S4 Episode #26- Anne Neilson

THE ONE WITH ANNE NEILSON

This week we are thrilled to welcome artist and author Anne Neilson to the podcast! Anne shares about her newest book, Entertaining Angels, and reminds us that Jesus desires an intimate relationship with us and He is constantly wooing us and drawing us closer to His heart. Through touching stories from her own life, Anne provides hope and encouragement to anyone struggling to surrender control of their life. She reminds us that God can bring beauty out of ashes.

A lifelong artist, Anne Neilson began painting with oils in 2003 and quickly became nationally renowned for her ethereal Angel Series. Neilson’s paintings are inspiring reflections of her faith.

In 2012, Neilson self-published her first of three coffee table books, Angels In Our Midst, selling over 30,000 copies. Following its success, Strokes of Compassion and Angels: The Collector’s Edition were released. The books follow her journey through the Angel Series, sharing inspirational and personal stories behind her paintings and the organizations she supports. Neilson also launched Anne Neilson Home - a growing collection of luxury home products including candles, notecards, scripture cards, prints and journals. Her newest work is a much-anticipated published devotional entitled Anne Neilson’s ANGELS: Devotions and Art to Encourage, Refresh and Inspire. A wife, mother of four and an artist, Neilson paints with both passion and purpose, giving back to those less fortunate through the sales of her products and paintings.

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When Anne was a young girl, she had a powerful dream that Jesus shot her to Heaven and back. When she woke up, she believed that Jesus was real! Yes, for most of her young adult life, she kept Him at arm's length. In her 20’s, Anne felt that she was in control of her life and she was rationalizing all of her sin behaviors. 

When Anne turned 30, she got down on her hands and knees and surrendered everything to The Lord. This was the moment where the peace that passes all understanding filled her. 

Anne realized that God had a plan for each season of her life– even the messy parts. It all had led her back to The Lord. 

Imagine your life like a rope. On one end of the rope is you, the other end of the rope is God. When we sin, we cut the rope because our sin separates us from God. However, God loves us so much that he re-ties the rope each time, so he is actually drawing us closer to Him. He so deeply desires an intimate relationship with us! He is constantly wooing us and drawing us closer to His heart. 

It’s not about religion, it’s about the relationship. He is living and active in our lives. He is available 24/7.

Shortly after surrendering everything in her life to The Lord, Anne was spending time in prayer and she heard the gently spoken words from God, “What do you want?” Followed by, “Are you willing to trust Me?” 

You may have a passion inside of you for something that God has created you to do. Sometimes the fruit of things might come later. We often feel like we have to accomplish everything before we are 30 or 40, or fill in your blank. However, we need to lean into the Holy Spirit, but the “hurry spirit”. We’re a society that is into microwaving, but God is into marinating. We need to surrender, trust and watch what He is going to do.  

It’s a discipline for us to surrender. There will always be things that we are waiting for because we live in a fallen world, but through it all, we need to believe that God is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do. 

Comparison is the thief of joy! We have to rely on God to lead us and guide us– not what we see others accomplishing on social media. 

CHARACTER OF GOD 

Be still and know that He is who He says He is. 

No matter what we are going through, we can cling to hope. God is who He says He is and He can bring beauty out of ashes. We have hope in Him. He is Abba Father, Creator of all. 

Many of us believe in God, but we don’t always realize how BIG He is! We can so easily put Him in a box. We serve a BIG God who can do BIG things in our lives. He can do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine! 

God sees the big picture and is working behind the scenes in ways that we can’t even imagine. We may not always understand the why, but we can trust the one! 

ENTERTAINING ANGELS 

Anne’s new book is about actions and how we can be an “angel” in someone else’s life. A little bit about the book from Anne’s website: 

“Have you ever had a moment when you were certain angels were protecting you, comforting you, holding you close? Or perhaps in a time of need, you've longed for a reminder that God's angels are nearer than we know. Experience amazing stories of the angels among us in Entertaining Angels, alongside art that will remind you clearly of the words of Scripture: "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" (Hebrews 13:2)”

Inside, read personal stories from notable guest contributors including:

  • Kathie Lee Gifford, actress, author, and singer

  • New York Times bestselling author Ron Hall

  • Sheila Walsh, host of LIFE Today

  • Award-winning country music artist Jimmy Wayne

  • Cheryl Scruggs, author and host of Thriving Beyond Belief podcast

  • And many more

“You never know who’s eyes God is watching through.”

The book helps us see how we can be God’s hands and feet here on earth. We are called to love like Jesus did. Jesus was never afraid to love the outcast, the sick, or the shunned. 

Everyone has a story to tell. By telling your story, you can bring others into a closer relationship with The Lord. Sharing the ways that God has poured His resurrection power out on you can be the very thing that someone else needs to hear in order to be strengthened, find hope, or experience the love of God. 

FINAL THOUGHTS 

The Bible is God’s love letter to us. Anne encourages us to set reminders of scripture on our phones– add the verse to your calendar and set an alert so that the verse will pop up on your phone every single day at a particular time. Take this as a moment to pause and rest in The Lord. This is a reminder to cling to God and His truth. He sees you. He loves you. He has a plan for you! 

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