Category: Art

Red Sea Road

by Anastasia Irene, posted in Art, Poetry, Scripture, The Christian Walk, Theology

Exodus 14:13-14 (NKJV)

13And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

A group of thousands of tired, fearful people huddle around an elderly man. Perhaps some of the women are weeping softly. Not far behind the people, one sees the dust of hundreds of speedily moving enemy chariots. Close in front of the people lies a huge body of water. Suddenly, the elderly man–the leader of this group–lifts his hand, holding his staff. “The Lord will fight for you!” His triumphant words ring across the water. Instantly, accompanied by the sound of rushing wind, the water rises up and parts. The people cry out in thankfulness and hurry toward the water–a dry path has been made between the walls of water.

The image of the Red Sea parting for the Israelites is so astounding and meaningful to me. A while back, I wrote a poem about that amazing event.

Part the Sea

Standing at the edge

Of the Red Sea.

Foaming, placid waters

Lapping at my feet.

How to cross this mighty sea

Stretching beyond my sight?

How to pass through it?

My heart is filled with fright.

Then, turning around, what horror!

With my own eyes I see

The massive thousands of thousands

Of Egypt’s great army.

Trapped behind, trapped ahead,

With no place to go,

I lift my eyes heavenward,

To the One Whose power I know.

“Lord, there’s nothing I can do,

Nothing in my might.

Please work a miracle;

Help me walk by faith, not sight.”

Powerful, yet gentle,

His answer returns:

“Don’t be afraid, child,

You will not be hurt.

Stand still and watch

My salvation–here–today!

I will fight for you;

I will make a way!

The only thing for you to do

Is to stand still and trust.

Wait quietly in My presence;

Your enemies will be crushed.”

I obey in awestruck silence

Waiting on the Lord.

The Egyptians push ever closer;

But I hope in His Word.

At the moment when I thought

It was much too late,

When I thought my heart

Could no longer wait,

The sea split in two,

Rising on each side.

The path in between

Was smooth and dry.

Words cannot describe

The parting of the sea;

Its majestic splendor

Was God’s path for me.

Rushing, gushing, foaming,

The depths broke in two.

Walls of raging water

Split the fathomless blue.

Monstrous floods of liquid

Held back by God’s hand,

Torrents of bottomless water,

Restrained by His command.

I step onto the path,

Firm and dry and sure,

Glancing timidly at the Sea

Parted by the Lord.

Raging water on right and left,

As if in the eye of the storm,

I’m on the miracle path given

By the Almighty Lord.

He did this wonder for me–

A simple, wretched fool!

He defied gravity

For me, His simple tool.

I doubted His power, discouraged

And even lost heart in prayer.

But now–looking at the water–

Is this how much He cares?

Tears fill my eyes as I walk

Carefully through the sea.

This marvelous wonder was worked

For doubtful, sinful me.

I cross to the other side

And watch the miracle reverse.

The sea rages back into place,

Drowning the Egyptians first.

I sing to my Lord!

He has done marvelous things!

He is Almighty and powerful–

The King above all kings!

The Creator is forever mighty–

Gravity can’t get in His way!

No matter how deep our seas,

His might will make a way.

No matter how wide the ocean,

His love is wider still.

No matter how tall the mountains,

He created those hills!

Our God is greater–He still parts seas!

Precious Lord, we pray,

Please part the sea for us.

Please fight for us today!

Isaiah 50:2 (NKJV)
2Why, when I came, was there no man?
Why, when I called, was there none to answer?
Is My hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem?
Or have I no power to deliver?
Indeed with My rebuke I dry up the sea,
I make the rivers a wilderness;
Their fish stink because there is no water,
And die of thirst.

Psalm 16 (part two: Pleasant Places)

by Anastasia Irene, posted in Art, Scripture, The Christian Walk, Theology

Psalm 16:5-7

O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance. I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.

In Psalm 16:5b, 6a, we find a description of how the Lord intervenes in our lives. We are told that the Lord maintains/holds our lots. In Biblical times, people would cast lots to try to determine the Lord’s will. What an encouragement to know that instead of our lives wildly spinning and randomly falling into place, the Lord holds our lots, and He directs each and every step of the way.

