We are called to reflect the light of Jesus to the world around us. Jesus,  the greater light, says in John 9:5, “While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.”         

Hope.  Merriam-Webster defines Hope: to cherish a desire with anticipation, to want something to happen or be true. In Hebrew, hope is the word Tikvah תִּקְוָה . Strong’s defines it as a cord, expectation and hope. It comes from the root word Kavah, meaning to wait, or look eagerly for, to collect, bind together.  

Thorns, a byproduct of the fall in the Garden of Eden when man sinned, becomes a symbol of what God used to redeem His people through His Son Jesus Christ. When man sinned, the ground was cursed with “thorns and thistles” (Ge.3:18). Although they were not a part of creation, God still used this negative imagery to weave a beautiful redemptive story. 

“A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”  Jesus reached out his hand and touched 

the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.” (Matthew 8:2,3).  

Shalom שָׁלוֹם, is a multi-faceted word in Hebrew. It can be a greeting (hello or goodbye), it can also mean peace, completeness, wholeness and soundness. It can refer to a person’s wellbeing. When you bring shalom you bring wholeness, restoration to relationships. 

I believe the Lord stirred me to create this piece based on the common quote, “Nothing is ever what it seems”. This piece was physically and emotionally difficult to execute. 

With mountains of fake news and alternate facts today, this subject is quite relevant…

How certain or confident are you in God’s commitments? What comes to mind when you hear or read the phrase “I will”? Many might think of words like promise, commitment. What do you think of when God says, “I will”? It speaks of authority, sovereignty, faithfulness, love, commitment and comfort. God’s “I will” holds weight and surety.

One day the Holy Spirit kept bringing the old hymn, “Nothing but the Blood” to my heart. I played that song over and over as I created this piece because I knew I needed the cleansing blood of Christ. I needed a blood transfusion. 1John 1:7b says, “and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 

Everyone likes to get an invitation to go somewhere or participate in something with others. Who's the invitation from? What is it for? Do we commit, or do we pass? God has had a continual invitation to humanity since Adam and Eve in the Garden, through His Son Jesus Christ. Do we accept His invitation of rest, healing, restoration and forgiveness from sin? 

It is an important choice that has eternal ramifications.

The message behind this piece speaks of hope, restoration, reconciliation, redemption and revival!

From the beginning the Sabbath has been a regular, cyclical day of rest, worship, refreshment, and blessing. It is celebrated on the seventh day of the week…

Whether flowers are in a garden, grow out of a crack or in between brick, they are all still beautiful. Some flowers will be seen by many, and other flowers will be seen by just one. We are all called to bloom where God plants us, even if no one sees but God. God sees what we do to further His kingdom even if others don’t.

Normally when you see a map the information given shows the division of race, population, political affiliation, religion, and age.  I wondered, “how does God see us?”  It is called the “united” states, but I was witnessing so much division, offense, anger, and pride all around me.  Yes, indeed we are different in many ways, but we all share the same heart. 

When you cross the threshold you enter a sacred space, where you are welcomed. There is a sense of belonging, joy and God’s presence dwells there.

We are always sowing seeds, but we need to be careful (because we can be careless) of what and where we are sowing. What we sow often takes root and grows, and we want to look back and see good fruit. God sees the potential inside every seed…

Hebrews 6:19a says, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” The figurative meaning of the word anchor means…

On three occasions in the Bible, we are told that Jesus wept, but I am sure there were more…

One of my favorite hymns that I often sing within, and the Lord reminds me of. The heart of the issue is the issue of the heart!

Isaiah 66:18 “For I know their works and their thoughts, and the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory…”.