Sonrise Over Darkness

Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.............1 John 2:8

Good Evening Lord. This evening as I was reminiscing on times spent with Emmanuel (my son)I became somewhat heavy and dark. Immediately I removed myself from the apartment I was preparing for rental and began to meditate on the promises you have for me. Lord it becomes a challenge when we miss living out your word as fathers. Malachi 4: 6 is very real in my heart and whenever I fall short of your glory concerning it I slip into these shadows of darkness. Father I ask in the name of your Son Jesus to send a mighty wind that will align me with your glory concerning this challenge. Jesus you are Lord over my life therefore I have to surrender in order to see the light which is already shining. Love you King and what you have done for me at the cross. I plead your precious blood over all my challenges this day and those to come. You are my hope and glory forever and ever. Amen

Bathing

One of the greatest pleasures in life bathing is the one I believe to be the most gratifiying. In our present hour with all the economic, social, racial, global, educational, cultural religious, and moral challenges we face it can be a very soothing reminder of how valuable a time out is.

Time Out

During the hustle and bustle of our daily lives it becomes necessary to take a time out to gather an perspective about our lives. It is incredible how quickly issues are resolved when addressed after a time out.

Big Boy

This image is created in memory of a blues legend Arthur"Big Boy" Crudup my namesake who is a distant relative to my father, Reading his bio it is incredible how three of his songs turn out as three of Elvis Pressley"s big hits.

Damn

In his second year in office there are some similarities to President Obama and his predecessor President Lincoln. In physical appearance both are lean , tall left handed and intelligent. Just like Lincoln he is damned if you do damned if you don't. I believe the presidency takes many years off the life of the President. If you ever look at a picture of Lincoln you kinda see a pic of President Obama. Notice how there faces are drawn in.

J Lo

One of the most exquisite and lovely beauties to grace the big screen . Talented and versitle this Latin gem poseses an presence that makes this artist very appreciative of being a man. Such a wonderful form to render in such beauty.

A and E

Moving through life to eternity I have come to realize that through its complexities we get of course concerning the root of who we are. In the creation model the strength in our completeness revolves around the piece that is missing. This is the strength of the deception used by satan to remove us from the glory of God. Inspired by a piece of written word from a dear friend writer and poet Latoya Maxwel A&E was created to remind me of the missing piece. My Rib.(Genesis 2:22) Amen

So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, ' for she was taken out of man." For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. Genesis 2:21-25

Latoya's piece "Give me what I desire" can be found on LULU.com

Triple Self Portrait

In these trying times it becomes apparent that we examine ourselves in order to move into the future during these tmes. Such as the creator created Himself in the form of the spriit, soul, and body(Jesus Christ) it is in this image that we find similarities. In our attemps to navigate this life we find His example of the trinity in every area of our lives. Unless we examine ourselves and line up with His script we will never live out His glory in our lives.

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ

1 Thessalonians 5:23

Conversation 2

Sometimes our converstion is pointed in the wrong direction towards the wrong source.When moved into the marvelous light it begins to translate life into living. As believers and people in the dicipline of the Lord Jesus Christ our conversation should always present a welcome to those who are not of our faith.

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6

Foot Of The Cross

This piece was created as a reminder to find the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ during these most challenging times. It is at the foot of the cross where his precious blood cleanses me unto righteousness. Hebrews 12:2 illustrates this point. It says; looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.Our victory is at the foot of the Cross

Tapping In II

Another view of wonderful posture which is necessary for all of us at one time or another. To reach the power which is greater than us (God) we have to come to that place and time in our life, day and sometimes hour that will keep us from being overwhelmed by the fallen nature of this world and the god of it. It is the power that allow us to live.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

Mom 2

One of the most wonderful illustrations of love is when Mom presents it to the glory of God. A mothers love can can take us a long way. In my most trying and challenging times I continue to visit the soul of a mother whose love was genuinely available to me. Remember it's mom's law and care that sets the tone on how we manage relationships in our life. Amen

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.Proverbs 1:8, 9

Thank You

This image serves as a reminder of the posture and glory when we give thanks to God. Our gratiude expresses an overwhelming desire to bless God with the image He created ,deposited and invested in is since the beginning of time. I believe that encountering this posture is a true expression of faith which is manifested daily in our lives.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,
Hebrews 12:28

Conversation

Created back in 2005 this image was born out of the midst of conversation being waged in the defense of our culture, religion, race,poverty, and so on which is on the decline. My main intention here is the present an illustration which references the way we have conversations with each other. Notice that all of the images are away from facing each other. Our conversations dance around the issues instead of facing them.

