Life in Barren Places

Sometimes God will take us to a barren place.  It is a place where it seems like all of our hopes and dreams have died.  A place where there seems to be only death, descay and waste.  The Israelites left Egypt full of hope for a better future.  But, as the days wore on and they continued in the wilderness, the desert place, they began to doubt God and question his purpose for them.  But, even in that barren desert, God provided food, manna from heaven, and he provided water from a spring through a rock.    Even in the desert, God provided faithfully for the people.  His faithfullness renews our hope even in the wilderness places as God teaches us how to love and follow Him.  God allows us to walk in the barren desert so that we can see who He is and His faithfulness to us.

Scripture reference:  Exodus (The story of the deliverance of the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt.)

A Heart Softened by the Blood

When we allow the Blood of Jesus to do its work in our lives, God takes our hard hearts of stone and transforms our hearts into heart of flesh.  He softens our hearts and gives us a new spirit.  He takes all our stubborn pride exchanges it for humility.  He takes all our sadness and gives us His joy.  He takes all our selfishness and create in us a compassion and love for others.  It is by His blood that we are changed into people that are able to be a light and impact the world around us.

Scripture reference:  Ezekial 11:19-20

Transformed by the Cross

When we come to know Jesus and the price that He paid, with His life, for us to be reconnected with our Father and Creator, there is a transformation that begins to take place in our lives.  God takes us from a place of darkness, lonliness and shame where we are bound by the chains of sin in our lives...(sins of idolatry, immorality, perversion, addiction, unforgiveness, pride....etc) and then he moves us into a place of light where His mercy, forgiveness, grace and favor shine upon us.  The place where the fire of His Spirit stirs within us and leads us to places of victory where we before only knew defeat.  It is a place where the anointing for change rains down like rain and brings us to a place of success, prosperity and abundance in our lives.  The crown in this painting represents the priviledge that we have to experience live as the children of the King of Kings.  The Cross of Calvary is where a hopeless, desperate soul receives hope and grace for future.

Scripture references:  John 3:16-17, Hebrews 12:28-29, Acts 2:1-4, Jeremiah 29:11, and 1 Corinthians 2:9

Protected by "I AM"

Sometimes God will take us through the fires of trials and tribulations in order to form us and test our hearts.  But, He promises us that He will never leave us, nor forsake us.  And sometimes Satan comes at us with  attacks, but God promises us that no weapons formed against us will prosper.  This painting is a rendering of these truths that are found in God's Word. 

Scripture references: Isaiah 54:17, Hebrews 13:5-6, Romans 5:1-5, and 1 Peter 4:12-16

Crumbling Walls/Rising Light

"Crumbling Walls/Rising Light"

So often in life, we find ourselves bound by walls of darkness that hinder us from being the people that God desires for us to be.  This painting is a rendering of seeing those dark walls crumble as the Light of Christ rises over our lives and in our hearts.  Jesus brings freedom, hope and life.  He tears down walls of anger, violence addiction and pain.  He restores all things lost and brings about abundant provision.  And like Jerico....as the walls fall, the promise rises.

Dream

"Dream"

God has placed a God-sized dream in each of our hearts.  This is a visual reminder to allow that dream to grow.  Nurtured and watered by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives, that dream will lead us to the perfect plan of God for our lives.  

"May He grant yo according to your heart's desire, and fulfill all your purpose." - Psalm 20:4

"For the Love of Metallics"

All through scripture, the use of symbolism with precious metals is evident.  Silver and gold are representative of wealth, prosperity, purity, holiness....etc.  And bronze is used often times to represent various kingdoms and the falling away of faithful people.  Copper is used many times to represent the poor...such as the poor widow in the new testament who gave her only two copper pieces as an offering to the LORD.  I wanted to render a painting that pulled the metallics together to show the totallity and sovereignty of God...over the wealthy and the poor.  He is the God of all creation...copper, bronze, silver and gold.  The poorest to the wealthiest...He is Lord over all the earth, His precious creation.