FALLING WATERFALL

Rita Wiley​ | Not for sale

Oil over acrylic

Galatians 6:9 is the scripture that jumped out at me. It says "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.“

This scripture really spoke to me because I am tired. And old. And I want to take a nap. But I really believe that God wants me to use my talent to glorify Him and show His beautiful creation. Well, I can't find that beautiful creation in nappy time. I have to drag my protesting, tired, old body out in creation where the beautiful places are, and sometimes that is more than I want to do. But I have a promise. In due season, I will reap, if I don't faint.

HE PRAYS

Evan Crawford​ | Not for sale

Original Poetry

He Prays describes my father, Benny Beals, a longtime member of Fellowship. His practice and spiritual discipline of prayer has shaped my life. He seeks to imitate the ultimate Intercessor who advocates to the Father for all our collected prayers as we await a new heaven and new earth.

RELAX

Scott Fowler | Not for sale

Original Watercolor

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Matthew 11:28

This scripture speaks to me not only of giving my worries and burdens to Christ, but really releasing them to Him. I’m not releasing myself to my parents, my friends or even my wife, but to the One Creator of Everything. Meditating on this, to say He is capable, is a deep understatement. He is Everything.  This painting serves as a reminder to me that I live in total accepting rest in Him.

REPURPOSED TEARS

Mary Ann Echols ​ | $395.00

Acrylic on Canvas

“My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death.” Mark 14:34 (NLT) 

“Abba, Father, [Jesus] cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Mark 14:36 (NLT)

Jesus took some of His closest friends to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Jesus’s soul was crushed with grief, and He pleaded for His heavenly Father to somehow provide a way out of what He knew was soon going to happen. Although there was much struggle, sorrow, and pain, He went to a quiet place…a place of solitude and silence, where probably only the sound of His own cries and pleadings could be heard. Jesus wept real tears, even falling to the ground at one point. Jesus “repurposed” His pain and tears and as scripture goes on to read, He wanted nothing more than to please His Father God. He persevered, endured, and calls us to do the same. In silence and solitude, a place of conversation with our Lord, can my tears be repurposed? Can I develop a new sense of purpose and celebrate my own uniqueness in Christ, even when in the deepest struggle of my life? Can I recycle the scars I bear, and indeed find my identity and sense of worth only in the finished works of Jesus? Yes. Yes. Yes. Silence, Solitude, and Prayer: A place where we can struggle, be in agony, and ask hard questions. It is also a place where we can laugh, recollect good times, and experience real joy.   

“So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation.” 1 Peter 5:10 (NLT)

SANCTIFICATION

Kathleen Woolsey | $499.00

Wood, Paper Mache, Caulk, Paint

Lying, cheating, stealing, arrogance, gluttony, abuse, murder, pornography, embezzlement, snobbery, pickiness, jealousy, lust, idolatry,.... sin. If we are human, we sin. Sin dirties, making us unholy. Our sins do not disappear, but accumulate getting thicker, deeper, dulling our senses and squeezing the life out of us. No matter how hard we try, we cannot rid ourselves of its darkness. We cannot wash it off. No amount of good deeds will rid us of sin's filth. Ashamed, we hide our sin in darkness, not wanting others to see or even admit to ourselves its influence on our heart. Sin makes us it's slave. We can no longer hear God's word. We are cut off from God and from Life. Sin is death.

And yet, there is hope. Our maker has taken the filth of our sins as His own and died for us. Died and lived again and has given us the opportunity to live with Him. We have only to regret and admit our wrongdoing, believing in what He has done. We must take the sins from the darkness and hold them up to His light. He will take the filth and cast it as far as the east is from the west. We will be clean.

This sculpture shows a heart with black skin that represents sin; sin accumulates when we ignore it. We hide it in darkness, represented by the dark area of the background.

When our eyes are opened, we see our sinful state and repentance and confession can occur. We can lift our heart to the light exposing our sins, allowing Jesus, the only one who is able, to clean and renew our heart. Sin, no longer a wall between us and our Lord, our relationship is restored. Hope realized.

THE PAINTERS

Lorinda Gray​ | Not for sale

Original Photography

An act of service is not just a deed done for someone. It is also an act of worship, a celebration, a prayer. Nothing heals the heart or grows our faith quite like the giving of ourselves.

A few years ago I photographed a group of worker bees painting a mural in the hallway of the preschool building. Teenagers and staff covered the walls with a garden of bright colors. They climbed ladders and crawled along the floor. It was a lot of work mixing paint and washing brushes. When it was finished, it was a lovely gift for the children who walk that hallway for years to come.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

A GOOD EYE - POLYCARP

Sabrina Palomino | $80.00

Graphite and Charcoal

I selected Polycarp, a martyr of the first Century Church, and 1 Peter 2:18-24 as the subject for this piece. As the Roman authorities came to take Polycarp captive, he waited in submission for them. And when they came, he welcomed them, he fed them and prayed over them.

In the Middle Eastern Hebraic context, grasping the figures of speech of “A Good Eye” in Hebrew (ayin tovah) means: to look out for the needs of others and be generous in giving to the poor. 

I am using this generosity in the sense of poor in spirit. These men came to persecute him, but they were met by a man who waited for them with love in his heart, as he fed their spirit and flesh with “A Good Eye”. 

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” Matthew 6:22-23

AFTER THE STORM

Rita Wiley​ | Not for sale

Original Oil

I watched the Bible Project video that summarized the Book of 1 Peter and I was so inspired by how the book was summed up so clearly. I wanted to show a scene depicting fog rising and clouds lifting after a storm. This is a visual metaphor for the believer who is suffering for his faith. We have a beautiful promise of hope after the storm, everlasting glory. 

ASPEN VALLEY

Alan Morgan | $550.00

Original Oil on Linen

“… for it is written: “Be holy because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16

In a recent hit TV show about early American pioneers, the main character says, “there were no rules where we were going.” However, in Romans 1:20, Paul clearly tells us that creation testifies to God and His holy character so that we are without excuse. We know the rules – God wrote them on our hearts. We bring that sense of right and wrong with us no matter what frontier we face!

In my painting of the frontier, a distant mountain’s snowpack has long since melted its way to the valley below. Now summer gives way to autumn’s glow before winter’s white curtain descends.

GRAPE JUICE ON A DESK

Jennifer Baugh | $300.00

Mixed Media

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10 NIV

My husband and I had marriage difficulties. We went through an excruciating time of disconnection and emotional pain. During this time a good friend encouraged me to put everything aside and spend time in God's word...simply commune with Him. I read and meditated on 1 Peter throughout the days and weeks. It was a precious time of sitting with the Lord.....trusting Him.....hoping in Him.  It was also a time of suffering. A time of sitting in pain and sadness. And Jesus held my hand through it.

My drawing is made from a double grape juice connector/carrier and a stabilizing piece from a desk leg. My husband and I purchased the attached grape juice bottles to share communion with our family over Christmas. It is our hope that our (adult) children will always seek the Lord in times of blessing and suffering. We hope they will always seek to commune with Him. Like the desk leg is a stabilizing piece, our Lord is steadfast and strong enough to carry us through life's challenges.

PRECIOUS BLOOD

Michelle Jordan​ | $300.00

Triptych Watercolor

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood… Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 1 Peter 1:1-2, 18-19

My passion is to artistically translate scripture into images. 1 Peter talks about the precious blood of Jesus Christ... This image is my creative depiction of the precious blood being poured out over the praising hands of the body of Christ. I asked many individuals from several denominations to place their hands on the painting leaving their handprints.  And during the process we all got the opportunities to share our testimonies of what it means to be born again and how we got there.

TOTAL TRUST

Scott Fowler | Not for sale

Original Watercolor

So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you. 1 Peter 4:19

In scripture we are referred to as “Oaks of Righteousness” with roots that go down deep to find Living Water. I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of a tree. You can tell that no person would ever have produced a concept where roots grow down into the soil and get nourishment it needs. In turn, it grows taller, wider and spreads out in the sky with leaves bearing fruit. Birds and animals go to it for food, shelter, shade, and protection. As stated above, these attributes apply to us. Christ exposes so much of His wisdom in the creation of a tree. This painting reminds me of how life leaves its marks all over you, while Christ is the soil and water that our soul grows down into. It’s easy to focus on the broken limbs, the nicks in the bark, the knot, the bugs, etc. In times of plenty, in times of storm, and times of drought, the tree continues to stand because Christ holds it in His hands. Just like we do.

COME TO JESUS, RECOVER YOUR LIFE

Frances Okubo​ | $75.00

Acrylic and Texture on Canvas

Life is full of rhythms. When things are on the downswing and life is hectic, it is hard to see or feel God, but there are moments too, when even a sunset can speak volumes to encourage the downtrodden and weary soul.

Matthew 11:25-30 The Message

25-26 Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: “Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You’ve concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that’s the way you like to work.” 27 Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly. “The Father has given me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I’m not keeping it to myself; I’m ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen. 28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

I want to walk with Jesus, take a real rest, work with Him and watch how He does it and learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I keep looking for reminders like sunsets where the Lord of Heaven and Earth, the Great Painter invites ordinary people to come spend quality time in His presence, with the Living Word, His Son Jesus.

