Posted on May 7, 2021March 12, 2023 by Resurgent Art LLC — Leave a comment

An Interview with Christians In the Visual Arts (CIVA)

Artist and Prophet? Tell me more.

April 20, 2021

Below is a recent conversation between CIVA and member Donna Gonzalez about prophetic art.

CIVA: What is prophetic art? How do you understand it?

DG: To some people the phrase “prophetic art” invokes notions of spiritual mysticism or foretelling events, in truth it’s comparable to the Old Testament prophet who spoke forth God’s word to the people. Under the New Covenant, prophesy is a prophetic gift the Holy Spirit grants believers to speak forth what God has already said in His word, being used in accordance to their faith for the edification of the Church. (Romans 12:6). To me, “prophetic art” is a very specific art genre which includes four indisputable essential components: a work created by a Christian led by the Holy Spirit, communicating a biblical truth, blessing others and resulting in God’s glory.

CIVA: Should Christian artists be considered prophetic artists?

DG: Yes.

CIVA: Why do you say that?

DG: It’s part of our identity, who we are as new creatures in Christ, created and called to do good works that were already prepared in advance for us to accomplish (2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 2:10). We are commanded by Christ to fulfill the great commission (Matthew 28:19-20), it’s just artists have the unique opportunity to accomplish this through their talent and creativity. St. Paul urges believers “…whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (I Corinthians 10:31). I’m reminded of a situation that happened to Moses where the Spirit of the Lord came down, rested upon 70 elders who immediately began prophesying, which one would expect – but God also placed His Spirit upon 2 other men, and they prophesied too. A young man ran and told Moses requesting he restrain these two men from prophesying. I find it quite interesting what Moses said. He didn’t get upset or rebuke them rather he said, “Are you jealous for my sake? If only all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!.” (Numbers 11:24-29). Those words echo what St. Paul said in I Corinthians 14:5 “I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues… so that the church may be edified.” So yes, I believe that all Christian artists should be considered prophets declaring God’s word edifying the Church and declaring God’s truth to a lost and dying world!

CIVA: What is your journey? How did you come to consider yourself a prophetic artist?

DG: Years ago, I didn’t understand what prophetic art or a prophetic artist was. My journey simply began one night before retiring asking God what He wanted me to paint, I just wanted to use my art for His glory. Immediately a vision of a colorful mosaic came to mind. The next day I started painting a mosaic, but since it wasn’t much to look at, I decided to duplicate the painting multiple times in a photo editor, placing them into a pattern where hidden symbols and objects became visible. Having asked the Holy Spirit what this meant, He gave me scripture that corresponded perfectly with the hidden objects. It was so unreal! The iconography became God’s message; a mini bible study if you will. There was no way I could do this if it weren’t for God’s interaction. I was awed and humbled that God would grant me the opportunity to be a conduit of His message. That’s how it all began and my mosaic paintings became the “Mosaics with Meaning^TM” prophetic works, “Here Am I Send Me”, “Fishers of Men” and “Seek the Lord” are a few.

I also paint typical prophetic works, done by inspiration after prayer and meditating on scripture, or after listening to praise and worship music, or from a vision or dream. “My Body Broken for You” is based upon a vision I had during a conversation at church.

CIVA: Any last thoughts?

DG: Our work as Christian artists is significant, it’s redemptive, not because of ourselves but because it is a divine gift from the Great Master Artist Himself.

Donna Gonzalez lives in Wayne, MI, teaches art and is the founder of an art ministry, Resurgent Art LLC. She enjoys gardening, reading and is currently writing her first book.

Learn more about Donna at www.resurgentart.com or follow her on Instagram (@dgartist1982) to see her prophetic art and other artworks.

Posted on December 26, 2017May 12, 2021 by Resurgent Art LLC — Leave a comment

Chi-Rho Newsletter – Thy Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet

“Thy Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet Mosaic” © by Donna Gonzalez

I hope all of you had a wonderful time with family and friends this Christmas! Though Christmas Day was yesterday, the reason for this season is life changing for the individual as well as in the course of history. It is also a way of life. And I hope this painting can help show that as it pertains to the significance of this Christmas season.

