”Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”  John 18:36

While creating this piece I wrestled with what Jesus must have been experiencing when he spoke these words to Pontius Pilate the Roman governor of Judaea.  Jesus' disciples had deserted him and ran for their lives.  Peter the "Rock", had denied evening knowing him three times.  And now the very people whom he had come to save were preparing to torture and execute him.

How the angels in heaven must have been eagerly listening to hear their King ask for protection against these wicked men. If Jesus had asked his angels for help it certainly would have been a very short battle.  Recall in 2 Kings Chapter 19 that one angel killed more than 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in a single night?

Jesus left His Kingdom in heaven where He sat in Glory at the right hand of the Father so that we would have a way to escape the eternal torment of hell.  There was no other way for our sins to be forgiven. In God's Kingdom the price for sin is eternal death. Only the blood of a sinless man can cover our transgressions and pay our sin debt to God.

Jesus loves us so much that he laid down his own innocent life to pay for our sin. Such a sacrifice is too great for me to understand. He needs me for nothing- yet for some reason He loves me enough to die for me. How terrible the eternal horrors and torment of hell must be for the Living God to sacrifice His Only Son to pay the price for our forgiveness and freedom.

^"By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."  1 John 3:16

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My Kingdom Is Not Of This World. John 18:36, VerseVisions X Collection. Mixed media on canvas. Copyright © 2010 by Mark Lawrence. All Rights Reserved.

 

Enjoy Mark Lawrence’s biblically inspired modern sacred art, translated into large and colorful canvases in his unique abstract-expressionist contemporary artwork style.

"Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm." Psalm 37:8

This command is really easy to handle when our lives are running smoothly.  But how difficult it is to put this teaching into action when we are in the furnace of affliction, faced with trials and circumstances that we cannot escape.  

Jesus never worried about anything because His mind was completely focused on fulfilling God's purpose and destiny for his earthly life.  We fret when we forget whose will ("Thy will be done") we are here to accomplish.  How it must break God's heart when we are so determined to get our own way instead of committing our plans to Him.  

Fretting and worrying about accomplishing our own plans is a sin against our Lord and Master.  Jesus told us that we can only serve one master.  If we can trust God with our eternal souls in heaven after we die, how much more should we trust him to care for us here in this temporary life as children of the Living God.  Which master are we serving when we worry about getting our own way?

Do Not Fret- It Only Causes Harm. Psalm 37:8, Mixed media on canvas. Copyright © 2010 by Mark Lawrence. All Rights Reserved.

This work is available as a Collector’s Edition fine art giclee on museum quality canvas, ultra-hand embellished, hand-signed and numbered by Mark Lawrence. Collector’s Editions are limited to 100.

This work is also available as a Designer's Edition intermediate and petite sized, fine art giclee printed on museum quality paper, hand-signed and numbered by Mark Lawrence. Designer’s Editions are limited to 250.

Wow, it is hard to believe that November is already here! I’ve been keeping really busy adding some new art and updating the site. The family has also been keeping me busy as we wrapped up our seven year old son’s (Sam) soccer season. He’s now diving into Cub Scouts, but my wife is leading most of that effort- whew!

Now on to some Art Gallery news… After several requests I finally made the decision to add a new smaller-sized edition to the Collector’s Edition series of giclees. You will see a new 24”x24” or 24”x16” size option added to each piece in the gallery. These new petite-canvas giclees are all hand signed, numbered and embellished by me, and look just fantastic if I say so myself!

I added a new Latest Additions gallery page to the site so you’ll be able to quickly see my newest work. I’m not sure why I didn’t think of that a long time ago. I also updated the Bible Verse Index page so you can search and browse art that has been inspired by your favorite scripture.

Last thing, if you are considering making a purchase for the holidays, please get your orders in as soon as possible. With all of the rain that we’ve been getting here in Atlanta it is taking longer for our gels and varnishes to dry. Because every order is created after the order is received it takes us up to 3-4 weeks to complete and ship each piece.

Thanks to all of the amazing people who’ve taken the time to write me about my art. I am humbled at how God uses the scripture contained in my art posts to minister to this world. Truly, His word never returns to Him empty, but accomplishes what He desires and achieves the purpose for which He sent it.

