Likely, you’ll recognize the identity of this painter….

From a majestic mountain to a quiet glade,
paintings that featured light were this artist’s trade.
Inviting, lighted cottages by peaceful lakes or streams,
became sweet reflections of all of our dreams.

Churches, gardens, or a bridge that was quaint,
came into being through his brushes and paint.
A cabin in the woods; a lighthouse by the sea;
an American flag waving in the land of the free…

And famous landmarks or an old-fashioned street
were the many scenes that made his gallery complete.
Hidden in his paintings were initials he would write,
revealing the heart of this painter of light.

A tour filmed in Israel, where Jesus had walked,
came alive to the viewers as he painted and talked–
of Gethsemane’s Garden, where Jesus had prayed
that the way of the cross might not have to be paid.

His artistry placed the cross of Jesus Christ high,
which spoke of God’s love against a splendorous sky.
He spread the Lord’s peace, through scriptures quoted
by his kind voice; and, in books, they were noted.

An impact for good was made by this man–
a big splash on this world was his part in God’s plan.
But don’t look to the imperfect artist, he had said,
just look to the cross of Christ instead.

P. A. Oltrogge

Due to copyrights, I can’t post a copy of one of the artist’s paintings. Of course, I never knew or spoke to him personally about his faith, but I do recall being blessed by the video of him filmed in Israel, mentioned in the poem, and another one, where he referred respectfully to the scriptures while the video exhibited some of his artwork. His artistry did include a painting of “The Cross”–prominently displayed at the Billy Graham Library in North Carolina in a high tech recreation of that painting on one of its walls. To view it, you can look up some videos via an internet search, using key words and the artist’s name–Thomas Kinkade.

Pictured here is not that painting, but a simple photo to remind of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the love of God for all the world….

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” …spoken by Jesus in John 3:14-17 NKJV

“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12 NKJV

Photo/Unsplash