SAND BEING DRAWN

Breaking Intimidation

2005-12-20T18:56:00.000-08:00

Help me Father to be 100% who You want me to be, not intimidated or fearful. I repent for the anxiety of "people pleasing." I want to please You Father, I need to know how You think of me and be concerned only with Your opinion. Help me not to fear anything that remotely feels like a "table conversation" And thank You for refining me.

In Jesus Name I pray and trust,
Amen.

It's about TIME

2005-10-21T10:39:00.000-07:00

It's been a time or two since I've been by. The only way I can articulate what's been happening in my absence is with a short parable:

Digging and digging through a newly discovered tunnel (artistic worship), I found a fountain (God) and have stopped digging a while. Now, although I've put down my shovel for a while, I know I am closer than perhaps I've ever been. Not that I've arrived and not that I'm satisfied. In fact, it's quite opposite. I'm intensly not satisfied and insist on more, deeper, higher, full and overflowing...

It's time I saw the need for Him and inadaquacy of myself.
It's time I believed the Word FULLY about ALL things.
It's time to press in.
It's time to walk the talk... especially when it really counts.
It's time to embrace the fiery trials knowing they purify.
It's time to stick my neck out even if it hurts.
It's time to know the TRUTH according to the Word and not man.
It's time to seek God's approval, not man's.
It's time to reverentually fear God, not man.

I'm done staying where I was.
I never want to go backwards... and not even that, but I never want to slow down.

#67. Reflective Glory

2005-08-14T19:14:00.000-07:00

August 14, 2005.

The sun is a source of life-giving light. The moon doesn't have light of its own, but reflects the sun... easy science right?. Well it's the same with the body of Christ. We don't have glory in ourselves but are a reflection of the Source of Life-Giving Light, Jesus Christ. The question is, how much do we reflect Him? A quarter moon? Half moon? Full moon? When others look at us, hear our words, see our actions, do they see a full reflection of Him? Half? Quarter? How much?

He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less." John 3:30 NLT

#66. Bondage Breaker

2005-08-07T20:00:00.000-07:00

August 7, 2005

...[God] Who makes His angels winds and His ministering servants flames of fire." Hebrews 1:7 AMP. I thought in this case "ministering servants" was referring to angels, but I was wrong, check out the Strong's definition: 3011 (A derivative of 2992 and 2041)

The same fire the burns in my heart to draw closer to God is the same fire that burns away the impurities in me. The fire of God is hot and consuming, yet is surrounded in peace; It is able to break the bondages in our lives.

Focusing

2005-08-01T13:03:00.000-07:00

When God gave me "artistic worship" I sprinted with it. Then when "Chords of Sin" came out, things started to change. Most people probably noticed I hadn't posted for quite a while. Some worried, some prayed, some just waited. But I just couldn't pick up a pencil and draw, nor did I bring my art to church. But I didn't even notice because God got a hold of me in a strong and life-changing way.

I have been consumed with knowing Him and drawing closer to Him that I hadn't taken the time to draw. I see it now as God narrowing the road ahead of me. Now that I know I can worship artistically and that God has used it for His glory, it won't be my focus as it has the last 6 months. My focus is drawing closer to Him and going from glory to glory.

So this site will change too. There will be a number of artistic postings, but also a number of writtings and anything else that shows the magnitude, brilliance, and consuming fire that God is in my life, and those around me.

Stay tuned. Preparing has been wonderful, but now that I've actually begun, it's exhilerating!

#65. Drawn up the Mountain.

2005-07-31T20:47:00.000-07:00

July 31, 2005

So much has transpired in the last month. My pastels and pencils have been put on the shelf as God worked on the piece that is me. Drawing me closer and revealing the true me... an image I'd been blind to. But now that I see, I desire nothing but to draw closer to the True God. He's drawing me and it's like nothing I've ever experienced before. Nothing comparable. I need to know Him. Who He really is, not an image I've created. The God. The Truth. The One. The Only. I must know Him and I absolutely refuse to be the same again.

#64. God in a Flower Garden.

2005-07-13T19:30:00.000-07:00

July 13, 2005

A Vision of God in a Flower Garden.
From Jerri Phillips, to Sand Being Drawn.

God was ripping everything out! Plants were flying, roots with dirt were whizzing around. It was a barrage of stuff He was pulling up and flinging out, not looking, just throwing them behind Him and moving to the next part to be cleaned up. It almost looked bare - not barren, but bare.

Then it was as if the Lord smiled brightly and said,

See, that is where I am taking you. I have a plan, and you'll love this garden when I'm done."

I knew exactly what she was talking about when she told me this. In fact, check this out!!

#63. Sing a New Song.

2005-07-10T11:41:00.000-07:00

July 10, 2005.

These last few weeks have been remarkable, yet this last Sunday, I walked into the church feeling heavy hearted. I sang praises unto God and sang joyful songs from my heart. Soon enough the heaviness broke and all I could think of was the splendor of my God.

Praise Him.
Sing a new song.
Shout.

For His ways are good.
His presance beautiful.
He will lift you up
forever faithful.

Praise Him.
Sing a new song.
SHOUT!

#62. "Liberty"

2005-07-03T11:41:00.000-07:00

July 3, 2005.

"Is this not the fast that I have chosen:
To loose the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the heavy burdens,
To let the oppressed go free,
And that you break every yoke?

If you extend your soul to the hungry
And satisfy the afflicted soul,
Then your light shall dawn in the darkness,
And your darkness shall be as the noonday.

The Lord will guide you continually,
And satisfy your soul in drought,
And strengthen your bones;
You shall be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water,
whose waters do not fail."

Isaiah 58: 6, 10-11

... I don't wonder what my call is anymore.
Now I know, for he has shown me.

#61. Cords of Sin

2005-06-21T19:53:00.000-07:00

June 21, 2005. At Home Drawing.

You don't know why you do the things you do - come unto Me and I shall set you free." A word from the Lord June 21, 2005.

Is that word for you? Then consider:
Unrepented sin leaves an open, legal doorway for the demonic in your life....

Hear me out... Everyone knows it's hard to get loose from the grip of alcohol, smoking, adultery and all those "big sins." But what about everyday "slip-ups" like an angry temper, backbitting, gossiping and even laziness? It's almost like you don't know why you do the things you do, but you just do; It's become a part of who you are. Like a marionette. And without realizing the connection, bad things start to happen in your life. Even some sicknesses are caused by unrepented sin. (Don't believe me? Check this out!) Why? Because you haven't repented of the sin (big or small) ...

His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, And he is caught in the cords of his sin." (Prov.5:22).

But you don't have to stay bound. (That's good news!)

And if they (that means you) are bound in fetters, held in the cords of affliction, then He tells them their work and their transgressions - That they have acted defiantly. He also opens their ears to instruction, and commands that they turn from iniquity.
If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
But if they do not obey, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge." (Job 36:8-12. NKJV. Parenthesis added).

"You don't know why you do the things you do - come unto Me and I shall set you free."

The Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him; and the ropes that were on his arms became like flax (that is, linen) that is burned with fire, and his bonds broke loose from his hands." (Judges 15:14. NKJV. Parenthesis added for clarification)

To My Husband on Fathers' Day.

2005-06-19T16:38:00.000-07:00

June 19, 2005. Painting.

This was a gift I gave to my husband for being such a wonderful father to our girl and husband to me. I compared him to a lion and all the qualities that a lion has. He has strength and honour; Is made in the image of God (hense a lion). He's a joy, comfort, a provider for his family; He's faithful, a friend, mentor, leader and child of God. I love him lots.

#60. "Our Priests"

2005-06-19T11:38:00.000-07:00

June 19, 2005. Father's Day Service.

This was really neat. Our pastor had all the fathers go up to the front of the church, open their Bibles to a particular scripture (I'm finding I forget if I don't write them down) and speak a blessing over their families, friends, and congregation. It was a beautiful to hear the booming voices of 20 or so men speaking the Word of God! A real man is the one who speaks the Word of God!

#59. "Healing Hearts" - Father's Day

2005-06-19T10:39:00.000-07:00

#59. Healing Hearts - Fathers Day

This Fathers' Day, many people in our church had the opportunity to forgive and release their earthly fathers and receive the love and healing from Father God. Many had been left or hurt by their fathers and it was a difficult day for "celebration." Here is a person, pouring out their heart to the throne of God as the Holy Spirit takes his heart and begins healing their wounds. The background is the sun coming up, symbolizing a new day, a new beginning.

#58. "Our Place"

2005-06-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

June 19, 2005 - Early in the morning, Fathers' Day.

