Matthew 7:13-14

Description of Illustration: A wandering soul sits and waits on top of a sign that he, himself, feels must be right. He wears an old straw hat, is unshaven, he holds an old-fashioned suitcase, each sign has a different message, all of which to do not take in account the meaning behind the Proverb, the scripture reads "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)

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Luke 18:27

Description of Illustration: two "old-timers" are passing their time, watching the clock, waiting for their break time away from work and counting the minutes until they must time themselves back into work, break room, coffee break, overalls and pocket watch, grandfather clock, knowing expressions, scripture "But he said, What is impossible with men is possible with God." Luke 18:27 (ESV)
 

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Tailpieces in Blue Floral Motifs

"Cast your burden on the LORD and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22

Description of the Illuminated Scriptures: blue floral motifs, scriptures from Psalms and the Gospel of Matthew.

"I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation." Psalm 13:5

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

•  Sermon based upon Matthew 11:28, 29, 30 

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Tailpieces in Floral Motifs

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday,
today, and forever." Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

Description of Illuminated Scripture: all in red with tailpieces illustrating a floral motif, scriptures from Hebrews, John, The Book of Psalms.

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you;
not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not
your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
 John 14:27

"Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's
 unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him." Psalm 32:10 (NIV)

"I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
 He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber."
Psalm 121:1-3 (WEB)

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Who is My Brother?

Apache brave print in black, red and white.

Description of Illustration: contemporary prints of an Apache brave, scripture reads "For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother." Mark 3:35 (NET)

Apache brave print in shades of burnt orange.

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"First in a series of programs titled "Building a Better Tomorrow" -- showcasing a wide variety of ways that people who volunteer are helping to make the world a better place. Mokahum Ministry Center is located near Cass Lake, Minnesota, and serves as a Native American discipleship training campus. This video tells about Mokahum's purpose and how the facility is being renovated and enhanced with the help of many volunteers, thus enabling that purpose to be realized."

1 Corinthians 13:13

       Shells are often used to symbolize both baptism and confirmation. For those of you who do not know what a confirmation is - it is a profession of faith that Orthodox Christians make in order to make public/testify to an agreement (a covenant) their parents once made with God on the occasion of their infant's baptism. So Orthodox Christians do make individual, public professions of faith just as Protestants do, but they do it in a different order. During confirmation young people also display baptismal banners and decorate their churches with doves representing the Holy Spirit. This celebration also signifies the end of their formal training or schooling in the doctrines of their faith.

Shell reflected in water.

Description of Illustration: an baptismal shell reflected in water and a baptismal shell in teal and white, with the following scripture: "For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body--whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink." 1 Corinthians 12:13 In every confirmation ceremony, children are given a list of scripture to choose from in order that one may be read during their public profession. 

• 15 Scriptures frequently read aloud in confirmation of a older child's testimony of faith.
• Scriptures about Confirmation
• Scriptures for Confirmation
• What does the Bible say about Christian confirmation?

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Video Below: "The Jordan River. Israel and Palestine border the river to the west, while Jordan lies to its east. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan takes its name from this river."

Galatians 3:7

The above scripture from Galatians is frequently selected for a Baptism

Description of Illustration: a blue and dusty green shell, white background, white text, scripture "Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham." Galatians 3:7 (NIV)

Pale blue shell reflected
 in water.

"Taking a bath is good for you, whether you have it as an infant or as an adult, the practice is always good. I actually prefer people to bathe often." Kathy Grimm

""I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." Matthew 3:11 (quoted by John the baptist) Whoosh, that's even more controversial than water baptism!

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• Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation?
• What is the purpose of baptism?
• Saved by "grace alone, faith alone, scripture alone made possible by Christ alone"
• Catechism of the Catholic - Baptism an initiation
• What is the pre-Christian history of the baptismal ceremony?

Lamentations 3: 22,23

Turquoise and black illustration for the morning silhouette.

Description of Illustration: A native shepherd watches over his flocks both day and night in the high desert. He sits on his horse silhouetted against the sky above the herd looking down, ever watchful for predators. The silhouette is available in turquoise/black and in red/black. The illustrations include both day and night versions. There are two sets of each, scripture included:

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22,23

Turquoise and black illustration for the evening silhouette.

Red and black illustration for the morning silhouette.

Red and black illustration for the evening silhouette.

Description of Animation: The dusk to dawn animated version of this same illustration of a native American shepherd along with the scripture is also available. It may be made larger if you prefer. Just click on the animated gif to see the largest size.

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Long ago, a middle-aged native American woman approached me inside of a online chat room. She asked me if I would remember her people in my ministry. I said yes, and I have never forgotten her request.

Native Proverb

 

Description of Photograph: This is a photograph I that took many years ago but I have published it since 2010. It is a nest made from clay and straw, an egg that has hatched and a butterfly resting on that egg. This is a relatively contemporary Christian symbol for the resurrection and shows up every now and again in a rare print or stained glass window. It is only a 100 years old; therefore, not a very old symbol among Christian believers.

The Native American proverb reads, "Tell me and I'll forget. Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me, and I'll understand."

 

Native proverb in brown.

Native proverb in pale sienna.

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Native proverb with black egg and black background and teal shadows.

Native proverb with black egg and black background and brown shadows.

Native proverb with black egg and black background and orange shadows.

