Click on the microphone to hear the whole interview.

My most Artful gift from @NixiNoxo

“The gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.” 2Cor 8:12

Lots of people are nervous about Christmas coming and not having money this year because of lost business income, lost jobs, or lowered paychecks. Maybe this can be an opportunity for us to embrace the Artful Life and see what blessings God planted in our hearts, that we can give away without spending much or any money.

You don’t have to consider yourself an “artist” in a worldly sense, in order to live out the Artful Life. If you can find what God placed in your heart of beauty and joy to give away, you will be one of His most incredible artists and everyone around you will be blessed.

My daughter gave me the ultimate Artful gift last year. I’m sharing it here to give you an idea. I think I’ll share more ideas for an Artful Christmas in the days ahead. Nicki has to reach into her Artful self to find ideas to bless everyone, because she has 5 children. Even with good jobs, 5 Children in Christian school can make you feel like a pauper, by the worldly commercial standards.

But the world of commerce can’t begin to touch the beauty of this gift. She couldn’t have bought it anywhere at any price. And to me it is priceless!!! Bingo! That is God’s view of Fine Art!

I have 9 grandchildren and you see each one’s silhouette arranged by age in this framed plaque. Below the cut out silhouettes are written sentiments about us, as grandparents, decorated with scrapbooking stickers. Isn’t this beautiful? Isn’t it an incredible gift? She didn’t just include her own children either. She knew it would mean much more to us if she went to the trouble, of running around getting all of our grandchildren’s silhouettes. Now this is what I call Pollyanna Art! It is uplifting and inspiring every time I look at it. It is straight from the heart of God to us…via our daughter!

Pray for inspirations, or use other people’s ideas to bless your family and friends this Christmas. I’ll give you more ideas here, but this is one of my favorites. You would be amazed at the supplies and potential gifts you have all around you too. Most of us have STUFF! Don’t worry about not being able to go get more stuff!! You and God together have all the stuff you need. And what your family and friends really need is to know how much you love and care for them.

Have an Artful Christmas with your unique ideas and God’s inspirations. Leave a comment and let us all know what inspirations you come up with!!

Live the Pollyanna Artful Life and Be Blessed!!

So, my Pollyanna Art campaign to help people survive America’s economic mess and still have a blessed Christmas through Artful gift giving, should be especially attractive to men.  It will save you money and keep you from having to go shopping. That’s the good news!

The bad news is that Artful giving requires a lot more commitment and intention on your part than stopping by the mall to grab something on Christmas Eve. Artful giving requires more heart than money.  But if you commit yourself to this, you are sure to be a hero to your loved ones this Christmas

Art happens when you dig down deep inside and find something of beauty, love and joy that God planted uniquely within you…and you share it in an expression of your love for another.  Now before the gag reflex sets in from reading all these girly words, let me sell the idea a bit and give you some specific suggestions to get you started. See, I am a woman and I was a daughter. I have a pretty good idea about what we want from the men in our lives.

Anyone can grab something from a store, and that’s OK.  But it is the truly rare and special man who does something that shows he really notices what we need and long for.  The themes to keep in mind for women are romance and nurture! So lets think about how God might touch a heart through you. I am going to see if I can come up with 12 ideas for husbands and dads, in the spirit of the 12 Days of Christmas.

ARTFUL Gift Idea #1:

Are you a writer?  If you aren’t, fake it or ask an editor to help you. I’ll help you! This is my very favorite idea of all. Nothing says love more than a personal note that expresses why you appreciate your loved one.  Think about these questions…What is your most precious memory of this person? What makes you most proud to be associated with them? What makes you consider them a gift from God’s heart to you? How do they enrich your life? You can answer these 4 simple questions. But make it a true treasure by getting off your computer. Put these answers in your own handwriting (or printing if your handwriting isn’t legible). Put the letter in a fancy gift box that communicates, ”this is important”, or frame it in a beautiful frame! On Christmas, deliver your note by reading it aloud to your loved one(s).