I am so thankful that I woke up 6:45am this past Sunday. As I awoke, I looked at the clock and in seeing it was still so early, I was elated to be able to go back to sleep. But then I heard my Father. He wanted to spend time with me on Fathers' Day, so I did. This picture is the place that we meet. Trees and the outdoors just seems like a good place to talk to God. We've met there for conversations, repentance, forgiveness, giving thanks, and during times of trials. On this morning, I asked Him how He wanted to spend our time; He answered "worship Me." So I did and as I sang, "I love You, Father" I saw all the times in my life where He was right there with me. Even the bag of groceries I received from a friend when we literally had NOTHING. Through "our flood," moving, growing, changing... through it all, He was there. And I was honored to meet Him at "Our Place" and bless Him this Fathers' Day.

#57. "Spirit Song"

2005-06-16T19:39:00.000-07:00

June 16, 2005. At Home.

This picture came right after "I am a well." You ever have something deep inside of you that just needs to get out? Well, I did. As I was drawing the Well picture, I felt like it wasn't doing the feeling I had in my spirit justice. So, although I'm still not sure if "I am a well" is finished, I flipped the page and just drew. Not sure what a whole lot of the images are except the purple rope is "Draw me Away!" from Song of Solomon 1:4 (my FAVORITE scripture).

#56. "I Am a Well"

2005-06-16T16:24:00.000-07:00

June 16, 2005. At Home.

This is a picture of what I felt like during a service. As I stood up, instantly I was a well. Seems strange, but it was neat. I saw two different things in my minds eye on days leading up to this: My glowing feet and a river from the back of the church to the front. As I stood, the things I'd seen and learned all came together instantly. Although I'm not entirely sure what it means to "be a well" but a scripture comes to mind,

"He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water." John 7:38 Amlified Version.

And (now this drives me CRAZY! because I don't remember nor can find the scripture reference) the teaching that evening was on how self-pity "clogs up our wells."

#55. Out of the Shadow

2005-06-15T18:39:00.000-07:00

June 15, 2005. At Home.

Today is a very important day. It's the first day of the eighth year.

It was that time ago when my sister, then 13, unexpectedly passed away. Not a highlight in my life - as you can imagine. During these last eight years, my heart would be gripped with, "what if this is the last time I'll see him/her?!" In fact, I've opted to stay home over driving 40 min. without my daughter, "because I don't have a legal written will." Even those nights when the babysitter arrives and I'm all ready to go out on a wonderful date with my husband, I consider, "what if we don't make it back? We have no will. Who will raise my daughter?"... and so on.

The 8th day is the beginning of a new week. There were 8 people who started new on Noah's ark. And today is the first day of the 8th year. I'm stepping out of the "valley of the shadow of death" and by the authority I have through Jesus Christ, I am no longer bound by those fears. I choose to trust God with the lives of those I love and with my own.

Yes, though I've walked through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no dread or evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me." Psalm 23:4. Amplified Version. (italics added)

ART By Lily

2005-06-15T11:12:00.000-07:00

Lily is my daughter. She'll be three in October and she makes me very proud! In fact, she's taught me
a few things about how God sees His children...

2005-06-15T11:04:00.000-07:00

~ Even with ketchup up one cheek, oatmeal down the other, and our dress on backwards, we are beautiful.
~We don't get everything we want because it's not good for us.
~There's a reason behind waiting.
~Seeing our tears, frowns, and fears breaks His heart.
~Even if we're being difficult, we are continuously loved.
~Seeing our smile and hearing our laughter ignites His heart.
~Discipline sucks, but it's necessary.
~We would give everything for our children
... and He already has!

#54. (No Title) For a Friend

2005-06-13T10:51:00.000-07:00

#54. June 13, 2005. At Home Pastels

... so I desired to draw something for her. I asked God again an through a series of conversations and listening to the Lord, His answer came. I'm giving her the picture June 15.... until then, I can't go into the detail of it's meaning."

Because it's of a personal matter, I kept the details short and non-specific in respect for her....

She has broken through a hard place of trials, not in her own strength, but by His. In the picture, she is pouring out the gift God has given her. This gift is like "soft smooth oil" that brings the peace of God, grace and redemption to others who are in the middle of their battle; Those who can feel the same weight and pain as she once did.

#53. "More in Number than Sand"

2005-06-12T20:07:00.000-07:00

#53. June 12, LCC PM Service

Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them. How precious and weighty also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I could count them, they would be more in number than the sand. When I awoke, [could I count to the end] I would still be with You. (Psalm 137:16-18 Amplified Version).

Many, O Lord my God, are the wonderful works which You have done, and Your thoughts toward us; no one can compare with You! If I should declare and speak of them, they are too many to be numbered. (Psalm 40:5 Amplified Version)

#52. (will be revealed october or november)

2005-06-07T10:52:00.000-07:00

#52. June 7, 2005. At Home Painting.

This image is for someone and has a special purpose that can't be revealed until this October or November. It's a painting that is four months in the making and finally came to canvas last week. Personally, I'm very pleased with it - I never considered myself a "painter" but it seems every painted piece gets better and better!

I'll re-post this image after it's been revealed. Until then, enjoy!

#51. The Flame of His Heart

2005-06-05T22:30:00.000-07:00

June 5, 2005. Woodsley Prayer Community Church PM

At the very end of our special services this week, Sister Tamara Winslow began in prophetic song and utterance. I had a general idea that the service was coming to a close and was urged in my spirit to take out my art to prepare to draw. As she sung, a flame grew on the page and metamorphosed into a woman. I waited a few minutes until I was sure this was the final image to put on paper before I began. I knew what it was:

"The Flame of His Heart: His Bride, Israel."

... a.k.a "Jesus engulfed in flames"... but you had to be there... ;)

#50. Spiritual Tools

2005-06-05T20:30:00.000-07:00

June 5, 2005 Woodsley Prayer Community Church PM

I'll need your help with this one...

During service, in faith, we stretched out our hands to recieve spiritual tools, weapons, and keys. I saw these two in my hands. So afterward I drew them in pencil. (The reason it's all orange and yellow in because the digital picture I took made it mostly undiscernable. So I used a bit of photoshop to bring it out better). Anyhoo, I know the one has a dual head, a hammer for building with a very sharp shear for cutting down. The second one, I don't know too much of. Other than it's silver and pretty bendable - like a small metal coil wrapped in metal like a rope. Both ends of the second one I didn't see at all.

Anyone have any suggestions as to what kind of tool, weapon or key the second one could be?

#49. (Pushing Away) All but Him

2005-06-05T10:50:00.000-07:00

June 5, 2005 LCC AM Service

The center three circles is Adonai, one of the names for God (see His Names Series). In a joint effort between Him and us, all the seemingly beautiful things of the world are being pushed back into the darkness from which they came. Without all the distractions in our lives and trinkets of the world - we can focus on God, have a closer relationship - love Him as we ought. It's a joint effort because some things we cannont overcome in our own strength, yet others are a matter of us giving them up ourselves.

#47. (No Title) Large Spout Vessel

2005-06-02T19:17:00.000-07:00

June 2, LCC Special Service with Tamara Winslow

Our church just completed an 8 service conference with two great people of God, one of which is Sister Tamara Winslow. She was teaching thursday night and during the opening worship I saw a beautiful vessel with an oversized spout. Inside, the fire of God. We are the vessel. Inside of us is the fire of God. The reason for the big spout is because the main purpose of the vessel is to pour out almost continuously.

#48. Recieving

2005-06-02T07:30:00.000-07:00

June 2, LCC Special Service with Tamara Winslow

A child of God reaching up in faith and recieving from Father.

#46. Walking In New Life

2005-06-01T23:18:00.000-07:00

June 1, 2005 At Home

I was reading a great novel that was bringing forth the truth found in Romans 6:4,

"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

In the novel Jesus was just walking out of the tomb after he rose from the dead. He had just conquered all things and putting them under His feet. Considering the above scripture, I realized that all things - bondage, oppression, principalities, powers, death and the grave.... ALL things are under my feet, through Christ. Then I saw - in my minds eye - my own feet glowing. So I traced them onto paper, gave them the color of new life - green, and stood them above all darkness - black. Since then the Lord showed me even more, but that's coming along and I'll post it when it's complete.

#45. God's Whisper.

2005-05-30T10:13:00.000-07:00

May 28-29th. Home Pencil Drawing
* Click on the picture for a more detailed look.

