PURSUING GOD
Sometimes, when you Iive in a beautiful area, it is very easy to see GOD. The daily displays of his creations bring him easily to mind when you want to see him; however, sometimes when life is more chaotic and hectic, even when we would like to see HIM, the stresses of daily living can sometimes make this more difficult. We need to actively SEEK him.
Seek, Pursue and Find... II Chronicles 14 and 15 tells the story of King Asa of Judah who did "what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God." King Asa called upon the name of the Lord for help. God sent his prophet to King Asa who told him, "Listen to me Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you seek him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you." They turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, and he was found by them.
Jesus said, (Matthew 7:7), "Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you."
This group of paintings hopefully will depict these ideas and will enrich your experiences with our great GOD.
THIRSTING FOR GOD: "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?...Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help for my countenance and my God.” Psalm 42:1-2,11 #52 Medium: Original Oil Composition. Size: 20 X 16 on Masonite. Framed.
ROCK OF MY SALVATION: There was no doubt about what the name of this painting would be when I first saw this magnificent rock formation and decided I would paint it! There are many references to Rocks in the bible both positively and negatively; however, Jesus even told his apostle Peter, that upon his kind of faith, he would build his church! He stated, “Upon this Rock, I will build my church.” King David stated in Psalms 18: 2, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” The sky in this painting was taken from one beautiful evening in Payson, Arizona. #69 Currently featured in Arizona Rim Country Online Magazine; medium Oil using brush and palette knife technique. Size: 18 X 24 X 1-1/2, unframed.
Leavin’ It All Behind: This original Pastel Pencil drawing was inspired from a train trip we took across country. This is, of course, Chicago. We were pulling out, “Leavin’ It all Behind,” and going off to new adventures! What a beautiful adventure it was across our beautiful country! Genesis 1:1 "In the Beginning God created the heavens and the earth" It was man who made the “cities!” But we do have to admit…We Loved the train ride! #79 Pastel Chalk Original, Currently Unavailable
STREET IN COLUMBIA: While studying the art of painting with watercolors, I saw a quotation that was found on a scrap of paper among items in Leonardo Da Vinci’s room, which was as follows, “May it please the Lord, Light of all things, To show me the way, So that I might paint worthily.” What more could one ask for? #82 Vibrant Watercolor under glass; size 17-1/2 X 33, custom framed. Price $350 plus S/H. UNAVAILABLE/GIFT.
Living Waters – Under Tonto Natural Bridge (John 7:37,38) Jesus said, “If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scriptures said, from his innermost being shall flow rivers of Living Waters.” Many thousands have made the trek down underneath the beautiful Tonto Natural Bridge near Payson, Arizona painted above. This amazing place can only be described as, “One of the most beautiful of God’s creations,” by all who visit there! #83/6: Size: 23 X 19, Pastel Chalk painting, double-matted, under glass. Price: DONATED.
Rest in the Lord: Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. In times of your life when your JOYS and STRESSES are the greatest, you need to REST and REFRESH the most! Looks like this hammock is just the ticket! Size: 22 X 18 “: framed/double-matted/watercolor/under glass. GIFT.
Steadfast and True: 2 Cor 1:7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. This group of Solid Rock seems so “Steadfast and Sure” and brought these verses and thoughts to my mind as I pondered this painting. God’s word can be found everywhere and speaks to us in great abundance when we open our souls and minds to him! This scene can be found along HighwayI-40 between Nevada and Arizona. Strong and Bold scenery! Pastel Chalk Pencil. Suggested beginning bid: NFS. Auction at Benefit for PAL. Size: 23 X19 Framed
NFS - I found the real little ANGEL and presented this painting to her as a gift!
FERTILE SOIL: ‘What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed. As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road, and birds ate it. Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn’t put down roots, so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly. Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled by the weeds; but some fell on good “ploughed” earth, and produced a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.’ (Matthew13:8) ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’ (Hosea 10:12) I took the photo of this red barn on Highway I-40 on one of our trips. Isn’t it a great barn? I added in the old plough and wheelbarrow and of course other items of artistic license just for some good old-fashioned country charm, but the message hasn’t changed, fertile soil, whether it be on a farm, in a city garden, or in the garden of our souls needs good soil to be receptive to God’s plan of healthy growth and living! How’s yours doing? Size: 16 X 20 framed IN BARNWOOD oil. (Size after framing is 20 X 24).
