment

Discouraged Because You Don’t Have Enough Faith?

Posted on November 1, 2014 by This Woman Writes

I once knew a woman who, for many years, attributed her lack of health to a lack of faith. No matter how much she prayed, no matter how much she begged and pleaded God, no matter how much she asked the elders of the church to pray for her, she never got well.

Bold Innocence inspirational oil painting of little girl standing on ocean beach by Steve Henderson licensed prints at Great Big Canvas iCanvasART and Framed Canvas Art

The faith of a child — that’s our visual. Bold Innocence, original painting by Steve Henderson, sold; licensed prints at Great Big Canvas, Framed Canvas Art, and iCanvasART

Because, she concluded, she didn’t have enough faith.

This way of thinking, while it is eminently understandable, makes me want to knock my head onto the desk in front of me, only there’s so much clutter there that all I would do is create a bigger mess.

Unfortunately, this way of thinking — even among seasoned, mature Christians — is fairly common, and there is this idea that God will not pay attention to us until we believe the right way, completely unfaltering in our faith. And while it would be nice to be completely unfaltering in our faith, that would also put us beyond being human, which is something God does not expect us to do.

If you are discouraged because you feel that you do not have enough faith, and this is why life is not going right for you, please click the link to my Christian Post blog, Do You Have Enough Faith?

Posted in blogging, Christian, Daily Life, devotional, Faith, Family, home, Life, Lifestyle, painting | Tagged Christian, faith, God, prayer | Leave a comment

You Are Stronger Than You Think You Are

Posted on October 31, 2014 by This Woman Writes

On a recent visit to my middle daughter (note to self, and parents with three or more children: do NOT use term, “middle child”), I was convinced to join her, and a group of ridiculously fit others, at the local CrossFit Gym.

Grace inspirational original oil painting of woman dancing on beach by Steve Henderson licensed print at Framed Canvas Art

Being strong and graceful — in our bodies, minds, and spirit — does not come about through sitting. Grace, original oil painting by Steve Henderson; licensed print at Framed Canvas Art.

CrossFit– a strength and conditioning program that is remarkably suited to individual tailoring — is a bit controversial, simply because its members are serious about their workouts. They lift extremely heavy weights. They do an insane number of push ups. Unsatisfied with the average pull-up, of which many people, like me, cannot do even one, they create variations, many of which leave you, mouth agape, with the thought, “Are you kidding?”

They push themselves and their bodies beyond what their minds think they can do, and therein lies the controversy:

“It’s too hard.”

“This demands too much.”

“The average person can’t do this.”

We use these same sentences, throughout life, when we encounter problems that seem beyond what we can handle. But we serve a God who is stronger than we are, and not only that, He is the ultimate CrossFit coach — one who knows just how much we can handle, and that generally, it’s more than we think we can. Please follow the link to The CrossFit Christian at my Commonsense Christianity blog at BeliefNet.

Posted in Art, blogging, Christian, Daily Life, devotional, Encouragement, exercise, Faith, Family, home, Life, Lifestyle, religion | Tagged Christian, CrossFit, exercise, God, Jesus, Steve Henderson | Leave a comment

Taking a Sabbatical from Church

Posted on October 30, 2014 by This Woman Writes

Within many Christian circles, church attendance is synonymous with one’s belief in Jesus, and for those who don’t attend, at all, or even deliberately skip a Sunday or two, the validity and value of their spirituality is called seriously into question.

Ocean Breeze inspirational original oil painting of woman on beach with fabric at sunset by Steve Henderson licensed prints at Great Big Canvas iCanvasART and Framed Canvas Art

There is a sense of liberation in taking control of our spirituality. Ocean Breeze, original oil painting by Steve Henderson; licensed prints at Great Big Canvas, iCanvasART, and Framed Canvas Art

Before I go on, let me get Hebrews 10:25, the standard verse used to bring recalcitrant believers into line, out of the way:

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another.”

Or, more familiarly, even for those who assiduously avoid the King James Version:

Forsake not the assembling of one another.

Skipping church, or not attending all together, is an emotionally divisive issue, but increasingly, more and more Christians are not feeling comfortable in a corporate group setting, and yet they are made to feel like pariahs for questioning the status quo. If this describes you, please read the rest at my Christian Post blog article, Is It Time to Take a Break from Church?

Posted in Art, blogging, Christian, devotional, Faith, Family, home, Life, Lifestyle, painting, religion, spirituality | Tagged Christian, church, God, sabbatical | Leave a comment

Living in Limbo-Land

Posted on October 29, 2014 by This Woman Writes

Dreams are great things. They push us, prod us, exhilarate us, give us hope for a brighter future.

