Lift up your Heart

"Lift up your Heart"by Tomas Fernandez

The figure has stepped out, broken free, and celebrates the gift of Love. It is a birthing that releases us into the power of Love. If you have been following the progression of inspiration I hope you see the highlighted form that is left when we step out. Wither it is the freedom that is found when reaching up to God as expressed in Forever's Invitation or the freedom that flows through us when we are the conduit of the giver that allows God's gifts to be shared both actions are part on the breath of Love. In its purest form it has no attachments or expectations and the purer the action the higher the elevation and communion with God. God is the source and the destination. We join in the dance. The title of the work, "Lift up your Heart" implies action, saying "yes" to God. It is an invitation, as the other sculpture implies. We must reach up, even if it is physically impossible, our spirits have no such limits, as we are as much spirit as we are physical.

In "Crux Gloria", we see God's barely comprehend-able action of saying "yes", arms opened wide, Jesus, gestures an embrace to all of humanity. His part in the dance of Love was and is to create a doorway and shepherd us through the narrow gate to come to abide with Him. The journey however must begin with a healing to address our brokenness. It is hard to dance when we are crippled by sin. His sacrifice washes us clean. This is so very personal that only in our sincerest moments when we reach up and ask for forgiveness does the healing come. Although there are physical healings, the critical one is for our spiritual bodies. Here is where the dance starts and can never be extinguished. A special note, although churches are beautiful and special this calling on Jesus, (Yeshua in Hebrew), is so personal and private, it is the opinion of this blogger that it to be done alone in private. Remorse and tears are an important part of feeling sorrow for the times we stood in the way of God and purposefully or through ignorance took or abused what wasn't ours. Through the healing Love of God we are not only washed clean, but we are given strength to resist these sins in the future. This is a reason to celebrate and begin an eternal dance with God Himself.
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http://www.aholyquest.com

tomasjfernandez@cs.com

Cross of Light - Crux Gloria

Many years ago in 1988 during the middle of the night I was awakened from
a sound sleep when an overwhelming presence and light came into my room.
Immediately I was aware that it was the Lord. I remember acknowledging His
presence by saying, "Oh Lord, it’s you". The feelings that followed are difficult to summarize except to say I came in contact with the very origin of Love itself.

The Lord directed my thoughts and vision. He began to show me
something within this ray of light that had entered my room. He impressed
on me His Cross. Then He asked me to make a special cross - for He
explained, "My Cross is a Cross of Light". I knew what He wanted me to
do. I couldn't move, nor did I want to disturb the state I was in. I was
asked to draw it down. I responded, "Don't worry, Lord, I won't forget".
The request had more of a command tone, "Get up and draw it down". I
complied instantly and as I did I felt God withdraw. I sketched down the
commission and sadly, but wondrously went back to bed.

The next day in the studio I translated my drawing to steel. I knew no one
else could understand the concept on paper. I called my wife to be, Bonnie
and asked her come by as soon as she could. I said, "something wonderful
has happened".

Two years later, on the feast of Christ the King, the St. Francis de Sales
Community had their pastor consecrate "Crux Gloria". "Crux Gloria"
stands today along Route 7 bypass near Purcellville, VA. The lights that
illuminate it's interior automatically turn on every twilight and extinguish
at each sunrise.

I've made a short movie about the forging of the cross here is a link to see it on You Tube: Crux Gloria - Cross of Light

More on how this vision impacted me personally and the art I do at: www.aholyquest.com 

For inspirational gifts that bear the light: http://pinterest.com/heartandanvil/ 

Stories of Christian Faith

Faith, Farm, and Art - thank you for visiting and sharing. We learn more about God's plan when we share how He is operating in our lives, loves, and livelihoods. This is a continuation of Forever's Invitation - part 2.

I am writing today as hurricane Sandy is barreling toward Virginia.  We don't know how hard it will hit us. It is hard when you know something bad is going to happen and it is only a matter of time. I remember once when talking with a friend about God's armor and I incorrectly blurted out that putting on the armor would keep evil away, and like a true friend who is willing to offer correction, especially in a matter as serious as protection, this friend, Christopher, raised his gaze and said, the Word doesn't say that, it says,  Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. King James version We are going to get it - helping one another put on armor is
what brothers and sisters are supposed to do. Like Forever's Invitation we need to surround ourselves with protection. We are Children of Light and there is an enemy of God and Mankind who wants to break through and put out that light. Who would go into a fight with only their undergarments on? God provides an armor and we need to put it on.

