Tag Art

Quilt of Holes

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

Foundation piecing. English paper piecing. Quilt.

Image via Wikipedia

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.
 
Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many
piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together
into a tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how
ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant
holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been
difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every
day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes
of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny
hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color
and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was
disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and
empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to
the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up
their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon
me,and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn’t had all the earthly
fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been
trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me
my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often
struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the
strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees
in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been
held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it
up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin

beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had
to accept it for what it was.

I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.
An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who
stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many
holes,creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before
me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, ‘Every time you gave
over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.

Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me
shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.’

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine
through!

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Petrified from Greed

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

A comment from the Eagleman:

There are times when I read something that says so well what I have vainly attempted to say so often. Because of this I feel I must pass on the article so others can be blessed as well. I have been a regular reader of the Worthy News briefs for a while and there are many that speak to my spirit. I felt with all the unrest in the  financial markets this article is a worthy read for anyone who has suffered any anxiety during these rough times. I do wish to encourage my fellow travelers that the Lord knows how to rescue the righteous from any situation. Hold tight to Him and He will lead you beside still waters and cause you to lie down in green pastures. If the Lord is your Shepherd then indeed you have nothing to fear.

Now then on with the article.

1 Timothy 6:6-10 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

As I write, it seems the prevailing concern among people everywhere is – what’s going on with the economy? I’ve probably been asked more questions about the economy in the past two months than in my entire lifetime. People are watching their wealth dissipating and dwindling away. Reflecting on these material losses reminds me of a story about a lady who perished in Pompeii in the first century.

A computer-generated depiction of the eruption...

Image via Wikipedia

Pompeii was a flourishing city in Southern Italy until 79 AD. Suddenly, for two days Mt. Vesuvius erupted and completely destroyed Pompeii in all its pomp. The city was covered in meters of ash and pumice for 1700 years until it was accidentally discovered in 1748. When archaeologists began excavations in 1910 they uncovered a petrified woman clutching some of the finest jewelry ever recovered from the ancient world. She was apparently attempting to flee the doomed city, and in her haste, holding desperately onto her valuable possessions – she lost her life.

During its time Pompeii was a magnificent city, yet it’s destiny was destruction by a nearby volcano –- and so it is with our world today. There’s so much beauty on our planet earth –- yet its destiny is certain! The day is soon coming when it’s elements will be destroyed with fire, the earth and everything in it, laid bare, [2 Peter 3:10] –- and our earthly possessions will not come with us into glory, (only what we have done with them).

As the Apostle Paul said, we came into this world with nothing – and when we leave this world, we take nothing with us. We can make the mistake of holding too dearly onto our earthly possessions, making them our “treasure”, (rather than storing treasure where moth and rust do not corrode etc.) – but this is a costly error, as illustrated by our “petrified lady”. Instead, let’s remind ourselves that we are stewards of God’s possessions, responsible to use them with His interests in mind, to further His Kingdom with the things He has entrusted to us. With so much work to be done, let’s never allow our earthly possessions to petrify us with greed or fear thus preventing the eternal work we were preordained for, and stealing our eternal rewards.

Your family in the Lord with much agape love,

George, Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah

*** If you’d like to have a listen and/or purchase Rivka’s cd, go to www.lazmanhazeh.comEach cd you buy will enable us to give away five in Israel. 100% the proceeds will be used to encourage and bless Israel.

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Underage Strip Performance deemed ‘artistic’

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

clipped from www.onenewsnow.com

courtroomAn Iowa county judge has ruled that a nude dance by an underage girl at a strip club is an artistic expression protected by the First Amendment.
Strip clubs are illegal in the state of Iowa. But numerous such establishments operate under a loophole that allows nudity in theaters, museums, and other venues featuring works of art, dance, and theatrical performances.

Prosecutors only filed charges after learning that a 17-year-old girl, who had entered the club illegally, was allowed to strip for patrons. But the club’s owners claimed the “artistic nudity” loophole protected them and that they were not responsible for the actions of the child. The local judge agreed, but Trueman does not.

“That’s really stretching it. It was a bar. It was a minor child that got up, spontaneously, to do a nude dance. That is not protected,” he argues. “This is a tragic situation because a minor was involved.”

Another example of a society adrift. A 17 yr old girl strips in a BAR serving alcohol and judge finds nothing ‘illegal’ about this?

After reading this story I have to sit here and wonder what the heck happened to common sense and decency and to think there are actually people who do not see the harm this type of behavior has on our society.

This one certainly belongs in the Cuckoo’s nest.

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Student Drawing of Cross censored in Wisconsin School

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

Art should be judged for its artistic merit not its content if you ask me. I think the drawing is very well done. Not being an artist myself I appreciate those who have that ability.Forcing a student to draw subjects that may not be acceptable to them to me is a far worse offense then the student drawing a picture that MAY or may not offend someone else.

Art like music is a creation of the artist and should therefore be considered in light of the artists perspective and not from the perspective of the audience. At least that is what the defenders of porn use as a defense when promoting pornography and other offensive works of art. They say it is CREATIVE LICENSE. Well then this young person has the creative license as well. IMO

clipped from www.foxnews.com

MADISON, Wis.�—� A Tomah High School student has filed a federal lawsuit alleging his art teacher censored his drawing because it featured a cross and a biblical reference.
The lawsuit alleges other students were allowed to draw “demonic” images and asks a judge to declare a class policy prohibiting religion in art unconstitutional.
The lawsuit also alleges school officials allow other religious items and artwork to be displayed on campus.
A Buddha and Hindu figurines are on display in a social studies classroom, the lawsuit claims, adding the teacher passionately teaches Hindu principles to students.
In addition, a replica of Michaelangelo’s “The Creation of Man” is displayed at the school’s entrance, a picture of a six-limbed Hindu deity is in the school’s hallway and a drawing of a robed sorcerer hangs on a hallway bulletin board.