Are you a visual learner? I am for sure! It's no surprise that I truly learned about my faith once I let it get artsy and visual. What was once kinda boring and lost on me, actually became interesting. Beyond interesting, it's fascinating and life changing.
Where has this been all my life? Oh yeah… on the pew, right where I left it.
Do you do that? Do leave what you get at church right there on the pew? Could you use some visual encouragement to help you hold on to the Truth out here in the wild where we need it most?
Years ago I became familiar with God's creative nature, and my art became entwined with my spirituality. While the busy, noisy world swirled around me, I was hidden in my art studio, day after day, year after year, slowly discovering the aged, ancient Truths we learn about in the Bible.
An old, beautiful hymn describes it perfectly.
“I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses. And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses. And he walks with me, and he talks with me, and he tells me I am his own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.” ("In the Garden" -C.Austin Miles)
in 2021, I named my art studio “The Garden” because it had come to represent what that song sings of: a personal place of Presence. Even though the roses and greenery were oil paintings, it was here among this “garden” in the wild that my faith began to truly grow. It was here that I came to know Jesus personally.
And a few years later, something happened which I'll never forget: The call to share what I had come to know and adore: this Garden of Presence. An intimate place of creativity, of trust, hope, love, rest for my mind, and peace that exceeds my understanding, of true and genuine joy.
I have spent the last three years developing this creative ministry designed to encourage you to experience the “garden” for yourself. It's called Growing Wild. If that doesn't sound anything like a church, well, that's good! It's not designed to replace your church; it's intended to fertilize your faith between Sundays. It's creative and whimsical and relatable, yet it is deeply rooted in the word of God.
The experience of his Living Presence does something to a person. You might say it changes a person. Then, again, to grow is to change.
Welcome to this creative way of learning about your faith. I pray that this unique picture of the Christian faith serves you well.