Visit Pinterest and see the new board on Stories of Christian Faith: Stories of Christian Faith

God bless and remember don't go to the battle in your underwear - put on the whole armor of God!

sculpture inspirations to share and wear

I'm going to start here - because so many things, important things started here. First, let me thank Roger Klinger, who shares his photo of my sculpture. This sheet of bullet proof steel for boat hulls starts out in Bethesda Maryland and how many years ago I don't know. I got it as a gift in 1986 (I think). It has been the gift that keeps on giving and that is one of the fingerprints of God.

I am a little cloudy as why I got this as a gift, two 4x8' sheets of bullet proof steel - I think I did something nice and these were a thank you. I choose to remember it this way at least! Ross Rowland was my friend who gave them to me and he was a scientist at the physics experimental laboratories in Bethesda. (By the way the pool where Jesus did a healing and traditionally the faithful Jewish waited for healing was called Bethesda. I was in need of healing although I didn't know it at the time, but God did!)

Metal in the hands of a blacksmith is an exciting proposition: I think everyone has something or used to have something that sets them off and resonates with electric possibility and metal is mine.
I remember I was so excited about the gifts, gifts, to me are more exciting than purchasing something, in a mystical way you carry something more that just the article with you. Plus metal in the hands of a metal guy, well, it can become something more, something awesome and if you invite God to "co-create" then it can become "anointed". That means it has purpose beyond the compliments and financial rewards most expect and hope for. But in this case, I didn't have the sense to ask God, however, He shows up and surprises us unknowingly sometimes.

Like a fine wine that gets better with time sometimes you just have to set treasures aside when you first get them knowing something great lies within. Example, Michangelo took on the marble that everyone else knew had possibilities, but saw the fault lines and had rejected - he saw the Pieta.

Back to the story, one day a buddy of mine Dave was over and doing some tree work with me. We were full of everything in those days and still are, I might add. Dave was walking on a cat walk that led out to a gazebo and the base was probably 8 feet from where I stood. It was one of those electric moments that exist in friendships, he leaned over the railing and reached down a little past the walk way and a look passed between us, he gave his arm a shake and dared me on, I took my cue and vaulted upwards toward his out-stretched hand, we connected, and our combined strength, energy, spirits, or all of the above, lifted me up and over the picketed guard rail and in one fluid motion I landed beside him. We stood stunned - what just happened? In retrospect it was like God wrestling Jacob with one touch his leg went out of socket and in one touch something went into socket for me.

"Forever's Invitation", the title of the sculpture, was birthed in my heart in that instant. I saw that beautiful rusted blank steel canvas leaning against a make shift studio and knew, without deliberation, just how to pursue the transcendent moment in steel. Cutting it out with a torch was easy, I just traced my own silhouette and fired up the torch. Bending the 1/4" bullet proof steel was another matter, it took sledgehammer action and a lot of grit. (I often have shared that, God gives us a Ferrari and he expects us to drive it or sledge it in this case!)

Perhaps the preeminent message of this "touched and purposed" work of art is hidden in its title; "Forever's Invitation". The gesture and willingness to offer a hand up or in my case, knowing when to extend a hand for help up is so critical in life. It is intrinsically part of the Christian message of being involved. Becoming part of a supernatural event of connecting, of helping, showing strength, looking for opportunities in the ordinary walk of life. On the grand scale it is what brings people together to build hospitals, schools, churches, community centers, researching to bring healing, cures, and the list goes on. And yet, it can be smaller and life challengingly profound as it was in this small story.

"Forever's Invitation" has more chapters yet to be written and shared. It is seen here by Mount St. Helen in Washington State and yes it traveled from Virginia to there and back again. I will update and continue the story of the anointed work in my next blog. Please drop me a note. Please visit my little store - I believe I have a piece of hand worked blessing for you or for someone you know. It keeps bread on our table. I have family of six artists that are part of the connection.

God bless

http://pinterest.com/heartandanvil

tomasjfernandez1@gmail.com