The original mosaic for this painting was done in acrylic on an 8″x10″ canvas and has an effect added to it which makes each brushstroke and line of paint appear to glow. The finished composition that you see above, however; is made up of 48 identical mosaics which when placed together creates this unique pattern. What is really cool is due to this intricate pattern it creates an optical illusion! I love how this piece came out! The scripture verse is taken from Psalms 119:105 which holds a special meaning this Christmas season.

Iconography: I’ve only highlighted a few here in pink, but throughout the entirety of this artwork are a series of yellow rectangles which depict tempo or movement. Not unlike a series of footsteps walking across a tiled floor.

Between the yellow squares are darker tiles that symbolize horizontal and vertical pathways. I’ve highlighted a couple of them here, and reduced the opacity so they are easier to see. Again these also run the entire length and width of the artwork.

In between each set of four footsteps are implied lines that form an elliptical shape which appears as an optical illusion, three are highlighted in red below. As you eyes scan the artwork they appear and disappear quickly.

So how does all of this fit in neatly with Psalm 119:105 and Christmas? Christmas is the season of joy, hope and gift giving that has it’s origins back to God Himself Who would give the greatest gift of all, His Son, the promise to not only the nation of Israel but to all of mankind. Isaiah 9:6 says:

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

This promised Savior would be fulfilled hundreds of years later as transcribed by the Gospel writer Luke. The following is just part of what is often read during Christmas describing the account of Jesus’ birth:

⁸And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹²This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12

The Gospel writer John writes of Jesus entering the world:

“¹⁴The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

Later Jesus would described Himself as our light:

¹²When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

We look to Jesus the Word incarnate who’s very words are life, as He leads we follow in step with Him.

“105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105

This is symbolized by the yellow footsteps in the painting. Just as a lamp brings light to a path for those in darkness, Jesus is our light. The darker tiles represent just how narrow that path is, so narrow it seems only two footsteps wide. We are called to walk in His footsteps. Meaning we abide close to Him and do not wander away from the truth of God’s Word. Jesus said:

“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. ¹⁴But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

The great glorious King Jesus left the splendors of Heaven, to be born in the most humble of means in a lost and dying world, lived a sinless life, healed the sick, raised the dead doing many good works to show the Father’s heart. He taught us how to love God and to love one another. He willingly took the punishment that was ours dying on a cross, rose to life triumphantly three days later having conquered sin, death and the grave, that we may know the forgiveness of sins, and walk in newness of life. Jesus, the greatest gift for all times, for all people, for all seasons.

Oh…and that optical illusion…have you noticed in your Christian walk, sometimes in life there are many things that will vie for our attention, to get our eyes off of Jesus? To redirect our gaze onto seemingly more important things, or on petty things?

Just as that elliptical optical illusion shape is visible in your peripheral vision trying to distract your eyes off what is really important – the narrow path and the footsteps of our Lord; notice it appears at first as something worthwhile to look at, upon finally gazing on it one realizes it has disappeared – it’s nothing. Likewise those things that distract us off our narrow path are just an illusion, they cannot satisfy, nor offer true peace, nor last for eternity.

May this post encourage and bless you!

-Donna

Posted on October 31, 2017May 12, 2021 by Resurgent Art LLC — Leave a comment

Chi-Rho Newsletter – Seek the Lord

“Seek the Lord” © by Donna Gonzalez

Yikes! It’s just after 10 pm and I just realized today’s the last day of October and I have been so busy that I’ve nearly missed uploading October’s Newsletter on time! Funny thing is…as I write this I’m beginning to realize something and it’s exciting what comes to mind. It all makes perfect sense with this scripture! Confused? Let me explain a bit of background on this artwork…

I painted this mosaic earlier in the year using a new technique in which I simply splattered and poured different colors of paint randomly on the canvas. As the paint moved on its own the colors started to merge and blend on their own creating shapes that morphed in no particular order. As this happened I took photographs of how the paint moved across the canvas. Random yes, without God’s fingerprints, without a higher purpose? Nope!

