Blog to The World

Angel figurines are popular items. Collectors fill their homes with shelves of
ceramic and wooden angels, pictures are hung over the doorways that
read, “This house is protected by Angels!” and key chains
are given as gifts that plead, “Never drive faster than your
guardian angel can fly!” The angel craze is growing, but every
student of the Bible is aware that those angelic images of beautiful,
peaceful women in flowing robes with snowy-white wings, are not quite
true to life.

There
are many myths about angels that have been accepted as truths in the
world today.

1.
Angels are not people who have died. Angels are created beings, just
like us. We do not earn wings and a halo for our good behavior when
we die.

2.
Not all angels are good. Lucifer convinced one third of all the
angels in heaven to revolt against God with him. These angels chose
to follow Lucifer rather than God. These unholy angels are now called
demons, but they are still fallen angels.

3.
There are no baby angels. Angels do not marry nor do they have
children with other angels.

4.
Angels cannot die. God created them as immortal beings.

5.
Angels are not all-knowing. They do the bidding of the Father. The
Bible proclaims that no man knows the day or the hour of the end of
the Earth except the Father in heaven, not even the angels of heaven.

6.
There are no female angels. Because angels are described as having
beautiful features and are clothed in flowing white garments, they
may be mistaken for women, (thus the popularity of beautiful women
angel figurines) but the Bible has no mention of a single female
angel in heaven.

7.
Angels hold a lower status than humans in the heavenly hierarchy.
Human saints will judge all angels .Man was created lower than
angels, but he will sit in judgment of them at the end of time.

8.
Hell was never created for man. God created Hell as a place of
confinement for Lucifer and his followers. God’s intention was that
no man perishes, but all would come to Him.

9.
Angels and demons cannot separate us from God by force. If we are
far from God, it is a matter of free will.

10.
Angels do not have halos, but their countenance may seem to glow from
being in the presence of God.

11.
Angels do not always have wings. Although they are created with
wings, they are spiritual beings who can take on many different forms
when needed, even disguising themselves as men.

12.
Angels do not sit on clouds and play harps all day. They are God’s
messengers and do His work. They comfort, protect and watch over
humans. They praise God incessantly. They are strong warriors, able
to wipe out an entire civilization when so instructed. They fight
against fallen angels in spiritual battle day and night, without
ceasing. They carry the souls of the dead saints to heaven.

13.
Angels are not unorganized masses of beings that do whatever they
please all day. They are arranged into a type of military ranking and
give and receive orders.

14.
Man is warned not to worship angels. Worship and adoration are
reserved for God alone.

15.
Man’s greatest battle is not against other men, but against the evil
spirits or fallen angels.

Traditional
angel figurines may not be historically accurate depictions of these
messengers of God, but for many, they serve as a reminder that forces
unseen are at work around us and that God is in control of the
universe, making them popular symbols of comfort and faith.

We’ve
all seen them; those beautiful, mischievous, chubby-cheeked angels
that adorn romantic cards, baby nurseries and gift store shelves. But
many people only associate these cute little angels as current day
symbols of love and comfort when in fact, cherubs have a long and
interesting past that have their origins in many religions.

Cherubs,
also known as seraphim, were originally depicted in Zoroastrian, and
later Hebrew and Christian religious texts, as four-sided, four-faced
winged creatures that guard the throne of God, the entrance to the
lost Garden of Eden, and the covenant of the Ark. Later Christians
differentiated cherubs and seraphim, with cherubs being the second
highest order of angels, after the first-order seraphim. In both
Christian and Islam religions,
the cherubim (karibiyun in Islam) live in heaven and continually
praise God (or Allah).

In
fact, it wasn’t until the Renaissance period that westernized
Christianity began to change the image of the cherub into the one we
know now. In fact, the cherub that we encounter today, with its sweet
looking, child-like face and wings, better describe another form of
angel found in the Hebrew tradition, the ‘putti,’ another form of
angel entirely.

But
whatever the origin, cherubs today are associated with attributes of
God, such as love, divine thought and happiness. As angels, they are
looked upon by many as providing divine protection and guidance to
loved ones on earth. It is these meanings that make cherub figurines
such a
loving and wonderful gift for those celebrating the birth of their
child. While it seems unusual for a gift that celebrates birth to be
equally as good as a symbol to comfort bereavement and loss, it is
their representation of God’s love and protection that makes them
so.

Often
for those grieving in bereavement, adding angel and other cherub
figurines to their home environment help them to remember and focus
upon God’s love and immortality, and his eternal promise of being
reunited with their loved one in heaven in time to come. Even
bereaved without any religious belief or affiliation can be comforted
by depictions and figures of angels and cherubs, as in popular
secular culture they have come to represent
love and goodness. These angels can be a form of support that you can
provide to them for when you cannot be there.

