Pilgrim's Progress

Christus Victor

I don't know what happened last night, but something changed. After feeling like I was walking in a spiritual desert for the last three weeks, unable to connect with God in any meaningful way, there was a quiet, but tangible sense that something was different. It felt like my prayers had finally achieved a little breakthrough and that something had shifted in the heavenlies.

Easter means many things, but it speaks of the wonderful breakthrough that Jesus accomplished. The breakthrough that makes all other breakthroughs possible.

Last week, on the shelf in my car boot, there were two little twigs which had fallen in the shape of a cross. I'm not sure how they got there, but I think they pointed me to this moment.

This morning I read the bit in Matthew 27 where Jesus is in the tomb, and the authorities try to prevent the body being snatched. It struck me that these extra measures only served to convince thousands that he really did rise, and the angel seems to mock their efforts by sitting on the rolled-away stone.

I am still waiting for many breakthroughs, but for now, I am grateful for renewed confidence that it's on its way. Here's my attempt to express this in visual form.

A Prayer Crucified Jesus, You smashed through all our bonds and set us free. Come through for us, for a broken world. Let your breakthrough be our breakthroughs. And so, this Easter Saturday, This waiting, seeking, searching, wondering time, When Jesus has been crucified but not yet raised, may the breakthrough of Jesus come through for you, however long you've been waiting.

A Shadow Of My Future Self

 

This was prompted by an email from a friend who's working through a lot of stuff right now. As I read it, some words popped into my mind (a paraphrase of Romans 8:18) and I've put them into this animation.

It's a play on words - we normally say "I'm a shadow of my former self" but Christian hope flips this round and says the best is yet to come.

It brings together the tension between God's promise that one day he will complete the work he began in us, but the painful wait in the meantime!

(Please note this animation requires Flash version 8 or later. The animation will detect what version you are running and advise you accordingly. Click here to get the Flash v9 player.)

God's Hammer-Stroke

It's that animated bloke again ... but I think this time it's me in disguise :)
(Make sure you watch it right to the end to get the whole thing)

Do we ever come to the end of God's refining and character building this side of heaven ... or maybe it seems a bit drawn out because I'm just not getting it! Or maybe something else is going on.

This training regime started in earnest about 9 years ago and it's never really let up for long. Hmmm. OK Lord I'm listening ...

Blessed are those whom God brings into line
So do not think God's training program is beneath you.
For he hurts, be he binds up.
He breaks in pieces, but his hands also rebuild.
(Job 5:17-18; based on LHI Hebrew Interlinear).

But it's all for love ...

The one Yahweh loves, he corrects,
As a father does with a son he delights in.
(Prov 3:12; based on LHI Hebrew Interlinear)

Once again, this turns out to be a well-trodden path (funny that!) back here and here ...

(Flash animation; 850K download - click on "New Animation" to view)

The Unforced Rhythms of Grace

I love this phrase in Peterseon's translation of Matthew 11:28-31 ... "the unforced rhythms of grace". It sums up everything I long for this year - in my own life and the lives of people I know, my relationships, my serving others in a busy church, my dealings with people of any stage of faith.

Click on the image or the "new animation icon". (It requires Flash 6 or later, and it's about 443K)

100 Ways to be Alone, Part 2

I've added a few more ways that people can be alone ... you can click to move on to the next one if you saw yesterday's ones.

This is a work in progress - please leave your thoughts about ways people can be or feel alone, and I'll try to work some of them into the animation.

(Click here or on the animation above to view: Flash 8, 227K)

100 Ways to be Alone

For some reason, I've been thinking a lot about connectedness and loneliness recently. In the UK (so I'm told) 40% of new houses are built for single occupancy. One famous preacher (it might have been Billy Graham) said that the number one social issue of our time was loneliness.

Perhaps "aloneness" is a better word to describe my own mullings. I use it to sum up that inner sense of wanting to be better connected to other people, to God, to the world, but right now something's missing.

Henri Nouwen suggested that loneliness was inescapable - as imperfect human beings we can neither have every need met, nor provide for every need in others, and that until we see God face to face there will always be something of an incompleteness within. Even the best friendship, marriage, parent and so on will never fill the tank to 100%.

