Root of Jesse

Isaiah 11:10-11

On that day, the root of Jesse will stand as a signal to the peoples. The nations will seek him out, and his dwelling will be glorious. On that day, the Lord will extend his hand a second time to reclaim the survivors of God’s people who are left from Assyria and from Egypt, from Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea.

Light shining in dark places

My prayer today is that God would use me as a light that shines into dark places...

2 Peter 1:19

¹⁹ We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

Morning Star

I sketched this the other day and had completely forgotten about it.  This often happens to me as I have random sketch books that live in my car, backpack, and throughout the house.  I did not remember the drawing until the other morning while jogging along the river trail at 5:45 AM.  I had just rounded a corner when the brightest star I had ever seen captured my attention.  I stopped and just starred at it, frozen for an instance by the bright morning star.  At first I thought it must be an airplane as the light seemed much to bright and close to be a star, but as the seconds clicked by I realized that it was in fact stationary in the predawn sky.  It was in that moment that God reminded me of the sketch I had done a few days earlier.  I could not get the morning star out of my head and I felt as if God was trying to help me remember something important.   When I got home I did a quick search on morning star on biblegateway.com and found several scriptures that helped me to better understand the promise that God was laying on my heart.  Jesus sets the bar for letting his light shine, and it is that very promise he is asking me to remember.  He has entrusted me with his light and is asking me to let it shine in the dark places.  Where is God asking you to shine your light?

2 Peter 1:19

¹⁹ We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

Revelations 22:16-17

¹⁶ “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

¹⁷ The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

Matthew 5:15-16 

¹⁵ Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house.

¹⁶ Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Faithful and True

 

Trustworthy

Unyielding

Faithful

True

All words that I would use to describe Christ.  Today I am thankful of the promise delivered and the promises to come.

 

Revelation 19:11-16

¹¹ Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. ¹² His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. ¹³ He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. ¹⁴ And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. ¹⁵ Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. ¹⁶ And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS.

The Lord is my Rock

This weekend my wife and I took our boys rock hunting at Glass Butte in Central Oregon.   The boys scrambled over acres of high mountain desert filling their pockets with pounds of obsidian.     Obsidian has been used to make tools, knives, arrowheads, jewelry, and even surgical tools.  We have not made any arrowheads yet, but we did get a bit creative with some metallic sharpies.  We now have several pieces of Obsidian by our fireplace reminding us daily that the Lord is our Rock and our Fortress. 

Psalm 18:2-3

² The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
³ I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
And I am saved from my enemies.

Then God

For Christmas service at our church I was asked to create a painting that showed God's light.  Not an easy task, and one which caused me to do much pondering.  In Revelations it is written that His face shines like the very Sun.  In Genesis God spoke light into existence in four words.  Moses was hidden in the cleft of a rock before he could catch a mere glimpse of God from the back.  God's light can not be dulled, extinguished, or diverted.  God's light is powerful, wild, joyful, and tender all at once.  As I prayed about the project I realized quickly that I could not recreate God's light, so I set out to create a painting that began in darkness and moved toward God's light. See time-lapse of painting below.   In life I often start haphazardly, leap before I look, step into it.  It is often in those moments that I have a "Then God moment".  The aha where I realize that I got ahead of God's plan once again.  It is my prayer today that I would bathe in God's light and that I would walk only where that light shines.

Isaiah 60:1-3

60 “Arise, shine, for your light has come,
    and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
² See, darkness covers the earth
    and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
    and his glory appears over you.
³ Nations will come to your light,
    and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

cloud of fire

The sunset the other night reminded me of the below verse.  I am continually blown away by Gods beauty that surrounds us.

Numbers 9:15-17

The Cloud Above the Tabernacle

¹⁵ On the day the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant law, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire. ¹⁶ That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire. ¹⁷ Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped.

