A Balm in Gilead

OK, so it has been a rough week–and maybe even a rough month. I have been suffering long enough that I’m beginning to wonder if I will ever be completely whole again… Nothing that serious. It will pass and there will be healing, but it has caused me to pause with more compassion in my…

Virgin Dreams

In light of recent events in the news that remind us that there are predators who take advantage of young women’s dreams… I became attracted to this painting by John Everett Millais called “Eve of St. Agnes.” It is a painting that endeavors to capture on canvas a moment expressed in a poem by John…

Who is my enemy?

“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” ~(Matthew 5: 43) For some time now, I have been thinking about this passage–about Jesus’ challenging words that we should pray for our enemies.  Difficult to put into practice and yet if…

Irises: A Seekers Guide to Heaven

The iris’s mythology dates back to Ancient Greece, when the goddess Iris, who personified the rainbow (the Greek word for iris), acted as the link between heaven and earth. It’s said that purple irises were planted over the graves of women to summon the goddess Iris to guide them in their journey to heaven…The iris’s…

Rebirth

French artist William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905) painted over 800 paintings during his lifetime. His paintings are filled with beautifully-drawn women from classical literature and familiar Bible stories. Each subject is perfectly fashioned to express an artistic vision for women filled with sentimentality that becomes tangible as they realistically emerge from the canvas. A teacher of women artists,…

Beginning Again

“Let all who take refuge in you be glad…” Beginning again–breathing deeply, Looking around to see Time to count the cost Time to readjust my timing I pause, and breathe deeply–again, Feeling the quiet. Longing to hear your voice, oh God; Stillness–Peace Knowing you are there Knowing you are willing me to breathe; to breathe…

May We See!

This week, as we approach the most holy day of the year, I am very busy preparing the music for Easter Sunday. If you have been following God thru the Arts recently you may have noticed my friend and fellow art lover Adam Nettesheim and his wonderful series on the Stations of the Cross. I encourage…

Luke’s Perspective

Several years ago, when I first began exploring the art and music surrounding Jesus’ story, I was touched by all the different artists and composers who have found inspiration in the events surrounding Jesus’ arrest, trial and subsequent crucifixion. It became a bridge, through the centuries, to their view of the cross. There wasn’t “one…

A Symbol of Sacrifice

Whether or not you declare an official creed as a part of your worship each week, I encourage you to to sit down, as I did, and try to express your own personal creed or mission statement.  It will help you center your thoughts around what is really important each day and it might guide your path…

In Memoriam: 2016

New Years Eve always brings with it a bittersweet feeling as we look back and remember those who passed away during 2016. There were so many greats silenced this year, I will not try to list them all, but instead share with you just a few that touched my life in a special way. Glenn Frey died…