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Death of the Greatest Society

Dear Friends,A lot has happened this 2020 Presidential election which I find, and I am sure more then half the country finds unsettling.Here is a list of disturbing events that have taken place that are Bladen attack on the constitution and the bill of rights.The press/media: No long reports the news with a none byes ‘political view. They have become the mouth piece for the socialist left.Government Agencies: National intelligent agency both foreign and domestic have been used to spy on the president and his cabinet, and have purchased from foreign governments false intelligence, to concoct false narrative that trump and his cabinet were colluding with the Russians to run our country’s affairs so they will benefit The Russians’ causes.Congress: Failing to up hold A free, a fair, uncorrupted election system that is protected from foreign and domestic interference.Making speeches that encourage their follower to silence, to force their opponent out of society.Failing to uphold law and justice throughout the ranks of government. Many government officials have made a career of abusing their office’s power and influence for their own financial gain.Member of congress have violated their auth to uphold and defend the U.S. Constitution against foreign and domestic enemies.Some members have publicly made statements and worn clothes with slogan on them that are anti American and anti-Israel.Trying to impeach a president 2 times, and a third one on its way. All impeachments were bast on false accusation. These impeachments have been a waste of millions of dollars which our country went furth indebt to ChaniaGovernors, Mayors, Senators, Congressman: Guilty of using the Covet 19 pandemic, seize total control of power to intrude into the privet lives of it’s citizens.  Through the shut down of privet owned businesses, to shutting down the education system, to closing churches, to placing their citizen on house lockdown.While politicians trail around the world, attending  parties, go to hair solon appointments, and attend family gatherings.These politicians have failed to provide security and law and order, by allowing leftist anarchists to burn their cities, and lute the property of privet Busses owners, to assault, rape and murder its citizen.By telling their police force to stand down. By not activating their National Guard to restore order.By lie in to the country and calling these sedges peaceful demonstration, calling them the Sumer of Love.Rigging the judicial to let the anarchists that are arrested to be put back out on the street with out any trial or spending time in jail.I Think most disturbing event is that members of Congress are accusing President Trump as an insurrectionist, who incited mod violence against the capital build.I believe President Trump just encouraged his supporter to protest in front of the Capitol so that congress could how many people believe that the election was stolen, and that He won by a land slide.The president did not encourage any one to break into the capital and attack congress of vandalize the building.The President should not be punished for the actions of a few followers who decided to be anarchists take it upon their self and force their way into the capital building and vandalize it.Our government need to get back to reading and understanding the U.S. constitution, and the bill of Rights, to uphold govern our society by their statues.People who serve in government must remember they are a servant of the people, the people are not their servants.Policies need to be made to strength the welfare of our nation, not to strengthen the power of their political party.Our society need to quit the console culture. We need to return respecting our fell man, and threat our fellow citizen, as we want to be treated.WE alt to practice Luke 10:27And he answered, “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”Written By Stephen Vattimo 1/9/2021

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Mortally Wounded but not Grounded

d Bird siting on a perch, In a cage with the door wide open. Bird’s soul has been mortally wounded Unable to escape predators and danger. The Savior rescued the bird  Placed it in a safe and clean cage Lovingly nursing the bird back to health. Though the bird’s wings were mended and strong. Though the bird cage door was open. The Bird was afraid to leave the safety of the cage For no matter how hard, the bird flapped it’s strong wing to take flight, The prisoner’s heart of unforgiveness kept it weighted down to the ground. Ask the Lord to create a forgiving heart in you. So, you will have the freedom to take flight and leave your cage behind. Written by Stephen J. Vattimo   11/11/20201

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Globalist Love In

I heard that the world leaders have been leaving congratulatory messages on Joe Biden's answering machine.      The the messages start out congratulated him in wining the presidential election, then close their message with this saying," Mr. President, Pucker up your lips Butter Cup!" 

Writer by Stephen J. Vattimo11/25/2020

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Be Hold the Lamb of God

Medium: Acrylic on canvas size:11”x12” Date 2019-2020 Artist: Stephen J. Vattimo

This illustration is done for a mural portraying the earthly ministry of Jesus the Christ. This is number 8, out of 9 illustraitions. This illustration portrays Jesus after he dies on the cross. Biblical reference : Mark 15 : 33-39

33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[b] 35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.” 36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said. 37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. 38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died,[c] he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” In doing my research : I found out that the crown of thorns might have been a cap, than a wreath. I t is my opinion that Mel Gibson’s portrayal of the brutality the Roman soldier inflicted on the body of Jesus, through the beatings and the 39 lashes with the cat of nine tails. This event was never visually captured in arts, until he made his movie The Passion of the Christ. Many don’t know what a cat of nine tales is, Roman style. A cat of nine tails are nine leather strap that are woven together at the handle. Each strap is laced with bone and other sharp objects. With each lash, flesh would be ripped from the victim’s body. Most of the illustration I have seen of the crucifixion of Jesus where quite sterile. They fail to illustrate the brutality. Their image of Jesus looks more like an under wear modal doing a photo shoot fore GQ magazine, Then the savor having the wrath of God being pored on his body for the payment of our sins.

