Christianity

Posted on October 1, 2018January 4, 2021 by Resurgent Art LLC — Leave a comment

Chi-Rho Newsletter Something Greater…Than Walking on Water

“Emmanuel In My Boat” © by Donna Gonzalez

This prophetic painting is based upon a sermon from Mark 4:35-41 where the disciples are in a boat late at night on the sea of Galilee when a sudden storm arose. Jesus comes to them walking upon the water, they think they have seen a ghost but He comforts them, enters the boat rebuking the waves and sea.

I found it interesting that my Pastor said the miracle wasn’t so much that Jesus was walking on the water – though a miracle nonetheless; but that He the Son of God in all His glory was willing to come down from Heaven, into a broken world into our broken lives by entering our boat. I went before the Lord in prayer and meditation of the scriptures and this painting is the result.

Iconography:

The type of boat is a skiff and it represents a person’s life. Skiffs are generally used in fishing or for leisure sailing and others are used in racing competitions.

The young woman is representative of any believer who puts their faith in Jesus Christ.

The waters represent several things; the world and all its anti-Christ philosophy, all the temptations, evils, the pain and sorrows caused by sin and the multitudes of unsaved people.

How does the application of this iconography in the painting relate to the 21^st century disciples in Christ? A lot actually.

First, notice the boat is a simple craft, it doesn’t appear too sea-worthy, and isn’t unless Christ is in control of that boat. I purposely didn’t choose a personal yacht because it’s not the everyday life most Christians can relate to. Since skiffs are generally used as a fishing boat it relates perfectly to Jesus’s command to go forth and make disciples, by becoming fishers of men.

¹⁹Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” – Matthew 4:19

When one becomes born again Jesus willingly enters our boat (our life) regardless how much it has been broken because to Jesus all human life is precious to Him. That the holy King of Glory, the Son of God who created all things and holds all things together by His will, would choose to come and make His abode within a repentant sinner’s life offering the forgiveness of sin, eternal salvation and transforming them into a new creature for God’s glory with a new purpose in life – is so much more of a miracle than Jesus simply walking on water!

¹⁷ “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – II Corinthians 5:17

As the Christian surrenders every part of their life to God He takes control of the sail’s rope leading the believer onward to maturity in Christ Jesus. The believer’s faith, which is more precious to God than gold is refined through all kinds of storms and trials.

⁶In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. ⁸Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” – I Peter 1:6-9

Jesus promises never to leave us and truly He is Emmanuel – God with us, if He sustains everything and holds the world together surely, He can hold our lives together!

¹⁶“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. ¹⁷He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” – Colossians 1:16-17

Christ’s back is to the wind, His hair blowing representing Him protecting the believer from much of the wind and waves, often without the believer’s knowledge. Jesus lovingly and firmly holds His precious child close to His heart. Likewise, the believer holds tightly unto Christ, steadfastly refusing to give into fear or doubt, not allow anything, no compromise of heart or of mind to come between them. The believer rests her head securely upon His breast, her face serene in full child-like trust knowing He is mighty to save, He is faithful in all His promises and His way is best.

The goal is Heaven the journey is the faith walk of every believer in Christ. The Apostle Paul compares it to a race, competing for a prize, for believers in Christ are promised an imperishable crown through endurance.

²⁴”Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.²⁶” -1 Corinthians 9:24-26

May this painting encourage and strengthen believers everywhere not to give into fear or doubt Christ’s promises, no matter what stormy seas may lie ahead. To experience the incomprehensible love, the un-surpassing joy and peace of the Lord that can be ours through obedience and trust in Jesus.

In Jesus,

Donna

Posted on June 7, 2018May 29, 2023 by Resurgent Art LLC — Leave a comment

Chi-Rho Newsletter – Living Stones Mosaic

“Living Stones Mirage Stained Glass” © Donna Gonzalez

Would it surprise you at all if I told you that what you are looking at is not a painting of a large stained glass window but instead you are looking at one painted mosaic duplicated multiple times? Fifty-four times to be exact. Each mosaic piece is not haphazardly placed but purposefully, resulting in a consistent pattern which is a unified whole.

If one of the mosaic pieces could speak about itself it would tell you it thinks it is of no consequence whether or not it were in the painting…because what is it among so many other identical mosaic pieces? Quite insignificant hardly serving any purpose at all.

On the contrary if that mosaic piece wasn’t there, it would have a great impact on the entire composition. My painting would be incomplete without it. Because the entire pattern relies on each mosaic piece fitting alongside the next mosaic piece in order to achieve any kind of symmetry, unity or harmony. Not one mosaic piece can be placed at random. Hmmm…

Christians, though not identical to each other are born of the same Spirit. We are one in Christ and in that sense each of us are like a mosaic piece or as the bible says a living stone being built up into a building for God’s purpose I Peter 2:4-5 . In Christ none of us are inconsequential in the Kingdom of God. All of us are His workmanship created to do a specific work Ephesians 2:10. A Christian cannot say because they don’t have exactly the same work or gifting of the Holy Spirit as another that they are less qualified, insignificant or serve no purpose in His Body. I Corinthians 12:15-19

Have you noticed not all of the mosaic pieces create an optical illusion of rings in the painting? Would those mosaics be considered less important than the others? Just the opposite! Those pieces are crucial as they unify the entire artwork and serve to frame and support those mosaic pieces which do create the optical illusion. The illusion wouldn’t appear otherwise!

