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Family Heirlooms
Visual
Reminders to Put GOD First
Why do we
collect "heirlooms" anyway? Some of my favorite
heirlooms are in my kitchen. They bring back glimpses of tender memories of
my mother; tablespoons she held in her grip; a green bowl used to mix mashed potatoes, salads
and desserts; a 4th generation wood-handle fork for meat preparation;
and her aprons that are most likely out of style. To most people these "heirlooms" would hold no value, but it's
the memories of seeing my mother pour herself into her "labor of
love". She didn't know how to vocalize the words "I LOVE
YOU" until the last months of her life. Though I desperately craved to hear the
words, Mom's love was expressed by service to her family. Many long hard
hours from her garden to her kitchen, creating the most delicious meals
on a very limited budget. For me anyway, I've discovered it's not the "heirloom" that becomes the beloved
treasure. It's the memories of a relationship that resurface when seeing
or holding it.
It brings back a shared moment in time that forever tied our
heartstrings together. God
uses my childhood experiences to remind me of the need to pass on the
blessings of His love. My artwork
bears witness to the urgency of using affirming and encouraging words and
actions. My Story-Paintings are inspired by scripture and valuable lessons I
wish I'd known in the years of my youth.
NEW RELEASE ! "Yesterday, Today and
Forever... Momma's Little Girl"
This original available
God always knows what's
best for us. He will show you which way to turn at a fork in the road if
you seek His will. Don't get impatient and get ahead of God. Wait until
you hear from God. Keep in mind that if your answer is not in line
(consistent) with God's Word (the Bible) it is not God's will. Proverbs 3
:
5-6 teaches us to
TRUST IN THE LORD with
ALL your heart; do not depend on your own understanding or trouble is
sure to follow.
Seek His will in ALL you do, and He will show you which path to
take with every decision you make.
MOM, Little girls are a
precious gift from Heaven entrusted into your care to
discover her divine purpose. You may not have started well, but you
can start today reflecting a righteous and virtuous mother. What
does this kind of woman look like? She is a surrendered instrument
for Jesus, raising her children according to God's agenda instead of
her own. Conscious of her influence on her children, she glorifies
God with every thought, word and deed. Focusing on their potential,
she speaks words of life and encouragement.
Reflecting modesty
and genuine beauty, her dress is in harmony with her character; not
hindering the work of the Holy Spirit. She's a good example as a
wife, submitting to and respecting her husband as head of her home in the same way
she submits to and respects the Lord. When she makes a mistake, she acknowledges
it and asks for forgiveness. As a soldier in the Lord's army she is
not distracted by the tricks and lies of Satan. God's armor covers
her and keeps her ready for every spiritual battle.
She's not afraid of
getting a little dirty from hard work. From her position as a “Princess
of the King” to her role as a "Spiritual
Carpenter”, she builds temples for Jesus in the heart of her
children. Her greatest desire for her children when they’re grown
is that they will accept their position as royalty in God's family,
choosing Christ to be the Lord of their lives.
She
does not live for the praise of man (or woman) contrary to what the
world considers success. Every day she lives with eternity in mind,
aiming for the greatest title of all, a “Servant
of the Lord”. Do you
think it's possible to bless the future of
our world? It is. You can start by
answering the call on your life to nurture your children's hopes and
dreams. Raise them up to glorify God at all times. What
will be remembered about you when your children are grown, or when you
are gone? Quality time is what they
need. Your undivided attention. Memories of your love in action.
Remember, "heirlooms" are precious because of the memories
they hold. Keep you legacy in mind with everyone you interact with.
NEW CANVAS RELEASE !
Limited
Edition ( 24” X 30”) Canvas Giclée $400 ........Custom Framed
and Stretched $700
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"Momma's Little Man"
Click on the painting for a larger image.
This original available
Children learn from what they see,
not from what they are told. As a reminder
to remain on our knees throughout our lives, “Momma’s
Little Man” represents the Past
in
the picture over the bed where Mother and her baby are bonding for the
first time. The Present
time is where the little boy is saying his prayers with Mother. Look for
the Future
through the window as the young man is on his knee proposing to his
bride-to-be.
The artist has written letters to accompany your print. One is from a
mother and one from a son to be used as an added expression of your
love.
You can sign your letter to
make your gift more personal or they may encourage you to write your
own. This letter, alone, is better than a store-bought card.
