"True Christian art is not a picture of religious divinity but rather an expression of the Christ presence from within. A living account of a new found freedom encased in dependency, liberty rooted in obedience."
"I'm about to tell you something you may find hard to believe. You're about to hear an opinion that may stretch your imagination. You don't have to agree with me, but I would like you to consider it with me. You don't have to buy it, but at least think about it. Here it is: If you were the only person on earth, the earth would look exactly the same.The Himalayas would still have their drama and the Caribbean would still have its charm. The sun would still nestle behind the Rockies in the evenings and spray light on the desert in the mornings. If you were the sole pilgrim on this globe, God would not diminish its beauty one degree.
Because he did it all for you and he's waiting for you to discover his gift. He's waiting for you to stumble into the den, rub the sleep from your eyes, and see the bright red bike he assembled just for you. He's waiting for your eyes to pop and your heart to stop. He's waiting for the moment between the dropping of the jaw and the leap of the heart. For in that silence he leans forward and whispers: I did it just for you."
I want to share with you some quotations that I find particularly inspiring and thoughtful.
"If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men."
St. Francis of Assisi
Brokenness
Have you ever noticed how soft and yielding the ground is after a gentle rain? The ideal time to turn up a new garden. The longer we wait the harder the earth becomes, stubborn and resistant to our efforts. Sometimes the only way to break it up is with a pick.
Our hearts are much the same, softened by pursuing God and hardened by keeping our distance from Him, continuing in our sin.
Belonging to Jesus assures us many things. Eternal life, abundant life, joy, trials, temptations, hardships and brokenness.
If we are like Jesus, loving, forgiving, wholly set aside for God, we must be broken. And God will surely see to it. He loves us too much not to.
Don't loath or dread the manner He chooses. He is faithful and trustworthy. He means you good, not harm. If you need gentle storms to soften your heart, thank Him. If He needs to swing the pick and abruptly break up the ground, thank Him. Let the work of brokenness be done. Jesus suffered it in the Garden of Gethsemene. The result was our salvation.
When God calls you to brokenness His intent is to clean out that area and make it usable. No longer will it be worthless ground bearing only weeds. But it will be transformed into a place of beauty.
By T. K. Crawforth
(c) 2004
'Weeping may endure for a night. But joy cometh in the morning.'
Psalm 30:5b
"A student learns what a teacher knows, but a disciple becomes what a teacher is. The problem with human beings is that we try to figure out what God wants accomplished and then plow into it our way. We have to constantly remember that our role is to be available, to be disciples. We need to get out of our selfish day-to-day existence and get on board with the Lord's agenda."
~Diane Passno
I believe in Christianity as I believe the sun has risen, not only because I see it but because, by it, I see everything else.
From The Weight of Glory by C.S. Lewis
All work copyright Deborah Secor.
[On Ephesisans 4:1]
But how exceedingly difficult is such a walk! The old habits of life are so binding; the worldly currents about us are so strong; the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil are so subtle; the fear of being considered peculiar is so gripping; the opportunity of fellowship with spiritually-minded Christians is so limited. To maintain a steady, sustained consistency in daily conduct is not an easy task. It is far easier to float downstream with the tide of nominal Christianity; to drift in the listlessness and lukewarmness of a worldly church; to creep along as a spiritual babe, fed on the milk of elementary doctrines of salvation; easier even to mount up with eagle's wing and soar to spiritual heights of sudden inspiration on some spiritual Mount of Transfiguration only to relapse into a backslidden condition when facing the stern realities of Christian living in an unsympathetic atmosphere; very much easier, even, to run, rising to some particular task such as teaching a Bible class, or leading a meeting, or preaching a sermon, than to practise consistently in the home, office, or social circle the truth preached. A daily, consistent Christlike walk; no stagnancy, slump or sloth -- how hard!
So the aged apostle devotes the very heart of this epistle to telling us what a worthy walk is. Eight times he uses the word "walk." What shall we do with this divine standard set for the Christian's walk? We may reject it as impossible and impracticable, or we may receive it as possible and livable and rejoice in it, as daily our faithful Father enables us "to walk even as he walked" by the power of the divine Spirit.
--Ruth Paxson
From The Wealth, Walk and Warfare of the Christian
Page last updated: October 17, 2009
My career has been a journey in search of beauty and truth, which come from God. I seek to show His beauty, power and majesty, and my serenity and joy, however imperfectly translated through the talent He has given me. As I paint, I look forward to daily lessons from my Master, Jesus Christ. I hope that you will see Him shining through the work you see here.
Because he did it all for you and he's waiting for you to discover his gift. He's waiting for you to stumble into the den, rub the sleep from your eyes, and see the bright red bike he assembled just for you. He's waiting for your eyes to pop and your heart to stop. He's waiting for the moment between the dropping of the jaw and the leap of the heart. For in that silence he leans forward and whispers: I did it just for you."