The Other Side – 153 fish

So, here is a video of a painting I did a couple of years ago, but never got a photo of the final image. I only have this video, but it is pretty nice to see it up close. The title is “The Other Side“. If you have a current version of QuickTime on your computer, you can press the link below and watch it. This 24″ x 48″ oil painting is the biblical scene when Peter comes to shore after fishing all night long with nothing to show for his efforts. When he gets close to shore, a man standing on the shore tells him to give it another try, but on the far side of the boat. Peter is tired and has been at this all night long, but gives in and does what he knows will not yield anything. He is surprised to see that he was wrong about it and then recognizes that it is his friend Jesus that has told him this. This painting shows the provision of the provider when we think we have nothing to gain in giving it an extra go… even when the Spirit compels us to keep going. Press on!

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The Kingdom

The stuff of Jesus’ sermon on the mount seems to be avoided by most of the church today. It is the Kingdom of Heaven on earth today that empowers us to love everyone. I do not see anywhere where Jesus tells us to “love those who come to church” or “love those who you TRY to come to church” he says “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love your NEIGHBOR, not your CHRISTIAN neighbor. I think that it is only when the Kingdom of God invades our life, can we then see how to be empowered to do just that. With the Love of Christ in our hearts, as children of the King, can we openly, unconditionally love all others in His name. This helps me to see with different eyes – with eyes that have compassion on the crowds, not with eyes that only look for an opening to share the gospel. I try to love everyone and when the Father reveals something to me in the spirit, I can go to them in love and they are open to hear what I have to share. I guess what I am trying to say is that I see too many in the Church exist to share the gospel, but only do so in a way that no one wants to listen to. They share in ways that sometimes seem hateful and isolating. If we (the Church) would truly love on another, they would see through our love that there is a peace of mind that comes with that love. This is the kind of church I want to be part of… one that loves everybody – unconditionally – and in the power of the Kingdom of God, seeks out ways to live out our lives worshiping and serving the King.