Inspired  Brushstrokes is organized into four galleries ~ Family,  Golf,  Landscapes and Seascapes  and  Memphis Landmarks. The inspirational art and writings are dedicate to encourage you to use your God-given gifts, Imagination, Faith, Talents, and Spiritual gifts to point people to JESUS, whether at home or with others. Knowing and loving Jesus and making Him known is why we're here. It's what matters most! We, like Jesus, are to be about our Father's business (Luke 2:49). What we do for Him is not our motivation; our motivation is making known what He has done for us! That's why unapologetically, I incorporate Jesus' name and biblical messages in my paintings. Buyers in the art world have tried to steer me toward pleasing the masses such as one who boldly advised, "You've got to stop this 'Jesus thing' if you want to be successful!" Others have said, "If you'll stop incorporating Jesus' name in your paintings, I'll support you!" Pleasing people is not why we're here. 1 Thes 2:4 Praise God, He sets us free of that lie (John 8:44)! 

Some have said, “I can’t remember her name, but she's the artist who incorporates JESUS’ name in her paintings.” These dear souls have no idea that this is the greatest of compliments! Every scene I paint doesn't have to be a bold expression of faith. I know this to be true because Jesus was a Carpenter. His last words to go and make disciples was a commission for all Christians though. This simply means to be intentional ~ get in to God's Word, do what it says, and pass it on to those in your sphere of influence.

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven." (Mat. 5:14-16 MSG)

The cross standing tall above the wilderness seems to be a bold statement 
from the Creator of how important the message of the cross really is. 

What Matters Most to You?

The National Science Foundation recorded that, “Our brains produce 12,000 - 60,000 thoughts per day, depending on how deep a thinker we are. We dwell in the past obsessing about mistakes, battling guilt, and worry about the future. We constantly drift into fantasy, fiction and negativity with 70-80% being negative thoughts.” Their study caused them to acknowledge that, “This is sad!” 

The things we do and say reveal what’s hidden in the heart. (Proverbs 4:23) Responses to our thoughts ~ the words we speak, tone of voice, facial expressions and body language ~ all play a part in shaping our reputation. The thoughts we think today, and the way we respond to them, matter for eternity! Are you thinking about what you think about as Paul instructed in Phil. 4:8? Negative thoughts produces negative energy that torments, confuses, distracts, depresses, and overcomes us with paralyzing fear. Gal. 5:1 If your eyes have not been open to see the wicked webs of negative thoughts and unconfessed sin, think about this ~ the alive and active Word of God equips and empowers born-again believers to stand firm in the battlefield of our minds. (Heb 4: 12, Eph. 6:10-18) The Spirit of God resides within the heart of every Christian and protects us from giving in to the attacks and lies of our enemy. This is not positive thinking, friends! This is Christ-centered focus! God mysteriously transforms the surrendered heart toward responses for our good, and for His glory. (Romans8:28)

Our legacy matters as Ann Voskamp poetically expressed, “I don’t want more time; I only want time to do my one life well.” Your deliberate choices to obey Christ with your every thought, will result with no regrets! If you’re challenged with unholy thoughts, ask the Holy Spirit to discern the root cause; confess any sin that’s kept you from trusting God’s Promises; and let God regenerate every area of your thought-life. Cut the ties of being a victim of Satan’s lies by ‘taking every thought captive to obey Christ!’ 2 Cor. 10:3-5 

My passion to share what Scripture teaches about our thought life is driven from personal testimony in an effort to help others discover God's free-way while you're still young. (Eph. 1:7) It's time to put down the mask, and quit trying to please the masses! Whatever you do with your time today; whether it's with one or a million and one; the number of those you need to please never changes! You can not lose when you choose to please God, your audience of One!  Let go, now, and let God have control. 'You are controlled by the Holy Spirit IF you have the Spirit of God living in you.' Romans 8:5-9  

May your awareness of what matters most inspire greater devotion in thinking and responding more like Jesus. (2 Cor. 10:5, 1 Cor. 2:9-16) Will you join me in being more intentional with your thoughts and responses, and time with God and other? Just don't let your doing become your main focus. God is far more interested in what you are, than what you do! Make conscious choices today, to 'do your one life well!' 

Joyce Girgenti

Landscapes/ Seascapes

My Faith-Based Art is grounded in, and flows out of, my personal relationship with God. The inspirational stories motivate Christians to get pumped up about their calling; to know Christ, and make Him known. JESUS' name and biblical messages are incorporated to remind born-again believers that we’re all involved in ministry (which begins at home, and then to others). Painful situations, difficult relationships, and challenging responsibilities can overwhelm us IF we forget that they indeed have an unforeseeable God-shaped purpose. I can just heart the Lord cheering us on with encouraging whispers in the heat of our battles, "I’m watching you, beloved! Don’t get distracted! IF you stay focused on Me, THEN I will do what you could never dare to dream; your relationship with Me will deepened; your faith will increase; your heart will be cleansed and transformed; some questions will get answers; and people will be impacted for eternity in your sphere of influence."