Down The Stretch (Revised)

I revised this piece to take advantage of the wonderful image. The image comes from a visit I made to Santa Anita racetrack in Southern California back in 2001. I grabbed this photo from the lower level of the grandstand. What a powerful piece to witness the power of those beautiful horses negotiating that last turn for home.
The image can be aquired in a three panel set.


This image is available at the artist portfolio on

Living Water VI Sunrise

Imagine laying in the shadow of the instrument God used to free us for His eternal glory. With the most incredible sunrise you could imagine. No worries , death, hurt,, pain, or remants of a fallen world. Just the incredible love of God through His son the Lord Jesus the Christ showering over you with the living water ministering to all of our needs.

For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Revelation 7:17

Mom

In honor of mothers this piece was created at 4 in the morning on Mothers Day 2010. I try to capture the essence of the relationship mom has with their children. As a man and a son it is an honor to speak to soul of a mother whose love was genuinely available to us. Remember it's mom's instruction and care that sets the tone on how we manage relationships in our life. Amen

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
Proverbs 1:8, 9

Living Water III

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted
Matthew 5:4

Third in the Living Water series of images it presents the posture needed when going through our most challenging moments. In the fifth chapter of Matthew our Lord illustrates to us one of the many blessings recieved whenever we encounter this action. Myself there are many issues and situations I find myself in where I need to mourn the challenge in order to be comforted for the outcome.
Speaking to all of my brothers in Christ we find it difficult to attain this position. My advice visit it and you will claim victory in those most challenging of circumstances. Amen

Living Water V

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
Ephesians 5:25, 26

Number 5 in the Living Water Series the image provides me with an insight to the scripture in Ephesians Chapter 5. I believe that the revival we are praying for finds its foundation in these spiritual insights found in the Word of God.
As men the process necessary to a successful marriage begins with this piece out of the book of Ephesians. When we believe with our hearts and begin to cleanse the rib returning to our bodies with the Word of God, then the wonderful covenant of marriage will begin to produce the spiritual seed necessary for the revival and end time harvest.

Living Water IV

Another in the Living Water series of images, there is nothing more thrilling than the opportunity to receive through the Cross the Living Water of Christ. As we fall on our knees and open our vessels the Living Water provides the nutrients to produce the fruit of the Spirit which is necessary for us to flourish in our daily lives. Revelation 22:1-4 gives us a glimpse of the scene where the tree of Life will produce the fruit every month necessary to heal the nations. Amen.

Mama's Boy

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
Proverbs 1:8, 9

As we come into the season on honoring Mothers it was impressed upon me the importance of the relationship between mother and Son. The wisdom of God provides us with the illustration of the creation mandate in reference to the position of our parents. Proverbs chapter 1 v 8 refers to the beauty of the creator and how useful each one of us is in his creation. It is mom who sets in place the foundation of the laws which govern the manner of how we keep our instruction. She sets forth the protocol needed to keep us boys and men in the loop concerning the very delicate balance necessary to suffer the difficulties in our relationships at work, with our wives, girlfriends, sisters, cousins and so on. Although we live in a season where Dad is either invisible or estranged it can become very challenging for mom to position herself as both lawgiver and instructor.
As we honor our mothers this season lets not loose sight of the importance they have in our lives. Their input and love determines the manner in which we will navigate the difficulties that are associated with the seasons of our lives. I was reminded by the spirit of God that part of the blessing is imparted in us when we are able to mourn (Matthew 5:4)In that verse in Matthew Chapter 5 it concludes with the term “comforted” . God can not comfort us unless we present the truth concerning our troubles. Mom always had a way at getting at that truth.
Encourage your mothers today. It’s okay to wear the tag “Mama’s Boy”. It is that love that presents the glory of God in our lives each day. Amen