Whatever
the religion, whatever the spiritual need, angels such as cherubs can
be wonderful symbols of your love and support. Best yet, there can
never be too many angels to watch over your loved one. A gift of an
angel, such as cherub figurine, or an angel pin will be a welcome
show of your love and support for those you love.

Cherub statues are popular collectibles, especially since the release of the
Dreamsicles figurines. These adorably chubby little people line the
shelves of collectors’ homes and grace Christmas packages and
Valentine’s Day gifts as endearing symbols of love.

Decorating
with cherubs

Cherubs
can be used in many situations to convey a feeling of love and
adoration. Their innocent looking, rosy cheeks and dimpled bottoms
can make anyone smile! Decorating with cherubs can go far beyond a
curio cabinet full of chubby figurines. Consider these ideas when
incorporating cherubs into your decorating plans.

A
cherub wedding theme is seeping with love! While dressing the
groomsmen in little diapers and arming them with bows and arrows is
not recommended, cherubs on the cake, dangling from the bridesmaids
bouquets and peeking out from behind that big bow on the back of the
bride’s dress can add a lighthearted romantic feel to a casual
wedding ceremony.

Angelic
garden decorations such as cherub statues, birdfeeders and plant
markers can bring the romance outdoors. These little angels can look
over your garden for you and may even scare aware a few hungry
rabbits!

A
cherub lined water feature can add ardor to your home’s
landscaping. Surround them with pink, red and white flowers or a bed
of roses with a cozy seat built for two, and you have created the
perfect setting for romance.

A
cherub themed baby shower and nursery are suitable for either a
little girl or a little boy. Those adorable chubby creatures will get
you in the mood for your own little bundle of joy! You can even use a
larger cherub for party guests to compete in a diapering race. For
another cherub-themed party game, hide cherubs throughout the party
room and see who can locate every little baby.

Make
your own Holiday cards with plain card stock and cut outs of cherubs.
You can even scan and print your favorite cherub images and decoupage
small gift items like flower pots and keepsake boxes to give as
gifts. Fill your cherub decorated box with fine chocolates and watch
your sweetie melt with appreciation.

Add
cherubs to your place cards at your next formal gathering and use
cherub statues surrounded by flowers as your table centerpieces.

Sneak
a small cherub attached to a steamy note into your sweetie’s lunch
to build anticipation for a special romantic evening alone.

Paint
a few groupings of cherubs on your child’s ceiling to lend a
playful and loving air to the décor.

Collect
and frame old Valentine’s Cards featuring cherubs. Vintage images
in an elegant frame will suit nearly any home décor.

Decorating
with cherub statues, figurines and images adds a sense of whimsy and
affection to your home. Special occasions, romantic get-togethers and
celebrations of love and life are all great opportunities to show off
your love for those pudgy winged creatures. The ideas for decorating
with cherubs are only limited by your imagination!

Making
over a room in a western theme can be as simple as switching out a
few pillows, adding a few wall hangings, and polishing the room with
some fun western curtains. There are a wide variety of styles to
choose from and whether you decide to go for a Southwest style or you
decide that a Wild West theme is more for you, it’s easy to put
together a look you’ll love in no time at all!

If
you go with a Southwest style, look to Santa Fe and Taos in New
Mexico for your inspiration. The colors of this area are soft and
earthy; think of the turquoise blue stones of Native American jewelry
and the muted tones of earthen pueblos. Look for materials for throws
and pillows in shades that are strong but not screaming, colors that
would come from the earth itself.

Patterns
such as those found in Zuni, Hopi, and Navajo works are excellent
examples of the use of color and rhythm in design and make beautiful,
authentic choices. Wall hangings of Southwestern icons, such as
Kokopellis and coyotes, are instantly recognizable and add a flair to
even non-adobe walls. Adding a set of western curtains with a fun
accent, such as a red chili ristra hanging at one side, finishes the
look and pull the room together.

A
Wild West theme is another fun way to go, especially if rustic is
your style. Think sun baked colors in your curtains and throw rugs,
cast iron accents, and knotty, solid pine furniture to really get the
feeling of the Old West. Iron curtain rods and rings make western curtains look
at home and are a great alternative to the usual fare.

Flanking
furniture with pine end tables and adding western theme lamps is a
great idea, along with incorporating little touches around the room
like spurs, Wild West paintings, and even items in leather to give
the room a feel that’s both rustic and put together,

The
most important thing is to have fun with the style. Mix up the
Southwestern style with the Old West and create a look that’s a
little bit Tombstone, a little bit Santa Fe. Bring in items in unique
materials such as weathered woods and slightly rusted cast iron;
these can be found at your local thrift store or flea market and are
great for lending an authentic feel to the room.

It
all starts with one great piece, from a set of end tables to the
perfect painting to the ideal western curtains, and with the addition
of a few accessories you can bring a whole new look to any room.