This art-ministry is also an open door for evangelism as the visual messages bring up conversation where lost souls open up to share what's going on in their broken little corner of the world. Though I point viewers to JESUS, no one is transformed by studying a piece of art. My paintings are only a tool that God uses to open the door to talk about Jesus and our need to know and live for Him. It's the work of the Holy Spirit when a lost soul opens his/her heart to receive Christ. My purpose for pointing you to Jesus is only to encourage you to diligently develop a consistent devotional life, and to help you discover God's Free-Way! We learn from one another's experiences. My personal faith journey, and the strongholds I've found freedom in, has deeply influenced this ministry, which are some of the topics discussed at speaking engagements. Be encouraged to help others in your sphere of influence, by sharing what God has taught you. Tell your redemption story, Friend, and use your God-given and spiritual gifts for His glory. Then be prepared to see life-changing results from your faithfulness! "When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours," Romans 1:12

After winning Olympic gold, US gymnast Gabby Douglas told NBC, "It's everything I thought it would be; being the Olympic champion, it definitely is an amazing feeling. And I give all the glory to God. It's kind of a win-win situation. The glory goes up to Him and the blessings fall down on me." Then she tweeted: "Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things He does for me." Glorifying God is our ultimate purpose in life! My heart is blessed to see Gabby discover this at such a young age! If you've not yet developed a daily devotional time alone with God, in His Word and in prayer, now is the time to begin Friend. "We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18

ABOUT YOUR IMPACT: Often times, paintings become permanent records of their creator's passion. Artist or not, you paint permanent messages in the memories of  your viewers. If you've not been mindful of how you'll be remembered, start today. Choices today influence your viewers long after you're gone. When we focus on Jesus, our Christ-centered perspective results in eternal rewards (on earth and in heaven). We will harvest what we plant Galatians6:1-10 and those we share life with will be impacted for good or for evil (depending on the seed you have chosen to plant). You're making a difference for eternity as your heart reveals what you're really made of Proverbs27:19. How will the end of your story be written? The transforming power of Jesus, which is the Holy Spirit within the heart of every believer, equips us with discernment to make the right choices the moment we confess our sins to make Jesus the Lord of our lives. The next right step is to get plugged in to a Bible-based church and small groups to grow in your faith and to find your place in the body of Christ. 

ABOUT GIFTS: Don't compare others giftedness with yours. You deceive yourself if you think your gifts and abilities are too small. Just be obedient to the Spirit's leading so that each part of Christ' body is functioning as it was created to do. NFL quarterback, TIM  TEBOW, is a bold witness with his God-given platform. Tim is devoted to his calling; faithfully exemplifying his love for God (above all else) and love for others (even his critics). His title, fame, or fortune is not Tim's greatest purpose in life; his greatest purpose is to point his viewers to JESUS. How are you using your God-given platform? Be encouraged, Friend! And be creative in pointing others to Christ with the God-given talents and spiritual gifts you are given by the very nature of God working within you. If you're thinking, "I don't even know where to begin," your MINISTRY is where you spend your time. Think about what you do well, and what you love to do. Ask God how He wants to use you to serve Him, and to help others.

HOW GOD MAKE HIS WILL KNOWN: "By the power of the Holy Spirit, God reveals Himself through prayer, the bible, circumstances, and other Christians (the church)," - Henry Blackaby, "Experiencing God". My Family Scenes exemplify our need for devoted time with God to develop a growing relationship with Him. Do you love God above all relationships and all things? Are you daily applying and sharing His Promises mentioned in Scripture? What happens at the moment of salvation?  My personal testimony bears witness to a changed life when one turns from sin, and turns to God. (The Apostle Paul's testimony Acts26:12-23.) Don't rob yourself of the blessings tucked away in the treasure chest of God's Life-giving Word. IF you search for Him with your whole heart, you have His promise; He will be found Jeremiah 29: 11-14.

Other areas of service: I transport and counsel military recruits and give each of them their favorite piece of art to evangelize and encourage them; serve at Liberty Bible Church New Hope Counseling Ministry, Chesterton, IN; set up art exhibits in churches and government facilities (schools, colleges, libraries, businesses...); provide art for non-profits.; and speak at churches, schools, and events when invited. 

Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "Many people die with their MUSIC still in them.” The Spirit gives each of us different abilities to build up the body of Christ. Visual inspiration is a gift from God to disciple His church. I just want to do my part, determined not to leave this world with my “music” still in me. 

Please share your suggestions, questions, or how you've been inspired to get involvement in what God is doing to revive and move the hearts of His people,  
Joyce Girgenti (inspirational artist and faith speaker)