ARTFUL Gift Idea #2:

Another great Artful gift is some spoiling quiet time. Fill a basket with new washcloths, bubble bath, shower gel, and body powder (all available in the grocery or dollar store). Enclose a permission slip for a 2-hour bubble bath retreat while you take the kids out somewhere. When time comes for the bubble bath, be prepared, light a candle and place a fresh flower in the bathroom.

ARTFUL Gift Idea #3:

Now here is a little known secret. There is nothing sexier than a man with a vacuum cleaner.  We women all have fantasies of coming home to a clean house. We think about these little miracles especially, during the busy holidays.

So, find out when there is a window of opportunity, make sure you know where all the cleaning supplies are, and go to work like Santa’s elf cleaning before your sweetheart comes home. Make up a note that says something like, “ Home cleaned for my sweetheart ______________, who deserves being treated like a Princess!”

ARTFUL Gift Idea #4:

Are you a gardener? Secretly plant something like an “American Beauty” Rose and put a sign in front, “An American Beauty for my American Beauty “Cheri” (but don’t use my name or you could be in trouble.) Fill in the appropriate name. Then give her a map to follow in a Christmas card to find the flower planted.

ARTFUL Gift Idea #5:

Silhouettes on the wall are always a sweet reminder of loved ones. Take kids silhouette photos and have them take yours. Print them out and use the prints as patterns to cut silhouettes out of nice solid colored paper. Mount them in a frame or on a nice piece of wood. Place this scripture in the middle – Proverbs 31:28-29 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”

ARTFUL Gift Idea #6

Write a poem about your life and love for your wife and children. Don’t worry about this being highbrow literature. Put your own personality into it. Just tell the story of your life in limerick form with all the craziness, humor, and feelings.

Include a special line or two for every member of the family to honor each of them. Humor is great!  Print a copy for everyone and sign it. Then perform it as a part of the family festivities on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning.

ARTFUL Gift Idea #7

Make an acrostic out of your loved one’s name to show what you see as their best qualities. Kids like these for their rooms and wives like them just because! Print it out in color on some attractive paper and frame it. Below is an example of an acrostic name…

Christian Faith

Heavenly Smile

Eternal Truth

Rich in Love

Inspiring Woman

(Pardon the shameless self-promoting sample. Think I’ll give it to my husband @Boomerjeff)

You don’t have to line it all up either.

Could be…

Charming

SHaply

BEauty

CaRing

Kissable

ARTFUL Gift Idea #7

Create a family prayer journal for 2010. Label a binder and put in a section for every member of the family. Insert an opening page that tells your family that you will be praying for their needs every week of the New Year. Invite them to write the concerns they have in their section so you will know how you can pray for them.

Include a section on Thanks, and have everyone put anything they have to thank God for in that section. Pray as a family each week over all the things you as a family have to be thankful for. Sunday is a great day for this type of family activity. You will be leading your family to build faith and trust in the Lord with this activity. All will be emotionally secure as they see your faith grow too.

ARTFUL Gift Idea #8

Make a Favorite Scripture Poster. Print out your favorite scriptures to let your family know what is important to you, and turn them into a poster. Add some favorite quotes by great leaders too, if you like. Poster frames and decorative stickers are available in Craft Stores. You can also start by reading my favorite scriptures on my blog.

ARTFUL Gift Idea #9

Declare a FIX-IT DAY once a quarter next year. Give the dates as a gift with a binder for listing the things that need fixing. Be sure to put the dates in your calendar and keep track of the list so you will have the supplies you need. This will not be a fun gift if your wife has to organize supplies of hear you stomping around grumbling when FIX-IT DAY arrives.  YOU must take care of the details to make this a worthy gift.  In fact you should write a pledge to take care of all the details and raise your right hand and take the pledge on Christmas! EEEWWWWW! (Remember it was a guy who asked for this list!)

