Jesus, our all in all

aspen leaf“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him” (Col 1:16). Jesus is so creative, He not only made everything, He delights in making abundantly and extravagantly. We know its for “delight” because when we make something for someone, we want it to be wonderful. We want to paint the best painting, write the best blog, find the perfect card, for those we love.

We want it to delight the receiver and that delights us. So, when the Word says that all things, were created, they are created to delight not only Him, but also us.

Christ is our all in all. He is THE creator. In Him all things are created.
The breath of the Spirit is on this verse. Imagine Jesus imagining a tree. He says the word, “tree,” and a tree is formed. Palm trees, pine trees, olive trees and maple trees, an oak, to name a few. The breath of the Spirit, the force of His Word, is so powerful that over 10,000 trees were created. All things were created by Him. All things were created for His good pleasure, for our delight.

Abundantly. Extravagantly.

There’s an oak referred to in Scripture. The Oak of Tabor. It’s mentioned in 1 Sam 10:3 in some directions given to Saul after his anointing by Samuel. This Oak, highlighted in scripture can grow to be over 32 feet tall (2-3 stories), the circumference of the trunk can be almost 20 feet and the acorns.  The acorns are about two inches long and you can eat them. (bleech, comes to mind, actually…) The oldest Oak of Tabor in Israel, in lower Gallilee, is dated to over 500 years old.  Medicines for eye infections, wounds, and respiratory tract and digestive tract problems are extracted from the galls on the leaves.

Jesus. Creative. Abundant, Extravagant.

Imagine. Smell a lilac. Smell a magnolia tree. Smell a pine tree. Each tree even has a distinctive smell. All things were created for His good pleasure and for our delight.

Abundantly. Extravagantly.

Listen – hear the song of the Lord as it blows through the trees. What does a forest sound like as the wind blows through the trees? It sounds like the name Jesus without end. What He creates, He creates to praise Him.

Isaiah 44:23 says,
Sing for joy, you heavens, for the LORD has done this;
shout aloud, you earth beneath.
Burst into song, you mountains,
you forests and all your trees,
for the LORD has redeemed Jacob,
he displays his glory in Israel.

All things were created by Him. All things were created for His good pleasure, for His delight. Abundantly. Extravagantly.

He has done this in our physical world. Imagine, if you will, the unseen realm. The angels that reflect the glory of the Lord. The colors of the throne room. The powers and principalities in Spiritual Realms. Expect to see them! Expect to encounter them. and expect them to be extravagant, even more than you can think or imagine.

Our God. Our Jesus. He surpasses all others. He is our all in all.

sue
Only believe!

“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” (Col 1:16)

2011
04/18
CATEGORY
art
faith
Jesus
Life
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Laura’s Respite

Jesus eyes

 

I asked Laura Thompson, poet extraordinaire, to write this week’s post.
She is a friend and lover of Jesus! Enjoy!

 


My Respite…

” The One Thing I ask of the LORD—
The thing I seek most
is to live in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
delighting in the LORD’S Perfections
and Meditating in HIS Temple.” (Psalm 27:4)

My greatest desire is to
Dwell in the Prevailing Presence of OUR GOD
each Moment of each Day.

To be Transformed, Transfixed and Captivated
by HIS Words and HIS Ways
in such a manner that My Life Becomes
One Unbroken Gaze fixed upon
OUR FATHER’S Heavenly Beauty.

I know that in any given day
I will encounter Impassable Valleys
and Tumultuous Heights,
but my Heart and Soul can Rest Assured
that The LORD Longs
to Climb these Mountains Tethered to Me.

HE will never let Me go from HIS SIGHT.
HE will never FORSAKE Me.
I must learn to allow HIM to completely Envelop Me
with HIS MAGNIFICENT, UNFAILING LOVE.

I yearn to Practice Beautifully,
the Art of Gazing into HIS FACE
for the Privilege of Always Longing to Live
under the Favor of HIS Splendid Smile.

HE is My Respite.
HE is My Home.
Always and Forever.

~Laura Thompson~

May you live, in His gaze today.

sue
Only believe.

Jesus eyesthe eyes of Jesus.

2011
04/11
CATEGORY
art
Jesus
joy
Life
light
love
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blind, lame, and paralyzed.

waterHere’s a recap of the story in John 5:2-9 (esv). By the Sheep Gate of the Temple, there is a pool where the miraculous takes place. Those that are sick—blind, lame, or paralyzed—wait until the pool gets stirred up (possibly by an angel) and then the first one to dive into the pool gets healed. By this pool is a man who has been sitting there for 38 years.

