springs of living water

I'm trying to find the things in my personal archives that I haven't managed to get to the blog before - like this watercolor by Becky Baker that depicts the river of life. Notice that the living water flows from the heart of God.

In Becky's own words: "Part of growing up I remember the harmonious songs we sang while attending Catholic school in the Long Beach area. One of the songs that stick in my mind is 'Come to the Springs of Living Waters.' It is a beautiful song with harmony that touched my soul to the core. Since then I have searched for this song in the Catholic Hymnals but cannot find it. What a treasure if I can ever find the words to this beautiful song."

more feasting

Here's an update on Becky's "feasting" work: as you can read in her notes here, she's begun the work on her actual clay piece and has provided an updated sketch. She has an interesting mix of perspectives, actually seeming to look down on the feasting table in Heaven when we're usually looking up, but then showing the table in context of a world map, implying how Heaven will be on the earth. Also note the river rocks in the upper right corner, which I assume allude to the river of life.

In addition, the figure in the foreground truly depicts being separated from God by the flames that block the way, but still allow the figure to see what is being missed - showing the true heartbreak of believers who don't want anyone to miss out. I can't wait to see the final work, with all of it's nuances. If you want to see this image larger (or any of the other images in this blog, for that matter, ) simply click on it!

feasting in the kingdom of heaven

Becky Baker recently shared her vision of feasting in heaven, a deliciously complex image full of meaning. Her sketch here is for a base of fired clay with images of collaged paper and paint to show a feast in heaven "among our beloved pets and family." On the lower section of the piece is an image of hell, separated from the feast. She says she also "will include an angel or two to show that they will be at the service of man in heaven." (See Hebrews 1:14.)

Becky's scriptural reference for this piece is Luke 14:15 which says, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the Kingdom of God." This concept of feasting in heaven is repeated several times, including in Isaiah 25:6, Matthew 8:11 and Revelation 19:9. That's a meal you won't want to miss...