The
print and the letters will not only encourage you to be everything you
were created to be, but they will bring back wonderful memories and
will become a precious treasure for the rest of your lives. Click
here to read and copy the letters.
Messages
to find: Crosses;
The words “Love Jesus”
in the boys pajamas; An unintentional Angel
is on the pillowcase; The airplane, fire truck, soldier holding the
flag, photo of soldier in uniform, and the clock set at 9:11 are all to
honor those who’ve served our country since 9/11/01.
The
subtitle is from Deut. 6: 5-7 where Moses’ last instructions were to, “Love
the Lord with all your heart, soul, and might. Teach these commandments
to your children and talk about them when you are at home or out for a
walk; at bedtime and the first thing in the morning.”
Limited
Edition (19" X 24") $95
Custom Framed
$300
Print
(12" X 16") Suggested Donation $20
Custom Framed
$200
NEW CANVAS RELEASE !
Limited
Edition ( 24” X 30”) Canvas Giclée $400 ........Custom Framed
and Stretched $700
Mid-Size ( 16” X 20”) Canvas Giclée
$150 ................Custom Framed and Stretched $350
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"My Little Sleeping Beauty"
Look for the Past
in the picture on the wall. Jesus’ name is in this area of the
picture. The golden star that she gazes on is also in the palm of the
Angel’s hand in the book, “Angels Watching over Me,” symbolic of
Angel’s watching over her.
The Present time is represented with the child asleep in the foreground.
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"Everlasting Promises"
The whole
building is joined together and becomes a constantly growing temple of
God. You, too, are being built together as a dwelling place for Jesus
to live in. (Ephesians 2:21)
Married
couples of any age can see themselves in this time-line as they
reminisce about a long and loving relationship. The bride and groom
are looking forward to growing old together. As they think about how
God put them together, their past is represented when they were
children with their families (to the left and
right). Marriage is like a triangle with the bride and groom at
the bottom corners and God at the top. The closer we draw to God the
closer we draw to one another.
Husbands, your ministry is
first to your wife and your children. Then to others.
Wives, your ministry is first to your husband and your children.
Then to others.
Wives Resource Center
Ask
yourself these very important questions?
What
does my temple promote? Do I dress modestly? Do I carry my temple in
a way that reflects Christ? Or, do I dress provocatively and
seductively? Nancy Leigh DeMoss' series on dressing in a way that brings honor
and glory to God can be heard and read from her archives: May 23-27, 2005.
May 27th link: Revive
Our Hearts Radio - Does God Really Care What I Wear:
Free to be Modest
If
I am a follower of Christ, the door to
my temple (my heart) should be open for all to see Christ?
The
temple in this painting, the scripture and the message are all reminders that our bodies
are living
temples for Jesus to live in. What does your temple promote?
The
last
supper,
an image of Jesus,
and Jesus’
name are
the messages to find in a straight line leading to the
cross to
represent Christ as the center of all
things.
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"Magnolia Memories"
Train up a child
in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.
(Proverbs 22:6)
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"Jesus Led the Way"
Scripture
tells us that to be absent from the body is to be in the presence of
the Lord 2 Corinthians 5
6-10. Once you die, your eternal destiny is forever in place
and is based solely on your faith in Christ. No one is resurrected to glory
without faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ
1 Corinthians 15:
3-8. Romans 14: 12 says, "Yes,
each of us will give a personal account to God."
Christ died for our sins and by faith we receive His payment which
eternally seals us in Him.
Eternity
in Heaven is a choice made by the individual while they are still
alive. Be sure of this truth, friend. There
are no second chances to accept the Lord once we die.
God
has given us this life to make that choice. Therefore; death ends
any opportunity to repent.
No
one can change our destiny for us.
If they could, Jesus would have given us instruction on praying for
our dead loved ones who might not have made it to heaven on their
own, but He did not. He made it very clear that we are responsible
for our own choices. "If you
confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart
that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by
believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is
by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. Everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord
will be saved.” (Romans 10:9-10, 13)
While you
are still alive, beloved, you must know the truth; If you die
rejecting Jesus, your destiny is eternal hell. John
3:3-8 Jesus replied, “I
tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the
Kingdom of God.” “What
do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back
into his mother’s womb and be born again?” Jesus replied, “I
assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born
of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human
life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So
don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born
again.’ The wind blows wherever it wants.
Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from
or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of
the Spirit.”
“For
God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so
that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal
life. God sent his Son into the world not
to judge the world, but to save the world through him." (John
3:16-17)
The
following links are reputable pastors speaking on the subject of how
to have eternal security in heaven;
1) His Resurrection, Our Assurance - Sermon Outline - In Touch Ministries - Dr. Charles Stanley
2) Pastor
Greg Laurie's son is alive! Facebook
As a Christian I believe in a literal
Heaven and Hell as taught by Jesus. As a follower of Christ,
my suffering will end
the moment my earthly body dies. The last breath I take on earth
will be the first breath I take in heaven. It is my prayer that your loved ones will have
no doubt that you are Safe in the Loving
Arms of Jesus
when you take your last breath.
This Canvas Giclee reproduction is available in:
Limited Edition (20” X 24”)
Canvas Giclée $250 .......Custom Framed and Stretched $450
Mid-Size ( 16” X 20”) Canvas Giclée
$150 ..............Custom Framed and Stretched $350
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Love that reaches up is
adoration. Love that reaches out is affection. Love
that stoops down is grace. (Borrowed from Chuck Swindoll)
These examples of Love are perfect examples of loving
God supremely and others sacrificially.
A
Soldier's
Prayer
Sovereign
Lord,
my
Commander
in
battle,
guide
my
steps as I serve my country and fellow troops.
Our
mighty
fortress
of power and strength. Keep
me safe
with
a hedge of
protection.
Life's
most important decision is
to know You, as
my personal Lord and
Savior.
Discernment
from Your Holy Spirit is what I rely on, to understand the
strategies of my enemy.
I
pray
for peace in the midst of
each storm, placing my
dependence on You, Oh Lord.
Equip
me
with
the
gift
of
forgiveness,
even when it's
beyond my own understanding.
Remind
me that I'm Your vessel, covered with Your armor, to be a
living
testament
to Your
faithfulness.
In the
precious name
of Jesus
"The Great Commission"
is a symbol of appreciation for our servicemen and women. Its life-lesson instructs
every viewer to help others. The river displays a reflection of Jesus to portray
the likeness of Christ shown though this Chaplain. Inspired by Pastor Mark Riser, the Chaplain models
Christ as he humbly washes the feet of a soldier. The
event on the left is an actual baptism that followed the salvation of some
of troops in Iraq. To the right is a salute to our fallen
heroes. Jesus' name can be found in
the mortar on the archway.
Five unintentional faces were found (in the distant rocks and on the soldier's
uniform).
Ask yourself if you are spiritually
painting an everlasting picture of the Lord. “The
Great Commission”
reminds us that every believer in Christ is called to be disciple. What does a genuine disciple
look like? They're a soldier in the Lord's army, dedicated to the bone for
"careful" study and application of Scripture. To be
"careful" is to be watchful, not fearful, but guarding against
mistakes by paying strict and close attention to details. A disciple is a
reflection of Christ from a constant growth; a transformation of his or her heart, head and
habits.
Remember, beloved! Be
on guard (prepared) for every spiritual battle: Soldier, Stand your ground. Fight this spiritual battle with The
Whole Armor of God. Put on a sturdy belt of truth, the breastplate
of God’s righteousness, and shoes of peace that comes from the
Good News. Use faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed
at you by Satan. Put on salvation as your helmet. And take the sword
of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. (Ephesians 6: 11-19)
Jesus'
last words, "Go
and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you."
(Matthew 28:19-20) God equips every believer with supernatural
abilities to
fulfill the great commission. You don't have to go on a mission trip
or have a seminary degree to share the Good News of Christ. You
don't have to wash someone's feet to serve them. Grow
where you are planted. Spend time with the Lord in prayer and Bible
study each day and ask Him to use you to share the gospel with those
in your little corner of the world. Let His will become your
passion!
Here’s a free link to copy The
Great Commission and SOLDIER'S PRAYER.
Limited
Edition ( 24” X 30”) Canvas Giclée $400 ........Custom Framed
and Stretched $700
Mid-Size ( 16” X 20”) Canvas Giclée
$150 ................Custom Framed and Stretched $350
"Blessed
is the nation whose God is the LORD" (Psalm 33:12)
"Rise Up, Oh
Nation, and Follow Me"
Jesus’ name and the cross can be found around the rocks
This
powerful composition illustrates a message of hope and healing for
those who turn from a life of sin to pursue God. Jesus is represented in prayerful thought over our country. The
bleeding heart blossoms are symbolic of the sorrow felt by Christ.
