"Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will
supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest
of your righteousness..." 2 Corinthians 9:10
(New American Standard Bible)
Description of Illustration: A young woman brings in the harvest of wheat, bonnet, pink calico, hay stack, fir tree
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"While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, And cold and heat,
And summer and winter, And day and night Shall not cease."
Genesis 8:22 (New American Standard Bible)
"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name,
he gave the right to become children of God..."
John 1:12 (ESV)
Description of the Illustration: fall leaves, corn flowers, fall wreath motif, grapes persimmons, small cottage with sunset inside the wreath, texts from The Gospel of John, book of Ephesians and the book of Romans
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"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this
is not your own doing; is is the gift of God..."
Ephesians 2:8 (ESV)
"Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the
dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9 (ESV)
Description of the Illustration: The word "Thanksgiving" surrounded by a corn stalk and a tiny red roofed church peeking through the letter "T" decorate the scripture. The text is from the book of Jeremiah: "The sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the LORD, saying, "Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good; his love endures forever," For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,' says the LORD." Jeremiah 33:11 (NIV)
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"Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the LORD's wrath, until he pleads my case and establishes my right. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness." Micah 7:9 (NIV)
Description of the Illumination: three verses from the book of Micah illuminated with a figurative letter "B", medieval costumed figures shaped like a "B", white backgrounds
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"Because of this I will weep and wail; I will go about barefoot and naked. I will howl like a jackal and moan like an owl." Micah 1:8 (NIV) and "In that day people will ridicule you; they will taunt you with this mournful song: 'We are utterly ruined; my people's possession is divided up He takes it from me! He assigns our fields to traitors.'" Micah 2:4 (NJV)
"In God is my salvation and my glory, the rock of my strength, and my
refuge, is in God." Psalm 62:7
Lo ! where amid appalling dangers dread,
The rock undaunted lifts its welcome head;
Tho ship of commerce gayly sail'd along,
All hands were merry with their evening song;
When lo ! they scud before a sudden blast,
The sails are shiver'd, broken is the mast;
The ship is wreck'd, the storm rolls wildly round,
The sinking sailors have no footing found.
In drowning plight, stunn'd by the wave's rude shock.
The lightning kindly points them to the rock;
The Rock they grasp, and raise themselves on high,
In conscious safety bid the storm pass by.
So when mankind were wreck'd on Eden's shore,
Loud was the tempest, loud the thunder's roar.
Earth, sea, and skies affrighted were, and toss'd,
Tumultuous all. Shall man be saved, or lost?
In that wild ocean of despair and dread,
The Rock of Ages lifts his lofty head;
The sinner, sinking, stunn'd by Sinai's shock,
By Sinai's lightning, now beholds the Rock;
With glad surprise, more clear his moral sight,
He sees besides, a cross of heavenly light;
The Rock he clambers, to the cross he clings,
And saved from danger, of Salvation sings.
A SHORT time since, and that vessel was sailing calmly and securely over the soft, blue wave. The voice of song arose, and mingled its melodies with the light air around. Home, sweet home, was the theme which gladdened every heart. But ah! thou treacherous sea! Thou deceitful wind! How changed the scene! The voice of song is departed, joy and gladness are no more. Instead of the music of soft symphonies, are heard the clamors of despair, the thunder's mighty roar-old ocean's harsh sounds, and the howling of the storm. The ship is driven fiercely before the gale, sails are rent, one of the masts is gone by the board, ruin steers the ill-fated ship; she strikes upon a reef, the billows roll over her, the crew are washed overboard. Night thickens around with his stormy horrors; manfully the drowning wretches buffet the waves; the lightning flings its lurid glare around, and shows them their awful condition; again it lightens, and they descry a rock, lifting its head above the billows, and promising a place of safety. Hope revives--they swim for the rock, soon "they make it," See! they have got upon it. Now they are safe!
The vessel, sailing joyfully and securely before the gale began, may represent the safe and happy condition of our first parents before they were assailed by the storms of temptation; the drowning mariners denote the deplorable state of mankind since the fall, who are sinking midst the waves of guilt and wo; the tempest overhead denotes the storm that howls over the head of every sinner, in consequence of the violation of Jehovah's law. Sinai thunders forth its curses, and flashes its lightnings around the sinner's path, in order to show him his weakness, his guilt, and his danger. As the lightning points the drowning sailor to the rock, so the law directs or opens the way to Christ, that the sinner might be justified by faith in the atonement.
The rock, rising in the troubled ocean, affording a shelter from the shipwreck, represents Christ, the Rock of Ages, who has borne all the fury of the storm for man, and who, by his cross, giveth life and light to a dying world. The penitent sinner, feeling himself sinking in the mighty waters, and tremblingly alive to the dangers of the tempest above, and to the more fearful dangers of the rolling waves beneath, escapes to the Rock, embraces the cross, and is safe, i. e., he believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, and is saved.
Small is their progress, smaller still their gains.
