Be Wise

And being warned of God in a dream
that they should not return to Herod,
they departed into their own country another way.
Matthew 2:12  kjv

When the you receive the Light of Christ into your life you are on the right path home. If fact, you are home and you have an eternity, starting now, to enjoy the relationship of being home with your Heavenly Father.  You now have the insight to see through the earthly kings like Herod, or any other power to destroy you. So mount up on your camel for 2012 and take the right path.

Overjoyed

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Matthew 2:10 kjv

The True Shepherd

When he has brought out all his own,
he goes on ahead of them,
and his sheep follow him
because they know his voice.
John 10:4 NIV

Greatest Night

For unto you is born this day
in the city of David a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11 kjv

Face to Face

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Luke 2:30-32kjv

Mary Ponders

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11  kjv

It's A BOY!

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and the government shall be upon his shoulder:  . . .
Isaiah 9:6 kjv

News News News

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying
which was told them concerning this child.
Luke 2:17 kjv

O Holy Night - Josh Groban

Reserved

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled,
and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
1 Peter 1:4  kjv

Last Straw

So you also must be ready,
because the Son of Man will come at
an hour when you do not expect him.
Matthew 24:44 niv

Heavenly Hosts

And suddenly there was with the angel
a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:13-14 KJV

Quiet Night

"Quiet Night"   8'x10.75" Acrylic on Canvas

I can't imagine how terrified those shepherds must have been as the angel of the Lord spoke to them concerning the birth of Jesus. Most Biblical accounts of mankind encountering an angel have caused great fear. They are not like the cutesy angels in the gift stores. These are members of God's army, the heavenly hosts, and they only show up if there is a very good reason.

The shepherds may have known of the prophesy concerning the Messiah, but what are the chances that it would happen in their lifetime or even to them personally?

In this painting I wanted to focus on the very moment before a shepherd boy would fall face down scared out of his wits; the moment when we'd hear him whisper, "Did you hear that?"or "What is that strange glow?" or just plain, "Oh my God..." and really mean it.

After his recover, the boy would never be the same. Christ had come just as the prophets said He would. This would be the greatest night of all. The shepherds had to go witness these things which the angel had told them. What a change this would make.

This sort of change can happen today to anyone who seeks out Jesus like the shepherds did. Well, not exactly the same. It is not done by trekking down to Bethlehem, but by trekking to God in prayer and asking Him to confirm all that you've heard. Then, like the shepherds, one realizes that yes, it is just as it has been told through His Word, and things will never be the same.

Take the time to be still, as at night in a shepherd's field, and see what God is saying to you. Can we return to our simple life, like a shepherd boy, after meeting with the King of kings? I don't think so. It could be your greatest night of all.

Can We Return?

 The angel said we should not fear,
        as he proclaimed the Savior’s here.
The Prince of Peace this simple night,
        with humble birth yet glorious light.

Can we return to what we’ve known,
        when after all that heaven’s shown?
The Prince of Peace, you too have heard,
        Christ came for all, the Living Word!
                                            - George L. Richardson

                               Biblically Inspired: Luke 2: 8-17 NIV

JOY

 

But the angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news
of great joy that will be for all the people.
Today in the town of David
a Savior has been born to you;
he is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10,11 NIV 

Joy to the World!

DITL Sheep...Delight in The Lord

Does this typify you today? Are you one of God's joyful sheep? Maybe not so much. You may have experienced a shearing lately, or possibly you have had the wolves after you, your tail may have been cut off, or someone has tried to make mutton stew out of your carcass.

Life is not easy for a sheep, but it can be joyful in a different sense than the feelings of great pleasure. A complete joy comes from remaining in the love of God and by loving others. That is what Jesus said in John chapter 15. As part of the flock, we will never have it easy, but in the midst of life we can have green pastures and still waters. Jesus said that we are His sheep and we know His voice and we will follow.

I write this as a reminder to you, and to myself, especially on those days that I feel like one of those dumb sheep that don't know which way to go. Take comfort that none of us know which way to go. That is why we need a shepherd, Jesus.

