This is a print of Thomas Blackshear II’s "Watchers in the Night" which was released in 1995.
Thomas said, "I hope you are reminded each time you look at this painting, that no matter what you are going through as God's child, there are angels under the Lord's command who are close by and ready to assist you." This is another piece that my wife, Lisa, picked out for our home. We purchased this framed and matted print, not long after it was first released in 1995 and just months after our third (and final) son, Sam, was born. Lisa felt that this was a perfect illustration of the reality of our home – powerful and benevolent heavenly beings are watching over us at all times and in all places but most especially when we are most vulnerable. Lisa wanted this print to hang in the hallway outside of our bedrooms so that it would be one of the last things each of us saw before we went to bed every night. The angel in this painting is quite clearly not someone you would want to mess with. The angel’s demeanor, spear and protecting wings would be quite enough to warn off any unsuspecting creature with bad intentions. And then, for those of us who understand the symbolism, we see that the angel is armed with the presence of the Holy Spirit – the tongue of fire! Below the print is the title of the painting, “Watchers in the Night” and a quote of Psalm 91:11: 'For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.' Psalm 91 is a beautiful song of trust with a strong proclamation of God’s loving care for all who trust and obey. If you have not already read Psalm 91 please do so now . . . I’ll wait. Wasn’t that wonderful? In this time of uncertainty and frustration we need to hear what God is saying to us. We need to learn how to listen, how to believe, how to trust, how to obey, and how to give thanks. This artwork of painting and poetry is an accurate portrait of how God relates to us. Is it a guarantee of our absolute safety in God’s hands? Yes! God will always be faithful. Is an absolute guarantee of our safety in this life? No. We, and the people around us, have free will and are certainly capable of thwarting God’s will. But God will always be faithful! I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love – not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord! Romans 8:38-39
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Daily Devotion from Brother Mike:
Today’s pieces once belonged to my grandparents, Olen and Rowena Thompson, my mother’s mom and dad. The plague is a saying, still used in Christian art today, penned by an unknown author. The wood framed print is a copy of Warner Sallman’s wildly popular “Head of Christ” which he painted in 1940. There had been over half a billion reproductions of this painting by the end of the century. We have no family story of the plague. It is a decorative piece that my grandparents either bought for themselves or received as a gift. The Scripture quote at the bottom is from Philippians 1:21. The plague appears to have been made sometime between the late 1940s and the early 1960s. The Sallman print was a gift to my grandparents from their pastor and his wife. The card that they gave with the print is still taped on the back of the print; it reads: “In appreciation of your love, thoughtfulness, and generosity. His spirit has been yours! Derwood & Kathryn” Rev. Derwood and Kathryn Blackwell were sent to serve the First Methodist Church of Katy in June of 1947. My mother remembers that Rev. Blackwell suffered some health problems while they were in Katy, and that Mrs. Blackwell did a lot of the work of ministry (except preaching). Mrs. Blackwell also lead the church’s youth group and had the gift of encouragement. In our passage from 2 Timothy the Apostle Paul reminds Timothy of his grandmother, Lois, and mother, Eunice, who set a good example for Timothy to follow. Paul encourages Timothy “to make full use of the gift God gave you”. “Use it well. God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.” What gift (of gifts) has God given you for this day? How can you make full use of that gift? God’s gifts are not for hanging on the wall and looking good. Give it all you’ve got! Brother Mike Daily Devotion from Brother Mike:
Today’s piece is Scripture art using Jeremiah 29:11 as the featured verse. This piece was a gift from the First United Methodist Church of Hempstead. I served Hempstead and Lynn Grove UMCs from 2002 to 2007. This was a bitter-sweet time for our family: James and Bill both graduated from Hempstead High School and made a number of life-long friends in the process. But, Lisa suffered some of her worst times coping with multiple sclerosis ... and also dealt with the addictive qualities of her pain medications. The Hempstead congregation gave us this piece as a parting gift, and it has served as a message of hope for our family for the past 13 years. In this passage from Jeremiah chapter 29, the Lord has a message for the people of Israel. They have already resisted King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, and he has conquered Jerusalem and taken their king and leading citizens into captivity in Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar has made Zedekiah the King of Israel and expects his loyalty and obedience. Now, God is sending a message to the people in captivity in Babylon through the prophet Jeremiah. God’s message to the exiles in Babylon is to “settle down and make good lives for yourselves and your families where you are. Your exile is going to last for 70 years – so make the best of it! I, the Lord, am still with you and I will be with you when you return from exile.” This is a good message for us to hear today: God is with us and will be with us when these days are over! Make the best you can of these times through Bible study and prayer. This is an opportunity. God has plans for you “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Shalom, Brother Mike Daily Devotion from Brother Mike:
