Calendar Cover

Enter  by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Mathew 7:13,14

The cover for my 2014 calendar. The theme for the calendar is set by the Spirit of God in the image of Christ. Presenting an image for African American males to align themselves in the image of Jesus Christ in order to become better fathers, husbands , brothers, uncle's  and friends. My prayer is that the message of the calendar  will help free and release us from the strongholds  that shackle the way we live our lives.. Just as the scripture give us the image of Jesus Christ as the narrow gate that leads to life it is our job to allow the spirit to lead us through that gate.

Our Daily Bread II

This piece will open my calendar for 2014. Opening the year in the presence and glory of God will set the tone for a blessed year. This is based off the scripture in Matthew 6 starting in verse 6 which says:
But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. 

Living Water Praise

Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."

John 7:38

Eighth in my living water series of images Living Water Praise presents the power of the living water of Christ which lives in the hearts and minds of those who live by faith and not by sight. In my own life there are times when streams of living water flows from my heart. During these times my heart encourages the word of God as the root of the stream of living water. It is in the image of Christ that by grace it becomes the flow necessary to usher in the Holy Spirit in the garment of praise.

As African American men in a American culture that assimilates to find issue with us there is good news  for us. The good news is the living water of Christ. It is in that good news that He who created us presents us with the opportunity to drink from the living water. It is in this process that we find great success in living out the glory of God concerning our lives. Through faith the living water becomes such a great life force that it begins to shut off the cycle of fear, hatred, discrimination, death ,poverty and the likes of that separate us from ministering to the lives of our wives , children ,family and community. This day it is necessary for us to choose who we will serve in order for us and our seeds to live. Amen

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God   I Corinthians 4:5

Our Daily Bread

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. "This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,  your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread.  Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. '  For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 6:8 - 15

Second in my series of images denoting the power which resonates as we become knowledgeable of the image of God through His son Jesus the Christ. As Jesus presents the example of the "Lords Prayer" it compels us to meditate daily on the request made before heaven and it's power to free us from the attempts of the evil one and spirit which removes us from the glory of God

Power

Power
But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you."Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.
Matthew 12:28,29

As I was creating this image the scripture out of Matthew 12 came alive in me. At the time I was being challenged with a life situation with the inablility to manage it in my own right. It was a heart challenge that I was unable to rationalize. I was overwhelmed with my flesh as it was dictating to me a response which would have brought death to the whole situation. As I kneeled to pray and asked God to release the challenge from me it felt like a hundred pound weight was lifted from my back. The spirit of God had rested upon me. This image ministers to my moments when I don't have an answer and when I surrender to God the issue it becomes apparant that the Spirit allows me to enter into the strong man's house to bind him concerning the issue. Without surrendering to the Spirit there is no way to enter the strong mans house to bind and rob him of God's glory which was yours in the first place. What the enemy has is already yours by the blood of Jesus. Amen

Image is available at the artist  Imagekind portfolio