The painting is comprised of only four mosaics duplicated three times and placed into a pattern until each side matched up perfectly.

Iconography: Highlighted below is a mirrored image of a man who is wearing a red and blue robe resembling a Christ-figure seated at a shiny glass table. He is looking both upward and over his right shoulder. Or over his left shoulder depending on which mirrored image you’re looking at. I noticed this immediately after I put the four mosaics together and thought of Isaiah 55:6. But, the next hidden image I didn’t see until I started writing this post.

At his side stands what appears to be a large angel in a red robe with blue wings holding his hands outstretched. I outlined the angel’s arms in pale blue on both mirrored images below.

At the table in front of the Christ-figure appears shapes that suggest food and drink.

The four mosaics placed together form the pattern of a cross.

The scripture is taken from Isaiah 55:6

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.”

If you look closely you’ll see what appears to be large areas of the canvas showing through most notable on the edges that form the central cross. Those are areas which didn’t get completely covered up with paint as it moved across the canvas.

So…just how does this scripture all fit in with me posting this newsletter an hour or so before midnight before the next month begins? Actually quite a lot.

You see, I had all the best intentions on getting October’s newsletter out much earlier this month, but try as might I have been kept from posting it, simply because…well, I’ve been focused on doing other important things.

And they were all good things that kept me away. In the back of my mind I kept having the nagging reminder to write this newsletter. I didn’t set aside TIME to do it until I realized how late it was. In hindsight that may have been a God thing to make His message all the more clear to me.

Should I happen to finish this post after my deadline of midnight it’s no biggie for me; I simply back post date this writing to be sometime before midnight October 31st. On the contrary after death, no one has the ability of going back into time before their deadline (death) to accept Christ’s gift of salvation.

²⁷And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: – Hebrews 9:27

God is holy and desires to restore our broken relationship with Him. He provided the only means possible, through faith alone in His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus wants us to be born-again, to know Him as God and Savoir before every person’s deadline has come. Unfortunately many people take a cavalier attitude towards the Gospel message, defer obeying it since more “important pressing things” need to be done and experienced first.

As the Christ figure is seated at the table waiting to eat in the painting, in reality Jesus waits for everyone to come and dine with Him, to have a relationship with Him. I was being reminded throughout the month to write this post before the deadline and likewise, the Holy Spirit reminds people who’ve heard the Gospel message yet not followed through to make that decision to follow Jesus before it’s too late. The food symbolizes the bread and the wine, our communion remembering all He did for us. Jesus says:

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” – Revelation 3:20

Jesus is the author of salvation and the only One who can remedy man’s sin problem before a Holy God. He paid a very high price for our redemption, likewise the symbol of the cross is central in the painting. So very important is everyone’s eternal destiny that God urges everyone to come to Him today and not wait for tomorrow. Without salvation in Christ Jesus in this life, there is no hope of eternal life in the next. God says:

“For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” – 2 Corinthians 6:2

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.” -Isaiah 55:6

“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” – Isaiah 1:18

Many people are deep in sin-sick captivity, bondage to all kinds of things; fears, addictions, obsessions etc., they are lost and bound in darkness having no idea that by calling upon God He is willing to save, forgive, heal, restore, deliver and set at liberty those who are captive.

¹¹For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹²Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.” – Jeremiah 29:11-14

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.” – John 3:16-18

“For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” – Romans 10:13

Did you know there is not one paintbrush stroke in this painting? The paintbrush never touched the canvas. Neither did I intentionally paint an angel, a table, cross or the Christ-figure, that was all God’s fingerprints. Likewise neither is salvation wrought by any man or woman’s merit or work. It is all God’s doing.

⁸For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9

“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” – Luke 15:10

One last thing about this painting, it’s the angel. I imagine this angel has been asked by Christ if a person has responded to the Gospel message. What the angel’s response is depends on how each viewer of this mosaic painting responds to the Gospel message. Is the angel about to rejoice or is the angel sadly replying; “No Lord, they said not today.”

