Lion picture; posting it because I can

I feel like posting a picture...

...So I did!

I found this photo off the internet. Doesn't he look happy? I like looking for all kinds of pictures of animals and landscapes to possibly draw or paint some day. I have thousands of photo's on my GIG stick. So I thought, that I might as well share them.

My Testimony

I always love to hear peoples testimonies of how they came to Christ. So I decided to share my own testimony. It's not extravagant but it's still a story.


I was born in San Diego California but once my dad retired from the military we moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Being the fourth of five kids I grew up learning what was wrong from my older siblings. I saw that they got punished and I knew that I didn’t want a spanking. But I had my own ways of making trouble.

When I was in Junior High I was outcast from the youth group at church. No one wanted to know me or talk to me. I greatly wanted attention from people but I sought for it in the wrong way. I went Goth and adorned myself in a lot of black. I constantly wore black until my whole wardrobe was black. I dyed my hair and got black makeup for my eyes, I was going really dark.

But when I was 16 I was listening to a sermon on the radio and it convicted me that I was ruining my life. I wasn’t being the person that God created me to be. I was in rebellion to the Lord, and the sermon was piercing my heart.

I cried and asked God to give me another chance, not as a sinner but as a Child of His. I accepted Him as Lord of my life.

I knew then and there that I needed to change. It took a little while to get out of the black stuff and I confess I still like black stuff. But I turned a corner away from the broad path of destruction to the narrow path to light.

Now, my heart yearns to find out more about my King Jesus Christ. I want to share Christ with the people around me, to reach as many people as I can for Christ so that they too can be saved.

Art: What's Allowed?

So, in the art field you'll have so many artists tell you that naked people are fine 'in the art world'. They also say graphic drawings are alright 'in the art world'. People are constantly telling me that if I want to be a good artist that I have to experiment with all areas of art, even nude models.

As a follower of Christ, I don't belief drawing, painting, or sculpting a nude person is pleasing. Not in the sense that our bodies are an abomination, but the viewer is not going to be looking at a piece with the mindset of the art worlds definition of 'this is okay'. I don't want to draw something that will cause a person's mind to stumble.

So, getting to the point, my art teacher for drawing is going to have us draw a nude model. I asked if I can do a different project instead. She gave me a lecture on how 'you're supposed to suck up your religious beliefs and do the project' and 'only good artists can draw anything, even a nude'.

That's the first aspect. My other question is about graphic pictures. I'm a more physical person when I get mad. I have to hit something. Don't worry, I don't hit anyone! But I've broken several springs in my bed and I once broke a punch bag... Anyway, when I don't get my anger out by punching something I'll draw something graphic because I'm so mad.

Here's an example. It's not too graphic, but Is this an okay way of managing anger?

So...Here are my two questions.

What is considered the correct path in drawing nude models?

And Is it okay to draw graphic stuff to get my anger out over punching things and possible people?

Gospel Witnessing

Okay, I really need to share this story. At College I'm taking 2 classes. Drawing 1 and Ceramics 1. In Drawing 1 there's a girl (she likes to go as Spike) who is a Satanist. Well, when I first attended the class she made you religion known and I was thinking, "Oh great! I'm on the opposite side of the spectrum. Lord, please help me to be a good witness for you." So, I began my witnessing commission, but with a different twist. I wasn't going up to anyone handing out tracks, or walking around with a large 'Repent' sign. I wasn't even really talking about it at first. I just lived and walked in the principals that God calls for his children. I wrote some stuff on my backpack like, 'God Rocks', 'Jesus Christ' and 'Eternal Life'. My fellow classmates saw the writings and instantly figured I was a quote "Christian". They didn't give it much thought.

But, something happened today that told me that they have thought more about it then I knew. Spike and I were sitting in the hall, waiting for our teacher to come. We're being nice and talking about different things. Then she asks my about my backpack and what I really mean by stating the name of Jesus Christ.

My mind instantly starts praying, "Lord, give me the words!" I continue to pray through-out the whole conversation.

She states her beliefs, about Satan, about no one really being evil and that re-incarnation is what happens after you die.

Then I state my relationship with God. I specify that there is a heaven and hell and that re-incarnation can't work. I also make it clear that true Christianity, being a Christ Follower as I like to put it, isn't a religion, but a relationship.

As we talk about these heated subjects, our other classmates are coming and listening in on the conversation. They are respectfully quiet and letting us 'but heads'.

It was very calm, not a debate or an argument.

Before the teacher came, Spike stopped and stared at me. And she said, "I am astounded."

I braced myself for anything.

"You are the only Christian I have meet that one, isn't trying to shove the gospel down my throat and convert me, two, isn't trying to kill me because I am a Satanist, and three, you aren't just saying things. I've seen you these past two months and you aren't just talking the talk but you are walking the walk."

Now it was my turn to be astounded. My mind instantly started praising God. The Lord was using me as a witness when all he had me do was keep my life in check.

I've been jumping for joy all day! Cause not only was I talking with, and giving Spike things to think about, but all my other classmates that were sitting with us also heard what we were saying.

I pray that the small conversation will help Spike and everyone else come closer to reaching the Lord. I also pray that I will continue to keep myself in check and that the Lord will use me to reach others.

If that talk today alone was the only reason God is having me go to college, then I wouldn't trade the joy it has given me for the world!

First and Foremost

Beginnings are a part of life. As are endings. If everyone counted the different phases we had of things in life, it would be a very long list. This is the beginning and an end of a new phase in my life. I've left a lot of forums that, at first were very fulfilling in my life. But now they no longer serve any purpose. They have run their course. I have finished the race and I'm training my life for the next track.

Man, I don't usually talk like this...at least I don't think I talk like this. But it's another change to except in the process of growing up.

A friend of Mine told me that it would be a great idea to start a blog. Since I'm striving to become an artist and a writer, she said it's just wise in this day and age.

So the First is this, the first post in the beginning of a new phase, the blogging phase. And Foremost, I will here-after post things that hopefully inspire and encourage you as you walk in your phases of life.

God Bless!