The optical illusion of rings is highlighted in black below and run throughout this mosaic.

We do not come into this world unplanned by God nor are we place in His Body haphazardly. Just the opposite, the Lord Jesus knows us and puts us exactly where He determines us to be in His Body in a specific time in history and for a specific work to accomplish. When believers come together making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace something remarkable occurs Ephesians 4:3. Like the stained glass window made up of many pieces working together to create something beautiful, so do we and it’s pleasing in our eyes…and in His eyes.

Be blessed!

Donna

Posted on May 20, 2018May 12, 2021 by Resurgent Art LLC — Leave a comment

Chi-Rho Newsletter – Wait for The Lord

“Water Lilies Stained Glass” © by Donna Gonzalez

Note: This is a longer iconography but well worth the reading!

wait /wāt/verb

Stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens. Synonyms: hold on, hold back, bide one’s time, hang fire, mark time, stand by, sit tight, hold one’s horses.
Used to indicated that one is eagerly impatient to do something or for something to happen.

noun

A period of waiting.Synonyms: delay, holdup, interval, interlude, intermission, pause, break, stay, cessation, suspension, stoppage, halt, interruption, lull, respite, recess, moratorium, hiatus, gap, rest

pa·tience /’pāSHəns/noun

The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset .Synonyms: forbearance, tolerance, restraint, self-restraint, stoicism, calmness, composure, equanimity, imperturbability, phlegm, understanding, indulgence, perseverance, persistence, endurance, tenacity, assiduity, application, staying power, doggedness, determination, resolve, resolution, resoluteness.

I happen to love words and learning new ones too. In truth while writing this post I had always thought the word “wait” meant the same thing as patience and was a synonym for it as well…hmmm….was I wrong!

Perhaps you knew the difference. Take a look at the definitions above; two very different words and not having even the same synonyms! This past month while doing my errands I’ve noticed how very impatient some people are on the roads, perhaps you met them too on your travels.

Waiting is something most people are genetically opposed do even less show any patience. Because waiting and patience are two very different things. Staying where one is or to delay action until a particular time or until something else happens is one thing. One can pass their time by becoming busy changing the radio station in the car.

But who wants to learn a virtue at the cost of experiencing trouble and suffering – as in paying attention, using the breaks to slow down to the actual speed limit behind me before I quickly completed my right turn before said driver plowed into me? No, that is extremely difficult for some people to do.

Instead it’s far easier for driver to keep foot glued on accelerator gunning the engine past me on the left while mouthing something and shaking their fist in the mirror.

Hmm…. no wonder people warn others about praying for patience – but they should do it anyway. Patience really is a much higher noble virtue to attain! Which brings me to the artwork I created. “Water Lilies Stained Glass – Green” is an acrylic painting composed of 16 mosaics placed into a pattern. It comes in purple and pink too.

I happened to be conversing with a friend sharing favorite bible scriptures after a group bible study. Her favorite is Psalm 27:14. And when I got home I did something different again, usually the scripture comes after the pattern but this time I had to “find” which painting would best suit this scripture.

Iconography: I chose “Water Lilies Stained Glass – Green” as its bright colors resembled a stained glass window. There are pink and violet opened lilies surrounded by great big green leaves, highlighted in peachy orange. (See below)

The big green lily pads are highlighted in yellow and have a closed purple flower in between them. All of which is surrounded by the dark and light blue portions of the mosaic that representing water.

Easy-peasy.Now, did I know before hand that this mosaic painting placed into a pattern would create a flower, a lily pad and water? No.

Now here is where it all gets quite interesting…

I did some research on waterlilies to see if there was anything I could learn about them. I found that water lilies grow quickly and are invasive the lily pads can get really big (some up to 6′ across) covering almost the entire water surface of a lake or pond, preventing any other water plant from reaching the surface. Hmm.. so does this artwork have a good amount of lily pads too!

Now, the white lily flowers bloom in the evening, sending out a rich fragrance throughout the night. The flower must wait for a certain little beetle attracted by the fragrance to come pollinate it. Once it lands on the flower it enters in searching for nectar. The flower then closes up for a full day keeping the beetle safely inside, which it doesn’t mind at all, since it is happily drinking sweet nectar, but the flower has slowly started to change color – to pink.

