Happy New Year! 2020 is coming and so is a GIVE-AWAY!

Scarlet Taninger Minipainting -  3x3" oil on canvas w/it's display easel
©2019  Helen Read

What a great way to start the new year and the new decade! 

A GIVE AWAY!  

This little painting and its easel will be given to someone somewhere in a random drawing!  

For the last several years, I've sent these little mini paintings as free gifts all over the country.  I can't think of a better way to start the new year! 

What do you have to do to enter?  

It's easy!   Join my list of friends and you'll get an email in the first week of January with all the details about how to enter!  

When you are part of my list, you'll get a colorful, fun email each month filled with things like: 

• The latest art from my studio & process photos and videos
• News that is fun to share 
• Discounts from time to time  
• Free downloadable art 
• And friend to friend conversation  

To join,  you can text the word Helen to 22828  or 

You can hit the button below.

(Don't worry... Your email is safe - I use a secure email service and it is never shared.  And, you won't be inundated with email from me... you'll only hear from me once a month, with an occasional special message.) 

Join me!!  You can never have too many friends!  

Yes! Let's be friends!

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Coming Soon!! Another Give Away Contest

Every few months, I give away - completely free - a small painting and it's easel.  

In January, I'll be giving away another small painting!  

Maybe you'd like to enter the contest... Maybe YOU will be my next winner!

In early January, my newsletter will be sent with all the information about how to enter.  No strings attached! If your name is randomly picked, then I'll get your address, wrap this little painting up and send it off!  

I've sent quite a few of them around the country in the last several years.  

Here's how you can join my email list! 

Text the word HELEN to 22828 

or 

Hit the button below.

Yes! Sign me up!

For Email Newsletters you can trust.

You'll get an email each month from me with all kinds of fun things, 

including a free art download to print and enjoy every month. 

I love to stay in touch!  This is a great way to do that.... Let's be friends!! 

Colored Pencil Creation

From a few years ago...  A demo done for my drawing students.

This little drawing shows the strengths of colored pencil and the beautiful results that they can achieve. 

This is small - done with prismacolor pencils on black drawing paper. 

The challenge was in the plastic wrapper... but careful attention to the values and subtle changes in color give a sense of 3 dimensions.  

As I post this - my classes are embarking on their colored pencil drawings!  It's a lot to learn, but I think they will create some beautiful work! 

Step into Fall Color!

How does an artist prepare for a painting? 

Reference Picture

Well, there are several ways. First there are sketches and value studies... particularly for a larger work, this is an important (indispensable first step). 

I loved the twisted tree - so sculptural - and the mysterious path that leads away from the tree. 
A sketch of the general shape - and some of the main values was a first step.
(A closer view below)

Then, reducing the values to just 3 helps to see how the values connect and hold the composition together. 

This is the beginning of determining how the artist can draw the viewers eye through the painting.

 

 Then, color.  

Color schemes?  Color harmonies and how to mix and portray that color...

Planning color is important.  A wild array of colors - even though they might be seen in nature - need some taming!  In the first iteration, I used oil pastels to consider some color combinations. 

And after that, I used acrylic paint to work with those same color combinations and how to lay down the color in strokes.  (You can see the color is a bit more vivid in acrylic, so which way will I go when it comes to using oil??)

And below, the first strokes on a larger  (24x20") canvas.  

This is general placement of the main element.  I toned the canvas with rose and have washed in the twisted tree and some general landmarks with a thinned down cadmium red.  

These are the steps of preparation.  I'm still identifying the color combinations and exactly how I want to lay in the strokes.    Will it look just like the reference picture?  No... and that's fine - after all, I already have the photo of it! Now I want to interpret that sense of being there - the beauty of the fall colors - the invitation to walk further on - the sense of peace within that moment.

 _______________
Oh, hey - are you a creative person - an artist - or - someone just stepping into their creative purpose!?
Well, join me!   I send out emails on a regular basis to those who would love some creative inspiration and who enjoy getting tips and demos!   Its so much better to have friends on the journey with us.... so, join us!!
Click the button to get added ~ then start looking for inspiration to come into your inbox!  

Yes! I want inspiration!

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A November Featured Painting

Three Long Necked Pears,  8x10" oil on canvas 

©Helen Read

Fall harvest, beautiful colors!   This painting ~ a very classical still life ~ speaks the language of fall!
 Ready to be framed and to bring beautiful color and a sense of cozy autumn scents into your home!

