Ecclesia Advent

 Here are some Church Notes that I have been drawing and painting and just not posting, which is stupid. I love doing these I dunno why I just don't post them more often.

Well last month at Church they did a teaching series on Advent. 

Highlighting 5 different aspects on the Hope what we have through Christ.

Peace (That week I didn't draw anything)

Hope

Joy

Love

Light

I know this is somewhat of an Ironic image of hope, but keep in mind that the night before I had just went and saw The Christmas Carol with my family. But we do need to be carful where we place out hearts. This study was on how we face disappointment, and what can happen to our hearts when don't get something we were hoping for, and how important it is to place our hearts in the Humble and Powerful hands of out Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

This study was on Joy, and how joy is our anchor in the tumultuous sea we call emotions, and that the reason for Joy is truth. Joy is rooted in truth. Truth is constant and unyielding. "Truth" is the loving and understanding parent patiently waiting out the temper-tantrum of its screaming toddler "Emotion".

This was a crazy good sermon, and I am ashamed it has taken me this long to write about it, many of my first impressions lost. But what is the bug take away now 3 weeks later is that Love has the ability to awaken us. Out pastor, Joseph, was speaking about the pain that Love can bring, and lot of times that pain and sorrow we feel for people is our hearts being awaked to justice and the lack-there-of.

The box in this drawing represents the lies that we believe, the lies that lock up our hearts hearts shutting them up in darkness. The candle represents truth.

Happy Christmas & Merry Holiday 2010!!

Merry Christmas Every One!

More to come later.

Bondage

Love is the Key.

"TURN OR BUUUUUURN!!

My buddy Fro showed me this hilarious video his buddy made.




It's pretty darn funny. Maybe because I had a similar approach to ministry when I was younger. I thank the Lord for His grace and patience with me. I was very encouraged to see his dedication and excitement to his specific calling. Using his talents and passions for the Lord. To top it off, this message of such importance and of such serious nature, is communicated very effectively and arguably more importantly it is very approachable. All thanks to his humor. Kuddos!!

A Holiday Tradition

For nearly 10 years now on Christmas day or Christmas eve I have kept a tradition with my family, what is this tradition I speak of? Well we sculpt the manger scene! Each member of the family gets a little bag of clay with a piece of paper in. The paper has a person or animal from the manger scene written on it. We get 15 to 20 minuets to sculpt our clay, when we are done we read the Christmas story. As each persons figure is read or referred to we place it in the manger.

It is a lot of fun and a great way to incorporate the true reason for the season :)

Christmas 2008

Merry Christmas!
Or Happy Christmas to all the Brit's!



Despite its commercialism I love Christmas. It is a wonderful time to spend with friends and family, eat a lot of junk food, and enjoy the cold. But most of all it is a wonderful time of year to think on and speak about Christ and his coming into this world. Weather you believe him to be the Son of God or not, he changed this world forever. And his story is a beautiful tragedy. He was born to die so we might truly live. It is extremely humbling, and I pray that when I share about Christ and what he has done for me, and all of us, that that humility is there. I don't want you to believe what I believe or think how I think, I just want everyone to experience the grace and love that I have because of that man.

Church Notes & Christmas Doodles

For the last few years I do a Christmas illustration in the style of a stained glass window. Here are some preliminary sketches I did during Church on Sunday evening, and in class today.







This last one is horrible. LOL I know we are getting into Easter cannon here just a little bit, but Christ didn't decay! He died, but he rose from the dead on the third day. So the skull that was supposed to represent death in general, just came off like Christ's skeleton. Not cool. I have used the skull/death symbolism in the past but it was always a satellite image or used in conjunction with Golgotha. Anywho it's fun to make this types of mistakes, helps ya learn what not to do. :)

"No One Else Can Satisfy"

Tonight at church there was a study on The 2 Kingdoms, (notes and doodles from tonight's service to come in it's own post), the closing song is what prompted the title of this post. When I wrote this over a month ago it was originally going to be called, "Without" or "Void", but I wouldn't post it until I finished the illustration. I am thankful for my stubborn nature in this case because this new title suits the sentiment of the post much better.



Is it worth it to be without? So many people "experience" so much more than me. Living and growing up in a Godly home has its own dangers. If you are not careful many of the blessings that you have grown up with that have been constants and that were hard earned by the structure and sacrifice of a Godly home can devolve into assumptions. That deception can be very dangerous, allowing you to slip into the trap that everyone else has these blessings, and in this skewed perspective you see the world as having their cake and eating it too. Overlooking all the hard work and sacrifice your friends, family, and other loved ones have invested. It is key to remain in the Word on a regular basis and have a constant prayer life.

