Oil Painting from Photo by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"ME & MY BROTHER"  1948

Painting #921   Oil on Linen  (36"x24")   Painted in March, 2007

FROM "THE DAILY WORD"                                                Saturday, March 29, 2014

WONDER

I am amazed at God’s good.

Wonder reflects a sense of reverence for all of life. I am filled with wonder as I gaze at a drop of rain perched on a leaf or behold the first ray of sunlight over the horizon at dawn.

I expand my sense of wonder by taking nothing for granted. I am captivated as I contemplate the world we live in. Each breath is a miracle­—an intricate collaboration between the cells of my body and nature. Gravity holds me securely to Mother Earth, yet the birds fly with ease in the sky above.

I am immersed in awe and gratitude for what God can do. Whether a tiny baby or a majestic mountain; a grain of sand or a work of art—the creative activity of God is on display within and around me.

God has done this, so that all should stand in awe before him.—Ecclesiastes 3:14

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

Destroyed Portrait by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"LADY IN BLUE SHIRT"

Painting #916  Oil on Linen    (16"x12")    Painted in February, 2007   Destroyed

From Unity's "The Daily Word"      Wednesday, March 26, 2014

COMFORT

God is my all in all.

It is possible to be alone yet not lonely; to feel down but not out; to experience loss and recover. All is possible because the spirit of God fills me with a steady stream of comfort and love. If I experience loss or a broken heart, I invite the love of God to heal me. Divine love is powerful in restoring my body, mind, and spirit.

If I am grieving, I trust in the promise of Spirit’s comfort and restoration. I recall the story of Job, who went from having everything to losing everything—possessions, friendships, social status, and health. Eventually, God restored it all to Job, even beyond what had been lost. I trust in God within to restore me to wholeness. The ups and downs in life are temporary, but God’s love is constant and sure.

Remember, I am with you always.—Matthew 28:20

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"AMERICAN BEAUTIES"

Painting #944   Oil on Linen   (36"x30")     Painted in August, 2007

From:  UNITY'S "DAILY WORD"          Monday, March 24, 2014

FAMILY

I celebrate my unity with all life.

In childhood, my notion of family might have stretched no further than my relatives. At some point, I may have widened my concept of family to include friends and members of my spiritual community. I might also consider my neighbors and coworkers to be family, as well as any beloved pets or animals.

As I mature in my understanding of All That Is, I see that I am one with all of life. I celebrate my unity with all living beings.

All people have the spirit of God within them. If I have been excluding anyone from my circle of respect, honor, and care, I now open my heart to Spirit within and embrace them as family.

So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.—Romans 12:5

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

"Cynthia Richards" Portrait by Artist, NORA KASTEN

PORTRAIT of  "CYNTHIA RICHARDS"

Painting #914  Oil on Linen   (24"x20")   Painted February 5, 2007

FROM  UNITY'S  "DAILY WORD"                                     Thursday, March 20, 2014

SEASON

I am grateful for this season of my life.

Each season has its own distinct character and purpose—dormancy in winter, budding in spring, growth in summer, release in autumn. Each season is dependent on the others occurring in their natural order.

Our lives, too, have seasons. We move through infancy, childhood, adulthood, and maturity experiencing constant change. Each season brings its unique joys and challenges, and each builds on the one before it.

In Ecclesiastes we read, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” I am grateful for this season of my life, for the changes and growth it brings, for the rest and activity. With each season, I grow into the fullness of my humanity.

They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season … In all that they do, they prosper.—Psalm 1:3

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

Oil Painting "Onions" by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"ONIONS, RED & WHITE"

Painting #980  Oil on Linen     (5"x7")     Painted in December, 2007      Destroyed

FROM "THE DAILY WORD                                        Wednesday, March 12, 2014

FORGIVE

I find peace through forgiveness.

After feeling hurt or wronged by another person, I may wonder, “How could they do that?” When I am upset, I may seek answers, believing answers will ease my pain. Yet peace comes not through logic or reason, but through spiritual understanding. While I may never know how or why something happened, I can always find peace through forgiveness.

Shifting my awareness from the situation, softly breathing in Spirit, I focus on my heart space. I ask my Higher Power for understanding. As I release defensiveness or blame, the healing love of God frees me and all concerned from this experience.