FRESH AND GREEN

Liz Cox | $495.00

Acrylic/Mixed Media and Collage on Panel

$495 framed; $425 unframed

The spiritual rhythm of keeping the Sabbath has been something I have tried to incorporate in my personal spiritual disciplines, not out of a legalistic posture, but keeping in mind God’s intent to build in a time of rest for our souls. As one who tends to “do” and not just “be”, this is a practice I need to remind myself to keep.

 My painting was inspired by Psalm 92: 12-15,

 “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”  

I find that as a “sixty-something” follower of Jesus, the thought of staying “fresh and green” is very appealing! The colors chosen for this painting communicate a freshness and calmness in the abstract landscape. Observing a Sabbath refreshes and calms our spirit, encouraging us to walk by faith daily.

HIS HANDIWORK

Felicia Chenault​ | $150.00

Acrylic and Ink

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork."           Psalm‬ ‭19:1‬ ‭

As I reflected on Psalm 19, the images that kept coming to my mind were pictures I’d taken of sunsets and landscapes from my travels over the years are where I’ve most felt His majesty. God speaks the world into existence. And His Word shifts my view as I’ve transitioned from singleness into marriage, as I’ve taken on the role of stepmom, and as I walk through the desert of infertility. His thoughts are not my thoughts, His ways are not my ways. His Word reminds me He is faithful and trustworthy. My husband and I met through Bumble and honey and honeycombs have been a common theme of presents. I used the image of the honeycomb to knit together the pictures I’ve taken from my travels - some from before I met my husband, some from our honeymoon, and some from more recent family travels. I chose verses on the Word that spoke to what I’ve clung to in transitions and desert places - His Word is restoring & refreshing, reliable & trustworthy, bringing joy to the heart.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭19:14‬ ‭

HOUSE WORSHIP I

Evan Crawford​ | Not for sale

Original Poetry

House Worship experiences have been a balm to my soul in a new season of my spiritual formation. Through simple reminders of His vibrant presence among believers, these words sprang forth to echo the communion we shared, and continue to share, when we gather to worship together.

HOUSE WORSHIP II

Evan Crawford​ | Not for sale

Original Poetry

House Worship experiences have been a balm to my soul in a new season of my spiritual formation. Through simple reminders of His vibrant presence among believers, these words sprang forth to echo the communion we shared, and continue to share, when we gather to worship together.

MY YOKE IS EASY

Kiana C. Hood | $200.00

Original Oil

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”” Matthew 11:28-30 ESV

We were sheep in the desert, endlessly wandering around miles of sand. There is nothing to partake in besides delusion caused by malnutrition and the weight of our own labored bodies, longing for rest and nourishment. Putting it plainly, we are dead. We sheep need a savior, someone who can save us from wandering tirelessly in a barren land searching for fulfillment that can take the load of burdens we bear.   

As promised, the good Shepherd we needed beckoned to His flock. The Lion of Judah took our burdens and called us to Him. He offers up his yoke to help us walk with Him, learn from Him, and find rest in Him. The only burden we bear is personal abandonment (a walk of humbleness contrary to our flesh), and complete trust in Him who saves. The more we grow in our relationship with the Savior, the more we bear his likeness. We separate ourselves from this evil world knowing it will despise us as it despised Him. (John 15:18-20)

REPURPOSED FOR WORSHIP

Selby McDowell | $875.00

Mixed Media on Wood

This piece was originally inspired by 2 Cor 5:17 which states, ‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come’.

Through Christ we are made beautiful and are ‘repurposed’ for his glory and as a result, we are called to worship.  This piece depicts various styles of worship referenced in Romans 12:1-2 and Hebrews 13:15-16 through the use of recycled household items and mixed media materials. 

REVERENCE

Rachael Moore | $297.00

Acrylic on Canvas

The spiritual rhythm of worship is something that comes natural to me when I’m surrounded by God’s creative work of nature. The marvelous mountains, flowing water, and glorious tall trees. I am an avid trail runner and when I began this journey, I reflected on praise, worship and prayer as I ran in between trails and river.

My piece was inspired by Hebrews 13:15,

“Therefore let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our continual allegiance to his name.”

TRUST AND REST

Christina Gross | Not for sale

Colored Pencil

Prints available for sale

This piece is inspired by Mathew 11:25-28, solitude and silence. Specifically, vs 11:28, Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Looking at the different topics in the teaching series, I was reminded that engaging each of these topics would cause a believer to rest and trust the Lord more. Similar to how a lamb might be able to relax even during an approaching storm. The lamb was taught to trust and obey. As a result, the lamb has developed a habit of following the shepherd closely. The animal can rest even during an approaching storm because it knows the shepherd well, trusts him and his character to not abandon it.

Knowing our Shepherd will always be there causes a weary and heavy-laden people to rest. During the storms of life, the practice of spiritual rhythms in our walk with Jesus, our Shepherd, brings us rest in Him.