In Remebrance Of Love

Even much water cannot put out the flame of love;
floods cannot drown love.
If a man offered everything in his house for love,
people would totally reject it.
Song of Solomon 8:7

In this statement from the Song of Solomon he sums up the result of a heart that has succomed to love. In its entirety its presence cannot be washed away or there can never be enough of it. To those who cannot identify with it holds no value. Today let’s encounter the love that is present in our hearts and use it as the substance to present a life which is glorious to God. To a world or heart without it is dead. Let it become the substance that characterizes your life.
Men as we move through this day let our hearts minister to those who are dear to us. For the power of God in the earth rests in the love that rests in our hearts. The power of our authority begins with it. We can never over emphasize it or give enough of it. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it (Ephesians 5:25) Fathers love your children for the love we have in our hearts toward them sets them up and allows them to overcome the greatest of obstacles. Unless we plant that seed our lives and there’s will be the result of the cursed. (Malachi 4:6)
Most of all have love for your fellow man. For the image which encounters our substance and soul was found in the love of God. How can we say we love God if we cannot love our own brother? Choose it today and everyday in order to translate life into living. Without it we can never experience eternal life. Amen.

Choose Life

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life that both thou and thy seed may live:
Deuteronomy 30:19

As I begin this piece of writing I would be a lie if I did not acknowledge the joy of having the opportunity to live. It comes by the grace, love and mercy of a wonderful God and His son Jesus the Christ. In a world full of negative images, feelings, hurt, disappointment, lies, hatred, war, religion, division and the likes of how do we find life? The answer is different for each of us and it is contingent upon our system of belief as to the quality of life we receive. As men do we take for granted the blessing that is presented before us to make this choice? To answer this question we have to examine the truth as it relates to the choice and the consequences that come as a result. The truth lies in the statement out of the book of Deuteronomy 30:19. Notice in that statement the term life translates to live.
There are many instances in our lives where our decisions concerning the choice to live rest on the thin line between the fallen state and the power of the risen Christ. The foundation of who we are comes from our acceptance of this truth. It is in the risen Christ that we receive life and the abundance of it. (John 10:10) As fathers, husbands, sons, uncles and friends the life which translates to living rest in identifying the truth about our lives and applying it to our life. It is a matter of life or death. As we stand on the authority given to us from God through the Lord Jesus the Christ then we become clear on making the choices that translate life into living. As men let’s reexamine our hearts and center them on the life giving authority that rest at the throne of our king. It is not in our wallets or conceits that determine this power. Neither is it in the hearts of a wicked and narcissistic world which translates life into death in its politics, war, greed, hate, religion, and division. No living can only be translated in the authority that rests at the right hand of the Father in the form of the Lord Jesus the Christ. Yes he is alive and living and continues to intercede on our behalf.
Let’s begin to stand on the creation mandate as the Priest and Prophets of our homes. It is in this authority where the choice is made as to whether “both thou and thy seed may live” either with blessings or with the curse. The last instruction given to us from the Prophet Malachi rest in this word from his book in the bible, it reads “And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” (Malachi 4:6) Men we have the instruction and the truth concerning the choice to live.Choose life! It begins with the love of our hearts towards the Father and our children. Love them both today.Amen.

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Genesis 2:7

The image Dad at the beginning of this piece is available at the http://www.mirhez.org/ website. Please support our efforts as we begin to author pieces that will change the culture of our communities ,nation, and world.

Meditation

Fourth in a series of images for my showing at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts. During our most trying and challenging times the ability to disconnect from our situation and to connect to our inner self produces tremendous results.

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14

Living Water 2

Image # 3 in the series for the Showing at the Southwest Institute of Healing in Tempe, Arizona. As indicated in the gospel of John(John 7:38) the thirst of our soul for the Living water of life is comes by way of the cross of Calvary and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

What Are We Looking At?