But the truth that comforts us even more deeply is found in verse 6a: “The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places”. The Lord graciously directs our lots in pleasant places. He leads us beside still waters and brings us to green pastures. And even when He allows us to walk through the valley of the shadow, He still tenderly leads us, and His ultimate plan is always for our benefit. He has good plans for us!

Verse 7 states that as the Lord directs our steps, He generously leads us in the right paths. He gives us counsel through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. And although we cannot rely on our feelings, He graciously directs the desires of our hearts.

The Lord is our Shepherd. He determines the course of our lives, and He kindly makes wonderful plans for us. He then gently guides us in the right direction. The lines have truly fallen to us in pleasant places!

Breath of Heaven: Mary’s Song

by Anastasia Irene, posted in Art, Christian holidays, Holidays, Music, Scripture, The Christian Walk, Theology, Womanhood

When I was younger, I thought that God’s plan for Mary was the very best calling for any woman who has ever lived and that nothing else could ever be as special as being Jesus’ mother. At the root of these thoughts lay the deep desire to do great things for God.

Last year, as I was listening to the Christmas song “Breath of Heaven”, which speaks of the Nativity from Mary’s imagined perspective, I gained fresh insight. As Mark 3:35 says, “For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.” Only one woman was called to be Christ’s literal mother, but each and every believer, in a very special way, carries Christ within them. He dwells in their heart.

Just like Mary, we wonder what we’ve done that the Father has chosen us to bear the image of His Son. We wonder if wiser people could have taken our place, and yet we offer all we are to His plan.

As Mary did, may each of us strive to surrender entirely to the Lord and say “Behold, the …servant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to Your word.” (Luke 1:38)

Luke 1:45 NKJV

“Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

God Is With Us

by Anastasia Irene, posted in Art, Christian holidays, Music, Scripture, The Christian Walk

It is not Christmastime, but the astounding concept of IMMANUEL–God incarnate–is a major part of our every day lives as believers. Here are some of the lyrics to one of my favorite songs–“For God Is With Us”–that puts this concept in a beautiful perspective.

“No room for a King/no celebration and no ceremony in that little town/nobody would think/ this is the story of the coming glory….the Body was broken/and it was finished/so let us begin/the celebration and the ceremony…oh, how the world forever changed/for God is with us!”

Stop and ponder this a moment. GOD–the Creator of the universe–the omnipotent, omniscient, almighty God–the only One Who is worthy of all our praise and adoration–the Lord of all things–condescended to earth in human form–for us! GOD, veiled in flesh, came down from His heavenly home to save us! Jesus Christ, the very image of God and God Himself, was born in the lowliest state–for us. ALLELUIA!!!

Oh, friends, let us praise and worship our God! He is the ONLY One worthy of all our adoration! Let Him be Lord in our lives! He is holy–He is awesome–He is full of glory and grace! Let us bow to Him in reverence and praise HIM ALONE today. Alleluia and amen!!!

David’s Lows

by Anastasia Irene, posted in Art, Scripture

David is often admired, and rightly so. He was an incredible man of God. When we think about David’s victories, though, we can easily believe that his successes were quickly reached and far outweighed his difficult times. But recently, when I reread David’s story, I was deeply touched by the trials he went through before he became king and how similar his waiting period is to the time of life many of us are going through.

God promised David the kingdom and called him to rule Israel. But when David was hiding in a deep, dark cave with Saul seeking his life, David must have gone through much doubt. The vagabond who held the lowest place in Israel, always on the run, a poor and wanted man who was rejected, betrayed, and had numerous enemies–who would think he could become king? It seemed impossible.

Cave entrance

Perhaps it was easier for David to have faith when he was favored at Saul’s court. But there, in the cave, how and when could God do it? Yet in due time, David’s faith became sight as he was crowned king of Israel, and each and every promise of God proved steadfast.

King David

I hope this verse, written by David himself, will encourage you when you walk through life’s caves.

Psalm 27:13-14

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord!“

Living Water

by Anastasia Irene, posted in Art, Poetry, Scripture

Just one sinful woman–rejected, despised, an outcast. She had been living an adulterous lifestyle and could not escape her past. She was in a habit of coming to the well in the afternoon, preferring the intense heat of the day rather than the whispers and scornful looks she knew she would receive otherwise. Yet one blessed day, she met a Man by the well Who changed her entire world.