This will equip you with a Godly perspective in a world with a corrupt paradigm. Remember it boils down to trust, do I trust the Lord? Let me first ask if I can trust someone if I don't have a relationship with? Am I developing my relationship with he Lord? Or are we stagnate friends who see each other but once or twice a year? When the Lord tells me that that flame over there is dangerous and hot, despite its beauty do I have to burn my hand to know receive that as truth? Is it worth the blister to feel it's "warmth"? I have lived a life where I have tried submit my desires to the Lord, and I as of late I have grown very tired. I need the Lord more than ever, I need Him so much it hurts. He is like air to me now, which is awesome, but at the same time when I am selfish and stupid and separate myself from Him with sin in my life I feel the sting even more now.

Lord I thank you so much for the blessings you have given me in a wonderful family, powerful friendships, and a Church that I find refuge. I love you so much, and please let me not be swayed when I see the world frolicking in sex, bathing in alcohol, and sleeping in apathy. Help me to know each of these come with a price, and You have bought me with your Blood. And Your blood is worth so much more then these tedious and worldly joys.

I love You.

Help me.

Church Notes | Sex Love & God: week six and seven

Here are the last 2 pages of the Love Sex & God series at church, sorry it took me so long to post these.
Been a busy last couple of weeks.





It was a really good series, I got a lot of out of it. The Lords timing is quite profound.

Foresaking Provision

What may seem like frustration on the surface can often times be the bud of a blessing. And given the proper obedience and a little self control it can blossom not only into a blessing but so much of a blessing that it becomes as necessary as breath. Today after sitting in front of my computer all day working on an illustration, I started going stir crazy. I called some friends, but having lives of their own were not free at the moment. So I still had an hour to kill. In my boredom and frustration that I had yet another hour to spend with myself I decided to read. I can be so foolish sometimes, why must it take these extreme emotions and feelings to get me to sit down and listen to what the Lord has to say to me. While driving to a coffee shop I was convicted, the Lord whispered to me that I did not have to spend another hour wallowing in my own mind, but I am blessed and privileged to spend a moment with Him. Then I got to thinking, how I have actually been busy these past few weeks. I had a semi regular work week subbing at lest 4 out of the 5 day week. I asked myself what have I been doing with my free time? I have been self-indulgent; I have been hanging out with friends and avoiding alone time, the alone time that I usually give back to the Lord in prayer and reading. Realizing that I have been allowing myself to be seduced into letting a blessing become a burden I began to apologize for my selfishness. The devil was trying to use wonderful and powerful friendships the Lord has blessed me with for its purposes. I was disgusted with myself when I realized I was letting a blessing wither into a burden. I asked the Lord to forgive me and help me make the right decisions. I figured the best place to start is to spend time with Him. So I got my cup of coffee and scone and walked over to a park bench by the fountain in middle of the Orange Circle and got out one of my favorite devotionals, Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon. And to my joy and contentment the Lord confirmed my concerns with a passage from the morning section of May 25th’s devotions. The quote that just drove it home was this, “Forsake me not in my joys, lest they absorb my heart.” It was speaking of the importance of never forsaking the Lord, weather in blessing or wanting, in sorrow or joy. How in forsaking my quiet time with Him, I was allowing a blessing from the Lord to absorb so much of my time and attention that it edged Him out.

And what really trips me out, is the Lords timing. How Spurgeon in obedience was pressed and lead to write on this topic so many years ago not know the profound effect that one sentence would have on me. It’s the crazy stuff like this that brings a smile to my face. The Lords timing is so incredibly perfect.

I Think I Lack Today.

Recently I have been living too much in the future, finding ease and peace of mind in what the Lord wants to do with me. That is not necessarily a bad thing, but it can be very negative, especially if in focusing on the future I lose sight of today. I need to look for my daily bread, my mana, and see what He wants to do with me today. To be faithful in the small things ready to go when he sends me out. While praying during worship on Sunday evening I realized how rich I am, how incredibly rich I am! This past week has been a peaceful blue sky with gentle breezes. But every sky has its clouds, today while getting ready for the day I was feeling a little stressed and drained, and I realized that despite my blessed week I have not spent much time in prayer or in reading. That really scares me, I need to abide in the Lord when I am doing well and when I am in need. My angst should not spur me onto the Lord, but drive and thirst for Him. Lord Help me to find that balance and to abide in You when I abound and when I am abased.

