Hi John!

You can always change!

I changed one of my Timber paintings.

The way it was bugged me and I couldn't put my finger on it.

Then I realized what i need to do, so I changed it!

There's a HUGE lesson in there for me.

And I hope for you too.

I'll tell you what it is in a second.

But first...

DAD JOKE OF THE WEEK

Another reader told me they can't wait for my Dad jokes... because they love to share them with their... DAD!!!!!

Today's:

Did you know Stephen King has a son named Joe?

I'm not joking. But he is!

CARTOON OF THE WEEK

GOD LOVES YOU BUT
“But” is something we anticipate when receiving praise, love or affirmation. Because “I love you but…” is never good news.

Why would it be any different for conversation about God’s love? It undoes the affection, comfort and affirmation and instead is a placeholder that makes you anticipate judgment.

“But” cancels “love” because God’s love is meant to be unconditional.

You are love, no ifs, buts or maybes.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE POST

POST OF THE WEEK

WOMEN DISCIPLES: MEN CONTROLLED THE NARRATIVE

I remember when I first read that verse in Luke 8 where it says that many women followed Jesus and even supported him financially.

My first thought was, "There's a whole lot of story not being told right here!"

If you read between the lines, you begin to realize that women played an important and even a central role in the gospel narrative.

I'm going to hazard a guess that at times there were more women following Jesus than even men.

And there are points in the story that suggest this.

You should read the comments. They're good!

Read the Post & Comments

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

WHY I MODERATE COMMENTS:

Watch this. It's funny.

I'm having fun with my new videos and they seem to be appreciated by so many.

It's a challenge for me to think creatively this way.

But I'm trying!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH (15 seconds)

ORIGINAL PAINTING OF THE WEEK

"Dawn Can't Come Soon Enough"

Timber is a very interesting story for me.

Maybe you remember my Sophia series. Sophia represented my inner self, my soul, my anima, as I worked towards my own liberation from the church, ministry, and the confines of religion. Sophia was all about realizing and manifesting her freedom.

Timber is about living in the present. It's about living the freedom, the enlightenment, the aftermath of epiphany.

Timber has found her center, peace of mind, and how to be here now in union with all things.

Originally, this painting had her in a black coat. But it was missing something. Then, in the middle of the night, I realized what she need. A red coat.

So I changed it. I'll talk more about change in a second.

I think this change was a good one, and I love the painting a lot more now.

Do you want it?

By the way... I can arrange payment plans.

PLUS: I'll give 15% off with coupon "timber1" to the one who acquires this one. Click the link below!

CLICK HERE IF YOU WANT IT

YOU CAN CHANGE!

Just because Timber was originally painted with a black coat, it didn't mean she couldn't change into a red one.

I did struggle with changing though.

There's something about finishing a painting and thinking, "That's it! It's done. There's nothing more I can do."

But that's false. It's a stupid rule. I took the completed painting and made it better.

I broke the rules and improved it.

WE CAN CHANGE!

We can change ourselves.

We can change our situation.

I've done it so many times I can't even count.

The big ones included being ordained, in ministry, serving a church, with a wife and three kids, and deciding to just QUIT without knowing what my next step was.

My life radically changed then. FOR THE BETTER!

I did the very same thing years later, this time with more assurance that when I make a change to improve my life, somehow things will work out.

Risk change. Risk changing yourself. Risk changing your situation.

I think Timber "But This is Me Now" is a better painting because I broke the rules and changed it.

I think I can change my life even though I "shouldn't" and make things better.

I believe you can too.

QUESTION: What in your life would you like to change right now? Let me know. I'm interested.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

German theologian Karl Barth experienced what he called "a black day" in August 1914 when 93 of Germany's foremost intellectuals and theologians, including his formerly revered teachers, signed their support for the Kaiser's war efforts.

Barth says:

"Amazed by their attitude, I realized that I could no longer follow their ethics and dogmatics, or their understanding of the Bible and history, and that the theology of the nineteenth century no longer had any future for me."

I would love to see that from more major Christian leaders, pastors, and theologians today.

But that takes courage!

A FINAL NOTE

Thanks my friend for your support.

I love it when you write to me and encourage me.

I was just saying to Lisa yesterday, after an onslaught of nasty attacks from people, that really I'm quite fortunate.

Every day I get very encouraging emails and messages and comments from people who actually took the time to write to me their gratitude! Image! The kindness and willingness to take the time to encourage someone. I never ever take that for granted.

And imagine someone loving my work so much that they actually want to BUY IT! Just... WOW!

Thank you so much.

Much love,

David

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Naked Pastor 564 Gondola Point Road Quispamsis, New Brunswick E2E1H6