In this painting, I am place my viewer in the soldiers shoes, who just witnessed Jesus committing His spirit into God’s hands. Just as the soldier pondered the event he participated in , and looking into the face of Jesus, he proclaims, this man was truly the Son of God.

Written by Stephen J. Vattimo 7/20/2020

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Invasion of the Manikins.

Can you hear the hypnotic hum of the production line? Education Rehabilitation factories rolling out images of humans made of plastic and wood. Minds are erased of parental guidance. Memory banks programmed with political correctness. Manikin, manikin Original thought, personal passions, is like a stick of dynamite, it will splinter their heads. They are invading our world. Replacing our friends and family, when they go to sleep. Don’t allow them to erase your original thought, snuff out polite to your burning passions. Beware of the manikins, manikins.

Written by Stephen J. Vattimo 5/4/2020

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Accidentally DOOMED

In this commentary, I will discuss what the Mark of the Beast is, and how it will effect everyday life, and how a person cannot accidentally receive it. What is the mark of the Beast? The mark of the Beast is a futurist event that will take place in the last seventh years of human civilization before the return of Jesus the Christ and the start of His millennial rein on the Earth. The mark of the beast will be some kind of tattoo or microchip that every human will have to receive on their forehead of right hand. My thought is it could be a barcode. I lean more to a visual mark, than a hidden chip, because it will be easier to spot decenters, if a person doesn’t have a visible tattoo, they will be turned in to the authorities. When the mark of the beast is instituted, the civilized world will be ruled by a one government, one religious, and system. The head of this utopia government will be the anti-Christ. During this time period, there will also be a one world economic system. The mark of the beast will be ever citizen passport for purchasing power, Idea for medical treatment system, personal information. All the civilized institution and their service will only be obtained with the mark. The latest buzz in the news feed in the last month or so, has been, doing away with money. Because the popular belief is that the passing of currency between people can spread the virus. There has been talk of installing a one world government, so that people from all over the world will be under one system to defeat the Corona Virus. The technology is all in place for this event to the place. No time in history has mankind had the ability to tack the knowledge of a person’s, purchases, financial history, medical records, social interaction, and location? Now these future events were prophecies by John the Apostle, who was shown these event through a vision, given to him by the risen Jesus, while John was banished to a remote island, for preach about Jesus. John wrote down these visions in obedience to Jesus’ instructing him to do so. We know this written record as the book of Revelation. Here is the biblical reference that support what we have just covered. Revelation 13:16-17 American Standard Version (ASV) 16 And he causeth all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free and the bond, that there be given them a mark on their right hand, or upon their forehead; 17 and that no man should be able to buy or to sell, save he that hath the mark, even the name of the beast or the number of his name. Now to discuss the Elephant in the room. I was talking to a friend of mine at church, and he thought that the mark of the beast could be a microchip that will be inserted in the body. He watches a lot of conspiracy theory shows, and loose Goosy biblical shows. Which could do more harm than good if you aren’t a bible student and know how to rightly divide the word of God. Knowing I am a 9 military veteran, who trained as a combat engineer, than trained as a anti-armor missile crewman with the mechanize infantry, then was train as a combat medic, serving with a nuclear tactical unit, to then spend my last 2 year give medical support to the 1 green bray, and the 23rd ranger battalion. So he hearing information that during the Iraq war soldier had tracking chips implanted in them, he asked me, did I think they unwillingly receive the mark of the Beast? Here is my biblically base sound answer. The damning of one’s soul before God, is not caused by the technology, form of government, or economic system. The damnation comes from making an alliance, and worshipping the Anti-Christ as God of the universe, rejecting the one true God. This will be the one unescapable decision every citizen will have to make, if not they will be put to death. Revelation chapter 13, explains that the anti-Christ will be recognized not by appearance, but by the blasphemy that will flow from his mouth against the true God, and by the persecution he will wage against the Christians. As we stated be for, he will demand to be worship in the place of the one true God. Any decent will be met with death. Here is the Biblical Support. 13 1 and [a]he stood upon the sand of the sea.

And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns ten diadems, and upon his heads names of blasphemy. 2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his throne, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as though it had been [b]smitten unto death; and his death-stroke was healed: and the whole earth wondered after the beast; 4 and they [c]worshipped the dragon, because he gave his authority unto the beast; and they [d]worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? and who is able to war with him? 5 and there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and there was given to him authority [e]to continue forty and two months. 6 And he opened his mouth for blasphemies against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, even them that [f]dwell in the heaven. 7 [g]And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. 8 And all that dwell on the earth shall [h]worship him, every one whose name hath not been [i]written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that hath been slain. 9 If any man hath an ear, let him hear. 10 [j]If any man [k]is for captivity, into captivity he goeth: if any man shall kill with the sword, with the sword must he be killed. Here is the [l]patience and the faith of the saints. Here is the biblical reference that support what we have just covered.