May this post encourage others to see the value of each person’s worth and the incredible significance in believing in Jesus Christ for eternal life today and not put it off for another time.

in Him,

Donna

Posted on September 13, 2017May 12, 2021 by Resurgent Art LLC — Leave a comment

Chi-Rho Newsletter – Sheep or Goat Which Are You?

“Sheep or Goat Which Are You? © by Donna Gonzalez

This acrylic painting is comprised of four mosaics. The symbolism of the three images hidden in this painting is sobering and in light of Matthew 25:31-46 gives one pause into serious self reflection.

Two of the images are superimposed on each other. No I didn’t purposely paint it that way, the images come forth only after they are put into a pattern. This particular pattern is only one of several possible patterns using this one particular mosaic painting. The other patterns from this mosaic aren’t so serious as this one!

The first hidden image is of a sheep’s head. The eyes are circled. I’m impressed how the nose and ears really do look like a sheep’s nose and ears!

Hmm…We as believers are the sheep of His flock, with Jesus as our faithful Good Shepherd. Sheep eat by grazing, meaning they prefer munching on grass that is low to the ground. The definition of graze means to feed on or to eat in small quantities of food at frequent but irregular intervals.

Hmm…Isn’t that what a true believer does? We spend time reading, studying the bible, fellowshipping with other Christians, spending quality time in the presence of Christ? We feast on the Word of God in small quantities frequently even if it means irregular intervals, like meditating on scriptures throughout the day, or listening to sermons or teaching on podcasts and radio as time allows. Deep calls unto deep, as we dig deeper in studying the bible, soaking up God presence and meditating on His words He reveals and teaches us more about Himself.

¹⁴“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—¹⁵just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” John 10:14-16

And the second hidden image is a goat’s head and is seen made up from the first image, as if it is on top of the first, but it’s really not a true “superimposed image”; rather, it is two mosaics mirrored side by side and the result is what you see. Just cover up half of the image and you’ll see one half of this mosaic is a mirror image of the other.

Now, I don’t have anything against sheep or goats, I like them both. Nor would I take the analogy to it’s extreme. I’m just noticing the correlation between animal behavior and what scripture calls the ungodly, the unbelieving and false converts – goats. It is not a coincidence that God created each animal with particular attributes, I suppose there are even variances within individuals of the same species. I do think, however; God created sheep and goats with different specific behaviors in order to teach us some important truths.

Goats are not flock minded rather they prefer to do things independently. They don’t graze instead they are browsers, meaning they often choose to select leaves, shrubs, vines, and weeds, often found at the tops of plants which are higher off the ground.

Hmm… In the world there are the ungodly and those who are unbelievers. Some are not true believers at all but false converts. They pretend and may fool other Christians into thinking they are the real deal but they don’t fool God. It is these who don’t want to spend any time feeding on the Word of God, spending time in prayer or in His presence. They can’t because they are not truly born again; they live obeying the flesh and its sinful desires. Without the Holy Spirit residing in them they have no desire to obey God’s word. If at chance they do read the bible or hear a sermon they simply browse through it selecting only those few scriptures of their liking mixing in new age word’s philosophies that tickle their ears which further draws them away from the truth. The rest of the bible they simply cannot accept or believe, they’d rather pursue worldliness not godliness.

³¹“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³²All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

³⁴“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?³⁸When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

⁴¹“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴²For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

⁴⁴“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

⁴⁵“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

⁴⁶“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matthew 25:31-46

This mosaic composition also reminds me of another of Jesus’ sayings, a parable of the wheat and tares found in Matthew 13:24-30.

²⁴Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; ²⁵but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. ²⁶But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. ²⁷So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ ²⁸He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ ²⁹But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. ³⁰Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’” Matthew 13:24-30

Again, I don’t have anything against wheat or tares, they are just plants doing what they were created to do. Nor would I take the analogy to it’s extreme. I’m just noticing the correlation between the two plants and what scripture calls those who are not the children of God – tares. It is not a coincidence that God created each plant with its particular attribute. I do think, however; God purposefully created both wheat and tares with specific attributes in order to teach us some important truths.