Today’s pieces came from Costa Rica. In 1995, I went with a group from St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Houston, on a mission trip to Costa Rica. We worked in the foothills city of San Isidro building the foundations for a new Methodist parsonage. I bought these three pieces and matching letters that spelled out the names of our three sons: James, Bill, and Sam. They all went on the boys’ bedroom wall as soon as I got home, and have hung together in the five parsonages since that time. Today, I have the letters stored separately. I have a file folder on my computer that contains the photos of all the artwork I am using for this series of devotionals. I have noticed that my tendency is to prefer artwork with more muted and darker colors. These pieces stand out in my picture file with their bright colors. I need brightness in my life. I need joy and gladness, peace and happiness. The Apostle Paul tells us to keep our minds on “whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise.” This may be a sad and difficult spring but the flowers are still blooming, the birds are still singing, the sun is shining and these days are made by God just like all the others. Rejoice in the Lord, always! Brother Mike Daily Devotion from Brother Mike:
Today’s pieces are prints from 'The Book of Kells.' I first encountered 'The Book of Kells' on my trip to Ireland in 2016. It is housed in the library of Trinity College in Dublin. 'The Book of Kells' is an illustrated manuscript on vellum (calf skin). It contains the four Gospels and some additional commentary and notes on the text. The text is in Latin and the Gospels are mostly from Jerome’s translation (Vulgate). Most scholars think 'The Book of Kells' was created in the 9th century in northern England and/or Ireland. It gets its name from the Abbey of Kells, in County Meath, Ireland (northwest of Dublin) where it was kept for centuries. Each of these prints is a representation of Four Gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. In both illuminations they are ordered as you would read a text: top, left to right; bottom, left to right. The drawings are the creatures which traditionally represent each Gospel: Matthew – a man; Mark – a lion; Luke – an ox; and John – an eagle. The prints were fairly easy to find online. I had these framed at Hobby Lobby. The Scripture readings for today are four stories that are only found in one Gospel. Enjoy! Brother Mike From Brother Mike:
Today’s piece is titled “The Sower Soweth the Word” and the artist is unknown. I bought this print on cloth back when I was a single guy in the late ‘80s or early ‘90s ... and I am so glad that I did, because I have not seen anything else like it since. It must have been fairly cheap because I didn’t have much money back in those days. But, over the years it has earned its place on my walls ... and in my heart. This, of course, is a rather straightforward illustration of Jesus’ parable of the farmer. The passage from Mark, (Mark 4:1-20) is not just the parable, but also an explanation of why Jesus teaches using parables, and Jesus’ own explanation of his parable of the farmer. Jesus is challenging us – what kind of soil are we? Am I a hard-packed road impenetrable to the seed of his Word? Am I rocky ground with a shallow faith that gives up at the first sign of trouble? Am I thorny ground surrounded and choked by the cares of the world? Or am I good soil ready to receive the blessings of God’s Word? Today’s piece is an open book – read it from left to right and ask yourself, “Where am I on the spectrum today?” This is a good time to loosen up and clear out the weeds and thorns. Be Blessed, Brother Mike From Brother Mike:
I, like you, have been spending more time at home recently. So, it occurred to me, that you might enjoy seeing some of the devotional artwork I have around my house. I'm also writing a little bit about what each piece means to me ... and how it came to be in my home. Today’s piece is titled “Peace, Be Still” by Stephen Gjertson. This piece was chosen by my wife, Lisa, while we were living in Hempstead, and she had begun some of her worst suffering from the effects of multiple sclerosis. We both loved this painting and the stories in Matthew, Mark, and Luke which inspired it. We were also inspired by a new contemporary Christian music song that was being played at that time on KSBJ radio station. The song was called 'Sometimes He Calms the Storm.' The artist was Scott Krippayne and the words and music were by Tony Wood and Kevin Stokes. Here are the lyrics: All who sail the sea of faith find out before too long how quickly blue skies can grow dark and gentle winds grow strong. Suddenly fear is like white water pounding on the soul. Still we sail on knowing that our Lord is in control. Sometimes He calms the storm with a whispered “Peace, be still.” He can settle any sea but it doesn’t mean He will. Sometimes He holds us close and lets the wind and waves go wild. Sometimes He calms the storm and other times He calms His child. He has reason for each trial that we pass through in life. And though we’re shaken we cannot be pulled apart from Christ. No matter how the driving rain beats down on those who hold to faith a heart of trust will always be a quiet peaceful place. May God’s peace be with you! Brother Mike |
AuthorIn matters of faith, we at First United Methodist Church, Sealy put primary reliance on the Bible. In scripture, we understand that we are all God’s children; therefore, we will be a church that cares for the needs of our church and local community through prayer, deeds, inspiration, and love in the spirit of Christ. Archives
July 2020
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Our MissionCaring for the needs of our church and community through prayer, deeds, inspiration and love in the Spirit of Christ.
Sunday Worship: 10 am Adult & Children & Youth Sunday School 9 am First Kids Mother's Day Out (Tuesday & Thursday; 8am to 2pm; Ages 1-3) Rev Pat Bell, Pastor First United Methodist Church Sealy
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