They turned their backs to me and not their faces; though I taught them again and again, they would not listen or respond to discipline………………Jeremiah 32:33

We are not looking in the right direction. Some in this nation have lost sight of the foundation that makes this a great nation. When we should be seeking the face of God we turn away to our own destruction. The view presented at the cross was one that looked inward to the heart to find the passion and the compassion necessary to execute the power of the cross. That power is presented by God to save humanity. The view of Christ was not centered on the violent, profane, religious nature that hung him on the cross. No it was on the mercy love and grace of God the father who evoked his wrath on His son to save us . How can we continue to look to our own devices to resolve the hatred and division, which has gripped this nation during these most difficult times? How can we continue to turn our backs on God when dealing with the issues centered on health care, poverty, domestic violence, marriage, war, crime, sex and the likes of? . Though he has illustrated throughout the history of man how much we need him we still continue to grapple with the idea that we are greater than Him. How can you put a price tag on someone’s desire to get help when they are sick? How can some politicise and belittle the efforts of our Government to aid the Hatian people at a time like this. What happened to the virtues displayed by the Samaritan witnessed in the 10th chapter of Luke? (Luke 10:33). Notice not only did he tend to the wounds of the man he also paid to keep him until he was well. The partisan and divided politics of those who represent the people have there eyes set on that old master of destruction money. Therefore we tend to take the position of those who walked pass the man instead of the Samaritan that helped him. We are so afraid of what we will lose instead of realizing what we would gain. It is the discipline of our hearts that will raise this nation above the wiles and the spirit of the fallen one Satan also known as the devil. Yes he is real.
Let’s take the position that was ministered to each of us at the cross. If you don“t know what is let me help you with it. It was love. Encourage those who represent us with a message rooted in love. When we loose reverence for those who God has placed over us (President Obama) we begin to turn our backs to God. Romans 13 starting in the first verse says, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same”: Turn away from the status quo. Let’s not become so narcissistic that we lose sight of who the world belongs to. (Psalm 24:1) Just because the ideals of a faction of religious fanatics and zealots incorporate taking and terrorizing lives doesn’t mean we have to champion the same virtues (Dick Chaney) but to look unto God and the Cross of Calvary for the power to rise above it unto the glory of God. Speak and let your voices be heard concerning the lives of your brothers. Remember when that voice is rooted in hatred, greed and indifference it presents glory unto the evil one. Understand and know that we are our own worst enemy. We become that when we take our eyes off of God and look to each other to resolve ills created by ourselves. Then we suffer the same fate that Peter suffered when summoned by Christ to walk across the water to where he was. He took his eyes of Jesus and then he sunk .Amen

Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off……………Proverbs 24:13
Hallelujah to our Lord and king!!

Living Water

My people have committed two sins:
They have forsaken me,
the spring of living water,
and have dug their own cisterns,
broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
Jeremiah 2:38

As we turn over another year and move into the new I have found that it is necessary to see the future in a positive and hopeful light. All of the years of my life previous to this one offer a perspective that speaks to the true nature of the human experience. In that experience for me personally there have been many challenges. Choices and decisions made that illustrate a life with some extreme highs and lows. It is during these times I have come to depend on the “Living Water” to nourish and fill my cistern (reservoir) with fresh and new living water.

Visiting the scripture in the book of John the woman at the well encounters our Lord. As he ministers to this Samaritan woman he gives a very interesting response. In it he exposes His truth concerning the gift of God as it relates to himself and the value of the “Living Water” which is presented through Him. In his answer to the woman Jesus illustrates the value of receiving his water. John 4: 14 says, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst: but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
Let this new year start out with the water of everlasting life. Presented to the woman at the well it is also available to us. Notice that this woman was not aligned with the Jewish faith. She was a Samaritan. Regardless of where you are in your fallen state allow the Lord of glory to deposit His “Living Water” in your life. Repair that broken cistern( repent) so that he can fill you reservoir with the water essential for life. It provides the nutrients that are necessary to carry you through your most challenging times. Amen

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.............................................................................John 7:38

Ahh!

Ahh is usually the descriptor which exits our lungs when we incorporate a most needed stretch on our body. Yoga in its expression presents such a satisfying result of a wonderful action. This image was created for my exhibit at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in Tempe, Arizona from January 8, 2010 thru March 5, 2010