The Standing King

An edited version of this Art Reflection was shared at The Gathering House Church in Spokane Washington and presented on March 31, 2019  The Edited version can be found at the bottom of this post. 

Written by Margot Cioccio 

  

Art work by James Nesbit  

Prophetic Word: Pastor Tim Sheets 

As I sat down to write this art reflection, I remembered that James Nesbit takes prophetic words that have been released to the church by recognized prophetic voices of our day. I was inspired to look at the artwork notes and to my delight it did give information about the prophetic source. The word had been released at an Appeal to Heaven conference by a Tim Sheets, a Pastor in Middletown Ohio who is the older brother of the more well known minister Dutch Sheets. I decided to spent the $1.99 to download Tim’s message to see what inspired this image. Please see the links posted above. 

Acts 2, the very first Pentecost. It is the very first gathering of “the church”. They wait together as Jesus instructed. They wait to receive the power He promised he would send them. This day is the coronation day of Jesus. It is 50 days after passover.  Looking back in history, Moses was given the commandments written on stone fifty days after the first Passover. Now fifty days after the crucifixion, which happened during Passover, Jesus gives the Holy Spirit and the commandments are not written on stone this time but upon our hearts, fulfilling Jeremiah 31:31-34.  

In heaven, He sits down upon the throne and the Father takes a horn of oil and pours it over his head as described in Psalm 133. How precious it is to him when His church walks together in unity. In Acts 2 the Holy Spirit is released as that anointing oil flows from his head on to his body the church at that time with great signs and wonders. He is seated so that oil pools in his lap. In Acts 7 when Stephen is being stoned for boldly proclaiming the truth we see Jesus for the first time as The Standing King. The oil once pooled in his lap splashes down to his people releasing an even greater outpouring of His Spirit to his body the “Church”. Tim believes now is the time of the Standing King.

In this artwork by James Nesbit we see the King is no longer seated but is now standing. On his thigh is written King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He wears the breast plate of the High Priest with the stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel. He holds scepter in one hand and his other arm is strong and mighty. Behind him is the throne and he is surrounded by glory as He releases the Holy Spirit dove along with the angel star host to move in His authority and power. I transcribed the actual prophetic word given by Tim Sheets to share with you. As you look at this art work I pray God will profoundly speak to you both through the image and through this prophetic word. 

“The Lord of Hosts says to the remnant warriors of the triumphant reserve. I said it is finished not I am finished. I am not finished. I finished redemption for sins on the cross but I am not done. I am not done with my church. No, I will now finish building my church. It will be glorious. It will be without spot or wrinkle. It will reign in my name. It will not be intimidated, scared or confused, bewildered, tepid or spineless. I am not done. I am not near done. 

I‘ve got much to finish and I will now finish it. I have saved the best wine for your times. I will now finish the releasing of out pouring, after out pouring, after out pouring, after out pouring of my power and anointing revealed in my manifest presence. The World will now see my power manifest and released on my triumphant reserve. My glory will become demonstrably real in your times. From glory, to glory, to glory to glory. I’m not finished. I am not finished says the Lord. 

I’m not finished healing blind eyes. I’m not finished opening deaf ears. I’m not finished restoring crippled limbs. I’m not done reaping the harvest of the end of the age. I’m not finished saving the lost, setting the oppressed free, or delivering captives. I’m not done with Muslims says the Lord. I’m not done with Hindu’s. I’m not done penetrating the nations with the gospel. I’m not done with alcoholics. I’m not done with drug addicts. I’m not done delivery the bound. I’m not done removing lust and perversion from those who are wounded, broken and lost. I’m not done setting homosexuals free. I’m not done setting lesbians free. Im not done setting adulterers free. I’m not finished with gay marriage. I’m not finished with abortion. I am far from finished! 

I’m not finished says the Lord, with America. Im not finished with the World. I’m not finished with my Kingdom on this earth which means….

