Third wave of painting: Nov. 24, 2019 with the figure embellishments in the lower right from our communion service.
Last week, Nov. 10, 2019, I enjoyed painting live beside my wife leading worship and in collaboration with pastor Jeff Gardner at Threshold Church. We studied several stories from Luke 14, all revealing the effects of a “sick heart”. Jeff chose the theme of congestive heart failure, or “weak heart”, as the lens with which to view each story in Luke 14 because the spiritual state of the participants in each case was akin to the slowly weakening, failing role of heart failure, and was fed by their selfishness, numbness to others, and general apathy to to the things of God:
The man Jesus heals of “Dropsy” to the offense of the dinner guests was likely suffering from heart failure…even though Jesus’ accusers truly had the sick hearts.
The guests scrambling for the best seats had hearts congealed with self interest.
The host inviting only those who could return the favor had a heart bend on advancement and prestige.
The parable of the guests unwilling to come to the banquet had hearts numb and distracted with the cares of this world.
The CURE: generosity, self sacrifice, and service to others. Exercise the heart!
First wave of painting: This was the first layer- a live painting from earlier in May 2019 at MorningStar church where I have enjoyed the company of kindred hearted Kingdom artists working live as a welcomed form of worship.
Second wave of painting: Open Heart. Acrylic on panel. 20x48”. Nov 10, 2019 live at Threshold Church.
The central crucifix figure of Christ became the center of “The Heart” with tendrils of blood vessels branching out across the surface of the painting.
In the last moments of the service I found myself frantically (inspired) and painting in Jesus as he pulls back a chair to welcome us to the feast. The formerly painted figures at the top on their heavenly thrones became other guests at the Luke 14 banquet… and Jesus is now welcoming us the Wedding Feast in heaven.
Pastor Jeff ended the gathering with a poetic benediction crafted for the morning:
Jesus says, “Come as you are, And only as you’re able,
You are welcome, without exception, At my dinner table.”
So shun the lie that says you first Must clean up your behavior,
And take a seat, pull up a chair, And hang out with your Savior.
We each come to the table with a Past that causes heartache;
But through Christ’s love our hearts are healed Because he died for our sakes.
Remember that you're his beloved, More than you’ll ever know.
Let the truth of his constant affection Set your heart aglow.
Then carry that heart flame to your world, And share it without cost
By what you say and how you live, Touch those who still are lost.
Tell them how they are so adored by the Lover of their Souls.
And Invite them to the table where their Hearts may be made whole.
On the third and final week of the series “Come To The Table” at Threshold Church Nov. 24, 2019, we gathered around a beautifully spread central table to receive the Lord’s supper. Pastor Jeff explained that the original context of coming to the table in a “worthy manner” was truly an issue of being One with your brothers and sisters around you as a loving family. It was a special time of fellowship and solidarity, while the worship team sang “Come To The Table” by Zac Williams over us. That evening I sat down with the photos I had taken of my “family” during communion and layered them in as the final embellishment to the work. May this stand as a monument to our love, centered in Jesus, gathered around the family table, where everyone has a seat of welcome.