The blind, lame and paralyzed jumped out at me. And this is what struck me.

The blind cannot see past the natural.
The lame cannot get to the pool. They’re busy waiting.
The paralyzed are stuck, unable to move.

And although I don’t like it very much, that’s often the picture of me. When I can’t find an answer, I’m not seeing from the Lord’s perspective. When I drag my feet, I let other things get in the way. And when I’m fearful, I can’t move. At all.

Enter Jesus. This one man, in the multitude, caught Jesus’ eye. What did Jesus see? Did He see crutches, a worn out mat, and desperation? Or did He see faith and trust?

How does Jesus respond? Jesus simply says, “Get up. Take up your bed and walk.” Eight simple words and the power and grace this man needs is released!

Jesus gives sight to the blind. I simply need to look from His heavenly perspective.
Jesus inspires faith. Simply walk. Step out.
Jesus replaces fear with perfect love. I simply need to trust.

I can hear, even from my own thoughts, “It’s simply not that simple.” Perhaps not. But perhaps it is. It all depends on Whom I am listening to.

Today, I choose to be led (by the Spirit). Seeing, walking, and in love. Perfect, in Him! Jesus! Joy!

sue
Only believe.

water

This old small painting of mine reminds me the pool and the beauty of water.

2011
04/06
CATEGORY
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faith
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Jesus—in the clouds and right here.

concealed_byKemnitzThat was the thought that struck me as I was walking late in the afternoon this past weekend. It seems an odd thought, a conundrum of sorts. (Don’t you love that word?)

We know that Jesus is coming on a cloud. Future tense. He’ll be here and that will be the end of planet earth as we know it and the beginning of planet earth “post Revelation.” He’s even on a horse on the cloud. Sidenote: are there angels riding horses in the sky right now, but we can’t see them? I think so! Back to Jesus, scripture says Jesus is coming on the clouds and then we will live with Him for eternity. All well and good. Excellent, marvelous, and wonderful, even!

We heard a testimony the other evening of a man who, on the brink of suicide, experienced the weight of His glory enter the room. Though he was kneeling by his bed, he could not even see his bed because of the glory. His presence—the tangible, overwhelming, presence of Jesus—in the room. Now that would be right here!

I have never experienced that intense of a visitation from Jesus, but I have decided to ask for it. What He does for one, He’ll do for each of us. I’ll let you know, unless He asks me not to tell you.

In the meantime, Jesus truly is right beside us. He is only a glance, a question or a thought away. A prayer away. When I close my eyes and feel Him close, He’s aways brilliant. I want to see Him with my eyes open, tho. Do you? Have you? Let me know, if you can.

Until He comes on the clouds…

sue
Only believe!

concealed_byKemnitz
DesignStudios-Inc.com

2011
03/30
CATEGORY
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faith
Jesus
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Jesus is the answer.

Haitian girl…isn’t this little Haitian girl beautiful? Such joy. Arms raised to Jesus. Even a hint of fire in her eyes. There is only one answer for her. And that person is Jesus.

Returning from a week in Haiti, I am reminded over and over again—here and there—Jesus is the answer. Jesus is the answer to depression, to stomach aches, to blindness, to nuclear reactors overheating, to lack, to hopelessness, to broken hearts, to any and all problems here on planet earth. The big picture answers of Jesus are wisdom, joy, love, peace, kindness, goodness, and hope, to name a few. And when we choose His wisdom and His love, His peace and His hope, the specific answers come.

There was a little boy who stole my heart in Haiti. (Actually, there were big boys who stole my heart, too. But we’ll save them for another time.) This little boy was standing at the crowd’s edge the second night of the Jesus Celebrations. He was watching me dance and so I went over to engage him. He eagerly imitated each clap, each spin, each raised hand. We had a grand time worshiping the Lord.

The next night, even tho I was on the other side of the square, he sought me out and stuck by my side during worship. Again, we jumped, shouted, smiled, loved. I could tell, he didn’t want to let me go.

Would that we would all have this kind of desire to be like, and to be with, Jesus. Child-like. Trusting. Adoring. Passionate. Loving. And never wanting our time together to end. That is what will bring any answer we’re in search of.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me…I am the way and the truth and the life. ..” John 14: 1,6

sue
Only Believe.

sunset

Haitian Sunset

2011
03/21
CATEGORY
faith
Haiti
Jesus
joy
Life
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the eternal.