You’re… not… finished!
My church is not finished. My Ecclesia will now bind hell. My Ecclesia is not done binding hell. It is not done standing for my Word without compromise. It is not done confronting demon doctrine. It is not done confronting rebel governments. It is not done confronting rebel kings, dictators, presidents and evil dignitaries.  My reigning church is not done prevailing over the gates of Hell. It is not done promoting righteousness. It is not done preaching my Word without compromise. It is not done prevailing over principalities and powers and mights and dominions. It is not done salting the earth. Lighting up darkness. Reversing evil laws and treading on demons. Preaching hope and preaching deliverance to the captives. It is not done reaping my harvest of lost men and women, boys and girls. It’s not done discipling the nations. My church isn’t done when the government says its done. It’s not done with the President says its done. It’s not done when the media says its done. It’s not done when professors say its done. It’s not done when the IRS says its done. It’s not done when hireling shepherds say its done.  It’s not done when the supreme court says its done. Its done when I say its done and I say You’re…not… done!

Occupy till I come. Take care of my business. It is finished but I am not finished!

Focus on what I say and let that settle the issue. “


Edited Version of The Standing King

 This art reflection is an excerpt from my blog post titled The Standing King. If you would like to read the whole thing please see me after the service. 

 James Nesbit takes current prophetic words and creates digital images. I was inspired to look at the artwork notes for information about the prophetic source. The word had been released at a conference by a Tim Sheets, a Pastor in Middletown Ohio

Its fifty days after passover in Acts 2, the disciples are gathered for the first time as “the church”. They wait together as Jesus instructed. They wait for the power He promised he would send them. This day is the coronation day of Jesus. This is the day that Jesus sits down on his heavenly throne as King of kings. Looking back in history, Moses was given the commandments fifty days after the first Passover. Now fifty days after the crucifixion, Jesus gives the Holy Spirit and the commandments are not written on stone this time but upon our hearts, fulfilling Jeremiah 31:31-34.  

In this artwork by James Nesbit we see the King is no longer seated but is now standing. On his thigh is written King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He wears the breast plate of the High Priest with the stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel. He holds Kings scepter in one hand and his other arm is strong and mighty. Behind him is the throne and he is surrounded by glory as He releases the Holy Spirit along with the host of angel stars to move in His authority and power. I transcribed the prophetic word given by Tim Sheets to share with you but I have shortened it for time sake. The full word is in my blog post.  As you look at this art work I pray God will profoundly speak to you both through the image and through this prophetic word. 

“The Lord of Hosts says to the remnant warriors of the triumphant reserve. I said it is finished not I am finished. I am not finished. I finished redemption for sins on the cross but I am not done. I am not done with my church. No, I will now finish building my church. It will be glorious. It will be without spot or wrinkle. It will reign in my name. It will not be intimidated, scared or confused, bewildered, tepid or spineless. I am not done. I am not near done. 

I‘ve got much to finish and I will now finish it. I have saved the best wine for your times. I will now finish the releasing of out pouring, after out pouring, after out pouring, after out pouring of my power and anointing revealed in my manifest presence. The World will now see my power manifest and released on my triumphant reserve. My glory will become demonstrably real in your times. From glory, to glory, to glory to glory. I’m not finished. I am not finished says the Lord. 

I’m not finished healing blind eyes. I’m not finished opening deaf ears. I’m not finished restoring crippled limbs. I’m not done reaping the harvest of the end of the age. I’m not finished saving the lost, setting the oppressed free, or delivering captives….

I’m not finished says the Lord, with America. Im not finished with the World. I’m not finished with my Kingdom on this earth which means….

You’re… not… finished!

My church is not finished… It is not done standing for my Word without compromise. It is not done confronting demon doctrine. It is not done confronting rebel governments. It is not done confronting rebel kings, dictators, presidents and evil dignitaries.  My reigning church is not done prevailing over the gates of Hell. It is not done promoting righteousness. It is not done preaching my Word without compromise. It is not done prevailing over principalities and powers and mights and dominions. It is not done salting the earth. Lighting up darkness… It is not done reaping my harvest of lost men and women, boys and girls. It’s not done discipling the nations. 