11 And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like unto a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 12 And he exerciseth all the authority of the first beast in his sight. And he maketh the earth and them that dwell therein to [m]worship the first beast, whose death-stroke was healed. 13 And he doeth great signs, that he should even make fire to come down out of heaven upon the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by reason of the signs which it was given him to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast who hath the stroke of the sword and lived. 15 And it was given unto him to give breath to it, even to the image of the beast, [n]that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as should not [o]worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16 And he causeth all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free and the bond, that there be given them a mark on their right hand, or upon their forehead; 17 and that no man should be able to buy or to sell, save he that hath the mark, even the name of the beast or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. He that hath understanding, let him count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man: and his number is [p]Six hundred and sixty and six. What will happen to those who receive the mark? According to the book of Revelations, They will suffer all the pain and destruction that will be cause by the plaques God will poor out on the whole world. When Jesus comes back to Earth, he will destroy the civilization, and its armies, that have made allegiants with the Anti-Christ. Here is the biblical reference that support what we have just covered. Revelation 14:9-12 9 And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a great voice, If any man [d]worshippeth the beast and his image, and receiveth a mark on his forehead, or upon his hand, 10 he also shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is [e]prepared unmixed in the cup of his anger; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11 and the smoke of their torment goeth up [f]for ever and ever; and they have no rest day and night, they that [g]worship the beast and his image, and whoso receiveth the mark of his name. 12 Here is the [h]patience of the saints, they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Conclusion. Thou no man Know the day or Hour, when this curtain will go up on this show, But by staying in the scriptures, and keeping our eyes and ears open, we can tell when the bringing of the show is drawling near, when we see the seats in the theater are filling up.

Stephen J. Vattimo Written 4/23/2020

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Hairy Finances

I hate full moons! Why you ask? Every time there is a full moon ,the day after, I have to spend money for a hair cut. The silver lining under this rain cloud,that hovering over my wallet? My barber , always give me a free flee collar with each visit

Written By Stephen j. Vattimo 4/9/2020

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$1000.00 worth of Un-Returnable Pet Toys

Anyone remember a few short years ago, when banks, use to provide their customers with niceties, to attract their business, or to keep it? For an example when I first opened an account with Citizens Bank, they had a spread on a table of Coffee, hot chocolate, tea, cookies, and donuts. Today the only free nicety Citizens bank offers its costumers, Is milk bone banquets for the customer’s dog. So now I have solved the mystery, of how my dog abstained a $1000 .00 worth of dogie toys! I thought I bought them for the dog while I was stone drunk. It turns out the reason why the bank gives my pet dogie treats when we go through drive through, it turns out my dog open up his own bank account behind my back. Since he is a millionaire, and I have a colony of moths living in my account, the bank offers the dog niceties, so he doesn’t take his business to another bank. So I decided my dog should support me. So I went into work and quit my job, when got back home, my dog ran away from home, and I never heard or seen him again. He did leave behind his $1000.00 worth of toys, so I tried taking them to Pet Smart, to return them, for estrange for money, but they wouldn’t take them back because the dog slobbered on them.

Written by Stephen J. Vattimo 3/9/2020

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Turn to the Left or to the Right.

Dear Friend, I have dedicated my life to reaching the world with the good news, that sinful man who has been separated from fellowship with God, for the act of rebellion. Out of love, God has offered salvation plan, and restoration to fellowship with Himself. Through placing one’s allegiances in the redemptive work which was accomplished on the cross by Jesus, God’s only son. The righteous paying the penalty of death, for the unrighteous, that through faith in the redeemer, the unrighteous are rescued from judgement and made righteous in gods sight. I have been proclaiming this message Through Art, Poetry, and Writings. It’s my hope that God has been speaking through my work, and not just admiring my God given talents. I have had people tell me they love my work, but please drop the preaching. If I horned their request, they would latter, try to blame their unbelief on me, for leaving out biblical truth that accompanied my work. It would surely be selfish of me, and dishonoring to God. My Friends, today what I want to do is share with you, is scripture that in plain black and white, spells out the future events that everyone who ever lived, will participate in. So please read this article with your undivided attention. Read it like your life depends on it! Because you’re eternal destiny depends on it!

There are only two destination in live after death. According to Jesus, when a person dies, and enters eternity, there are two separate places a person can go. Heaven for the faithful to God. Hell for the rebellious. Side note, until Jesus redemption work for sin was completed, the faithful use to go to a place call Abraham’s Bosom, which was in the earth, but not a place of judgement or torment. Once Christ accomplished his redemptive work, Then Abraham bosom was transported to Heaven, God Heavenly domain. Also, the rich man did not follow god, This does not mean that all rich people are Godless. On the flip side, being poor does not mean a person is God fearing. Luke 16:19-31 The Rich Man and Lazarus 19 “Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. 20 And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, 21 and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. 22 Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and *saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 And [a]besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham *said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 But he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”