And in the meantime the flower’s pollen has mixed with the pollen on the beetle. At last the blossom opens up to let loose the now heavily nectar-logged pollen-encrusted beetle as it flies away in search of another white blossom to imbibe and pollinate unknowingly. Hmm… fly, drink, pollinate and repeat…what a life! Lovely story.

But just how is all of this making any sense with Psalm 27:14? Well, a lot actually. There is so much deep biblical application in this for all of us, that I will try my very best to keep it succinct.

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

This verse is part of King David’s prayer to God to deliver him from his enemies who conspire to bring him down. Being a king David could do anything at anytime against those who hated him, but instead he prays to God. David accepts that those who oppose him will most likely still give him trouble before God vindicates him, but instead of getting angry or upset he instructs his heart to be strong and wait for God’s timing to vindicate him. This is what it means to be patient before God.

Now the water lily blossoms at God’s perfect timing in the evening just as the beetle is out flying over the water in search for white water lilies. As the lily waits to bloom at God’s command so it is with us Christians. God’s word tells us to wait upon Him, not to go before Him but to sit tight, hold on, expectantly, He understands the whole matter better than we do.

So we wait with patient endurance, whether or not it includes struggles, trouble or suffering we persevere with calmness, because we know that in God’s timing it will all work out. As David did. We as believers are encouraged not to faint, or loose heart in the endurance of persevering, because when it is complete it leads us to maturity in Christ.

James 1:2-4 says: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance, Perseverance must finish it’s work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

What would happen if the water lily didn’t wait at God’s command to bloom but chose it’s own time to bloom; or chose instead to close up it’s petals before the beetle arrived? It would have missed its one chance at being pollinated.

When we take matters into our own hands and do not wait upon God as He says, we miss out on blessings. This is what happened to Saul when he lacked patience, didn’t restrain himself nor have the capacity to accept delay in waiting for the prophet Samuel to show up. Saul became perturbed, disregarded the word of the Lord from Samuel to wait to do the sacrifice until he came and it ended up costing Saul not only his blessing from the Lord but his very kingdom! I Samuel 13:8-14

The flower does not lack anything when the wait is finally over. You see, pollination isn’t the end of it all. For after the pink blossom has been pollinated it will shrivel up and sink back under the depths of the water and die – but here is the wonder of it all…it will bear fruit – a seed!

And this seed will now grow up in maturity to become a beautiful new water lily for the glory of God!

⁸This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. -John 15:8

Hmmm….Maturity in Christ by waiting on God showing self-control in patience – leads to blessings and fruit which glorifies God! Now, isn’t that were we all want to be?

Be blessed my friend!-Donna

Posted on April 11, 2018April 3, 2021 by Resurgent Art LLC — Leave a comment

Chi-Rho Newsletter – His Brokenness Our Healing

“My Body Broken for You” acrylic on canvas 16″x20″ © by Donna Gonzalez

I had been waiting on the Lord to give me inspiration in painting another prophetic artwork. Usually it comes after prayer, during praise and worship or like Sunday as a thought.

This past Sunday at church while discussing with another Christian about the uniqueness of similar events occurring like bookends in Jesus’ birth and death/resurrection a vivid image occurred in my mind; and I knew it as an answer to prayer.

“My Body Broken for You” is that idea.

Praise God! I’m so excited to share with you this painting!

A bit of background. During a Passover meal there is a plate of matzah on the table. It looks like this:

Curtesy PublicDomainPictures – Pesach Matza

Three matzah breads are wrapped together and placed on the table. There are various explanations for these three, some rabbis call these three a unity of the patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Among Christians and Messianic Jews the three represent the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, where the middle matzah represents Jesus.

In the matzah we can see a picture of Messiah, notice that it is striped…
“But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

And that it is pierced…

¹⁰“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.” Zechariah 12:10

That vivid image was this…what jarring emotion and feeling Jesus must have had when taking that middle matzah, seeing the holes and stripes, knowing the true meaning of it and having it broken in His hands?

The Jews of the Old Testament for a thousand years earlier and His disciples knew the matzah pertained only to the story of the children of Israel who fled Egypt so quickly they had no time to wait for their dough to rise; instead they quickly made unleavened bread and allowed the hot desert sun to bake it flat. Scripture teaches that leaven symbolizes sin.

⁶“Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? ⁷Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” I Corinthians 5:6-7

That night Jesus explained to His disciples the unleavened matzah in the New Covenant now represents His sinless body. In a few short hours His body would be marked with scourging and pierced as the bread He held in His hands. Did they fully comprehend that?

What if Jesus after having given thanks to His Father … intending only to gently break the bread neatly into two identical halves, instead to His shock it shatters violently into many pieces!

What if with tears in His eyes picking up pieces of broken bread hands it to His disciples saying: “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

Would He have been cut to the core by the striking confirmation from His Father of the savage brutality that would happen to His body to redeem mankind? Of course they both planned it in eternity past…but oh how jarring when that hour becomes reality!