My church isn’t done when the government says its done. It’s not done with the President says its done. It’s not done when the media says its done….It’s not done when hireling shepherds say its done.  It’s not done when the supreme court says its done. Its done when I say its done and I say You’re…not… done!

Occupy till I come. Take care of my business. It is finished but I am not finished!

Focus on what I say and let that settle the issue. “

United We Stand

This Art Reflection was presented at the Gathering House Church in Spokane Washington 

on March 24th, 2019. You can purchase a copy of the art work at 

https://jnesbit.com/products/desire-of-the-nations

https://jnesbit.com/products/desire-of-the-nations

Desire of the Nations by James Nesbitt
Art Reflection by Margot Cioccio and Gerri Wright


The Lion is Jesus. He is our risen Lord. He walks triumphant through the heavenly sanctuary, in the midst of the rainbow of his promises. The nations are under his feet. He strides upon the water of life that flows out from his heavenly presence. See the sunrise in the distance and the universe above—they remind us that now and on into eternity, more than we can think, ask, or imagine awaits us.
This is what the Lord Almighty says in Haggai 2:6 “I will shake the nations, the desired of all the nations will come, and I will fill this house with my glory.” Habbakkuk 2:14 says, “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”
Lord, we need your revelation to help us understand that we are seated with you NOW in the heavenly places. But oh, how that stretches our mortal mind. The idea that in every moment we are here, but also there [in the heavenly realm] with you. Help us understand that you have called us out of darkness into partnership to rule and reign as your prophets, priests, and kings in the earth not only someday but now.
Yet we are so inadequate, so poor, so broken. Holy Spirit remind us to turn our focus and look on our Beloved. Look at him. He is our Lion, our King triumphant!

He says in Psalm 2 verse 8 “Ask of me and I shall give you the nations as your inheritance.” But do we even get that far in the smallness of our thinking? We are so often embroiled in the daily trials of our own life. We want more of him and more of him means more of his heart for others.
My king is coming! Will he find asleep on my couch, the tv blaring and enticing me with endless entertainment that only leaves me empty? Have I become numb and desensitized when life has been easy? Do I only seek him as my last resort when all my good ideas have been tried and have failed? Do I come to him? Do I come to him at all?

The banner over his house is love and those who find true wisdom obtain the tools for understanding and living. For they have a fountain of his blessing pouring into their lives. Feed us Jesus from the tree of life found in you. Allow the living water that flows from your heavenly sanctuary to satisfy our thirst. Oh, how we thirst for you. Will we wake up our mind? Will we say until the darkness disappears and the dawn has fully come, in spite of shadows and fears, that we will go to the mountaintop with you? Will we join you on the mountain of suffering love, and the lonely hills of prayer that burn before you like fragrant incense?

We are united in his love. We love him because he first loved us. Yet we let so much get in the way of that love relationship: worry, fear, doubt, sickness, calamity, religion, envy, pride, poverty, hopelessness, inadequacy, lack…the list goes on and on. These are the chains he comes to break us free from. He gives us his word that we should wield it like a mighty sword to cut through the endless hissing of the enemy that holds us hostage in these chains and cages built of half-truths and lies.
Can you hear him saying, “Come with me through the blue and purple archway of trust? Together we will wage war on the one who spreads these lies, the one who holds my people in every nation captive. Let us stand united as one to make war on the enemy and set the captives free.