Through Adam, all Sinned, Through Jesus, Sinner Can be Made Righteous. When Adam and Eve Disobeyed god command not to eat of the tree of Knowledge of good and Evil, they fell out of harmonies fellowship with God, and their bodies as well of all creation took on the corruptness of death and decay , booth the living creature as well as the planet it’s self. The Order of Resurrection 1 Corinthians 15:20 - 28 20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in [h]Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, 24 then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death. 27 For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. 28 When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all. Heaven and Hell are Two Temporal Places. Now we are going to look at two final places that are going to exist for eternity. For Hell is a temporal holding place for the rebellious, the dammed. Heaven is only a temporal place for the faithful Children of God. It is true we will all will have to give account to God, but the believing and the unbelieving will appear at separate judgement seats. The believers will be judged on their steward ship of what the Lord has given them. They will receive rewards according to their faithfulness. The unbelieving, because they refused God’s salvation plan, will be shown all their evil deeds, and compare them to the righteousness of Jesus the Christ. They will then enter the wrath of God for eternity. We first will look at the Judgement seat for the Unbelieving, and there finale place of existence. Revelation 20 Judgment at the Throne of God 11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose [g]presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and [h]books were opened; and another [i]book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the [j]books, according to their deeds. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if [k]anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Now lest look at the final place of existence for the redeemed Children of God. The New Heaven and Earth 21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will [a]dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them[b], 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

5 And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” 6 Then He said to me, “[c]It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. 7 He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. 8 But for the cowardly and [d]unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and [e]brimstone, which is the second death.”

9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls [f]full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”

The New Jerusalem Revelation 21 10 And he carried me away [g]in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her [h]brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper. 12 [i]It had a great and high wall, [j]with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names were written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. 13 There were three gates on the east and three gates on the north and three gates on the south and three gates on the west. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 The one who spoke with me had a [k]gold measuring rod to measure the city, and its gates and its wall. 16 The city is laid out as a square, and its length is as great as the width; and he measured the city with the [l]rod, [m]fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal. 17 And he measured its wall, [n]seventy-two yards, according to human [o]measurements, which are also angelic measurements. 18 The material of the wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold, like [p]clear glass. 19 The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; 20 the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

22 I saw no [q]temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its [r]temple. 23 And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth [s]will bring their glory into it. 25 In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed; 26 and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it; 27 and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those [t]whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

How do I know if I am a child of God, or an enemy of God? In the book of John the third Chapter, Jesus is visited by a religious leader. I believe this leader came seeking truth, so Jesus reveals to him that eternal life is not obtained through religiosity, but is a spiritual birth given from God to those who will receive God’s redemptive plan. Which would be carried out Through His sacrificial lamb, Jesus God’s own Son.

John 3 New American Standard Bible (NASB) The New Birth 3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; 2 this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these [a]signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born [b]again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

4 Nicodemus *said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born [c]again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

9 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony. 12 If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man. 14 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that whoever [d]believes will in Him have eternal life.

16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His [e]only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the [f]only begotten Son of God. 19 This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”

My dear friend, after seeing the evidence presented to you from the Holy scriptures, will you turn away from you rebellious living, against God? Will you humble yourself, and admit to God, and yourself that you can never of your own power, cleans yourself of the stains of sin. Put you trust in that Jesus die on the cross, not for His sin, for He was God who committed no sin. He died on the cross to pay the debt of your sin, which is death, owed a righteous God. Are you ready to ask God to make you clean, and give you eternal life? To except God offer to become a member of His eternal family, and start a new journey in your life, to live and serving the king of the universe? It is my hope you will be joining me as a citizens of God’s kingdom, of the new havens and earth He is preparing for His children.

Written by Stephen J. Vattimo 3/6/2020

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Cold Copy,Fun House Mirror,Window

Dear friends, Here is a thought ,or a spiritual illustration that came to me during prayer this morning. How would one compare their walk with God? How would those who came in contact with,or better yet knew the one personally? How would the one's spiritual walk be compared to,or remembered as? To me their a three object that a person's walk with God can be compared to to. The first i thought of ,was a cold printed copy of the Bible. Meaning they know every word that is printed in the Bible, But they are deaf and blind toward it's teachings. I would say this person is religiously devout ,but does not have a personal relationship with God. It like a purchaser studying a product but never making the commitment to buy. The second I thought of , was a mirror. Meaning they Have ears that hear, and eye that see,they practice the word with understanding in their live. But like a mirror in a fun house, they are only a distorted reflection of Christ , not the total clear image. These are the people who's obedience to God's authority in their life,and their commitment to serving the Lord is waving, more often then being consistent . The third I thought of, was a window A person who 's eye and ears are focused on the Word, They live their life in the light of understanding the Truth. Like a window ,their is nothing hindering the light to pass through it. So is the person who summit their life completely to God's authority,and they submit their lives to the unwavering service to God. By walking closely with God,people around them can see Christ beaming through them. So let us ask our selves,on a continual bases,"what do people see when they interact with us? What kind of person will people remember us as being,when we pass away. Were we a cold copy of the Bible, Were we a distorted mirror in a fun house Were we a window that allow true light to pass through. Written by Stephen J. Vattimo October 4,2017

