Perseverance

<sup>A tree growing in the wild does so through perseverance.  It must have solid roots, reaching deep for sustaining moisture.  It stretches with it branches toward the sky to pull in the life giving rays of the son, and it must be firmly rooted to withstand the wind, and rain.   It stands firm storing up in times of plenty, and it stands firm surviving upon it stores in times of little.  It is my prayer today that I would store up the word of God in my heart and grow my roots deep in the faith that only God can give. 

 James 1:2-7</sup>
 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

Cleft of the Rock

I was recently on a business trip in southern Utah and found with the daylight hours extending until 9PM, I had time to explore some of the many state and national parks after work.  During a hike though Snow Canyon I found the unique rock outcropping pictured above.  It reminded me of the story of Moses being hidden in the cleft of the rock as God passed by.   As I peered out through the opening I was in awe of the beauty before me.  It is hard to visit such a place and not pause to marvel at just how creative God is.  His sculptures, design, and colors can not be matched by any artist.  I am simply blow away by his creation.  

Exodus 33:21-23New International Version

²¹ Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. ²² When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. ²³ Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

 Carved by wind and water

Feeling small and in Awe in Zion

The Giving Tree

 

Do you remember the book the The Giving tree by Shel Silverstein.  My mom read me that book so many times that I had it memorized.  If she missed so much as a word, I would stop her, and say that's not right, then repeat the page from memory.   The book helped me to understand the concept of unconditional love.  This is the same kind of Love Jesus presents us each day.  He loves each of us with his entire being.  He loves us without requiring reciprocation, and like the tree he was willing to sacrifice his all to show us that love.   When I sketch this drawing I was reminded of the many times the tree shook with joy.  My prayer today is that I would not just take from Jesus, I pray that I would learn from his example of unconditional love and seek to love others as Jesus loves me.  

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.

Church Notes

My brain tends to process better in images than text.  That said my notes from church often take a pictorial format with words scattered throughout the page.  My wife grabbed my sketch toward the end of the service and penned the accompanying verse.  I love the verse she selected because it reminds me that, when we have fallen and find ourselves in a dark place, God is there to lift us up and provide the light we need to climb back onto His path.   I am thankful for a God that shines his light into the dark places, filling them with hope, forgiveness, and love. 

Micah 7:8Amplified Bible (AMP)

8 Rejoice not against me, O my enemy! When I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light to me.

One twig at a time

How does a bird build a Nest?   One twig at a time.  I had this thought as I sketched the above piece.  If you have ever spent time looking at a finished birds nest, it is hard to believe that something so well designed is constructed from gathered bits and pieces.  The finished product is constructed with a keen eye and by design.  Each piece is purposefully selected and strategically placed.  This same thought hit me as I read John 1:1-18.  God's master plan was laid out from the beginning.  Each piece fitting perfectly together through the Old Testament, leading us on a journey that would result in the firm foundation of Grace, we know as Christ. 

   

John 1:1-18

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴ In him was life,and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome^[a]it.

⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John.⁷ He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. ⁸ He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

⁹ The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.¹¹ He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹² Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— ¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

¹⁴ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

¹⁵ (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”)¹⁶ Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. ¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses;grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and^[b] is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. 

Lean in

 This week I traveled to Madison Wisconsin for work.  This gave me time to read my bible and sketch on the plane.  I found myself thinking a-lot about the current state of my walk with Christ.  I am in a good place, but I have not stretched my faith in a while.  I have reached a plateau of sorts.  My desire is to grow deeper in my faith.  As the week went on I continued to ponder the question of just how to ignite a new period of growth.  The answer hit me while I was reading my bible one evening after work.  In James 4:8 it says "Come near to the Lord and he will come near to you".  It is very simple really, if I desire to stretch my faith and grow in my relationship with Christ, I simple need to spend more time with Him.   It is only when I spend time with God that He can guide me into the next adventure.    

 

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding; 

 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

Wisdom of a 7 year old

My 7 year old asked me the other day - "Dad, what is the most important thing in life?"  We were in the kitchen making dinner at the time when he dropped this jewel of a question.  Rather than giving him a canned fast answer, I stopped what I was doing and looked him in the eye.  I said Sevi, what do you think is the most important thing in life?  He said, loving God is most important.  Wow,  my 7 year old understands something that took me well into adulthood to grasp. 
The fact is that God loved us before we even thought to love him back.  He loves us 100% from the start.  He can't love us anymore, or any less.  He loves equally without prejudice. 
Sevi and I had a great conversation about God's love for us.  I used the opportunity to ask many other questions.  The gold nugget of the conversation was when Sevi and I talked about another young boy that he had recently had a conflict with.  I asked him if he thought God loved this boy less, more, or the same.  Sevi thought for a few seconds and then said the same.  He is spot on.
I thought about this conversation as I sketched the above drawing.  My prayer today is that God would continue to teach me just how deep and wide his love actually is. 