Riverside Muse inspirational original watercolor painting of woman by river with shawl licensed prints at iCanvasART and Framed Canvas Art by Steve Henderson

Achieving a dream involves not only a lot of hard work, but much prayer, and waiting. Riverside Muse, original watercolor painting by Steve Henderson; licensed print at iCanvasART and Framed Canvas Art.

They also frustrate us to no end, especially when we have a dream, a desire, a longing, an aching — for years and years and years — but despite how much we work toward it, pray about it, give it back to God in case we’re worshiping it too much — it doesn’t happen.

But it also doesn’t go away.

Does this strike something deep inside you?

Surprisingly, not all people understand the concept of a long-term, chronic desire, ache, dream, and when they don’t, they can be frustrating for people who possess one of these long-term desires. If you, however, are part of the club of people who live in limbo-land — adequately functioning in day to day life, but always with that dream you’re working toward and praying about — then please follow the link to Are Your Dreams — and Life — in Perpetual Limbo? at my Commonsense Christianity column, BeliefNet.

Posted in Art, blogging, Christian, Daily Life, decor, Encouragement, Faith, Family, home, homeschooling, Life, Lifestyle, painting, prayer, religion, spirituality, success | Tagged Christianity, desire, dreams, prayer, Riverside Muse, Steve Henderson, watercolor painting | Leave a comment

Little Angel Bright — The Story of This Painting

Posted on October 28, 2014 by This Woman Writes

The story of the painting Little Angel Bright, by Steve Henderson at Start Your Week with Steve:

Christmas, like snowfall, prompts different responses in people: some roll their eyes, upset by commercialism; others insist that Santa has nothing to do with the spirit of the season; but many others — who think back to being a child and remember how agonizingly long it took for Christmas Day to arrive — see it as a magical, joyful, simple time of innocence.

Little Angel Bright inspirational original oil painting of Santa and little girl by Steve Henderson, licensed print at iCanvasART

Let’s approach Christmas as a magical time, one of wonderment and innocence. Little Angel Bright, original oil painting by Steve Henderson. Licensed print at iCanvasART.

“It was so difficult to go to bed the night before,” a young adult commented to us, “and it’s not so long ago that I experienced that.

“I think back to that excitement, that overwhelming sense of anticipation and happiness, and it puts into perspective adulthood. For so long, I wanted to grow up and stop being a child, but now that I’m here, I remember some of the simple, unpretentious aspects of that childhood, and I remind myself that life is more than work, bills, and worry.”

In Little Angel Bright, a young girl — who no doubt couldn’t sleep — lives the fantasy of childhood by not only seeing Santa, but being enlisted as his temporary helper in fulfilling the all-important task of placing the angel at the top of the tree. The child focuses her attention on the placement of the angel, and Santa focuses his attention on the child — and therein lies the very basis of the Spirit of Christmas: a focus on children, and childhood, and joy, and innocence.

All of us, at some point, were children, and remembering back to a time when we thought differently, and hoped for things that adulthood now tells us are impossible, enables us to put into perspective what we call reality, but wish that it weren’t: it doesn’t have to be all about work, and bills, and worry.

In contrast to the cool dark of the night outside, the warm light of the tree and the angel reflects on the faces of Santa and the little girl. For a moment in time, Santa and child celebrate light, and beauty, and hope.

Read the rest at Start Your Week with Steve.

Little Angel Bright is an original oil painting, 24 x 24, on canvas. You can watch the process of it being painted at the YouTube Video.

Little Angel Bright is also available as a licensed, open edition print at iCanvasART.

Little Angel Bright is also available as a signed limited edition print and open edition poster at Steve Henderson Fine Art.

Posted in Art, children, Christmas, Culture, Current Events, Daily Life, Encouragement, Faith, Family, holiday, home, Life, Lifestyle, nostalgia, painting, santa, Work | Tagged children, Christmas, Little Angel Bright, magical, Santa, Steve Henderson, work, worry | Leave a comment

Is Christianity a Series of Laws?

Posted on October 27, 2014 by This Woman Writes

In a recent conversation with a five-year-old, it came out that using a pen, in kindergarten, is a prohibited activity. Violation of this particular law results in the punishment of putting one’s head down on the desk.

Diaphanous inspirational original oil painting of young woman in lilac dress and fabric at Grand Canyon National Park by Steve Henderson

What does freedom look, and feel like? Why not ask God? Diaphanous, original oil painting by Steve Henderson; licensed print at Great Big Canvas, Framed Canvas Art, and Vision Art Galleries.

