Timothy J. Pruitt's Blog, page 435

iPainting: The Batman Building

It’s an icon in Nashville, and we love it. Our newest iPainting in our great building series is, “The Batman Building.”

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The Sea Horse: Henry’s Turn

He was angry, more angry than she had seen him since Norm Silva was killed. “They think that after all we’ve withstood, all we’ve fought for, they’ll take her now? I haven’t sacrificed so much to see them close us, not now, not ten years from now.”

Carla sat at the desk listening, taking it all in, finally he stopped talking. She was used to boardroom drama, she ran the biggest law firm in what had been Hyde Park, now the Newton District of Oceania. Carla knew the moment to speak, and it wasn’t yet. She just waited until he was ready.

That moment came when he rubbed his eyes. He was through now, he was calming down. “Why are they suing the hospital now? Why not two years ago?” “Because now they have Hadrian Lang on the board. He’s a plant, he wants us weak enough to need his money. Then he saves us, forces me out, and they have the hospital.”

“We’ll fight, and we’ll win.” Henry smiled at his beautiful wife. “Carla, you have a plan. What is it?” “First, we prove that this lawsuit is frivolous. That wing wasn’t faulty, and they know it. Otherwise they would produce a live witness, and not papers from a dead man.”

Henry was prepared for a fight, he had fought all his life. He came from a long line of fighters. One of his ancestors was a Chief of the Zulu, and another had fought Napoleon. He had fought corruption in Parker’s Hill, even before entering medical school. Then had withstood the pressure to build the hospital anyway but the right way. Henry was ready to fight.

“Why do they want it now?” It was Henry’s turn to ask questions. “What is their main objective.” That was when their friend, and surrogate son, spoke from the shadows. “They want it now because of the war. High Society has proven they’re vulnerable on the muscle side of things. They want to show that they still have the power to control this city.”

“If they want to fight, we’ll take them head on.” “No you won’t. Henry, they can’t attack you. You’re an icon in this city. You’ve bridged social, racial, and political gaps to reach out to every sector of the community. They can’t attack you and go untarnished.”

“So what do we do?” The Sea Horse smiled. “We go to work. We connect the dots that lead us to the Organizer. Take out the head, and the organization must find a new brain. While it’s looking, we rip out its heart and spine, and bring it to justice.”

The Sea Horse had been standing, suddenly he was flying out the window, grappling across the skyline. He needed to pay a visit to someone. The one person in the entire criminal world of Oceania, who would agree with them. Henry’s turn to fight would happen, but tonight, it was The Sea Horse’s turn.

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Collage Friday: Travel, Cities, and Companions

We offer Travel, Cities, and Companions on this cold #CollageFriday from #PruittWrites.

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God’s Circular Office

Isaiah 40:22

It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

I was reading about two men who both occupied the Oval Office, and it brought this Scripture to mind. Another place refers to Heaven as God’s Throne and the Earth as His footstool. It’s an awesome image, God’s Circular Office.

Can’t you picture it, The God of All Glory, sitting on a snow white throne, sitting on the Heavens, and looking down on the Earth. It’s also a very intimidating image, and thats intended by the way. You see, in this world of catastrophe, God wants the enemy to know something.

For a time, the adversary may be able to cause trouble on this planet. For a little while longer, we have to endure the accuser of the brethren. However, where God sits should scare hell, and inspire the citizens of God’s Kingdom.

Our Savior’s Throne is high, and lifted up. He sits above the chaos, always focused on us, and our needs. One of my favorite Scriptures reassures the weary believer that God is in Heaven, He is on His throne, and He is in control.

The word circle is in The Bible once, and only once, this verse. The Oval Office is a powerful image, but God’s circular summit is one that reminds us of something. First, He is in control, second that our God is always watching us, and the third is the most powerful of all.

It states that He is stretching out the Heavens as both a curtain, and a tent. Soon, He will wrap things up, and meet us between Throne and footstool. He’s not planning on sitting alone for Eternity, He’s returning for us to spend it with Him.

That story I read, was about one of the Father/Son occupants of the White House. In it, the writer mentioned one of his greatest moments was sharing that first day with his Dad. That must have been a meeting to remember.

As great as that was, I can think of a better one. One that is soon coming for every Christian, no matter what they’re facing currently. Our Father is Eternal, not elected, and we His children, will one day soon pay a visit to our Father’s office.

Ephesians 2:6-8

6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

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Stilling Mountains

Exodus 3:12

And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.

This started out as a Christmas gift, that turned into a painting, which turned into an Inspirational post. I hadn’t attempted an Oil painting in years, until my Wife bought me a new set of oils to try. I was actually pleased with the result, which we called “Stilling Mountains”. Then, much like things in this life, whether good or bad, it turned into something more.

No matter what you’ve faced, there will still be mountains to climb. Yet, know that He is still with you, even when you fill alone. The wind that fills like it surrounds you as you’re climbing, may simply be a protecting wind from things we cannot see.

At times, the stillness isn’t the mountains, because they can literally shake underneath us, especially when they’re getting ready to move. The stillness isn’t in the conditions, but in The Conditioner. He stills us for the situation we face.

Don’t allow your mind to overwhelm you, either at the foot of the mountain, or during the climb. Trust in God, and soon, all will be quiet, He will still the noises that distract us. The God that made the mountains knows how to climb, topple, or cover them with a flooding of His power. Either way, He will bring you to the summit, where like Moses, you will see the Glory Of God!

