Tag: Freedom

Adventure, Animals, Art

America – Forgotten Echos of the Past

Mark Wayne
GU372

“An American Icon”       Mark Schutter ©2010        Watercolor Pencils

The American Bison is a true original and its image takes us back to a seldom remembered past when they roamed freely over the land prior to their decimation almost to extinction at the hands of man. In this image from my goal was to capture the simple beauty, strength and majesty of this truly magnificent animal. 

So much of history is lost to the echoes and which version of history depends on who is telling it. Each side has an agenda in which the truth can easily get lost. We forget that we all are from somewhere and traveling our paths around this spinning green ball hurtling through space and time. 

We lift up people for one good act then tear them down for one bad one. We admire the thought and criticize the action that follows.

If we were to measure the worth of every human being on whether they never fell short, all would fall short. Only Jesus Christ walked this earth not committing a sin. We lie to others, hiding the truth even from ourselves that we would never do such a thing. For we are better than them. Are we really?

Aren’t we all just sinners, and don’t we all need saving? That is where our commonality lies, that it is only by grace that we can find healing.

#JustBelieve #HopeLives #GraceChangesPeople

Happy 4th of July America!

We can and must be better than this!

Poetry

Do You Believe You Can Be, Forgiven and Free?

Mark Wayne

All of creation sings,
great and small.
The rocks cry out,
grace and mercy!
Every voice will shout,
love and joy!

When the end begins,
darkness and evil.
Casts it deathly pall,
hate and fear.
In the midst of,
pain and suffering

Our faith grows with,
peace and hope.
When all of creation,
believes and sees.
All is made right,
forgiven and free.

~Mark Schutter ©2016

Forgiven and Free

Poetry

Hiding

Mark Wayne

As we enter the second week of 2015, I have found myself hiding. Hiding from the world, from family, from friends and even from myself. One of my last posts from 2014 was a poem and video about being tired of wearing masks, hiding my true self from others. I want freedom and even intimate transparency, even though it scares me so much.

My desires have waned over the years and now it feels like it is time to step out from hiding. I still have no idea where I am going in 2015 or what I will be doing. In other words I have no goals or resolutions at least not yet. 🙂  More to come on that I am sure.

There are forces at work in my life and I feel myself being lead back but to what, I do not know. So here is the first post of the new year so buckle up and enjoy the ride! For who knows where the road may take us and the adventure that awaits! ~M

In the shadows
Darkness resides
In the shadows
Evil hides
Hiding within
Hiding without
Hiding in plain sight
Hiding..
Choosing not to see
Frozen steams
Rivers of ice
Memories dream
Hiding from
Hiding out
Hiding in plain sight
Hiding…
Pain we feel
Lost meaning
Words ring hollow
Fates careening
Hiding down
Hiding up
Hiding in plain sight
Hiding…
Masked in smiles
Invisible breath
Long lilting miles
Courting death
We spend our days
Hiding…
As love decays
While we are hiding

~Mark Schutter ©2015 image

Art, Poetry

It Don’t Matter

Mark Wayne

image

What I say
What I do
Who I am
Who I may be
It don’t matter to you

What you say
What you do
Who you are
Who you may be
It don’t matter to me

We are each unique
Not quite the same
A beautiful tapestry
Of joy and pain

You be you
I’ll be me
We won’t mind
And let’s just all be free

~Mark Schutter ©2014

A whimsical poem for number 21 of 31 for October Poetry Writing Month, #OctPoWriMo.  Into the home stretch now! Smile!

Adventure, Photograph

Freedom Rolling

Mark Wayne

Freedom RollsThere is a freedom when the tires are rolling over dirt and the only sound you hear is the wind in your ears. ~M

If I can bicycle, I bicycle. ~David Attenborough

I have always struggled to achieve excellence. One thing that cycling has taught me is that if you can achieve something without a struggle it’s not going to be satisfying. ~Greg LeMond

Cycling can be lonely, but in a good way. It gives you a moment to breathe and think, and get away from what you’re working on. ~David Byrne

 If biking is your passion, set aside time to enjoy a good ride. ~Patrick Dempsey

What is your passion and what sets you free?

 

God, Life

More than ORDINARY!

Mark Wayne

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It saddens me to think that Robin Williams believed he had no other options. That fame and fortune are often not enough.

It saddens me to think of those closest to him that he left behind.  Family and friends who loved and cared for him.

It saddens me to think of all the people who cross our paths every single day who also believe they have no other options.

There has never ever been an ordinary person born on this planet.  We are each bestowed with a divine potential that the world so easily robs us of.

So many people without the notoriety of the rich and famous make this same choice everday. And do we care?

We were all meant for so much more than ORDINARY but often settle for so much less.

#JustBelieve #GraceWins #HopeLives

God, Life

Healing the Brokenhearted

Mark Wayne

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I attended a class today presented by Aurora Worldwide. Aurora is a ministry with a focus on healing the broken hearted. I was blessed to have been invited to speak and read aloud two of my poems during the class.

Now I lay here, late on Saturday night,  thinking about my own healing journey,  which still continues,  and the journey of others. Today, I saw and heard pain and hurt in the eyes and words of those in attendance.

I believe the Lord does respond to our free will but often we simply tell him to go away.  He will acquiesce to this request and then we believe the lie that is told to us by the enemy about how he did respond.

He will and does respond to our cries and we can be healed.  We can experience personal healing, freedom and wholeness.

I pray that in some small way by being real, transparent and vulnerable about my own journey it can help someone else.  I would remind you that you have what someone else needs. I encourage you to not be afraid to shine a light into those dark places. God bless!  ~M

#JustBelieve #GraceWins #SpeakLife