 

Deuteronomy 6:5

Description of Illustration: contemporary red heart and scripture "you shall love the Lord your God with all your mind and heart and with your entire being and will all your might." Deuteronomy 6:5

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Psalm 146:4

Description of Illustration:  skull and crossbones, text "When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish." Psalm 146:6 (ESV) comes in many neutral shades of greyish ash colors

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Drawn From The Water

"Drawn from the water" in full color.

Description of Illustration: "Drawn from the water" is the meaning behind this famous biblical prophet's name, two mosaics of his portrait, one in full color and the second in a blue monochromatic

• Obedience at the Burning Bush
• Walking With God: The God Who Knows Us by Name
• Speak To Your Rock! Why Moses Didn't Enter into the Promise Land!
• The Shining of the Face of Moses
• God's Covenant Through Moses
• The Death of Moses

Moses' name was given to him by Pharaoh's daughter: "He became her son, and she named him Moshe (Moses)". This name may be either Egyptian or Hebrew. If connected to an Egyptian root, via msy "to be born" and ms, "a son", it forms a wordplay: "he became her son, and she named him Son." There should, however, be a divine element to the name Moses (bearers of the Egyptian name are the "son of" a god, as in Thutmose, "son of Thut"), and his full name may therefore have included the name of one of the Egyptian gods. Most scholars agree that the name is Egyptian, and that the Hebrew etymology is a later interpretation, but if the name is from a Hebrew root then it is connected to the verb "to draw out": "I drew him (masha) out of the water," states Pharaoh's daughter, possibly looking forward to Moses at the well in Midian, or to his role in saving Israel at the Red Sea.

 "Drawn from the water" in monochromatic blue.
"When the child grew older, she brought him to
Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son.
She named him Moses, “Because,”
she said, “I drew him out of the water.” 
Exodus 2:10

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"Celebrating the 10th. anniversary of "The Prince of Egypt" in 2008, I uploaded the Making of. A complete 25-minute video, with very high quality sound and image. Enjoy it, and, for a change,
If you watch it, comment it!" Part 2 and Part 3

Galations 3:27

Church pews, organ and windows in burgundy and beige.

Description of Photograph: vintage photo of a church interior, monochromatic colors: navy, sepia, green, grey, and a reddish burgundy color, text is from Galations 3:27 "For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."

Church pews, organ and windows in hunter's green and beige.

Church pews, organ and windows in grey and beige.

Church pews, organ and windows in sepia and beige.

Church pews, organ and windows in navy and beige.

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Just a Closer Walk With Thee

A greyscale of the illuminated "J"

Description of Illustration:  a ruined cathedral or monetary wall with window, an old pilgrim wanders through the scene, large letter "J", the text from an old popular hymn:

 

"Just a closer walk with Thee.

Grant it Jesus is my plea.

Daily walking close to Thee.

Let it be. Dear Lord Let it be."

When my feeble life is o'er

Time for me will be no more

Guide me gently safely o'er

To thy kingdom shore, To thy shore"

 

This old hymn in brown for webpages with warm, neutrals backgrounds.

The old Hymn in navy for cool, neutral backgrounds.

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Simeon Receives Jesus in The Temple

Description of Illustration: After Jesus was born, his mother Mary and father Joseph took him to the temple to be dedicated to God. There they met Simeon and Anna who had been waiting to see God's promise fulfilled for many years. Above is a medallion shaped graphic in color and below one in greyscale for your publications about the event. Enjoy.

• Mary, Simeon or Anna: Who First Recognized Jesus as Messiah?
• Meeting Simeon and Anna in The Temple
  

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Psalm 115:17

A black design of Psalm 115:17

Description of Illustration: three contemporary designs showing a human skull and crossbones along with the scripture from Psalms 115:17 "The dead do not praise the LORD, nor do any who go down into silence." 

A beige and red design of Psalm 115:17

The grey version of design for Psalm 115:17

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Romans 12:18

Description of Illustration: Two little sisters together face a "bully" bull dog. The older of the two girls speaks kindly to their intimidating neighbor in order to get past him, wooden fence, large bow on hat, giant bull dog, hiding behind a protector, scripture reads "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." Romans 12:18 (ESV)

 
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The Root of Jesse

Scriptures included on this illustration are: Revelation 22:16, Matthew 12:21 and Isaiah 11:1

Description of Illustration: antique illuminated painting from text of the root of Jesse including multiple scriptures about the topic

 

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Scriptures included on the illustration above about the Root of Jesse are: Romans 15:12 and 1 John 3:3

"In seven short videos, the SSJE Brothers' teach about the ancient, ever new O Antiphons. In this video Br. James Koester reflects on the third antiphon O Radix Jesse - O Root of Jesse. Audio recorded in the Monastery Chapel, Cambridge, Mass."

• Gentiles Rejoice in the Root of Jesse
• A Shoot from Jesse's Stump
• The Lowly Shoot from Jesse's Stump

Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done!

Description of Illustration: Cathedral interior wall depicting Jesus at the top and angels, Mary and apostles below, city behind the wall, red light streaming through the openings in the wall, text reads "Your kingdom come, your will be done." taken from Matthew 6:10

• "Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." 2 Timothy 3:12
• How to Pray for the Persecuted Church 
• Listen to The Voice of the Martyrs 
• The war on Christians

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