Wheat and tares do happen to look very similar much more than say… sheep and goats; and it is during the harvest that one can finally determine between wheat and tare. Tares contain lots of tiny black seeds which when consumed makes one nauseous and sick, yet the fruit of the wheat is good and healthy.

Hmm….Jesus said we would know people by their fruit. It is said the mature tare stalk stands ridged, unyielding when full with black seeds; whereas the wheat bends downward gracefully when it is full of kernels.

Hmm…We are to be a people whose lives show all the fruits of the Holy Spirit, which include meekness and humility, all of which benefits others and pleases the Father. We are not to be prideful or haughty, nor treat the less fortunate with contempt and disdain by not helping them. Our entire lives, our attitude, our behavior and our words shouldn’t make others sick and nauseous to be around with. Neither should our thoughts or the meditations of our hearts displease our Father in Heaven.

The third hidden image is this winged creature which resembles something like a bat. It can also symbolize how those who chose to live ungodly lives are under the influence of the evil one.

The way we live our lives now and the fruit we produce will be clearly evident to everyone on that Day. What may have been concealed for a time from many is now evident to everyone, showing what side of Christ we really were on all along.

In the meantime, we can choose to produce fruit that leads to death or leads to life. Let us therefore, as pilgrims on a journey, strive to continue in abiding in the Holy Spirit making the most of our time here, urging others also to walk in holiness and obedience to Christ.

May this post encourage you to remain steadfast in your walk with Jesus Christ.

-Donna

Posted on August 31, 2017May 12, 2021 by Resurgent Art LLC — Leave a comment

Chi-Rho Newsletter – Rivers In The Desert

“Rivers in the Desert” © by Donna Gonzalez

I love how this mosaic came out it’s one of my favorites! It is comprised of multiple mosaic panels offset on an angle to create this mesmerizing abstract painting. The use of repeated mosaics creates the effect of movement. The blues and greens capture the rippling movement of fresh water glistening in the sunlight contrasted against the desert browns, yellows, and oranges representing sand and rock.

It reminds me of several scriptures relating to water. However; Isaiah 43:19 seems to say it best as the Lord says:

“Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert.”

Those words are part of a longer discourse from the Lord to both Israel and Jacob. In this chapter God repeatedly acknowledges Himself as “The Holy One of Israel” then lists His credentials: your Savior, your Redeemer, your King, your Creator. Then says everyone called by His name He created for His glory. Wow! Incredible words describing our God and our purpose!

The last line of this chapter reads: “…Because I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, To give drink to My people, My chosen, This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise.”

We try all kind of things to drown out or fix our problems, when really only one thing is needful.

To the outcast, downtrodden: “Jesus answered, ’Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,¹⁴but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’” – John 4:13-14

To those who believe: ³⁷On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. ³⁸Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” ³⁹By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.” – John 7:37-39

Many people are lost, walking in a dry wilderness, searching in vain for anything to satisfy a gnawing thirst in their souls which can never be quenched by anything of the world. Those who are born-again and are filled with the Holy Spirit have that living water. The ministry of the Holy Spirit flows out of a heart that has been redeemed by God and it blesses other believers. Through the believer it brings a word of life to a lost and dying world.

And that is why I really love this mosaic, because it not only speaks of the believer’s calling and purpose but it is a constant reminder for the believer to continuously draw strength from Christ. No matter the circumstances or how bleak the situation we may experience or what dry patch of wilderness a believer may go through we look to Jesus. Only He can make a path where one doesn’t exist, bring life out from a barren wasteland, and bring beauty from ashes. Jesus exhorts us to come to Him for wisdom times of refreshment, healing and rejuvenation.

From eternity past to present and for all eternity, Jesus will continue to reign supreme as the Holy One of Israel, our Savior, Redeemer, King, and Creator. In agreement with Peter let us who are redeemed be strengthened in these words: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – I Peter 2:9

Be encouraged!

Donna

Posted on July 4, 2017May 12, 2021 by Resurgent Art LLC — Leave a comment

Chi-Rho Newsletter – “Here am I, send Me!”

