I have written prose or poetry
for all of my ten signed/numbered Limited Edition prints.
You may question whether it is good or bad prose or poetry,
just as you may question whether my art is good or bad, but
I must tell you, all of it came from my heart.
Although AGAPE VILLAGE was
the second of my ten special prints, it was not until I had
finished number ten that I went back and wrote prose about
AGAPE VILLAGE.
It was not one of my favorite
paintings - until now. Now I see it as being special because
of it's theme, children. I see it as being good art, because
of its design, color harmony, and the joy, and happiness it
portrays.
I did two paintings of AGAPE
VILLAGE, one with the apple trees in full blossom, and the
other with the apple trees in full fruit. I gave my friends
at Agape Village Children's Home their choice of paintings
for Print #2. They chose the one you see, apple trees with
lull fruit. At the time, I preferred the blossom version.
Now, I think I know why they chose the one with lull fruit.
You see, someone has wisely
said, "Children come into the world to replace us."
Everything they do is in preparation for that eventuality.
Although the children in AGAPE VILLAGE are busy playing marbles,
flying kites, skipping rope, playing ball, running with their
dog, and riding in a home made go cart, they are only a season
away from full fruit.
I know a lot of good, obedient,
loving children. I like to think that all of the ones you
see in AGAPE VILLAGE are just that. Some of these children
live in neighborhood homes, whose parents brought them into
the world through a deep sense of love and commitment. Some
of them live in a home provided by caring, dedicated Christians,
because the birth parents were unable, or unwilling to provide
a proper home. They will both be like the apple trees, growing
beautiful, delicious fruit, making a contribution to the world.
The world of today may not
be as simplistic as the one in AGAPE VILLAGE. Virtue was noble,
and truth was pretty much in black and white, not in muddy
shades of gray. Please let me tell you, there are great numbers
of good, loving children in today's world. With strong, loving,
caring parents, they will grow the best fruit ever, don't
you think?
Something old,
Something new,
Something Borrowed
and Something Blue!!
Something old,
Something new,
Something Borrowed
and Something Blue!!
Something old and
Something new!
So happy, contented,
We've just said "I do!"
So BIG die world,
So much to see.
You and me together,
What FUN it will be!
First, there's just two.
Then, t'will be three.
A happy little child
Joyful and free!
Then comes tomorrow.
How will it be?
With our hands in His hand,
Twill be GREAT! You'll see.
The Joys Of Winter
The Joys Of Winter
If I could write a poem,
How lovely it would be.
I'd write so you could read it,
And feel it's warmth and glee.
A poem about a village
In winter's evening glow,
Crisp moonlight on the rooftops,
And on foliage far below.
I'd write about the skaters
As they glide across the ice.
I'd write about warm chestnuts,
And hot chocolate, oh so nice!
Light escaping through lit windows
Falls on snow banks just outside.
Folks with sleighs and horses
Across fresh snow they glide.
If I could write a poem,
I'd dedicate it all to you.
I'd plan for you an evening
Of snow, and carols too.
I'd wrap you in scarf and mittens.
I'd keep you snug and warm.
After which, a bed and breakfast,
Where you’d sleep until late morn.
If I have caught your fancy,
To the village you'd like to go,
Let's hitch our sleigh to Dobbin,
He will whisk us to and fro.
Safe Harbor
Safe
Harbor
It was nearly a lifetime ago I sailed on
board a 208 foot corvette, during World War II. 1 was doing
convoy duty from New York to Cuba, to Newfoundland. Although
the hazards of war were minimal, the Atlantic Ocean showed
no mercy. There was no greater feeling than coming into New
York Harbor after many days on the open sea. Our corvette
was exceptionally seaworthy, but she had a keel as round as
a silver dollar. In a port/starboard storm this caused her
to roll side to side, and the saltiest of the crew feared
capsizing. In a head on storm, 20/30 foot waves would raise
her bow out of the water and let it come crashing back into
20/30 foot valleys.
The seas were especially volatile off Cape
Hatteras, North Carolina. Cape Hatteras is graveyard to hundreds
of unfortunate ships, and it was forever looking for new victims.
The waters off Newfoundland were treacherous in a different
way. In the winter, spray, ice, and salt would cake the entire
ship. When the running lights were on, the ship looked like
a brightly lit Christmas tree. Even with the heaviest of weather
gear, we were able to stay on deck for a maximum of five minutes.
