A brand new Christmas story, this book is full of descriptions of Heaven. In its 55 pages of text and 23 pages of imaginative illustrations you will discover lovable animals such as Chester the parrot who welcomes newcomers and Larry the Lion who likes a good scratching. You will read about a kind king who visits with his friends on the way back to his throne. You will also encounter a puzzling mystery that involves the disappearance of the same peculiar type of item from many different places. Pivotal to the story is a young pastor who embarks on a tradition-changing mission. Meanwhile, a powerful enemy vows to mess things up. Will this enemy be successful even against the huge angel sent to deliver an important message? On top of all this you will find a simple fun craft included at the back of the book.

The Spirit Snack Purse Pack is a small purse designed to hold 3” x 5” cards. Made specifically for carrying snacks for your spirit, the cards inside are meant to be used for displaying verses you are meditating on, or working on memorizing. They can also display positive confessions you desire to speak over yourself and others. Just pack one in your purse and have it handy during any free moments you find throughout your day. They are skillfully made using a soft fabric of rich colors and sparkling detail which does not shed. Each one is fully lined and has a hook and eye closure. A complimentary shoulder strap is attached to allow for convenience. The strap type may vary. Each Spirit Snack Purse Pack measures approximately 5” x 5 and ¾ “. It is hand washable, drip dry. It is currently available in two vibrant colors: Lavender and Crimson. There are 10 regular lined 3” x 5” cards included.

Completed September 12, 2003. This painting was inspired by Colossians 2:14-15 “having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it”.

Many of the enemy’s tactics are lies and suggestions that the enemy puts into our minds to deceive us into sinning. Ephesians 6:16 talks about the fiery darts of the enemy. These darts can be seen through out the painting completely extinguished and shattered. The arsenal inventory is listed on a piece of paper documenting the enemy’s weapons against the children of God. Each different injury that Jesus received in His mortal body served to disarm a corresponding weapon of the enemy. So the more the enemy threw at Jesus through the people that blindly followed his suggestions, the more sure his own authority to use his weapons was diminished.

Jesus’ blood was the price that had to be paid. Jesus came in human flesh through a virgin woman chosen by God. He was not born of the sin cursed blood of man. He lived as an example for us, being tempted like we are. He passed the test that Adam had failed. Jesus never sinned. He fulfilled the law and obeyed God the Father’s commands faithfully. He humbly submitted to a life the Father told Him to live, even to a death that He did not deserve. This made His blood the only blood that would completely erase our sins.

This sacrifice and success of Jesus took the authority that Adam had handed over to the enemy by his disobedience and restored that authority to those who would believe in Jesus, making Jesus their Lord (Master). When we acknowledge Jesus’ victory over the enemy we can speak God’s truth when the enemy’s lies try to enter our minds. This reminds us we are free and reminds the enemy that he has no authority over us.

Inspired by Psalms 67, Psalms 95:1-2

Seeking His Face - A worship team comprised of an acoustic guitarist, electric guitarist, male singer, female singer, drummer, and female keyboard artist are worshipping God while trying to bring their audience into the presence of God – to see His face and know Him more. The audience can be seen in the foreground lifting their hands in praise. When the yellow color is isolated it forms a face that emerges from the worship team (the right eye is the electric guitar; left eye is one of the drums; the right eye brow is the electric guitarist’s shoulders; left eye brow is the cymbals of the drums; the nose is part of a monitor, part of the male singer, and the head of the keyboard player; the mouth is part of the keyboard; and the outline of the cheeks can be seen in the acoustic guitarist and the female singer).

Each Must Account For Every Idle Word

This painting was one that the artist had wanted to do for some time. It was completed on January 25, 2004. Matthew 12:36 was the scripture that inspired the piece. Whenever one of God’s children feel intimidated or debased by someone giving them a hard time about their faith or life of holiness, they can remember that each person will have to give an account on judgment day for every idle word and action that they have said or done. In times of peer pressure or persecution this reality is a strong comfort. Yet this fact also serves as a reminder to each person that they must not be careless with their words and deeds.

The painting shows each person being elevated out of the crowd. They are not surrounded by their peers, relatives, friends or any other support as they are answering the questioning of the Great Judge. A huge screen displays the words and scene in question, played back for all to see. Books filled with records will be opened to validate the scene. Revelations 20:11-13 “The I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from Whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead, who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works”.