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My Crazy Theory That Elvis Many not have Die in 1977

We have all heard of urban legions of how our favorite celebrity faked their own death and is alive in well in some secluded place, living now undercover. Most people want to believe their supper hero has a super power that makes them immune to death. The celebrity I am going to talk about, I was not a fan of. I was more of a Classic/Progressive Rock group listener. I did read a couple of books about Elvis written by people who were closer to him, and I read two books about his drug use problem. From the knowledge I obtained from these books, I thought for many years, the man was killed by the following: Prescription drugs, all night party binges, unhealthy indulgences, financial drain by a manager who got payed half of Elvis’s earnings. Which his manager gamble away most of his share. Closed off from the real world, and its realities. Now a life style like this, without changing tracks would surely end at the polar of the grim reaper. So being a sober mined person, I for a long time thought that in 1977 the King of Rock and Roll die, until I watched a movie entitled, Elvis meets Nixon. This movie in a reenactment of when Elvis on a whim, ran away from Grace land, without anyone knowing he had gone, or where he was headed. When Elvis get a room at a Washington D.C. hotel, trying to somehow arrange a meeting with President Nixon to get him to make him a drug enforcement agent. He takes a fight out to Los Angeles to meet his friend, Jerry Schilling. During the car ride Elvis tell his friend, he is tired of the, life of being Elvis Presley, and all its badges. While staying in Los Angeles, Jerry suggest Elvis take a stroll down town because the weather was nice. Elvis shoots down the idea, saying, you know I can’t go in public without being mobbed. He friend tell him, he won’t get mobbed, people are different out here. So when Elvis goes out on the town in Los Angeles, He discovers a cold harsh reality. The young people in 1970’s did not listen to his music, to them he was a has been. When he went into a record store and ask where he could find his records, the store clack showed him to the discount rack. So here is my theory. Once Elvis was faced with the hard cold reality that he was no longer the bigger than life super star, he once was. Also the fact He was tire of doing two show a day, to continue to support his life style, as well as being the financial provider for the Memphis Mafia members, and his vampire manager. Who would force Elvis to perform his show even when he was deathly ill. Because his manager was gambling away all his money, and most likely borrowing more money to gamble with from real mafia that own the casinos. So I believe Elvis, planned to fake his death, to get out of the death trap his life had become. I believe he knew it was only a matter of time his show in Vegas would burn out, and he would end up financially distorted. I believe he felt people were treating him as a meal ticket and not as a person who had needs. I believe Elvis and a few close trusted friends, came up with the idea of taking everything that was the Elvis Presley King of Rock and Roll image and making it into a museum, So Elvis could have the financial mean to live a quiet live under a new Identity. People say it can’t be done, the IRS would catch up with him for taxes. Not if money is received by a trusted first party, who would take care of the taxes. They in return would give money to Elvis for his financial needs. Therefor if Elvis had someone taking care of his financial matters, he could live without being part of the banking system, there for living off the grid. If I you are intrigued, watch the movie when Elvis meets Nixon. Tell if you think my theory might be possible.

Written by Stephen J. Vattimo 2/7/2020

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Black Satin,

Black Satin

Clouds of fascism, blocking out the light of diversity Sheets of rain drowning out the voices of crusaders

Socialist artists with paint brushes and black paint, White wash over the history between God and man

Enforcers try to use fear to drive the children of truth to dwell in The catacombs

Declaring themselves to be master of the universe, Set their thrones above the stars of the Creator. Poring delusions of security, and grander into the wooden heads of all those puppet who allow their strings to be pulled.

Children of Truth, don’t find refuge in hiding in the catacombs Be courageous, Shine the light of truth, in the strength of the Holy Spirit. For there are many who are lost in the heavy black fog, who yarn to be lead to the kingdom of light.

Just as the morning dew melts by the afternoon, just as the grass withers The kingdoms of the masters of the Universe will evaporate, as the true King’s kingdom will touch down on the earth.

Written by Stephen J. Vattimo 2/11/2020

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Title: Windows to the Soul Medium: Ink on sketch Book Paper Size: 10” X 14” Year: 01/09/2020 This Illustration is a pulmonary design/study for a future painting. Theme was born from a poem I wrote a couple years ago, by the same title. The main massage is that Christians are to be windows that Jesus Christs can shine His light of, Love, truth, mercy, salvation, hope, new life, in to a darkened world by the power of sin. The power of sin is what subjects all creation under destruction, suffer, death, decay. The Devil, and countless fallen angel use these tools to destroy the human race. Christians Have victory, through faith in Christ, from being a salves to sin, they have obtain adoption into God’s family, and removed from the coming damnation that is for the rebellious angels and the humans. Christian still are still temped to commit sin, and still make bad choices. Christian’s sin, hinder their effectiveness to be a witnesses for God’s kingdom, their short comings are like black drapes, that hang in a widow, that hinder the sunlight from brightening and warming a dark cold room.

