In Jesus’ Name: The Good Shepherd

If you have been following this series you know that I am working my way through some of the names of Jesus found in scripture. These meditations are not meant as another version of what we are taught to believe about each name. Instead they are an attempt to unravel the hidden meanings that we…

In Jesus’ Name: Prince of Peace

Edward Hicks (American, 1780 – 1849 ), Peaceable Kingdom, c. 1834, oil on canvas, Gift of Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch, Image Source Edward Hicks was an American folk artist who lived in Pennsylvania during the early years of our country. I’m willing to bet you know this iconic painting but not his name….

In Jesus’ Name: Truth

Born in a time of absolutes; to parents living in the land of free spirits; I have always held things up to inspection to question whether or not something rings true for me. Sometimes things just don’t add up…this then can lend itself to cynicism if I’m not careful. How does a person know who…

In Jesus’ Name: Immanuel

Recently I learned there are over 350 names for Jesus and I began to wonder why this over indulgence in naming? Maybe it is because it is impossible to hold pure light in a jar and the exercise or rather the pleasure of considering each name is like looking through a different crystal prism to…

God is Great

As I was casting around for a painting this week, I discovered this marvelous one by Albert Bierstadt. I usually think of Bierstadt as a painter of heavenly landscapes of the American West. He was very influential during his time because his work was the inspiration for many immigrants to travel the overland routes in…

Daily Pursuit

My Inspiration Time for a little Vincent. He is such a favorite of many of my friends and will always be a source of light and inspiration. May God continue to bless dear Vincent and hold him close within his care. These are just a few of his works that I had never noticed before….

Church Mission Trip

Last Sunday my husband and I went on a long over due trip into D.C. to visit a few of my favorite paintings. In particular, the focus was to find all of the Frederick Edwin Church paintings that are housed in our nation’s capitol. Between the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Gallery of…

Traveling with Asperger’s

I have a dear friend, Rita Saavedra, who I greatly admire…she is a very caring teacher and works wonders with her children who have special challenges. I know they really love her. She is a treasure, and has been a super big source of encouragement to me over the years. She has frequented by classes on…

Cultivating Our Awe of God

Confession I must admit, I am guilty of forgetting the power of God. I become so caught up in my own problems that I forget how great is our God! Contemplation What kinds of things can we do to remind ourselves of the beauty and majesty of our Lord? What things should we consider dialing…

A Mansion on a Hill

Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ~ John 14: 1-2 These words of Jesus have struck a chord with believers throughout the…