Mourning to JoyLate last week, my hubby’s father passed away. To be honest, although there was sadness, it was also a relief as he had been ill a long time. The fact he lived as long as he did was inspirational and miraculous. He was a wonderful father, father-in-law, and grandfather. He is now with Jesus. So good.

In the quiet of tonite I ponder the eternal…

  • Jesus as Peter, James, and John saw him on the mount of transfiguration, which I believe is a glimpse into the eternal. “His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.” (Mark 9:3) Heavenly. Brilliant. Dazzling. Beautiful. Displaying the fullness of, and His intimacy with, God. And though I don’t think we’ll be as dazzling as Jesus, we will dazzle too. For eternity.
  • God’s words to Jesus, “This is my Son, whom I love” (Mark 9:7). God could have said anything but chose to tell Jesus that He loved Him. I believe those will be His first words to us when we get to heaven, too. We will feel overwhelming Love. For eternity.
  • One of the verses that was read yesterday, “…He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” (Rev 21:4) That’s what being with Jesus is like. For eternity.
  • And His nature—His lovingkindness, His goodness, His faithfulness, and His peace. For eternity.

God so loved us, He sent Jesus, so we would not perish, but have eternal life. With Him.

It was good to see Joe off to heaven. It was good see friends and relatives. Tonite, it’s good to be home, good to be at peace, and good to ponder. Life now and life eternal. So good.

sue
only believe.

Mourning to JoyMourning to Joy

2011
03/02
CATEGORY
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Jesus
Life
love
mourning
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full of.

living water“…you will make me full of gladness with your presence.” Acts 2:28

“…choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them.” Acts 6:3

“…full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 6:5

“…a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.” Acts 6:8

“But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:55

“He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.” Acts 11:24

As I read through Acts, there seems to be a common thread. “Full of.” That’s what I want to be—more full of Him. Full of His presence, His joy, His grace, His power, His goodness, His kindness, His generosity. Full of Holy Spirit.

This painting represents Jesus filling us. His love will never run out, never go dry. There’s always more to fill you. It’s the “full of” that “leads to.”

We met a gentleman recently who had tried church, but church seemed empty. He tried psychics, but they had nothing of value, so we loved on him, spoke into him, prayed over him, filled him. Jesus brought him and opened him, so we could fill him up with Him.

The key is to know His love (more than knowledge) that we may be filled with the fullness of God. That has to be the best promise ever! Know His love so we can be filled with the fullness of God.

Be filled, full, and let that lead to grace and power, wonders and signs, glory. More love, more joy, more gladness.

Fill us fuller, Lord. Full and then more full.

sue
only believe.

Living Water

2011
02/14
CATEGORY
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Jesus
joy
painting
water
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Jesus and the angels.

dore doveJesus is oh-so-good. In the last couple weeks, He has transformed a friend into a smiley, giggly, energetic heroine. So fun! So Him!

As the week started, we went to the mall to spread the love of Jesus. My friend left the mall feeling like she hadn’t found her “treasure,” so she stopped at Caribou Coffee on the way home. After sitting for awhile, a lady across the shop caught her eye.

My friend chatted with Jesus for a bit: “I don’t want to approach her.” “Yes, you do.” “She wasn’t on my list, she was on someone else’s list.” “She’s on My list.” “I’m afraid.” “You’ve got Me beside you.” “Really?” “Really.”

My friend did approach the lady. (The Holy Spirit cheering her on in the background!) My friend ended up praying for her new friend and Jesus calmed her heart.

The next day, my friend received great travel news, and spent the day telling that story and praising God. The day after, one of her testimonies of Jesus sparked another conversation, drawing someone else closer to Jesus. And on and on her week went. A Jesus “appointment” every day. My friend knew that Jesus was next to her, doing the hard stuff; along with Holy Spirit, the ace encourager that He is.

The topper in my week, was watching Jesus hit her with Holy giggles Saturday evening and seeing her “radiant” Sunday morning at church.

This is great news in and of itself. But Jesus doesn’t leave it there. From her first Jesus conversation, right up until now, Jesus was up in heaven bragging about my friend. Jesus: “Did you see her on Sunday? Did you see her calling on Me, to mend hearts? To change atmospheres? To show My love? Did you see how brave she was? Did you see her chatting about Me to her co-worker? And who is Jesus telling all this to? The angels—and you know how they spread the Word! Angels: “That’s our Jesus she’s talking about! That’s the love of God she’s spreading! She’s unstoppable now!”