I really appreciate your ideas and feedback, so don’t hesitate to email me directly if you’d like to chat. You are invited to join my fan page on Facebook, and also feel free to follow me on Twitter

That’s all for now, keep the faith!

mark
mark@marklawrencegallery.com

"Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me." Matthew 11:29

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This painting was inspired by the moving devotions penned and published by Oswald Chambers in the early 1900’s. His powerful book, My Utmost for His Highest, continues to touch my life and draw me closer to Jesus. I hope that this art and verse do the same for you!

Please read and meditate upon the devotional from My Utmost For His Highest that inspired this work.

Inspired Invincibility VerseVisions Art; Matthew 11:29. Mixed media on canvas. Copyright ©2009 by Mark Lawrence. All Rights Reserved.

Prayerfully consider the verse and devotional that inspired this painting and know that the Mighty God of all the heavens has reached out to touch you at this moment.

Inspired Invincibility, Matthew 11:29. Mixed media on canvas, Copyright ©2009 by Mark Lawrence. All Rights Reserved. My Utmost For Hs Highest Gallery.

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Do You Have Questions About Jesus? He promises if you diligently Seek Him that He will be found.

"While ye have light, believe in the light.." John 12:36

This painting was inspired by the moving devotions penned and published by Oswald Chambers in the early 1900’s. His powerful book, My Utmost for His Highest, continues to touch my life and draw me closer to Jesus. I hope that this art and verse do the same for you!

Please read and meditate upon the devotional from My Utmost For His Highest that inspired this work.

When God sends a message to us through scripture it is never by accident. In Isaiah 55:11, God says that wherever He sends His word it never returns empty, but always achieves the special purpose for which it was sent.

Prayerfully consider the verse and devotional that inspired this painting and know that the Mighty God of all the heavens has reached out to touch you at this moment.

Can You Come Down? John 12:36. Mixed media on canvas, Copyright ©2009 by Mark Lawrence. All Rights Reserved. My Utmost For Hs Highest Gallery.

Do You Have Questions About Jesus? He promises if you diligently Seek Him that He will be found.

”So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 (NLT)

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Do ever think that God is searching right now for one person who will have faith and step out and stand for Him in this fallen world?

I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. Ezekiel 22:30

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9

God’s eyes are going to and fro across the earth, wow. I watch the news and read about all of the disturbing junk that is going on today I sometimes get really depressed. Kids being abused and neglected, families being torn apart, perverse television shows everywhere.

God of course sees this too, and He is looking for people who will stand for Him and make a difference. God has power and He is willing and waiting for even a single person to trust Him, step out, and make a difference.

He is looking for people who first care about others. He is looking for people who are broken and need Him. Lastly, He is looking for people with great faith.

I reflect on these things because I often ask God to use me, to allow me to stand in the gap for Him. Then when He partially opens the door and I get close to the flames (more like a spark) of persecution, personal criticism, or suffering; I begin having self doubt and lose my confidence. I’m hardly a man of great faith, so I can’t even begin to imagine the trials and sufferings that men like Paul and the prophets endured as they stood for God.

Could it be that God has intentionally placed me exactly where I am today? I need to start realizing that God is in complete control of my life and circumstances. Has He prepared each of us for just a time as this? Can regular people be used by God to impact the world even in a small way?

The answer to these questions I believe is- Yes. Yet, how can I have the supernatural faith that it takes to step out for God?

First I need to remember what faith is-

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Faith is not wishful thinking, a feeling or an emotion. Faith is believing God and His promises to the point of acting and doing His will. Faith is 100% focused on God and who He is.

I also need to remember how much God values faith-

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

God is pleased by our faith, in fact we can’t please Him without faith. My morality is not what God is looking for, nor my good deeds. He wants me to trust Him for my every need. This is the work of God that we believe. Not a difficult concept, but so hard to live.

Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” John 6:29

How did Jesus build great faith in His disciples? The answer is explained in Luke, Chapter 9. They took up their crosses and followed Him daily. This means denying myself and forgetting the lie that life is about personal pleasure and prosperity. It means dying to selfish ambition and giving myself over to Kingdom ambition. Then God will care for my needs and use me in ways that I have never imagined. This sure sounds good, but very scary huh?

I seem to have this expectation of God answering my prayer of giving me great faith through some supernatural experience where He appears and talks personally to me. Yet I easily overlook how He has blessed and provided for my family in very difficult, seemingly impossible times. I forget witnessing the birth of our children and watching in awe as I realized the amazing miracle of this great gift from God.

Remember the tiny mustard seed? In hindsight this isn’t at all about how much faith I can work up in my finite mind. The key is the object of my faith; do I really believe and trust God? He must be the complete source and object of all genuine faith; and with Him nothing is impossible.

