40 Days: Day 40: Come to the Table

40"x40"
Oil on Canvas

Commissioned

This is my final posting for this year's "40 Days" journey. It is a commissioned painting I have been working on for First Presbyterian Church, Franklin, TN. It was installed today—just in time for an Easter debut. 

“Welcome one another just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”

Romans 15:7

This painting is a vision of God’s grace and serves as a reminder of how we are to be to each other. The painting depicts a peaceable, abundant table which has been prepared for all ages, genders, races and abilities. Among the variety of food on the table, there are also sacramental symbols of bread, wine and water. The figures are vague and rough around the edges because we come together as we are, with all of our imperfections. Near the bottom, there is an empty place setting which is an open sign of grace for all people present, separated  departed and yet to come.

40 Days: Day 39: Shadow

5x7

Acrylic on Paper

Abstract expression inspired by tonight's Good Friday service of Tenebrae.

A Service of Tenebrae, or "Shadows," is based on a twelfth–century late night/early morning service and is an extended meditation on the passion of Christ.

40 Days: Day 38: Mandatum

5"x7"
Oil on Canvas

with Palette Knife

SOLD

"A new commandment I give unto you: 

That you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another."

Today we celebrate Maundy Thursday. The name "Maundy" comes from the latin "Mandatum" which means "Mandate." On this day, we remember Jesus' last supper with His disciples. On that night, he washed their feet and commanded them to do the same. He also took the bread and the cup form the passover meal and declared them as symbols of his body and blood—given for all of mankind. He also instructed them to remember Him in the breaking of bread and drinking of the cup. 

This abstract mashes all of those themes together as an outpouring act of love. 

It portrays the tone of the evening, the call to remember, and the command to love.

40 Days: Day 37: The Basin & The Towel

8"x10" Oil on Panel

Click Here for Digital Download

Here is an older painting for Holy Week is now available for Digital Download.

40 Days: Day 36: On the Lake

18"x24"
Oil on Canvas

Commissioned

Daily painting is not all about one painting a day. 
Here's one of the many other projects I've been working on.
Commissioned by a fellow lake loving family.

May this lake's serenity bring you some peace today.

40 Days: Day 35: Morning Song II

5"x7"
Oil on Canvas

with Palette Knife

Click Here To Purchase

Here is a little impression from my back yard this morning.

40 Days: Day 33: Touched

11"x14"
Oil on Canvas

Commissioned

Luke 8:43-48

Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. Then Jesus asked, “Who touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you.” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me.” When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

This is a commissioned painting of one of my favorite stories. Thought the gospels, Jesus heals in many different ways. Sometimes with just a command, sometimes long distance, sometimes tactually and deliberately. But this time, the miracle was performed unconsciously. The woman touched Jesus, from behind, among a crowd of people. She was healed instantly. Then, Jesus does something remarkable. He sensed power leaving from him. He turned around to inquire about it. The power of God in Jesus was something real and physical enough for Jesus to sense it at work—and it was beyond his own control.

God was at work in Jesus without Jesus even knowing it until after the fact. This is a fascinating twist in the story for me.  To me, it means that Jesus was so much an instrument of God's grace ("Touched by God" if you will), that God was able to work miracles through him beyond his own actions. Have you ever tried so hard to make something go right for God? A ministry, goal or charitable effort? Sometimes they work great. Sometimes they fail. But then there are those times when something seems to go wonderfully right for God  and we had nothing to do with it—perhaps even in spite of anything we did. That is an amazing interaction. 

In the painting, The woman touches Jesus among the crowd of people. Both Jesus and the woman are highlighted so subtly that it is easy for the crowd (and the viewer) to miss. The power is real, as illustrated in the painting. But it may be only noticeable to those who have the faith to realize it. 

Miracles can happen, unexpectedly, in the most unlikely of circumstances. You are an instrument of God for the world. We are all called to serve in ways both great and small. But always remember that we belong to God. God can use us for the kingdom when we don't even know it. 

Now that is Grace.