The massage communicated by symbolism

The stair well leading down with the railing around it: The railing: The 3 petal flower is a Celtic symbol for the trinity of God. The railing around the stair well: Represents, God’s desire that none should perish but to repent. It also represents that people go to hell by their own choice, through their deliberate rebellious living against God. No ne accidentally end up on the wrong side of the railroad tracks.

The Stairs going down: Represents sinful humanity that is separated from a holy God. Without a spiritual intervention, we all have one destination that is the lake of fire, which is the finale judgement for sin.

The open glass pane door: Represents God wants humanity to except his invitation to commune with Him, receive the new life He offers to provide for them. The stair case without railings: Represents the path to The Heaven, which must me travailed by faith.

The partly open drapes hanging in the Picture widow. Represent sin that try to prevent the light of truth to penetrate the darkness of deception. The railing with the fishes and crosses: This represent the Heavenly destination of Christian. It also stand for Christian being God’s Life guard. While living in the world, their mission is to take the salvation message into all the world. The second Floor open door, the entrance filled with light: This represents the entrance to Heaven.

The globe sculpture represents a world needing to be repossessed, from the power of the curse of sin. By the hand of God, it will made new, absent of rebellious angel and humans. Absent from destruction, suffering, death, decay.

Stephen J. Vattimo 1/10/2020

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Heart

Medium: Ink on Sketch Book Paper Size: 15” x 25” Year: 10/04/2019

This Illustration is my Pumpkin carve design for the Great Pumpkin Carve, sponsored by The Chad’s Ford Pa. Historical Society. I have been participating in this event since 2006. I designed this picture to illustrate the human heart toward God. Understanding the symbolism in the design Human heart: A Fortress God’s Communion with Man Kind: Irish trinity flowers, with the crown, cross, dove God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit The two doors: the diverse ways mankind communes with God. The door with the thorny flower design: A religious person who live with out power. They refuse to allow God to sit on the throne in their lives. The door with the Grape Vine design: A follower of Jesus, who summit their lives to God’s lordship. John 15:5 New King James Version (NKJV) 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Stephen J. Vattimo 10/04/2019

