Today, I went to class. My last class of the day is an especially fun one: we discuss artworks as historical texts that let us in on the insight of that historical period. We have no textbook except for the art pieces we look at during class.

But today was interesting. We went over the art before and during the French Revolution. I never realized it before, but those years are some of the hardest to look at, especially considering the art. The blunt hatred of God is horrifying and hurtful to look at in those pieces.

As I was reflecting on the lesson and the shift of the European world from strictly religious works to almost strictly political or erotic works, I came upon the realization that this modernity we all live in currently has the same shift. And so I wrote my thoughts down on paper:

"Is this shift happening today? I, unfortunately, believe so. The one hope and knowledge I have, however, is the vision of a revival and revolution in Christ. God has more in store for this generation and future generations. I am placed here with fellow artist-lovers of Christ because we are an army battling the Roman ideas of secular culture that subtly separate us from natural good and God. We will be influences for younger, future generations. Somehow, through Christ, we will have the power to inspire hope and freedom in the stink of chaos."

I then spent an hour wandering around the Brazos river with my camera and my book bag, enjoying the colors of autumn and reflecting more on these ideas floating through my mind. When I got home -- just now -- I received an email from the Baylor magazine The Phoenix which is run by students and publishes literary and artistic work. The editor of the magazine heard of me and asked me to create the cover work for the magazine.

So I sat in my chair and I talked with Jesus. I had received commissions from magazines before to create cover work for, but I never went through with them because commissions and I don't work hand-in-hand too well. So I was talking with Him when I remembered what I had written about an hour previous: "we will be influences for younger, future generations."

I want to show God's glory whatever way that may look. And, for now, I think that looks like The Phoenix.

Portals

God has told me that my outdoor "en plein air" paintings are portals.

If I look at them, it feels like I've been transported to that spot. And I know -- I know -- deep in my heart that I did not paint them. There's no way I could paint something with such a timeless quality as a portal. God is in each of my paintings, for His glory and His purpose. I'm just a paintbrush in the Artist's hands, and I'm a very happy paintbrush. :)

It's my passion to share these portals with God's beloved children. I want to paint outdoors and then give the painting to whoever God puts on my heart. That's the desire of my heart. God has a purpose for these portals that surround me in my room. Just like the artists since the beginning of Christianity have done, I wish for my artwork to help usher a person into God's throne room, where they sit at Jesus's feet and talk with him through worship.

I can only hope these portals can bring them there.

Let's face it: having a real conversation with Jesus Christ changes your life forever.