So this is a work in progress - I think it is going to grow over time into a larger animation, because it is "pondering in progress" coming from a person in progress, and I keep bumping into people who are looking for something ...

Click here for animation (Best viewed with Flash 8 player - about 224K to view.)

The Search for the Real Self, Part 3

This animation will feature in DREAM worship soon. We're exploring identity and self-image at DREAM in the City on Thurs 23rd March. (Click here or on the icon for an animation - about 17K, Requires Flash Player 8)

I am confident that we will get to our real core ... it's a long journey of many steps, but each step deeper into God reveals a little more of who we truly are.

But as each of beholds the glory of the Lord with our faces uncovered, we are transformed into the likeness of the one we behold, becoming more glorious each time we look. All this is the work of the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Cor 3:18; paraphrased from the Greek text)

How Do You Want to Live Today?

I have lost two good friends over the last few weeks. One to cancer, the other in a road accident. Life feels so fragile sometimes.

In 2006 I want to do my best to make every moment count. And yet so much time and opportunity seems to slip through my fingers day by day. And I can't get them back. But that's my aim nonetheless. This a new year. This is a new day. This is a new moment.

Therefore watch carefully how you live, not as those who are unwise, but as those who are wise, seizing the opportune moment, because these days are evil. (Eph 5:16; my translation)

Written in another context maybe, but the thought is the same. Seize the day.

Translational Notes
1. "Seizing the opportune moment" = literally "buying back time". Time is "kairos" rather than "chronos" which more usually refers to the opportune moment rather than simply measured time.

[Technorati tags: digital art, spirituality, biblical studies]

Into the Unknown #2: The Road Ahead

Returning to one of my favourite themes ... the way ahead, whose destination is the Father's house, but where from here to there? (Click here or on the icon for an animation - about 600K, Requires Flash Player 8)

I know that I am called
The message was quite clear
and yet I cannot see the how, the why.

I feel so small, so weak
so ill-equipped for such a task.

And yet I am prepared to say YES
and undertake the risk
and enter the unknown,
Responding to the call,
Trustfully treading my way
the only way that leads to life - to HIM.

(Sr. Theresa Margaret)

One For the Road #2: Psalm 42 - All Your Waves and Breakers

Click here for another interpretation of Psalm 42 ...
(Flash 6 or later; 337K) ...

When deep calls to deep ... when we are emptied by God, how shall we then be filled? Some days he will lead us by gentle streams of water, some days he will deluge us ...

One For the Road #1: Are We There Yet?

Don't ask me why. Sometimes they fly past. Sometimes they drag. I'm talking about journeys home on the M6, late at night. Sometimes, if I'm weary, and longing to get home, the road seems to go on and on.

This animation is for those days that the journey seems long ... Daddy, are we there yet? (Flash 6; 105K)

Worship Backgrounds

Another worship background ... Click here to download (79K, Flash 6+)

Yet another worship background ... Click here to download (73K, Flash 6+). Suggest you might need a good processor (1.5GHz+ to run at full speed - 25 fps)

As with all the original artwork on this blog, I'd be delighted if it gets used in Christian worship, public or personal, of any sort, but by downloading it, you agree not to make any profit from it, or put it any commercial use. That said, if if speaks to you in any way, or might play some part in your own work for God's kingdom, that's more than enough reward for me! Help yourselves ...

Cross Words #3: I'm So Grateful

I'm so grateful Jesus didn't get off the cross ... didn't listen to the taunts, didn't rise to the bait to prove himself, didn't let his soul agony overcome him.

I can imagine the taunts, the jeers, the mocking, the torment of his own soul buzzing round his head like flies ...

I'm so grateful that he persevered through the tide of immense opposition and won an awesome victory ...

Click here for an animation (126K; Flash 6) ...

Worship Graphics #5

Watching "The Passion of the Christ" again, I was struck by the brutality of the crown of thorns being forced down on Jesus' head ... it seemed like pointless violence somehow ...

(click here to view anim (23K) or right click and select "Save Target As..."