What if the Father purposely allowed the bread to fragment with such ferocity as to demonstrate a powerful visualization to everyone around of what Jesus had just said? Did the disciples get that?

The bible never tells us if Jesus’ broke the bread neatly in two perfect halves. Tradition and artists have always portrayed it as so as it’s only aesthetically pleasing to the viewer…. and to do so otherwise is …well not kosher! [forgive the pun!]

I’m reminded of how before He ever felt the cold rusted iron spikes pounded into His hands and feet, before ever a cat’o nine tails sliced and tore His back into ribbons, His heart had been crushed by the sins of His people.

“Then those of you who escape will remember Me among the nations where they are carried captive, because I was crushed by their adulterous heart which has departed from Me, and by their eyes which play the harlot after their idols; they will loathe themselves for the evils which they committed in all their abominations.” Ezekiel 6:9

Then His heart, now His body.

I captured a moment in time, a visual aid for 21st century disciples of Christ, depicting the deafening crack representing the intensity of Jesus being crushed for our wickedness. The wine that was poured into His cup has spilled upon the tablecloth, the wrinkle in the tablecloth reminds us of His greatest accomplishment.

Jesus was willing to be broken for us, so that we may be completely whole, healed…..what a wonderful Savior!

May this post encourage you in your walk with Jesus Christ!

-Donna

Posted on February 11, 2018May 12, 2021 by Resurgent Art LLC — Leave a comment

Chi-Rho Newsletter – Love Mosaic

“Love Mosaic” © by Donna Gonzalez

February is here, for us Michiganders it usually means another 6 to 8 weeks more of wintery snow..ugh! But it’s also a time for cherishing your loved one(s) with love, affection, long stem roses, chocolates and candy in celebration of Valentine’s Day!

Some historians claim this holiday was the Church’s “Christianization” of the pagan Roman fertility and health festival Lupercalia, observed February 13-15th. It had its roots at least as far back as 44 BC. However; did you know there really was a man by the name of Valentine?

Though there are several versions of his life, and it’s not historically clear which hagiography is most accurate, the story goes that Valentine (Latin Valentius) was a Christian priest and former bishop of several towns in Umbria Italy during the 3rd century of Rome under emperor Claudius II. Claudius had banned his soldiers from marrying as he thought single men made better soldiers due to not being hindered on the battlefield because of strong affections.

Despite the Emperor’s edit, Valentine continued to perform marriages of young soldiers who were in love in secret. The Emperor found out about this and had him arrested and imprisoned. Some accounts accredit Valentine in the healing of the jailer’s blind daughter others that he fell in love with her and wrote a card to her signing it, “Love, your Valentine.”

Other versions accredit Valentine in proselytizing many to the Christian faith, defied the Emperor by helping Christians escape the torture and persecution by the Romans, and unsuccessfully convince the Emperor to embrace Christianity. Claudius II refused commanding Valentine to either renounce his faith in Christ or to be beaten with clubs and beheaded. Valentine stayed true to his faith in Christ and was martyred on February 14, 269 AD.

Which brings me to why I’m so excited to share with you about this beautiful artwork above entitled “Love Mosaic”. What you are looking at is an abstract mosaic artwork representing God’s love. It is made up of 16 individual mosaics put into this unique pattern and based upon I Corinthians 13:4-8:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.⁸Love never fails…”

Iconography and hidden symbols:

A large cross in the center of the mosaic.

Pairs of hearts each with its own reflected heart.

There are large “X”s and “O”s …

and four smaller pairs of “Xs” and “Os”…

There are 2 pairs of smaller crosses originating from the horizontal crossbeam of the central cross and hearts, there’s many hearts in this mosaic!

Four small butterflies at the edges of the mosaic.

So…how does all of these hidden images within this mosaic relate to Valentine’s Day and I Corinthians 13:4-5? Much actually! There is so much richness in this mosaic!

We know that love originates from God our Father, the cross is where He demonstrated His great love.

“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” I John 4:8

“We love because he first loved us.” I John 4:19

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

The heart of course is the universal symbol of love, in this mosaic there are two pairs of large hearts connected to the horizontal crossbeam of the main cross. Each mirrored pair extending downward symbolizes God’s immense love towards us, and the upward pairs represents our hearts raised towards Heaven in gratitude for all He’s done for us.

The large “X’s” and “O’s” represent God’s lovingkindness and compassion. The smaller ones represent our love towards each other.

²²“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
²³They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

Jesus speaking… ²⁷“He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27

The two smaller crosses represents the believer’s position in Christ. The hearts within the crosses symbolizes obedience to Jesus’ new command.

²⁰“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

³⁴“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34

Just as a butterfly is an entirely new creature beyond the lowly caterpillar, likewise when a person puts their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation for the forgiveness of sins, they are translated from death to life, from darkness into His glorious light. Those who’ve been transformed by God’s love are like the butterfly flying outwards beyond the painting, compelling others to be reconciled back to God.