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The Difference

Friends , Have you wonder what a difference a relationship with Jesus can make in a person's life. The life I was living before, I found Christ was quite a horrifying story that could have lead to suicide . It started with being taken from my parents at the age of seven years old,by the state, and placed in a boarding school for emotionally disturbed children. Though my parents lived only fifteen minutes away, they did not come to visit my, I basically saw my family about four times a year. While growing up in this school, I was the class clown, was remove from class for being constantly disruptive. I can only count a few times, I was not staying after school for punishment. I also was on restriction in the dorm, for rebelling against the rules. I spent my child hood growing up by standing in a hallway, facing the wall, fore about twelve hours a day. When I would run away from the school they would punish me by taking away the privilege of eating meals. They force me to drink a meal replacement stuff call brewer 's yeast. The worst tasting stuff on earth. While living at this school , I had multiple run ins with death : I was dropped into a water full during the winter,almost drawn at St Peter's Village. Flew through the air into a picnic table head first. Ended up in the hospital for a couple of weeks, then spend the summer with complete Amnesia . Suffocated by a plastic bag , staff at the school thought I was dead, when I woke on my bed, I walk out to the day room to find a counselor, they were in the middle of calling an ambulance , I scared the crap out of them by my appearance of white as ash skin and blue lips. The summer that I went back to living with my biological family for three years while attending regular High School. I was hit by a car travailing at the speed of forty five MPH. The accident happen after a days work, I was at a restaurant that my Bose would take me to after work. He sent me across the street to retrieve his cigars and newspaper from his car. When I was hit by the car, witnesses said my body popped up in the air about ten feet, and travailed through the air about one hundred feet. From this accident I suffer from having roaming black outs, so I had to be watched closely for a whole summer. During that summer a friend gave me a Bible, and I read it eight hours a day. The summer of 1980 , I gave my life to Christ. While living with my parent, I was exposed to mental abuse by my mother. While gong to school my mother had me paying rent, buying my own clothes. My mom rarely cooked during the winter, she would stay up all night drinking, then sleeping it off on the couch in the den, to about two in the afternoon. I always ate at the piazza shop for my dinner we’re I worked. I would be blame false for bad thing that happened around the house and would wake up in the mourning ,being punished for something I did not do. My mother threw me out of the house for weeks at a time, and I would have to stay with my dad's mother. Many time when I would come home and none was home, I would have to beg my friends to let me stay at their homes until my parents came home. Now if it were not for Jesus strengthening me to bare this abuse, I would have taken my own live. I want to share with you about two brothers I knew from the boarding school. They were raised by a mother who basically was a whore, who had children from three different men. She had a boyfriend while being married to the father of these brothers. Now these brothers for a couple of years were living at the school as I was. One brother was in my classes,and we were both always staying after school for bad behavior When these bother left school. they both lived self destructive lives. One bother became a conman , thief ,murder by accidental homicide. Who in the end hung him self. I Had share the massage of salvation through Christ when this man and his girlfriend whom ended up in a near death car accident. They rejected the offer. The other bother end up leaving the boarding school to being enrolled in a maximum security prison for about thirty years. When he got out on parole about two year ago, his sister ask me could I try to help her brother fly straight. I try to be his friend and help him, but he try manipulate me ,to be his personal tax. He one time ask if I could meet his girl friend at the transportation station in Norristown Pa. , to give her a ride to her mother's house in Collegeville Pa. I spent two and a half hours looking for this woman that never showed. This event took place at night time, which is a very dangerous time be hang around this place. It turned out that his girl friend was a prostitute who was fifteen years older then he was. He called me and asked if I knew church people who could put this woman up for a couple of week because she was going to be homeless. Well a christian girl I knew took her in at her place, and also tried to share Christ with her. The woman rejected Jesus. The last day I saw the man i was trying to help, He first wanted to hang out with me, and called me on the phone. I was not feeling well, and wanted do nothing but stay in bed. After our call , he call the woman, and told her the reason he had not called her sooner is because he called me and I had the case of diarrhea of the mouth. So continuing his conversation with her, not knowing i am on the other line, he tells her, I was have a party at my house with finger food and wide screen television. So then I chime in yo, you never end our call. Well that day I told him that he and his girlfriend could ride around with me as I did my errands. I heard they were thinking about buying bicycles , so I took them to the Trek bike shop in Devon Pa. After that day,I did not hear from this man any more. I had finally found work, after being unemployed for seven months. So that summer I ran into his sister at a supermarket, who asked me if I heard what happened to brother ? I said no, I had not have talk to him in some time, I said, He got him sent back prison? She told me her bother had murder the woman he ask me to help. She some how tried to break her relationship off with him, this angered him, so He plotted two way to kill her with both using a harem, and a knife. He followed her over the bridge from Norristown to Bridgeport, stabbed her 21 times to she bleed to death. He did the act around 2:00 PM. The event took place less then a couple block from my house. Could they have been on their way to my house? if they were ,I was at work in Willow Grove Pa. Thank God for His protection! Who knows how I would have been involved. Now all three of us had hard child hoods. But only one of us excepted Christ and found a better path in life. Through Christ , I served my country in the military for nine years. I attended a year of Bible College. I I worked as an electrician for fifteen years.. I worked as a Telecommunications Technician for three years. I worked ten years as a ware house junior manager for Comcast. I have worked in the mission field as a volunteer on three summer trips. I have be serving the christian community with my art talent for over thirty some years. I authored my first book, a collection of my own works in art and poetry. Last winter I had a traveling mini art show, go from library to library for four months. This year I will be competing for the eighteenth time in a live pumpkin carve that consist of eighty plus competitor. the works of art are on display for three days, and draws huge crowds every year. With out Christ I could not have accomplish these things by my self. If i would have rejected Salvation through Christ, and allowed my future be dictated by my abusive child hood, I might have been the murder on that bridge. or I might have been the con artist , thief, who couldn't stand his self any more so he hung himself. If you are tiered of your life, call out to God He will give you a better life. You can leave you past at the foot of the cross, never having to pick it up again. Through Jesus's every new day,is a fresh start on life. Salvation is a gift of love from God, but it is up to the recipient to receive or reject the gift.

Written by Stephen J. Vattimo 08/25/2019

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Unpopular Portrait of Jesus

When most people think about the popular image of Jesus, they probably image there was a quire of angel singing every were he went. That you could pick Jesus out of a group of people because he was the one with the hollow around His head. Because Jesus’s title is the Son of God, most people I talked to said he must have been a real attractive looking man, Who possessed a Apple Crombie model body. The Bible tells us in Isaiah 53:2, to the contrary Jesus was ordinary Physically, and in His demeanor. Isaiah 53:2 For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. Though the Bible does not record what Jesus life was like before He started his three-year ministry. The Bible record many examples that Jesus was submissive to earthly Authorities. Philippians 2:8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Here a few examples that show that Jesus was submissive to both government and religious authorities. When Jesus healed someone, he instructed them to show the healing to the priest and make the offering sacrifice that is commanded by Moses. Matthew 8:4 Jesus paid taxes to the Romans, which finance the occupation of Israel by Roman military and diplomats. The Jewish religious leader tries to trap Jesus, with the question of, was it spiritually right to pay taxes to support an occupying government that was pecan and it’s leader claimed to be a God who demanded worship. One of the 10 commandment is that the Jews should have no other Gods other than the God of Abraham, Jacob, Isaac. Mark 12:13 – 17 13Then they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Him in order to trap Him in a statement. 14They came and said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not? 15“Shall we pay or shall we not pay?” But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to look at.” 16They brought one. And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” And they said to Him, “Caesar’s.” 17And Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were amazed at Him The altamente submission to world authority is when Jesus submitted Himself to a all-night trial where Jesus was sentence to death by false accusations, Then had to be shuffled Between the Jewish leader and the Roman optioned leaders to obtain a sentence of crucifixion. Yet in the garden Jesus could have call down a legion of angels and whipped out the temple guards who went to arrest him by force of weapons.