Nothing is going as planned right now, there's this crazy lady named Jezebel who's on a prophet-murdering rampage and frankly, it's just too much. Or at least that's what the prophet Elijah was thinking as he hid in a cave to save his life. Elijah could handle 450 prophets of Baal and even outrun a horse driven chariot - no problem! But this he just couldn't handle - so he hid. But God met him there. God blew a great wind into a mountain, caused an earthquake; And after the earthquake, a great fire. Yet through all this mighty power, God was not in any of it. Until the still small voice - God's whisper. It was then that Elijah was utterly overtaken and received God's direction. (1 Kings 19:11-18).

And so is this person in my drawing. Imagine if you will, a person, maybe even you can relate, crumpled up in despair and overwhelmed with their circumstance. Wanting, asking, needing God to drastically intervene to turn things around. Yet no fire consumes the issue, no wind blows it away... there is no great and mighty earthquake. Just you, God, and the issue. Then you hear His voice deep within your heart and the few sweet words He utters brings such a revelation, such a peace, they hold such power and truth that you have nothing left to say before your God but, "Thank-You."

The person in my drawing has heard the whisper of the Lord in his heart and it holds such truth, such power, and revelation into his situation and life, that he is totally consumed - utterly blown off his feet.

... you know, that exact situation has actually happened to me. I wasn't literally blown off my feet - but I may as well have been! Has it happened to you? Has Gods truth, His few words spoken into your heart given you a renewed perspective of your situation, a hope; Has He ever just blown you away and left you standing in awe at who He is?

Below are absolutely wonderful pencil drawings that I recieved through an email. They are all of Jesus Christ and although the artist name is lost, these images and ones like them will hang in the halls of heaven. Enjoy.

#44. The Folly of Not Trusting God

2005-05-26T11:53:00.000-07:00

May 26, 2005. Pencil Sketch at Home.

Here is a person who is begging "Egypt" for help. Poverty, bondage, and weakness are what plague him, yet he doesn't pray to the Lord. He looks only to the strong, rich, and royal of the earth to bring him out of his troubles. The fire of the Lord is about to consume them all.

Egypt is a type of world system. Isaiah 31:1-3 says that if I put all my hope in other human beings to fix my problems, bankers to fix my debt, psychologists to fix my brain and doctors to fix my body; the strong to fix my weakness, the smart to compensate for my stupidity and the royal to set me free - without FIRST seeking the Lord - I bring even more calamity on myself plus calamity on those who help me. Check it out...

"You are in for trouble if you go to Egypt for help, or if you depend on an army of chariots or a powerful cavalry. Instead you should depend on and trust the holy LORD God of Israel. The LORD isn't stupid! He does what he promises, and he can bring doom. If you are cruel yourself, or help those who are evil, you will be destroyed. The Egyptians are mere humans. They aren't God. Their horses are made of flesh; When the LORD shows his power, he will destroy the Egyptians Together they will fall."

God gives us doctors, psychologists, bankers, the strong, the smart and the royal. The point, I believe, is not to put your total dependancey on the education and gifts of other people because they're just human. God is God and He knows the end from the beginning - so put your dependancy on Him as you take your vitamins, pay your bills, go to school and stay healthy.

OH, Please Don't Hesitate...

2005-05-22T20:52:00.000-07:00

I'm doing something a little different this week... and perhaps more often - we'll see. I've posted five pieces below that were drawn during the LCC PM Service last Sunday and as I was doing so, I was reminded of what a terrific woman once suggested to me.

"A picture speaks to everyone, let those who view your pictures first tell you what they see..."

So I'd like to encourage you.... yes you... to share what these pictures mean to you, what do they remind you of? Do any bless you? Challenge you? Inspire you? What is going on in each picture?

Worry not, because soon I will post the significance of each piece as I see it, but I... and I think all of those who visit here... would be entirely blessed to hear what you recieve out of each.

OH, Please don't hesitate...

#43. Bearing Fruit unto Righteousness

2005-05-22T19:40:00.000-07:00

May 22, 2005. LCC PM Service

#42. Voice of an Angel

2005-05-22T19:30:00.000-07:00

May 22, 2005. LCC PM Service

#41. Giving My All

2005-05-22T19:20:00.000-07:00

May 22, 2005. LCC PM Service

#40. (No Title)

2005-05-22T19:10:00.000-07:00

May 22, 2005, LCC PM Service

#39. (No Title)

2005-05-22T19:00:00.000-07:00

May 22, 2005, PM Service LCC

"Your light broke through my night
And restored exceeding joy
Your grace fell like the rain
And made this desert sing...
...THIS IS HOW WE OVERCOME."

#37 "Along the Way"

2005-05-16T11:04:00.000-07:00

May 15, 2005 LCC PM Service
"Along the Way"

"It's urgent that you listen carefully to this: Anyone here who believes what I am saying right now and aligns himself with the Father, who has in fact put me in charge, has at this very moment the real, lasting life and is no longer condemned to be an outsider. This person has taken a giant step from the world of the dead to the world of the living." John 5:24

This is a picture of the believer of Jesus Christ. Everyone, from all walks of life, all religions, all nations are headed toward a door. It's the door to heaven (notice the N,E,S,W on the crown... click on it for a closer look). That door has a lock and only one key. That key is faith in who Jesus is, and weither or not we've acknowledge we are sinners, accepted the price He's paid the cross and the free gift of salvation.

"This is what My Father wants: that anyone who sees the Son and trusts who He is and what He does and then aligns with Him will enter real life, eternal life. My part is to put them on their feet alive and whole at the completion of time." John 6:40 The Message

That's exactly what this picture of a believer is doing: aligning himself with Jesus Christ, like a mirror image.

Each color rain drop represent something that the Lord gives His children while they are on earth. As the believers heart recieves these gifts, they then pour themselves out to others to bless just as they have been blessed.

Red - His blood, which was poured out on the cross to reconcile us with God, if we believe.

Orange - Preservation, "Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don't let go." John 6:37 The Message

Yellow - "The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. John 14:26

Blue - Peace: "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 KJV

Light Green - Life. "I'm telling you the most solemn and sober truth now: Whoever believes in me has real life, eternal life." John 6:47 The Message

White - Purity. "And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." Revelation 19:8, KJV

Dark Green - Healing. "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 KJV

Purple - Beauty. Although I don't know of any exact scriptures - I'm living proof of it. The things in my life that were dirty, ugly, old, tattered and torn, He's replaced them with such beauty and shine. My world isn't "woe is me" but "blessed am I - thank You Lord."

Blue - Comfort. "As a mother comforts her child, so I'll comfort you. You will be comforted in Jerusalem." Isaiah 66:13 The Message

Now take a look behind the door. You will not see just rain - but a flood. This shows the magnificence of Heaven. All the blessings we receive on earth don't measure up to what the Lord has set aside for His children for eternity.

#36. Dancing With My Father God

2005-05-10T10:48:00.000-07:00

May 8 & 9, LCC Am and at home.
* Click on the picture to take a closer look!

Big Daddy Weave (pop-up window)

I was teaching Childrens Church Sunday morning and we spent time in the worship service upstairs. It was so much fun! I was surrounded by our children and dancing before the Lord like nothing else mattered. Sometimes it's easier to loose yourself in Him when you're around children because they don't care what they look like or what others think - they just let it all lose.

Go ahead and click the link above to hear a clip of the song that inspired the picture... and don't worry - it's a pop-up window... closing it will bring you right back here.

Here are the complete lyrics:

There's a place where I love to run and play
There's a place where I sing new songs of praise
Dancin' with my Father God in fields of grace
Dancin' with my Father God in fields of grace

There's a place where I lose myself in Him
There's a place where I find myself again
Dancin' with my Father God in fields of grace
Dancin' with my Father God in fields of grace

There's a place where religion finally dies
There's a place where I lose my selfish pride
Dancin' with my Father God in fields of grace
Dancin' with my Father God in fields of grace

I love my Father, my Father loves me
I dance for my Father, my Father sings over me
And nothing nothing nothing can take that away from me
Nothing nothing nothing can take that away from me

Dancin' with my Father God in fields of grace
Dancin' with my Father God in fields of grace

The swirling stars are God Himself dancing with -and having just as much fun as- the praiser. I can't help but sing the song when I see this picture... my toes have been a tapin' ever since!!

#35. (No Title) A Family's Salvation.

2005-05-05T22:19:00.000-07:00

May 5, 2005. Intercession at Home.
*click on the picture and an enlarged version will pop up.

A bit of background... I'm an assistant manager to an apartment complex and part of my job includes recieving and handling the complaints of tenants. Well a family moved in only a month ago and we already have many written reports about the noise, verbal abuse, and even physical abuse. I am the one who accepted their application to move here, but there was a lot of termoil over their acceptance - to the point (and I'm not even sure why) I prayed to the Lord that if it doesn't make a difference in the whole scheme of things, let them move in here. Well, in the end, that's what happened - they moved in right across the hall from me.

