IN HIS ARMS

Pam Finlay

"In His Arms" 

Acrylic on paper

September 2017 

The moment you are born Jesus has you in His arms. He has predestined you with His love and affection.  Before I even saw His face in the painting I saw the word love on His heart.  I had randomly wrote the word "love" in the background of the painting when I started painting and when I saw the outline of Jesus in the background I immediately saw the word love that I had written earlier and it was in the place of his heart.  The forming of you is His workmanship, wonderfully and fearfully made you are.

““Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations"
Jeremiah 1:5 NIV

“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:14‬ ‭NKJV
Blessings,
Pam
‭‭

Kenny

"Kenny"

Pam Finlay 

Watercolour on Paper

September 2017 

"Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary" in the heart of Brisbane, sits on the summit of Mount Coot-tha, and is somewhere I visited as a child.  There's meaning in a name.
Mt. Coot-tha is Brisbanes' highest peak and the name is an aboriginal word meaning "place of honey".  It's named because the Aboriginal people used to come to the mountain to collect "ku-ta"(honey) that was produced by the native stingless bee(www.australianexplorer.com).

Honey in the heart of Brisbane on the mountain.  What a perfect place to have a wildlife sanctuary.  I still think of that place from time to time.  It's the world's oldest and largest Koala Sanctuary and was founded in 1927 (www.koala.net).   It is a beautiful wildlife sanctuary and the perfect place to see and cuddle a Koala, my favourite Australian animal.

I remembered this place when I had a moment with a Koala earlier this year with a group of friends in South Australia.  I was able to get up close to the Koala to pat him and take his photo and hence this painting came into fruition.

A couple of interesting facts about one of God's amazing creatures.
The word "Koala" is thought to come from the Aboriginal word meaning "no drink".  Although Koalas do drink water on occasion, most of their hydration requirements are fulfilled by the moisture they get from eating Eucalyptus leaves (www.mnn.com).
I was amazed when researching the Koala to find that hundreds of thousands of them were slaughtered in the 1920's and public outrage forced the government to declare them a "protected species" by the late 1930's (www.savethekoala.com)

The things that happen when I am given a painting to paint. Many hidden truths are revealed on my journey of discovery.

I hope you love Koalas as much as I do and care about their future as one of our cuddly animal ambassadors.

Blessings

Pam

HOSANNA

HOSANNA

Pam Finlay

Acrylic on paper

September 2017

The word “Hosanna” came into my spirit as I was painting this palm tree.  I recalled the scriptures that mentioned this word in the bible, the meaning  of ”hosanna” being save, rescue, saviour.   Save us we pray.  By waving palm branches and saying “Hosanna” as Jesus passed through the gates of Jerusalem the Jews were acknowledging that Jesus was their Messiah. Hosanna in the highest!  This phrase only appears twice in the bible.  It’s about Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem.   As they shouted “hosanna in the highest” they declared that their Messiah has come to establish God’s kingdom.  Save us, our Messiah who comes to carry out God’s mission. 

Matthew 21:9 ESV

And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  Hosanna in the highest!” 

Mark 11:10 NKJV

Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord!.  Hosanna in the highest!

John 12:13 ESV

So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”

The scriptures I was also drawn to were the ones that mentioned palm trees.  They are mentioned dozens of times in the bible.  Palm trees were engraved on the walls of the temple and on the doors of the inner sanctuary.    The palm trees are also mentioned when referring to the feasts as in Leviticus 23:40-42.    The branches of the palms were the emblem of victory and triumph.  Palm trees are described as upright, depicting the righteous.  They flourish and bear fruit until old age. 

Psalm 92:12

The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

Blessed be the rock of my salvation.  Jesus, you are worthy to be praised.  We magnify you and exalt your holy name. 

Blessings,

Pam.

 

CENTENARY BLOOMS

Pam Finlay

"Centenary Blooms"

Acrylic on Canvas

September 2017

There is always a minutes silence at ANZAC ceremonies to remember the servicemen and women who have fought for our country.  This painting is of red poppies which are traditionally symbolic of the commemoration and remembrance of the ANZACS.

