We all know that feeling of being in a zone where time seems to stand still, and our hands move almost on their own. 

It’s a magical place where we are fully immersed in our work, and everything else fades away.

But sometimes, we can get caught worrying about the end result. Will it be good enough? Will people like it? Will it sell? These thoughts can take us out of the moment and steal the joy from the process of creating. 

But the true beauty is in the act of creation, in how our minds and hearts come together to form something new and unique. We must remember that the journey of creation is just as important as the destination.

NYT bestseller author Arthur Brooks’s new book inspires people to find true joy and purpose in the second half of life. 

It talks about the four common misconception people think will bring them happiness: money, power, pleasure, and fame. Actually, the more people have those, the more miserable they become in the second half of life. Because they eventually find out those don’t bring them more joy and fulfillment. 

The four real things that bring happiness are faith, family, friends, and work. Working with your hands and mind is a God-given gift and is a requirement for life’s purpose and fulfillment.

You can find the link to this book here: https://www.amazon.com/Strength-Finding-Success-Happiness-Purpose/dp/B08WDN9LSM/ref=sr_1_13?crid=9MZZQB6MZFZL&keywords=arthur+books&qid=1680024844&sprefix=arthur+%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-13#customerReviews

Ecclesiastes 3:22, we are told, “So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot.” 

Let’s remember that our art is a reflection of our souls. Our work as artists is not just a job. It’s a part of who we are. And when we find joy in making art, our works become an extension of ourselves. So let’s allow ourselves the freedom to experiment, to make mistakes, to explore our ideas and inspirations without worrying about the outcome

We must embrace the process, the ups and downs, the mistakes, and the happy accidents. They are all part of the journey, making our art unique and beautiful.

You can watch my creative process in this short IG video here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CqVqLmTAKeB/

Cheering you on!

Ying

The post Finding Joy in Your Art appeared first on Ying McLane.

Please hear me out,

Everyone is a born creator. Maybe you are a mother who put two blueberries on your child’s pancake and made a smiley face on it this morning; perhaps you are an accountant who figured out a new way to solve a problem on the company’s annual report; maybe you are a teacher who is good at making boring math problem interesting for your kids—congratulations! You are creative!

God is the original creator. He gives us different gifts to create small wonders in life.  

He has imbued every human being with a unique set of talents and abilities, including creativity. Creativity is not just reserved for artists or musicians but is a fundamental aspect of the human experience that can be expressed in countless ways.

Whether through painting, writing, cooking, designing, problem-solving, or inventing, creativity allows us to express our individuality and positively impact the world around us. It enables us to connect with others, find meaning in our lives, and tap into the vast potential of our imaginations.

God has created each of us to be creative, and we are responsible for discovering and nurturing that creativity within ourselves. We must embrace the challenges and opportunities that come with expressing our unique creative gifts and use them to positively impact the world.

In this way, we honor God’s creative nature and contribute to the beauty and diversity of the world he has created. Let us each embrace our creative potential and use it to make a difference in our lives and the lives of those around us.

I want to share this prayer with you to spark your creativity:

Heavenly Father, we pray for all those who use their artistic talents to bring healing and hope to the world. Whether through music, writing, painting, or any other form of creative expression, we ask that you bless their work and use it to uplift and comfort those struggling. May they be strengthened and encouraged by your presence, and may their work be a shining light in the darkness.

In Jesus’s name

Amen

Last, do you know what is the biggest creative block? Click this post to find out https://yingmclane.com/five-ways-to-overcome-creative-block/

Have a blessed day!

Ying

The post You are Creative appeared first on Ying McLane.

Provision means the action of providing or supplying something for use. Whether it is about your family, your life, your art, or even your finances, an affirmation brings joy to your faith. As you spend time with the Lord this week, take time to declare the following affirmation.

Read these affirmations carefully every day. I bet you will see some differences in your life very soon!

 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24)

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (John 15:7) 

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.. (Luke 12:32)

Take delight in the Lord,and he will give you the desires of your heart.. (Psalm 37:4)

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13)

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:7-11) 

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

(John 14:13) 

And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”

(Mark 9:23)

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

(John 15:16) 

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

(1 John 5:14-15) 

This is a good article explain more in detail about God’s provision: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/four-truths-about-gods-provision

cheering you on!

Ying

The post Embracing God’s Provision appeared first on Ying McLane.

In October last year, my dear friend Misty texted me an urgent prayer request. She was always joyful, calm, and assured of herself. So I knew something was seriously wrong. 

She developed a disease called Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) from a dental procedure. It caused excruciating pain on her face. She could barely eat or function in daily life. People call it the “suicide disease,” and it is supposedly incurable.

I was in shock. A thought came upon me: She and her husband are very devoted believers. What happened to her seemed so unfair.  Why God?

