part of something much larger

In John 15 Jesus is referred to as the vine. Apart from him we the branches wither up and are lost. I started to think about this today when I sketched this simple drawing. Jesus is much bigger than my church, my town, my state, my country, my continent, and even the world. If I want to be part of his vine I must also realize that it is all of his followers that make up the body. Jesus reaches every corner of the earth. He does not see boarders, color, sex, or race. He is accepting of all and refines us individually. It is my prayer today that I would not cause another branch to stumble and that I would accept God's pruning with the understanding that he is shaping me to be the man he created me to be.


John 15:1-6
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

Let your light shine

I have known my wife for 20 years. We met in college and it was her beauty that first caught my eye. Her heart for God sealed the deal. Over the years I have seen her faith grow, and experienced Gods light shining through her. This drawing represents what the love of God looks like in her life and how it continues to get brighter each and every day. Lynda you are truly an inspiration and I feel blessed that you are my wife.


“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.”

BLUE

When I become blue for a time, disenchanted, tired, disappointed, sick, or downtrodden I simply need to remember the one who tasted death for me. The one who became man, truly suffered, died, was buried, and rose again. When I consider what it is that Jesus did for me, my blue fades, my suffering seems trivial. "Thank You Jesus"


Hebrews 2:2-10

It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. But there is a place where someone has testified:

“What is mankind that you are mindful of them,
a son of man that you care for him?
You made them a little[a] lower than the angels;
you crowned them with glory and honor
and put everything under their feet.”

In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them.But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.

Amazon trip video

 

1 Corinthians 12:12-27

One Path

Our lives are complicated! They are wrapped in emotion and tend to be directly affected by our immediate surroundings and state of being. Joy, peace, sorrow, dispare, boardem, excitement, depression, hope, loneliness, love, anxiety, and fear bombard us constantly. Living life without faith leaves one completely vulnerable to the emotional storms of life. Faith in God is a gift. It allows our hearts to stay centered, faith keeps us from going over the deep end, faith allows us to believe that there is more to life than just existence. I am very thankful for the faith that I have found in Jesus Christ.



Ephesians 2:8

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

Metamorphosis

While visiting the Amazon jungle I saw many different flying insects. My favorites were the dragon flies. They came in many different colors and sizes and seemed to fly with purpose. Upon my return I found out another interesting aspect of their existence that made their lives seem even more interesting.

From the time a dragonfly egg hatches, it can live anywhere from six months to six years, but only about two months as an actual dragonfly. Most of their time is spent as a nymph in the water before the dragonfly’s metamorphosis into a full grown dragonfly.

It is interesting to me that a creature so beautiful, and perfectly designed to soar spends the bulk of its life wiggling through the watter doing its best to eat and avoid being eaten. After reading this fact I began to wonder what is required in my life for true transformation. Romans calls us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This verse instructs me to give my whole self, holding nothing back. It is my prayer today that God would grant me the faith to fully trust in him, holding nothing back so that I may experience transformation allowing him to soar in me.

Romans 12:1-2
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Bogata, a moment captured

Bogata, a city of 8 million. It is 11pm and at the moment I am only interested in finding 1 of those people. Senior Saul, our caretaker for the night. Walking out of customs I search the many waving signs for my name. Daniel with a significant height advantage at 6' 9" spots senior Saul first. 35 min later we find ourselves at the home of our caretaker in the sprawling suburbs of Bogata. It has been a long day, but a good one. I close my eyes wondering what God has in store for tomorrow.

The morning comes early, but the cold shower and fine Columbian coffee do their job. Daniel and I follow Saul down the street to a small cafe. He patiently instructs us how to order in Spanish then grins like a proud papa when we both succeed in ordering coffee, eggs, and perisian style bread.

Over breakfast we struggle to communicate with our limited Spanish. I learn that Saul is an artist and ask to see his paintings. His studio is on the third floor of his home. The street level is occupied by a restaurant and the second floor is the living area. saul's paintings are beautiful. We linger in the studIo for a time and Saul picks up a guitar and plays some traditional Columbian tunes. I then ask if he would like to see some of my work. I have brought with me several sketch books and a few photos. At this point the communication feels less strained.

Saul holding a sketch of Jesus on the cross that I have shared with him looks at us very seriously and begins to share his testimony. Saul in his 60s has been a Christian for 17 years. Through Spanish, pantomime, and broken English he shares with us how he came to know Christ and decided to open up his home to missionaries and pastors who are passing through Bogata.

I met Saul as a caretaker, but he dropped me off this afternoon at the airport as a fellow artist and brother in Christ.

Daniel and I are currently on our way to Leticia to meet Our local missionary contact Orchidy Boyd.

I will finish this post with the thought that is running through my mind. We serve a truly creative God, who does not see color, language, or culture as a barrier, but only as an opportunity for creating unique connections that will draw us closer to Him and one another.

Casa de Orchidy

While in the Jungle we stayed in a one room open air structure built 8 feet off the ground. The locals called it Casa de Orchidy because it is the house that Orchidy (local missionary) stays in during her frequent visits to the village. I sketched this drawing for Orchidy's doctor, a man who not only cares for the physical needs of his patients, but who takes time to get to know them personally and will ofter use prayer as part of his treatment. He said he would remember to pray for Orchidy and the Yagua tribe each time he looks at the sketch.


Isaiah 4:6
(NIV)

6 It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.

Maria

Mother of 7, wife of the chief, master gardener, chicken farmer, chef, soccer player, and able to do serious damage with a machete. Maria took us in, fed us, gave us shelter, prayed with us, and shared her story of finding Christ at a young age in the jungles of Brazil. She has a heart for the people of her village and longs for them to understand the joy of a Christ centered life. I sketched Maria as I see her with love coming off of her in waves. I am thankful to have met Maria and found her to be a shining star that lights up the Jungle.

