We Have a Living Hope

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"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."
Romans 12:12 ESV

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Last year, 2018, during the rough hurricane in Houston, I saw a 5 minute clip of a man playing a piano in I think his flooded home. The flood waters were up to the piano bench.  It was very touching, and, even tho the notes were soft, I had a sense of victory and hope. I found it very meaningful, & therefore created a painting of a young woman, standing on a table on the front porch of her flooded home, in a pretty orange dress, playing guitar & singing. I called it, " The Tender Voice of Hope".  A friend bought it back in December.    I attempt to visualize a spiritual, living hope, that leads into faith.  

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"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,"
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" Who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
1 Peter 3:1 & 21 ESV

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Then recently, I was inspired to create a companion piece for it. This one has an older woman, also in a flood, sitting with her cat on the porch, playing guitar & singing.  I call it, "Relentless Hope". 
This is about persevering, & singing thru the storms. 

Here I will also include another artwork," Rejoicjng Triumph".  
In Roman's 12, we are told to "rejoice in hope, & be patient in tribulation"; & in 1 Peter 1: 3 & 21, " be born again to a living hope".  In Christ, hope is alive & moved us forward into stronger faith.  It has been my experience, that a living hope leads on to a strengthening of faith. ​

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 "To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
Colossians 1:27 ESV

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Caroline Harnish - Guest Blogger

Caroline East Harnish was born in Philadelphia, PA. Her father was a teacher, & her mother was an artist, so, there were always art supplies in the home, & lessons from mom.
Caroline went to Europe & stayed there for 22 years, eventually becoming a street artist. Her art was influenced by the German Romantic artists, such as Friedrich, & the classic Italian scenes. She travelled thru Germany, Austria, Switzerland, & Italy. 
 When Caroline returned to the U.S. with her children, she supported them by painting wall murals. In Sarasota, FL, she became known for painting 19 Italian restaurants, & was featured in the Sarasota Herald Tribune, Sarasota magazine, & local tv. 
Now she lives in South Carolina, where she creates murals &  " prophetic art" at various conferences. 
 C.S. Lewis said " We demand windows". I understand this to be a natural longing for truth, inspiration, beauty, & understanding the mysteries of life. In creativity, she attempts to discover the key element that makes art matter. 
Instagram  - @carolineharnish