Grief feels like waves crashing in without any notice and slowly going back out. Sometimes taking my breath away with pressure so heavy I feel like I’m drowning. I can’t put into words the pain I’ve experienced in the last couple months mourning the physical death of my mother. But I can tell you that I have experienced Gods grace and faithfulness on a whole new level.
It has taken me 8 months to finish this blog not because it took me a long time to type or put it together but because the enemy tried stopping me. 3 times I lost everything so I had to completely renter all the content and that’s because the devil knows how powerful this story is!!
I said “Yes” to painting live 1.28.23 and God used it to send a strong message of hope to a mother who’s son recently ended his time here on earth. She saw his face in the painting during the worship service. Then I discovered magazine clippings that were referring to suicide. There are no accidents. When we fully surrender to God he can uses anything and anyone to carry out his will. Then see the other two clippings on the painting that have connections to suicide Fyodor Dostoevsky a Russian novelist, Viktor Frankl a Austrian psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor. Also Black Elk an indigenous holy man cousin to Crazy Horse who went from scalping to a Saint is connected to this painting. God is on the move.
Renae’s painting reflected the loud colors of praise. The Sneaky Spirit flowed through her brushes and spray cans and paper cuttings! It was a “Get Loud” painting for Jesus! Get up close to see what was going on in this Spirit-led painting! “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” Quote from Banksy.
Time to get on our knees and serve our King!
-her mother Pat Jacobs
“So it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.”
Romans 12:5-13 NLT
I planned to paint this outside to celebrate my 4 year sobriety anniversary. I got to start the piece outside but then the wind started whipping. My paint was drying instantly as it touched the canvas. I couldn’t see half the time cuz my hair was in my face. Then the farmer across the road pulled up with a few tractors and semis to harvest. Which was just hilarious to have so much going on for this painting I’m calling “Surrender”!!
This painting represents the miracle that each dawn brings us. A new day to praise God and share the light. A gift from God to experience another day in his glorious creation. The tree of life represents the wisdom of Gods word and the fruit it will produce from reading and obeying. God created boundaries so that we could live our life to the fullest and experience all of Gods glory. When we give into sin we experience a psychological death. But the good news is everyday we can turn back around to God, repent and ask for forgiveness. Gods love is unconditional so he will forgive us and we will have eternal life.
Happy Earth Day! Real Gold is all around us. The kind you can’t wear and it’s everywhere the light touches. A new series I’m calling “Real Gold”. This series will be everything that I hold close to my heart and is important to me. Everything that is gold to me.
Treasures that last are found in each other❤️
-Renae Zanella
Human trafficking is an incredibly real evil that exists everywhere in this world. In 2020, 10,583 situations of human trafficking were reported to the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline involving 16,658 individual victims. The Lutheran Church of Hope hosted a conference February 5, 2021 called “Hope Against Trafficking” to help raise awareness. I was invited to paint live for the event as the speakers revealed information about this global epidemic.
Happy 1 year anniversary to Hope + Elim! Completely overwhelmed in the most incredible way possible from the weekend events. Hearing the speakers Saturday night and then the two services on Sunday moved every ounce of my being deep inside. Absolutely humbled and honored to paint live for the 11am service. 62 years ago Dr. Martin Luther King stood on this same stage, the only time he visited Iowa and preached about a beloved community.
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…