ARTFUL Gift Idea #10

Here is another gift that is no good unless you take care of the details. Wives get very tired of organizing stuff in most families. They will esteem you highly for taking care of everything from time to time and letting them have a vacation from responsibility.

So how about a picnic basket with a written promise inside that you will fill the basket, arrange all child care, and take her on a scenic drive and picnic day for just the two of you. Invite her to bring a book or nail polish or just herself to have a day totally devoted to relaxation with you serving her every need and requiring nothing in return. I promise you will get something in return. The key is your don’t require anything.  You will be a hero for sure!!

ARTFUL Gift Idea #11

Pull out a wedding photo and/or marriage license no one has looked at in a long time…maybe even a picture of your first Christmas. Get it a new frame and use some letter stickers from a craft store to spell out something like, “I’d marry you again in a heartbeat!” around the edges of the glass in the frame or on the frame itself.

ARTFUL Gift Idea #12 …Finally !!

I have saved the grand finale for number #12. On my site, under the “Inspirations” section, I have posted something special, just for you. It is a page of Christmas Gift Coupons. Just print copies and fill them out with services, favors, or privileges you promise to various members of your family. They can then cash them in during the year.

Here are a variety of ideas to get you started thinking:

Back rub

Body massage

Cooking & cleaning up dinner

Breakfast in bed

Taking a child to an event

Coming to watch a child’s event

Coaching a child’s sport

Child care, while wife goes shopping

House cleaning

Carpet scrubbing

Picture hanging

An evening of games

An evening our bowling or paintball

Playing dress-up with a daughter

An afternoon of football or going to the gym

Cooking and serving dinner to an evening for girlfriends

A weekend away and you take care of all detail organizing.

…you get the picture

I hope you have found something here to try this year for Christmas that will not only save you money, but will make your family the envy of families everywhere. Being Artful is simply taking time to find what God invested in your heart that turns into a work of beauty when you find it and give it away. Be artful! Be blessed!!

We want so much for our children to have a wonderful Christmas season! Sometimes we might get ourselves so busy trying to make that happen that we miss what they really want most. Children want the adults in their lives to make time for them and play with them.  It really doesn’t take much.  They are most excited about the Christmas gifts that will get you to sit down and play with them.  What children really want most for Christmas is YOU!

Arrange your time to have nothing to do but be a kid again on Christmas and you will make memories your children will never forget.  Long after the toys have lost their luster and broken down completely, memories of your love and attention will linger in the most treasured corner of your child’s heart.  If you do not take this time to be a kid again for a few short hours now and then with your child, there will remain an empty spot in the heart that no one else can fill. And you too will lose out on a blessing and memory that is priceless and never again to offer itself as an opportunity in just the same way.

I often caution young parent who struggle with the stress of very young children that a time will come when they long for a sticky  kiss, or a sleepy child with whom they can snuggle. These little ones are are on loan to us for such a short time and it is our honor to shape their memories and character.  The beautiful thing is that God placed within them a powerful desire to spend time with us! If we miss that opportunity…well…we miss it!

Sometimes people do not reach out to try to play with kids because they don’t know what to do. The internet has a vast database on free activities to do at home with kids. Just Google it and see what looks like fun. Better yet let you kids look with you and pick a fun activitie you both like.

Here are a few I have learned never fail…

• Play board games they like.
• Teach them board or card games you like.
• Cook and bake with kids.
• Have a window, balcony, or backyard campout with hot dogs, camp songs, flashlights, and story telling.
• Make notes and cards for others with kids art.
• Go for a walk, skate, or bike ride.
• Exercise together with kids…Wii fit is great if you have one!
• Sing and dance.
• Go on a picture taking scavenger hunt.
• Make stuff…any stuff!
• Make up skits and vidoe shoots.
• Read the same book and talk about it(In fact make sure you read what they read) I even learned to play the same video games so I could know their lingo and what the game makers might be sneaking into their heads.
• Go lay down outside in the dark and study the stars.
• Chase them around with spray string!
• Set up an new blocks game, or train, or anything!
• Take them Christmas shopping at the dollar store.
• Put on a special theme party or banquet with them.

