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Breath of Life
From Psalm 137: “By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. On the willows there we hung up our lyres… “ Yahweh, mercies that I needon exile shores, by willow trees. While plowmen plow and rivers flowmy heart, soul-sick, sits and on it goesdown sand and stonesweeping branches grown. Lyres, useless in temple-fire;For Continue reading
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Poems from Prayer
One of my faith heroes is the poet/pastor George Herbert. Inspired by his love of verse, I’ve been writing poems as part of my daily prayer routine. I thought I’d share some with you… Seeing and Blind (Isaiah 9) Light for one, darkness anotherClarity, vapid black.To the Word and Testimony!A call! Repent! Come back! Those Continue reading
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The Blessed Life
The word “blessed” gets a bad rap. The prosperity peddlers and profiteers have corrupted it, made it into a commodity, the result of secret knowledge, or the sign of our inherent goodness. But when we read Aaron’s blessing in Numbers 6, we get a different idea of what it means to be blessed: The Lord Continue reading
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“In Christ” at Christmas
This week as we go into our family rooms, Christ goes there too. We take the fragrance of his love with us. Continue reading
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Blessed Endurance: The Message of Revelation Handouts
If you’re reading this, you likely know that we are going through a series at VCL during Hour in the Word entitled Blessed Endurance: The Message of Revelation. Several people have requested the handouts from this series, so I decided to link them here. These handouts are intended to enhance the in-person lessons, so they Continue reading
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Some Thought Provoking Quotes
As I’ve been reflecting on this week’s topic (regarding the idea of creativity and the construction of the Tabernacle), I realized I just couldn’t give it the time it needed this week. So, to hold you over until next time, I thought I’d share some of the quotes that I wanted to add to the Continue reading
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A Strange Beauty
I go to the Art Institute with a plan. Scribbled onto a spare page in my sketchbook are gallery room numbers, specific questions I want answered, and new things to discover. I never go to see Picasso (unless I’m under duress). I skip whatever doesn’t interest me. I know what I want to see, and Continue reading
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Affirming the Old, Envisioning the New
“If God made the birds, they are worth painting.” –Francis A. Schaeffer Christian Art. That phrase confuses me. It always has. I’ve met artists who are Christians, and Christians who make art. I’ve heard plenty of lectures and read many books on beauty. I’ve drawn the pictures of Jesus, or Job, or the Nativity, only Continue reading
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Beauty in the Wilderness: Reflections on the Tabernacle, Beauty, and Art
Our whole reward is seeing. Augustine An apple can assault you with its redness if you look at it long enough. At least, it has me. I’ve had times when I’ve been sitting, looking at a thing, and I’ve been struck with a fear at how it exists without me, at how it just is. I’m baffled Continue reading
Revival and Renewal 