Christ candle art for the last Sunday of the year.
Subscribers and donors may copy and download various sizes for use.
Author: Stushie
I'm originally from Scotland and have been a Presbyterian pastor for over thirty years. I live in Knoxville, TN. I enjoy art as a means of therapy, but also as a creative way to strengthen my spiritual connection to God.
Sabbath Psalms – Only the Lonely
Psalm 148:18 The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. (NIV)
Like everyone else, I experience loneliness from time to time. It’s an odd feeling, especially when it occurs in a crowded room or when I’m with a small company of friends. I get lost in my own thoughts and feel isolated from everything or everyone around me. I know I can be a distant introvert at times, but loneliness goes beyond that. I feel as though I’m missing something or someone in my life and that there is some sort of primeval emptiness or existential gap.
Some theologians would say that I’m actually missing God and that the loneliness in my life exists because I’m really longing to be reconnected to my Creator. The chasm that exists between us makes me feel isolated and vulnerable, unprotected and all alone. I can’t do anything to mend the breach or bridge the gap, so I’m stuck on this side of eternity, missing my Maker and feeling forsaken.
And then something amazing happens. As I call out to God in prayer, His presence fills my heart. As I reach out to God like a child holding out hands to a parent, I am suddenly lifted up spiritually and embraced by God. The loneliness lifts and my isolation ends. I am restored to God’s favor and reconnected to His love. What the psalmist wrote all of those centuries ago turns out to be true: God comes near to all who call on Him.
Perhaps you’re feeling lonely, too. Maybe you’ve lost your confidence or purpose and end up feeling isolated, misunderstood, or even unloved. Whatever the case, please call on the Lord, even as you are reading this short message. If you do, then I firmly believe that God will draw near to you and allow His presence to touch your mind, heart, and soul with His love.
Point to ponder: When I feel lonely, do I talk to God? When I talk to God, does my loneliness lift?
Prayer: Lord God, when we experience loneliness or isolation, allow us the comfort of Your presence. Keep us from feeling forsaken and bring us closer to You. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.
John Stuart is a retired Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Epiphany art and coloring pages
Epiphany art for bulletins, newsletter, social media, and coloring pages. The first two images are new for 2025.
Paid Subscribers can copy and download assorted sizes for use. A single donation for using an individual image can also be made. See menu/sidebar for details.
Christmas Eve Message – Making Room
Luke 2:7 And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. (NIV)
Most of us will be busy on Christmas day, perhaps hosting our families, feasting with our friends, or traveling from one house to another. We will have lots to do, talk about, and accomplish, so that by the end of the day, we’ll probably just want to nap somewhere quiet and warm.
Mary probably wanted the same thing for herself and Jesus. Both of them would have been exhausted by childbirth and needing to rest. A stable may not have been the most comfortable place to be in at that moment, but it was the best they could do. As Mary gently laid Jesus in the manger of hay, I wonder what her hopes and dreams, fears and worries may have been for her firstborn child. Perhaps they were the same as any young mother who faced an uncertain future – she just wished the best for her newly born son.
No matter what we’re all doing this Christmas, let’s make room for Jesus, as well as for Mary. Let’s remember that without their willingness to fulfill God’s plan and be part of our world, we wouldn’t have anything to celebrate on this special day.
May God bless you and all your loved ones this Christmas. Christ is born!
Pastor John
A New Christmas Song
An internet friend, Stephen Kramer, who subscribes to my liturgical art, has written and produced a new song for Christmas. He has just released the video which features four of my nativity crayon drawings. Please enjoy it at the following link and feel free to share it with others
Sabbath Psalms – Gentle Shepherd
Psalm 80:11 Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth.
One of the gentlest people that I have ever known was a country shepherd. His family had been shepherds for generations, so it was natural for him to follow in their footsteps. He was a clever man who probably could have been a great teacher at college or university. When he spoke in church or community meetings, everyone listened. Whatever the issue or situation, it was obvious that he had given it a great deal of thought. He presented his ideas and opinions in a quiet, unassuming way. More often as not, whatever decisions were made, they usually included much of what the shepherd had expressed.
I guess working with sheep on the hillsides of Scotland, you get a lot of time to think clearly. And because things are generally quiet, you don’t have to raise your voice or get upset when making a point in public meetings. This shepherd knew the value of simple words with a quiet message which is why he was very effective when he shared his viewpoints.
I think this is why one of our most favorite images of Jesus is the Good Shepherd. We’ve seen countless images and stained-glass windows that depict Christ in this manner. The serenity of those pictures makes us feel secure and embraced. The Good Shepherd quietly loves us and gently calls us to Him.
Currently, some of us may be going through hard times or maybe we are stressed out and weary. We may feel frightened or confused about the issues we are facing. We may be angry or distressed at being hurt or disappointed. During these times, amid the clamor of the world, the gentle voice of peace and assurance comes to us from Jesus. He knows the issues; He understands our worries. He’s had time to think about them; and now He has gentle thoughts to express to our hearts and minds. If we also quietly take time out of our busy schedules, we will hear His voice. If we turn to Him now for help, He will gently speak to and shepherd us.
Point to ponder: What is stressing or worrying me now? Am I willing to quietly bring it to Jesus?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Shepherd of our lives and souls. Sometimes we deeply worry over our problems and think that there is no end to them. We often forget that our lives are in Your Hands because we are part of Your flock. Talk to us today about our troubles and gently show us the path towards peace, resolution, hope, and love. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
John Stuart is a retired Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Narrative Lectionary – Mary and Gabriel
Mary is given the news about the birth of Jesus.
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Christmas Eve Nativity art
Christmas Eve art and coloring page – new for 2024.
Subscribers can copy and download. Donations for one-off copy/downloads acceptable, too.
Sabbath Psalms – The Singing God
Zephaniah 3:17 “The LORD your God, who is mighty to save, is with you. He will greatly delight in you, quieten you with His love, and then He will sing joyously over you.”
I can remember someone once asking me “why do Christians sing so often in their churches?” It puzzled him that we spend so much time in worship using music and songs to convey our praise and prayers. “If you omitted the music,” he continued, “everyone would get out of church at 11.30AM. It wouldn’t make any difference to God. He’s only interested in your prayers anyway.”
Obviously, this person hadn’t read the Bible. It’s full of songs and many passages are written lyrically. The scriptures are meant to be sung – joyfully as in the Psalms, or dolefully as in Lamentations; loudly like the Angels on the hillside, or quietly like Mary giving praise to God.
There’s even a verse in scripture, the one that we have today, which tells us that God Himself likes to sing! Music is an integral part of creation, heaven, and salvation. Song is a sacred vehicle of how we approach God, confess to Him, and praise His glorious Name. If we were to take out music from our worship, if we were to remove all of the singing, we would be left with something tedious, droll, and unfeeling.
Music captivates our hearts and connects with our souls, so that we may mystically and spiritually connect with God. One day, when all of His Son’s followers are gathered in eternity, we will hear the most beautiful voice and the most beautiful singing in all of creation, because that will be the sacred moment when God sings and rejoices with those who are saved.
Questions for personal reflection
In what ways do Advent songs and Christmas carols spiritually connect me to God? What do I think about God actually singing one day in Heaven?
Prayer: Lord God, we thank You for the gifts of music and song in the Bible and within our churches. We are grateful for the many ways which we can praise You through singing in church. We look forward to that wonderful moment in Your Kingdom when we will at last hear Your beautiful voice. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Narrative Lectionary art – Isaiah 61
Stushie Art 