What strikes me most about this issue — other than that it still is an issue, because 46 years ago, when I was in kindergarten, using a pen at school was also disallowed for those under the age of 8 — is how petty, small, and unnecessary it is. While I’m sure that there are all sorts of reasons why young children should use chubby pencils and not ballpoint pens, many of this five year old’s (and incidentally, my) generation successfully employed pen technology at the age of 4, 3, or 2. The kids pick up, and use, the resources in their homes.

So, what does this have to do with Christianity, one asks? Well, one could argue that the pencil versus pen issue is a bit . . . picky. Unnecessary. Silly?

So it is with many of the rules we establish for ourselves within Christianity, with the major difference being that the pencil issue is at least straightforward and easy to identify. Not so with the rules we find imposing themselves upon us in our spiritual lives. If you would like to find that freedom in Christianity that people keep talking about, but it doesn’t seem to be happening for you, please follow the link to my Commonsense Christianity article at BeliefNet, Silly Little Rules.

Posted in Art, blogging, children, Christian, Daily Life, Education, Faith, Family, home, homeschooling, Life, Lifestyle, painting, religion, spirituality | Tagged Christianity, God, kindergarten, laws, rules, Steve Henderson | Leave a comment

Christians: Bold for Jesus?

Posted on October 15, 2014 by This Woman Writes

I became a Christian at 19. For the first 25 years, I diligently attended church services, which means that I came into regular contact with Christians comfortable in that setting, and for the last eight years, I have been transitioning into a more independent state, finding fellowship with seekers and believers in alternative formats.

Reflection inspirational original oil painting of little girl jumping in puddle on ocean beach by Steve Henderson

One doesn’t have to be big and strong to do great things; one only has to be associated with Someone who is big and strong. Reflection, original oil painting by Steve Henderson; licensed print at Great Big Canvas, Framed Canvas Art, iCanvasART, and Vision Art Galleries.

What I’ve encountered, in those 33 years, are far too many Christians who feel insecure, ineffective, inferior, timorous, and apprehensive. If there is any possible spiritual fault they could have, they’ve got it — they don’t have enough faith (Fault Number One), they don’t read the Bible enough (actually, this one is easily solved — just read the Bible more), or this one, which sounds like a Bible verse but isn’t:

“I am not bold enough for Christ.”

If you’ve said this, and put yourself down for it, please read the rest of the story at my Commonsense Christianity article at BeliefNet, What If You’re Too Timid to Be “Bold for Christ”?

Posted in Art, blogging, Christian, Culture, Current Events, Daily Life, Encouragement, Faith, Family, fine art, home, homeschooling, Life, Lifestyle, religion, spirituality | Tagged afraid, bold, Christian, reflection, Steve Henderson, timid | Leave a comment

Spirit of the Canyon: The Story of This Painting

Posted on October 14, 2014 by This Woman Writes

The story of the painting, Spirit of the Canyon, by Steve Henderson at Start Your Week with Steve:

The human spirit is an indomitable one, and within all of us is the desire to create, to search, to explore, to be something and someone greater than the world around us says that we are.

http://stevehenderson.fineartstudioonline.com/works/872936/spirit-of-the-canyon

Our dreams and goal are an integral part of who we are, and they shape the person we strive to be. Spirit of the Canyon, original oil painting by Steve Henderson. Licensed print at Great Big Canvas, iCanvasART, Framed Canvas Art, and Vision Art Galleries.

And because no other human is privy to the inner workings and desires of our souls, our secret — of who we want to be, and who we think we really are — is safe with us. When the day’s work is done, and our obligations are set aside for the moment, we are free to pursue our dreams and aspirations, to mull over what it is that we would prefer to be doing, and to take the necessary steps to get there.

Spirit of the Canyon captures the sense of abandon and freedom that our souls yearn for, and the Canyon Sprite, hopped atop the rock, faces the sun, which plays across and warms her face. A breeze rises from the depths below and grasps the cloth in her hands, giving a sense of movement and flight.

There is a reason why no one can see the inner workings of our soul — those thoughts, those dreams, those desires are fragile, and they need to be nurtured in a safe place until they are strong enough to be brought out in the open and allowed to stand on their feet. The Canyon Sprite in Spirit of the Canyon is an embodiment of those dreams and desires, and she stands strong and straight and free and joyful.

Whatever your dream, your aspiration, your desire — nurture it, protect it, give it strength, and believe in it until one day, it hops up to a high, solid place and raises its arms in the air with exultation and joy.

Read the rest at Start Your Week with Steve.

Spirit of the Canyon is an original oil painting, 30 x 36, on canvas, gallery wrapped and ready to hang immediately on your wall.

Spirit of the Canyon is also available as a licensed, open edition print at Great Big Canvas, iCanvasART, and Framed Canvas Art.