The waves are getting higher and the sky is getting darker in this world, but when our God speaks the whole universe becomes still. He created and named every star and he knows exactly how many hairs are on my head. Well what do you think? I encourage you to step out of the boat and keep your eyes on Jesus, the water is fine!

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A couple of updates for everyone-

We’ve added some great new art to the Versevisions gallery and a couple of new navigational pages to help you find a painting or Bible verse that you might like. Visit the new Gallery Catalog page and let me know what you think. Here you can get a quick thumbnail look of all the work available in the gallery.

Next, we added a new Bible Verse Index page that you can use to find the verses that inspired the art in the gallery. I have a running list of 200+ scriptures on my future painting "to-do" list. Man, that’s a lot of painting for me to look forward to!

Lastly, (and best!) we’ve added a unique new line of Designer's Edition giclées to the gallery. The Designer’s Edition consists intermediate and petite sized giclées that are printed on archival museum quality paper, that I hand-sign, and number. Designer’s Editions are limited to 250 and are available for all work displayed in the gallery, and they make a fantastic gift!

If you have a quick minute I'd really like to hear what you think of the new additions and pieces I’ve added. I’d also love to hear any ideas or feedback about my work or the site. Thanks also to all of the people with amazing taste in art who supported my work since my last update!

Keep the faith,

Mark

"Thine, O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all."
1 Chronicles 29:11

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Wow is it me, or do we live in some very stressful times? Anxiety is not good for anybody. So much during the day makes me anxious; the pressures and expectations that I face. Listening to the news, my work, unexpected bills, the unforeseen curves that life throws my way. It takes a very determined effort to take my eyes off of the storms of the world. Yet how quickly things change when I go to God with my prayers and thanksgiving.

	It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night, on an instrument of ten strings, on the lute, and on the harp, with harmonious sound.   For You, LORD, have made me glad through Your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands. O LORD, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep.
	Psalm 92:1-5

In the Old Testament the Levites were the people responsible for giving the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving for the tribe.  Many of the laws that God gave the Israelites were to ensure that they would never forget the past deliverances that God had given their nation. Things aren’t different for us today- we owe God everything we have, yet how easy it is to forget all He has done and focus on our own self-sufficiency.

	Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.
	Psalm 50:23

The best way for me to lose all of the stress that overwhelms me is to focus my attention on God. When we take the time to pray and thank God, we honor and please Him. I wish that I could stop spending so much time thinking about myself and live a life spent giving God the praise and thanksgiving that He is due.

	Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!  Psalm 105:1
	Praise the LORD!  Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.  Psalm 106:1
	Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!  For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 107:1

The Bible reminds us to continually give our praise and thanks to God.  God wants us to be thankful people, yet how often do I take the time to thank Him? Thanking God is the best anti-anxiety medicine ever invented! Praising God re-focuses our attention on the true source of all of our blessings and provision.

When I consider all that God has done for me, yet my time of thanksgiving and gratitude is so small in comparison. How grateful I ought to be during all of my day, not just in the morning and at bedtime. I am the child of a loving and Holy God whose thoughts towards me are innumerable- wow! Psalm 139:17-18

	Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
	Philippians 4:6-7

I won’t ever have a challenge or problem in my life that is bigger than God. Is there a problem anywhere that the one true God cannot solve?  There is only one God, and He knows me by my name. He does not want me living in anxiety and fretting. It isn’t easy to be anxious when I am praising God for who He is and thanking Him for all that He has done. I can be confident in His promise to never leave me, or forsake me.  Deuteronomy 31:6, 8

I often try to compare God’s love for me with the love that I have for my own children. When I consider how much I would sacrifice for one of my own kids in need, it is humbling to think about how much God has already sacrificed and cared for me. He knows about my needs before I even ask Him! How great is our God!

The Morning Commute
I have a ritual with my youngest son where we say a prayer to begin our day as I drive him to school. I now begin the prayer by recalling and thanking God for all of the things that come to mind that He has done for our family and me. We have so much to be grateful for. One morning we got to school my son reminded me that we forgot to ask God for anything in our prayer!

The truth is, God never promised us that we wouldn’t have problems and troubles in the world. He did however promise that He would be with us and that He would cause all things to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.  Romans 8:28

Through Jesus Christ we all have eternal access to the throne of God. He sacrificed His only Son to give us this gift and privilege. My intimacy with God determines the impact of my life here in this world. I hope that I can grow, walk and talk with Him in a way that pleases and honors Him every day of my life.

