I love the imagery in the bible.  Take the below verse.  It begins, Consider the ravens.  Right away my brain begins to conjure  up images of ravens.  They are really interesting birds that have mastered living in some of the most extreme environments.  I have seen them high in the mountains of Oregon soaring through blizzard conditions, and in the scorching deserts of Arizona.  In fact they live throughout major portions of North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and in all terrestrial biomes except tropical rain forests.  So I reflect and consider the raven, then I read the rest of the verse.  They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them.  And how much more valuable you are than birds!.  How much time do I waste worrying about tomorrow?  My prayer today is that I would trust more in God's plan than my own. 

Luke 12:24

²⁴ Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!

Port Au Prince Part II - Bondye se lanmou

While traveling around Port Au Prince I could not help but notice vivid color everywhere.  I can close my eyes and still see the art on wheels know as Tap Taps (group taxis), brightly colored homes and the paintings lining the walls of the street market.  Rather than taking photos along the way, I decided to simply soak in the sights and then attempt to sketch from memory the various scenes from my trip.  My sketches have ended up being a compilation of impressions from the many scenes that I witnessed throughout the city.   As I sketch God has reminded me of the beauty of the City and its millions that call it home.  I pray that God will continue to work mightily in Haiti, in and through the people who call it home. 

 

1 Jan 4: 7

 Bondye se lanmou

Mezanmi, se pou nou yonn renmen lòt paske renmen se nan men Bondye, e moun ki renmen Bondye te fèt nan Bondye e li konnen Bondye.

1 John 4:7

God Is Love

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

Port Au Prince Haiti

I recently returned from a trip to Port Au Prince Haiti.  My brain is still swimming with the beautiful images of the small island country.  My friends the Reeves family graciously hosted me during my trip.  They are the current directors of Child Hope International, an organization rooted in caring for orphans and reconnecting families.   I spent the week with them and have returned home with a fresh view of Haiti and the amazingly resilient people who call it home.  The above sketch is the first in a series that I hope one day to turn into a larger painting.

Isaiah 26:1-3

A Song of Praise

26 In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:

We have a strong city;

    God makes salvation

    its walls and ramparts.

Open the gates

    that the righteous nation may enter,

    the nation that keeps faith.

You will keep in perfect peace

    those whose minds are steadfast,

    because they trust in you.

Three times

“Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26:34‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This  verse has haunted me many times.   How often have I made a promise to God and failed to deliver.  Peter  had the best intention when he answered that he would not deny Christ, but when pressed, he caved.  My prayer today is that I would stop trying, and start relying.   I pray that I would trust in the face of adversity, and that I would let go of my insecurities that tend to push me into the comfort of the shadows.  

Two are better than one

 <sup>Today I find myself very thankful for the one that God has given me as my helpmate.  My prayer is that I would not take that relationship for granted.  I pray that God will show me unique ways to show my appreciation, affection, and joy to the woman that stands with me through it all. 

 Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

9</sup> Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. ¹⁰ For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! ¹¹ Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? ¹² And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Broken Chalk Board part 2

Romans 1:19-20(ESV)

¹⁹ For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,^[a] in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Roots

Roots:  what is hidden from view, supports, nourishes, and bears fruit in what is visible.  The hidden jewels of our hearts, and that which we identify and sink our roots into, will be apparent in the fruit we produce.  I pray that my roots will always be anchored in Jesus.

Question to ponder:  What are you rooted in? What is nourishing you?  

And The Chains Fell Off

  Peter was in jail, no chance for escape, then the impossible happened.  God loves to make the impossible possible.  It is through our weakness that his strength shines through.  Question to ponder: What impossible thing are you trusting God with?

Acts 12:7 (ESV)

⁷ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands.  ⁸ And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” ⁹ And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. ¹⁰ When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him.

Mark 14:62

Mark 14:62

And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

thousands of tiny crosses

I sketched this tree using many tiny crosses.  It reminded me of the below verse.  
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

A Promise

Take heart and know that you do not have to be alone.

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,”

John 14:16 ESV

http://bible.com/59/jhn.14.16.esv

Wind and the Waves

“He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?””

Luke 8:25 ESV

http://bible.com/59/luk.8.25.esv

Lead me to the Rock

Tiny dots...............

As we walk through life we can at times feel alone, lost, or disconnected.  During these times it can start to feel a bit overwhelming.  God reminded me this week that I am part of a much larger plan.  If you zoom into this drawing you will notice that it is entirely made up of tiny dots.  Alone each dot is just a single mark on a page, but when put together with many others, it helps to create a very complex image.  God reminded me that he wants to use me in his master plan.  He reminded me that it is his plan and he is in full control of lining up all the tiny dots.  My job is simple; serve God right where I am, and love those he places in front of me.  

Questions to ponder:  

Where has God placed your dot?  

What other dots are around you that God is asking you to partner with?  

Who has God placed in front of you that He is asking you to Love? 

 John 15:1-12

I Am the True Vine

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. ² Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³ Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷ If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. ⁹ As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. ¹¹ These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

¹² “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Revelation

Psalm 34

Psalm 34 (ESV)

Taste and See That the Lord Is Good

34 I will bless the Lord at all times;
    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
² My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
    let the humble hear and be glad.
³ Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
    and let us exalt his name together!

⁴ I sought the Lord, and he answered me
    and delivered me from all my fears.
⁵ Those who look to him are radiant,
    and their faces shall never be ashamed.
⁶ This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
    and saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷ The angel of the Lord encamps
    around those who fear him, and delivers them.

⁸ Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
⁹ Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
    for those who fear him have no lack!
¹⁰ The young lions suffer want and hunger;
    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

¹¹ Come, O children, listen to me;
    I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
¹² What man is there who desires life
    and loves many days, that he may see good?
¹³ Keep your tongue from evil
    and your lips from speaking deceit.
¹⁴ Turn away from evil and do good;
    seek peace and pursue it.

¹⁵ The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
    and his ears toward their cry.
¹⁶ The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
    to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
¹⁷ When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
    and delivers them out of all their troubles.
¹⁸ The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
    and saves the crushed in spirit.

¹⁹ Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
    but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
²⁰ He keeps all his bones;
    not one of them is broken.
²¹ Affliction will slay the wicked,
    and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
²² The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
    none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

Peace in Him

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””

John 16:33 ESV

http://bible.com/59/jhn.16.33.esv

Slowing down

I have taken a few months off from technology to live life in the moment rather than through the cropped and filtered digital memory of my iPhone.  I downshifted a bit and looked at life through my own eyes, attempting to capture mental images as I walked out my day.   I have enjoyed slowing down and living a bit closer to the present.  




 
During this time I purchased a new  ESV journal bible with high quality paper and plenty of room for drawing in the margins. 

I find my time in the word is enhanced by simply slowing down and sketching through what God is revealing on each page. 



How is God asking you to slow down?

Ask

Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.

Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing. If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. (James 1:2-6 

Desert places made new

Isaiah 41:17-20.  God loves to do the impossible with the most unlikely. All you need to do is say yes.  He will do the rest.  

“The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the Lord will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs. I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set junipers in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together, so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it. (Isaiah 41:17-20 NIV)