Morning Cluck

One of my favorite things in Africa and in Israel is hearing the roosters crow at all hours of the day and night. Lol. Somehow, it just lends to greater atmosphere as I experience a new culture. Maybe it is because it reminds me of the country life in which I grew up in. 

This past week my friend, Gomer, cracked a joke when another friend,  Joshua, posted a picture of a chicken. 

"Morning Cluck."

I laughed so hard I knew I needed to paint a rooster and name it, "Morning cluck."

Thanks for the inspiration guys. I had great delight painting tonight.

My failed image

Sometimes as I am creating I panic because I really messed up. This seems to be a moment when I feel like it looks hideous and I just wasted good paper. But, I have learn that if I keep pressing in or through the ugh I might discover something beautiful. 

This piece supposed to be blue flowers. They were so bad I actually thought of ripping it up. Lol. I haven't done that yet mostly because I am trying to track my progress as I learn. So I decided to through away the idea of a simple flower I was trying so hard to crreate and I started creating uses sponges. 

It now feels very impressionistic. And I like it. It grew on me. 

Initially, I jokingly said to myself when I was creating, "Hmmmm, so my failed images become impressionsm." 

Did you know that "impressionism" the term was considered derogatory when it was first used about Monet. He didn't paint with a traditional stroke so he was criticized, but in time his style became a genre.

What kind of disciplemaker are you?

What kind of disciplemaker are you? 

Today as I pondered a lesson I learned many years ago I decided to try to paint the concept.

It takes 15 to 16 years before an elephant can have a baby. The gestation period is 22 months. They may have 12 babies in their lifetime.

Elephants are slow to start, slow to produce, and only have a few. They are fiercely loyal and stick to their pack. 

A rabbit starts having babies around 5 to 6 months. Their pregnancy only lasts 31 days. They can have 6 to 12 bunnies at a time. They might have 3 to 4 litters a year. Theoretically, a couple could have with their offspring 4 million babies in 4 years.

Rabbits are fast and productive. They fill a warren with a family unit. Their family structure is very communal and they stick together but each have their own place in the warren. Some rabbits might come and go but for the most part they stick together. They are rapid reproducers.

I am curious. In your culture, which one would be valued more as a reproducer?

Did Korah's kin have to suffer because of his rebellion?

Sometimes, I read something and it makes me ask questions. This morning I read "and the line of Korah did not die out" (Numbers 26:11). But I noticed no number in the census was given for them. Without the census number, they could not receive the land inheritance. Without land, how could they work?  It made me wonder, did Korah's kin have to suffer and become slaves because of his pride?

What I found humbled me so much. Even Korah's rebellion which caused instant discipline that shocks you because 250 men were swallowed up in a hole that day (go read it in Numbers 16:1-40), there is a redemptive story.

Did you know that Korah's descendants served in the tabernacle as musicians, gatekeepers, and custodians (1 Chronicles 6:31-37; 9:19; 9:31-32; ; 25:1-7; 26:9)?

Did you know that 11 Psalms are attributed to the descendants of Korah?  Songs of longing for God, the power and protection of God, the presence of God emphasizing joy and the desire to be with God (Ps. 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 84, 85, 87, 88).

Now, I know our God is a God of redemption. I know His presence, provision, protection, and joy. Yet, I caught myself assuming the descendants of Korah were doomed because of their fathers rebellion. I know better. I love that God stopped this erroneous thought process.

How often do we say, "So and so is unredeemable?"  How often do we imply a person, politician, people group, or nation could never be redeemed? I know I hear and feel the brunt of these often in my world. And yet again, God caught the lie in my head this morning.

Listen! God is in the business of redeeming people! No person, people, or politician is beyond redemption. We must be praying for souls!  It is not our job to judge, condemn, slay, catch in sin, etc. Our role is to draw people closer to God so they know know the love of the Father through His Son! 

I can't stop thinking of the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11. I am in aww that despite their sins or errors God chooses to have us remember their moment of faith. 

This morning I am celebrating the descendants of Korah that chose to help us draw closer to God. Just this week, I had a leader in Greater South Asia tell me how much it meant to the tribal people when they heard for the first time Psalm 42 in their heart language. 

Korah's descendants are still impacting kingdom culture today.

Shalom y'all.