The white horse waits to be called on by Jesus, which symbolizes His
return. Doesn't it make you wonder, how much longer will He
tarry?
The subtitle comes from II Chronicles 7:14,
“If
my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and
pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways:
THEN I will
hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their
land.”
Please
give these questions some serious thought and see if helps you to MOVE FROM
containing a wealth of knowledge and inspiration, and MOVE TO activating that
knowledge to transformation;
1) Could our economical recession and emotional
depression be a result of our own rejection of God?
2) It's a different time and place, but are we not a picture
of the idol worshipping, rebellious Israelites who were delivered out
of Egyptian slavery to return to their Promised Land?
3) Is God withholding His blessings from us as we also
continue to mumble and complain and disobey Him?
Let's
challenge one another to MOVE from the deceit of self-satisfaction, and let's readjust our FOCUS
by trusting, obeying and SEEKING GOD. Let's activate
the knowledge of truth that is found in the scriptures.
Let's
humble ourselves and confess our sins. Let's submit to God and resist evil
(James 4:7): THEN God will heal our broken hearts; our unhealthy relationships;
and our land.
Print
(14" X 20") Suggested Donation $20
Custom
Framed $200
Limited Edition/Signed
& Numbered (24” X 36”) Canvas Giclée $400
Custom Framed $700
This original available
YouTube - Charles Billingsley Lord Have Mercy
Before Revival,
There Must Be Repentance - Part 1
"For all have
sinned and fall short of the Glory of God." (Romans 3:23)
This is not just a word for the non-believer. It's a word for
every believer, also. Sin is not just something we do. Sinful
is something we all are.
God
has been telling me in my dreams, though His Word, and through
others that BEFORE REVIVAL, THERE MUST BE REPENTANCE. I've prayed
for revival for many years – revival in my marriage, revival in my
art-ministry, as well as other areas that concern me. I
thought I was pretty thorough in acknowledging my sin regularly, so
that nothing could hinder my communication with the Lord, but God
spoke to the very root of my problem this morning. (12-8-08)
Why
do I constantly sin, battling with anxious thoughts. letting
uneasiness from relationships to finances control me instead of
applying Phil. 4:6? Why does my 30 year relationship with my husband
and the success of my art-ministry immobilize me with FEAR at times
when I know this is a weapon that the enemy uses against me
instead of applying Proverbs 3:5-6? My enemy is not my husband or
any other human being! My enemy is Satan who is constantly hiding in
the bushes, scheming up ways to distract me while I'm walking with
Jesus. If my armor is not secure and the devil catches me off-guard,
the wounds can penetrate so deep that I feel the breath that keeps
me alive has been knocked out of me. I can feel a blanket of FEAR
cover my spirit with paralysis like a prisoner being held in
contempt. This is exactly where Satan knows I’m vulnerable. He
doesn’t want my relationship with the Lord, my relationship with
my loved ones, my art-ministry, or any other connections that I
have, to grow or succeed.
I
can just imagine God and the devil having a conversation over me
like they did with Job. How disappointed my Father must be as He
sees me fretting with anxious thoughts. A few years ago I came to
realize I had suffered with a spirit of rejection since childhood, and was then delivered
of it, praise our wonderful God! So, why do I still struggle with
ungodly responses when I feel rejected or attacked? In agreement
with Jennifer Rothschild, I can also say, “My
greatest challenge is…..How will I respond?”
Jesus
told His disciples, “Yea, of little faith”. This is a
word He is speaking to me right now. How can I LET GO AND LET GOD
have complete control over every area of my life? Rest in the Lord;
do not fret; cease from anger; apply Psalm 37. Do not fret (or
give in) to evildoers. If I do, I then become an evildoer, as well.
Just because we are saved from eternal hell, our salvation does not
keep us from sin. We, too, are sinful creatures and evildoers when
we rebel (going against what God instructs us to do). Our biggest
problem in or out of a crisis is when we get
our focus off God, and on ourselves. When I catch myself feeling
anxious or fearful, I begin inventorying my recent days. My biggest
distraction tends to be busyness, trying to knock out my To Do List.
The multi-tasker that I am, I have to be very careful not to treat
God as an item on my list.