Pour a bucket of water, and it would freeze by the time it
hit the deck. Survival time in the event we had to abandon
ship, or washed overboard, was about 30 seconds.
In a rough sea, food was a thing to be tolerated,
not enjoyed. Sleep, if there was any, was evasive, and only
came when exhaustion conquered our bodies. We slept with our
arms locked around the bunk rails. Even so, many times, in
the middle of the night, we would hear a sailor yell when
the rolling, bobbing ship dumped him from his bunk. The sound
of the boiling, raging sea, hitting
the plates of the ship just inches from where we lay, was
not a sleep inducing sound.
As we neared the entrance to New York Harbor,
the monstrous waves would begin to lose some of their hostility.
As we entered the harbor, the mountainous waves were replaced
by soft, gentle, rolling ones. The sounds of rage were replaced
by gentle, rhythmic ones, as the harbor waters lapped softly
against the side of the ship. We eagerly listened for the
one note symphony of the buoys, and watched intently for their
flashing lights.
The gentle lapping sounds of harbor water,
the one note bong of the buoys, the friendly flashing lights,
were joined by the merging of land on either side. It was
comforting to know that people lived on the land. It seemed
we always entered the harbor at day break, just as houses
on the shore were turning on their lights, and their occupants
were either coming home, or on their way to work. I could
almost smell coffee brewing, and sausage flying in the hundreds
of kitchens in homes lining the shores.
As I painted SAFE HARBOR, these memories
flooded my mind. But, soon another thought, far more precious,
flooded my soul. I saw SAFE HARBOR as a person, my Lord Jesus
Christ. Jesus is always there to give me comfort, and assurance,
and relief from the storms of life that occasionally overwhelm
me. He is my SAFE HARBOR in that He accepts me for who I am,
not who I may be perceived to be. I take comfort in His words,
"Come unto me, all you who are weary and heavy burdened,
and I will give you rest." I unashamedly confess to you,
I would have been washed overboard in the storms of life long
ago, had it not been for Hi My prayer is that He will help
me, in some small ways, to be a SAFE HARBOR to you, or to
others I may meet.
Agape Lighthouse
Agape Lighthouse
How do you explain the fascination of a lighthouse?
The answer is, you really don't! Lighthouses are so diverse
in nature, in character, they de~ explaining. To those of
us who have fallen in love with lighthouses, we each see that
unique, defining characteristic that sets it apart from all
other facilities. You see, a lighthouse is not just about
buildings. It's about personality, and life, and hope.
The lighthouse began as a bonfire built on
a hill overlooking the sea. It was kept burning throughout
a storm in the hope of warning ships who were getting too
close to dangerous waters. From that rustic beginning, came
homes with towers attached. Through the years, greater, more
powerful beacons projected flashing, rotating light out to
sea, warning passing ships of impending danger.
The lighthouse is no longer a part of practical
navigation. All ocean going ships have sophisticated, electronic,
computerized gear aboard that makes the lighthouse unnecessary.
The lighthouses that are still in service are no longer manned
by traditional lighthouse keepers. They too are electronically
controlled by computer.
The lighthouse is so much a part of our nation's
fabric that we dare not let them disappear. They should be
preserved, and maintained so that our children, and our children's
children can visit them, and remember the role they played
in our history.
Did the lighthouse keeper have a "mission'
in choosing his work? Perhaps there were a few who chose the
profession because of a passion to help the wayfaring sailor.
I suspect that most men chose lighthouse keeping for one of
two reasons; it was a job, in times when jobs were not all
that plentiful. Or, it was chosen because the keeper didn't
need people, preferred the loneliness, the isolation, and
the separation from the ever prying eyes of a job superintendent,
or foreman.
I have no apologies in making a figurative
connection to the man Jesus. He was the DOOR, the WAY, the
LIFE, the LIGHT- the LIGHTHOUSE! He said in John 12:32 "But
I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to
myself." Again He said in Matthew 11:28-29 "Come
unto me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give
you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am
gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your
souls."
Jesus is not IN a lighthouse; he IS the
ultimate LIGHTHOUSE. He is the LIFE, the SPIRIT, the HOPE,
and the LIGHT that penetrates the darkness of our lives and
brings us to safer waters. His light is never overcome by
darkness, or storm. It shines brightly to all of us who are
weary, confused, lost in the storms of life, and who are ready
to be guided to a safe harbor.
