This was a message for a friend. As soon as I got off the phone with you it was as if I had a vision from the Lord. Funny enough it was about the sheep painting I was working on. I was filled with such an amazing joy - hilarious laughter that I knew it was the Father and that it was for you. I could hear Jesus laughing as he looked at the painting. (looking at us in our self effort) It was an amazing laugh - like a mother would laugh at a little child who was trying to help by sweeping the floor, but was creating this huge mess around them. He reached out his hands to take away those heavy burdens and brush away those branches. He was laughing the whole time like he couldn't wait to get at that sheep - to give it a hug. He was pouring his love over that little lamb and was saying "you darling, darling, darling little one, look how hard you have been working." He said this with a sweet acknowledgement of all the effort and sincere labour that the lamb was putting into this work. No condemnation. Let me help you see... and the sheep was free! He is the good shepherd who cares for his sheep, protects, leads and feeds his sheep. He frees them when they are heavy burdened. Just rest in his arms...his love for you is amazing and it is for you. It is for you little lamb.

 While spending some time down along the river bank, where the air seems somehow cooler, I have been careful to keep my eyes peeled for the legendary "Saugie".

Maybe I caught a glimpse of her the other day. . . something bright sparkling in the rushing water before she disappeared under the muddy surface. Couldn’t resist trying to capture her image to share with the children of Paisley. (I even heard a rumor that she may be appearing on t-shirts soon)

With all eyes on the possible containment of the oil spill, I looked for a jar (in the huge collection given to me for the jars of oil series) and this one seemed perfect. The lid (or cap) fit perfectly... until the oil started to leak out. Even so it is covered with a request for a miracle, while the bp logo is in the background like a cheery picnic table cloth playing down any danger. I am praying for a miracle  clensing and healing of our earth  starting with my own attitude toward the environment we have been given to care for.

Spirit and Song
While sitting in the back garden one warm afternoon, some friends started talking about
the old myth of the hummingbird hitching a ride on the back of Canadian Geese in order to make the long migration south for the winter.
This charming idea returned to me many times over the next few months.
Early Celtic Christians used the wild goose as a symbol of the Holy Spirit while the hummingbird is in a state of almost continual motion and worship . . . humming.
This image makes me laugh out loud, yet reaches deep into my heart as I hear the irresistible call of the geese gathering for their long trip south.
Who can resist the call?

This painting is part of my Jars of oil series. It is all about community and our place in that society in relation to others. I asked people for jars to paint and the response was amazing. This jar is special for me as it carries both the name of my community and the focus of this rural area. It is also about letting your light shine in your home. Faith in Jesus shines brightly in the home of the family who gave me this jar and this painting becomes a prayer for the whole area.

Had so much fun working on this fanciful painting that I have started another with three Tom cats. This makes me laugh. Sometimes we artists get too serious and need some laughter in our work.  

Psalm 56:8 talks about how the Lord collects our tears and puts them in a bottle. This painting becomes a prayer of intercession for the land.

Looking back at this image of two beautiful baby boys I am again struck by the idea of unity in the church. The idea of the whole church body being family and the many walls of division broken down. After all we are from one mother as well as one Father.  

After finishing Sign of Jonah # 6 and looking at it for a few day, I realized that it was not finished.  I have added the 5 smooth stones which David picked up to slay Goliath. Goliath the fierce enemy called out to the troops of Israel to send out a man. "If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects"  Just as David was able to defeat Goliath so did Jesus defeat the powers of darkness and bring deliverance from all evil through one man. Finally it is finished.

The words of Jesus create so many images ... some are mysterious which I return to constantly.
A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except for the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Matthew 13:39 - 40