During the application process I felt a connection with the lady who is my age with a child my daughters age. So I was really excited when she first moved in... that lasted about a day - literally. Because up to that point, I hadn't met him. Now I'm very concerned for her and her son, to top it off, she just gave birth to her second son. So now there's a newborn in the picture. Well the complaints piled up I've heard enough and today is the day it became too much. I had to do something about it. I called C.A.S. That's Children's Aid Society who looks out for the safety of children in danger of physical abuse. That was really difficult for me because I don't know how it'll effect her life, her childrens life, if the guy will find out it was me who reported him, if there'll be further incidents or testimonies needed. I really don't know. This whole time I'm asking God, "I actually prayed for them to come into the building, and now here they are - right across the hall from me!.. what am I supposed to do about this??" Then this afternoon I felt such sorrow for her and her children that I couldn't stop crying. So I began drawing...

From left to right. First is the Holy Spirit, God the Father bringing her and her family out of a terrible situation, but also out of darkness - It's her salvation. Along with her are her two year only boy and her newborn. They're all being taken out of this all consuming pain (cyclone). There is a ribbon flying off her eyes because right now she is legally blind and on permanent disability, so the ribbon represents the healing of her sight.

I cried sooo much over this family. This picture is my prayer for them. Oh Lord that You would bring them out of darkness to see Your marvelous light and come to the saving knowledge of You!! Along the whisps surrounding each of them you'll see a heart...

"So it was, when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, that God gave him another heart; and all those signs came to pass that day."1 Samuel 10:9

When you give your heart to Jesus Christ, He gives you a new one. When you give your life to Jesus Christ, He gives you a new one. He takes the old, battered, bruised, and hurt things in our lives and freely makes us new again. And that's what is happening here. She's been given (and her sons) a new life again, the precious uncomparable life that Jesus Christ gives when you give up your old one.

... this makes me want to cry.

... but at the same time, I have a peace about the situation, knowing that it is now in the hands of God and whatever happens to that family, I believe I will one see them in the arms of the Father. In the meantime, I'll keep praying. And if you have a minuite, every prayer counts.

... maybe her moving here did make a difference in the whole scheme of things...

#34 (No Title) Water Baptism

2005-05-01T20:09:00.000-07:00

May 1, 2005. PM Service, LCC

We had a service together with a spanish church in town and members of both congregations were water baptised. In the Bible, water baptism is a public proclaimation that a person has given their life to Christ. It means they believe Jesus Christ died for them and was raised from the dead, that He is the only way to heaven and through Him and Him alone their sins are forgiven. The act of being lowered down into the water symbolizes their old life going to the grave, a sort of "death" of who they used to be (a sinner) and when they are raised again from the water, it is a symbolizm that they are now alive to Christ Jesus (a child of God). This particular picture is of a person who has just come up out of the water. You can see the stains of their sin lingering in the water - like blood and dirt. Almost like after bath, their sins do not stick to them anymore and by being raised again, they are preserved eternally (orange color) clean, forgiven and a new creature in Christ Jesus.

"And you were buried with Him in batism, in which you were also raised with Him through the faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your own trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all tresspasses." Colossians 2:12&13.

After three thousand people heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and realized that they were in fact sinners and condemned to hell without Him, this is what happened:

"Now when they heard this (the gospel), they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?' Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall recieve the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:37&38, parenthasis added for clarification.

I love water baptism services because it's a joy to see people fully give their lives to Christ Jesus, to love Him and serve Him.

#33. (No Title) Raining Jewels

2005-05-01T19:50:00.000-07:00

May 1, 2005. PM Service, LCC

This is a wonderful picture - the digital picture really doesn't do it justice. The rain is mixed with all colors of jewels. There is a multicolored jewel on the bottom left and a person holding up a bowl that is filling with jewel-thick water.
The worship service this evening was incredable. I got a great feeling of celebration and remarkable beauty in the service. It was a joint service with a spanish church here in Leamington and this picture really has a lot to do with people of the two different nations comming together to worship the Lord. The multicolored jewel on the left hand bottom represents the beauty of both nations, the whisps of purple comming from the jewel is the two nations offering praise and worship to the Lord. As this happens, rain (which is often symbolized as the blessings of the Lord) starts to fall, along with jewels. Even from the morning service, I really got a sense of jewels in the air (spiritually - as a gift from God to His people). During the evening service (when this was drawn), I got a much greater sense of the jewels - and more of them. Jewels are like above-and-beyond type of gifts. Jewels are precious, rare, and captivating. They are often a gift given to someone who is very special to you and close to your heart. The jewels are being rained down on His children and you can see a person holding up a bowl (just like from the AM service) and collecting these gifts from God. The person is colored with two colors - which, again, represents the two nations.
This one is unique because it is done in water color pencils, where usually I use oil pastels. And although you can't see it over the computer - there is a wonderful amount of detail to each jewel that illuminates the beauty of the gifts God is pouring out to us.

"Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'" Matthew 22:37

#32. Recieving.

2005-05-01T11:08:00.000-07:00

May 1, 2005. AM Service LCC

This is a picture of a child of God raising their hands in worship and praise to the Lord. A child of God fulfilling this scripture:

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." Matthew 22:37

As they are doing this, the Lord is pouring down from heaven the abundancy of blessings (particularily in the area of financial blessing for the church to go further, be better, and accomplish more things). As the praiser holds up the bowl, he recieves it the blessings to the point that it is beginning to overflow. The blessings God is getting ready to send are more than what we "need" and will overflow into other areas. The purple is the true blessings of the Lord, outside of just financial. Things like honor, integrity, peace, honesty, reliability... all the qualities that make a person truly rich in character. As the praiser recieves these blessings, they are slightly collected (in other words, they aren't hoarding it) and everything that they recieve is offered back up to God (used for His purposes), which is the burnt offering in the middle of the bowl.
After I drew this, the pastor explained to the congregation that the church wants to make improvements to the nursery and overheads - but the changes require money, so as a congregation we prayed that blessings would come and the Lord would make a way. As we were praying, I looked over to the picture and truly felt that God had answered the prayer even before we opened our mouths - that not only was the church as a whole going to be blessed, but members of the church as well.

... lets see what the Lord will do...

Giving it ALL.

2005-04-26T19:00:00.000-07:00

Who wouldn't want to give her ALL?

Have you ever wanted to give it ALL?

I have one beautiful girl and I'm happy with my family size because with just one, I can give her all my attention, all my effort, all of the momminess in me. When you only have one - there's no dividing. That's like my God. I only have one. There's no dividing.... or at least I try really hard not to divide my attention, affection, praise, and.... well... me.

I know there are a few things in life I will not be able to attain on my own. Like being perfect, being holy, being truly and honestly clean with no hidden motives, no doubt, no division. But He helps me. In fact, He does more than just help me. He does a lot of it for me. Like holiness. I am not holy without Him. Righeousness. I am not righteous without Him. Salvation. I don't have salvation outside of Him. Even love. I can not truly love without His love.

You know what's kind of interesting? I have a daughter; she's 2 1/2 and she's awesome! I just spent my dinner hour looking over a Montessori Academy brochure wishing I could give the opportunity to attend this above-the-rest pre-school. I was thinking of how I could drop this and that, and find a second job, and work out my life just so she could register and ultimately attend. I want to give the best to her. Here's the interesting part: God my Father wants to give the best for me too. If I, someone who is less than perfect, given to all kinds of ungodly things, wants to bless my daughter with what I can.... then how much more does HE want to bless his daughter with all He can.

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" Matthew 7:11 NKJV

OH and has He ever! Saving my body, saving my home, saving my family, even saving my eternal life. He has given so much. I am very thankful. And because He has given to me, I want to give to others and back to Him.

#31. (No Title). Being Lifted Out

2005-04-22T22:46:00.000-07:00

April 22, 2005. Generational Conference
Best Western, Sarnia, ON.

This was drawn quite fast. It's the Lord drawing a man out of pain (red streak across bottom). The person is completely limp and at the end of his strength - but the Lord's hand is large and more than able to lift him out. The yellow is the Holy Spirit comming and ministering to the person, healing the wounds. And the water is the Word - a protective barrier between what the person come out of and where he is now.

This picture really ministers to me because of what happened at that conference. It was POWERFUL and ground breaking for me (see #9) I've never had a single encounter with the Lord that still consumed my thoughts even days or later. I cherish what happened that night. He took my dark little box, emptied it out, and has filled it with an untouchable experience.