Church Notes | Sex Love & God: week five

This study was on the restorative power we have from the cross through Christ.



This afternoon while driving to a meeting I gave this study a second listen. What especially spoke to me this time around was the aspect of community. So often we put on our best faces at church, when in reality church is a time and place in our lives where we should be as raw and real as possible. It is simply and issue of honestly, we need to be honest about sin, joy, happiness, sadness, passion, etc. What better place to do it than at church? Our "best faces" only hinder our growth and show our fear and lack of trust in the Lord. What is the worst that can happen, a sideways glance from a pew-neighbor? There is no need to be afraid of judgment, we all have sinned and received grace. Just as we received we all need to return that grace to others in our lives. Be bold, be honest. I say that because this study challenged me. It made me ask, "Can I be more open and vulnerable?" If I can get over my ego and let go of myself I may inspire others to be just as candid. And in turn find other brothers and sisters to come along side me in this long journey we call life.

Lord help me to trust You. Help me to be brazenly honest.

Church Notes | Sex Love & God: week four

I am a few weeks behind in posting these. My apologies, but I have gotten caught up in coloring them that I don't wanna post them until I can play with them on the computer. My being busy with other projects, and my obsession with having to color them have lead to this horrible lag.



Week Four of the this series was on the power of sex. Explaining that the rules and guidelines placed on this union are there to protect us and help us get the most out of it. The pastor uses electricity to illustrate the power and care sex is and needs. I prefer the analogy of fire, its just a bit more romantic and a much rawer example, but I tend to nerd out on these word plays. None the less the principals apply. Sex is something like a fire, when used and expressed in the proper context it is a beautiful and powerful thing. When used in the wrong way it is no less powerful, and without the safeguards outlined for us it can be just as destructive as it is powerful. Like a flame when it grow out of control it will burn and consume. Don't let the world's (aka Hollywood/tabloids/TV/foolish friends/etc,) degrading and denigrate view of what sex should be turn something that is alluring and beautiful into a source of shame and pain. Sex is a very beautiful and sacred thing that deserves much more respect than the world is giving it now.

An Uncharted Sea

This past week and a half has been busy. I apologize for the lack of posts, I shall make up for it soon.


(I drew this nearly a month ago during bible study, I finally had the time to color it today)

Over this past week I have been thinking a lot. I have been dealing with a lot of personal stuff. I don't think I have been this emotionally unstable in a very long time. And the crazy thing is that nothing too jarring has happened. The Lord is really just going in and giving my heart an overhaul. A huge comfort for me is that whenever I get in the thick of it I turn to the Lord in prayer and His word. It calms my heart and soothes my mind. I had a starling realization the other day while praying. I say startling because even though I have been praying for years that I would find my solace and peace in Christ, that He would be my contentment, I never really understood what that meant. I realized that some of the little things in life have lost their luster, I felt maybe that that was a sign of me being depressed or something. Why were the little things not getting me excited anymore? It was through this question that the Lord spoke so clearly to me. He reminded me that I have been praying for this for a while now. He whispered to me that He is and will be my source and my fountain. He asked me if I was willing to give up the smaller smiles in life for the deeper joys of a calling, my calling. And to be honest I was scared, and I am still scared. But I am also very willing, as long as the Lord journeys with me, because I have no idea what I am doing.


Lord let not my condition be my source of peace.
Let that rest in You.
This will allow Us to to sail the uncharted seas of my calling,
not to wander on the secure docks of other mens achievements.
I will risk for You.

Church Notes | Sex Love & God: week three

Its a week late.
I had a busy week.

"Am I above a bruise?"

Hey Guys, sorry for the lack of posts. I have like 3 paged from my sketchbook that I want to scan in an post. But this week all my drawing time has been spent painting frames for an animatic. Once it is finished I may be able to post some of it, but right now it is too classified ;)

To tide you over here is the doodle I did last Thursday while recording PotterCast. I had fun.



