The Lord's Prayer in Bold Colors

Description of Illumination: The Lord's Prayer in bold colors: blue, green, red, and purple

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Rebekah Gives Birth to Two Nations

The scripture with a classic white background.

Description of Illustration: The yellow letter "E" for Esau in full color, floral border and tiny, miniature illustration of Rebekah giving birth to her twins, Jacob and Esau, two midwives, text is from the Book of Genesis:

"The LORD said to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, the older will serve the younger." When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. The first to come out was red, and his whole body was like a hairy garment; so they named him Esau. After this, his brother come out, with his hand grasping Esau's heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them. The boys grew up and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was content to stay at home among the tents." Genesis 25: 23-27 (NIV)

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The same scripture with a black background for those of you who have black web pages.

Genesis 3:6

Description of Illustration: A stained glass window of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, snake wrapped around the tree of the fruit of knowledge, flowers text is from Genesis "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and she gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat." Genesis 3:6 American Standard Version

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In Touch Ministries

Magnolia Wedding Clipart

The clergy can dress up their webpages and e-mail with this versatile
 yet elegant wedding magnolia. Announce and celebrate with all your
 congregation, the joys of matrimony today!

Description of Illustration: Need wedding clipart for your congregation's webpages, newsletters, bulletins? Here are wedding announcements: ivory, pink, peach, white and grey, classic wedding flower, magnolia illustration with 6 texts by Kathy Grimm: "An Engagement", "Our Wedding Day", "The Bridal Party", "The Bride's Shower", "Wedding Pictures",  "Wedding Rehearsal"

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"Our Wedding Day" may serve to remind folks in your congregation
 about church reservations. Bride's can also print and cut it out
to decorate their wedding scrapbooks.

The bride's party will have all kinds of news and updates concerning
her special day. This magnolia can be sent to keep your
dates in their heads and on their calendars.

"The Bride's Shower" use this clip art to keep in contact with guests.

"Wedding Rehearsal" for announcements and e-mail reminders.

"Wedding Pictures" for the bride's journal, online pictures,
 photo album, church web

Linda Peterson shares her ideas for magnolia wedding centerpieces.

God is Generous to His People

"You shall multiply the nation, you shall increase their gladness; they will be glad
in your presence as with the gladness of harvest. As men rejoice when they
divide the spoil." Isaiah 9:3 (NASB)

Description of Illustration: Art Nouveau landscape, this one has a transparent background, fall trees, sunset, grass, scripture from Isaiah, more scriptures relating to the same topic of God's generous gifts to his people, Illuminated letters: Y, H, and F, pumpkins and grapes harvest blessing from James too. All graphics are in autumn colors.

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"The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest." James 1:17

"Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness
by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; in he
provides you with plenty of food and fills your hears with joy. Even
with these words they had difficulty keeping the crowd from
sacrificing to them." Act 14: 17-18 (NIV)

"He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations,
and disperses them." Job 12:23 (NIV)

"From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the
earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the
boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him
and find him, though he is not far from any one of us."
 Acts 17:26, 27 (NIV)

For your encouragement. Come and rest dear visitor.

http://thecrossing.cfcchayward.org presents a 

Sunday morning sermon by Pastor Joshua Lee

 on Acts 14:24-28 as a part of sermon series titled,

 "ACTSELERATE"

Mark 4:29

Description of Illustration: Art Nouveau landscape, daisies, lake, trees, clouds, orange sky, harvest scripture from the Gospel of Mark, "But when the crop permits, He immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come." Mark 4:29 (NASB), transparent background

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• The Gospel of Mark: The Parable of The Growing Seed
• Collected by Barbara Clark on "the text this week"
• God is in control! 
• Parable of the Growing Seed by Travis Dean
• Commentary on Mark 4: 26-34 
• The Mysterious Growth of The Kingdom by Geoff Thomas 
• "The Parable of The Growing Seed"  
• The Parable of the Sower as Kingdom Theology

A Transparent Celtic Knot on a Letter "D"

Description of the Illumination: This tan and black illuminated letter "D" has a transparent Celtic knot twisted around it's center, so this will turn the color of your webpages. Below are a few illuminated scriptures: one is from Luke and the other from Galations, these are not transparent, but come in a variety of tan, beige and chalkboard grey.

"Do to others, as you would have them do unto you." Luke 6:31

"For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command:
 Love your neighbor as yourself." Galations 5: 13-14

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Doxology: A Hymn of Praise!

Description of the Illustration: Illuminated scriptures in complimentary colors below, Angels, in sepia tones, bow to worship while the Doxology is sung by Earthly and Heavenly choirs:

"Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;

Praise him, all creatures here below;

Praise him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost."

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"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1 (NIV)

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be
 on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
 Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God,
 the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary,
 and his understanding no one can fatham." Isaiah 40:28 (NIV)

Lovely version of the old Doxology

Waiting For God

Description of illustration: from the (ERV) "But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me." Micah 7:7, three women in patterned dresses holding fans, wait and watch for someone in the distance, bright colors, headscarves, lace, blue text

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Scripture About Harvest

"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)

• Bringing in the Harvest by Rick Ezell
• The Harvest Is Plentiful by Rev. Ken Turley
• The Law of the Harvest: God's Plan for Spiritual Prosperity by Ray Pritchard

Salvation Verses Paired With Fall Wreaths

"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)

Give Thanks to God

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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• Thanksgiving 101 
• Sermons by Rev. William Adams, D. D. and Rev. Samuel Adler  
• Thanksgiving Sermon by Jonathan Edwards
• Happy Thanksgiving by Sproul
• Living A Life of Gratitude by Pastor Waialeale
• The Key to Having the Life You Really Want by Joyce Meyer
• A Thankful Heart in an Unthankful World  

Illuminated Scriptures from Micah's First and Second Chapters

"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)

Salvation

"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.

Jesus, lover of my soul,

Let me to thy bosom fly,

While the nearer waters roll,

While the tempest still is high,

Hide me, O my Savior, hide,

Till the storm of life is past,

Safe into the haven guide,

O receive ray soul at last. 

Third Day "Your Love Oh Lord"

The Christian's Race

"So run that ye may obtain." 1 Corinthians 9:24

Behold ! the race-course here before us lies ;

See ! many running for the glorious prize ;

Some sweat and toil, and maugre all their pains.

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: 

1. Be sure to lay aside every weight
2. Relinquish the besetting sin
3. Exercise patience
4. 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

The Weight of God's Word

"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

"Take you at your word" by Avalon

Remember The Faithful in South Africa

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."

Native American Church

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.

Classic Trinity Knot

 

Description of Illustration: Trinity knot cut from brown and blue marbled paper.

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Pâques Clip Art

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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