~Beautiful Gates~

Christo and Jeanne-Claude have created art together as partners for more than 4 decades. They are married and have a son, Cyril, born in 1960, who is a published poet and writer. They are the artists for "The Gates" exhibit in New York City's Central Park.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude conceive of the projects together. Then Christo makes drawings, scale-models and other preparatory art of the artwork.

Why are their works so big. What's the point?Christo and Jeanne-Claude's works are entire environments, whether they are urban or rural. The artists temporarily use one part of the environment. In doing so, we see and perceive the whole environment with new eyes and a new consciousness.The effect is astounding. To be in the presence of one of these artworks is to have your reality rocked. You see things you have never seen before. You also get to see the fabric manifest things that cannot usually be seen, like the wind blowing, or the sun reflecting in ways it had not before.The effect lasts longer than the actual work of art. Years after every physical trace has been removed and the materials recycled, original visitors can still see and feel them in their minds when they return to the sites of the artworks.There is no other way to describe that the feeling of that effect other than to say it is magical.

So why all the information on The Gates, an art project in Central Park? Today I went to a class at church on Ministry to find out my giftings and SHAPE for ministry. I had a very sweet time with the Lord through a reading of Acts 3:1-11.

Acts 3
Peter Heals the Crippled Beggar 1One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" 5So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
6Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

In reading this my heart was broken and my spirit was convicted. What am I doing everyday and everywhere I go that I miss the Beautiful Gates God has for me to minister at and have people filled with wonder and amazement in order to glorify our God, the great Beautifier of Time. I immediately thought of this art project in NYC and thought about all of the people that walk through it and partake in the masterpiece just as the people in my life and yours. They are God's creation. I need to recognize the role I play in touching their lives and pray they are affected by the magic of the Artist. I pray that I am constantly seeing things I've never seen before to further the Kingdom of God and realize I am merely participating in the myriad masterpiece of life.

Did you catch that God uses Peter and John to heal the beggar....God can use us mightily to heal others through Him. I pray I am not a barrier to someone's healing due to my disobedience or lack of vision to their need.

This was an emotionally charged weekend for me with sharing my testimony at a prayer and fellowship for my Sunday school and bringing up some areas of my life where God has restored me, yet there is still some tenderness to some of my scars. Praise God the scars are more like character now....Sara Groves-Less Like Scars. Today was intense for me as I find myself saddened and excited all at the same time for my friend, Dan, who is moving back to Spokane, WA next week.

Despite my emotional catharsis last night and tonight, God reminded me this morning at exactly the time my alarm went off and one of my favorite songs was beginning at the very first word until tonight when driving home after time with Dan and thinking about my feelings of sadness the same song began within 3 miles back to my home, in which God knew it would be enough time for me to hear it entirely before getting home. I literally pulled in my driveway as the song finished.

God is so sweet to us.....can you think of how He was sweet to you today despite the kind of day you had? He is there, He does love you, and He will see you through. All we need is Him.

I Just Want You-Vicki Yohe

I could have fortune and fame- go anywhere do anything
But oh God, I just want You
I could search for earthly things- to satisfy my every need
Oh God, I just wnt You

Chorus I just want You, I just want You
I just wanna live in Your presence everyday
I lay down my will and every selfish desire
Whatever it takes, Father that's what I'll do
Cause I just want You

Standing in this holy place- I'm here to seek Your face
Oh God, I just want You
Can You feel the passion in my heart- to be close to where You are
Oh God, I just want You

Chorus I just want You, I just want You
I just wanna live in Your presence everyday
I lay down my will and every selfish desire
Whatever it takes, Father that's what I'll do
Cause I just want you