The power and majesty of God can be seen in the lighting and rolling clouds around the throne. The white robe almost shines with power and purity. God’s face is as a shining light from Whom all the earth and heaven try to flee away.

The Advocate: Inspired by Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 7:25-26; Mark 16:19; Revelations 22:1

Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father, as He intercedes for us. Jesus is our Advocate. In this painting, a child of God comes to the Throne of Grace with his guardian angel behind him. Jesus tells the Father, “This is the one I have been telling you about.” The crystal sea in front of the throne casts reflections from the Trinity. A dove can be seen in the robe across Jesus shoulders. Angels behind the throne sing, “Holy, Holy, Holy…”

This is one of the artist’s first and favorite paintings. Having spent many hours at Jesus’ feet, this subject held a special place in the artist’s heart. Jesus came and obediently did all the Father asked Him to do. He rose from the dead to sit on the throne, not to relax but to continue to intercede for others. He is still loving His people, even from His mighty and glorious position.

Guardian Angel/Safe in His Hand

Inspired by John 10:28, Psalms 63:8

Guardian Angel/Safe in His Hand - A troubled teen sits high on a rock ledge with his head buried in his arms as he hugs his knees. He is unaware of the angel who stands guarding him, as he is vulnerable in this state of stress. The angel is cool and calm yet alert as he deflects a demonic dart headed for the teen. The glow of the angel reveals a huge hand emerging from the rock face on which the teen sits. Unaware that God is still in control the teen sits cradled in God’s palm.

Any Minute Now was the result of one of the most powerful visions the artist had ever received as of February 2001. It was 3:00 AM and the artist was asleep in a Hotel room. The church that the artist was involved in was going on a ski trip.

The vision went as follows: “It was as if I were Jesus, sitting on my white horse awaiting the signal to go and smite the nations. I just turned and looked behind me. There were thousands dressed in white with small bits of brown (maybe hair on their heads) and small squares of red (as if a red plate of some sort was on each one’s chest). They were a great army mounted on white horses – all decked out and ready for battle. All were in formation, in order and quietly prepared. They were all facing me waiting for the same signal. I then turned back around, as my horse was anxious, shifting its hooves, shaking its head back and forth rattling its bit & bridle. I leaned forward gently patting my horse on the neck and reassured him – ‘Relax, Any minute now’. The clouds before me began to part. The angel in front of me facing me began to raise the shofar to his lips.”

This powerful vision left the artist trembling with goose bumps. The more the artist thought about it, the more powerful it became and the artist began to cry. The artist realized it would not be long until the vision would become a reality. Messiah Yeshua was preparing to come with His eyes of fire, sword in His mouth and crowns on His head. His prayer shawl would be draped over His shoulders, having been dipped in blood and announcing “King of Kings and Lord of Lords”! This exciting truth can be confirmed in the book of Revelations 19:11-16.

The life of abundance and comfort is evident in this painting. The artist's love for plants again worked its way into her art. Exotic scenery denotes a warm, sunny morning. The stone patio, white wrought iron furniture, and potted plants give the feeling of quality tasteful furnishings. The life of a child of God who has followed God’s Spirit and sought first God’s kingdom is many times rewarded by prosperity.

The cup on the table and the open Bible indicate that someone, maybe the owner of the house, has been out early for some quality quiet time with God. The right side of the painting is framed by the trunk of a palm tree. This trunk forms the outline for the left side of an angel that waits for the child of God to speak out the word of God in faith. The angel will then have his orders to carry out. Psalms 103:20 “Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word”.

This voice that the angels obey may just be the voice that comes from a child of God who is being led by God’s Spirit. That voice backed by faith speaking God’s words acts as orders for the angel. The angel’s outline portrays a strong warrior; spear in hand, standing at attention. God’s people speaking His word as directed by His Spirit sets a blue print in motion that the world around them must follow. John 1:1 says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” The Word is the final authority that all life must obey as sent forth from God through His people which is His contact on earth.

Completed January 6, 2004.

Completed on February 1, 2005.

A face can be seen in the hair of the man, around his ear. The forehead frown lines and shut eyes come out from the top of the ear. The ear lobe forms the nose, and the lower lip of the mouth can be seen just down from the ear lobe. This “hidden” face is highlighted in white tones and represents the Holy Spirit that was sent to live inside the man.

It is a beautiful thing when someone asks Jesus into their heart to be their Lord. The Spirit of God Himself is sent to be the redeemed’s teacher, comforter, helper and guide. He lives in them, never leaving them. He is the one God speaks through. This means that the redeemed never has to be alone, nor try to do anything completely on his or her own.