I just got a chance to meet her again last week. And she is totally healed!

This is what she shared with me:

She was so desperate to find a cure she searched all over the internet. She found a method that is so simple most people will think it’s unbelievable. It has to do with the power of the spoken word.

Every day she gets up, she will pray and say these words aloud to herself:

“I do not fear the pain. I have no fear. I am ok.”

In just a couple of days, most of her pain went away!

If this is not a miracle, then I don’t know what it is.

The Bible tells us repeatedly hundreds of times—“do not fear.”  But how many people will go through a day without some fearful thoughts passing through their minds? 

If I see bad news on the internet, I immediately think – what if that happened to my family. 

Even when I want to post something on social media, sometimes I worry about what other people will think. And worry is a form of fear. 

But what if I’m genuinely obedient to God’s word— Do not fear?

I would feel so much freedom and much less stress!

Science has also proved the power of words long ago. It’s well known now that stress will cause reduced immunity, aches and pains, and even severe diseases. 

And positive thoughts, mindsets, and good moral standards can improve the genes and functions of immune cells, affect hormone levels, and impact our health holistically. 

But let’s go a step further. Even though the Bible reminds us to “fear not” hundreds of times, it tells us to “fear God” many more times. Which really means reverence for God alone, and to not fear anyone or anything else.

Often this fear of God is equated with virtue or wisdom. Proverb 1:7 says: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. 

When we fear and have a deep reverence for the power and glory of God, we can trust that His power and glory will protect us from all harm in eternity. As a result, we should have no fear for anything else in our lives.

My last thought is: God has a good plan for his children. I thought it was unfair that my friend had this disease. But now she is a living, walking, powerful testimony of faith!

And we could all use a little encouragement:

Today, I will speak life aloud to myself, my children, my husband, and everyone around me.

Here are some verses for you to meditate on:

Isaiah 41:10. https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ISA.41.10.NIV

Psalm 23:4 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2023%3A4&version=NIV

Simply comment with a “yes” to confirm that you will embrace more freedom and less fear tomorrow!

Blessings! 

Ying 

The post Using the power of words to manifest miracles appeared first on Ying McLane.

God’s words are our law and order and the key to live a blessed life.

An embarrassing fact of my life: I am terrible at directions. I have been getting chicken meals from my neighborhood chick-fil-la for two years. But every time I start my car, I need to swipe my phone and get on the map app for directions. 

Yes, I can’t live without the maps app on my phone. Or I will risk the chance of getting lost even just going to the neighborhood chick-fil-la. 

And before I go, I like to enlarge my map to see where I am going. So I will get a general sense of direction. 

Knowing the map of how to live a blessed Christian life is the same: Even if you can’t see beyond tomorrow because you are in a stressful period of your life, it will greatly help your mental wellness to know where you are going spiritually.  It brings you inner peace, comfort, and general direction. So here is my understanding of how to live a blessed life: 

Step one: Get wisdom 

“For wisdom is more precious than rubies,

And nothing you desire can compare with her.” (Proverbs 3:15)

Whatever you are doing, whatever your circumstances are, get wisdom first. Dive into God’s words, meditating, deep thinking, observing, and learning from others’ and your own mistakes. Those are all the resources to get wisdom.  

Reading Proverbs is a great way to start, especially Proverbs 1 to 9.

Link: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%201&version=NIV

Step two: Discover your unique God-given gifts

I believe each of us has not only one but several God-given gifts. Because God Himself is a generous and cheerful giver! 

Those gifts could show up in all kinds of forms. You could be especially good at planning, organizing, doing crafts with your children, writing, painting, or being an entrepreneur. Using the wisdom you gained to discover your unique God-given gifts.

All your natural gifts are tied to your spiritual gifts. This post is a good explanation of spiritual gifts:

https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/what-are-spiritual-gifts-understanding-the-types-and-discovering-yours.html

Third step: Use your gifts well

Invest in your gifts. Maybe it requires your time, money, or your energy. We have a responsibility to use our gifts well.  The Bible tells us a story about three servants. The servants who well invested the money given by their boss received praise and rewards. And the servant who did nothing with the money got punishment. (Matthew 25: 14-30)

“To those who use well what they are given, even more, will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.” (Matthew 25:29)

Step four: Be generous 

Let’s just be generous with our blessings and share with others freely, shall we?

Whether it’s your money, time, company, or energy, it doesn’t matter how much or how little you think you have, you always have something to give. 

In 2 Corinthians 9, Paul talked about generosity with the church. But it applies to every believer in all areas of our lives as well. 

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously…for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”  (2 Corinthians 6-8) 

When you are generous with your resources, God will bless you abundantly; though it may not be what you wanted, nevertheless less, He will bless you in the way He sees fit. 

Step Five:

Glorify the Father through your blessed life

The ultimate result of being generous is giving thanksgiving to God and glorifying Him.