Did you know that when you share Jesus, your name is tossed about in the heavenly realms? Really, little us! Word gets around. “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God…” Luke 12:8.

When we talk about what Jesus has done, the love He is, the good He is up to, the healing He has done, we become little starlets. Not that we do it for that reason. We spread word of Him because we love Him—but it sure is fun to think of Jesus whispering to His angels.

sue
Only believe.

dore dove

Dore dove

Fyi – for those of you at the Lutheran Renewal conference, today I will post the painting Living Water on my website, DesignStudios, Inc. During the week, revisions will be posted. Next week, the finished painting will be posted on the blog. It fits better with next week’s blurb.

Both Dore dove and Living Water are available for purchase.

2011
02/07
CATEGORY
art
Jesus
love
painting
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the wait.

leavesSitting in the sunroom one day last week, looking out at the snow, brought to mind the word “dormant.” There are people in the world who prepare for the next year in December, but I never have. January, with snow and cold outside, and cozy and warm inside, seem the perfect time to head into the year for me. The perfect time to be dormant. Quiet, yet with God.

Dormant is waiting—things go a little slower. Suspended from action. Even hidden from view.

Jesus waited for the Lord’s timing to enter ministry and was graced with a 3-year adventure that we still talk about 2,000 years later. Jesus waited for the Father’s voice to go and “healed all.” Jesus waited to be full of Holy Spirit before destroying the works of the enemy—with power. Jesus spent time being with, and waiting on, Father God before doing. Face in the clouds, even (Luke 9:34 again).

We all want everything right now. I would hardly describe myself as a patient person, but the last thing I want is power without the foundation of waiting and being. My love without a demonstration of His love. Jesus without majesty and awe.

All this to say—enjoy dormant. Enjoy winter. Enjoy quiet. Enjoy chatting with the Lord. Enjoy His presence. Enjoy watching for what the Lord wants to do and where He would have us go.

In closing—think “in joy” when you read “enjoy…” We can wait, and the waiting will be over before we know it!

sue
Only believe.

“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14

”For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” Habakkuk 2:3

leaves

Pin Oaks keep their leaves during the winter,
only to be pushed out by new buds in the spring.

susan b kemnitz • Design Studios, Inc.

2011
01/31
CATEGORY
art
Jesus
joy
painting
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a dream.

dreams“Life! Resurrected dreams.” Those are the words I heard this morning as I received this image during worship. Thank you, Lord!

Seems the Lord is fanning dormant dreams, giving them life. It’s a call to wake them up.

This theme has come up often in the past several years (Acts 2:17-19), so perhaps it isn’t a new word. But if the Lord gives it, there’s breath on it. Maybe you’ve heard it before and still didn’t give the dream the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation it needs.

Thinking of Jesus’s life—did He not restore, breath back into life, the dreams of each person He ran into? The dead people are easy. Not much hope of their dreams coming alive if they’re dead. So the widow’s son, and Lazarus, certainly had a better chance of dreams come true with the touch of Jesus (Lk 7:11-17, Jn 11).  How about the leper (Mt 8:1-4)? If you have to stay outside the gates, or shout to warn people to stay clear, not much chance of being a shop owner, and opportunities to do business in the Temple are nonexistent. Or if you’re blind and pressed into being a beggar (Mk 10:46-52). That might be a damper on your dreams.

Jesus was, and is, a dream restorer. He took the demon-possessed man (Mk 5:1-13), broke off the extra critters, and he became an evangelist, testifying to anyone and everyone. Perhaps the leper became a worshiper, leaping in joy for God almighty. Perhaps the blind became tour guides since they would be eager to see the country.

What dream has laid dormant, waiting for Jesus? Dormant is “alive, but not actively growing.” What needs to be healed? What needs to be set free? What needs to be rekindled, fanned into flame?

I re-sketched this pic because I believe that HIs dreams in us are set free through Him. With His heart, embers turn to flames. Seeds to fruit. Possibilities to positivities.

Think of this combo: As dreams are resurrected, Jesus will come alongside, possibly with His healing, if necessary. Holy Spirit will encourage and give wisdom and revelation. God will provide at the right times and in the right ways.

Get back to your dreams. Speak Life into them! Jesus is.

Only believe!
sue

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

One other question, would anyone want art tips at the end of some blogs? Let me know!

2011
01/23
CATEGORY
art
Jesus
joy
Life
painting
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