"Bright"

We all know the feeling, right? Leaving a dark theater after two hours of dilation, and walking into the sunshine of the afternoon, we are temporarily blinded, and it kind of hurts. But it's not long before our eyes adjust, and we can enjoy the light. I was thinking of this kind of shock and applying it to spiritual things. I think when a change begins at first it can be kind of painful. We can't fully comprehend the light, and yet we want to embrace it. We are a bit scared, and there's a temptation to return to the seeming comfort of the dark. But if we stay, if we continue to turn although it may be a bit bright, we will soon be able to soak in the light and wonder how we ever in darkness remained. 

8" x 10" oil on panel

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"Ponder"

"Ponder the path of thy feet,..." 

Proverbs 4:26

"How are you doing?" This question is so frequently asked, that often we don't really think about the answer but robotically reply, "Good," and then go on with whatever it is we were doing. However I think no matter how busy our lives may be it's important that we take the time to really ponder our progress once in a while, "How am I doing?" You may be led to thoughts of gratitude, tears, or a determination for the future. Whatever the answer, it is a time to reflect and really hold yourself accountable, and will almost always lead to progress. So... how are you doing?

9" x 12" oil on panel

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"The Godfather"

So I watched a Steven Assael demo online the other day, and I don't think anyone could watch that without then being desperate for a pad of paper and a pencil. So I worked out this portrait trying to pay close attention to edges and line variety, in hopes of creating an interesting drawing. Sometimes I feel that I'm letting people down when I post a drawing that's just a drawing, but sometimes I just need the refreshment of creating a drawing just for the sake of drawing. So here you go! Enjoy!

12" x 16" charcoal and carbon on paper

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"Stand"

When researching the word "Stand" in the scriptures this morning, I noted a common theme. There were many like this scripture given in Malachi 3:2, 

"But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers' soap:"

Asking the question, who is able to stand in the Lord's presence? For we know that no unclean thing can dwell in the presence of God (Ephesians 5:5). So who can abide His coming? Who will be able to stand? And ironically the answer to the question is, those who have been standing for him all along. Those who have stood by faith, as Paul counseled to the Romans (Romans 11:20). Those who were "not ashamed of the gospel of Christ" (Romans 1 :16). 

So may we stand "having done all, to stand"(Ephesians 6:13-18). May "we hold fast the confidence... firm unto the end" (Hebrews 3:6). That when Christ comes, we may stand beside Him. 

12" x 12" oil on panel

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"Crowning Creation"

I went to see a movie a couple weekends ago that was all about the earth, and the life upon it. It was very inspiring and got me thinking about the creation. God designed and built this wonderful world for us. He formed the world. He separated the light from the darkness, He separated the waters from the land, He placed all kinds of beautiful trees and plants upon it, followed by all kinds of animals. He then created man, but the creation was not complete until He created woman. She was the last and final creation, making the world complete. Ever since that time, knowing her worth, Satan has been trying to demean her. Granted modern day society has worked to strengthen her stance on the political stage, but I'm afraid there is still so much cheapening of woman in trashy magazines, movies, and online filth. I'm thankful for the knowledge that woman are daughters of God, and as the crowning creation hold an essential role in God's plan. We were not created for display, we were made for greatness.

11" x 14" oil on masonite

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"Unveiled"

There are many kinds of veils spoken of in the scriptures. Ecclesiastes 1:11 gives reference to a kind of veil of forgetfulness that we passed through before coming to Earth, for we have "no remembrance of former things." When Moses spoke to the Children of Israel in Exodus 34:33-34 he wore a veil over his face. I believe this was symbolic of a kind of protection that he was passing on to the Children of Israel, for his people were not ready to receive all that Moses had been given of God. The veil then served to protect his people from being accountable of the greater things he had received. Paul then refers to this veil when speaking to the Corinthians, except instead of him wearing a veil, he says that the people have a "veil upon their heart" (2 Corinthians 3:13-18). However, Paul says that when the people would turn their hearts to Christ, the veil would be taken away. 

I believe that we all begin with a kind of veil on our minds and our hearts, like the Children of Israel, I think we are given this as a kind of protection. Therefore we are only held accountable for what we know, and for what bit of light we have received, for where much is given much is expected. I'm thankful for the Lord's tender mercy in starting us out this way, so that we may grow line upon line. However, I think we all reach a point in which we yearn for more, and we desire the Lord to impart more to us from beyond the veil. And I believe as Paul instructed, that as we turn our hearts to Christ, the veil is taken off a piece at a time. Until as Paul witnessed,

"For now we see through a glass (veil) darkly; but then face to face: now I know even as also I am known." (1 Corinthians 13:12) 

We can come to know God and Christ as well as they know us - what a beautiful thing to hope for and strive for. May we all have the faith to raise our veils a little higher, and a little higher.

12"x 16" oil on panel

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"Sure"

 "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."

1 Thessalonians 5:21

A testimony is something that starts small, and with time, and experience, and trial, it can grow into something great. My testimony of the Savior began with that of my parents, they taught me of Him. I've also gone to church all my life and learned of Him. My testimony started small, but through the years I have 'experimented' upon His word, and I have striven to keep His commandments, and the small light that began so many years ago is growing and turning into a fire in my heart. Like Paul said to the Thessalonians, I have proved what the Lord has said. I have tried it, and it works, it really is the way to happiness and peace. I have found it to be good, and so I am holding fast to it. 

9" x 11 1/2"

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"Rare Beauty"

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies." - Proverbs 31:10

Because I don't have tv reception or cable in my home I'm not really "in touch" with much of the current media. Therefore, when I catch the occasional show at the gym, it can sometimes be a little shocking or discouraging. Today one station had a show called, "The Sexiest Women Alive" or something like that. Of course, all of these woman were half naked, or more, and pretty much just looked like you're average Victoria Secret model. These woman were selling their bodies for profit, or for fame, and I was sad that they had truly sold something so valuable for so cheap a price. And it wasn't just "The Sexiest Women Alive" so much of the media seemed saturated with the air-brushed, augmented, and unclothed.  So who can find a virtuous woman? Yes, that is something truly rare. 

12" x 9" oil on panel

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"Horizons"

I remember moving to Colorado my senior year of high school, and one of my favorite things about the little town that we moved to, was how big the horizon line was. I loved going for walks through the big open fields and being able to see the ground kiss the sky in almost every direction. The world seemed so big, and I felt so small. My horizons have changed a lot since then, in southern California you're lucky if you can see above the smog. :) But as my family and I embark on a new adventure, I feel as I did standing in the Colorado fields, the world is so big, and I am so small. But nevertheless, I have a happy anticipation for the future, and am excited for all that lays ahead on my next horizon.

9" x 12" oil on board

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"Down the Road"

I find myself at such an interesting place in my life, everything is so up in the air. I don't really know where I'll be living, or what my husband will be doing in the next four months, let alone the next couple of years. I guess one could say it's kind of a scary place to be in. But the wonderful thing is that although I may not necessarily know where I'm going, I do know that God is in charge, and that God is aware of me and my family. I know He will lead us to the place we need to be, and so for now, I just exercise faith and wait for the way to be opened and the path to be clear. It will all work out, and it's kind of exciting to think about what lay down the road. 

9" x 12 1/2" oil on masonite

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