Matthew 26: -51-54 51And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached and drew out his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. 53“Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54“How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?”

So why did Jesus submit to the worldly authority? Because God set up governments to protect humans from be Annihilate by unchecked evil people. The Bible teach that His children should obey Earthly authority to honor God. 1 Peter 2:13-17 13 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, [a] whether it be to the emperor[b] as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants[c] of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Now let us paint a portrait of Jesus’ life, the first thirty years. Before Jesus started His three-year ministry, I believe He experience the same trials and tribulation that every Jew experienced. He worked as a carpenter to support himself, He paid taxes. He had bothers and sisters. He was the head of his family when His father Joseph die. Which was culturally His responsibility being the oldest male of the family. I am sure he experienced injustice against Himself and those close to Him. The Roman soldiers bullied the Jewish people often, through beatings, robbery, and rape. I am sure Jesus got sick, tired, hurt. I believe that Jesus strictly obeyed authors the priests and the old testament books of the Bible. Matthew 5:17 "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill Jesus’s first thirty years were so ordinary, when He read the prophecy about Him self in the book or Isaiah, His home did not believe their home town boy had the qualifications to be a candidate to be the Messiah. Their disbelief was so strong He could wok any miracle in their town. .

Luke 4:16-24 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and he entered, as his custom was, into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 And there was delivered unto him [a]the book of the prophet Isaiah. And he opened the [b]book, and found the place where it was written,

18 [c]The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, [d]Because he anointed me to preach [e]good tidings to the poor: He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.

20 And he closed the [f]book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 And he began to say unto them, To-day hath this scripture been fulfilled in your ears. 22 And all bare him witness, and wondered at the words of grace which proceeded out of his mouth: and they said, Is not this Joseph’s son? 23 And he said unto them, Doubtless ye will say unto me this parable, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done at Capernaum, do also here in thine own country. 24 And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is acceptable in his own country. My conclusion statement is that Jesus Though Being a pattern in the creation of all that exist, Though He was equip in partnership with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. He lower Him self by taking on the flesh of man, to be acquainted with all the trials and tribulation Human struggle through living in a sin cursed world. He was tempted by the devil as we are but sinned not. Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Contrast between Adam and Jesus. Adam was dwelling in a perfect world when He was deceived in to disobeying God, bring separation from fellowship with God, death all creating, and judgement on humanity. Where Jesus leaves His glorious throne, lower himself and take on Human flesh, dwell among sinful being in a creation that is crumbling under the decay of the curse of sin. Jesus does this redeemed humanity back to fellowship with God buy His obedience onto God to the point of death. 1 Corinthians 15:22-28 King James Version (KJV) 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

23 But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. I am hoping that this spiritual meditation has encourage you to trust God more when you are going through a trial and you feel small and alone, For Christ is always beside you , and is personally acquainted with you struggle because He has bend their before. So ,He knows the strength, guidance, and provision you need to conquer your situation. So, put Him in control call upon Him for help.

Written by Stephen J. Vattimo June 2, 2019

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Fed by a Miracle of Compassion

Fed by a Miracle of Compassion Medium: Acrylic on canvas Size: 11”x14” Year: 2019 Artist: Stephen J. Vattimo Matthew 14:13-21 New American Standard Bible (NASB) Five Thousand Fed 13 Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; and when the [a]people heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities. 14 When He went [b]ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick. 15 When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and the hour is already [c]late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!” 17 They *said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” 18 And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” 19 Ordering the [d]people to [e]sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds, 20 and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full baskets. 21 There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children. This illustration is part of a mural about the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. The mural consists 9 images that depict the Miracles of Compassion Christ worked that are recorded in the Bible and He continues to perform in the world today. Understanding the symbolism in the painting. The basket of to fish and bread sits in the grass; Jesus had instructed His disciples to have the people sit down in the grass. Dead grass: the event took place in a desolate place. Historical and cultural illustration. Basket design: In the first century in the middle east people traveled on foot and when on a long journey they carried food with them. The common lunch pal during this time period was most likely a small wicker style basket with a removable lid, and a leather strap attached to it. So, a person can sling it across their shoulder for comfortable transportation. The basket would most likely be lined with a cloth wrap around the food to protect it from dust and bugs. The fish and bread: In John 6:1-15 which mentions the same event, tell us the 2 fish and five loaves of bread belong to boy, so most likely his meal was that of a poor person. The common fish that was eaten by the poor in this region and time period, were sardines. The five loaves of bread: Were most likely a type of flat bread which is commonly consumed by middle eastern people. The Bible verse that best communicates the message of this illustration is: Matthew 6:25-33 New American Standard Bible (NASB) The Cure for Anxiety 25 “For this reason I say to you, [n]do not be worried about your [o]life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the [p]air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 And who of you by being worried can add a single [q]hour to his [r]life? 28 And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But [s]seek first [t]His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be [u]added to you. Written by Stephen J. Vattimo 3/25/2019