God
used Revive Our Hearts
this morning to speak this
message loud and clear! Please pray for us and my ministry that my
“responses” will not hinder the work of the Lord. You don't
want to miss the teaching of Nancy
Leigh DeMoss. Look in her archives on 12-8-08 ROH Radio Psalm 37 Fret Not.
Psalm 37 is the very words I painted in the opened Bible of the
following painting, "Born To Serve". How
many times I've read, prayed, and believed this, applied it to my
life, as well as shared it with others, but never fully
understanding what Nancy shared today about fretting and responding
in anger.
Before Revival,
There Must Be Repentance - Part 2
We
must want deliverance, not just relief. If we're crying out to God
to deliver us from our pain and misery without repenting of our
sins,
we may feel a short period of relief, but we will soon fall back
into sin and oppression. God wants our hearts bent toward Him. He
will not accept part of us, He wants all of us.
While
waking last week, on a frosty morning of December 5th, I was asking the Lord
what this meant for me, "BEFORE REVIVAL, THERE MUST BE
REPENTANCE." I asked God to search my heart and see what wicked
thought, word, or deed that I had not repented. Have I been asking
God to revive areas in my life before repenting something. With
every intention to pray and meditate about this today, I went to put
on my paint clothes (2 sweat-shirts and pants). Never in my whole
life have I put EVERYTHING on backwards, but as I started walking I
noticed both shirts and my sweat-pants, everything was on
backwards.
This created mixed emotions as I had to laugh, while at the same
time - nearly cry while asking the Lord if He is confirming that I
have more than my clothes on backwards.
How
easy it is to point out the corruption in others, but hide the fact
(from others and from ourselves) that we are also corrupt. I'm
speaking to myself when I ask, "Have you repented, or are you
finding fault with others without repenting yourself? Are you
ignoring the goodness, which God is showing towards you without
realizing that God is using these loving ways to lead you to
repentance?" Romans
2: 2-10.
Out
of personal hatred for President Abraham Lincoln, a man tried to assassinate
him. He found himself in prison under the sentence of
death. His execution date was drawing near. In the meantime
President Lincoln decided to show him mercy and signed his
pardon. The prison officers took the news to the prisoner but he
replied, "I don't believe it". Then higher officers came
and explained to him that the pardon was genuine. The prisoner
replied with the same words. Finally the highest officer (the
governor of the prison) went to the prisoner personally, but the man
stubbornly replied, "I don't believe it, I don't believe
it". When the news was conveyed to the President, the reply
came back, "The pardon is cancelled". On the appointed day
the man was executed. He had rejected the goodness of the President
with disbelief.
Am
I rejecting the goodness of God, who is willing to pardon me when I
repent and ask for His forgiveness? Sometimes
God sends us bitter experiences to urge us to repent, yet He would
rather have us to repent without them. "Do not be like a
senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under
control" (Psalm 32:9). When we neglect to turn to God, bitter experiences
like "the bit and the bridle" become necessary.
The
children of Israel were so wayward that God had to bring many
afflictions upon them to make them repent......"you have not
returned to Me, says the Lord" (Amos 4:6-11).
God
weeps over us if we refuse to repent and give Him full control of
our lives. Our distresses
distress Him. Our suffering becomes His sorrow. God's sorrow becomes
very real to us in the New Testament when we see the Lord Jesus
weeping over Jerusalem. ..."He wept over it" (Luke
19:41). Our heart should melt when we realize that Jesus also weeps
over us.
The curtain has been lifted and God allows
us to see things
that others have never seen in the Old Testament days. The loving God, our Creator and our
Savior, weeps over us when we are prideful, resentful, unforgiving,
self-righteous, angry, anxious, or manipulative (sinful in any form
or degree) yet remain in denial, failing to repent.
Brothers
and Sisters in Christ, will you join me and repent today? Will you
ask God to reveal any wicked way in you and give your heart
(completely) to Him?
When
fear controls our lives, we are being controlled by our enemy,
Satan. Fear is opposite of faith and it is a sin.
When sin or unbelief sets
in, a turning away from God occurs. What are you not believing God
for that you need to give to Him. He wants total control of every
area of our lives. We must TRUST GOD and not fear. FRET
NOT!
