Thought for The Day - The Process

It seems, some days as if you are moving through oily and dirty sludge. Progress? No, more of the same.

Trust the process...

Tomorrow comes, believe me. The promise is fulfilled. Trust me. Deliverance is N O W!

Thought for The Day - Further

Sailing under Penny Sunset 12 x 18 pastel

You are HERE. But you want to be THERE. Over there, not that 'here' is bad, but you've wanted to be 'there' for a long time and the longer you wait, the more aggravated you become.

Don't stay here; don't live your life - if you can call it 'living' - wondering what life would have been like "over there." Practice bravery, get up, gather your things and go.

Thought for The Day - It's the Movement

Clear Channel 24 x 36 Oil painting

"You don't know what you think you know" and in the same breath: "You know more than you think you know."

That being said, there are times I certainly don't know; confusion is a blue haze around my head. And then, at other moments, not only has the smoke cleared, the light shines around and within; drowning in it! Not one area, but many.

Short story/example: one evening, before I got back to painting and drawing, and while working in the downtown area of Chicago, I walked from the job to the train stop. My head was filled with that blue, purple and brown haze; I didn't understand where my life was headed, and especially where it was at that moment. I knew I was tired of the commute, tired of career I could barely stomach and ministry that was stalled once again. Anticipating the ride home with a neighbor, talking about minuscule details of his job and the culture, I slowed my pace to a near snail's pace to avoid the small talk. I prayed for clarity, for an answer to the where of my life. I remember thinking "I need answers! Not because I deserve them or I'm anyone special, but I need to know what all 'this' means!" It began slowly, I remember being on Lake street, between Wabash and State street. And then I remember being "elsewhere," another time and place as if I were involved in a movie, where I was one of the characters. I saw my life far better than it was then and it is now. I saw answers given in ways I would expect, but with far more definition and clarity than I could imagine! However, during this time and as I got closer to the stop, I remember thinking I would like to right this down so I don't forget. But immediately thinking I would forget it, but it was okay because the reassurance was given. If I could remember that eventually "I know by experience" all I've ever imagined or been shown, I had a true hope.

Now, mind you, you don't see details of that revelation because I forgot them! All of the cinematic lighting and the scene changes as if the editor had done his work and pieced together a five minute short-story, all of it is gone. I only know what I was told and what was shown and that is enough for now. Certainly I have moments where I really want to "go there" again, and by go there, I mean back to those days, weeks and months leading up to that moment. I especially want to return to that vision and that time. But for now, I live my life in the light of what's happening now. And pray that patience and longsuffering find me where I need to be when the time is right.

Thought for The Day - Moving Forward

Some days, weeks, months seems like "forward" isn't possible. Then one day you look up and you've moved away from all that held you back.

Twenty-two years old, certain there were at least two things I was "destined" to do: visual art and preach/teach. Didn't know how I was going to do them and in the short term, placed emphasis on the latter.  I'm doing both now. Didn't know how it was possible, thought they were diametrically opposed and couldn't see how a preacher could paint and preach. I see now.

Thank you, Lord.