Moments captured

Moment in time can be archived in our memory banks, but they are never as precious as the instant they actually happen.  Last night my wife and I sat down with our boys to do our nightly advent reading and activity.  Our activity was to flip through the pages of the Worldvision gift catalog and select items that we wanted to purchase for those in need.  This is the third year that we have done this, and each year gets better.  After we all made our selections we prayed that God would bless the individuals that would receive the livestock, bibles, mosquito nets and soccer balls we had selected.  Ben, my 9 year old, was still looking at the magazine.  He turned to my wife and I and read "When children can't get warm, death can come in many forms. Your gift multiplies 10 times to send life-saving clothes to children around the world."  Ben then went to his wallet and pulled out $52 and said that he would like to put that toward clothing for kids in need.  He did the math and said that is a $520 value.  Our hearts melted in that moment.  Our son is learning the value of giving and loving others.  Ben sacrificed 70% of his money.  This is a precious moment that I would love to be able to play back over and over.

Hebrews 13:15-17

¹⁵ Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. ¹⁶ And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
I am working on a new Painting and thought I would capture a time lapse video along the way. 

Boiling Cold

I walked down to the river today and took this photo as I paused to let my Dog Gus get a drink.  The water seemed to be boiling as it forced it way down stream.   Standing next to the roar of the river reminded me that I server a powerful God, a God that will not be constrained by walls, a God that loved me even before I knew him, a God that washes me clean and leaves me white as snow.

Psalm 147:15-18

 ¹⁵He sends his command to the earth;
    his word runs swiftly.
¹⁶ He spreads the snow like wool
    and scatters the frost like ashes.
¹⁷ He hurls down his hail like pebbles.
    Who can withstand his icy blast?
¹⁸ He sends his word and melts them;
    he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.

Prepared

Tonight I have been thinking about sharing with others. In first Peter 3:15 it is written that we should "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." Tonight I pray for opportunities to share the hope I have

1 Peter 3:14-16

14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats[a]; do not be frightened.”[b] 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Squamous cell carcinoma

Today I am very thankful for 15 stitches and a two inch scar that will eventually look like a small sword on the side of my cheek.  I am thankful for a nurse named Gary who spends every working day walking with patients through Mohs surgery.  I am thankful for Garys' love of the Lord and his willingness to bring God into his patient care.  I am thankful for Dr Peters steady hand, love for God,  and amazing bedside manner.  I am thankful for my loving wife who sat by my side, and my children who prayed for me.  I am thankful that the skin cancer I had was fully removed and did not have deep roots.   I am most thankful for the faith God has given me.  He granted me a peace as I walked through this process and continues to grow my roots of faith stronger each day.
I sketched this drawing while waiting to hear the results of the testing from the material the doctor had removed from my left cheek.  I was in a recovery lounge w/ several other patients all with compression bandages on various parts of their bodies.   My prayer today is that God would grant them quick healing and that their faith, not their cancer, would grow.

Squamous cell carcinoma

About 2 out of 10 skin cancers are squamous cell carcinomas (also called squamous cell cancers). The cells in these cancers share features with the squamous cells seen in the outer layers of the skin.

These cancers commonly appear on sun-exposed areas of the body such as the face, ears, neck, lips, and backs of the hands.

Colossians 2:6-7

⁶ So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Thankful

This weekend I hiked to the top of Smith Rock with my family and a few friends.  The above photo is what greeted us as we crested the summit.  We had done the bulk of the hike in the shade of the cliffs and only emerged into the late afternoon sun at the very top.  My six year old said it best with a simple grin and a "WOW Dad".    I am thankful for the beauty that God has created all around us.  I am also thankful that I serve a God that promises a treasure that lasts.  Everything around me might fall, but God remains constant and his love for me will never change.

Hebrews 12:27-29

²⁷ The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, ²⁹ for our “God is a consuming fire.

Inside my head

 

Thought I would let you inside my head today. 

• What I am working on....  Several paintings that include elements of the Holy spirit raining down.

• What I am currently reading...  Ephesians.  I have always loved this book of the bible and after spending the last few months focused on the old testament it has been a breath of fresh air

• My prayer for today...  I have been focused on what it looks like to live out my Faith and how I can impact others through the gifts that God has given me.  I have had several conversations with some friends who are missionaries in Haiti regarding a specific art project.  My prayer today is that God would have his hand on this project and be the overwhelming guiding force.