Under God's Protection

This Art Reflection was written for The Gathering House Church in Spokane Washington. It was presented during the service on March 17th, 2019. You can purchase this art work at http://www.inspired-art.com/Gallery_8/Gods_Protection.html

http://www.inspired-art.com/Gallery_8/Gods_Protection_files/shapeimage_1.png

by Artist Danny Hahlbohm 

Art Reflection by Margot Cioccio

As I sat writing this reflection I went searching for a particular quote and I found my self drawn in to listening to the music of one of my favorite song writers, who’s life here on this earth in my opinion ended far too soon. Yet he lives on many years later in recordings and rough demos made a mere 9 days before the fatal car wreck that took him home like Elijah in a chariot of fire.  As we look at living and dying in the sermon today Im reminded of  Psalm  91:11-12 say For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 

In Psalm 139:14-18 

I thank you, God, for making me so mysteriously complex! Everything you do is marvelously breathtaking. It simply amazes me to think about it. How thoroughly you know me, Lord! You even formed every bone in my body when you created me in the secret place, carefully, skillfully shaping me from nothing into something. You saw who you created me to be before I became me! Before I’d seen the light of day, the number of days you planned for me were already recorded in your book. Every single moment you are thinking of me! How precious and wonderful to consider that you cherish me constantly in your every thought. 

How much freedom is there to be found in knowing that God has already planned the number of your days. 

In John 10:25-30. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

How much freedom is there in knowing that nothing can snatch us out of his hand

The image today is another recent painting from artist Danny Hahlbohm. The title he has given to it is Under  God’s  Protection. He writes on the site notes “We are children of the living God, and God protects His own. When need be, God will send His mighty angels to protect us from harm and evil. His angels are powerful and mighty, not like those depicted in some “new age” imagery. God does not have wimpy angels.

His angels do His bidding, weather good or destructive, and they have the power and capability to carry out God’s mission no matter what that might be. No wonder why in the bible, when an angel appears, the first thing that angel says is, “fear not.”

In Philippians 1:27-28 in the  Passion Translation it says… "When I come to see you, or hear good reports of you, I’ll know that you stand united in one Spirit and one passion - celebrating together as conquerors in the faith of the gospel. And then you will never be shaken or intimidated by the opposition that rises up against us, for your courage will only prove as a sure sign from God of their coming destruction and that you have found a new life.” 

Irregardless if the opposition you face is thugs who would try to rob, rape or even kill you or a diagnosis of cancer or some other thing that threatens to take your life. I want you to look intently at this art work on the screen today. Allow it to be seared into your mind and heart. 

Last week we looked at Jesus as the Word, this week we look at art that depicts him as provider and protector. He is the commander of the angel armies. Paul in the passage today is speaking about living and dying. He is ready to depart this life but knows that his staying benefits the Church. In verse 20 he says “In my life or in my death, Christ will be magnified in me. My true life is the Anointed One, and dying means gaining more of him. 

From the realm of God’s golden glory which is much closer than you may think. Do you feel Him? He is here with us right now.  See his right hand extended, and reaching out to you. It reminds me of how the king extend his scepter to Esther when she came to him uninvited. That extended scepter or hands means you who have approached the King will live and not die.  He does not hold back the things that you need to overcome and to be victorious. His mighty angel army come and go at his command. 

I want to end with some words written by Rich Mullins the song writer I mentioned earlier. 

My Deliverer is coming, my Deliverer is standing by 

He will never break His promise, He has written it upon the sky 

My Deliverer is coming, my Deliverer is standing by 

I will never doubt His promise though I doubt my heart, I doubt my eyes 

My Deliverer is coming, my Deliverer is standing by 

He will never break His promise though the stars should break faith with the sky 

My Deliverer is coming, my Deliverer is standing by

Here's A Youtube video of Rich Mullins song My Deliverer

https://youtu.be/K8-NxI_IWd0

God's Everlasting Word

This Art reflection was written for the Gathering House Church in Spokane Washington 

and presented during the service on March 10th 2019  You can order a copy of this paining by Danny Hahlbohm at http://www.inspired-art.com/gallery_7/Gods_Everlasting_Word.html