#30. (No Title) Being held.

2005-04-22T20:50:00.000-07:00

April 22, 2005. Generations Conference.
Best Western, Sarnia, ON.

This one was a bit difficult only because it began as an entirely different picture. I first saw His hand gestured as an invitation - like an invitation to dance. I just couldn't draw the hand properly. I closed my eyes and - in my minds eye - I put my hand into His. I was then drawn into an embrace like the one above. It's a complete embrace from head to toe.

#29. His Embrace

2005-04-21T16:59:00.000-07:00

April 21, 2005. At Home. Pencil Sketch.

I love this one through and through! Ever go through a difficult time where you really need His embrace? No words or gestures seem to mean as much as if you were able to phyically embrace your Saviour and just rest, cease from striving. I'd gone through that. Read #12, "His Chamber" for more details.

The mosaic (tile) background is the spirit realm that our physical eyes can't see. The bride of Christ - that's the church, us personally - is being embraced by her Beloved. That would be the ultimate experience for me! Personally, I look forward to entering heaven for the very first time because I want to embrace Jesus and just be held in His arms, safe, complete, and feeling like I could soar! So to see a picture of this makes my spirit shout in anticipation.

After the drawing was complete, the Lord showed me a scripture in Song of Solomon where the bride is experiencing an embrace from her Beloved:

"His left hand is under my head, and His right hand embraces me." Song 2:6

And while showing a few friends the picture and explaining it, one was reminded of how the bride of Christ is arrayed in white:

"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." Revelation 19:7,8. KJV.

...I can't wait!

#28. Broken Alabaster Box

2005-04-17T20:15:00.000-07:00

April 17, 2005. PM Service.

Alabaster boxes only occur only in the New Testament and are in connection with the box of "ointment of spikenard very precious." The perfume is what the woman anointed the head of Jesus as he sat at supper in the house of Simon the leper (Matt. 26:7; Mark14:3; Luke 7:37).

These boxes were made from a stone found near Alabastron in Egypt, and from this circumstance the Greeks gave them the name of the city where they were made. The woman "broke" the vessel so as to reach the contents. Mark says (14:5) that this box of ointment was worth more than 300 denarius. If we take the denarius as the day's wage of a labourer (Matt. 20:2), then the whole would be worth about 300 days wage! So costly was her offering!

Looking at the picture, I realize that the box isn't forcefully being broken - like with a hammer, or rock - but is breaking of itself by falling:

"and whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will gind him to powder." Matthew 21:44 NKJV

What does that mean? If we come before him humble and broken in the full realization of ourselves and our need for Him, this is much better than if we are arrogant and self-righteous because one day He will bring us to our knees and that will hurt much more!

Comming before the Lord in brokenness and humility offering up a sacrifical worship is more valueable, I believe, than can be counted.

#27. Spiritual Muscle

2005-04-17T12:28:00.000-07:00

April 17, 2005. AM Service

This day in particular a lot of people in the church just seemed to be going through trials that were keeping them down. In fact, Pastor Dan called an altar call for those who had been going through something that was very difficult and they didn't see the end of. I was among those at the altar because of a personal trial that you can understand better if you read #21.

I had just joined a gym and the Lord used that to show me something in the spirit. There are some machines I excercise on that are quite difficult - especially two that work on my leg muscles. The Lord showed me that when you physically excercise, you have to push against a force that is neither pleasant or fun. In fact, you could probably think of many other things you'd rather be doing - but you do it anyway because of the goal you've set. I want to gain such-and-such muscle and lose such-and-such pounds, therefore I have to put myself through this uncomfortable and strenuous routine until it not only becomes easier, but I become better and faster at it - ultimately reaching my goal. It's the same way in the spirit. The force that is pushing against you (trials & temptations) is giving you the option to either give up and stay as you are, or fight back until it becomes easier, you become better and faster at it and not only do you reach your spiritual goal but you'll exceed it.

It was with that revelation that I realized I'd met some serious resistance in my spiritual life and needed to grow my spiritual muscle by not sitting back and just letting myself become overwelmed - but pushing against any resistance for however long I needed to.

In the natural I gained 4 pounds of muscle! That's alot - especially since it was over only 1 months time! Perhaps it's a parallel as to what I'm gaining in the spiritual!

#26. Seed of Change

2005-04-17T11:58:00.000-07:00

April 17, 2005. AM Service

This picture, for me personally, marks a time when things in the spirit started to change. I had gone through a very difficult time and was being stretched, tried, and challenged in personal areas of my life. The image is of a child of God as a seed (a parallel that I think is just wonderful) but the seed has been through its dieing stage (outter shell around seed is broken away) and is now starting to grow. You can see a bit of root and a equal amount of life growth on top. The plant isn't above the soil, so a lot of the growth and progress isn't apparent to everyone - but it's still there. Above the soil you see both sunshine and rain - an odd combination. The Lord showed me that just as a plant needs both sunshine and rain to grow, the conditions are right in the spirit for the growth of the child of God. This picture was both for me personally and, I believe, for the church body the morning it was drawn.

G.R.O.W.T.H

2005-04-17T11:12:00.000-07:00

G Go to God in prayer daily. John 15:7

R Read God's Word daily. Act 17:11

O Obey God moment by moment by moment. John 14:21

W Witness for Christ by your life and words. Matthew 4:19, John 15:8

T Trust God for every detail of your life. I Peter 5:7

H Holy Spirit--allow Him to control and empower your daily life and witness. Galatians 5:16, 17; Acts 1:8.

#24. (No Title) Empting and Filling

2005-04-10T20:22:00.000-07:00

April 10, 2005. PM Service.

This is the third drawing in the April 10 service with Pastor Johnny Beard. The gold rod is a child of God and as the Holy spirit (gust of wind) fills us, darkness can't stay - it leaves. In with the new (-creation in Christ Jesus) out with the old (-man).

#23. Pastor Johnny Beard

2005-04-10T19:58:00.000-07:00

April 10, 2005. PM Service

This service was a wonderful one! It was one long worship service / altar call and those I truly love! The person drawn is Pastor Johnny Beard from Whitehorse Christian Centre. He was ministering to our church in song when I saw wings of fire behind him. He truly is a wonderful minister of the gospel and has an amazing prophetic annointing. We are always blessed when he visits our church.

#21. (No Title) Man holding blackness.

2005-04-07T19:57:00.000-07:00

April 7, 2005. Home.

Ever have one of those difficult weeks? Difficult months?! I had! I'm not sure if anyone else experiences this but it's like I get a wet heavy blanket layed over my soul, my spirit, and even my body. Some phsycologists would throw it into that everything goes pit of "depression" but I knew better. It happens every time I don't spend personal one-on-One time with the Lord. When I don't read as I should, pray as I should, and am just caught up in "my" life for too long.

So here it is in picture form. All the beautiful, magnificant, and wonderful things of the Lord, like His presance, His word, His joy, and those awesome times when He speaks to me are portrayed in the bright colored spectrum on top. The black canopy is the wet blanket I explained above. The barrier that makes me feel like even if I did pray, the words wouldn't come out more than a whisper before they evaporated into nothingness. As you can see, that "canopy" makes all the areas of my life seem bleak (red) and weighs heavy on me - hense the particular posture of the person. But here's the interesting part. See what's in his... or my... hand? It's a part of the darkness. I'm the one putting the canopy there! ... well maybe not putting it there, but by staying away from the word, His presance, and intimacy - I'm allowing the dirtiness of day to day build up more and more until I feel just so far away!

I know something huge is going on personally in the Spirit because of all the "hey how did that happen" trials and those "have I always been like this!" revelations. He's preparing me, and the entire church body for something and we need to be able to contain it before He gives it.

#20. (No Title) Eagle soaring through canyon.

2005-04-03T19:57:00.000-07:00

April 3, 2005. LCC. PM

I learned something with this one:

" There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" Proverbs 14:12

I have an almost identical picture still in my sketch book except the only difference is the background is colored like sundown. When that one was complete - It just didn't feel right. I knew I pushed it and went my own way with the picture. Thankfully, God gave me grace in that the worship service was a bit longer (the longer the better - drawing or not!) and it gave me enough time to start again. As for the interpretation, I have a feeling it is for someone in particular and I'm just waiting on the Lord for what He wants to do with it.

#19. In the Shadow of the Cross.

2005-03-25T10:56:00.000-08:00

Easter Good Friday Service. March 25, 2005. LCC.