Do you trust Him
with your relationships, your future, your government, your health,
and your finances? Do you trust Him in the storms and realize while
in the storm that, "It's Not About Me!" It is for you, but
it is not about you. It's all about God and His good plans for our
lives. It is to search our hearts and see what sins are controlling
us and keeping us in bondage like the prisoner awaiting his death sentence.
Let's
take a daily inventory while in prayer, asking God to reveal any sin
that needs to be dealt with. God wants to pardon us. He wants to
provide a victorious life, free from the consequence of sin. He
wants to have the two way line of communication open between Him and
us, but because He is a holy God, He can not and will not be in the
presence of sin.
"Prove by the way you live (by your
fruits) that you have
repented of your sins and have turned to God." (Matthew 3:8)
"Born To Serve"
Who or
what do you serve? Everyone on this earth serves somebody or something,
whether it's a human king, an organization, your work, a hobby, or the
God and Creator of the universe. Think about what matters to you more
than anything, then ask God if what matters most is in line with His
reason for creating you. This
biographical painting is a representation of Time
Well Spent. A child's earthly father will be their
first impression of what God the Father is like. A dedicated
parent teaches their children that the Bible is our
Instruction Manual for life. This father is teaching his son 3
Key Phrases;
What
Do You Do With The Word Of God?
1.
Learn It 2.
Love It 3.
Live It
“Born
to Serve” instills a message of hope and encouragement that every
child on earth is created to serve God. The Bible teaches
us that we are all created for God’s pleasure. Nothing is more
important to God than our TIME
with Him. The same goes for our children. The most valuable legacy we
can give them is the TIME we invest in their lives. No amount of money can buy
this kind of love. No matter whether our parents did their job
right, we are responsible to our children to do our job as God created
us to do. Christianity is not following religious rules and routines, but it’s
an intimate relationship with Christ. Children learn from watching these
good things naturally happen
when we allow Christ to live His life through us. God used every Bible
Story ever told, every lesson ever taught, and every prayer ever prayed
to mold and mature this precious son into a faithful and much loved
Pastor.
Seven Stages
to the Story:
1)
Pastor Larry Harmon’s father, Harry, taught him these 3 Key Phrases when he was about 7-years-old.
2) The window to the left resembles Andy and Opy from the Andy Griffith
Show, their favorite TV program still today.
3- 4) The photos on the bookcase are past and present family pictures.
5) The painting on the wall
is a rendition of “The Good
Shepherd” reaching out, risking his own life, to save the lost. (Find Jesus' name and the Mount of
the Holy Cross here.)
6) The right window represents him
as a man of faith taking the Good News of Jesus Christ as far as
India
.
7) The desk-lamp reminds us of Psalm 119:105 “Thy
word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” It
symbolizes the pastor as “The
Good and Faithful Servant”.
The
lit cottage is a model of the church; the books are Pastor’s Charles
H. Spurgeon Collection and other favorites; the opened Bible is the
pastor and his wife, Kaye’s, life verse from Psalm 37:4, “Delight
yourself in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart.”
(To DELIGHT IN is to give
great joy or pleasure; to rejoice in.)
Something
More...
How
do we teach our children and others to obey God? Not in a legalist way
by just doing good works and following the Ten Commandments.
Christianity is not following religious rules and routines, but it’s
an intimate relationship with Christ. Children learn from watching these
good things naturally happen when we allow Christ to live His
life through us. TIME is a precious thing that we must be
willing to spend wisely.
Once
a pastor is called into full-time ministry, he finds himself being a
Shepherd to the lost and the hurting; a Teacher; a Comforter; a
Listener; a Counselor; a Servant; an Administrator; a Friend to many;
and a Role-Model as Husband and Father. Pastor
Larry’s parents had no idea the many lives that would be affected by
the seeds they planted in their son 40 years ago. They just obeyed God
and joyfully did what they were told to do. Because of their
faithfulness and the influence of the Harmon heritage, God has given me
a hunger to know and experience Him. My life and Art-Ministry have very
much been impacted by the example of these great men and women of God.
The childhood memories from Larry’s spiritual training have
painted many beautiful pictures that have change a multitude of lives.
These men’s lives have been an open Bible for all to see Christ and
His love and concern for us.