The key, as you can see is that you set aside time and make it a #1 priority on your calendar to build memories with your children. Artful relationships are built as you connect, listen, laugh(or cry), and pray together for the things most important in their world. One day they will be grown with children of their own and you will long for this kind of time. Don’t miss the chance to be significant NOW! Give the gift of YOURSELF…the gift that keeps on giving! HUGS!

I was born as a vision out of the hearts and minds of America’s founders and their families, who came to the shores of this continent determined to find a better life.  As they fled government oppression and tyranny, they yearned for a new homeland where they could breathe free.

They hoped against hope that they might find a place where everyone could live securely within a fair rule-of-law, without fear of big government bullies overpowering their lives. I became their dream!

I Am the American Dream.

As my founders dared to dream of me, they saw a life for themselves, free to be exactly who they were and to worship the God who made them that way.  As they worshiped, I began to take on life in their mind’s eye. They envisioned me as a land where their freedom would be treasured equally for everyone as a God-given right, never being handed out by a government as a favor to a select few, or dictated to them against their will.

I Am the American Dream.

As I continued to take shape, Americans got even more excited about me. They began to realize little by little, that this freedom they sought in me, would allow them to use their talents and creativity to make a living and a life for themselves. The seed of creative craziness was planted in my soil.  Americans began to assume that they could follow the passions that God, himself, had woven into the fiber of their being in their mother’s womb.  They saw that every person who wanted to make a difference in this new country, was challenged to greatness by freedom, itself, even if they had to work from sun-up until sundown to achieve it. Because of the creativity unleashed by the shared vision I held high, cures have been found for diseases, fortunes have been built, inventions and arts have enriched lives, people have gotten wonderful educations, food has been sent around the world, and families have lived and worshipped as they chose.

I Am the American Dream.

The best thing about me is, that I am not owned by any one person or clique.  I belong to every American.  When a team of patriots created the Declaration of Independence, the love of me, and sense of ownership was spread to all. The people participated and shared in the investment and commitment to make me real.  “We the People” became the cry of freedom for all who took me as their own.  And, “We the People” set an example of brilliance and excellence that shined like a ray of sunlight around the world, demonstrating that freedom abounds when authority resides with the consent of the governed.

I Am the American Dream.

The fibers of my tapestry were woven most elegantly with threads of pure gold when I was made complete by the writing and ratification to the Constitution of the United States of America. After that I didn’t just hold out hopes for individual freedom and the rule of law any longer, I became it.  I became the reflection of a country thriving on the shared vision of freedom for all. Personal responsibility, commitment, and investment made Americans true owners in their homeland, and in me. An economy based on home and business ownership, hard work and a minimal government evolved to become strongest in the world.

I Am the American Dream.

I have provided many rewards to individuals, teams, and countries.  I have become one of the strongest forces for good in the world. I gladly share my fortunes and resources to bless the poor across the globe…always have and always will! I captured the imaginations of people everywhere around the globe and they began to come from every corner of the world to become Americans. I am spread around the world, not to enlarge America, but to enlarge freedom, as a God-given right to all.

I Am the American Dream.

I am so loved that millions have fought and died for me over the time of my relatively short life. I treasure the blood of every American hero and save every drop as diamonds and rubies among my pure gold threads of my tapestry. These precious gems are proof that I will never die, as long as there are those who will sacrifice their lives to preserve me.  And Americans have truly been living gems where I am concerned. The more I am challenged, the more Americans will sacrifice to make sure I bounce back alive and well. Like gem stones, patriots keep going to the grinder in struggles for me.  I shine more brilliantly with every struggle, aglow with the blood of my fallen heroes and victims who have died at the hands of my enemies. They have brightened America and the world for others, with an unmistakable American beacon that shines even in the darkest times. Because of them, great leaders have called me the light of the world and the shining city on the hill.

I Am the American Dream.