One thing that is particular of this peice is that the person isn't facing the front of the cross, but the back. As the darkness is surrounding everything, the person is bowed in worship behind the cross. And that's the place we as His children should find ourselves and be rest assured of our safety. It's like the person is literally guarded from the darkness by the cross. The person is preserved (orange) on the path of life (green) surrounded by His peace (blue) and guarded by the Holy Spirit (red fire). The person is abiding in the safety of the cross - something we all need to do.

#18. Rest.

2005-03-24T19:56:00.000-08:00

March 24, 2005. Home

This is a picture of someone resting in His presance - particularily at an altar. The person is at peace with who they are in Christ Jesus and has ceased from striving. I'm not there yet - still got work to do personally - but what a wonderful place to be.

#17. March for Marriage

2005-03-20T10:56:00.000-08:00

March 20, 2005. LCC AM Service.

There truly is a lot to this picture! So much so I'm going to have to do it through point form. But first, here is what's going on: The people marched along the green path (indicating the path of the actual march taking place that afternoon) And the pastors are now at the end of the march, in front of the government buildings, praying for our provincial and national leaders.

Colors:

Dark Green (the path walked on, trail left behind them): Path of life. As the march progressed, those who laid eyes on them would see life.
Light Green (one result of the march): Healing. Because of the march throughout Leamington and even across Canada, healing will come to individuals.
Orange (second result of the march): Preservation. The fruit of the march isn't going to be lost, but in fact grow, spread, and contine.
Grey (both following and leading the march): The double edged sword of Gods true and righteous word.
Black "hole" (third result of the march): The darkness attempting to overrun Essex County is being chocked out in part because of the stand of the church, union, and obedience of the church.
Purple: Fragrance as in burning inscense. The beautiful aroma of obedience comming from the people who participated in the march or who took a stand.
Blue (resulting because of the fragrance / obedience): Peace of God. The peace of God comming down from the throne and combining with the obedience of the children of God and hovering - working - over the government.
Brown block: Government system and people. This is mostly scratched up to appear difficult and hard, except where the grey (double edged sword) enters. Once people in government positions are pearced to the heart, the same way those in the books of Acts were peirced to the heart and cried out "What must we do to be saved?"
Six people standing: The different parts of the body of Christ that participated in the walk and were now comming together as a group of one regardless of differences and praying for their towns, counties, province and nation.

#16. Peace

2005-03-13T19:56:00.000-08:00

March 13, 2005. LCC.

This is just peace. Three things of God that have great peace: His presance (solid blue on top) His breath (wind gust) and His altar (waves on bottom). I felt a great level of peace in the service even though we did have a wonderfully boisterous special speaker.

#15. Stones of Fire

2005-03-06T21:38:00.000-08:00

March 6, 2005. PM Service LCC.

When you take the soil of the earth in your hands and break it down to its smallest original state, you will find five colors. Only five. Brown. Yellow. Black. White. and Red. I find it no coincidence that each of these colors are also the five colors of people on the earth. Each of these stones are burning on an altar. To me, this picture represents all people comming together to worhip and give their lives to Him.

#14. His Banner Over Me Was Love

2005-03-06T11:55:00.000-08:00

March 6, 2005. LCC AM service

I remember being so excited that I could bring my art supplies to an AM service without being scheduled for nursery, childrens church, or have to bring my work phone with me! I was just free to worship Him.... that's truly a beautiful thing!

Then I guess God wanted to see what I'd do if my plans had to be changed. The worship leader that morning asked me if I would take care of the overheads. OOOOHH did I ever have to grit my teeth and put on a smile. But I did! It's my belief that if someone, especially those in leadership of the church, asks you to do something to serve the church - there ought to be nothing on the planet that could keep you from serving. Especially your own adjenda! So with that being a good enough reason, I served. And I think that because of my willingness to change my adjenda for the service of the church (however small taking care of the overheads are) the Lord blessed me.

There was a longer inspired worship time at the end of the songs and the overheads weren't needed. And it wasn't even until the inspired worship started that I had a fairly firm picture in mind. So when I had the opportunity, I sat down and started sketching. It was a beautiful banner flying through the air. The whole time I knew the scripture to accompany it:

"He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love" Song 2:4

With the permission of Pastor Dan I continued to complete the drawing during service and when it was complete, I had to opportunity to show it to the congregation because the subject matter lined up completely with the service. That was a blessing.

Later a gentleman of the church came up to me and told me how much the image had blessed him and how it was a confirmation of something from earlier in his week. That was a double blessing.

#13. Psalm 18

2005-03-02T23:37:00.000-08:00

Wed. March 2, 2005. At Home.

"He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many
waters." Psalm 18:16.

The Psalm starts out with a man calling out to His saviour because of distress and fear he's going through. This is represented as the water he is being lifted out of, "And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid."

The Lord hears his call and becomes increasingly angry with the oppressor (we all know who that is!) It then speaks in specific detail on how the Lord hears his cry and comes down to bring him up out of darkness. A few of the ways the Lord comes down I've included in the image. For instance:

"He made darkness His secret place; His canopy around Him was dark waters and thick clouds of the skies." (v.11) Is shown a lot in the background where it is quite dark, and I included the dark clouds (although it is difficult to pick out over the computer).
"He flew upon the wings of the wind" (v.10) was shown in the way the fire travels like a gust of wind.
"He bowed the heavens also, and came down with darkness under His feet." (v.9) Is shown in how the heavens (top) is bowed down as the fire gust through.

Ultimately, the oppressed man is completely out of his own strength as the Lord rescues him out of the ungodliness, fear, and distress that has kept him oppressed. It's really a portrail of how the Lord rescues us even when everything looks so bleak and hopeless. When we are at our end and have no energy outside the last breath that we use to call on Him. The Lord truly does get angry at the one who oppresses us as His children and He will always be there for us in the instant we cry out to Him.

The psalmist ends on a great note: "Great deliverance He gives His king, and shows mercy to His anointed, to David and his descendants forevermore." v.50

#12. His Chamber

2005-02-28T00:40:00.000-08:00

Feb. 27, 2005. At Home Painting.

"Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth - for Your love is better than wine...Draw me away!...The King has brought me into His chambers...I am dark, but lovely O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon." Song of Solomon 1:1-6.

Here is the wonderful journey I am on to be closer to Him. It can be anyones journey actually. To fully understand what this is about, you have to understand some of the parallels in Song of Solomon. First "the Beloved" is Christ, "the shulamite woman" and "the bride" is the church of Christ, is LCC, is you, is me.

Song of Solomon starts out with the bride crying out for intimacy with her Beloved. She is literally consumed with a passion for intimacy because she knows He is the only one who truly knows her, loves her, cares for her, nourishes and encourages her. His love is more valueable than riches, is strong yet beautiful, clean and true. In the beginning of verse 4 (which happens to be my favorite scripture in the entire Bible) she cries out, "Draw me away!" I can relate to that because before God brought me to the understanding of this scripture, I found myself many times feeling quite alone and without comfort - just wanting to be wisked away with Jesus Christ to a place I knew I'd be cared for, loved, nourished, and truly cherished.

The verse continues and shows us what happens after she cried out: "The King has brought me into His chambers." He answers her cry! His chamber is comparable to your bedroom - only in that when you have visitors, you generally stay in the living room, kitchen, and such. But it is in your own personal room that only those you are truly close can enter. And on the level of husband and wife, it is the only place where everything is revealed....

Now don't think this is all weird, Song of Solomon is a love letter - in fact, the Bible is a love letter, don't think it odd that He wants to be intimate with us - He knows everything about each and every one of us more so than our spouses - now that's intimate!

It's what happens in His chamber that I absolutely love and painted.

"I am dark but lovely... like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon." verse 5

Being in a place where Christs holiness, cleanliness, wholeness, purity and all that is great and wonderful is revealed, she starts to see more and more how unholy, unclean, unwhole and unpure that she is - without him! "I am dark..."

...On a side note, that's where most Christians, including myself, stop. It doesn't take a lot for us to admit that we aren't where we know we should be, that we are not as clean, pure, and innocent as Christ desires for us. Perhaps we all should consider how she continues her proclaimation...

Without taking a breath, she says "...but lovely." She's seeing that although she is dark, she is also lovely and only lovely because of the greatness of Him that is reflecting off of her. "Like the tents of Kedar" explains just how dark she is. Kedar is a geographical place, but it also means "darkness." Now imagine being inside a tent in a dark place - That's really dark! "Like the curtains of Solomon" explains how lovely. In this particular incidence I'm not sure if the curtains pertain to the curtains of the Temple or King Solomons actual garments. In either case, King Solomon was the richest king and he built the Temple using all of the very best from around the known world. Gold, silver, colors of royalty, purple and red, all the glory and beauty creation had to offer. Now that's lovely!