“Here am I, send Me!” © by Donna Gonzalez

This acrylic painting is comprised of four mosaics set into a pattern, if it reminds you of the Peacock Cross Mosaic earlier it is because it’s the same painting; however, this is the second pattern. Often I’m able to find multiple patterns with just one mosaic painting, depending on how I flip and rotate each mosaic panel it can create a very different pattern. This one is just slightly different than the first pattern but oh that slight variance changes the whole symbolic iconography of this piece! Wow!

A bit of background before I dive into the iconography of this painting. A friend of mine is planting churches and I mentioned to him that an acrylic block with one of my artworks and a scripture of his choice would make a nice gift to the new pastor of that home church. He chose Isaiah 6:8 but he didn’t specify which of my artworks he wanted, and left that up to me. I prayed and chose this artwork because I knew there needed to be a cross but didn’t know exactly how Isaiah 6:8 was going to work with it. We’ll was I in for a delightful surprise! And it’s all God’s doing!

It wasn’t until I intently looked at the pattern of this painting for a while that I noticed something I hadn’t seen before. I had seen a couple of images before, but now there were more, which not only lends more interest but unbeknownst to me the Lord would show me how all of the hidden images really does fit perfectly into Isaiah 6:8! Glory to Jesus is all I can say because I didn’t make this up! Lol!

What I had always seen before was the cross and swords as shown below.

The two swords make up the crossbeam.

There are radiating arcs emanating from the center of the cross and…

These unusual creepy ram-horned creatures with hands held up. I outlined their eyes.

So how to put this all of this into perspective and what exactly is the message? Some of you bible scholars probably can already guess! I see it as just another of God’s fingerprints, His hidden message in my artwork that He wants me to find and share with you.

Iconography/Symbolism:

The deep hues of blues and green represent living water that comes from Christ that wells up to eternal life within a believer.

“¹³Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,¹⁴but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14

Next to Jesus the cross is paramount in the Christian’s faith. The radiating arcs that originate from the center of the cross outward represents the saving power of God.

“¹⁸For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” I Corinthians 1:18

The swords within the crossbeam symbolizes the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. God’s words are not just merely words uttered but they are life. They are alive, active and are used in faith by prayer warriors to pull down the enemy’s strongholds.

¹²For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

“¹⁷Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:17

” ³For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. ⁴The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. ⁵We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

And I bet your wondering if there is a sword what is it used against? Where is the enemy? In the painting of course! Those creepy creatures that are backing off with hands held up! As Christians submit to God and resist the enemy of our souls, the devil must back off and flee – just like that image of the creature! Praise God! And we know we are more than conquerors over in this world and over the enemy’s attacks through Jesus Christ who loves us dearly.

“⁷Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

“³⁷No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37

But how does it all fit in with Isaiah 6:8?

Isaiah saw the Lord high and lifted up, but he was afraid because he was a sinful man standing in the presence of a holy God. After his guilt was taken away from him by the seraph, Isaiah was now most eager to answer the Lord’s call and complete it. Likewise, the blood of Jesus takes away our sin makes us right before God’s presence because the cross continues to remind us it is the power of God for our salvation.

Like Isaiah, Christians now have a duty to answer God’s call. Just as the Father had sent His Son into the world to complete His Father’s will, likewise Jesus sends us out into the world to complete His work but that work is not without attacks from the enemy. But we are to take heart and not fear…

Because… unlike Isaiah, we are made more than conquerors because our enemy has been defeated at the cross. Even more we have at our disposal a very powerful weapon to destroy strongholds, to demolish onslaughts of the evil one, to demolish worldly arguments and pretensions that go counter to God.

“⁸Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8

²¹Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” John 20:21

And isn’t all of this iconography and it’s symbolism exactly what an elder or pastor of a new church needs? To be encouraged daily to drink deeply of Christ, to know the cross will be foolishness to those who are perishing but it is the power of God for salvation. To remain at peace in Jesus fully submitted, resisting the devil and taking the full armor of God and with the sword of the Spirit to wage spiritual war against the enemy’s tactics. To be able to say with Isaiah in faith, confidence and without any fear answering God’s call on their life, “Here am I, send me!”

Glory to Jesus!

-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