The birth of Blessed Hands

           “Blessed Hands" signifies the talent which lies in my hands. This doesn't mean that those of you who have talent creating with other parts of your body (i.e. feet, mouth, etc.) are not blessed also. In my case, I feel that GOD has blessed me through my hands. I wanted the name " Blessed Hands " to remind us all that all of our talents, no matter what they are, are GOD given and that we should try to use these gifts to glorify, honor, proclaim GOD's existence, and to help, build, and encourage others. Through out my life, I have chosen paths that did not utilize this precious gift. Yet, constantly there was a calling in my soul to create. If I ignored this urging, I would get anxious and tense. I would then create something, even if I just took some crayons and colored in a coloring book. This would silence the whispering and I would resume my "worldly" pursuits - I was determined to become a geneticist. During my sophomore year at college, I went through some “Black " times. That is the only way I can explain it. I didn't do anything really bad, but I wasn't saved either. During one of my “Black " times, I vaguely remember pouring out my soul to GOD and asking Him for help - I no longer wanted to feel the way I was feeling. All I heard was “Get Baptized ". I knew my answer. My life was never the same. I did end up taking a wrong turn, but I did get baptized. GOD cleansed me and made me whole. He took away my “Blackness ", and I have given my life to Him. Needless to say, GOD usually changes your whole life and He did so with mine. I choose to pursue art instead of science (I realized my ambitions were based mostly on worldly desires and that there was a lot more to life than pursuing a very strenuous and challenging career. Art made me happy; it fulfilled me and definitely was calling to me.). Between now and then, I experienced life’s ups and downs, got married, and grew in my Christian walk with GOD. It has not been easy, and surely I still have a lot more things to change, learn, and conquer, but GOD is with me (and with all of us) and I'll eventually succeed. I finally ended up back in Northeast Texas and developed a friendship with the woman that lived next door. We got inspired and became involved in making arts and crafts items. We then started going to shows - (little locale events). Her life changed some and she became a lesser partner; I became the primary partner.
         Again, GOD has been working in my life. Our little arts and crafts business has come to almost a dead stand still. Nothing seems to be working out. I believe GOD has been leading me to shape “Blessed Hands” into something different, actually to give it a new purpose - a niche' in His plan. I pray this is His will and that I am not traveling this path according to my will but by His will.
         What is “Blessed Hands " now? Well, You see the biggest part of Blessed Hands – this web site. Through this web site, with GOD’s help and blessing, I hope to encourage and provide support to those of you out there whom are blessed by GOD with the gift to create - be it art, crafts, music, writing, performing or any other ability. I also wish to praise, honor, celebrate, and spread the news of GOD our Father, Jesus Christ the Savior, and the Holy Spirit. Who knows where the Lord will lead this endeavor.  As long as “Blessed Hands “ follows the Lords direction, only great and wondrous things are in store for you and us. GOD Bless!
 
Go With GOD,
Denise Jones
Blessed Hands
 

"The Promise "
 Colored Pencil
 
      You will recognize this picture as the logo for “Blessed Hands”. I drew this picture a long time before GOD prompted me to create Blessed Hands. Now this picture fits the mission of Blessed Hands very well. Honestly, I did not know what meaning this picture would hold when GOD first placed it in my head. Even after I drew it, I hadn't realized the depth of it. Gradually, I have come to realize what it means. It represents many things to me. First of all it depicts Noah's hands. The Dove and limb are the evidence of the promise that GOD would take care of Noah, his family, and the animals (GOD fulfilled that promise - Genesis 5:95 – 8:20 ). It is also a promise of better and wonderful things to come from the Lord for Noah and his family. There couldn't be a greater thing than having a sign of growth - of the possibility of land after being on a boat for a very long time. When things are bleak and truly look hopeless and we belong to GOD, GOD promises that He will take care of us, that there are great and marvelous things in store for us. GOD has a purpose for each and every one of us. We are all great in GOD.
       The Dove represents the gift of the Holy Spirit Jesus Christ parted to us when He departed this world (Acts 2:1 – 34). The Holy Spirit was also a promise Jesus had given the disciples. It is a promise that was fulfilled.
       The hands reaching out to the Dove (Holy Spirit) represents me in my desire to receive, experience, and serve GOD. They represent my continual desire to get ever closer to HIM.
       The hands also symbolize the gifts we all have and the Dove represents GOD. It expresses the mission of Blessed Hands to unite our gifts, that GOD has graciously given us, to the service of GOD - to be used by GOD for HIS perfect will. My hands (talents) are a gift from GOD and I have given them back to GOD in my choice to serve HIM through these gifts. My desire is to encourage everyone to do such. The changes in my life, the things I now feel and experience can not even compare to my life before. No words can describe the blessings or the even the changes that have occurred in me since my choice to give myself back to the Lord and to use my gifts for HIS will.