So here she is, in His chamber in complete nothing-held-back intimacy, in the face of the One most holy, fully realizing who she is, how dark she is on her own. And at the same time seeing that she has more splender, more honor, more grace, more beauty and is truly lovely because of Who she is reflecting.

...

That may have been a long explaination, but isn't it true? The more we enter into nothing-held-back intimacy with our Lord, the cleaner, holier, more righteous we become because more and more of Him shines through and less of us.

#11. (No Title) Jar Pouring Out

2005-02-27T21:09:00.000-08:00

Feb. 27, 2005. PM Service.

Pastor Dan had opened up the altar after service "for anyone who wanted more time with God." I personally just didn't want to go home. Monday's are usually not too bad, Wednesdays can sometimes be a challenge, come Saturday my minds on Sunday, and come Sunday morning, EVERYTHING is a trial!! Ever notice that?? Anything the devil can get you upset about or make go wrong - guaranteed it all falls apart just in the nick of time to get you ticked off and closed up for Sunday morning service. So by the end of Sunday evening service, the time I drew this one, I just wasn't quite ready to enter into the upcomming week hub-bub.

Did you know that pictures can speak to different people in different ways? What does this picture speak to you? Let me know by clicking the "comment" button below. I love to hear how the Lord speaks to people.

#10. (No Title) Gold Pouring through Tree

2005-02-27T20:19:00.000-08:00

#10 (no title) Gold pouring through tree.

You know, this one I had some difficulty with. It was one of those "trust what God gives you regardless on it looking any good or even making sense to you" kinda pictures. As I was worshipping the Lord I first saw the gold pouring, then the tree in behind. Just after the worship, Pastor Dan prayed for two families in our church who are concerned with gaining their immigration papers. As Pastor Dan prayed, the picture was brought to mind and I believe the Lord showed me how it was the gold (representing His Spirit) that was causing the roots of this tree to grow. And not only that, the tree has two sides (one outlined in red, the other yellow) that are being brought together as one and growing together to complete each other. It is the Lord growing these two roots together (the roots of a Canadian church body and the roots of a Mexican church body).

#9 (No Title) Crowning Gold

2005-02-22T20:19:00.000-08:00

Feb. 22, 2005. PM Service LCC

This wasn't easy. Ever have something to say that doesn't come out right? That happens to me ALOT. Except in this case, I had a picture that wasn't comming out right. More often than not, the Lord will show me the beginning of a picture or just one small part and as I begin to bring it out on paper, the rest of the image follows. This one I saw all at once. When I was finished, I really didn't know what it was about except that is was personally for me and was very important - ground breaking. That isn't unusual because I'm finding more and more that the images I know little about are either for later or for someone else.

This one was for later...

Exactly a month later - to the day! - I found myself in Sarnia, Ont, with the LCC Womens Ministry at a conference held by Zion Church. Their after service prayer time was different than any I'd seen before. Instead of us lining up and one or two people pray for the individuals, they lined up probably 12 people - 12 prepared and anointed people - divided up in sets of 2 and the people lined up in front of them. Well the reason I went up for prayer was one of those "I know God has forgiven me, but I've kept it in a dark, never talked about, secret little box." Previous to this God had opened that little box - ever so slightly - and was bringing it out in the open and it was making me feel uncomfortable.... anyone know what that is like?!

The message which led into the prayer time had to do with our uncomfortable issues and how we can either ignore them like they aren't there until it drains our life completely out of us, or we can claim the authority we have over our issues by Christ Jesus. Well, it was obvious it was time to deal with this issue - so I did - I brought it to the foot of the cross and gave it to Him. Not only did he take it and put it as far from me as the east is from the west, He also gave me an incredible and extraordinary word then showed me what the picture was about. Something I hope you don't mind that I keep to myself because... well.... some words are best kept close to your heart. It is probably the most important picture I have so far because it is a visual reminder of a very special and remarkable word from the Lord.

#8. (No Title) Ribbon Rain

2005-02-21T20:33:00.000-08:00

Feb. 21, 2005. LCC

This was inspired during the prayer / prophetic song Sister Tamara Winslow sang after service. I showed this to her and although she told me of another person in England who saw the same thing - she didn't say anything as to what it could be. You'll have to forgive me for the lack of revelation on some of these pieces. I'm learning that some pictures are for certain people and they instantly know what it is about, some are for things God has a certain time for, some are personal worship, and some are for the congregation during the service its drawn. It is more important to me that what comes out on paper is either exactly as He wants (as best I can) or a personal expression of worship to Him.

#7. Shofar Fire

2005-02-21T20:17:00.000-08:00

Feb. 21, 2005. LCC

This picture was drawn the first PM service that Sister Tamara Winslow ministered to LCC. It's orientation, whether it's landscape or portrait, I'm not quite sure of although I did draw it as it is posted above. It's an image of a Shofar. A shofar is a type of musical instrument usually made out of a rams horn. In Joshua 6, seven priests carried seven "trumpets of rams horns" as they circled Jericho. When it was time, they blew the horns and shouted as the walls crumbled down. It was blown just before or during an attack of war to strike fear into the enemy. A true shofar has no alterations to it what-so-ever. You can buy some today that have holes for hitting specific notes, some are plated with gold or silver which change the overall pitch. At LCC, our is properly waxed inside to seal it - which is a wonderful thing because if you've ever stood by someone who blows an unwaxed Shofar - WOW does that have an unpleasant smell! Regardless, when one is blown I have an overwelming feeling of triumph and victory. Like we just blew the darkness out! In the image above it is the Lord who is blowing the Shofar with such a vigor that fire comes out. The fire blows back the darkness as we gain ground.

It was kind of interesting because during worship, nothing in regards to a Shofar was even mentioned. A lot of the songs were actually about the love of the Lord, praising Him and worshipping Him. But the image of a Shofar was quite distinct, so I put it on paper. Sister Tamara Winslow then opened the service with 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (NKJV):

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for the pulling down of strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."

It was a message I remember distinctly because I had never realized until that point that the devil doesn't want our soul, doesn't care for our soul, but his motive for all the strongholds and spiritual warfare is to block our intimacy with the Lord and keep us from the Word. But as the picture portrays, we have One who fights for us, there is constant spiritual warfare but we're not alone. He blows away the darkness and fights with us to completely overcome all the darkness in our lives. Praise God!

#6. Outpouring of Fathers Love

2005-02-20T19:44:00.000-08:00

Feb. 20, 2005. PM Service

Doesn't this just make you want to shout!!

The heart on the top represents Fathers Love, the yellow figure in the middle is the Holy Spirit, and the water is the pouring out onto the congregation - specifically on the altar. The love of the Father is being poured out on His children through the Holy Spirit. This one came very quickly; at the end of the worship service as Pastor Dan prayed in tongues. I was bursting in my seat when he then spoke about the outpouring of God's love onto us! I couldn't hold the picture back so I popped it just above the pew for Pastor to see and when he did, he allowed me to show it to the congregation. Since then I've heard a number of people quite affected when they just look at this picture. How does it affect you personally? A picture speaks a thousand words and over every language - how does this one speak to you? Let me know by pressing the "comment" button below. I'd love to hear what you have to say on this picture and on any picture posted here. God Bless.

#5. Soaring Higher

2005-02-20T19:16:00.000-08:00

Febuary 20, 2005. PM Service

I truly enjoy this picture. The blue person is very undetailed because it can be anyone. The color blue represents being chosen by God (God's children, God's nation, God's people) Here there is a person who is soaring in line with a bird. But not just any bird, in scriptures the Holy Spirit is often described as a dove and it is this dove who is leading the way. Except you'll notice that the arms of the person are yellow like the dove, that is because they are the same as the dove.

The revelation of this is that the Holy Spirit guides us higher, over the rough places and obstacles we wouldn't be able to overcome ourselves. And at the same time, it is the Holy Spirit who enables us to soar (gives us His wings).

I like this one alot because ever so often I get an overwelming feeling that I'm truly loved, truly cared for, truly in the hands of the Father and that feeling makes me want to spread my wings out and fly!

#4. Empting Ourselves through Praise

2005-02-16T18:12:00.000-08:00

Febuary 16, 2005. At Home.

