"The Maker of the Mountain is Always Watching Over Me"

500 Signed and Numbered 20" X 40" Canvas Giclée $400 .... Framed $700
Small 12" X 24" Canvas Giclée $155 ..... Framed $300

This original available

All roads in this painting lead to the church. 
Can you see Jesus watching over you in the mountains?

 Paraphrased From Psalm 121

I lift my eyes to the mountains. Does my help come from there? No. My help comes from the Lord, 
who made the heavens and the earth! He will not let me stumble or fall: 
the one who watches over me will not sleep. The Lord is my keeper. 
He stands beside me as my protective shade. The Lord keeps me from evil. 
He shall preserve my soul. The Lord keeps watch over me as I come and go, both now and forever.

As I prepared to paint something to hang over my fireplace that would bless my family, I wanted it to be warm, comforting, and inspiring. But, I couldn’t understand why I had to keep putting this painting down and couldn’t touch it during some very difficult times of my life. Finally in the 3^rd year God showed me He was putting together a life lesson that I had to experience, myself, to be able to share it with others. We all experience good times and we all suffer, one way or another. We all go though valleys and we all have mountain top experiences, but Jesus is always watching over us.

When I lived in Georgia , one of my favorite places to go for a walk and spend time alone with the Lord was a quiet place by the river where there were no distractions of man-made-things. Close to finishing this painting, I went for a walk to my “Sanctuary”. I started hearing an unusual and unsettling sound that was not any kind of automobile. I asked the Lord, “What in the world is it?” as the sound seemed to get closer and closer. All of a sudden a little fawn came barreling over the hill and down the ditch next to where I was walking. I asked, “What’s wrong with this poor little deer?” and immediately I saw that it was running for its life. A wolf was on a rampage with every bit of confidence that he was going to have this frail and innocent fawn for dinner.  

With no reserves, I stepped into its path screaming and yelling to save this little deer. The wolf could turn on me and shred me to pieces, but God gave me peace about standing up for the fawn. God showed me in the moment that this is the way the enemy (Satan) works. He usually begins his work with subtle thoughts in our mind.

Paul tells us in Ephesians, to be alert, armed and ready to discern every thought before you find yourself in sin. When you are capable of recognizing the enemy, you can save yourself from brokenness and the consequences of sin if you’ll “run from it like a scared little girl”, says Pastor Larry Harmon. Charles Stanley’s book, “WHEN THE ENEMY STRIKES” gives us an example, “When Potiphar’s wife caught Joseph by his garment, physically touching him and said, “Lie with me,” Joseph did not argue with her or try to talk to her. He “fled and RAN outside” (Genesis 39:12). Your temptations may not be as critical, but whatever they are, recognize that the enemy is the source of ALL temptation. RUN as fast as you can.    

There will always be attacks in your Christian walk, so just be ready by putting on the Whole Armor of God every morning with time in prayer and in God’s Word (the Bible). A lot of pain and suffering could be avoided if we will follow David’s example by starting each morning with prayer and Bible study. “Listen to my voice in the morning Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3)

I can’t expect someone else to tell me what God’s Will is. If I want to know what His Will is, I must be willing to sacrifice the beginning of each new day. Is it smart to get into an automobile without instruction or training to know how to drive or where to go? If I get out of my bed and head to work or school with no consideration of God’s Will, then I’m telling Him, “Well, Lord. I’m pretty good at this by now, so I’ll take it from here. Now if I get into trouble, I’ll be sure to give you a call so You can bail me out.” We have no idea how dangerous this kind of living and thinking can be. If I’m going to expect God’s best, I must be willing and dedicated to spend each day with God’s principles.

When David was a young shepherd boy, and volunteered to fight Goliath, he had no reservations about whether or not he could whoop this giant. David said that no one is going to blaspheme (dishonor or disrespect) “my God!” He picked up 5 smooth stones from a stream and went after the giant with only his shepherd’s staff and a sling. He was criticized and discouraged because of his inexperience and size, but David knew he was not alone in his battle. He had the power of Almighty God fighting for him. Out of obedience he took on what was impossible to a mortal man. Goliath didn’t realize that in fighting David, he also had to fight God.