Leader

I found myself in the presence of a true leader.

Nelson a man who has been chief of his village for 20 years is a man that I feel blessed to have spent time with. He carries himself with the quiet confidence of one who is comfortable in all situations. He is a man of God who spends time praying for his people. Walking through the jungle with Nelson I had no doubt that he could handle anything nature could muster. I am truly thankful to have met him and pray that God will continue to stir his heart.

Hebrews 13:16-18

(NIV)

16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.

Children of the Amazon

The children of the Yagua village captured my heart. In them I saw joy. As in all communities the children represent the future. It is my prayer that their hearts would remain open to the love of God.



Philippians 2:1-4
1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.



Santiago, Very concerned about the snake that has been eating all the new chicks

5 years old, and has never said a word. A local audiologist has agreed to see him. Pray that his ears would be open and that his little voice will be heard.

Tough, but still reachable. We eventually got him to laugh

Picking limes to take to market in Leticia

Issela, strong, brave, and loves to play catch.

Jungle home

The river

Amazon

11 days in South America.... Hundreds of photos, lots of mosquito bites, a handful of new friends, and a broken heart for the people who have carved out a life in the jungles along the Amazon river. Daniel and I have shared our testimonies in three countries, and spent time with an indigenous people group called the Yagua. I am posting a photo of Esmith, the son of the Curaça (chief). He is six and already carries himself with confidence. His father Nelson is one of the few Christians in the village. Daniel and I were able to spend a-lot of time with his family and received a crash course in basic jungle living. I plan to post several other images upon my return. Signing out from Bogata.

Melchizedek

Abraham was blessed by Melchizedek, Jesus entered on our behalf and became a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. I am really intrigued by this character that shows up in the bible only a few times and whom we know little about. Melchizedek - means king of righteousness. He was the king of Salem, which means king of peace. Fitting, that Jesus, would become the high priest forever being the embodiment of righteousness and peace.

Hebrews 7:17-27(NIV)

17 For it is declared:

“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.”[a]

18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him:

“The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind:
‘You are a priest forever.’”[b]

22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.

23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely[c] those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself

For more on Melchizedek see Psalm 110:4, Genesis 14:18, Hebrews 5:6, Hebrews 5:10, Hebrews 6:20, Hebrews 7:1, Hebrews 7:2, Hebrews 7:10-11, and Hebrews 7:15,

Thankful

1 Timothy 1:12

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.

Fire that does not burn

Today I continue my theme of walking through the fire. I wondered what it must have felt like for Shadrach, Meshach and Abendnego to step into the furnace. I imagine initially they felt pure terror, quickly replaced by wonder, then I imagine a great Peace. I even wonder if they struggled to leave when called out. We each have times of trial in our lives and for these three there was no compromise. They refused to worship any other Idol/God. They held firm and walked directly into Fire that did not singe or burn even a hair on their heads. The Guards who escorted them to the door were killed instantly as the flames were so intense.

We serve the same God that protected Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendnego. What an awesome testimony. The real question is how is God refining you lately and in what areas has he allowed you to walk into and through the fire?

Daniel 3:13-30

13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us[c] from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”

They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.”

25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”

So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.”

30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

Cover

I sketched this on my flight home from NY a few weeks ago. I had been praying for my little ones. As I prayed I visualized in my mind what security to a child must feel like. I can remember as a child curling up on my Dad's lap and feeling total peace. I then started to ponder the security that God provides. It is invisible, yet provides ultimate comfort. May we find comfort in the promise of Psalm 91.

A short note to readers: I leave in 14 days for a 11 day mission trip to the Amazon Jungle. I would appreciate your prayers. I will be posting drawings and photos upon my return.

Psalm 91:3-5
(NIV)

3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

Live Painting

I had the opportunity to paint live for the Women of Vision Kittitas County Event a few weeks ago. I had only painted live one other time and did not feel totally at ease with the thought of painting in front of a crowd. It has been my prayer this year to say yes when I feel God prompting me, so I accepted knowing that God would use this opportunity to stretch my comfort zone.. I showed up with a blank canvas and had roughly 2 hours to come up with a semi finished piece. I spent some time prying before the event and a verse that a friend of mine had shared several weeks prior came to mind.

Psalm 126:5
Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.

When I look at this piece I think about the Holy Spirit prompting us to step out and sow seeds over uncharted/unknown territory. I think about the promise of adventure when we choose to follow Christ, and I think about the unknown in saying yes. The experience was good, and God certainly stretched my comfort zone. What is he asking you to say Yes to this week?

Walking through the fire

Isaiah 43:1-2

1 But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

Fall like rain

Words penned by Moses just before he died. The message has not changed, but the difference now is that the price has been paid once and for all.... Oh how thankful I am for Jesus...


Deuteronomy 32:1-4

1 Listen, you heavens, and I will speak;
hear, you earth, the words of my mouth.
2 Let my teaching fall like rain
and my words descend like dew,
like showers on new grass,
like abundant rain on tender plants.

3 I will proclaim the name of the LORD.
Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
4 He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong,
upright and just is he.

paddle wheel

I spotted this paddle wheel boat along the western shore of Lake Chautauqua in Mayville NY.  The boat is pulled up on shore and the wheel is sitting high and dry.  On land the vessel is incapable of fulfilling the purpose for which it was designed .  If engaged the wheel would only churn air creating nothing but a breeze.  Like the paddle wheel we are created by God for a unique purpose. It is my prayer today that God would grant me the faith, fortitude, and strength to hoist myself back into his presence when I find myself beached.  I pray that I would be ready and willing each time he chooses to use me as his vessel.

1 Peter 4:10-11
10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.