This one was a learning experience for me!! After having the general idea and position of the person, I asked the Lord what colors He wanted me to use and why. But I didn't like His answer! The yellow and orange within the rays were already in place but the Lord kept urging me to to use the same tan color as seen inside the person on the last sections. I really didn't want to!! Then the remaining spaces for the third color were getting smaller and smaller until only about 1/2 inch in most places were left - the whole time the Lord kept urging me to use the tan color. By this time I had to give in. And WOW am I glad I did.... but I'll get to that part later. The rest of the colors and their interpretations came just fine until I thought I was finished. Since this form of artistic worship began, I'd documented each piece (sort of as they are here - just not is so much detail) So I took a picture of it, put wax paper over it to protect it and thought I was done with it.

NOPE

After all that was done, I felt the same urging as before with the tan color, except this time it was to outline the person in white. I really really didn't want to do that because I like nice clean lines and by outlining the person, each color would smudge into its neighbor. But I bit my tongue (I did afterall ASK the Lord for the colors, right?!) and WOW am I glad I did. And here's why...

The image is of a child of God praising Him. The red shadow is the sin that is cast down (like a shadow) when we praise, the clay brown in the every day spiritual dirt we accumulate, the things of our lives that hold us back. As the person praises his Father, the praise itself works against these things as you can see the rays start washing out the ground. Now as for the tan that is the same color as the man: It represents the man pouring himself out! And as he pours himself out, the Father Himself comes closer... which is the outline around the praiser. If you look at it, you can see how the outline is like a Someone standing just in front of the person. Nose to nose. When the Lord showed me those two things I was very thankful, both for the gift He gave me just by being able to put this out on paper and for being able to learn:

If you ask God something, expect an answer... and it won't necessarily be the answer to wanted to hear, and...

If you're struggling with an answer God has given you because it doesn't make sense to your brain, trust Him, He knows the outcome and reasoning much better than you do.

#3 "Cleansing Fire"

2005-02-13T21:00:00.000-08:00

Febuary 13, 2005. PM Service.

This is my first live worship piece! After Pastor Dan gave me the go-ahead to bring my art supplies into the church during service I sat down and began. I prayed before I started because I hadn't even heard of this until I began and had no idea what I was doing. I prayed He'd show me what He wants shown. I knew I had to start with red so I dragged the color across the bottom until I had the release to go to another, then came yellow, then came blue, then came the fire. I had not idea what-so-ever what it even was supposed to be. But WOW was I happy to be able to do this. It was like I was born for it!!

About a month later, the woman who was preaching the night I drew it and who'd recieved a copy came to me and told me that the image was distinctly from a early dream God had given her. A pivital dream. And when she saw the piece the first time, she was drawn back to that dream. After she had recieved the picture, she told me it spoke to her to get back to the vision God had given her. I shouted for joy!! I couldn't believe that something that I had did actually meant something. Especially an art piece!

Praise God for He is good!!

Artist Testimony

2005-01-13T16:53:00.000-08:00

~Sand Being Drawn~

...That remarkable day.

My life was the definition of distastefulness. I wasn't raised in the church by any stretch of the imagination and my family life wasn't the greatest (not that anyones is) But when my 13 year old sister died suddenly and unexpenctingly, my life, my family, my universe went black. I easily slid into a life of drugs, sex, and a whole lot of alcohol. Ever so often, when things got really bad, I wanted to change and tried... but ended up worse off than before. Did many many regrettable things, lived of life of regret and tried desperately to numb myself of it. On my 21st birthday I almost over dosed on a friends perscription drugs and it was the next morning I realized I seriously wanted out of this life.

A few weeks numbed by and I found myself sitting at a computer writing an email to my mother. At the bottom I wrote, "Please God, somebody help me!" That day I met a man. He was the known "Religious Guy" in our small college that "has no friends and is weired." We swapped numbers and I just figured it was another guy out to get what I'd given so many already. He kept calling and calling, inviting me out nearly every day....He was relentless! While in class however, he mentioned he doesn't date. That totally threw me for a loop! You mean this guy doesn't want sex? Then why won't he leave me alone? What else do I actually have to offer???? So I started listening to what he was saying. He invited me to church and after I ran out of excuses, I decided to go. I was shocked! It wasn't a dusty old boring waste of my time. Between services my friend and I sat over Tim Hortons coffee and he explained his testimony.... which shocks me even to this day... One thing I remember him saying was that the things that would have taken a lifetime, God changed in him in a matter of a month. He was totally inwardly, outwardly and completely changed. He told me of God's Son Jesus Christ and the bottom line being that I didn't have to live this life anymore. Jesus Christ would forgive me and renew me just as He did my friend. So I went to the PM service. I honestly thought my friend had told the pastor everything I told him about the type of life I was living! The pastor said, "If you want out of the alcohol, drugs, and pain... it's up to you to ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins, and He will transform your life." Well I was ready!!! I wanted out!!! And from that moment in my life to now, I haven't looked back. I'll always remember it.

Giving my heart to the Lord means so much to me that every year I celebrate the day God forgave me. Seven months after that remarkable day I married the man who invited me to church and as the Pastor said, "You may kiss the bride" we shared our FIRST kiss!... but that's another story!

Today I'm a nursery caregiver within our church and honored to be a Childrens Church Teacher. I have always been an artist but when I gave my heart to Him, all my art was thrown in the trash. My artistic expression stayed on a shelf until Gods timing. It was exactly four years and one day before He would open my world up to artistic worship ~ the fruits of which you see throughout this site. And it feels like I've been given my long-lost limb. I was born for this!

My favorite place to be is face down at the altar. And I especially like it when His presance, holiness, and revelation of truth is so strong that I can't do anything but fall on my face and worship Him. I feel so incredibly refreshed after crying out to God. I really want to know Jesus Christ Himself. Have Him as a friend, not always a historical charactor or a standard to reach to, but Someone to talk to about anything. I can't wait to see Him face to face! I don't know what I'd do. But I'll love it!!!!

What is Artistic Worship?

2005-01-12T20:11:00.000-08:00

What is Artistic Worship?

I've heard it called "Prophetic Art," but I feel more comfortable with "Artistic Worship" because, to me, that's what it is. Simply, it's bringing an art form before the Lord, either in church or at home, and spending time expressing your praise and appreciation to Him in this way.
Artistic worship is "I give my gift and talent as an offering to You Lord to be used by You to bless." Being able to speak to Him through pictures blesses me like nothing else. And I believe it blesses both Him and other people. I've heard of artistic worship in the form of dance, banners, flags, inspirational movements, song, musical instruments, poem, and even sign language! You can use methods that you are comfortable with like paint, pencil, pastels, instruments, fabric, and I've even heard of crayola crayons! And why not? God gives you a gift and what better way to express your love and appreciation to Him than using it for His glory?!

Artistic Worship Personally...

I've seen drawings enhance the message spoken during the service. I've seen them bring early dreams of believers back into focus. I use it to show the Lord how I feel about Him and even how He feels about us. It puts into picture expressions people have but don't know how to verbalize. I've heard it used as a form of prayer and even as answer to prayer; As well as revelations of the Lord's direction for personal situations. I've used it to express my personal struggles to the Lord, where I want to be spiritually, what I'm going through, and I've used it to show what visions I see. And it crosses language barriers, which in my church is a great gift when you only know one language

.... and I'm only a newborn at it with much to learn!

Regardless of if my personal art pieces mean anything to anyone else, my number one focus is to use it to express my love, praise and worship to Him; and to show (as best as I can) what He wants shown.

Who can do it?

I'm reminded of the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 where a master gives three servants care over individual amounts of "talents." I know that in this parable a "talent" is actually a measure of money, but we can all agree, it is a gift given. Two servants used their talents wisely, therefore it was blessed and grew. They were both blessed when their master returned. The third one, however, being afraid of making a mistake and loosing the talent, hid it away until his master returned. His end wasn't so good - lets just say, he wasn't blessed when his master returned. So I hear the question being asked, "What are you doing with the talents God has given you?"

God has given each person in the world a talent. The world uses their talents in a lot of the wrong ways - but the talents in their trueness come from God. To use them for God will give you fulfillment, purpose, and even encouragement. Some talents are obvious to everyone as we hear beautifully anointed song every week, but just because you can't sing or do what sister-so-and-so does, that doesn't mean God hasn't given you a powerful talent. Talent comes many forms. Your talent is what comes naturally to you that blesses others. For some it is hospitality, generosity, encouragement, cleaning, organizing, fellowship, parenting, business, speaking, writing... the list goes on and we'd all be lost without each and every one!

I encourage you to ask the Lord to show you what your talent is and how He desires you to use it - you may be surprised!

.....

If you have any more questions regarding my take on Artistic Worship and what Sand Being Drawn is about, feel free to contact me. Click "view my complete profile" above, then click "Email." I'd love to hear from you.