Operating in Gods love will take you to places that you never thought you could go.

 Ephesians 3:15-19
For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Wisdom

 

I sketched this while visiting Wellspring church in Ellensburg WA. over Christmas break.  I handed it to my wife when my youngest son Sevi needed to be taken to the restroom.  Lynda stuck the sketch into her bible for safe keeping.  Later in the day I opened Lynda's bible to retrieve the sketch and noticed it had been placed next to Proverbs 4.   A seemingly random placement of a sketch by my wife in her bible has been a real blessing to me. 

Proverbs 4

4 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;
    pay attention and gain understanding.
² I give you sound learning,
    so do not forsake my teaching.
³ For I too was a son to my father,
    still tender, and cherished by my mother.
⁴ Then he taught me, and he said to me,
    “Take hold of my words with all your heart;
    keep my commands, and you will live.
⁵ Get wisdom, get understanding;
    do not forget my words or turn away from them.
⁶ Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
    love her, and she will watch over you.
⁷ The beginning of wisdom is this: Get^[a] wisdom.
    Though it cost all you have,^[b] get understanding.
⁸ Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
    embrace her, and she will honor you.
⁹ She will give you a garland to grace your head
    and present you with a glorious crown.”

¹⁰ Listen, my son, accept what I say,
    and the years of your life will be many.
¹¹ I instruct you in the way of wisdom
    and lead you along straight paths.
¹² When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
    when you run, you will not stumble.
¹³ Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
    guard it well, for it is your life.
¹⁴ Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
    or walk in the way of evildoers.
¹⁵ Avoid it, do not travel on it;
    turn from it and go on your way.
¹⁶ For they cannot rest until they do evil;
    they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
¹⁷ They eat the bread of wickedness
    and drink the wine of violence.

¹⁸ The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,
    shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
¹⁹ But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
    they do not know what makes them stumble.

²⁰ My son, pay attention to what I say;
    turn your ear to my words.
²¹ Do not let them out of your sight,
    keep them within your heart;
²² for they are life to those who find them
    and health to one’s whole body.
²³ Above all else, guard your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.
²⁴ Keep your mouth free of perversity;
    keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
²⁵ Let your eyes look straight ahead;
    fix your gaze directly before you.
²⁶ Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
    and be steadfast in all your ways.
²⁷ Do not turn to the right or the left;
    keep your foot from evil.

Faith without works is dead

 ^{Faith is a gift to be shared.  If it is hidden away, buried, or masked, it is wasted.  Faith without works is dead.  The action is a direct result of God using the faith that he has given you to bless others.  I found these thoughts rolling through my head as I sketched the dead forest above.  I found myself thinking that faith, if not exercised,  may spoil, rot, or even disappear.   I began to ask myself the hard questions.  What have I done lately to exercise my faith?  When was the last time I stepped out of my comfort zone in my pursuit of Christ?  God's simple answer is "Patrick, open your eyes and I will show you the need that is all around you".  I pray today that I would see others with God's eyes and that my Faith would be exercised.}

^{James 2:14-25}

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

²⁰ You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless^[d]? ²¹ Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. ²³ And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”^[e] and he was called God’s friend. ²⁴ You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

²⁵ In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?²⁶ As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Patience

I had the opportunity to share with Olivia while traveling from Chicago to LA a few weeks ago.  I had been reading James in my bible and sketched the above drawing.  When I finished I felt God's tug on my heart to give the drawing to Olivia, the passenger sitting next to me, and share with her what I had been reading in James.  She told me it was exactly what she needed to hear and it opened the door for a rich conversation about her 74 years on this earth.  I am thankful for that conversation and pray that Olivia continues to grow in her faith.

James 1:2-8

²Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

Family

family (from Latin: familia) is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity (by recognized birth), affinity (by marriage), or co-residence/shared consumption (see Nurture kinship).
Christ had a much broader view of family.  He said in Luke 8 ²¹  “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”  Christ welcomes all to the family, excluding know-one.   I am very thankful to be counted as part of Christ's family, and rejoice in the strength he provides.  I pray that I would hear God's word, see others through God's eyes, and that I would have compassion to love the unlovable.  

Mark 9:36-38

³⁶ He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them,³⁷ “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

Adventure of Marriage

I recently had the opportunity to create a painting to be used in a friends wedding.   I spent several weeks praying for the couple, then began to apply paint to canvas.  It was truly a joy to pray for my friends as I painted this piece.  The tree represents the couples strong foundation in Christ.  The valley and mountain tops are representative of the adventures, good time, struggles and journey that the couple will experience over the years.  The lack of foliage is representative of stepping into marriage with nothing expect love and commitment.  My prayer for the couple is that the foliage will fill in throughout the years, their roots as a couple in Christ will grow deep and strong, and the adventure of marriage will draw them closer to God and each other.  I pray that they will realize that marriage is not the finish line of dating, but the beginning of a union between two heart, a partnership of strength, and a journey with an itinerary that spans a lifetime. 