I wish I could just sit here and ramble away with what has been going on in my life and heart, but I dont really have the time to get into specifics. The Lord has been doing an overhaul on my heart these last few weeks and it really came to a head this past week; in many forms like comfort, rest, and solace, and in some really scary ways too. Issues dealing with my future, finances, friendships, love, lust, doubt, depression and my calling. I guess I needed and continue to need to really search myself and see if the path I am on is the one that I want my ministry and life to go down.  And I think I have realized something, I realized that I don't really care anymore. And that is a good thing, all I really care about is that wounded hand.  As long as Christ's hand in mine I will be safe, I wont always be comfortable but I will be safe. The best part is that He walks beside me, He will never drag me only adventure out with me. With each step His love will reveal more and more of the path ahead.

It will be a hard journey, with many joys and many tears. When I get weak I will remember Christ is my support. When I am wounded I will remember that even Christs heal was bruised when He crushed the serpent. And when I doubt and fear I will spur myself on by asking, "Am I above a bruise?"

Church Notes | Sex Love & God: week two

This week the study addressed way that love can flourish. Through restraint, risk, and resolve.

"Restraint has nothing to do with slavery and everything to do with freedom."

Love is giving the other person the freedom to reject you.

Resolve to love your spouse, don't believe the lie that there is a greener pasture out there. That there is someone who can fulfill you on a deeper level. There will be times where you need to roll up your sleeves and choose to love.



This weeks message was needed on my part. Having never known love in this manner it was refreshing and encouraging to me to see what patience can bring. I will have restraint until I find the woman God has for me. When I find her I will need to risk my heart by letting her not just look at me, but truly see me. And I will resolve to wait for her, and not to curb the appetite of my flesh by settling. It is going to be a long and rigorous road, and I know I wont be able to walk it without Christ.

Church Notes | Sex Love & God: week one

Notes from Sundays service, we started a new series on Sexuality. I am really looking forward to it, the Pastor really knew how to handled and teach on this topic.I am praying that the Lord shows Him self to me and in me in some new ways over the next six weeks.

I had fun coloring this one. Did it while watching Buffy on Hulu.

Stay tuned for a Buffy/Potter drawing.

Church Notes

Church on Sunday was a wonderful and powerful experience.
The Lord met me where I was.

It is so humbling when the Lord bends down and meets you where you are. It can be very difficult to accept. I know I can do nothing for Him, but I feel like I need to do something. In my head I think I can meet Him half way via obedience and sacrifice. I forget that all I can to is be willing and obedient. Sunday night after service during a time of Worship and Prayer He came down beside. Through the prayers and encouragement of a friend and brother the Lord lifted me up out of my despair and doubt. It was an oasis of peace in this dessert I have been marching through. I am not out of the brier and thorns of my own trials, but I have a refreshed clarity and renewed drive for Him.



As clique as it may sound, it is true. I can do nothing for Him, but I can do mighty things Through Him, If I let Him.

How anyone can claim Christianity is void of dynamics, and is only dead set of rules is beyond me. It's a living and dynamic experience of existentialism, philosophy, knowledge, hope, faith, confusion, clarity, love, growth, determination, sacrifice, humility, and I could go on. But I wont. Ha ha I ranted again.

Life Group with Lilly Evans

Last week in Bible Study we went over the different ways different people worship and communicate with God. This discussion coupled with my just starting to listen to Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince again influence me to draw Lilly Evans. Here she is pictured using different ingredients to brew a balanced spirit-filled walk. :)

I imagine the Recipe going something like this.

Step One: Start with a rich base of Sacrifice and liberal portions of Acknowledgment.

Step Two: Add three parts Love.

Step Three: Sprinkle in generous portion of purified, but not distilled, Passion.

Step Four: When color shifts from crimson to clear stir in even amounts of Discipline in increasing increments until the mixture reaches a golden-pearl hue.

Step Five: Sip the potion, when bitterness sets in add three to seven drops of Hope until sweet.

Step Six: Gather something of yourself. For example: talent, love, understanding, time, sweat, tears, blood etc. Add as much of yourself as you are willing into the potion .

Step Seven: Add Grace as needed* and let simmer over a healthy flame of Trials and Knowledge. Simmer the potion at a gentle boil until your reflection becomes cloudy and you can no longer see yourself on the surface, the length of this process with vary from draft to draft.
*Do not abuse the use of Grace, or it could render the potion ineffective and apathetic.

Result: The Potion should take on its own unique Taste, Color, and Smell. Every persons individual draft matures and ages in a way that is unique to the brewer.
The only common side effect should be an aroma of Joy smooth texture of Peace.



The OG Sketch.