~SPLINTERS FROM THE CROSS

Little headaches, little heartaches,

Little griefs of every day,

Little trials and vexations,

How they throng around our way!

One great cross, immense and heavy,

So it seems to our weak will,

Might be borne with resignation,

But these many small ones kill.

Yet all life is formed of small things,

Little leaves make up the trees,

Many tiny drops of water

Blending, make the mighty seas.

Let us not then by impatience

Mar the beauty of the whole,

But for love of Jesus bear all

In the silence of our soul.

Asking Him for grace sufficient

To sustain us through each loss,

And to treasure each small offering

As a splinter from His Cross.

~Author Unknown~

~ ~ ~

"It is perhaps not so hard to forgive a single great injury.  But to forgive the incessant provocations of daily life...how can we do it?  Only, I think, by remembering where we stand..."
~C.S. Lewis~

~ ~ ~

~A HOLY ART

Exodus 35:30-35

The depiction of Christ in art has varied widely throughout history.  I'm sure every individual has an opinion about how they would prefer Him to be depicted; these preferences include not only attributes such as hair color, but also characterizations of Him which can be more subtle, such as His build and His overall aura.

Tonight I was looking at some vintage and antique ephemera (old paper items!) which depict Christ.  For some reason I thought of a sculpture that I really admire which is in the permanent collection of The North Carolina Museum of Art, here in Raleigh, NC.  This sculpture, "Deposed Christ," is attributed to Guiseppe Mazzuoli and depicts Christ after He has died and been taken down from the cross ("to depose" means "to put or lay down").  It's 22 inches long and is made of copper.  It's small size helps to make it a very personal artwork and creates a sense of intimacy for the viewer, as one must lean in and over it in order to get a really good look at it.  The picture on the museum's website doesn't do it justice.  In person one is able to discern its subtle variations in color, which a living metal such as copper can exhibit.  The sculptural details, such as those found in the musculature, veining, and facial structure, are amazing.  I won't go into why I like this particular depiction of Christ (not that I necessarily could do so!), but if you happen to be in the area, stop in and take a peek at this work of art!

~ ~ ~

Here are a few links about Christian art:

"Christian Art" on wikipedia.com

historyofchristianart.com

The Index of Christian Art

The Online Collection of Christian and Liturgical Art

"The Depiction of Jesus" on wikipedia.com

"Cultural Depictions of Jesus" on wikipedia.com

"Madonna (art)" on wikipedia.com

~ ~ ~

And here are a list of books on the topic which are all linked to barnesandnoble.com:

Christian Art

The Lion Companion to Christian Art

Christian Art and Imagery

Picturing the Bible: The Earliest Christian Art

Visual Arts and Christianity in America: From the Colonial Period to the Present

Faces of Christ: Jesus in Art

Christ in Art

The Life of Christ in Art

Mary: Art, Culture, and Religion Through the Ages

Mary in Western Art

Full of Grace: Encountering Mary in Faith, Art, and Life

Saints: A Year in Faith and Art

One Hundred Saints: Their Lives and Likenesses Drawn from Butler's "Lives of the Saints" and Great Works of Western Art

The Art of Faith: A Guide to Understanding Christian Art and Architecture

Picturing the Face of Jesus: Encountering Christ Through Art

Contemplative Vision: A Guide to Christian Art and Prayer

The Beauty of Faith: Using Christian Art to Spread the Good News

*Image reblogged

~ ~ ~

~#7 IN A WEEK OF POSTS FOR VALENTINE'S DAY

Happy Valentine's Day!

I have now reached my seventh and final post for Valentine's Day, 2011.  It just so happens that in Scripture, the number seven is seen to represent completion and spiritual perfection.  To find out more about that, visit these links: 1, 2, 3.

The Bible has been described as the greatest Love Story that has ever been written.  In its pages we learn about the Love above all loves, which is God's love for humanity.  In the Word, God reveals how He is pursuing a fallen creation and loving us back to Himself.

~ ~ ~

Below are the lyrics to a hymn entitled,

"I Love to Tell the Story,"

which was written by Arabella Katherine Hankey and composed by William Gustavus Fischer.

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story, because I know 'tis true;
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.

I love to tell the story, 'twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.

I love to tell the story; more wonderful it seems
Than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams.
I love to tell the story, it did so much for me;
And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.

I love to tell the story, 'twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.

I love to tell the story; 'tis pleasant to repeat
What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God's own holy Word.

I love to tell the story, 'twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.

I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
'Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.

I love to tell the story, 'twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.

~ ~ ~

The following are verses which refer specifically to the love God has for us--enjoy!

Exodus 15:13
Exodus 34:6
1 Chronicles 16:34
Psalm 33:22
Psalm 36:7
Psalm 52:8
Psalm 59:16
Psalm 63:3
Psalm 94:18
Psalm 100:5
Psalm 103:11
Psalm 107:1
Psalm 107:8
Psalm 108:4
Psalm 119:76
Psalm 136: all
Psalm 145:8
Isaiah 54:10
Isaiah 63:7-9
Jeremiah 31:3
Lamentations 3:22
Hosea 11:3-4
Jonah 4:2
Zephanaiah 3:17
John 3:16
John 13:1
John 13:34
John 15:9-10
John 15:12
John 17:22-23
Romans 5:5
Romans 5:8
Romans 8:35-39
Galatians 2:20
Ephesians 1:5
Ephesians 2:4-7
Ephesians 3:19
Ephesians 5:2
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
Titus 3:4-5
1 John 3:1
1 John 4:9-11
1 John 4:16
1 John 4:19
Revelation 1:5

*The translations I used for the verses from the Psalms are the RSV, NIV, and NLT.

~ ~ ~

#6 IN A WEEK OF POSTS FOR VALENTINE'S DAY

"Jesus is the One for whom we were made.  We were created to be loved by Him.  And we were created to love Him with all of our heart, with all

of our mind, and with all of our soul."

"I often reflect on how God woos me, wins me,

and loves me to Himself."

"I am God's beloved.  He desires relationship with me.  That is the most important thing."

"Don't ever be afraid to ask Him to reassure you

of His love and to reveal Himself in ways you haven't known."

"His love is here to stay."

~From, Falling in Love with Jesus: Abandoning Yourself to the Greatest Love of Your Life,

by Dee Brestin and Kathy Troccoli~

*This book is great for both single and married people, as one of the authors is single and one is married.  Brestin offers lovely insights into marriage by sharing anecdotes from her own, and Troccoli's contributions on the subject of being single are abundant and inspiring.

~ ~ ~

~#5 IN A WEEK OF POSTS FOR VALENTINE'S DAY

One year, christianitytoday.com asked singles to share how God had reminded them of His love for them on Valentine's Day. The article was entitled, "Valentines from Heaven." The following is what one girl wrote....

I purchased a beautiful 2-toned burgundy/gold pickup truck back in December.  When I first saw it on the lot, I never dreamed it would be mine--but God has a way of spoiling me!  The day before Valentine's Day, I was driving home from work and suddenly heard a loud CRACK.  I knew that I'd taken my first rock and would probably have a horrible scratch on my vehicle.  When I looked for the damage I found it on the windshield, just left and well below my field of vision.  When I studied the hit, I realized it was in a heart-shaped design.  What others may see as a fault is now an awesome sign to me--

a reminder of my Savior's love.  As I drive, I not only thank God for this wonderful truck, I thank Him for this symbol he's etched in the glass just for me!

~ ♥ ~

~#4 IN A WEEK OF POSTS FOR VALENTINE'S DAY

"Allow your heart to be enthralled by the beauty of Christ's love for one single, solitary you...
My heart is yours Savior, and I am overwhelmed by your great love for me."

~Joni Eareckson Tada~

~ ~ ~

~#3 IN A WEEK OF POSTS FOR VALENTINE'S DAY

♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥ 

One year, christianitytoday.com asked singles to share how God had reminded them of His love for them on Valentine's Day. The article was entitled, "Valentines from Heaven." The following is what one girl wrote....

The night before Valentine's Day, I attended my church's Wednesday night service.  In his closing prayer, our pastor asked God to bless and comfort those of us who are single and who might struggle with loneliness on Valentine's Day.  As we prepared to leave the church, the pastor said to the singles, "Always remember Who loved you first."

The next day was Valentine's Day, and not only did I not have any special plans to look forward to, but my entire day was extremely hectic and not particularly pleasant.  After a long day at work and a long drive home, I exited my car in the parking garage and headed into my condominium lobby, desperately fighting back feelings of loneliness.  I kept repeating to myself, "Remember Who loved you first.  God loves me even if no one else does."

When I opened the lobby door, I noticed that leaning on a small ledge against the wall was one of those little cards that usually comes with a flower arrangement.  The card was blank except for the words "I LOVE YOU" imprinted in bold black ink next to a picture of a bouquet of red roses.  My eyes filled with tears of joy and the loneliness fled.  While the practical side of me argued that it was just an extra card left over from someone else's Valentine's Day gift, the spiritual side of me somehow knew it was a special message sent to remind me of the One who loved me first.

~ ~ ~

"God will look to every soul like its first love
because He is its first love."
~C.S. Lewis, in The Four Loves~

♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

~#2 IN A WEEK OF POSTS FOR VALENTINE'S DAY

"God knows that once you drink of His love,

the world's appeal will fade. 

Give Him your heart, and you will be blessed

by what you receive from Him."

~Charles F. Stanley~

~ ♥ ~

~#1 IN A WEEK OF POSTS FOR VALENTINE'S DAY

One year, christianitytoday.com asked singles to share how God had reminded them of His love for them on Valentine's Day.  The article was entitled, "Valentines from Heaven."  The following is what one girl wrote....

Since I'm single, I spent February 14 trying to concentrate on the fact that God is my valentine--though I did pray for something a tad tangible to confirm His love for me.  We finally had a warm day here in Florida (I know, how unusual!), so I decided to go out to my condo's pool and get some sun.  I read a Christian book for a while and prayed a bit too.  But when I was lying down with my eyes closed, I heard someone say, "Jesu, um, guess he ran out of smoke."  I was half asleep when I heard the same woman say, "Loves."  I finally opened my eyes, and when I turned my head up to the sky I read the words, "Jesus Loves U!"  Everybody at the pool was reading it aloud, "Jesus loves you.  Jesus loves you."  I knew right then that God had written that message just for me.  I know it blessed many others as well, but to me it was my own personal valentine from Jesus Christ.

♥ ~ ♥ ~ ♥

~BFF

Hymn:

"What a Friend We Have in Jesus"

By: Joseph Scriven

What a Friend we have in Jesus,

all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged;

take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful

who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness;

take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden,

cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge,

take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do your friends despise, forsake you?

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In His arms He’ll take and shield you;

you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised

Thou wilt all our burdens bear

May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to

Thee in earnest prayer.

Soon in glory bright unclouded there

will be no need for prayer

Rapture, praise and endless worship

will be our sweet portion there.

~ ~ ~

You may read a biographical sketch
of Joseph Scriven here.

~ ~ ~

Performances of the hymn by...


Christian concert pianist Greg Howlett

The Purple Hulls

Patti Page

Aretha Franklin

~ ~ ~

~QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"It is religion itself--prayer and sacrament and repentance and adoration--which is here, in the long
run, our sole avenue to the real."

~C.S. Lewis~

~ ~ ~