Hi folks! I’ve been keeping busy the past couple of months creating some new paintings, working on orders, and sprucing up the gallery. A special thanks to all of the saints who’ve purchased Collector’s Edition artwork! What a great blessing it is to see the fantastic encouragement and support that has been given to me since I launched this site- thank you!

Some new updates...
I recently added a couple of new art galleries to the site that I hope you will enjoy. The first new gallery, titled Jesus is LORD! contains some of my most popular paintings from a series inspired by all of the names of Jesus in the Bible. It is mind-blowing to me how glimpses of Jesus’ personality and character are revealed to us everywhere in God’s Word- from Genesis to Revelation.

The second gallery, titled Modern Tile Art includes some of my favorite artwork created using a twist on the grid technique made popular by modern artist Chuck Close. I love mingling geometric patterns and colors in my work, and the large tile art canvases are especially striking and beautiful. Please visit these new galleries and let me know what you think.

Check this out
On another note, keep an eye out for Todd Anderson’s new CD release titled, Transparency soon to be released on the Victory Label. Todd is the Pastor of Worship at Northpointe Community Church in Fresno, California.

The CD will be a five-song collection that lifts themes of honesty and transparency before God and worship. Todd has an amazing heart for God and his music is truly inspired. You might recognize the cover art is from the detail imagery of my painting, With All Your Heart. You can hear a sample of Todd’s amazing music on his ReverbNation profile.

I love to work with other artists who have a passion for sharing their faith and The Good News of Jesus Christ. I have several other very exciting projects that I am participating in, I'll update everyone here as they unfold. If you, or your church ministry would like to use my art in your next project, please send me a note and let's get busy doing Kingdom work while we still have time. Is it just me, or does it seem like the trumpet could be blowing any minute? :)

Lastly, you might also notice that I’ve added a new slideshow widget to the site’s home page. It took some tinkering (actually a whole day!), but it looks like it is now humming along. I am also planning to add a FAQ page to the site soon, and I’m toying with the idea of offering another set of smaller-sized limited edition prints to the gallery mix. If you have any other ideas or inspirations please let me know!

Well, that’s all for now. Thanks again to everyone for their support.

Until my next update- Keep the faith! Mark

I was finally able to get a gallery for my Painting With Light work up on the site. I also added a page to help describe the technique that I use to create the amazing effect. I’m going to focus on adding several more pieces to this gallery. If you have a favorite, please let me know!

I have also worked to add some more detail images to give everyone a better idea of how my art looks close up. Since the sizes run 40 to 60 inches in length it is hard to get a good feel for the details within each painting. I’ve also posted these close up shots in a Flickr collection that I call Art Within the Art. If you get a chance, check out the Flickr slideshow and see what you think.

On a spiritual note, I recently heard a fantastic message by Charles Stanley about having contentment in all circumstances. I must admit that I am addicted to listening to the messages on the InTouch site, but this one really speaks to me these days. You can listen to an MP3 stream of it here- (it takes a while to load).

I’ll continue to add new art this week as we dodge the rainstorms that are hitting us here in Georgia. We really need the rain so its hard to complain!

Keep the faith!

Mark

It has taken me a long time to figure out the best platform and services to use for my new Collector’s Edition web site. So many tools and vendors to choose from! I finally settled down with a product developed by Shopify, and I really hope that you are happy with the results.

I still have some tweaking and polishing to do, but I’ve been able to post a good number of some of my latest pieces. I have many more that I plan to add, as well as some additional zoomed-in and sample room setting images. Bear with me, this is a lot of work!

I’d really enjoy hearing your feedback about the site and my work. My goal is to host and promote my new Collector’s Edition (CE) giclee fine art prints here. I had a lot of fun creating my first CE print this past summer. A designer asked me if I would create a hand embellished print for a five-star hotel in China- how could I say no!?

After completing all of the hand texturing and embellishing, the piece looked absolutely stunning- I honestly didn’t want to send it away! The new process got me all excited about working to grow that part of my work and portfolio. I’ve pasted a photo below of the painting. That’s Sam, our youngest boy (and my biggest fan) in front.

I’m also still VERY busy creating new work that I will post here for you to enjoy. So put up your feet, plug in the i-pod and enjoy my newest galleries! And don’t forget to let me know what I can do to improve this new site.

Thanks, and keep the faith!

Mark