I choose to forgive and my mind and heart are at peace.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.—Psalm 51:10

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Message in Rhyme by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"PEACH ROSES"

Painting #1123  Oil on Canvas  (24"x20")  Painted in April, 2010      SOLD

KNOWLEDGE   

(A Spiritual Message in rhyme by NORA KASTEN / March 8, 2014)

  “Turning left or right, I have a choice.

It is always made clear by the Still Small Voice.

Can I really know for sure, I say.

Of course you can, you always may.

The knowledge is vast that you’ve asked to gain.

Stay steady the course and you will attain.

This knowledge is not outside of yourself,

It’s not hidden somewhere on a shelf.

Be still, be quiet and go within,

See for yourself.  Write with the pen.

Thank you, thank you.  Why have I not seen this before?

Because You chose this moment, but hush, there is more.

Breathe in deep the life Energy Force,

You must have This strength to continue the course.

We are speaking of the desired Higher Learning here,

This knowledge comes in a manner most precious and dear.

What seems to be a phenomenon is really not that,

It is of Spirit and It is a fact.

Spirit is pure Energy and creates everything.

This Truth alone, causes One to sing.

The Truth that matter is Energy, everyone knows,

See the Soul, see how It glows?

Love comes to mind but who can define?

Is Love All in All or just Devine?”

Copyright__By Nora Kasten / March 8, 2014

___________________________________________________________________________

FROM "THE DAILY WORD"                                                   Saturday, March 8, 2014

GRACE

I make room for God’s grace.

Some days I may feel stuck in negativity. I may wallow in complaint or find my mind fixed on a certain story, belief, or plan that has me feeling troubled. In such instances, my mind has no room for divine ideas, nor is it receptive to the wisdom and inspiration of Spirit.

As I gently dismiss limiting thoughts and claim the truth of Spirit’s bountiful good, I make room for God’s grace in my life.

I recognize that abundance, vitality, and well-being are already present within me. I let go of any preconceptions of what my good should look like and embrace the fullness of God’s good as it is expressing right now. An abundant, grace-filled life is already mine.

You have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self.—Colossians 3:9-10

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

"GOING TO FRANCE" by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"ROSES ARE RED"

Painting #1117  Oil on textured canvas  (24"x20")  Painted in March, 2010

"I AM GOING TO FRANCE!"

"Wow!  The travel plans are now confirmed.  The tour begins April 21 and ends May 5, 2014.  My 77th birthday is April 23 and this trip is a birthday present to myself.  This is a first time trip to Europe for me during these 77 years and I Am so looking forward to the experience.  The tour is offered through the Florida Gulf Coast University/ Renaissance Academy and I feel most privileged to be part of it.

I used to always say "I will have to wait for my next life to go to Europe".  Now, look. . . . .  that is not so.  We cheat ourselves by putting on limits to the gifts God has for each of us.  Who can say what next wonderful gift is ours?"

FROM "THE DAILY WORD"                                   Wednesday, March 5, 2014

TRANSFORMATION

I am a new creation in Christ.

If I have been preoccupied with improving or transforming my image or outer appearance, I may feel an inner nudge to pay more attention to my spirit and soul. As I turn my attention inward, I remember that I am an expression of the Christ Spirit, which needs no alteration. My Christ Self—the highest expression of God in me—is all I will ever need to be.

As I let this awareness grow in me thought by thought, I begin to fully embrace its truth, and I am transformed from the inside out.

I honor the sacred perfection of the Christ in me. I am continually renewed. I am Spirit-filled!

So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!—2 Corinthians 5:17

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

Self Portrait Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"DANGLING EARRINGS"

Painting #1151 / Oil on linen on board  (20"x16")  Painted in March, 2011   DESTROYED

FROM "THE DAILY WORD"                                                  Sunday, March 2, 2014

RELEASE

I am ready to create a new day!

At any time, I can release hurt or disappointment from the past. Although I cannot change what happened yesterday, I can create a new today. I turn within to pray, and I connect with the Christ of my being—the inner light that guides me. I am ready to forgive, ready to release what was or could have been, and accept what is.

I do not restrict the blessings that are unfolding in my life by harboring grudges or resentment. I recognize and accept the blessings that are mine to experience. I open myself to a new day and a new way of being.

The Christ within shows me the way to a new and beautiful life, which I am ready and willing to receive.

If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.—John 14:3

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE