Finding balance is tricky. Last week I wrote about balance because so many of us take on more than we can do well. Taking on too much is not helpful, but neither is attempting to to do too little. I need just the right balance of stress—yes, a little stress is good—to get me out of bed in the morning. But how do you know how much to take on? This is a constant balancing act, but perhaps these three... Read more
As I created the oil painting above, I couldn’t help but think about a song I sang as a child. The painting is for an art show featuring artwork that is primarily white. The song was based on the scriptures, so I decided to look it up. Isaiah 1:18 (NIV) says, “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson,... Read more
Finding balance between working hard and working well can be challenging. I quit my teaching job to pursue my art. I also wanted to be more available for my growing family (Grandchild number 10 is about to be born!). Tension sometimes mounts in my psyche. It’s too late. You’re getting old. You’ll never be a successful artist—at least not until after your dead, and then only if you’re lucky. The odds are against you. Why don’t you just kick back and... Read more
“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” is a hymn I used to sing a lot growing up in church. But I didn’t always get the feeling God was joyful—not from most of the Christians around me anyway. There were a few, however, that did seem filled with joy. These were the exceptions, and they stand out in my memory. Joyful Believers I had a teacher at our Christian school who had seven or eight children and never enough money, but... Read more
They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. —Isaiah 2:4b Change Worry to Creative Work for the Kingdom If you have a problem with anxiety, you might be a creative. And if that’s the case, perhaps you can channel your worry into a creative endeavor. Nearly every negative personality trait has a corresponding positive trait or strength. If you’re imagination... Read more
I love my country. While I was in Mozambique, just the mention of the Fourth of July brought tears to my eyes and a prayer of thanksgiving to my lips for being born in the United States. I was so homesick. Now that I’m back in Kentucky, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Not that this country is perfect—far from it, but it’s home for me. And I hope as “we the people” recover from the pandemic, we can make strides... Read more
In the Old Testament, God commanded the people to celebrate seven feasts or festivals per year—seven! God wanted his people to remember the good times and the ways he provided. The feasts were a celebration of God’s deliverance of the Jews from slavery in Egypt, of the blessings of the harvest and of God’s provision for them. On top of those annual feasts, God ordained the Sabbath as a day of rest and feasting. Not through yet. God also commanded... Read more
Rockwell’s words of comfort below are an encouragement to me as an artist. I always want to rush and not struggle, but I find there’s no rushing art. I just have to show up at the easel day after day and hope eventually the inspiration will come. With time, it usually does. I think this principle applies to other areas of life and ministry as well. “There must be some easier way than painting pictures like this, but I dunno... Read more
“My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.” ― Abraham Lincoln Too many terrible wars have been fought by those who think God is on their side. As Lincoln said, we should be concerned about being on God’s side. God is love, and so I don’t think God chooses one group to pit against another. Instead, if God has a side, it would... Read more
As Father’s Day rolls around, I’m thinking about my dad. He passed away at age 63, and I miss him so much. I know I’m biased, but my dad was the best, nearly perfect as a father of seven children. I could give many reasons, but that would take too long, so I’ll give you three. Dad Was Present Though my dad loved his work and had to travel some, he was nearly always home with us in the evenings.... Read more
Learning to Love God by Loving Others
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