Here's a tale of three lions, painted in three different styles.

1. First, a metaphorical painting. The animals look almost like stickers in a sticker book, unlikely pairs placed together in one scene.

Message is to set our minds on Job 12-13.
I'll explain in the next tweet.

2) Job 13
Job was mocked - they said he didn't have God's favor because bad things were happening to him.
Job said:
"What you know, I also know;
I am not inferior to you...
You, however, smear me with lies;
If only you would be altogether silent!
For you, that would be wisdom"

3) He talked about the beasts, fowl, fish (pred/prey, order of nature) and how they all serve God alike. They answer to the same Higher Power, only ONE above them all. In the animal kingdom, there are injustices every day. Some poor creature gets eaten alive...

4) All things bright and beautiful, and the Lord God created them all, but... yikes... it's not an easy life. Yet, there is an order, and all things come together under God's command.

Wicked and ugly people getting away with things,
while smearing us, lying about us...

5) claiming us not worthy, not wanted, not good enough.
But God rules over us equally. There is no one worth more than we are.
When they have all the favor of this world, it may help to think of Job, and how he lived a life of hardship, yet was loved and respected by God.

6) Scriptures were written so many years ago, yet sound like they could be about 2020. There is a time and season for everything. When we get discouraged, perhaps we can think about the beauty of God's beasts, fowl, and fishes. His divine plan, mysterious, sometimes painful...

7) There's always a larger picture, and we are part of it. We are not forgotten. Not unwelcome. We are loved.

Next lion painting:
2. Lion and the Lamb- style is like an illustration in a children's Bible

Peaceful, healing, gentle. Sound on. Know this hymn?
"Be Still my Soul"

8) Lion & the Lamb was meant to illustrate Warrior and Sacrifice qualities of God/Jesus.

Reflecting on what that means to you, may help you decide when to endure suffering and when to fight. Responses we have when we refuse to submit: endure or fight.

Giving up is not an option

9) The third, and final, lion is the one I've done recently. This is Lion of Judah.

The style is more detailed and realistic, although it has elements of fantasy- colors and mane express royalty, while the eyes express something beyond worldly kingdoms.
The One who delivers us.

10) I changed the music for two of these videos (the 1st & 3rd ones). I do that sometimes. When I first finish a painting, I'm in a hurry to get the video out to you on the same day I finish it. Sometimes that means a fast pick of music & I change my mind later.

11) I'm painting our journey- I paint what's on my heart at the time of next project for each current book, & that usually ends up relating to whatever is going on in real time- what you all are talking about.

You influence me, I inspire you.

Why they don't want us connected!

12) Fight hard for your God-given right to assemble,
both in person and online-
to be spiritually near,
not socially distant.

God bless you and keep you.
May His face shine upon you,
this day and always.
And grant you peace.

/end thread/