Let’s continue using 2 Corinthians 9 as an example: 

“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for good will also give and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us, your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

This service you perform not only supplies the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.” (2 Corinthians 9:10-13)

Let’s meditate on these verses for a while…because your generosity, God will enrich you in every way so you can be more generous in more ways, thus bringing thanksgiving to the grace of God. 

Now that should be the ultimate goal of the Christian life.

I sincerely hope this post will map out a clear path for you. And I would appreciate you sharing this with others if you find this helpful. 

Blessings!

Ying 

Dear Heavenly Father:

First and foremost, please bless me with your wisdom. Enable me to have deep insight into my own heart and every situation I encounter. Enlarge the tools within my gifts so I can be a generous blessing to others. Increase my store of seed and enlarge my fruits of labor. Guide my every step, and bless me with success in everything I do under your oversight. Let my life shine the light of your kingdom and bring thanksgiving as my offering. 

In Jesus’s name 

Amen

The post How to live a blessed life and the critical sequence appeared first on Ying McLane.

Constantly cleaning up a messy studio is no fun.

Day after day, washing brushes is boring.

Painstakingly stacking brushstroke after brushstroke can quickly test your patience.

But, put all these together, and eventually, you will get the following:

A beautiful canvas.

The feeling of accomplishment. 

A step closer to your success.  

We often hear the phrase, “move the needle.”  

Success, indeed, is moving needles—one needle at a time.

For artists, it’s one brushstroke, one sketch, and one canvas at a time. 

It’s easy to find an excuse not to go to your studio and not pick up your brushes. If you are looking for excuses, there will always be plenty. 

So, I say, the key to success is falling in love with boredom. 

People only see others’ shining success, but we rarely see how many steps they took to get there. 

Yes, it’s exciting to have great ideas, beautiful visions, and extraordinary imaginations. Those are all important. But the excitement will fade, then boredom will settle in. What separates a dreamer and an achiever is the doing, the persistence, and the resilience. 

“and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,”

(Romans 5:4)

In my interview with world-leading artist mentor Matt Tommey, I talked in detail about this topic.  I was surprised at the number of messages and emails from people worldwide telling me how this podcast inspired them. So if you need a little bit of uplifting today, Click here to listen. 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thriving-christian-artist/id1381529961?i=1000593367278

Cheering you on! 

Ying 

The post <strong>The Key to long-lasting success</strong> appeared first on Ying McLane.

Peace in your heart and your family? 

To stop procrastinating and be more productive?

Creating more art? 

Reading the entire Bible? 

Physical healing? 

And how are you planning to achieve it? 

For me, I have found three keys to implementing my goals: 

1: Don’t make too many goals. That’s why I asked you to tell me just one thing you have a burning desire to achieve this year. 

Of course, you can make two or three, but don’t make over five  goals. 

 Too many goals will only distract you and make you feel easily defeated. And who needs that? 

 2: Make clear goals. 

 For example, instead of saying” peace in my heart,” plan on, “I will schedule 10 minutes in the morning after I wake up to meditate and pray.” 

Instead of “I will stop procrastinating and be more productive,” try “I will do the hard things first, and I will not let the things that need to be done past the second day.”

Instead of “making more art,” schedule a month ahead of time about how many paintings you like to make in that month and the days and hours you will need to achieve it. 

Instead of “I will read the whole Bible in a year,” say, “I will stop watching TV or scrolling on the internet 30 minutes before bedtime in order to read my Bible.”

Concrete, clear steps are much easier for you to make those goals into a reality. Does that make sense? 

3: Make it a habit. 

Nothing will stick until you make it into a habit. 

I have had so many back-and-forth battles with my old habits. The reason I sometimes regress is that I haven’t made new habits to replace my old habits. 

I love sweets. Sometimes I can pass on those delicious temptations many days in a row. But then I will regress with a vengeance. 

My new habit when it comes to dessert is: I will indulge once a week and will abstain and be a good girl for the rest of the week.

Now think about what old habit you like to change and how you would do it. 

Bonus points for you:

Find a keyword for your new year. My keyword is: implementing. 

This year I will be implementing my design for my art business. That means a lot of down-to-dirt work. And I will learn to enjoy the mundane process. 

My key verse for this year is:

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

 What’s your keyword for the year, and, if applicable, what’s your key verse?  I’d love to know! 

 Cheering you on!

 Ying 

The post  Three keys to achieving your goals appeared first on Ying McLane.

I was always more of an impulsive decision-maker than a meticulous goal-setter.

But the older I got, the more I realized how helpful and essential it is to set my goals far in advance. It keeps me focused and organized.

I have five tips to share with you:

1: Don’t be afraid to dream.

Self-confidence comes from doing things you are afraid to do. You may be afraid to fail or afraid of what others will think. The quicker you get yourself out of your comfort zone, the more possibilities you will see in front of your eyes.