With weights oppress'd, of sordid gold and care,
They run awhile, then give up in despair.
But one is seen whose speed outstrips the wind,
The laggers all he quickly leaves behind ;
Conform'd to rule, he casts, all burdens down,
And presses forward to receive the crown.
In his exhortations to Christians, the great apostle of the Gentiles very often alludes to the Olympic games. These games were celebrated in different parts of Greece, particularly on the isthmus which joined the Morea to the main land; hence called the Isthmian exercises. They were held on the banks of the river Alpheus, near Oljnnpia, a city of Elis. They were considered of so much importance, that from the period of their first regular establishment a new era of reckoning time was constituted, just as we reckon from the birth of Jesus Christ. Each Olympiad consisted of four years; hence they dated events from the first, second, third, or fourth year of any particular Olympiad. The first Olympiad commenced 776 years before the Christian era. These exercises consisted of five different kinds, viz: boxing, wrestling, leaping, the quoit, and racing. We confine ourselves to the illustration of the latter. The celebration of the running match excited great interest. Hence, the preparation for these festivals was very great. No man could become a candidate for the prize unless he bore a good character, and regularly exercised himself ten months previously, according to the rules prescribed.
The rules were very severe: a strict regimen had to be observed--unpalatable food to be eaten --abstinence from all luxuries--exercises were to be continued through all weathers, and we know not what besides. And now the grand day has arrived; the judge is appointed, having been previously sworn to deal impartially--the race-course is cleared--the place of starting fixed--the judge takes his seat at the goal, or end of the raceground, and holds in his hand the crown of olive, or of laurel, destined to grace the victor's brow; officers are appointed to keep order. The city is emptied of its inhabitants--all the principal men are there. The candidates make their appearance; every eye is fixed upon them; every heart is in motion. Divested of all needless clothing, sometimes naked, they await the signal; --'tis given--off they start. Not a whisper is heard among all that multitude; with intense interest they watch the runners as they pass along. A shout is heard. The victor returns, like a triumphant conqueror, drawn in a chariot of four, wearing the crown of victory, and is everywhere greeted with the acclamations of the people.
Religion is compared to a race; the stadium, or race-ground, is the path of piety leading through this world to the next; the runners are those who profess religion; the officers appointed to keep order, the ministers of the gospel; the spectators, men and angels; the judge, the Lord Jesus Christ; the reward, a crown of righteousness.
Let us imagine a company of young persons just commencing the Christian race. They set off together; the directions are given to all, they are four in number:
Be sure to lay aside every weight
Relinquish the besetting sin
Exercise patience
Look to Jesus
They go along pretty well for awhile. Soon one is seen lagging behind. What is the matter? He has too much weight about him. Another drops off; his besetting sin has prevailed. A third is missing; what ails him? O, he is out of patience--with God, himself, and everybody besides. Some follow the directions--persevere to the end, and obtain the prize. But mark: of those who run in the Grecian games, one only could receive the prize. In the Christian race, all may run so as to obtain. The judge there was sometimes partial; the Christian's Umpire is the " Righteous Judge." The successful candidate, after all his labors, obtained only a garland of withering flowers; the Christian receives a glorious " crown of righteousness that fadeth not away."
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to
the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down,
especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with
endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes
on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of
the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now
he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. Think of all the
hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary
and give up."
Hebrews 12:1-3
"We have also a more sure word of prophecy." 2 Peter 1:19
Look where the impartial balance hangs on high,
The Almighty's word against weak man's to try;
Huge folios rare, and many a bulky bale,
Are brought, and laid upon the even scale:
Of " Council's"' records many a tome is sent,
From the great Nicean, down to that of Trent;
" Creeds," " 'isms," creatures of the human thought,
Ancient and modern, are together 'brought;
And " Fathers" numerous, a learned line,
From Pseudo-Barnabas to Augustine;
The Bible now. of Protestants the pride,
Is placed alone upon the other side:
Creeds, Councils, Fathers, 'isms, twenty ream,
Fly up like chaff, and straightway kick the beam.
The above engraving represents a pair of scales of equal balance, one side of which is loaded with books, packages, and parchments. Here are the minutes of eighteen general councils, beginning with that held in Nice, in the year of our Lord 325, and ending with that of Trent, which began in the year 1545, and closed in 1563, with many others. There are also the writings of the " Fathers," from those ascribed to Barnabas, but considered spurious, downward. Then there are Creeds without number, both of ancient and modern date; next follow the various isms of the day, that set themselves up against the word of God. These are all placed on one scale; the Bible is now brought and placed on the other, when lo! " Creeds, Councils, Fathers, and 'isms" are but as the dust of the balance. Lighter than vanity, they fly up and kick the beam; one Bible outweighs them all.
