Timothy J. Pruitt's Blog, page 371

Abstract Art Piece The Fireplace

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It’s not my forte, but I hope you like this abstract Art Piece, “The Fireplace”.

A Few Of Our Blessings

[image error]Life isn’t about things, but I believe in being thankful for the things that God has blessed you with. That’s what this photo is about, being thankful. God kept us through some rough years, and we want to bring Him our cheers, as well as our tears.

Acrylic Nashville Union Station

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This acrylic on cardboard, which is a very cool medium, is of the place we had our honeymoon.  Nashville Union Station is a grand hotel, and this is not the last time that I hope to paint it.  The next one will be somewhat different, but I wanted to start with some of the elements that I love about it.  

The towers, the clock, the trains, the hotel, the hopes, and the memories.  I hope you will love this primitive of one of my favorite places, Nashville Union Station.

iPainting Continuing

[image error]This is an update to an old iPainting, with a more watercolor feel, and a few more oranges on the trees.  Sometimes you need to take a fresh look at an old idea.  You might find something, if not better, that has new life within it.

Born In 76

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Born in 76, 1776 to be exact. The proud parents were the future first Chief Justice John Jay and his wife. The boy’s name was Peter Augustus Jay. You might say this child was one of two children born in 76, the other was a girl.

The boy did fine, followed in the footsteps of his father, serving the public good, and the legal profession. The girl did fantastic, and Jay, one of her founding fathers, did all he could to support her.

It was Jay who helped, along with Hamilton and Franklin, to negotiate the treaty of Paris, that ended the Revolutionary War. England at first, did not want to recognize in the treaty, our independence. Jay stopped negotiations until this was agreed upon. Jay, one of the writers of The Federalist Papers, and the other signers of the treaty, knew how vital this recognition was to our new country.

Yesterday I was reading some of the everyday acts of Liberty’s founders. They raised the money needed during the war. Others like Jay in Spain, were ambassadors, striving to gain young Liberty a place at the table. Much like a Dad, who quietly, consistently works to give his child every advantage, these men did.

Like Peter Augustus Jay, she followed in their footsteps. Seeing her children, generations of Americans through hardships. War that tore at her heart, but resulted in freedom of an entire race in 1865.  

Young men and women of every race, ethnicity, and background have marched beside her as she stood against everything from nazism to communism. From the cannon smoke of Yorktown, to the sandstorms of Kabul, she learned her fathers’ lessons well.

Now today, this generation of her children remember the sacrifices and consistent duties of men like Jay, Washington, and Franklin. What we must also realize is that, we are truly related to both Liberty, and her parents. For it is now become our duty to hold dear those truths they saw as self evident.

One of which was how they viewed themselves, and their child. They saw themselves, even in disagreement, as citizens of one new country. Men of different viewpoints, forged together by the love of an idea, given birth to through blood, sweat, and tears. An how they saw her, the fledgling child they produced.

As one that should be given the chance to change the world, with the full support of her family. Today, we don’t just barbecue and talk of something that happened long ago. We join together for a meal, as a family, and recall the sacrifices that made us, our parents, and generations of this 1776 family.  

Let us, while celebrating, feel the weight of the mantle passed to us. Knowing that our individual opinions are far less important, than the integral heritage that unites us. We are sons and daughters of liberty, descendants of the founders, and Americans by The Grace Of God!

iPainting Seattle Byplane

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We hope you enjoy this iPainting of a “Seattle Byplane”.

The Native: Jesus Christ To The Strangers

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“…Jesus Christ, to the strangers…”

1 Peter 1:1

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

I included both references so you would see the complete verse, but today, those five words stuck out to me. The Message translates it as, “I, Peter, am an apostle on assignment by Jesus, the Messiah, writing to exiles scattered to the four winds…”

Both versions are beautiful, but what struck me was the dual meaning of those words. Now, we are citizens of another kingdom, one not of this world, but there was a time when we were a different type of strangers.  

Because of sin, we were strangers to the commonwealth of Israel. A sinless, spotless God was foreign to us. Even to Israel, sin was a barrier. Then God did the unthinkable, He went from reaching out to strangers to entering a strange world.

The One who created Earth, became a stranger in it. He walked the streets of our world, and yet people treated Him like an unwelcome stranger, and He allowed it for our sakes. He endured more than the pain of the cross, knowing everyday how His creation viewed Him.

Introducing Himself to strangers, hoping they would take the time to accept His friendship. 

Jesus is still introducing His kindness, mercy, and salvation to a hurting and painful world. Are we doing the same?

When we meet someone we don’t know, is any part of our mind on introducing ourselves to them? Or are we only thinking about our coffee, groceries, and what what we need? Even when Jesus was tired, hungry, and thirsty, He put the needs of the people He met above His own.

Do we do that? Sure, it’s on our minds on Sunday, but what about Thursday? Simon Peter said He was on assignment from Jesus, to communicate with strangers. What if we started to view every chance encounter as a scheduled meeting by God.

I don’t mean to get super spiritual and let them know it. I only mean, to stop, take a breath, and be focused on them. To be kind on purpose, not wanting anything, just intent on reflecting Jesus.  

Strategically listening, caring about their problems, and following up at every opportunity. This will create friendships, and that means you’re no more strangers. Then, like friends do, we can introduce our new friends to our best friend.  

The only friend that can forgive, free, and forge a new life for those who are introduced to His mercy. Then, they can go from the verse we began with, to this one.

Ephesians 2:19

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

iPainting Nashville Wheels

[image error]There are some beautiful old warehouses in Nashville, and some wonderful cars. We hope you enjoy “Nashville Wheels”.

Watercolor View From The Trees

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This is a watercolor I did on my lunch hour at work.  There was a room with a beautiful “View Of Trees”, that I liked very much.

The Constant

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Today I’m setting in my office writing on a Saturday morning. I’ve washed some dishes, bagged up some trash, painted, and worked on the office. I didn’t make it to mow this morning, slept in a little late, as Ashley was up sick last night.  

This was our second trip to the ER this year, and it looks like she is facing another surgery. You may be thinking this sounds bad, but really this is happening in one of the best seasons we’ve ever experienced. I know that sounds odd, but a season of blessings doesn’t mean there won’t be trials.

In the midst of the pain and fear of last night, we had comfort. Yes, in Jesus, but also in our loved ones. We had people in at least three, if not four cities praying for her. Also, we believe that, while God did not cause this, He allowed it to happen.

We had been praying for direction about Ashley’s condition. What to do, and when to do it. I believe that last night may have been confirmation. We are going to seek counsel, and make sure that we are hearing what God is saying, and not what we want Him to say.

Either way, we were able to get both some answers and relief. We were assured of both God, and our loved ones care. We were able to exit the hospital, pay the bill, and not worry about what to do when the invoice came in the mail.

Don’t misunderstand, I hate to see my wife in pain. I don’t enjoy knowing that there is little I can to do to make her better. What I do love to see, is even in the midst of the storms that Jesus warned us would happen, for we live in a not yet perfect world, His care and protection.

Serving Jesus, and being a Christian isn’t about things going well, or wrong. It’s about the constant that is Jesus in every season of your life. At some point, the season of blessing we are experiencing will end, just like the season of trials that proceeded it.  

While it’s my hope that we are able, like Joseph, to lay up in store for the next season in this one. I know one thing. The same God who kept us through the last season, is leading us through this one. An I know, He will lead us on.