Harry
said, “When Larry was a teenager, he was so shy it took everything
he had to talk in front of just 2 or 3 people. When Larry told us he was
being called into ministry, we were so concerned because of his fear of
talking in front of others.” There was no doubt he was being
called when his parents heard him preach his first sermon. They agreed
there was no way Larry could stand in front of a congregation to deliver
a message in his own strength. It was definitely a calling on his life
to do only what the grace of God could provide. With 20 years of
dedicated service at this same church that began with 180 members,
Pastor Larry will soon begin two morning worship services because of an
over-crowded Sanctuary that comfortably seats over 1700 people. He
admits he still battles this fear every Sunday before church begins, but
it’s probably a gift, at the same time, that God uses to keep Pastor
Larry dependant on and close to Him.
Intended
to honor a very humble man who is greatly admired by his congregation,
“Born to Serve” is an invitation for the Holy Spirit to use his
life story to lead others to a new level of understanding. May it be an
inspiring visual reminder for all of us to be the person God created us
to be! Wherever
you find your dreams leading you, know that anything is possible when
you put God first. He will make a way when there seems to be no way and
He will use your experiences to be an encouragement to others along the
way. What God will do through one, He can and WILL do through any Surrendered
Instrument of God.
Limited
Edition (24” X 30”) Canvas Giclée $400 ........Custom Framed and
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"Raising Faith "
“God
Bless America”
is the message in the rubble. Jesus’ name is
painted into the wings of the eagle. Girgenti was recently at a
speaking engagement and it was brought to her attention that there
is a heart in the center of Jesus’ name. Ironically, it appears to
be a broken heart.
One of the firemen looks to
be Jesus, representing the Christian man living and giving his life
for his fellow man. You can also find a hammer,
a crown of thorns,
and 3 nails in
the rubble. On the tops of the structures are crosses.
The
rubble was painted under the fire fighter’s feet, symbolic of
going forward, rebuilding, and getting this behind us. The
subtitle comes from Psalm 144:1-2, Blessed
be the Lord my skill in battle. He is my goodness, and my
fortress; my high tower, my deliverer, and my shield.
Print
(15" X 18") Suggested Donation $20
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$200
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$250
Custom Framed $450
This original available
Though
I encourage others to put GOD first, it doesn't mean I have everything together.
Life is hard. Just remember that we are all sinners in need of a Savior
each and every morning, noon and night. Living the Christian life
doesn't mean you won't suffer. It means that we have hope in Christ (now
and for eternity). God will see us through no matter what's going on or how painful the experience may be.
When GOD is first in our lives, our focus is on Him and not our problem.
Jesus
told stories
to teach life-changing truths about God and His Will. He wants us
to tell the stories of our lives to encourage others to learn from
our experiences. Be reminded
of the many blessings God has placed
in your life as you continue your visit. Be refreshed and
encouraged to
"Live
a life worthy of the calling you have received" (Ephesians
4: 1).
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More About the Family...
One of the
deepest passions that we have on this earth is to love and
be loved. Spend time with your family and give your love
away. This is something that you'll never regret. I strongly
encourage you to prepare for the legacy that you will
one day leave behind. It's like looking at a tombstone.
It's not the person's birth or diseased dates that are important.
It's the dash in between those dates that matter. What did they do
with the dash (the time while they were alive.)
When
you're on your death-bed, it won't be the things that your
bought with money that you give any thought to. It will be the memories
you made and the time you spent with your loved ones. Prepare
for your legacy, while you still can. Make some life-long memories and
keep yourself from regrets when it's too late.
Our future is shaped by
today's decisions, so our (good or bad) choices will produce something that we'll deal
with later on. Have you ever heard a father or mother say, “I wish
I hadn’t spent so much time with my kids,” or “I wish I’d
never been a godly example for my children?” Regrets are quite the
opposite. They always come from lack of quality time spent together;
unspoken words of affection and encouragement; or negative things said
or done that caused years of heartache.
The most valuable gift
to leave a loved one is a hand written love letter. It doesn’t cost a cent and it will be cherished
forever.
Some of my clients
have been at death's door, preparing for each child to inherit
a piece of art that speaks most of their relationship, along with
their own hand-written letter. Whether you use a
piece or art to express your love or not, and whether you write it
down on paper or not, let your loved ones know how special they are
to you. Don't take your life and these precious years for granite.
Express your affection and share the wisdom God has given you through
His Word. I promise, you will not regret it!