Jesus is speaking…. ²⁴“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24

¹⁷“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” II Corinthians 5:17

²⁰“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” II Corinthians 5:20

Jesus paid an enormous price to secure our salvation. Like saint Valentine we too ought to love Christ beyond measure, beyond what anything this world has to offer, despite any suffering, hardships, or persecution and to remain faithful to Christ even unto death.

¹¹“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” Revelation 12:11

We are commanded to love others the way He does, meaning with patience, kindness, without envy, without being boastful or prideful. We show our love by putting others needs first, and without getting easily angered. And like Jesus’ great loving-kindness in forgiving us and not counting our wrongs against us, likewise; we too are to show forgiveness to one another without keeping a record of how they have wronged us.

As we celebrate Valentine’s Day may our hearts and minds be renewed in Christ, to love others as He loves us. May this post encourage and bless you in your walk with Christ!

-Donna

Below is a Slideshow of the hidden symbols in this mosaic artwork.

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Posted on June 29, 2017May 12, 2021 by Resurgent Art LLC — Leave a comment

Chi-Rho Newsletter – Tree of Life

“Tree of Life” © by Donna Gonzalez

I have to admit I do like patterns, they do seem to serve a purpose if only it is for its beauty. Take for instance this painting above, it is of four mosaics placed into a pattern. I tried a much different approach in painting this mosaic, as I wanted to see the movement of paint on the canvas. Instead of painting it with a brush as I had in the past I applied a wet-on-wet paint technique which allowed the different colors to move and blend. I love the result!

The branching arms of colors of this abstract composition appear to be of a great tree and its reflection in a lake of still water. And yet this pattern is not unlike the feathery delicate dendritic pattern often seen in hoarfrost or the icy pattern seen on a frozen windshield. Is there something more to these dendritic patterns? I think there is!

Now, I’m no scientist by far, but seeing these patterns emerge from the painting gives me even greater inspiration to try this technique again. That’s what I think is so unique about these mosaics as the patterns come forth on their own without my intervention. Since these mosaics always create a pleasing pattern there must be some kind law or rule it is governed by. But what?

We see patterns everywhere in fabric designs, in nature, architecture and believe it or not they are even in the laws of math. Artists have used the Golden Ratio and the Fibonacci sequence to create realism in their works.

I teach an art course as well, and one of the videos I have my students watch is on fractals by Dr. Jason Lisle of the Institute of Creation Research. Today my mind went back to this “Tree of Life” painting. I don’t fully understand how it happens. But I’m still musing about this pattern in light of what Dr. Jason Lisle’s says in his video and how God’s fingerprints are seen in my artworks just like His fingerprints are also seen in what He creates in nature.

It’s lengthy but a fascinating video entitled: “The Physical World Obeys God’s Math Fractals” by Calvary Chapel Quakertown. Dr. Jason Lisle explains in depth the discovery of the Mandelbrot set where a set of complex numbers exhibit a very elaborate never-ending complex set of patterns seen through increasing magnification.

If you watch the entirety of the video you’ll have a deeper understanding how fractals in math and in nature though considered random at first in the end create an unparalleled beauty that can only be described as originating from an intelligent Designer – God Himself.

Now that is really cool!

-Donna

Posted on May 23, 2017December 29, 2021 by Resurgent Art LLC — Leave a comment

Chi-Rho Newsletter – Pennants, Flowers & Butterflies … Where?

“Pennants, Flowers & Butterflies” © by Donna Gonzalez

This acrylic mosaic painting is made up of one floral mosaic which is arranged into a specific pattern. The pattern is duplicated a dozen times with each layer positioned over the previous layer but offset slightly at an angle. The result is this dizzying random pattern.

It’s tedious to make an artwork like this because it takes many hours and requires a lot of patience…and coffee. Yet fun nonetheless. But what makes this artwork so special is what is not seen. One has to wait patiently for the hidden images to emerge. And in this day and age waiting is an acquired virtue. It’s an optical illusion.

God’s fingerprints are once again seen in this artwork and it’s always amazing and humbling to me because paintings like this which at first glance appear to be a random mess of sequential patterns, without anything worth noticing; once deciphered will eventually serve a greater purpose and give glory to God. Now that is cool beans!

To see the hidden images in this artwork you’ll have to sit back and relax, cross your eyes staring at the center of the painting, [the lower image is larger and easier], adjust your focus a bit and you should slowly start to see rows of triangular pennants with flowers blinking all around, with tiny butterflies floating among the flowers as they “pop out”. Now I’d gladly draw a highlight around the hidden images to show you but doing so involves me crossing my eyes while using my mouse – not good! LOL!