The perfect gift for yourself or someone you know!

Visit my website to see this and more possibilities!  

A free downloadable watercolor

Field of Flowers 

©Helen Read - watercolor on paper 

Every month, I send out a fun, colorful note to my friends...  I love to stay in touch!   You'll get to see some of my newest work, be offered some discounts, get to participate in give away contests, and download free art.  All of this right in your inbox!  How convenient! 

I'd love to add you to my list.  The little watercolor painting you see above is the coming month's downloadable art.  Don't worry, your info will never be shared.

All you need to do is text the word HELEN to 22828 

or 

hit the button below!  

Let's be Friends! 

Sign Me Up!

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Into the Woods

Sometimes, just a simple daily activity can be inspiring - and for the creative spirit, some sort of response is required. 
                  It could be a moment in time - to stand and look and to remark on the beauty.
                  It could be poem written or a song composed that defines the feeling
                  It could be a painting that captures a moment in time and a sense of being there.  

Last weekend, it was a beautiful day - fall colors just starting to turn their glorious colors.  Warm sunshine.  Perhaps it is one of our last warm days until 2020!   It was the perfect afternoon to take a walk into the woods. 

The colors were striking.   The shadows provided rich contrast.  At the end of the summer, there is a chaotic wildness to the forest.  Growth and over growth.  Deep recesses where light does not reach.  And a calmness interrupted by the scurrying of squirrels, or the flutter of birds preparing for winter's rest. 

This quick water color sketch is meant to capture the feeling of the moment - the depth of shadow - the mystery that lies beyond - the warmth of sunshine that creates invitation.  It was quickly caught without great attention to perfection.  The water and the pigment wandering a little beyond their boundaries to blend and run and leave behind their signature;  a type of beautiful chaos that defines the landscape at this time of year.  

Sage Hen Reservoir

Sage Hen Reservoir,  24x20" oil on canvas
©2019  Helen Read 

Sage Hen Reservoir, captures the clear light of high elevations. The colors are intense and there is a sparkle in the bright mountain light. We arrived at this lovely lake after a lengthy drive through a dusty, barren high desert climb. Then, a dense evergreen forest with this bright blue gem nestled between it's branches. Truly magical!  

Please visit my website to see this and other landscape paintings! 

Do you love gifts?

Well, I love to give gifts! 

Every month, I give away my artwork...  Yep - it's free!  
It's a free download that my friends can download and print for their own enjoyment.  

There really isn't any "catch" - it's just a gift.  

When you get my once-a-month news note - the download is right there.  

Oh, and also, I often have a contest for a free painting that I mail to you snail-mail (see the post below), there are discounts that last a month and of course, news from my side of the easel, too!    So.... why wouldn't you join me? 
It's good to have friends!

Its so easy to sign up!  There are 2 ways:

Text the word  HELEN to 22828

 or 

Click the button below. That's all there is to it!  

Yes! Let's be Friends!

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October is nearly here!! A GIVE AWAY contest is coming!

Oriole Chick, 3x3" oil on canvas, with wooden easel

For the past few years,  I've been giving away mini paintings! 
No strings attached - just a free gift to the lucky winner! 

This month this little painting will be given to someone who enters... and it could be you!  

My little paintings have landed all over the United States and
I'd love to send one to you!  

It's easy to enter.  I send a fun little note to my friends once a month, and all the details will be in that note.  You can get it right in your inbox.  Also included are great discounts that only last a month, and a downloadable painting that you can print and enjoy! 

It's super easy - and fun for all!   

There are 2 ways you can join my group of friends:

You can text the word HELEN to 22828  

or 

you can sign up with the button below.  

In the first week or so of October, you'll get an email note from me that has news and an inside look at what's happening on my side of the easel as well as the other fun things I've already mentioned.  

Let's be Friends!  

Yes! Let's be Friends!

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Love beautiful color? Creative Expression? Artsy Friends?

Yes, Friends!!  
My next news note is coming out in the next week - and there is always lots of great stuff (free stuff, even) included!!  Special offers, free gifts, give aways, peeks at new work, and good conversations. 

Please join us!  We love you already! 

You can text the word HELEN to 22828 or hit the button below to be added. 

(Don't worry!  Your info is never ever shared - and I use a secure email server!

