30+ of my original works of art are on display Now – until the end of November 2021 throughout the Lutheran Church of Hope’s gallery located at 925 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines, Iowa.
God is continuously transforming and inspiring me! Since rehab in 2017 I’ve been learning, listening and reflecting on what God puts on my heart. I’ve been really trying to listen to my heart and move when the sneaky Spirit nudges me. My relationship with God has become much deeper and richer the more I get to know Jesus. Gods wants to draw us close to Him so we can experience His unconditional love, unending mercy and grace which is for everyone who’s feet touch this holy ground we all live on. EVERYONE!! Every breathing being deserves to be loved, fed and cared for. We need to be kind to all people and be of service. It starts in our ♥️ when you look at other people what are you thinking? When I start to judge others I quickly start praying that God surrounds us so those thoughts don’t start to take root in my heart. Our mind set needs to change, we need to focus back on Jesus.
Really ask yourself “What would Jesus do?” Try to envision how He would react to some of the situations we find ourselves in. Would he lash out in anger or close a blind eye or would he lovingly help. Some people think that money, material wealth and fame is where you find happiness but it’s all a trap. There’s nothing wrong with making lots of money or being well known but if that’s your main focus you will have missed it.
That is why I continue to paint for God. I want people to know Jesus and I’ll use every chance I get to witness to someone. Because Jesus saved my life! I don’t want you to miss it!
“The purpose of this life is to understand and know God.”
Jeremiah
This is out of the daily devotion: In other words, Jeremiah says that what matters in life is not your brains (wisdom), nor your body (strength), nor your bank account (riches). None of these provide the purpose of your life. The purpose of your life is to understand and know God (v.24a). If you know God and his kindness, justice and righteousness, then you will imitate him and bring him delight (v.24b). –Bible in one year 2021 with Nicky Gumbel
You will find the meaning to your life through a relationship with God. Being in a relationship with God, He will call us to move and take action. We are called to hold each other up because it’s incredibly challenging being human. True joy comes from humbling ourselves and asking God what he wants us to do and then serve. We are called to be an ambassadors for God everywhere we find ourselves. At home or work, in traffic or in parking lots, in lines waiting, at your child’s sporting events or pro sporting events, posting on social media, what your posting during elections, or about COVID, who’s vaccinated and who’s not, mask or no masks. We all really need to take a step back and shake the devils stronghold off of us because all of this petty trivial stuff is causing a huge division in this nation and the world. We need to find common ground and respect each other even when we don’t agree.
Who are you living for?
Touch the link above to view time lapse video.
If everyone could start living like this man named Jesus who is humble, compassionate, full of grace and forgiveness we could change this world. To be like Jesus we have to let go of our ego, pride and selfish ways. Look to the cross and see what He did for all of us. Ultimate sacrifice!
I’m watching the tv drama series The Chosen, based on the life of Jesus of Nazareth, created, directed and co-written by American filmmaker Dallas Jenkins. It is the first multi-season series about the life of Jesus, and season one was the highest crowd-funded TV series or film project of all time. It’s AHHHMAZING!! The Lutheran Church of Hope Creative Arts Ministry is currently doing an online zoom study on The Chosen series that I’m so happy to be apart of. First of all…Wow!!! This series is so well done, it has made this journey with Jesus even richer. To be able to physically see how patient, kind and loving Jesus is makes it easy to see how we should be carrying ourselves as well. The actors do such a great job and the writers made it so easy to relate to everyone we’ve heard stories about. The Bible literally coming to life. I highly recommend watching this and sharing it with everyone!
Some of the artwork that is on display now is also from my Exodus Exhibit from fall of 2018. Thank you again to everyone for lending me the artwork so I could share it again. I believe God is working through the artwork in unique ways. I’ve been blessed to witness people who are moved by some of them and I know that they are experiencing the Holy Spirit. I’m practicing how to be obedient to God and just pour my heart and soul into everything I do. God is on the move big time but we have to be paying attention, be present.
Hope Exhibition Fall 2021
Currently on display until the end of November 2021.
925 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, IA.
For the last few years since my last exhibit at Hope I’ve been following Jesus and co-creating artwork with the Holy Spirit. I’ve been learning to empty myself of self and open my heart, mind and soul to allow the Holy Spirit to work through me. This entire experience has radically transformed my life and has been extremely healing. I am so honored to have my artwork on display at my church where I found my faith and purpose. My mission is to live a life that honors Jesus and share my journey as it unfolds. I am so thankful for the places that God has guided me to and the people that He has put on my path. Thank you Jesus for saving my life!! Thank you Lutheran Church of Hope Creative Arts Ministry for the opportunity to share my artwork.
Exodus Exhibition Fall 2018
The fall of 2018 I was invited to create artwork alongside the sermon series on the Book of Exodus at the Lutheran Church of Hope’s art gallery. I had been out of rehab for a year and half when the exhibit was installed. I relapsed 8 months after rehab and I would drink off and on all the way up til this Exodus exhibit was installed October 2018. This was my second solo exhibit in my art journey. The first art show I had was before rehab back when I was deep in my alcoholism 6 years after my brother died in 2012 at the Ritual Cafe downtown Des moines. A lot happened between these three art exhibits that lead me to where I am today. I thank God daily for this new life full of love, hope, joy, peace and passion. I’ve worked through my struggles the last 3 years by praying, painting and building my relationship with God.
It has not been an easy road and my life is far from perfect but by the grace of God October 8, 2021 I will not have had a drink or cigarettes in 3 years🙏🏼🙌🏼🎉❤️💪🏼THANK YOU GOD!!!! And thank you to everyone who has walked beside me. I love you and I praise God for this life we get to live together!
I also had a few paintings from the past and I created a new one that represents my struggles and my recovery.
Ritual Cafe Exhibition 2012
I struggled with alcohol and drugs for half of my life leading me down a very dark road feeling suicidal often with several attempts…I was sadly lost for 20+ years. I grew up in a Christian home with a very loving family but I slipped into a life of debauchery around the age of 14. I had my son at age 16 and dropped out of high school. I did get my GED and went to community college for a photography for a year but my drinking and drug use would lead me to rehab at age 19 for cocaine iv use. For the next 8 years I had countless jobs, several toxic relationships and then my oldest brother Eric Jacobs died tragically in a plane crash when I was 27. I ended up very lost and I tried to drown the pain with alcohol and drugs for years. I lived a life that made me feel ashamed and deeply depressed. In the artwork I had at the ritual cafe you can see the pain and darkness clearly but you can also see some glimpses of light. Like the big painting with the huge circles had a face that looked like Jesus up in the corner and two people on their knees praying. Either way this was my first art show and it gave me great hope but the drinking and lifestyle was keeping me from what God had planned.
It was very exciting to have my art at the Ritual Cafe. I started painting or at least putting some kind of intention behind it after my brother Eric died in 2006. I did not have a belief in God or a faith back then despite growing up going to church. Eric was always trying to help me see the way but I had thick scales over my eyes. I resisted trying to understand and just sank deeper into my alcoholism. I thank God everyday for the not giving up on me and revealing something deep inside my soul that wouldn’t let me take my own life. I hoped there was a better way to live. I was in such desperate need of real love and purpose. Then I met Jesus 🙏🏼 I’m extremely grateful to have a full heart and a purpose. Thank you Jesus!
If you or someone you love is in need of prayer of help please Contact me or my church Lutheran Church of Hope. There is a better life!
Touch the link above to view time lapse video.
He is Risen!!