http://www.inspired-art.com/gallery_7/Gods_Everlasting_Word.html

A Painting by Danny Hahlbohm 

Art Reflection by Margot Cioccio

This image is from a painting by Danny Hahlbohm called God’s Everlasting Word. On youtube there is a video in which Danny shares in his personal testimony about his very first encounter with God while in the military. He had been suffering for days with a severe migraine. Nothing he tried had brought about any relief. In his desperation and pain he cried out to God to help him. To his surprise this God he didn’t even know answered. The thick English fog out side his barracks somehow in that instant parted and he was able to see the night stars in the heavens above. In that moment he was also instantly cured of his migraine. He said that it seemed as if the migraine which to him felt like death was so small as if it were a bit of lint that God flicked off His heavenly sweater.  He was so amazed that he had actually encountered God. He now knew God was real but he didn’t know anything about Him. He goes on to share how he visited all kinds of churches and kept trying to read the Bible but none of it made much sense to him. After searching for months he finally gave up and went on with His life. He says later that He didn’t find God - God found him. 

Sometime later His cousin Albert came to visit. Both had gotten into all kinds of trouble in their younger years. It seems that Albert had given his life to Christ and was excited to share his relationship with Jesus with his cousin. That evening Danny alone in his room asked Jesus to be his Lord and savior. The next day he told Albert and they rejoiced together. Albert encouraged Danny to start reading the Bible. Danny notes that what had previously been a confusing jumble of words now made sense to him. With no training or help other than from the Holy Spirit be began reading and understanding and growing in the Lord.  

Driving home from working at a local garden center. He was so full of the love of God and the Holy Spirit that he wanted to do something for God. He asked the question Lord, what can I do for you? The answer he heard was use your talent. His talent was his painting, which had been mostly landscapes and flowers up to that time. That evening he painted a picture of the face of Jesus. He said it was the first painting that he didn’t paint. He had no idea what he was doing he was just moving the brush. Since that time he continued to paint for the Lord. Danny brought his bit of talent and has watched as Jesus has multiplied it to feed and inspire others for His glory. 

He writes in his bio “I answer to no man, only my King, and I report to Him daily each morning and throughout the day. When asked to paint, I paint. When asked to write, I write. When asked to pray for other brothers and sister I have not met or known, I pray. This is my calling, this is who God created me to be and to perform as. I shall give the King, that which He asks of me everyday of the life He has granted me. This is who I am, and none other.”

Now that you’ve met the artist, lets look one of his more recent works. 

Do you see the hand of God reaching out as if through His Word? See him reaching out to you in this moment. He invites you to come into His presence to be part of His living Word. Like Danny His Word only begins to make sense once we have responded to the voice of Jesus and invite him to come into our lives. 

Do you see the Hebrew letters on the Sword of Truth. Translated say I am that I am. It is the name that God called Himself when he met Moses at the Burning Bush in Exodus 3.  Much like Moses we can often feel inadequate when looking at our bit of talent. Surely there are others who are more qualified? 

We who have chosen to follow Christ were not adopted into the family because of our skills or good looks, not because of our family line. Not because of anything we could possibly do for Him. He has given his sons and daughters a double edged sword of His Word. God has always been interested in relationship. Out of our relationship he calls us to the family business of expanding the Kingdom for His glory. We have been given this sword his words. Its interesting to note that in English the Sword and Words are made up of the same letters. As we begin to speak and declare God’s words and apply it appropriately to various situations they cut through the lies we and others have believed.  Our enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy but he really has no power unless we put our seed of faith into his lies rather than into God’s truth.

Notice the Bible in this painting. It is bursting with light and life. It is filled with living letters that make up living Words. It is from cover to cover the story of the Living Word made flesh who we call Jesus. 

As we grow in love and intimacy with the Lord much like Danny we may find ourselves wanting to give back to God in some small way. God spoke to Danny - use your talent. He speaks that word to us as well. What ever it is that you do begin to use it for His glory.  Like Danny you may look back with amazement at what God has done with that tiny bit of a talent and how He has used it to feed a multitude.  

Creativity and the Butterfly Life Cycle

Creativity and the Butterfly Life Cycle  by Margot Cioccio 

Thanks to Unsplash photographers: Nathan Dumlao, Yoal Desurmont and Boudewijn Huysmans.

I dreamed about a beautiful butterfly. It was like a family pet that followed us around. One day it became weak and was no longer thriving. I decided to released it in the yard and hoped that nature would revive it, and it would not stepped on or eaten by a dog. 

Most often we think of butterflies in their adult glory as they grace the fields and flowers with their marvelous beauty. I generally think of butterflies as a representation of transformation taking place in the lives of people. The well known story of how the ordinary, even ugly caterpillar eats and eats and one day becomes creates a cocoon from which it eventually emerges as the delicate beautiful butterfly. We celebrate the butterfly for emerging from the mundane. The mundane process is all to soon forgotten and rarely celebrated. 

The butterfly can represent freedom. Having made it to the 4th stage of its life, its purpose at this point is to find a mate and reproduce. We so often celebrate the glory in our lives or in the lives of others but forget that it is just the last of the four stages of an on going cycle. The average life span of a butterfly is only about a month.The four stages are the egg, the larva, what we generally call the caterpillar. Then the Pupa or the Chrysalis stage and finally the  graceful butterfly. 

There are goals at each stage that must be met. If they are not met the generational future of butterflies are in danger. Thankfully that future is not left to one individual butterfly. The Monarch will lay 500 eggs, one egg at a time on the underside of many leafs. She must lay those eggs on the kind of leaves that the new baby caterpillar can immediately eat. Food must be readily available for that tiny baby. It is too small and vulnerable at first to travel to find food. 

I’d like to look at butterflies as creative ideas. The life cycle of a butterfly is filled with obstacles. In the egg and caterpillar stage a hungry bird might eat you. I suppose there is wisdom in not putting all your eggs in the same basket or on the same leaf if you are a butterfly. 

As I go about my day what ideas am I laying into the lives of others. Perhaps my ideas will simply be food for others to help them grow. I don’t know when an idea may spark something or what eggs may hatch and become hungry caterpillars that might one day become butterflies that help to encourage and inspire others. 

I have always struggled with what I want to be when I grow up because I have so many avenues of interest. It has always been hard to choose. While in art school my professors advised that I pick one medium and work to develop it as my artistic expression. I seem to be like that butterfly I go through cycles where I gobble up a subject, experiment, turn it over and over in my mind and then finally create something beautiful. Then I move on to a new idea. 

If you were to look at my desk you might wonder how I get anything done. I have stacks of papers and books and stuff all about. I realized that I am more creative with in a slightly messy environment. When I look at nature I don’t see tidy rows, I see randomness, an organic messy kind of beauty. When my desk is too neat its like that blank canvas or white piece of paper. It leads to instant creative block. If it is all clean and tidy I don’t want to mess it up. There is something comforting and inspiring about my slightly messy desk.  It represents a multitude of ideas and projects.  Some mundane like bills and taxes and others creative like journals, song snippets and drawing ideas. In some ways my bits of paper and clutter are like the multitude of leaves the adult butterfly has laid a huge variety of ideas upon.

Some of those ideas may one day become something. Others are just part of the creative process. They needed written down to make room for creative space within my brain for other ideas to grow and develop. When I am working on big projects my brain is constantly churning. The creative process is almost like being pregnant. Then giving it birth and raising it up so that others may be inspired by it. 

I generally don’t like the time that is in between creative projects. I feel like that Chrysalis just hanging around that is seemingly doing nothing. I have noticed for myself anyway, that I need some people time but I also need quiet alone time. If I can keep a healthy balance than I continue to be creative. The Caterpillar represents the social out in the world eating up stimulus and ideas. The Chrysalis in many ways represents that quiet time that I need to process all that I have consumed. I have come to terms with my feelings of having to always be producing to be of value. I had to get past my mindset that said I needed to be good enough to earn the attention or favor of others or even God. I have had to accept that my creativity goes through cyclic seasons. I have had to learn to guard the secret quiet space of my mind and heart. To not get so busy that there is no time to process or create. Resting and processing is part of the creative life cycle of an idea as well. 