Iconography: The rows of flag pennants is interesting, a pennant can be a military flag and aren’t Christians in God’s army? Is not the Father God also Lord God of Hosts? A synonym for a pennant is a banner, and God’s banner over us is love. Song of Solomon 2:4

Flowers: Matthew 6:28-30 There are several references to flowers in the bible, however; these flowers “blink” they quickly appear and disappear. James reminds us so does the wealth of the rich. James 1:10-11

Butterflies: Butterflies were once pudgy earthbound caterpillars, consuming and devouring all day long, yet they “die” and transform into an entirely new creature from the chrysalis, believers are made a new creature in Christ Jesus. II Corinthians 5:17

So how to put this all into perspective? Sometimes life becomes overwhelming, a seemingly dizzying confusion, like the first glance at this artwork below, with many things vying for our attention, one can loose sight of what is really important, because there is no hierarchy no main element in this painting. In the midst of it all, it can be very hard to see the spiritual promises, God is hidden to us but He’s actually there we just have to refocus a bit. In Christ we are told not worry about anything. If He is truly Lord over our life, He is in control and will supply all that we need; even those things we’ve forgotten to ask or not aware of. Hardship in life can never remove the truth of His word, it may seem hidden but as in the painting below once you’ve seen the iconography you know it’s there. Though tempting, we are commanded not to put our hope or trust in riches or materialism as these things are only temporary. They can never compare to the true riches and promises we have in Christ Jesus. As new creatures in Christ we soar above and beyond the old life, we don’t backslide into doing things the old way because of trials, confusion or persecution. Instead believers are to trust fully our Father is Lord of hosts, who loves us, fights for us and protect us. May God help us to dig deeper, see past the confusion, mess and deceitfulness of the world and refocus on the spiritual promises in Christ Jesus.

Be blessed!

-Donna

Posted on April 23, 2017May 12, 2021 by Resurgent Art LLC — Leave a comment

Chi-Rho Newsletter – Jesus Christ Chief Cornerstone

“Jesus Christ Chief Cornerstone” © by Donna Gonzalez

Yes, this month’s newsletter comes at the last day in April and what better way to wrap up this busy month than to begin again remembering Jesus as our Chief Cornerstone our sure foundation!

The painting above is of 16 mosaics put together to create a unique pattern, I did add a filter overlay which rendered the brushstrokes to look like neon light. The finished composition reminded me of I Peter 2:6.

As Christians celebrated Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday this month we were united with other believers around the world in memory of the glorious morning our Lord Jesus Christ triumphed over sin, death and the grave! Praise God! The disciples’ faith in Jesus was tried like never before when they witnessed the crucifixion and death of their beloved friend. And three days later it would be renewed stronger – rock solid – having seen first hand the Son of the Living God risen. What a glorious moment!

This painting is special to me because it reminds me that I not only can I depend on Jesus as He is faithful in all things but I can also have my art ministry founded on Him as well. A cornerstone is “an important quality or feature on which a particular thing depends or is based upon.” Exactly what Resurgent Art’s mission is dependent upon God and the importance of who Christ is while pointing others to Him, showing beauty all for His glory. 😀

There is an optical illusion of X’s that are visible at a distance. It happens often in my paintings, I don’t know why this happens; but my daughter pointed out to me there’s either O’s or X’s in many of my works. Hmmm….maybe it’s a reminder how much Jesus loves all of us dearly? Just a thought! May your week be blessed my friend!

-Donna

Posted on April 7, 2017May 12, 2021 by Resurgent Art LLC — Leave a comment

Chi-Rho Newsletter – New Creation

It always amazes me when I paint a mosaic painting how often there are hidden symbols! It’s just another of His fingerprints! Praise God! Now, not every single mosaic I paint does this; but a lot do. This acrylic painting is one of them. It is composed of 16 identical mosaics which are placed together creating a unique pattern. I have no idea after painting the original mosaic what the end pattern will result in, nor can I see any hidden images, it’s only when they are all put together that the hidden images emerge.

Iconography: There are three rows of crosses starting at the very top going from left to right. The second cross in the first row is highlighted in blue below. There are two more rows; and each row overlaps a bit the previous one. In between each crossbeam is a darker area that depending on your viewpoint becomes the spread wings of a butterfly flying vertically or horizontally. They are highlighted in yellow below.

If you don’t see the crosses in this artwork come closer, you’re too far away. They will appear to “fade” and will disappear altogether the further you stand back. It’s an optical illusion.

The scripture that comes to mind regarding this painting is II Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” In this chapter St. Paul is encouraging the believers in the Corinth church. Before we are born-again we are like the earth bound caterpillar busy about in sin and consumed with worldly things, and being consumed by them as well. Yet the moment we believe on Jesus for salvation the Holy Spirit works a miracle in us, like the caterpillar that must “die” to emerge from its chrysalis into a new creature. Likewise we “die” and are made a new creation in Christ Jesus represented by the butterfly. Romans 6:11 says: “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

Likewise all those whom God foreknew; which by the way, is everyone ever conceived or will be conceived on this earth, He predestined to be conformed into His Son. Romans 8:28-30 says:

^“28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”

As Christians we must stay on our guard being ever vigilant to abide in Christ, like the butterfly in flight is always connected to the cross. When the focus of our life is no longer on Jesus and what He did for us on the cross, but instead becomes so focused on trials, worldly desires or someone or something else takes precedence over Jesus, we compromise our affection that further distances us from Him. One can easily lose sight of why they are here, forgetting who they are in Christ and what He has accomplished for them in His death and resurrection.