This year marks the 100^th Anniversary of the Charge of the ANZAC Light Horse Regiment at Beersheba.  My husband and I will be attending a special commemorative ceremony at Beersheba on the 31 October 2017.  We will be following the victory path of the brave, mounted infantry of the ANZACS.

This painting has been underway for a number of months and it was only this week that God started to share with me about the significance of what He had been leading me to paint.

A few days ago Holy Spirit was pressing on me to reread the book of Joshua in particular Chapter 6.  I noticed the similarities between the ANZACS and Joshua and his army.  The ANZACS claimed victory in a number of hours and Joshua and his army in 7 days.  The soldiers remained silent and they were masters at staying hidden until instructed to take the city and overcome the enemy.  They overcame all odds to claim victory.  The ANZACS were heroes at battling for God’s holy city, Jerusalem and Joshua and his army for Jericho.

In the book of Joshua Chapter 6 there was a command to silence until God instructed the people to shout.  When you are commanded to be silent, be silent.  Sin could spoil your hope of victory.  Silence doesn’t need explanation. Give time for the trumpet sound of God to completely penetrate your heart and mind.  Listen and be guided by that sound.  Shout a victory shout as the trumpets blow.  Experience resurrection victory as you have ears to hear the sound and your eyes become finely tuned to the ways of the spirit.  Do what God says to do and you will walk in VICTORY.

Those walls are coming down once and for all.  Jericho is symbolic of our walk of faith.  Jesus won the victory for us 2000 years ago.  The battle has already been won for you.  Give a shout of triumph for your God.  Remember those who have gone before you fighting the good fight of faith and honour them. 

 

Blessings

Pam



FACE TO FACE

Pam Finlay

"Face to Face"

Watercolour on Paper

September 2017



Seeking God face to face, enjoying the intimacy with Him, the power of His presence, is the ultimate awakening experience.   Day by day He is transforming and illuminating your life as you keep your eyes stayed on Him.

 

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

Isaiah 26:3 NKJV

 

Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place.

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully.

He shall receive blessing from the LORD, And righteousness from the God of his salvation.

This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face, Selah.

Psalms 24:3-6 NKJV

 

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face.  Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

1 Corinthians 13:12 NKJV

 

Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore.

1 Chronicles 16:11 NKJV

God be merciful to us and bless us, And cause His face to shine upon us, Selah.

Psalms 67:1 NKJV

 

Blessings,

Pam

BLOOM

Pam Finlay

"BLOOM"

Acrylic on Canvas

September 2017

As I started this painting I heard the words “The Eyes are the Window of the Soul”.  I was drawn to paint the eyes first.  Jesus speaks of eyes and light in scripture and He is describing that you should keep your eyes on God.  That is the secret to blooming.

The Holy Spirit is where our light comes from.  He comes to reside within our heart.  He rekindles the light that was once darkened by the Adamic nature.  In scripture the eyes are mentioned as the lamp of the body.

Matthew 6:22 The lamp of the body is the eye.  If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.  23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.  If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven(NKJV)

The young lady’s eyes reveal her soul.  She radiates a pure heart, a beautiful reflection of Christ.  Her eyes tell the story of her heart.  They are loyal and committed and display the love that resides within.  She is wearing a garland of flowers.  In ancient times a wreath of flowers symbolized a ring.  Her mind is betrothed to her Maker.  She is wearing the fragrance of Christ. 

Isaiah 62:3 You will be a crown of splendour in the LORD’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God (NIV)

Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there is your heart also (Aramaic)

As I was painting I also saw a veil and it was transparent and it was opened over her face.  It spoke to me of living a transparent life and being that free passage of light.  This causes you to bloom, to show your true colours, the transparent prism of light reflecting from the Son.  God is light and He is moulding us to be like Him, a carrier of His light.  Allow the light of Christ to shine through you.  Let your life be an opened book, the word of God made manifest.  His truth is what makes you free.

Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the LORD.  Walk as children of light (NKJV)

Blessings,

Pam