The pet butterfly in my dream shows me what happens to an idea if I keep it to myself and don’t allow it to be free to soar. It dies and does not get the chance to inspire others and to reproduce. 

When I first create something there is a tendency to want to keep it to myself. To look at it over and over again. It represents a part of me. I have to decide if I will share that part of myself with others. It is easy to become critical as a creative person. To say to a creative thing, “I’m sorry you are just not good enough”. I have to push past the fear of exposing myself to the critique of others. It takes courage to release a creative endeavor and allow it to soar. I have to leave it in the hands of God. I have to let go of control at that point and realize it is part of His story written though me that now must take on a life of its own.  For the creative cycle to continue to be birthed in myself and in others I have to be willing to share my creation even with what I see as its flaws. Those very flaws are like foot prints others are able to follow. Its ok if its not totally perfect it is totally real and raw expression of my journey. As I bid it farewell, I am grateful for what I have learned and experienced along the way that I will carry on into future projects. I am thankful that my Abba Father is creative and I have been made in His image as a creative person to express His love to I release yet another idea into the winds of His Spirit. 

“I pray with great faith for you, because I’m fully convinced that the One who began this glorious work in you will faithfully continue the process of maturing you and will put his finishing touches to it until the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ!”                                   Philippians 1:6 (TPT)

You Are My Dancing Rhythm

https://jnesbit.com/products/you-are-my-dancing-rhythm

This is a Art Reflection that I wrote and presented at the Gathering House Church in Spokane Washington on March 3rd, 2019. Here is a link to where sermons are posted. 

From the Philippians Series Titled Abounding Love. As a church we purchased a copy of this image to use in our service. I have put a watermarked image here with a link back to the artist website. I highly recommend art work  of James Nesbit to you. 

You Are My Dancing Rhythm 

an Art Reflection by Margot Cioccio 

You Are My Dancing Rhythm is a prophetic art piece by James Nesbit. He is one of the leading prophetic artists of our time. He feels a portion of his assignment from God comes from Habakkuk 2 to write the vision and engrave it so plainly (through digital imagery).  He follows the prophetic words being spoken to the “church” at large by seasoned prophetic ministers and makes visual representations of those prophetic words.

The beautiful ballerina makes the dance look so effortless as she dances on the eternal stage to the rhythm of the masters melody. She reaches up as if to touch the strings as the rhythm, melody and harmony seem to rain down upon the earth where she dances for His glory on the world stage of her life. 

In Philippians the Apostle Paul states, It’s no wonder I pray with such confidence, since you have a permanent place in my heart! You have remained partners with me in the wonderful grace of God even though I’m here in chains for standing up for the truth of the gospel. 

We are all in our own ways invited into the great dance of love between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Paul did not let the chains or the conditions of prison steal his joy. He did not allow his circumstances to be an excuse for not finishing His race. I am sure that he must have worshiped and sang during the long hours much as he had done with Silas years before. This time there is no earth quake and his physical chains are not removed in yet another astounding miracle that paved the way for the Gospel to enter into Europe. Not this time. Paul was not chasing miracles. Miracles followed him. The miracle of his imprisonment is perhaps a bit harder to see this side of heaven. As he sat chained to different guards 24 hours a day, he told them the stories of his encounters with Jesus. The prisoner literally had a captive audience. The guards sat as he dictated letters and watched as people would come and go to minister to this rugged looking old man. They could see that he had been through a lot in his time. I can only wonder at the transforming power at work in their lives. Perhaps you and I are part of their family lines. They remain nameless guards so we many never know the lives effected because one old man in chains told stories of his beloved Jesus rather than griping. We must train themselves to be thankful no matter what the circumstance 

Much like a dancer who wants to perform on pointe there are a variety of conditions that must be met to accomplish such a goal. 