Joyce
Girgenti
(Artist)
1-9-09 Nancy
Leigh DeMoss says, "You and I
cannot become the women (or men) God made us to be apart from daily,
consistent time getting to know Him through His Word. There
are no shortcuts to spiritual growth, there are no shortcuts
to figuring out the problems in your marriage, with your teenager, with
your work environment.... There are no
counselors or books or tapes or radio programs that can be a substitute
for you getting into the Word and letting God’s Word speak to you. We
cannot grow spiritually without the Word of God.
I’m listening all the time to
women pouring out their hearts about issues in their lives, their
struggles, their problems, their pressures, their burdens. Some of these
are very, very hard situations, and some of them are just everyday life.
My heart goes out to these women. I sympathize. I
want to help, and I pray that through the ministry of Revive Our
Hearts, we are helping to encourage women in their walk with the
Lord. But I know that when it comes down to it, if those
women are not in the Word of God for themselves, they are never going to
get the answers they really need. They’re never going to have
the relationship with God that they want and long for and need just
living life on this planet. They’re not going to grow
spiritually."
We are blessed to have
Christian radio and TV programs, books, and the church to
teach us God's Word and how we should apply it, daily. But unless we
spend time alone, reading the Bible and meditation on what God is
telling us, personally, we will never be fully fed. We'll always be
hungry for something that's missing, not knowing why we feel so
incomplete. Why sadness and even depression seems to torment and even
overwhelm us. All the answers to life are written in God's love letter.
His Words are alive and active for every believer who is willing to
spend TIME with Him. The tools are to be used along with our
personal daily devotional time.
"Dad's First Tractor"
My
mother was visiting during Easter break in 1991. I invited her to
help me plan the setting for a barnyard scene. Dad helped build this
barn when he was a little boy... back in the Good Ole’ Days! To my
surprise, Mom had a small black and white photograph of Dad on his
first tractor in her wallet.
A
few years later, before I started professionally painting, I felt a
deep drawing in my heart that led me to go spend some time with
Mother. It just so happened to be the weekend of my birthday, so I
asked Dad if we could do something that I always wanted to do as a
child. I wanted to have a Wiener-Roast. I had the feeling that this
was to be my last memory with my mother, but at the time I was just
enjoying the moment. That night, in front of the barn, my family
gathered around the campfire and we laughed until we cried. Mom
acted as if she hadn’t been sick in years.
Mom
then passed the day after my birthday. The following year I wrote a
Poem and put this piece in print in honor of my father and in memory
of my mother.
The
following birthdays were a little difficult and I couldn't help but
grieve. I was thankful for the special memory that God gave us and
that Mom is in Heaven, but her loss was the hardest thing that I'd
ever had to bear.
Seven
years to the day of her passing, an old gentleman approached me at
the Pink Palace Art Exhibit in
Memphis
. I had never seen this man before, but he said with a sweet spirit
and warm smile, “Today was a wonderful day wasn’t it?” At the
time my heart was heavy and sad and thinking about the loss of my
mother. Then it hit me…He was referring to the day Mom went to be
with Jesus. It was a day to celebrate and to mourn no more. Then he
finished by saying, “And by the way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY !”
Mom
had not received Christ until just a few months before her passing.
I had prayed for years that my mother and father would make that
commitment before it was too late.
I remember this seventh year as a spiritual marker where God
took a heavy and grieving heart and blessed me with the words
through this man (or possibly this angel) to comfort me and to show
me that God works everything for good. This was the greatest gift
that I ever received for my birthday.
Ten
years after loosing Mom in 2002, my father was stricken with a
cancer that was to leave him with only 2 months to live. Dad
now joins my mother in Heaven as we said goodbye to him on
Valentines’ Day of 2003. Thanks to the good Lord, he used the last
year of his life to get his heart where it needed to be to receive
Him. There is no greater gift and no greater heritage that you can
give to your children as the peace of knowing that you will live
Eternity in Heaven.
If
you have not asked Jesus into your heart, don’t wait! If you feel
Him knocking at your hearts door, you have to be the one to open it.
I told Dad last year that I couldn’t bear the thought of loosing
him- not knowing if he had things right with the Lord. Don’t take
any chances. Give your loved one the gift of knowing that you are a
born-again Christian and that when your life has expired on this
earth you, too, will take your place in the loving arms of Jesus to
hear him say, “WELL DONE, MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT.”
Limited
Edition Print (16 X 24) $40
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(12" X 16") Suggested Donation $20
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