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.
http://pinterest.com/pin/354377064398357638/

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/