Training starts at a young age so that form, strength and alignment are achieved as the dancers feet and bones grow and harden. At age 12 if a dancer has a foot where the toes are all about the same length and she has ankles that are flexible she may be considered as a potential candidate for dancing on point. It isn’t a task for the immature or those who want the easy path. To dance on pointe requires emotional maturity to be able to deal with the pain of practicing at least three times a week. The dancer has to be responsible to take care of her shoes. Her shoes are extremely important to hard and they make too much noise, too soft the feet are not supported. A dancer may go through 3 or more pairs of shoes in a nights performance. They wear out and have to be replaced by new ones. Each dancer has to hand sew elastic and ribbon ties to her shoes and break in the shoes during rehearsals so they are ready for performance. 

Paul also started training early. He studied the scriptures as a child. He was later tutored by Rabbi Gamaliel. He might have even gone on to be a candidate for the position of High Priest.  Many dancers never make it to pointe. Their foot structure, emotional maturity, work ethic and commitment to responsibility all play a role in determining if a dancer will dance on pointe. Paul was fiercely committed to keeping the purity of God’s Holy Word. His passion lead him to persecute and kill Christians. Yet one day the Lord looked at Pauls formation and decided it was time to move him to a new level of revelation. It was the day he had an encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. It was the day his life changed forever. God knew he would be able to withstand the anger of the Jew,  shipwrecks, beatings, name calling, trials, hardships jail and finally a martyrs death. God knew that He would not cave because of the difficulties and the riggers of being like the lead ballerina on pointe on the world stage.

“James Nesbit writes the following about this image. “Arise and dance with the King. Your dance may be moving in the beauty of auto repair, or a mother seeing her children well tended to, releasing the rhythm of the eternal song with in them.”

In Philippians, Paul goes on to say “I continue to pray for your love to grow and increase beyond measure, bringing you into the rich revelation of spiritual insight in all things. This will enable you to choose the most excellent way of all - becoming pure and without offense until the unveiling of Christ.  And you will be filled completely with the fruits of righteousness that are found in Jesus, the Anointed One - bringing great praise and glory to God!

Will you wake up and arise and join in His great dance of love to be who he uniquely created you to be for His glory. Will you let the rain of Heavens song touch you like this dancer and move in and through you to be all that He created you to be.  No one else can dance the dance that God has designed for you. Will you join the dance abounding in His great Love. 

Psalm One - Prayer Doodling

Photo by Ben White from UnSplash Photos

 Psalm 1 begins with the words, "What delight comes to the one who follows God's ways!" 

There are a lot of ways to spend time meditating on the Word of God. It should not be a laborious duty but more like reading a love letter from your most beloved friend. Ok so maybe not Leviticus. 

The other day I was spending some time in Psalm 1 and I decided to make the doodle page. You should see below in the text. I started on the left side and thought about those who chose to follow God.  I wanted this one to have a bit of a flowing feel to it, almost as if one was being carried along by the streams of living water.

In the middle I wanted to put the Psalm in my own words. "Jesus I delight in following you. I chose not to walk in unity with those who have chosen not to follow you. I will not relax or remove my armor int he presence of the ungodly. Help me live in and by your Word so that night and day I am Transformed to be more like you. Make me like a strong and graceful tree by flowing water, full of fruit."

On the right hand side I spent time thinking about the wicked and the results of their choices. We are given many opportunities to choose Jesus or even on a more basic level to pursue truth. I've told my grown children to keep seeking truth because eventually you will run in to Jesus, because he is the truth.

I started doing these doodles while I was in ministry school. I tried to find something within the required Bible reading to turn into a doodle. I like to make copies of my original drawings before adding color. Most of the time I don't get around to coloring, but have noticed that coloring is a great way to slow your brain down and help it to focus and stay focused.  You can download this printable and enjoy coloring Psalm #1 by following this link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iohTNZn-OIN5RmKhoqxwnPwCGfVUs1XT/view?usp=sharing

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Photo by Aaron Burden UnSplash 

How do you spend time meditating on the Word?