Thursday 19 February 2015

INTERTWINED AS ONE

"INTERTWINED AS ONE"
Pam Finlay
Acrylic on canvas
February 19 2015
 
 
As I am painting I am in His perfect peace, hidden in the cleft of the rock.
 
The name for this painting is "Intertwined as One".
Did you know the word intertwine means to connect, to join together, to unite or become joined by twining one with another.
God is asking that we may all become one with Him - intertwined with Him in an everlasting bond of love. 
I was given to paint two turtle doves, two golden wedding rings intertwined, a double rainbow and the bride of Christ.  The number two keeps being repeated.  Two is the number of witness, testimony. 
Many scriptures mention about the two doves.  The doves were used in the Old Testament for atonement of sins.  They are mentioned in the gospel  in the New Testament when Jesus was born, at his baptism and just before his death.  The scriptures in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are the ones that I think of when Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist in the Jordan river and the Holy Spirit came from heaven and descended on him "like a dove", the presence of God. 
The doves are symbols of lovingkindness, meekness, pure devotion and peace.  Springtime brings abundant new growth and blossoms appear on the trees and in comes the two doves.  Their sound can be heard all over the land.  The Lord is drawing us into that covenant relationship of pure love and devotion.  The doves sing His praises when the sun rises early in the morning, welcoming in the new day.  The two turtledoves are His love story.  The moment of the singing of the birds has come, harvest time is the time when the sound of the turtledove can be heard in the land.  A new day is dawning. 
The dove is a serene creature, her beautiful plumage, the peacefulness and gentleness that she exudes.  Her dwelling place is in the cleft of the rock.  Did you know that doves mate for life.  They are incredibly loyal to one another. 
The double rainbow represents God's covenant promise and the signs and wonders that he is showing us.
The intertwined wedding rings represent holy matrimony, the coming together of the bride and the bridegroom.  Two becoming one, united together in faith and oneness of mind.  One in Spirit and truth, one in love.  Perfect love.  I thank you Jesus, you sacrificed your life so that we could experience the fullness of your perfect love.  You are transforming us. 

Blessings and love
Pam

Monday 9 February 2015

BLOSSOMING POMEGRANATES - THE PURE OF HEART, LOST IN HIS LOVE

Blossoming Pomegranates - The Pure of Heart, Lost in His Love
Pam Finlay
February 2015
 
 

In this painting I was led to paint the bride under the Huppah (Canopy) of His love with beautiful pomegranate flowers in full bloom, signifying springtime.    As I was finishing the painting a heart formed in the area next to the bride’s cheek, a reminder from the Lord that he is giving His bride a kiss.  The scripture that led me into this painting was from Song of Solomon 7:12

“Let us get up early to the vineyards; Let us see whether the vine hath budded, And its blossom is open, And the pomegranates are in flower: There I will give thee my love”.

Pomegranates are mentioned a number of times through the bible.  The priestly robe was embroidered with Pomegranates and golden bells all around the hem (Exodus 28:33, Exodus 39:24, 26). Ringing bells, declaring life and abundance, golden bells and pomegranates (Exodus 28) that precious seed and the golden sound.   

 This highly prized fruit was also used as a motif to decorate the 2 pillars of King Solomon’s temple.
 (1 Kings 7:20)
The pomegranate symbolizes fruitfulness, abundance, blessings and the favour of God
(Numbers 13:23).

 In Jewish tradition the pomegranate is a symbol of righteousness because of its 613 seeds.

Song of Songs 6:11, 12

"I went down to the grove of nut trees to look at the new growth in the valley, to see if the vines had budded or the pomegranates were in bloom. 
Before I was aware, my soul set me over the chariots of my noble people

Solomon is looking for new growth which signifies springtime.  Spring is often considered to be the right time for marriage (Song of Songs 2:7, 2:10-13).  The budding of the pomegranates symbolize new beginnings.  The church is awaiting the Holy Spirit to usher in spiritual springtime.  He is awakening His church.  The spiritual significance of the pomegranate is life.   The Hebrew word for pomegranate is “Rimmon “(Ramam) which means to “rise up”.

 Song of Songs 4:3

“Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, And thy speech is comely.  Thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate Behind thy veil”.

 Solomon used the pomegranate to describe the young woman’s face (4:3, 6:7). She is manifesting a pure heart, sustained by the Lord.  Her lips and temples are scarlet like the colour of the pomegranate behind her veil.   Lips are an instrument of speech.  The words we speak must come from a pure heart.    In this scripture he is seeing if she is ready for love.  He has put into the lips of the bride a song of love. 
 
Song of Songs 4:12-15  Song of Songs 6:2 Song of Songs 5:1
Christ’s church is a garden enclosed, a fountain sealed from the world.  He tends to His garden, the garden is His delight and He visits it often.  He causes his garden to flourish and reveal its “true beauty”, its fragrance, and sees that it comes into perfection.  He feeds the garden and ensures it is watered with His Holy Spirit.

Spices are always connected with the person of Jesus Christ.  Fruitfulness, knowledge, wisdom and learning pomegranates represent.  He chose us that we should bear fruit. 
John 15:16. Psalm 92:12-15

That close, intimate communion between the royal bridegroom and His bride. The Lord is ringing the bells of heaven throughout whole earth.  The bells of heaven rejoice and praise.

Blessings and Love

Pam