O King of Nations

2.5"x3.5" Acrylic on Board

with Palette Knife

ACEO

O come, thou King of nations bind
all peoples in one heart and mind.
Bid envy strife and discord cease
and fill the world with heaven's peace.

"O" Antiphons series.

The Church has been singing the "O" Antiphons since at least the eighth century. They are the antiphons that accompany the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from December 17-23. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming Christ as the fulfillment not only of Old Testament hopes, but present ones as well. Their repeated use of the imperative "Come!" embodies the longing of all for the Divine Messiah.

There are many different texts for the O Antiphons. For this series, I'm using the verses to they hymn "O Come Emmanuel" which lyrically contains all of the O Antiphons.

O Key of David

2.5"x3.5" Oil on Board

with Palette Knife

ACEO

O come, O Key of David, come

and open wide our heavenly home.

Make safe the way that leads on high
and close the path of misery. 

"O" Antiphons series.

The Church has been singing the "O" Antiphons since at least the eighth century. They are the antiphons that accompany the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from December 17-23. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming Christ as the fulfillment not only of Old Testament hopes, but present ones as well. Their repeated use of the imperative "Come!" embodies the longing of all for the Divine Messiah.

There are many different texts for the O Antiphons. For this series, I'm using the verses to they hymn "O Come Emmanuel" which lyrically contains all of the O Antiphons.

Hallelujah

16"x20" Oil on Canvas

with Palette Knife
SOLD

It was Easter Sunday. The service was concluding with the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah. I had planned to sing along. Having sung it for many years, the song is very familiar to me. But God silenced my mouth that day and encouraged me to listen. I closed my eyes and let my entire being embrace the music. The talented musicians and passionate voices filled my soul like wind filling the sail of a ship, carrying me away to an encounter with God. 

I saw a vision of Heaven—a vast space filled with glorious light. I was part of a landscape of souls. There were countless people, all singing and giving praise to Christ. We were all singing because we all shared the same experience. We had all been redeemed by our merciful and loving savior. There was no more judgement or disagreement for we had all been made one by grace. That reality produced an overwhelming song of "Hallelujah." Lifted up in the crowd was our beautiful savior. The one who had conquered sin and death for our sake was allowing us to praise him with all of our love and gratitude. 

Then I saw how that kingdom manifests itself in the reality of our world. People loving one another and caring for each other.  I saw the world as perhaps God sees it. Beautiful. Diverse. Delicate. Its broken places being mended with compassion and love. "The Kingdom of this world is become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ. And He shall reign for ever and ever."

It was a moment that brought me to tears.

I never expected to have an experience like that. Perhaps it was the choir and the musicians putting their all into the music. Perhaps it was the composition and the words. But there's no doubt that it was a God moment. 

The Days are Surely Coming

12"x12" Oil on Panel

Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again. 

This is the mystery of our faith, and the core of our hope. Since Christ’s ascension, centuries ago, we’ve been living in a season of Advent. Look at the world today and you can see that we are a people who have witnessed a Great Light, but continue to live in darkness. Thankfully, it is only a season. In the end, Grace will dawn again. God’s Messiah will return. Crowned with the mysteries of the universe, our King will once again bring the light of truth to our world. A robe of justice will flow from his shoulders, like a waterfall of grace, to purify us. And all that’s wrong with our world will be set right. That’s my vision of our Advent hope. It’s easy to loose sight of that hope while waiting in the dark. But, rest assured. The day will surely come.

Advent, Christmas & and Epiphany Art, 2012

for First Presbyterian Church, Franklin, TN