I just finished this painting and I had this quote from Isaiah in my head during the whole process
​Life is full of obstacles and difficulties, but when we focus on Jesus,  he gives us the courage and strength to overcome them and we can find peace, no matter what's going on. 
What a beautiful message

A popular Gospel themed song by Bill Withers about having others to lean on during difficult times and being there for others when they need you.

Every Grain of Sand" Bob Dylan-from his third Gospel album "Shot of Love" 
The song, in part is based on the saying of Jesus in  Mathew 10. 29-30​

In 538 B.C. the Jews or Israelites who had been deported from their homeland by their Babylonian Captors were allowed to return and rebuild their temple and their ancient homeland. The original temple, built by King Solomon which had stood for 500 years and was unsurpassed for its beauty and magnificence, had been completely levelled by Nebuchadnezzar-King of Babylon, a generation earlier. The returning exiles upon seeing the new temple -much smaller and unimpressive - wept in despair and disappointment. However, God, through his prophet, chided and encouraged them to  "Despise not the day of small things" Zachariah 4:10. and reminded them that " it is not by might, nor by power ,but by my spirit" Zechariah4:6.
Although ,the Bible is replete with stories of great people and events, demonstrating the omnipotence and grandeur of God and outstanding heroes of faith ,such as Moses, Elijah, Samson, David and others fire the imagination and inspire us to believe in the seemingly impossible - there are also an abundance of stories and teachings of little people and little things, which probably influence and impact our lives far more profoundly. Most of us after all, do not deal with great matters and events and so these teachings and stories, perhaps, have more relevance for us as we go about our ordinary, often uneventful lives.

It is worth noting that in the natural world of Flora and Fauna - almost everything begins with a tiny seed, from simple grasses to giant redwoods- from tiny shrimps to behemoth whales, from mini mice to massive Mammoths.
​Jesus himself referenced this idea in  many stories and parables. e.g the "Mustard seed"  The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed , which is the smallest seed, yet when it is planted, it grows and becomes the largest of plants ..so that the birds of the air can perch in its shade" Mark4;31,32 . 
That theme seems woven into many of the parables and stories that we find in the gospels.- The story of the little boy who gives his lunch of  bread and fish, which Jesus miraculously multiplies to feed @20,000. The poor widow who gives her last coin, whom Jesus commended saying " This poor widow  has given more than anyone else, because she out of her poverty, gave all that she had, while others gave out of their wealth and abundance." ' Whoever can be trusted with very little can be trusted with much" etc. My personal  favorite  is where Jesus to emphasize God's loving care and concern for all His Creation, declares that; "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny, and one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your father. And even the very hairs of your head are numbered" Matt .10;29,30
 Finally, this proverb ,which has come down to us from the middle ages might also be a good lesson on the importance of little things and little people.
​"For want of a nail ,the horseshoe was lost, for want of a horseshoe ,the horse was lost, for want of a horse, the king was lost, for want of a king , the kingdom was lost and all for want of a nail."
​

Who was Jesus and why did He die such a terrible death?
He himself said: "I lay down my life that I might take it up again".
No mere man could seriously make this seemingly preposterous claim and many other similar declarations, if they were not true.
To His followers, the Jewish leaders, the Roman authorities and various common folk, Jesus identified with the great "I am" (the eternal God) first mentioned in the Old testament account of Moses' encounter with God on Mt. Sinai. He also claimed to be the "Messiah" the savior of Israel and the world, "the Light of the world" "the Way, the Truth and the Life" "the son of God" and other claims which could only be attributed to the Divine.
But lest any say " he talked a good talk" He said " If you dont believe what I say, believe the works that I do" pointing people to the supernatural miracles that He performed: Raising the dead, healing all manner of sickness and disease, walking on water, feeding thousands from a loaf of bread and two fish, demonstrating His power over wind and weather, just to name a few.

 The type of love that is generally celebrated on St. Valentines day is what the Greeks called Eros or Romantic love.  Valentine, who lived in the 4th century ,over time has become identified with that type of love, though it was his devotion to Agape-Love of God-for which he became well known, suffered martyrdom and became a Saint..
​
Perhaps, though the best description of love ever written and a wonderful example of the same would be that of Saul of Tarsus, who before his conversion was consumed by murderous hatred. After his conversion, this Apostle of love,  Saint Paul- the prime example of Love's transforming power would give the the world these beautiful, enduring words  "Love suffers long and is kind, Love does not envy, Is not easily provoked and is not jealous, Does not exalt itself, Seeks not its own- Thinks no evil. Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails" 

​All loves- Agape(Gods love), Eros(romantic) Philo(friendship) are important and all have their place in a well lived , meaningful life, but as C.S. Lewis says; "Agape by definition is the highest and most unselfish of these loves"

​ Prophecy: 750 B.C.  Isaiah, the greatest of the Hebrew prophets writing about this time,
prophesied a supernatural event that would occur, far into the future: "Therefore ,the Lord himself will give you a sign; The virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."
Fullfilled; The Gospel writer and disciple of Jesus, Matthew, records the birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary @ the year AD.1  Luke the Evangelist, and Author of the Gospel of Luke records the event and many other details of the birth and childhood of Jesus, which many historians agree, he must have gotten directly from Mary, herself. Luke lived and travelled in the same places, geographically as Mary and would have most likely conversed with her.

Prophecy; In Isaiah 9; 6,7  An astounding prophecy is recorded: "For unto us , a CHILD is born , unto us a SON is given, and he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Fulfilled; Jesus himself in response to the Jewish leaders questioning His authority said "Before Abraham was ( @2000 B.C.) I  AM." thus identifying himself with the God who responded to Moses's question on Mount Sinai ."Who shall I say sent me?"  " I AM that I AM" was the response. Again Jesus stated ;"I and my Father are one"
The doubting disciple Thomas on seeing the resurrected Jesus proclaimed " My Lord and my God"
All the new testament Writers, including those who lived intimately with him, believed that Jesus was God incarnate.
Prophecy;  Micah 5:2  "But you Bethlehem, though you are small, out of you will come forth the ruler whose origins are from old, from ancient times."
Fulfilled; The Gospels record that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

God's Garden, our delight.

We do our part, we plant, we sow
but one thing's certain, this we know
only God can make it grow.
​Michael

 "Turn,Turn,Turn" Cover. Composed by Pete Seeger, great Singer,Songwriter and Social reformer, during the 1960's. Words from the Bible .Eccleasstes Chapter 3.  A #1 hit for The Byrds,popular Folk Rock group from the same era.