As I stood there waving my arms, jumping and screaming, ready to fight this wild wolf, the thought crossed my mind that God could take me home right then. I also realized that if anyone was out to where they could hear or see me, it would be another time in my life when someone is convinced that I’m crazy.  

I didn’t care and I didn’t fear what anyone might think of me or what could happen. I only knew I was supposed to do this. After the wolf stopped in his tracks and headed another direction into the woods, I just praised the Lord for using me to help that little deer. God immediately showed me a vision of how the enemy works. But unlike the fawn, we have choices.

Dr. Charles Stanley says, “You may be facing a CMD (Critical Moment of Decision) in your life.” Is your greatest challenge like the blind author, Jennifer Rothschild? She says, “My greatest challenge in not my blindness. My greatest challenge is - How will I respond?” Your response will play a major role in forming your character and your future. Life is full of choices. You can give in to the deceit of the devil with negative thoughts, words, or actions (which is sin), or you can stand up to him, unwavering, ready to fight every battle by surrendering ourselves to God who fights our battles for us.

The bridge in this painting represents the choice to either stay under the shelter of His wings or to cross over into sin, and the destruction it causes, where the enemy will have his way with us. The wolf on the left represents the enemy waiting to attack its prey. Like the wolf (and like a roaring lion) Satan is always lurking around waiting to attack us or trying to confuse us. But Jesus is always there in our defense to protect us and steer us in the right direction - if only we will allow Him to.

Many are deceived to think that ignorance is a safer or easier way to live their lives, but they are sadly mistaken. I’m here to tell you that if only I had the training and the Truth taught about the spiritual warfare that takes place right here in our midst, I would have been able to save myself of much sorrow when I was younger. Thanks be to God, I now have a discerning spirit to recognize evil and fight it with the power of the Holy Spirit! And through my paintings, I have the ability to share the wisdom that my loving Father has bestowed on me.

One of my greatest desires is to share with people all over the world that sin separates us from God. “Hide God’s Word in your heart to keep you from sinning against Him.” (Psalm 119:11)

Something More: I experienced the loss of my dad and sister while I was working on this painting. Although they waited late in life to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, I know they are both spending Eternity in sweet Beaula Land with Mother, who also did not get things right with the Lord until the last few months of her life.

If you have never received Jesus as your personal Savior or if you have any doubt about your salvation, don’t hesitate to get your Eternal Life in order. Death is inevitable. You can’t escape it.

The one thing that I've learned in these 3 years while trying to paint this picture is the only thing that really matters in this world; Whether or not we have received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. All other things will pass away but our spirit will live forever. I hope you know Him.

If you are in the valley right now, just remember that God never leaves us there. Just keep your eyes on Jesus and He will bring you through it. He didn't say He would take you to the valley. He said He would take you through the valley.

Story and painting by Joyce Girgenti (Artist, Speaker, and Author)

" Seaside Splendor "
Can you find Jesus' name ?   Look in the mountain side and in the water.

14" X 20" Print $40…..Framed $200
500 Signed and Numbered 24" X 36" Canvas Giclée $400…Framed $700
24 X 36 Original Oil on Canvas SOLD - $2900

"18th at Harbour Town"
Find scripture in seashells: Jesus said, "I am the light of the world."

14" X 20" Print $40…..Framed $200
500 Signed and Numbered 24" X 36" Canvas Giclée $400…Framed $700
24 X 36 Original Oil on Canvas SOLD  for $2900

Printed around the hand of Christ is the story: At the time of the crucifixion the dogwood was the size of the oaks and other forest trees. To be used for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the tree. Jesus, nailed upon it, sensed this. In His gentle pity for all suffering, he said to it, "Never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross... And its blossoms shall be in the shape of the cross... two long and two short petals. On the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints, brown with rust and stained with red. In the center of the flower will be the crown of thorns, and all who see it will remember."

Although this is merely a legend, research has been done and documents have been made to prove that the dogwood was the tree used for the crucifixion. How this unknown author came up with such a meaningful description from Jesus is still a mystery. This legend has been passed down from generation to generation.