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iPainting: Vermont Winter

Even though Christmas is over, we continue our winter theme collection with “Vermont Winter”.

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The Sea Horse: Thomas Obadiah Rook

 

Wikimedia Commons Image

“Costumes! I didn’t watch my family sweat themselves to the grave to see this city filled with masks.” “Calm down Wes, this city’s worst problems aren’t these guys. They’re a gimmick, they’ll pass. The problem is half the bureaucracy of this city is crooked, and the other half are morons.”

Wes Kane sighed. “It’ll get better. We’re going to get a handle on the crooks, and the politics, that’s not the danger. The risk of being made into a laughingstock before we can, that’s the risk.” Martha Hilbrite looked at her cousin. “I’ve lived in New York, Chicago, Washington, and London, and I’ve learned something. When it comes to cities, common crazy is internal.”

“What does that mean?” “It means that if it is something that happens regularly, it ceases to make the national news. It’s bad for business, reporters don’t report every jewelry store robbery on a national level, it’s too common place.”

Wes stared at his cousin in disbelief. “You’re telling me that the more masked weirdos we have the less it gets noticed?” Martha put her hand on the banker’s arm. “Relax, Wes, you can still have your real estate empire. This city is going to be around for a long time.”

“How can you be so sure! You run the local network news, I build skyscrapers. What do we have to do to get a handle on this city?” “Simple, we have to get a connection, and I have it.”

“You remember Martin Potts, the financier? He introduced me to a man at his last party who works for the government. He wants to turn Oceania into a major international city, for undisclosed reasons. His name is Agent Thomas Obadiah Rook.”

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iPainting: After Christmas Tree

Thought you might enjoy a bit of whimsy with “Santa’s After Christmas Tree”.

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Enoch 365 New Year Post

Public Domain Image

Genesis 5:23-24

23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:

24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

He walked with God through every season of His life, 365 years of them to be exact. We all recognize the number, especially on January first. Today is day one, it’s the beginning of something new.

If you’re walking with God, you’re beginning a new year together. If you’re not, today is a great day for a beginning, or to begin again. Maybe you’re walking, but your struggling in a battle. Look at today as a new phase in that battle, yesterday’s mistakes do not decide today’s response.

Perhaps you’ve got dreams for this year, new projects you want to pursue. We want to see you succeed in each of them, but to do this, start by walking, not running. Pace yourself, don’t burn out in January what you want to complete in December.

Leaps are important, they can be great, but first, take the steps to prepare for those leaps. Before the tight rope walker walked across Niagara Falls, he made sure that the rope was installed properly. He didn’t just check the one side, he inspected the post on the other side as well. Before you leap, check your landing space.

To do this, takes time. You’ve been given a new year, don’t try to finish everything in a month. Set smaller goals that can be completed periodically, but make them part of a bigger vision. Don’t make a resolution, resolve to live differently.

First, spend some time in Prayer, find out what His plans for you this year are. Then, align your goals accordingly. A righteous man’s steps are not only ordered by The Lord, a righteous man steps in pace with The Lord.

Naturally all this year holds won’t be revealed to us, but the direction can be. We can chart our course through prayer and God’s Word. Some things, like a closer relationship with Him, are always on God’s list.

Another on His list is improving the relationships that matter, including family, friends, and those we seek to reach this year. Our commitment to these precious people must be maintained and enhanced over time. We do this, not to benefit ourselves, but to make their lives better.

Much like a plant needs water, light, and attention, relationships, and goals need nurturing in order to grow. That is really what Enoch spent his 365 doing, getting closer to God, and ministering to those around him. I pray at the end of 2015’s 365, you and I will be able to say the same.

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Enoch’s 365

Public Domain Image

Genesis 5:23-24

23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:

24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

He walked with God through every season of His life, 365 years of them to be exact. We all recognize the number, especially on January first. Today is day one, it’s the beginning of something new.

If you’re walking with God, you’re beginning a new year together. If you’re not, today is a great day for a beginning, or to begin again. Maybe you’re walking, but your struggling in a battle. Look at today as a new phase in that battle, yesterday’s mistakes do not decide today’s response.

Perhaps you’ve got dreams for this year, new projects you want to pursue. We want to see you succeed in each of them, but to do this, start by walking, not running. Pace yourself, don’t burn out in January what you want to complete in December.

Leaps are important, they can be great, but first, take the steps to prepare for those leaps. Before the tight rope walker walked across Niagara Falls, he made sure that the rope was installed properly. He didn’t just check the one side, he inspected the post on the other side as well. Before you leap, check your landing space.

To do this, takes time. You’ve been given a new year, don’t try to finish everything in a month. Set smaller goals that can be completed periodically, but make them part of a bigger vision. Don’t make a resolution, resolve to live differently.

First, spend some time in Prayer, find out what His plans for you this year are. Then, align your goals accordingly. A righteous man’s steps are not only ordered by The Lord, a righteous man steps in pace with The Lord.

Naturally all this year holds won’t be revealed to us, but the direction can be. We can chart our course through prayer and God’s Word. Some things, like a closer relationship with Him, are always on God’s list.

Another on His list is improving the relationships that matter, including family, friends, and those we seek to reach this year. Our commitment to these precious people must be maintained and enhanced over time. We do this, not to benefit ourselves, but to make their lives better.

Much like a plant needs water, light, and attention, relationships, and goals need nurturing in order to grow. That is really what Enoch spent his 365 doing, getting closer to God, and ministering to those around him. I pray at the end of 2015’s 365, you and I will be able to say the same.

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