In doubt, one can become so discouraged thinking that Jesus has completely left them, analogous to looking at this artwork from afar and not seeing the cross anymore, in fact, stand far enough away and even the butterflies themselves will fade into the artwork while other areas of the pattern that were once not so noticeable now become prominent – over the cross! Feelings are very powerful and if not checked can make even the mature Christian begin to doubt His loving God and forget who they are in Christ Jesus. However; we like the Corinthian believers are told by St. Paul: ⁷For we live by faith, not by sight.” II Corinthians 5:7

Yet, by returning the focus back onto the cross and drawing near to God, He draws near to us cleansing us from all sin. 1 John 1:7. The scarlet color of the artwork represents the shed blood of Christ powerful enough to wipe away all guilt and shame. Praise God for His great loving kindness towards us!

As we reflect on why our Lord Jesus came to die for us during this Lenten season, let us so be encouraged that no matter how your life may have been up to now, no matter the mistakes, the guilt, the shame the sin, whoever you are, whatever you’ve done, because of His work on the cross we have the wonderful opportunity to be made new in Jesus.

May this artwork and this post bless and encourage you that you are greatly loved by God! Be blessed!

-Donna

Note: The following is for those of you reading who don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Savior and want Him to forgive you of your sins and grant you eternal life which God offers. His desire is that you become born-again, become a new creation in Jesus. Read the scriptures below and pray to Jesus asking Him to save you and to forgive you of your sins. Jesus already knows everything about you, He already knows your heart just be honest with Him. There is no works, no good deeds, no sacrifice you can ever do on your part to save yourself. You must come to Jesus the Son of the Living God on His terms believing what He has said in the following scriptures.

²⁸“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

⁶Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.

²³For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

⁸If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:8-9

“ ⁸For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

“Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. ²He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

³Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

⁴“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

⁵Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. ⁶Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. ⁷You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ ⁸The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

⁹“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

¹⁰“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things?¹¹Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. ¹²I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? ¹³No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.¹⁴Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,¹⁵that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

¹⁶For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.¹⁸Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. ¹⁹This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. ²¹But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” John 3:1-21

^“9If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. ¹¹As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” ¹²For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, ¹³for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-13

⁷I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Luke 15:7

If you called out to Jesus for salvation go to a bible believing church in your area and let them know you are a new believer in Jesus so that you may be baptized. Prayer is simply you talking to God. Start reading the Gospel of John in the bible so that you understand more about Jesus and how He wants you to live. If you don’t have a bible click on any of the scripture hyperlinks they will take you the Biblegateway.com website, an online bible database. God speaks to you through prayer and mostly through the bible. Email me to let me know you’ve became a new believer in Jesus so that I may rejoice with you!

Be blessed!

-Donna

Posted on February 24, 2017May 12, 2021 by Resurgent Art LLC

Are you really trusting Him?

As born again Christians we are commanded by God to:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Sounds easy enough right? It’s a favorite verse for many. Until we get into the car and head for work. Sure enough someone cuts us off from our exit, causing us to slam on the breaks nearly missing an oncoming car. Top it all off that crazy driver sneered, laughing at us while flipping the bird on the expressway. And that old nature immediately kicks in; we lean on our own understanding by following the world’s wisdom. Ignoring the checking of the Holy Spirit to slow it down and stop entertaining evil thoughts towards another person, instead we chose to ignore His words. We curse that driver as we begin tailgating him hoping to cut him off at the next opportunity. Later we start arguing with the Spirit of God as He admonishes us that we didn’t obey Him:

¹⁷“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:17-18

Pride won’t budge, and to make matters worse we have a mental tribunal in our minds justifying our actions as we misquote scripture to excuse our behavior of “doing unto others as they did to us”. Besides someone had to teach that driver a lesson! Clearly he was in the wrong!

But indirectly whether we realize it or not we are telling God “I don’t trust You know the best way of dealing with people, You are wrong too.”

Hmmm…

We sinned and in that ungodly behavior we grieved the Holy Spirit, negatively affected our witness to the other drivers around us, who unbeknownst to us, were probably some of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. We are called to be ambassadors for Christ and instead that little stunt put Jesus’ reputation at stake just to prove a point.

Worse it just proved that we are not really trusting in the words of Christ. Don’t excuse it under the rug that it’s a moot point. To the world it is moot, but to God it’s a matter of whether or not we choose to fully accept that Jesus knows exactly what He’s talking about when He tells us how interact with others that insult us. Like turning the other cheek and leaving room for God’s wrath.