Some people don’t like me. I don’t know why.  Maybe they are jealous of all the crazy fun and joy that emanates from me.  Maybe they fear the loss of control over me if “We the People” really are my owners. Maybe they just feel guilty because they know they didn’t earn me and don’t deserve me? But for whatever reason, I constantly have my detractors and even attackers.  It’s a sad thing too, because my Heavenly father, who inspired me, knows that not one us deserves me. I am His gift, even to those who don’t call Him Lord.  As a gift of God, I am offered freely to all.   The joy that comes from me will flood the soul of anyone who goes to my Father in Heaven to pray with His son Jesus Christ. After all, He made all this possible by grace. No one can earn it.  Not even Patriots.! It’s a pure gift from God.  That’s why…

I Am the American Dream.

Across America and the world wonderful Christian husbands and fathers strive to love selflessly as Jesus did. This selfless love that Jesus modeled for husbands and fathers is the only reason Ephesians can also tell wives to “submit” It is no risk to submit to a compassionate, loving, self sacrificing man. So men actually have the harder job in Christ’s call!

None of us accomplish the beauty of a Christian marriage in our own strength. Temptations and selfishness are always in our way!

Thank God that He is a transformer! He transforms us all into closer examples of Jesus as we SUBMIT our lives to Him. Wonderful Christian husbands and wives bathe in PRAYER!

We are unable to become wonderful to others without the ministry of the Holy Spirit who honors our prayers and softens our hearts. Want to refresh your love for your spouse? Ask God to give you HIS vision….to show you HOW he sees them…and be self honest.

We are all flawed vessels…cracked pots…but through God’s eyes and Christ’s lens we are all beautiful in special ways. Have you looked intently to see the beauty in your spouse that God himself placed there and has shaped and moulded over the years? Without the Lord to shine through, we cannot develop this kind of eternal beauty.  It is the Holy Spirit that makes us lovable.

We celebrate fathers this weekend! Thank you Dad’s everywhere. Without you we would be nothing…literally! My hat is off especially to the dedicated Christian father who models selfless love and God’s wisdom for his family to thrive! The world needs more wonderful fathers like you very special guys!  The good new is that anyone can be special! Just ask Jesus for help!

Honor Dads everywhere this Father’s Day with PRAYER! Finding your way to Christlikeness can be a bumpy road! PRAY For DADS! If you are a DAD and struggling to be all you could be…BEGIN NOW praying for YOURSELF! God wants nothing less than greatness for you!

But remember…GREATNESS in the eyes of the WORLD is not necessarily GREATNESS in the eyes of GOD!  His GREATNESS is ETERNAL! I went to a wonderful memorial recently for a Christian DAD. The most beautiful loving tribute I EVER saw from family and friends. During my sweet friends memorial we never learned what fortune he made-but we learned of priceless treasures he sent ahead to Heaven.

Being a great Dad or Granddad is not for wimps!  It is a tough 24/7 selfless job…but the REWARDS are priceless! Dads everywhere we thank you for every sacrifice you make on behalf of your family. It does not go unnoticed…especially by God! Wonderful dads…You know who you are!  We adore you and we pray for you always. thanking God for you!

Not so wonderful Dads…  Jesus and the Holy Spirit are waiting for you. Find your greatness on your knees.  BIG MACHO MEN PRAY!  And hug!

And for those who feel they have no dad to honor this weekend, remember you have a Father in Heaven who is so proud to call you HIS! Our Father in Heaven is the very best father of all for all of us! He is perfect love and devotion and wants only the best for us.

Thank you Lord that wherever human Dads fall short, YOU are there to fill in the gaps and YOU never leave or forsake us!   Dads are so important to our culture, our country, and our world. Pray for them in these difficult times especially.

PRAY a special prayer for all our military dads and their children. Be the glue Lord to connect them on Father’s Day.

When people look inside my life, I wanna hear them say…She’s got her FATHERS’s EYES…eyes that find the good in things.