• What did I eat for lunch today...  Rice, bean and cheese burrito from Longboard Louie's  

Whats inside your head today.

Patrick

Rooted in Jesus

Paul writes about being rooted in Christ.  He is an inspiration of strength through all situations.  I pray that I can remember his words in Philippians 4:11-13 as I walk out each day.  I send a special prayer up for DJ who is going through a very rough time.  May God grant him the faith to walk it out day by day.

Psalm 51

While painting this I was consumed with the idea of capturing the movement of the Holy Spirit.  I considered the fact that it is only through the Holy Spirit working in me that I am able to accomplish the things that God has asked of me.  Psalm 51 stood out because David was in a place of repentance.   He was asking God to wash him clean and in his own words in verse 11 he stated "Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me."  David knew the power of the Holy Spirit and he knew that he did not want to walk through life without Gods presence dwelling within him.  This was a reality that very few knew during Davids time.  Jesus changed it with one selfless act.  With his sacrifice he paved the way for all of us to know and be filled.  As I painted this I thought about the water of baptism and the fire of the Spirit.  I imagined pure light, joy, and the unstoppable power and presence of God.  I am thankful for the sacrifice that Jesus made for me and it is my prayer that I would not take the privilege of knowing  the Holy Spirit for granted.  

Psalm 51

Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
    blot out my transgressions.
² Wash away all my iniquity
    and cleanse me from my sin.

³ For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is always before me.
⁴ Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
    and justified when you judge.
⁵ Surely I was sinful at birth,
    sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
⁶ Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
    you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

⁷ Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
⁸ Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
⁹ Hide your face from my sins
    and blot out all my iniquity.

¹⁰ Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
¹¹ Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
¹² Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

¹³ Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    so that sinners will turn back to you.
¹⁴ Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
    you who are God my Savior,
    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
¹⁵ Open my lips, Lord,
    and my mouth will declare your praise.
¹⁶ You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
¹⁷ My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart
    you, God, will not despise.

¹⁸ May it please you to prosper Zion,
    to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
¹⁹ Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
    in burnt offerings offered whole;
    then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Notes

 

Release

I have been thinking a-lot about the release of the Holy Spirit.  Specifically what it might look like if you could capture the release in a series of images.  I have been sketching, painting and praying through my very question.  Over the next few weeks I will be posting various sketches and paintings that are the fruit of my quiet time with the Lord.   I have been finding strength in the fact that the Holy Spirit works in us through love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

Galatians 5:22-23

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Sing from the Mountain tops

Sing from the Mountain Tops
Praise His name
Be filled with His whispered breath
Reach deep and seek His glory

Psalm 48

¹ Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise,
    in the city of our God, his holy mountain.

² Beautiful in its loftiness,
    the joy of the whole earth,
like the heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion,
    the city of the Great King.
³ God is in her citadels;
    he has shown himself to be her fortress.

Joyful heart

God gives some the gift of Joy. I met a flight attendant the other day that brought joy to at least half the plane including my family. At the end of the flight I gave her the sketch I had been working on, thanked her for her joy and encouraged her to keep using her gift.

Today we went to a local only beach on the west side of Ohau. There we met several regulars that made a lasting impression. They shared there paddle boards, outrigger canoe and surfboard. We shared stories, laughed, played in the ocean, built sand castles and learned a-lot about Hawaiian culture. Cory, a local with two large tattoos covering his shoulders spent time explaining how the Hawaiian symbols of his tats told the story of proverb 2 and Mathew 15. We were the only non Hawaiian family on the beach in what is considered one of the roughest neighborhoods on the Island, yet we found ourselves among friends.

My prayer today is that God will continue to place me in the path of those who are living out of a place of joy.



Psalm 19:8

The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eye.

Whispered

Be still
Listen to a whispered word
Hear as I breath your name
Take heart as I have set you apart and provide all you need to complete your task.
Know my voice.

ABIDE!

For I am the Lord your God and King

Ephesians 1:17-18

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,