So, try to think of it this way: Our fleece will grow back, our Good Shepherd will protect us from the wolves, you look kind of cute with your tail bobbed, and most stew pots are really too small for our carcasses.

Be Joyful today as we celebrate the third Sunday in Advent counting down to Christmas when we will sing "Joy to the World !" which is really more about His second coming, but oh well, His sheep will sing on anyway.

Psalm 9:1, 2 The Message:
I'm thanking you, God, from a full heart,
I'm writing the book on your wonders.
I'm whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy;
I'm singing your song, High God.

The Point

"The Point"  2.5"x3/5"  Acrylic on Mini Canvas

This miniature painting is an image one might find on any popular calendar. Lighthouses are usually located on a point of the seacoast where it is at the best position for ships to view when they are seeking their bearings. Being found on a calendar reminds us that no matter what day it might be, even when it starts out pleasant, the weather could turn in an instant and then the need for help getting home becomes imperative.

Our need  for getting home, in the storms of life, can be found in the Savior of the world. During Christmas time we celebrate the one who is our personal lighthouse.

In America, where physical comforts abound, we might not see the need for a Savior, because we don't realize that the weather is changing and the threat on our souls is imminent. Jesus said, "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?" Matthew 16.26 NIV

During this season of wanting, buying, and never being satisfied, may we take a good look at the seas around us and determine if we are heading for trouble. Are we in need of a lighthouse for our souls? Jesus came to be our lighthouse in the sense that He can lead us back to a right relationship with God the Father, but like a ship, we need to seek Him.

This painting is called "The Point." For a lighthouse to be effective it has to be positioned at the point where it can save. Jesus came into this world to do the same; to position Himself at a point where He could save us. This point is at the cross where He sacrificed himself for our sins.

I pray that many this season get "the point" of what Christmas is all about, and then seek Him will all of their hearts. He can save your soul.

The Census

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name  Philippians 2:9 kjv

The Birth of Jesus Luke 2:1-7 NIV

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Get Away Cabin

"Get Away Cabin"  53/8"x77/8" Acrylic on Masonite Panel

Are you looking for that rest and peace ?
Have the circumstances of life exhausted you?
Do you need a "Get Away Cabin?"

God provides a place of peace for His natural world, and He does the same for you and I.
The time can be now. The place is within the depths of your soul.

Christmas is a time to celebrate, because God sent the Prince of Peace for the whole world. He didn't come that the world would be without its troubles, but that we could have peace in the midst of it all. It is an inward peace; a peace that comforts. Through a trust in Jesus, one can find that peace that goes far beyond a "Get Away Cabin," like one might imagine in this painting. God's "Get Away Cabin" is where His children live. It is a place of warmth and light, of truth and rest, and He provides it without charge. This place has been paid for with the life of His Son. You are invited, as His child, to come to His "Get Away Cabin" not for just a season, but for ever.

Get Away Cabin
A place of rest,
A place of peace,
A cabin in the night,
From the world so very cold,
Provides both warmth and light.
                             - George L. Richardson

Biblically Inspired: Isaiah 9:6, Luke 7:41-50, John 14:27

Our Hope

"Our Hope"  291/2" x 393/4"  Acrylic on Canvas

     Even though we have only just begun, we know the stress of winter seems so harsh as the season drags on, leaving the hope of spring as its only rescue. Nature sets quite an example in not losing heart over momentary troubles.
     During Advent we recall the time leading up to the birth of the Messiah and His promised return. He is our Hope in life as spring is the hope of nature. In this, our time of waiting, there will be a winter of intensity in our lives that cause our branches to strain and sometime split under the stress, but we can still have hope for what is to come. This hope is like spring in the way that it is sure to come and not a hope that is a childish wish.
     Place your hope in The Lord!

2 Cor 4:16-18 NIV
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Our Hope

With God our help,
We will hold out,
As branches fail their their leaves,
For a time not kept or seen,
With greater hope than that of spring.
                      - George L. Richardson