God has touched the heart of Rachelle Maddy, Haitian American. She is inspired to bring together other Haitians living outside Haiti and inspire them to reinvigorate the beauty and dignity of Haiti as the recovery efforts move forward.

Jeff and Cheri Douglas through PollyannaArt.com  and LibertyWorks.com pledge our support of these efforts in any way we can. The people of Haiti will only recover as they embrace a vision of themselves and their country that God has placed in their hearts. They need to believe in the beauty and dignity of Haiti and the love God has for the Haitian people. GO Rachelle Maddy!!! We will be your cheering team and anything else God gives us the ability to be for you. Your love, pride and commitment for your country are God breathed! He wants all people to live with liberty in the beauty and freedom He designed!

We grieve with you neighbors in Haiti. We share hearts filled with pain that words are too meaningless to express. Know that you and your lost and injured loved ones have the love and prayers of the world! Take comfort in the love of Jesus, who himself experienced unspeakable pain so that he could understand your sorrow today and bring you in touch with the heart of God!

Goodbye For Now

By Kathy Trocoli

I can’t believe that you’re really gone now…

Seems like it’s all jus a dream.

How can it be that the world will go on,

When something has died within me?

Leaves will turn, but I will burn with colors of you.

Snow will fall, but I’ll recall you warmth.

Summer wind breathing in your memory

I’ll miss you.

But there will be a time when I’ll see your face.

I’ll hear your voice, and there we will laugh again,

And there will come a day, when I’ll hold you close,

No more tears to cry..cause we’ll have forever…

But I’ll say goodbye… for now.

I can’t imagine my life without you

You have a place all your own.

Just knowing you were beneath the same sky

Oh what a joy I have known.

On rainy days in many ways you’ll water my heart.

On starry nights I’ll glimpse the light of your smile.

Never far from my heart you’ll stay with me

So I’ll just wait.

“Cause there will be a time when I’ll see your face.

I’ll hear your voice, and there we will laugh again,

And there will come a day, when I’ll hold you close,

No more tears to cry..cause we’ll have forever…

But I’ll say goodbye… for now.

“Cause there will be a time when I’ll see your face.

I’ll hear your voice, and there we will laugh again,

And there will come a day, when I’ll hold you close,

No more tears to cry..cause we’ll have forever…

But I’ll say goodbye… for now.

Goodbye for now.

Lynette & Richard

Pollyanna Art defines fine art as the expression of the beauty God places in your heart.  The ugly and dark art prevalent in our world today is just one more perversion of God’s beauty that we are often led to believe is ART.

So “art” is the beauty of life that comes out of any unique expression that honors God for his goodness and love through any experience!  The expressions of our own forms of art as God inspires us, builds and strengthens the faith of the artist, as well as those who come to enjoy it.

With our definition of “Art” as a backdrop, meet Lynette and Richard! A few years into their marriage they found their lives in ruin as their marriage fell apart. Unable to renew and refresh the love they once felt for one another, they separated and began to think their marriage was over.

But in the midst of disaster, Lynette found the Lord tugging at her heart. In response she began to pray. As she prayed for herself and her marriage, the Lord led her to pray for other things she was told or heard on the news, or read in the paper or a magazine. She became obsessed with prayer and, in the process was transformed by God.

This Godly woman was able to rekindle the love of her life with her husband and help him to transform by faith in Jesus, as well. After a year-long separation, Richard and Lynette are together again today and more in love with each other and their Lord than ever.

But Lynette has not stopped praying. She has found prayer as he new art form and magnificent obsession. She digs into her heart and continuously finds and expresses the concerns God places there to bring her into communion with HIM!  She now prays several hours each day. She tapes together this constantly growing and unique work of art, her prayer journal (displayed below).  This is an “heirloom of faith” her family will treasure for generations, more than a Picasso!

Join them in prayer just now, as Richard had a heart attack just 2 days before Christmas 2009. He is doing well and thanking God for his blessed life with Lynette and God’s amazing grace today!