Matthew 19:5-6

⁵ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’^[a]? ⁶ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Pressing In

I painted this a few weeks ago and have been struck by the words "Pressing In".  This led me to Philippians 3.  Paul talks about pressing in, looking forward toward the promise of Christ.  I find myself often looking back, wishing for the chance for a do-over.  Today I am reminded that we get one chance for everything we do.  Each minute is new, and we have the opportunity to press in with each step we take.  My prayer today is that I would accept the challenge to press in and live each moment for the unique opportunity that it is.  I pray that I would move ahead, and press in with the strength that only Christ can provide.

Philippians 3:7-14

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Balance

I often struggle with balance.  I tend to throw myself 110% in whatever I am doing, and often find myself over-extended, exhausted, and ever watching my to do list grow.  In reflection I am typically missing a key starter question.  What direction is God pointing me in?  I am so busy getting things done and fitting stuff in, that I have not stopped to take a few minutes to pray about the direction my Father would have me go.  Ironically injuries have been the one thing to slow me down.  Today I am nursing an injured shoulder, the product of a 5AM mt bike rides before work.   This pause has caused me to reflect on the balance in my life.  I pray that I will rejoice and accept the peace that God has promised.  I pray that my heart would be steered in the direction that God is moving.  I pray that God would allow me to find balance in Him.

Philippians 4:4-7
⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 42

 

This last few months have felt a bit like being caught in the breakers after a wipe out.  Just when you pop up for air another wave crashes over your head.  It is in those times where the peace that God brings is so very important.  His presence calms the slamming waves and brings fresh air to oxygen starved lungs.  My family has been caught in the kayos of  life, death, and change.  Through all of it we have been epically thankful for the God we serve and the joy and peace he brings.  I am thankful for our relationship with a heavenly father who deeply cares for us, and I am thankful for the people he brings into our lives who distribute his love.

Psalm 42

¹ As the deer pants for streams of water,
    so my soul pants for you, my God.
² My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
    When can I go and meet with God?
³ My tears have been my food
    day and night,
while people say to me all day long,
    “Where is your God?”
⁴ These things I remember
    as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go to the house of God
    under the protection of the Mighty One
with shouts of joy and praise
    among the festive throng.

⁵ Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God.

⁶ My soul is downcast within me;
    therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
    the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
⁷ Deep calls to deep
    in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
    have swept over me.

⁸ By day the Lord directs his love,
    at night his song is with me—
    a prayer to the God of my life.

⁹ I say to God my Rock,
    “Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
    oppressed by the enemy?”
¹⁰ My bones suffer mortal agony
    as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
    “Where is your God?”

¹¹ Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God.

Pray for all people

 I was reminded today as I read 1 Timothy that God has called us to pray, petition, and intercede for, and on the behalf of all people.  This includes your boss, coworker, neighbor, cranky lady at the check out and yes even the guy who cut you off this morning on your way to work.  

I have determined to put this into practice in one simple way.  Each time I have a conflict with a person, I will stop and pray for that person prior to addressing the issue.  The prayer can be as simple as "God, I know that you have a plan for all of us and I lift up (insert name) and pray that you will have a hand in resolving the conflict that is causing mistrust in our relationship". 

Each day as I step into the fire of life I need to remember that I carry a promise that is much bigger than the problems of this world and I have a light within me that if allowed to shine will add light to the dark places.

1 Timothy 2:1-6

 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior,  who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,  who gave himself as a ransom for all people.

Death could not hold Him

 <sup>Death could not hold him.  Jesus took upon himself the weight of all our sin.  He became that which he despised the most,  but because he was without sin death could not hold him.  I am so very thankful for the gift that Jesus has given me.  He has risen, He has risen indeed.


 Acts 2:24

24</sup> But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

Mountain Top Experience

Today I would like to tell you about a friend of mine who is in the middle of a Mountain Top Experience. Gretchen Weller is a devoted wife and mother of three beautiful children,  she plays a mean bass guitar,  and loves God with all her heart.  It came as a shock to us all when she was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.  My family and I began to pray daily for the Weller's.  As we prayed God began to tug on my heart to step out and do more than just pray.  It was at that point that I began the above painting.  As I painted I prayed for strength and peace for Gretchen and her family as they fight to conquer the mountain that has been placed before them.  Below is a video where I invite you to pray along with me and join in supporting the Weller family.   Prints of this painting are available by clicking the buy print link above and all proceeds will go to support the Weller Family.   If you wish to make a cash donation to support the Weller's please visit their support site at Youcaring.com.

Support the Weller Family as they fight stage 4 Cancer.  

Buy a print by clicking link above

Make a direct cash donation Youcaring.com.

Psalm 121

¹ I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
² My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

³ He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
⁶ the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

⁷ The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
⁸ the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

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.