^{23 “}Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. ²⁴For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. ²⁵What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?” Luke 9:23-25

Jesus’ His words ring clear but does that mean I’m to carry my cross by denying myself that little pleasure of getting back at someone who flipped me off?

Yep! Trusting in God means to lay aside our old way of thinking for His ways, of laying aside our agenda and our understanding of how to do things for His perfect better way of doing things, whether they make sense to us or not.

“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 14:12”

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

It’s the narrow way. Entering into the narrow gate means one has to crouch low, humble oneself just to squeeze through that narrow gate. The narrow path will lead to eternal life but until then we will endure hardships, trials and even persecution in our lives. We live in a broken world but God uses those trials for our good.

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything to make us mature in Christ. James 1:2-4

Faith is complete conviction and confidence in and who Jesus is. There is no room for doubt. It is knowing that trails come as a testing of our faith to produce perseverance, that it must finish it’s work. We must not hinder His work in us otherwise we will be lacking and not reach maturity in Him.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” II Corinthians 5:7

We must walk as Jesus walked, persistent in faith in His Father. To live fully convinced that His words are Spirit and they are Life. Those that obey will be rewarded by God.

“Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.” Proverbs 16:20

Let us therefore not be like those of long ago who amazed Jesus.

Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” ⁵He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. ⁶He was amazed at their lack of faith. Mark 6:4-6

One would think that trusting Jesus and in His word is given for a Christian yet what is interesting is what Jesus would say at the end of His parable of the persistent widow.

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8

Christians who are steadfast in faith no matter their circumstance or outcome are placing all their trust in the Father who has their back, who will answer in due time. Apparently Jesus felt faith in Him and explicit trust in His words was so important that He needed to call into question whether or not people will have any unwavering faith and trust in God as this widow had portrayed when He returns the second time. Trust in Jesus …it’s really that important.

-Donna

Posted on January 25, 2017May 12, 2021 by Resurgent Art LLC — Leave a comment

Fishers of Men or God’s Fingerprints…

I was having a conversation the other day with a friend of mine about how I create my works of art and that I pray during the whole process that God will use it to communicate His message. He encouraged me to consider sharing this with others how God communicates a biblical truth which is not at first seen in my artwork but later revealed.

The above artwork is entitled “Fishers of Men” and undoubtedly you may be thinking right now “huh?” Well so did I until it was completed and shown to me!

This artwork, like many that I paint, is based upon an original acrylic painting of a mosaic on canvas. Afterwords I duplicate and rotate the individual mosaics and in the process a pattern will appear. Not just one but several different patterns will emerge from this one mosaic painting. I don’t know how many patterns there are let alone what they will look like and sometimes adding an effect may change the entire look of the pattern.

Iconography: Starting at the top row in the middle of the artwork there appears what looks like a blue fishtail entering into the water. (See blue highlight on image below) The fishtail is centered between two pairs of outward slanted dark pink box-shaped houses complete with triangular burgundy roofs, (highlighted in yellow) and a small door upon a small hill. Below that is another row of 5 pink-lavender slanted houses – with the third one being shorter (highlighted in pink). There are 6 alternate rows one with a row of houses with a fishtail and one row with 5 houses.

When finished with this artwork I asked the Lord to show me just what He wanted to convey, because it just looked like a haphazard pattern of geometric shapes and hues of purples, dark blues and greens. In prayer I was reminded of Matthew 4:19, looked it up and thought “huh?”. Then it became clearer to me what I was actually seeing and it all made sense! Now for the record, not once did that scripture ever occur to me nor was I thinking of houses or fishtails when making this composition.

And that is the awesome wonder of it all, God communicating His truth in patterns from this artwork! Letting Him put His fingerprints all over it however He wants. Praise God!

Now some may think I’m just trying to force what I want to think I see because I’m a Christian and I’m already predisposed to thinking that way. True I do ponder on the Lord, but in all honesty, I don’t go into a painting with a premeditated scripture and message already in my head, figuring that all out on canvas is a lot of work! I simply paint, manipulate it and the patterns just emerge.

Nor is it coincidence, luck or superstition because that would mean something else is in control, more powerful than God. And the funny thing is…He won’t even reveal to me what the pattern will be until it’s all finished! 😀 Jesus already knows what all the patterns and symbolisms will be, He knows the end from the beginning and I think He likes doing that. Proverbs 25:2 is appropriate: “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.” Indeed it is a blessing and a joy!

Jesus is speaking:

¹⁹Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” – Matthew 4:19

This artwork is a subtle reminder for all of us believers in Christ as we follow Him walking in different places, nations, cities, neighborhoods (rows of houses on hills) that He has called us to go forth with the Gospel to become fishers of men (fishtail), even within our families (center short houses under fishtail) and to go make disciples for Jesus! Glory to Jesus!

Be blessed!

-Donna