Come Follow Me - Goals for 2024

Featured Artwork: Come Follow Me

Morning Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As I awaken to the beauty of this new day, my heart swells with gratitude for the life and breath You have given me. I thank You for the love and light of Your Son, Jesus Christ, which guides and uplifts me. As I embark on the tasks of this day, I humbly ask for Your Spirit to be with me. Help me to recognize Your hand in all things and to remember that every good gift comes from You.

Please grant me strength and wisdom to face the challenges of today. Help me to be a light to those around me, to serve with a willing heart, and to spread kindness and love as Your Son did. Guide my thoughts and actions, that they might reflect Your teachings and bring glory to Your name.

I pray for those in need of Your comfort and healing. May they feel Your love and peace this day. Bless my family, friends, and all whom I will interact with. May our relationships be strengthened and uplifted through Your grace.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

As we enter the second week of 2024, I wanted to take a moment to share with you my goals for the year ahead. I'm doing this not only to give you a sneak peek into what I'm planning but also as a way to keep myself accountable. By telling you about my goals, it's like making a promise not just to myself, but to all of you as well. It's a friendly nudge to myself to stay on track and really make these things happen. I believe that when we speak our plans out loud and share them with others, it gives those plans more strength and gives us more motivation to see them through. So, here's to a year of not just setting goals but achieving them, and I'm so grateful to have you all with me along the way! 

I am also thrilled to introduce my first new painting series of the year, entitled "Come Follow Me." This series is more than a collection of artwork; it is a visual pilgrimage, exploring the profound and personal invitation Jesus extends to each of us. Through each painting, I hope to capture moments of divine encounter, spiritual awakening, and the quiet, steady walk with Christ.

The first painting in this series is a piece that holds a special place in my heart. It is an embodiment of the call to follow Jesus, a reminder of the peace and joy found in His presence. This painting is a testament to the journey of faith we are all on—a journey of trust, surrender, and transformation.

Goal #1: Launching an Etsy Shop

After receiving so many questions and requests from viewers who love my art but prefer shopping on Etsy, I decided it was time to make it happen. My Etsy shop is now live! You can visit the new shop here: https://paintedgospelshop.etsy.com

To celebrate this big launch and to show my appreciation for all your amazing support, I'm offering a special 25% off on all purchases through January 15th. It's my way of saying thank you and welcoming you into this new way for you to easily browse and buy my artwork.

The process of setting up the shop has been both exhilarating and a bit nerve-wracking. There's a lot to learn, from adjusting to Etsy's digital file upload limitations to setting up the listings and managing the logistics. But I'm committed to making this a wonderful experience for both me and you, the amazing people who support my art.

In this Etsy shop, you'll find a range of artworks, including the pieces from my "Come Follow Me" series. Whether you're looking for something uplifting to decorate your home, or a thoughtful gift for someone special, I hope you'll find something that speaks to you.

But don't worry if you already shop on my website, paintedgospel.com. The Etsy shop will exist in addition to--not as a replacement for--my site. Due to Etsy's fees and file upload limitations, buying art on paintedgospel.com will include free gifts and exclusive discounts not found on Etsy.

Goal # 2: Offering Physical Prints on PaintedGospel.com

Currently, I work with some wonderful galleries where my art is transformed into physical art prints, canvas prints, greeting cards, and more. I'm still amazed whenever I see my creations come to life in these beautiful forms.

However, in line with my mission to make Christ-centered art accessible and affordable for everyone, I've committed to a new venture. I'm excited to announce that I'm exploring ways to offer physical prints directly through my website, paintedgospel.com, at a more affordable price. My goal is to bring the Christ-centered art you love closer to you, making it easier and more economical to own art made to share the gospel and the love of Jesus with everyone who views it.

I'm still in the process of figuring out all the details. From working out production costs to handling shipping logistics, there's a lot to be arranged. However, I am filled with unwavering faith and optimism. I firmly believe that this goal, though challenging, is entirely within reach. I trust in the Lord's guidance and providence in this venture. With a blend of creativity, diligent work, and most importantly, the power of God, I am confident that we can bring this dream to fruition. It is my faith in God's plan and His timing that gives me peace about this goal.

Since I'm still in the early stages of working on this goal, you all have an opportunity to shape the offerings. If there is something specific you want to see with physical prints, such as certain print sizes, framing options, or limited editions, please post a comment here, write an email to paintedgospel@gmail.com, or send me a message on Instagram.

Evening Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

As the day closes and I reflect on the moments passed, I am grateful for Your constant presence in my life. Thank You for the lessons learned, the blessings received, and the strength to overcome challenges. Forgive me for my shortcomings today, and help me to do better and be better as I strive to follow Your Son, Jesus Christ.

I ask for Your comforting spirit tonight. May it bring peace to my heart and clarity to my mind. Bless those who are struggling, those who feel alone, and those who are seeking Your truth. May they find solace in Your love and guidance in Your word.

Please watch over my loved ones and me as we rest. Grant us rejuvenating sleep and protect us from harm. Help us to rise in the morning with renewed purpose and a commitment to live according to Your will.

I express my deepest gratitude for all Your blessings, most of all for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, and His atoning sacrifice. I say these things gratefully in His holy name, Amen.