2: Establish “space” for your goals.

You will need a physical space, like your workspace, but also a mental space for your goals. Once you set your plan, draw a clear boundary around it. Maybe you have to pass on some party invites or your favorite TV show… prepare upfront what you have to give up, and you will have an easier time sticking to your goals.

3: Make an achievable plan.

Dreaming big is good, but achievability is more critical. Feel free to adjust your goals. There is no shame in modifying your goals as you implement them.

4: Attach every goal with a deadline.

Self-impose accountability. Without a deadline, it’s easier to find excuses for not reaching your goals.

After you try your best, you may still miss the deadline.  Don’t worry, think of how much you’ve grown through the process. The goal is to keep you a self-starter.

5: Find an accountability partner.

Two are better than one. Find a family member or friend to share your goals. And check in with each other once every month or so.

check out this post for more self-motivation tips. https://yingmclane.com/have-you-written-a-note-to-yourself/

I hope 2023 will bring you many blessings and happiness!!

Ying

The post <strong>Five Tips for Setting Your Creative Goals for 2023</strong> appeared first on Ying McLane.

If you haven’t yet, try it. November is a good month to start planning your goals and dreams for next year.

Write down what’s truly important to you in your life. Write down what you have accomplished this year and where you feel God is leading you in the new year. And write down the encouraging words you want to hear from someone else. 

Here is my note to myself for 2023:

Ying, you have been obedient to the will of God most of the time in 2022. Great job! I hope you will keep up the good work. Always put God and the best interest of your family first. Remember, walking with Jesus is a day-to-day task. Raising children with good character takes a day-to-day effort. Making spiritual progress requires day-to-day intention. 

It may be hard to see any accomplishment in a short period, but you will see how much you have grown in 6 months. So keep moving the needle. Don’t compare your race with someone else’s race. Because you don’t know where they started. Do everything with integrity and diligence. Keep your heart open for new opportunities, new friendships, and, most importantly, the voice of your Father. 

2023 will be the year you are continually making real progress.

Remember, “Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice. Respect is a choice. Whatever choice you make makes you. Choose wisely.” 

― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

I would love to hear about your writing a note to yourself! You can do so by replying to this email or making a comment on my blog post.

check out this post for more encouragement: https://yingmclane.com/five-tips-for-setting-your-creative-goals-for-2023/

Cheering you on, friend!

Ying

www.yingmclane.com

The post Have You Written a Note to Yourself? appeared first on Ying McLane.

I put the painting on the table and anxiously waited for my friend Nicole’s arrival at our little gathering. It’s a painting of Jesus holding her daughter, who has a big bright smile on her face, and she is waving back to us.

Nicole just lost her young daughter, who was born with a genetic heart defect. She gave me the great honor to paint a vision her friend had: Jesus holding her daughter, waving back like she is saying: I am ok, and you should be allowed to be ok too.

 I was nervous about whether my painting captured this precious vision.

Then Nicole came in the door. She has this peaceful continence. She smiled, and her eyes glimmered when she saw the picture: She loved it. And at that moment, I felt I had just witnessed a true Christian testimony about faith, love, and victory.

She shared with us afterward: she was writing a book about spiritual warfare—her life of fighting for her daughter’s survival.

She said after her daughter had passed, one of the times she tried to sit down and write, a voice in her mind told her: Who will read a book written by someone who lost the battle? — well, we all know whose voice that was, right?

But immediately, she heard God’s voice saying: Job well done, my child.

She believes God is pleased with her for doing everything she could to care for her daughter in the short three years she lived on this side of heaven. And her daughter has brought a great community to rally around her. That’s her daughter’s legacy and gift to the world.

She did not lose. She has won the spiritual warfare. She is victorious.

A story like this is a great reminder that there are two voices constantly circling in our ears: God’s voice and the enemy’s voice.

If my friend listened to the enemy’s voice, she could easily drown in sorrow and bitterness. She would not be able to honor her daughter’s legacy and give her testimony of the love of our Father.

But she chooses to listen to the bigger voice. It’s not easy, of course, because the enemy is sneaky and crafty.

The battle is daily, and the choice could be within minutes. But it’s in those battles, those warfares, those choices, we learn and repeat, learn and repeat, until we become stronger and always battle-ready.

The voice of God will never condemn, causing guilt or shame. It’s always affirming, encouraging, and pointing you back to Him.

May you keep the voice of God close to your heart always, friend!

You could leave a comment here if this post touched your heart. 

 Love

 Ying

www.yingmclane.com

To view more of my Christian art, go to https://yingmclane.com/christian-art/

To learn more about Christian art, check out this website https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-20-27-40-2022/

The post Whose Voice are You Listening to? appeared first on Ying McLane.