Winehouse

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 12:29

The truth of this statement visits me when I look back at a time in my life where addiction robbed me of life. There was this notion that the extent of my using was coined as recreational and fun. I was still a functional human being because I went to work and managed my relationships in a reasonable manner. I harmed no one or violated any laws. Using was the in thing to do amongst most of my friends. My recreational use afforded me an escape from the pressures of life. All of it was a lie.
Today I realize the truth of the manner. It was not necessary for me to use any substances to manage my life. The pitfalls (ups and downs) that occurred in my life are there to present an image that life is to complex and valuable to loose over substances and situations not under my control. The deceit and lies are manifested in a world fallen away from what the creator (God)intended. The strong man (Satan,devil) continues to rob us by virtue of his ability to deceive us and lead us from the truth of who we are. Lets not get it twisted in order to rob him of the power he has over us we have to bind him with the truth of God's word about who we are and the power we have in us to bind the strong man.
Ms Winehouse short lived life is the result of the strong mans lies about who we are. Although her wonderful talent as an artist was there it could have never manifested in a fallen world unless the strong man was bound. He robbed her of the life the creator had intended for her.

Miss U Dad

He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse." Malachi 4:6

An interesting statement from the last testimony of the prophets in the Old Testament. It actually is the last statment of the Old testament according to most of the versions of the Bible. I created this image as a reminder to me and many men that the creation model for our children and ourselves rest in this last statement from the old testament. Myself in particular is feeling the power of this statement , not in the glory of God but in the strength of this fallen world (my flesh). My son has been estranged from me by his mother over the past few months and as a result I feel the power of this statement. In lies the curse. As my heart is driven towards him I am quite sure he seeks to hear my voice at any moments notice. The nature of the curse lies in the uncompromising nature of myself and his mother to resolve our differences that brings us to this place. Although there is a action taken by the courts both sides have been in contempt in dealing with the details spelled out in regards to my relationship with him.
Today my prayer for myself and other fathers is that we line up with glory of God concerning our children. No court, doctor ,psychologist , job, friend, family,woman or mother can
reign over the creation mandate concerning our children. Until we realize the power the last statement of the Old Testament book of Malachi we will always live out the curse. Amen

Rihanna

Wonderful subject to practice with.

Profanity

Profane:
to misuse (anything that should be held in reverence or respect); defile; debase; employ basely or unworthily. to treat (anything sacred) with irreverence or contempt; violate the sanctity of: to profane a shrine.


Good Morning Lord! As this day began my thoughts and meditations were centered around the extreme profanity present in our culture. Magnified greatly in the African American community it robs us of the glory you took to the cross on our behalf. In many ways the thoughts and attitudes apparent in me from time to time settle on this profane nature that desecrates and destroys what is most valuable to you myself.
Lord I ask your forgiveness and mercy on my behalf and on my brothers behalf. Minister to my heart that it presents your glory as defined in the book of Galatians 5:22-26. Help us to enter into the strong mans house(Matthew 12:29) that we may bind him in order to spoil his goods. Continue Lord to shape our hearts into the image necessary to recieve and prepare for you coming. our eternal future depends on it. Amen.

And , behold, I come quickly ; and my reward is with me,
to give every man according as his work shall be.
I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the
end, the first and the last

The words of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Chirst
as they are ministered in the
book of Revelation 22:12,13

The image Man Down at the beginning of the piece is a testament to the profane nature that

rests in the African Anerican community.

Carolyn

Some of my best work comes when I passionately feel the subject . Although the focus of this piece is the love of my life it presents a tremendous amount of excitement to see the finished product. Nice!!

Mom 3

In reference to the wonderful mother’s day here in the New York area. I was compelled to render this wonderful image of a mother and son. Although my mother has passed into glory the image of a loving mother can minister to the best and the worst of us. As a momma’s boy it is pleasure to reflect upon such an image. Enjoy

Restore

Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, "I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I am helpless. How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe." Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. "Do not be afraid, O man highly esteemed," he said. "Peace! Be strong now; be strong." When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength……………….Daniel 10: 16-19

Good morning Lord Jesus as I began this first day of 2011 I set my heart and mind to hear from heaven concerning your coming. In the midst of my mediatation you directed me to your Prophet Daniel who you esteemed very highly. As he humbled himself you began to direct his heart and mind toward your coming. Lord Jesus I believe whole heartedly that the transformation of your kingdom starts and begins with each one of us. The word that you ministered to Daniel on the side of the river to strengthen him applies to me today. I noticed that as you appeared to Daniel he was the only one who “ saw the vision; the men with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves with him fled in fear” And just like then now men hide in fear of you Lord.
Lord I know that the process you began in me will continue to live out throughout eternity. I solely belive that unless I bind the strongman (Matthew 12:29) I can never enter into his house to rob him . Jesus I am with you all the way. Holy spirit minister to me that power our Lord ministered to Daniel. Help me to encourage a generation unto the coming of your Kingdom for the signs are already appearing here in the earth.(Matthew 24:6-9) Lord my take is that as I began to speak it you have already been to the hearts of those who will receive it. (Acts 18:9-12) I bless you Lord for presenting this opportunity to be lived out unto your glory. For yours is the kingdom for ever and ever Amen.

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