Who likes spam?  I know I don't!  
And you won't be overflowing with email from me either! 
I send a note once a month!)  

You can never have too many friends! ☺

Yes! Let's be friends!

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Songs of Summer

Summer's Song,  10x10" Oil on gessoboard 

© Helen Read 

Sold

Summer has many versions of song.  Sometimes, its the sounds of the summer birds in the sunshine or crickets in the night.  It might have base tones of frogs or the quite lap of water's edge.  But sometimes it isn't sound at all, its bright beautiful color.  It's the subtle change of color from sunlight to shadow. 
It is also the smell of warm earth or a gentle rain.  It's the dancing shapes of shadows on a sunlit path. 
Summer's song fills the senses. 

This impressionistic depiction of summer captures the warmth of bright light, the colors of prolific blooms, and the dance of shadows.  Abundance against a backdrop of evergreens.  Truly, I love summer!

Summer Garden Abundance - in progress

 A new painting just started!  After a visit to a beautiful garden area - and a number of photos taken of the multicolored pots of flowers in full bloom - I was inspired to get to work in my studio.  

I've started on 8x8" gesso board - using very light transparents to show the general shapes and placement of the composition. 

 

Adding in, now, some of the darker values to show more about shapes and shadows. 

 

Beginning to sculpt shapes with values behind and around the lighter shapes of the foreground 

 

Adding in local colors and finding some values within them.  

This painting is obviously still progressing.  A finished photo will come next....  But the process is always interesting to see how a painting starts and how it progresses. 

Summer Sunset

Evening Embers, 10x 8" oil on linen panel

©Helen Read 

Please visit my website to see this and other beautiful landscape paintings!

I have so many wonderful memories of summer sunsets, having grown up in the rural southwest!  Almost every evening huge, expansive skies that are painted with colors of rose, yellow, purple, blue ... sometimes even a streak of green!  Such beauty!  And a quietness as evening settles into the land.  This painting evokes that sense of evening approaching, while just the sounds of a distant bird call or the croak of a frog or the buzz of insects can be heard.  For me, I also think of the smells of sage and the earth - a dusty, dry smell of that region.  

If sunsets bring back lovely, home-like memories - this painting may be just the warm reminder of the beauty of evening for your home!  It comes with framing options -  unframed, or framed in a simple contemporary frame of solid wood - either in Black or Cherry. The frame is 3/4" from the front view and 1 3/8" on the sides. 

12 years ago.... summer of 2007

Hard to believe!   It was 12 years ago that I started this blog!  

At that time, I was committing myself to daily painting.  As an art teacher in a large public high school, I rarely had time (or energy) to create my own art... that just didn't seem right!  

So, I decided to MAKE TIME... to commit to making art... to make just a few marks each day, if that's all I could do.  Life was busy ~ I was a single parent, had teen aged kids, and worked full time.  When I wasn't teaching, I was continuing my education in my profession.  

But...I began my commitment anyway - and 12 years later, 100s of paintings later, I'm still here.  Still teaching art and still painting!  Commitments are funny things - they propel us into places we didn't think we'd be.  And by keeping myself accountable through my blog, I've continued to work!  

The 4 paintings above were small paintings from the summer of 2007 when I started my daily practice!  

* Now - my work and creative interests continue to grow.

* I send a monthly newsletter to several hundred people each month

* I've sold my work all over the world from Europe to Asia and throughout the US

* I have made wonderful acquaintances and friendships because of it 

* I've taught 100s of students and continue to do so! 

Commit Yourself!  It's worth the effort and discipline... the rewards are great!  

Would YOU like to receive a fun and colorful newsletter each month?   My note comes right to your inbox with all kinds of special perks to my friends.  Discounts on original works, contests to win free art, free downloadable art, and news from my side of the easel.  

It's easy... just text the word HELEN to 22828 and you'll be added. 

 

 

 

Lilies for a Day

Lilies for a Day, 10x8" oil on gesso board
© Helen Read 

Have you ever wondered why these orange beauties are called Daylilies?   Well, they only bloom for ONE day! 

That's it!  Just 1 day.  The beautiful blooms you see one day are withered the next day... even when you cut them and put them in water... the next day, they are done.  

This arrangement with some foliage and two small hydrangeas lasted just long enough to paint it... but even when I was painting, the flowers were slowly changing!   It makes you appreciate the beauty while it lasts!  Which, I suppose, is true of many things in life!  Appreciate the moment!  

