Sandi Hester

This is the second painting for my systematic theology paper.  The second Person of the Trinity, the Son, was painted on a smaller envelope than the Father to symbolize the submissive relationship the Son has to the Father (John 8:28-29; John 6:38; I Cor. 11:3).  I will be placing the Son envelope inside the Father envelope to further symbolize this aspect of the Trinity.

The scriptures I placed in the background in gold are all prophecies of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death, resurrection, and His second coming (Gen. 3:15; Psalm 22:14-18; Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 53; Zechariah 9:9; Isaiah 40:1-5; Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 7:14; Psalm 110:1; Isaiah 50:6; Micah 5:1-2; Isaiah 11; Isaiah 61:1-3; Revelation 21:1-7).  These would be great to save and read during the Christmas season to reflect on Christ and what He did for us.

The names of Jesus I used were: Jesus, Savior, the Light, Lamb of God, Redeemer, Emmanuel, King of kings, and the Word.  The picture I painted was the cross to represent what He came on this earth to do for us – die for our sins.  I placed a red flower on the places where His wounds would have been on the cross to symbolize that it’s by His wounds we are healed.

On the back I put two hymns – one to represent the Trinity (Holy, Holy, Holy) and a hymn about Jesus that I just recently heard in class (we sing a hymn together at the beginning of each class) for the first time and I fell in love with it (Tell Me the Story of Jesus).  I also added one of my all time favorite quotes – it’s by Oswald Chambers and says, “All heaven is interested in the cross of Christ, all hell terribly afraid of it, while men are the only beings who more or less ignore its meaning.”  

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” Deuteronomy 6:4                 

“…so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other.” I Kings 8:60

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…” 1 Timothy 2:5                                                                          

“You believe that there is one God.  Good!  Even the demons believe that – and shudder.” James 2:19

This is the first painting for my systematic theology paper.  As you can see, I didn’t paint on my normal watercolor paper.  The way I’m symbolizing the 3 in 1 concept of the Trinity (there is one God in 3 Persons) is by painting each separate person (Father, Son, and Spirit) on a different size packing envelope – this is not the most ideal painting surface :).  I’ll be placing the Spirit (which will be the smallest envelope) inside the Son (the middle size envelope), and the Son will be placed inside the Father envelope.  So I’ll be able to hand-in “one” envelope/painting but there will be 3 envelopes and separate paintings.  I’ll explain this a little more as I describe each painting, but even the size and placement of the envelopes represent characteristics about that Person –  as you’ll see with the Father.  I love that the Lord gave me this idea – it really captures the purpose of this paper.

This is my first envelope/painting – the Father.  Each painting has scripture on it to describe that Person of the Trinity.  The scriptures I have in gold on the backdrop are all about how He is one God and there is no other – I was surprised to find how many there are!  Here are the scriptures in gold along with the ones at the top in bold that I placed in the background: Deut. 4:35, Is 45:5-6, Is 46:9, Jn 17:3, I Cor 8:4-6, Romans 3:30.

I am also placing names of each Person of the Trinity on their envelopes.  For the 1st person of the Trinity I painted: Father, Sovereign Lord, and Creator to capture who the Father is and what He does.  The painting of the earth and creation was meant to capture the role of the Father as Creator for He created and He sustains His creation.  I also placed torn scripture around on the painting that talk about His work in creation (Genesis 1:1-2, Job 26:7-14, Is 48:13).  The Father is the largest and main envelope because the Father is supreme in His position and authority among the Persons in the Trinity.  It’s amazing that there is such order in the Godhead – a built in structure of authority and submission.  In scripture we clearly see that the Son and Spirit are under the authority of the Father and they gladly submit to the Father – and yet, they are all God. 

On the back of each envelope I’m putting 2 hymns – one that captures that individual Person of the Godhead and a hymn about the Trinity (I painted the Trinity symbol on this hymn).  I hope you learn something new about the Trinity through this or at least are reminded of some sweet truths about our magnificent and mysterious God!

Well, once again the lack of posting has been due to my work on another paper for my systematic theology class.  This paper, however, has not been an ordinary paper –  I may have the coolest professor ever!  He decided for this last paper to let those of us who have a creative bent use that creativity for this 3rd essay.  The class has the option to write an essay (like normal), record a piece of music, paint, sculpt, or whatever else one can come up with to creatively explain the doctrine of the Trinity.  How much fun is that???  I jumped all over this!  The Lord gave me a creative way to express the Trinity for this project.  I’ll be painting 3 different paintings to capture each Person of the Trinity, but I’ll be combining them in a creative way to express the 3 in 1 concept of the Trinity.  I’ll be posting each painting as I complete them.  So you’ll get a little art and a little doctrine all at the same time :).  Below is a picture of Hannah (my niece) and me working hard on this essay (of course Hannah is just “play” painting).

How many are Your works, O Lord! In wisdom You made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures. Psalm 104:24

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.  Isaiah 55:12

This is a painting I did for my friend Laura who got married this last weekend.  It was the sweetest wedding.  They knew each other and were friends since 5th grade and had saved themselves for this special day before the Lord.  I know He was pleased by their purity and this covenant that is a beautiful picture of Himself.  It is cloudy and rainy today which messed up the color and clarity of the pictures.  The first picture below is of the painting itself and the second one is of the painting framed (I haven’t showen yall how I mat them with the scripture so I thought I would today).

A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.  Proverbs 12:10

Happy Birthday Stephen!  Stephen’s birthday was actually the 25th, but I just gave him his birthday gift on Saturday, so I couldn’t post this until now.  Stephen asked me to paint a picture of his dog Jill for his birthday, so that’s what I tried to do.  Below is the painting I gave him.  The scripture above is what I put on his painting.  Stephen, you’re the best brother and I love you very much!