Displaced
Eve's curse
graphite on paper, 22 x 30 inches, 2014 Had God already explained sex and childbirth to Adam and Eve before the fall of man? Did Eve know that she would be carrying another human life between earth and sky as it grew within her? Eve's relationship with God up to this point has been one of love, joy, peace, guidance, protection, and provision. The consequences of original sin can be seen in the book of Genesis, chapter 3, verse 16-17. Can you imagine that moment Eve considered the reality of her consequence knowing that things are different now...that her accountability forecasts pain? She did not trust the number one relationship that literally began her entire existence. Did it evoke deep regret, sorrow, or anxiety? The weight of responsibility can truly be felt with the promise of consequences. Any sin, a violation of our purpose and relationship with God, and its consequence is undesirable if I truly understood the dangers and potential complications that it inevitably yields. But I won't always understand that. Trusting in God's way and his purpose for my life is more important than what I perceive as "good in my own eyes". Coming to God with my questions, thoughts, and desires should always be first. His wisdom, justice, and love are irreplaceable. May we have ears to hear... Adam & Eve were not abandoned. While there were still consequences of a broken relationship, God had mercy and provided for them. God continues to express his love and commitment to imperfect people today. His mercy and grace come to us through the perfect gift of his only begotten son. Faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ forgives us our sin and restores our broken relationship with God. 
Proverbs 27:4
oil on board, 50.5 x 42 inches, 2008 "Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood,But who can stand before jealousy?" Proverbs 27:4 The pictures that can be imagined in the book of Proverbs are fascinatingly apologetic to me. Proverbs 27:4 gave me pause as I noticed that anger was compared to a flood. Upon further thought I realized that, like a flood, anger will ruin your home, pick you up (emotionally), and take you where you do not intend to go. Have you ever regretted something said or done in anger? It's a powerful emotion and one that, I'm told, covers other vulnerable emotions like feeling rejected, scared, pressured, trapped, offended, or attacked. This painting is a reminder for me that anger left unchecked is dangerous but forgiveness calms the storm. It's impossible to stay angry if you choose to forgive who and/or whatever circumstances have offended you. |
Prison
oil on canvas, 42 x 47 inches, 2013 This painting is founded on the need for Christ to live in us and through us. In this piece a choice is depicted between closing the blinds or lifting the blinds. On the one hand leaving the person in darkness and in the other hand revealing light for the person to see. As ambassadors of Christ we have the privilege to offer the life-light (Jesus) to everyone. Galatians 6:8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Romans 7:14-25 For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. Jeremiah 32:27 "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?" |