Jesus and the Samaritan woman

I wrote this poem based on the story of the Samaritan woman in John 4.

Water of Life

“A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, ‘Give Me a drink.”’

What can you mean, Sir? How can this be?

That You, a Jew, would speak to me?

Besides, I’m a sinner, and utterly despised.

You must not have heard the rumors from spies.

That’s why I’m here in the heat of the day,

From the gossip of women to get away.

Why would You ask me for a drink?

Tell me, I pray, what do you think?

Those of Your race hate those of mine;

It’s been this way for a very long time.

They even this country will pass around;

Their hatred forbids them to step foot on this ground.

So what do you need of me? Why do You ask?

Shall I for You lower my flask? 

Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” 

You have nothing to draw with, and this well is deep.

How can I the benefits reap?

Where do you get this living water?

Are You greater than Jacob our father?

How can water be filled with life,

In this world full of conflict and strife?

Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.”The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.”Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’  for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.”

How can You know of my terrible past?

You ought to be a prophet, at least. 

You see through my veil with penetrating eye;

Into my past You see by-and-by.

Now, You know that I’m full of sin,

So where should I go to offer restitution?

You Jews say Jerusalem,

But Samaritans say Mount Gerazim.

Where do I go to be forgiven?

Where will the sacrifice cleanse me deep within?

I’m guilty-You know it- 

And shameful to show it.

And so confused about where to go-

Tell me, please, so I know.

Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.  But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.  God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”  

I know that the Messiah will come,

To silence our fears and unite everyone.

He will answer our questions so well,

And to Him, every tongue praise will tell.

The Scriptures have promised- I know they have said-

That He is coming to quiet our dread.

.Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”

I’m full of questions, I’m filled with doubt,

Faith as a mountain I am without.

However, I have it as a mustard seed;

This, my Master, I beg you to heed.

You all my questions answer did not,

Yet content You made me with my lot.

I still don’t know all I wish I did,

Yet my sin before me You have hid.

Still many answers I do not know,

But I trust Your name; to You I will go.

You don’t explain why past had to happen,

Yet You simply say to trust.

The things You keep secret You’ve hid for a reason;

To demand the answers would surely be treason.

I simply need to have faith in You,

Since forgiven me have You.

I know that You are the Christ-

You all our wrongs will right.

You see through my hiding of my sin,

You see right through me, straight within,

I’ve tried to hide, but I can’t hide from You!

Whatever I’ve done, You know, too!

I still don’t get the answers of life,

But that doesn’t matter; to You my dark is light.

You see into my doubting heart,

And to me Your peace impart.

Thirsty now I am not;

Your living water in me You’ve wrought.

So now, O Lord, I choose to trust,

To have faith in You I must.

You are good, faithful, strong, and true;

So I will put my trust in You!

This news I must share, and spread everywhere;

YOU ARE THE MESSIAH!!!! 

Womanhood vs. Manhood

by Anastasia Irene, posted in Art, Literature, Scripture, The Christian Walk

Eric Metaxas, a wonderful Christian author, wrote an amazing book called 7 Women and the Secret of Their Greatness. In the introduction, Metaxas gives a refreshing and thought-provoking message about femininity and its contrast to masculinity. He says, “The stories of these great women show us that men and women are not interchangeable. There are things men can and should do that women cannot, and there are things that women can and should do that men cannot…Men and women were deliberately designed to be different. Indeed we are specifically created as complements to each other, as different halves of a whole, and that whole reflects the glory of God.”

I believe this view is Biblical and refreshing in today’s culture where men and women are pressured to compete with each other. Both genders are distinctly different and each is wonderful in the way God made it. Although women are, in general, more vulnerable and are commanded by God to submit to men, they are by no means inferior to men. We can see in Scripture how Jesus, living in a society in which women had little value, highly respected them. He was born of a woman, ministered to by women, performed His first miracle at the request of a woman, and first directly proclaimed His Messiahship to a woman. Numerous other women also hold important roles in the gospels. All recorded accounts of Jesus’ raising the dead directly involved women. They were among the few who remained at the foot of the cross, and the first to see the resurrected Lord.

Forgiven by Greg Olsen

Whether you are a man or a woman, let us all attempt to serve God in the role in which He has placed us today.

I close with one of my favorite verses about womanhood:

1 Peter 3:3-5a

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves.