[Woodcarver] needs... big questions...

[maricha]

hi bill
thank you for your reply which is wonderful and indeed we are all on a journey with god's blessings. have just looked at an old artist friend.... max beckmann an expressionist painter asked himself this same questions whilst painting and the remarkable work he expressed to share his journey with us all. your work is very expressive of the gift from god to you as i feel myself a tool that trys to follow the path before me and all my inspiration comes from god. knowing where we are at and where we are trying to go whilst doing our carving is essential to keep us on our toes. perhaps

cheers
maricha
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bill Judt 
  To: [Woodcarver] 
  Sent: Friday, October 01, 2004 2:38 AM
  Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] needs... big questions...


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  Maricha:

  The questions I hear you asking ar:
  "Why was I born?"
  "To what end am I a woodcarver?" 
  And , "If I was born for a reason, and if there is a purpose in my being a woodcarver, what must I do, and where should my focus be if these purposes are to be realized in my life?"

  These are big questions which betray the deep longing of every human soul. It seems this longing is something we are born with, and unless we suppress it, the longing surfaces in time of quiet reflection. Carving affords us many opportunities to reflect, as most often we carvers work in solitude.

  I used to think that "I needed to be recognized for who I am". But that need has been replaced with a greater need - to be everything that God wants me to be. No greater purpose exists - as far as I can see - than to be what God created me to be and to fulfill His purposes in my life. I've written about this in both my second and third books.

  I've come to understand that my woodcarving is at the same time a blessing I have received from God. By it He allows me to earn a living, to enjoy the work of my hands, to be creative and to be independent in my work, to the extent that I am dependent only on Him and His provision.

  Yet I've also come to understand - and I think Ivan W., Jan O., Joe D. and other carvers on this List will concur - that I am blessed with the gift of carving in order (for the purpose of) being a blessing to others through my carving. Thus what I have been given I also consider a gift to be shared with others. So I teach and carve and write books and manage this list in order that others will be blessed through the gifts God has placed in my hands. If what I have is a GIFT, then I am not in a position to brag about it. Instead, I am in a position of responsibility to the One who gave me these gifts. The issue of good stewardship surfaces at this point.

  When I finally came to this understanding - after years of struggling with the same questions you identified in your message - it really freed me up in my work. I find that I carve with greater purpose, and that I can more easily be generous in sharing the knowledge and skills I acquired, as well as the fruits of my work with others.

  I only wish I'd learned this stuff earlier. Oh well... to soon old and too late smart!!!

  Bill
  List Owner

  W.F. Judt,
  46 Harvard Cres,
  Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,
  S7H3R1
  PH: 306-373-6649
  Email: bjudt at sasktel.net
  Website: http://www.wwwoodcarver.com

  On Sep 30, 2004, at 2:11 AM, maricha wrote:


    To make a DONATION to the Mailing List using PayPal OR regular mail, click this link: http://wwwoodcarver.com/WWWList/WWWList.html

    hi folks,

     
    a thought came to mind.....and i asked myself ..... as an artist/woody  what is what i need the most? or what is most important to me?  although i am a small particle of sand on the beach .... i still feel i need to be recognized for what i am. would any one like to expand on this thought.....



    it is just a thought but bugs me and am interested in what you think and really need?

     
    thanks

     
    maricha

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