When someone makes that choice to be delivered from the kingdom of darkness, ruled by satan, to the kingdom of light whose King is Jesus, then the Holy Spirit is sent at that time to be with that delivered one while they are on earth. The delivered one is to then live by the direction of the Holy Spirit along with God’s word. Holy Spirit helps people to understand God’s word as they read it or hear it. However, there are those who have chosen to belong to Jesus, yet still want to live the way they chose. They do not completely surrender to all Jesus asks of them. They may go see movies, or other forms of entertainment thinking that it will not harm them. They feel that they can just ignore (or tolerate) the bad words or evil acts or wicked ways put in front of their eyes and ears, and be fine. They do not realize that they are spirit beings now living in a physical body and while these things do not seem to affect their physical or mental being, it does harm their spirit. It also is not desirable by Holy Spirit who lives in them and must go everywhere they go, see everything they see, and hear everything they hear. It is not that the Holy Spirit is a wimp who cannot handle it, or is fragile and not used to the junk. He just detests it. The redeemed person entered a relationship with God Whom they are to love. When you truly love someone you do not expect them to endure things that they detest. The redeemed sometimes forget that they are not their own. They were bought with the price of the precious blood of Jesus.

There is just enough wickedness and perversion mixed in with entertainment that is fun, good and full of talent and good special effects that people feel they can justify tolerating the bad to experience the good.

Holy Spirit is sent direct from God the Father Himself. We know that God is a holy God Who does not tolerate sin and wickedness. He delights in kindness, righteousness and justice. He says, “a man of violence, My soul hates “. “The wicked and perverted mouth I hate, along with pride and arrogance and every evil way”. There is no darkness in Him at all (I John 1:5). “He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, He who rejects unjust gain and shakes his hands so that they hold no bribe; He who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed, and shuts his eyes from looking upon evil; He will dwell on the heights; His refuge will be the impregnable rock. His bread will be given him; His water will be sure. Isaiah 33:16-17 “If you address as Father the One Who impartially judges according to each man’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay upon earth; knowing that you were not bought with perishable things like silver or gold… but with precious blood as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Jesus.” I Peter 1:17-19 “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not proceed in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not pass by it; turn away from it and pass on”, Proverbs 4:14-15 . “Abhor what is evil; and cling to what is good” Romans 12:9. “Abstain from every form of evil”. I Thessalonians 5:22 I John 2:15 “Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” Psalms 5:4 “For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; no evil dwells with You.”

Proverbs 3:7 “Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil”.

Inspired by: Matthew 10:8; Mark 16:17-18; John 14:12; Luke 10:16

Completed October 2002

A turning point in the artist’s life was the return to a ministry in the hospital. As a chaplain’s assistant the artist felt God’s call to allow Him to use the artist to heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons and simply bring encouragement to the hurting, making His name known. The artist stepped out in faith, charged with excitement knowing that it was God Who would be doing the work, supplying the strength and healing power needed. God had taught the artist that one must empty oneself completely so that anything that took place would be a result of His power and wisdom and compassion, not theirs.

Stepping into the hospital the artist would leave opinions, biases, self indulgences behind and submit to God’s leading and filling. Through a series of “hospital dreams” the artist had, God showed that He had removed the fear that the artist had possessed for so long. It was a fear of intimidation, a fear of inadequacy and ignorance. It was now gone. When the artist walked in the room, God walked in the room. Those who rejected the artist rejected God. The artist learned that His presence was inside; the artist’s life was hidden with Jesus in God. He was the artist’s adequacy, strength; the One Who supplied wisdom and the words in the artist’s mouth. It was His compassion drawing the artist to each room, shining through the artist’s eyes. When patients would complement the artist for being so kind, the artist would have to say, “It is the Lord Who wanted to touch you today. It is He Who loves you and wants to get closer to you.” Proverbs 3:6 became clearer to the artist as the artist acknowledged Him in all ways. It was as if the artist wasn’t even there but could see and hear all that went on between God and the precious life He wanted to touch.

In an effort to try to get the people the artist prayed for to get their eyes off of the artist onto Jesus the artist painted this painting to give them a clear picture of what was really happening when a chaplain prayed. The artist hoped it would help them to understand that Jesus was there doing the work instead of a chaplain. Without Jesus, a chaplain can do nothing to heal.