This painting is ready to frame, but I also have a framed option!

To see this and more of my work, please visit my website!  

Fly away, fly away.... to Pennsylvania!

The winner is.... in Pennsylvania!   

This little mini painting and it's easel have just been sent off to PA!   

YOU could be the next winner!!  

Here's how: 

• Every 3 months or so, I hold a contest for a free mini painting and easel... that's right - FREE!  
• In order to enter the contest, you'll need to get my once-a-month news note with all the details. 
• When you enter the contest, your name is put into the virtual hat 
• And on the specified date, I randomly pick a winner!  

Isn't that easy?!! 

But, you won't know about it or how to enter it unless you get my news note. 

What's in the note each month?? 

So glad you asked! 

• First of all,  an uplifting friendly note from my heart to yours 
• You get early peeks at what's happening on MY side of the easel! 
• I very often give a great discount on a particular painting, and part of the proceeds go to a worthy cause, helping people in need
•  Downloadable, free art that YOU can print and enjoy!
• And every few months, a contest for an original work of art!  
• It's a lot of fun... and I never inundate your inbox!  I just send a colorful, arty note each month.
  
  You might wonder about your email address getting shared elsewhere.... nope! 
  NEVER!  
  I use a secure email service... I hate spam and I'll bet you do too!  So your email is safe!
  Are you ready to join the fun!? 
  There are 2 ways to join me...

 1.  Text the word HELEN to 22828 and sign up on screen! 

or 

2.  Hit the button below and sign up!  

Yes! Let me sign up!

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Lavender Fields

Lavender Fields, unframed -  5x7" oil on gesso board
© Helen Read

 

Framed with a contemporary wooden frame in black 

Lavender is one of my favorites!   And though it doesn't grow all that well where I live, I do have some lavender that is blooming in my yard!  (It even made it through our very severe winter!)   I love the color and I love the smell!  This lovely small painting is currently being exhibited, but will be ready to send at the end of this month.
Unframed, it is ready to frame and send.
or
Framed, it is ready to hang!

What could be better?!    THIS lavender is in bloom year round! 
 

Please click here to see this and other lovely paintings! 

Ode to Peonies

Ode to Peonies,  7x5" oil on gesso board 

© Helen Read

Sold

 

I love peonies.  I wish they bloomed a little longer than 1 short week.  I gathered these out of my garden and added a few sprays of Lady's Mantle flowers.  Someone told me that they never fade when you've painted them.... I like that!  These lovelies are gathered together in wonderful blue mason jar ~ ready to bring color to your wall all year long!  It is ready to ship, frame and hang!  

 

By the way, in just a few days I'll be sending out my July news note - and there will be a contest again this month for a free mini painting.  If you don't get my news note, where all the details will be found on how to order -
just text the word HELEN to 22828 and you'll be signed up!  
I'd love to share a little painting with you!   You'll also be able to download and print one of my paintings each month!  I offer my friends discounts and of course, news from my side of the easel! 

 

For the Monarchs

Milkweed, watercolor on paper

 ©2019, Helen Read 

It was two years ago that I found this tall, volunteer plant in my yard - I wondered where it came from since I knew I didn't plant it.   I also knew that it was a milkweed stalk - beautiful and stately.   It's flower is a composite of tiny flowers that start out light green and mature into a lovely pink sphere.  Try as I might, I never saw a caterpillar on it ... until this year!  A tiny caterpillar was feasting on a leaf... a particularly colored caterpillar that would indicate a future monarch butterfly was being fed!  

This little painting is a freebie for my friends this month of July!  That's right!  A free print to download - which is something I give away every month to my friends (each month a different print).  I'd love to send one to you too!  It's easy to get signed up so that you receive something fun from me every month.  Every few months, I have a contest to give away a mini painting - which is an original oil painting and its small easel.  Each month,  I have discounts that are available to my friends, and of course a peek at what's just coming off the easel. My monthly note to you is the best way I have to be a friend and to stay in touch! 

Click the button below and you can add your name to my friends list!  Let's be friends!!   

To see more of my creative work, please visit my website! 

Yes! Let's keep in touch!

For Email Marketing you can trust.

Spring Peonies - creating a new painting

One of the flowers in my late spring garden that I love are  

Peonies!

They are large, colorful, and have such a delightful scent.  (Ants love them too!)

