Timothy J. Pruitt's Blog, page 162

May The Fourth Be With You 2021

Fellow Star Wars fans understand. For those who may not be fans of science fiction, we play about light sabers and starships, and it’s just for fun. Yet, for people like George Lucas and Gene Roddenberry, it bought their house, and changed their lives. Shooting for the stars is wonderful, as long as you have a script to follow. I would encourage all dreamers, it’s wonderful to have a dream, but seek counsel to help you navigate your course. You can get there, but we all need a navigational computer to avoid Alderaan at the wrong time.

Sketch Fountain Pen Knight

This fountain pen sketch of a knight chess piece was on my mind because of a book that I’m working on. It’s called The Spiritual Application Of Chess, from a Message God gave me years ago. When you place yourself in God’s hands, you position yourself for greatness.

God doesn’t view your life as a game, but a journey. However, like the game of chess, every move is connected to your future. What you do today, will determine how you face decades later.

That thought can be intimidating, if you’re trying to control it all yourself. However, if you are a Christian, God is moving you towards something that is wonderful, sustaining, and greater than we could accomplish on our own. When you’re in the hands of The King, you can rest confidently in the fact that He’s not only playing to win, He already has.

iPainting The Two Twains

Earlier this week, we talked about Einstein’s doubts about Faith. This led to revisiting another famous and interesting man. History tells us that, when it came to Faith, Mark Twain was of two minds. He had a belief in God, but he struggled.

Yet, he had an experience in connection with his visit to Jerusalem. He was moved by the area where they believed was Golgotha, where Christ died. While Mark Twain had doubts, they say he wanted to believe. God is not troubled by our doubts, He’s dealt with them since the Garden.

While doubts can lead away from God, they can also lead towards Him. It is true that the answer to a question, depends on who you ask. Abraham had questions, and he became the father of faith.

Moses had questions, and God said you are My choice to lead Israel out of Egypt. Saul of Tarsus had a question, and God used him to write most of The New Testament. If you have questions, may I encourage you tonight, to ask The One you have questions about?

He is a conversation away from answering. Now, don’t be surprised that He may use unexpected methods to give you an answer, but God will answer. All we have to do is to listen for His answer. For just like Mr Twain’s experience, God will answer in connection with His cross.

iPainting Pfuffin

Pfuffin, please don’t tell our two year old Nicholas that Pfuffin is not a word. It’s what he calls muffins. Now, just like many of the other words he now pronounces correctly, that will change, but not yet. For now it’s Pfuffins, and that’s what this iPainting is based on.

Ashley and I don’t mind him calling them Pfuffins, because you see, we waited ten years to have a child of our own talking in our house. Some days are crazy, some are tired, but every day is a blessing, because God answered our prayers with the most beautiful baby in the world, our Nicholas. Today was not a great day for me, I haven’t felt well, but God used this to remind me, it’s always a good day no matter what!

Sketch Fountain Pen And Ink

This fountain pen sketch of a fountain pen and ink well reminds me of a truth. The tools you have may be beautiful, but they’re greatest beauty is in fulfilling their purpose. Each of us have talents, resources, and opportunities to impact the world we live in.

It can be as simple as drawing a picture, to a surgeon performing an operation. Either way, what you do is important, your work makes a difference. Your work does more than bring in a paycheck, it makes others livelihoods possible.

Each of us are part of something greater than ourselves. The fountain pen, paper, and ink have very different make ups, but they all produce a work of art, when joined in harmony. You’re life’s work impacts your family, your community, and the world.

Sketch Fountain Pen Einstein

Mark 10:15 (KJV)
15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

I was sadly reading today about Einstein’s views of religion and God. He had indicated that belief in a personal God was both naive and childlike. How I wish someone, and perhaps they did, would have pointed out to them that The Lord Jesus had responded to His questions thousands of years before Einstein was born.

I don’t point this out to argue with a man much smarter than I, but to point out, all of us have an opportunity. Most of us are not able to split the atom, but all of us can call upon a God that says, you don’t have to come knowing it all, only trusting your Heavenly Father. I would encourage you today, that He has an answer for all who come with questions.

Sketch Fountain Pen Super Hero Day

A fountain pen sketch for national super hero day of my favorite super hero, Batman.

Sketch Fountain Pen Bird

This is a simple little fountain pen sketch of a bird. It’s not a dramatic breed, or elaborate scene, but a simple little bird. I began to think of how many of those we see each year.

Birds that aren’t photographed, seen on a nature documentary, or read about. Yet The Bible says every bird is observed by God. Jesus says that He cares for us even more than them. There isn’t a moment of our lives that He isn’t watching out for His Children.

Aren’t you glad, in our ordinary days, we have something Who cares about us? The days when nothing exciting happens, to the days when everything goes wrong, and those amazing days. Each day has someone that isn’t just part of the audience, but an active participant in our lives. He is watching out for our good, and He never takes a day off.

iPainting Pottery Wheel

I am fascinated by the ability of a potter to sit down with a lump of clay, and to craft something that is so much more than just a container. We know from the Prophet Jeremiah that this occupation was used by God to illustrate His own work. Watching clay and lives transformed are amazing sights to behold.

Sketch Fountain Pen Coal Miner

Both of my Grandfathers, and my Dad for a time, were Coal Miners. Where I came from, for many years, this was part of our culture. When I think of the men and women who labored in this grueling work, I think of nobility, commitment, and love.

Solomon said to enjoy the rewards of your labor is a God given gift. These men worked so hard to put food on the table, clothes on their children’s backs, and provide a future for them. I’ve never been a coal miner, but I will never forget their sacrifice, which helped bring me to where I am today.