This emblem is designed to show the authority of the Bible over the doctrines and commandments of men. When the lion roars, the beasts of the forests keep silence; when Jehovah speaks, the inhabitants of the world ought to stand in awe. During the space of fifteen hundred years, God uttered His voice in the ears of the children of men. He has declared his will, and sanctioned such revelation by the repeated manifestations of his almighty power. He employed holy men as the authorized recorders of his laws; and closed the whole with the denouncement of a curse against all who should add to, or diminish therefrom.
Notwithstanding this, there have been men in all ages who have set up their will against that of the great Jehovah. They have made a record of the same, forbidding what God has commanded, and ordaining what God has prohibited. Thus, by their traditions, they make void the laws of the Eternal. What folly is this! what blasphemy! what rebellion! The words of the Lord are tried, pure, and everlasting; those of man are short weight, corrupt, and are passing away. By the laws of God, not by the opinions of men, we shall be judged at the last day.
Terribly has the curse fallen upon those who have established human opinions in opposition to the Word of God witness the Jews, who, since the fatal overthrow of their city, have been vagabonds over all the face of the earth. Witness the poverty, ignorance, and misery of those parts of the world where human creeds prevail, and where the Bible is rejected; yea, witness in the case of every man who substitutes his will for God's. To the law and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." 2 Timothy 3:16
"Search the Scriptures." John 5:39
"We thank God without ceasing, because when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is of truth, the word of God." 1 Thessalonians 2:13.
"Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish aught from it." Deuteronomy 4:2
"If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book." Revelation 22:18
Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you,
unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3 (NASB)
Description of the Illustration: Pastel drawing by Kathy Grimm of South African children paired with scriptures from Mark, John and Matthew, amber color combinations, a little girl and her two younger brothers giggle and play, smiling in the sunshine, Kingdom scriptures
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"Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God
like a child will not enter it at all." Mark 10: 15 (NASB)
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field,
which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it
he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."
Matthew 13:44 (NASB)
"One of the best choirs South Africa has to offer! Performed at the
opening of the Fifa 2010 Soccer World cup. Shot with a Canon 5D by
Redletter productions."
Description of the Illustration: These little Native American churches come in a multitude of colors: tan, pink, blue, lavender and red, stacked stones, wooden cross, adobe, night, by Kathy Grimm
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"Richard Twiss is a member of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate from the Rosebud
Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. He is President of Wiconi
International and is committed to creating opportunities for the
betterment of Native people through advancing education, culture, family
and spirituality--in the Spirit of Jesus. Richard is a speaker,
activist, educator, author and networker within Native North American
and International Indigenous communities. He holds a doctorate in
intercultural studies from Asbury Theological Seminary and has authored
several works, namely One Church Many Tribes: Serving Jesus the Way God
Made You (Regal Books). He is an adjunct professor at Portland State
University and Sioux Falls and George Fox Seminaries, and a CCDA board
member. Formerly, he served as Senior Pastor of New Discovery Community
Church (1982-95) and as Director of Native American Ministries for the
International Bible Society (1995-96). In 1972, Richard was a
participant in the American Indian Movement's forced occupation of the
Bureau of Indian Affairs Building. He and his wife, Katherine, have four
sons and live in Vancouver, WA."
I based the drawings above upon one of my old paintings.
Description of Illustration: Trinity knot cut from brown and blue marbled paper.
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Description of Illustration: text "Pâques" french for "Easter", two versions one in blue and white and the second in purple and white, Jesus blesses the city
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Description of Illuminated Words: text "Covenant People" with the Star of David and the Cross of Christ, available in multiple colors paired with black:beige, white, blue, green, orange, pink, purple, red, teal and yellow
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Description of Illustration: text "Baby Dedication", hand-drawn, greyscale version for your church bulletins
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Illuminated Quotes Described: stained glass graphic cross: green, blue, yellow and white colors, plus three decorative quotes about the cross in the same colors, geometric shapes
"It is to the Cross that the Christian is challenged to follow his Master: no path of redemption can make a detour around it." Hans Urs von Balthasar
"Just as Christian came up to the Cross, his burden loosed from off his shoulders, fell from off his back, and began to tumble down the hill, and so it continued to do till it came to the mouth of the sepulchre. There it fell in, and I saw it no more!" John Bunyan
"We sinned for no reason but an incomprehensible lack of love, and He saved us for no reason but an incomprehensible excess of love." Peter Kreeft
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Illustration Described: text in French, for Epiphany, the Virgin Mary holds Jesus, hand-drawn illustration
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Illustration Described: text "In God We Trust Enough To Give Generously? altered partial image from an American dollar, green and white
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Illustration Described: text "Altar flowers" tulips and daisies, transparent background
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Illustration Described:oval Hosanna Palm, text "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" Mark 11:9, colors:green and black for black web pages and green with transparent background, purple with white background
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"No one has ever seen God. The One and Only son--the One who is at the Father's side--He has revealed Him." John 1:18
Illumination Described: Illuminated letter "N" in blue, green and sienna decorates scriptures from the Gospel of John, 1 Timothy and Ephesians, (HCSB)
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"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." 1 Timothy 1:17
"Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us...." Ephesians 3:20
