Saturday, April 30, 2016

Bus-line 25 - Essay


The last time I was a bus rider was over 5 years ago when my car was broke down. At the time, I thought how expensive it must be for these buses to go around town half empty. I don’t think that now, for the buses I ride are mostly full.  I live in a city in the West in a car dominated culture. I also live in the higher income part of town - in a nice neighborhood.  At certain times, it is not unusual to see professionals on the bus, a few well dressed senior citizens, some high school students that are still too young to drive, and college students from distant lands: Africa, Asia, and The Middle East.  The occasional bicyclist who doesn't want to make the steep climb back up the South Hill. However, what I mostly notice is how poor are the people on the bus.  There are the fast food workers in their black uniforms and t-shirts that read McDonald’s - All day breakfast! The Mexicans who look used to hard work, the druggies - gaunt and pale with headphones on and eyes that never smile, the mentally unstable - the mumbling, the depressed, the schizoids with their strange sharp odor, the overweight tattooed single moms with bizarre hairstyles - half shaved, half braided, and multi colored - dragging their little children behind them.  Some with boyfriends - skinny and nervous.  Then there are the middle aged women in dark clothes who look worn by life.  I wonder if I look like them.  


I realize how protected we are when driving in our cars.  Each vehicle a distinct universe with its own music, adornments, and snacks.  Rarely do we look into the car of another.  We are in our own world and do not want to intrude.  This attitude is carried over onto the bus where it seems strange to be sitting next to another human being, yet to be so separate.  We watch, we assess the merit and the value of each one who boards and leaves. I wonder how to reach the red headed woman whose life is given to addiction.  I imagine that her dealer must live in my neighborhood or perhaps a john.  We pass the Union Gospel Mission Crisis Center for Women and Children “Hope Starts Here.” She gets out downtown by the motel that rents rooms by the hour.  She looks like one used to degradation.

The US has big nets that promise safety: they keep many from falling to the ground.  Yet there is a rumbling among the masses: a humbling of their circumstances that breeds a sort of mind-dumbing desperation. The pot shops are strung out all over town.  Liquor is now sold in every convenience and drug store. The scratch tickets promise dreams fulfilled.  Great revenue generators. It seems like state government has become the purveyor of addiction and vice.  A vicious cycle - it takes from the poor with one hand and gives back with the other.  The bus stops and starts continuing in its giant circle.  The mother with an infant strapped across her breast leaves and in her place is a lonely bearded senior. The dread-locked black man in headphones nods his head to the music and smiles.  We all avoid the eyes of each other. We all continue on our miles, bus-line 25.


PS - I reserve the right for artist license whenever the fancy strikes me.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Reflecting LIght - Painting



I was at a conference lately "Dangerous Women" in Moscow, Idaho - part of the Darwin's Dead End Conference at Doug Wilson's Christ Church.
Speaker Bekah Merkle was comparing people to the moon. We are dusty, pock marked, and dead - but when we reflect the sun/son, Jesus Christ we become glorious and beautiful.

This painting began as a thought during my prayer time.  Usually I have ideas for paintings that are so magnificent, I know I am incapable of painting them. But this idea was plain - a simple waning moon with 3 bare trees in front.  Since I wasn't particularly inspired, I did my first rendition with acrylics on a 16"X 12" canvas paper (matted).  I liked that so much I redid it with acrylics on canvas 20"X 16."  I am calling them Reflections of Light.

One of the things that I love about creative enterprises is that they take us to unexpected places. Art or the poetry lead us into what it wants to say.  That must be why the best creations are said to be "inspired," or Spirit breathed.  This painting took me to a place of great peace and light. I enjoy staring at it.  I hope you enjoy it too.
As usual, I have to apologize for the quality of the photos. I take them on my Chromebook, and I just can't get the angles right.  What I really want is the latest Samsung phone which takes amazing photos - but I don't want the monthly cellphone bill.
As usual - all of my work is on sale. 

Saturday, April 9, 2016

Not of that Camp - comment




Have you ever railed against or imputed unjust motives or lifestyle to a Christian and been knocked down pretty hard by God for it?  My personal example of this still surprises me.  I was railing on Pope Francis about a year ago. Nothing very serious - I can’t even remember what I was saying about him outloud, but to myself, as I was cleaning house.  I think I was commenting about all the free press and praise he gets for what I thought was a minor thing. (No, I don’t remember what.)  Well right at that moment my curtain rod fell down as I was pulling my curtain back and knocked me real good on top of my head.  


“That was scary,” I muttered. For I strongly felt that my Lord was rebuking me for my comments about the pope, with literally, a rod.


Now I’m not Catholic and don’t really believe in the office of “pope-hood,”  yet I felt quite strongly that I shouldn’t be criticizing this man that I really knew very little about.  Ever since then, I have felt that Pope Francis is anointed by God.  He has some type of authority that I do not understand.


I have a believing friend who has at times unjustly criticized some Christians that I know but who she doesn’t know at all.  Enough of a criticism that I felt the need to defend them.  I think - we should be cautious brethren - critiquing those in Christ. For those that the Lord says are His people and the sheep of His pasture.  Unbelievers often make harsh accusations and even lies against Christians - this is to be expected - but we should not be of that camp.

Forgive me Lord for all my unjust critiques of other believers for which you have not yet rebuked me.

Pope_Francis_Korea_Haemi_Castle_19.jpg

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

The Kingdoms of Our Lord: Banners over Spokane - Painting/Collage


"And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever," Revelations 11:15.

Collage: Thai paper and acrylics of canvas - 16"X20"

I can make custom collages for any city or area that you desire proclaiming the ruler-ship of Jesus Christ.