I wish they lasted longer - just about a week from start to finish - and then we have to wait another year.
Just as school was finishing and I was making my way through giving finals, my peonies were in full bloom.  I did manage to pick some and bring them inside to enjoy. 

From some photos I took, this little painting came about!
It's small - 5x7" - but bursting with color!  

 The final version is here, still drying of course.  I'll post the completed image
as soon as it is dry and ready to photograph.  

Meanwhile - the video shows the process I used to create this small gem!  

A new FREE mini painting contest - coming soon!!

House Finch,  3x3" oil on canvas 

©2019 Helen Read 

It's almost that time again!!!

I've been giving away a little original painting every few months for the last year and a half!
They've landed all across the US.
(Yes - the winner receives a little original painting completely free!  Even shipping is free!!)

These little mini paintings measure 3x3" and they are painted around the sides, that way they don't have to be framed.... and they also come with a small display easel! 

Perfect for a book case or desk top!  

It's a lot of fun to give these little gifts to special friends! 

How do you become a friend and how do you enter to win?   

Super simple! 

Sign up to receive my once-a-month news note. 

You can text the word  HELEN to 22828 

or use the button below. 

Then,  when the next newsletter is sent to your inbox, all the details about how to enter the contest will be right there!   Take a second and sign up now... and you are all set!  

My newsletter comes out during the first part of the month... also included besides cool news and a peek at my new work, is a download of an original small painting for you to enjoy, discounts that support a great cause, and other fun things I send you!  

Yes Please, sign me up!

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Yay!  I'm excited to connect with you!  Look for my July note in a few weeks!
In the meantime, I'd love for you to visit my website!    

A new solo exhibit - 26 paintings

Getting a personal exhibit off the ground is always a labor of love! 
There's a lot that goes into the preparation for it, 

and then actually setting up the display. 

For the last 6 months, I've been preparing: 

Painting

Framing

Organizing

Writing & Printing Supporting Materials

Pricing
Compiling everything

Packaging for Transport 

Transporting

And then, hanging the exhibit: 

(I'm thankful I had some great help) 

Organizing for balance of color and size

Physically attaching art & tags
Adjusting 

This exhibit will hang for 2 months and can be seen
at Windsor Park, lobby,

Carol Stream, IL 

It is a great feeling to stand back and see everything in one place, and know that the effort was worth the time invested! 

Throwback Thursday - abstract

Untitled,  oil pastel on paper

 

It's late May and we are still in the last weeks of school... it has been overwhelming with all that is going on and all that still needs to be done.  So - I'm posting something that I did quite a number of years ago -- an abstraction, but one in which color sings!  

I will post new work again soon ... perhaps after a long nap to recover from the end of the school year!! 

Elm Grove

Elm Grove,  14x18" oil on canvas

 ©Helen Read

The beauty of spring in the midwest is especially stunning after a long cold winter of gray upon gray.  Within a few weeks, everything bursts into color and song!  This little glimpse is just around the corner in my neighborhood.  The ordinary becomes extraordinary!  Colorful light gives a cast of beauty to all it touches! 

 Visit my website for more colorful vistas! 

I'd love to have you join my friends list!   Every month you get a friendly note in your inbox.  In that note you'll see new work ~ the latest off my easel.... but there's also FUN discounts, and give aways, and free downloads!  .... Just because you are a friend! 

Text the word HELEN to 22828 and you are in!  I look forward to communicating with my friends and hearing from you, too .... Join us! It's easy!  :)  

Just around the corner!!

 

 Spring Picnic,   7x5" oil on gesso board 

This lovely reminder that spring is almost here!  This painting was from a few years ago - and it is now hanging on a wall in another state - but it still makes me smile. I  am more than ready for the delight of sitting outside with the wonderful smell of flowers in bloom - made perfect with a shared meal with friends!  

Don't you love the loose brush work and wonderful colors of the Impressionistic style?  

There's a lot of freedom and joy in painting in this way... I never get tired of the thick and luscious application of paint, the lovely colors that surprise and blend in interesting ways... in it's totality, it speaks of abundance!  

OH, ONE MORE THING! 

Just in the next week, my next email will be sent out and I'd love to include you!   Every month you'll get a colorful and fun news note - I include fun gifts for my friends - free downloads of my original art, or discounts, or contests... and of course, its a great way to connect and find out all the latest from my side of the easel!  

There's nothing to lose ~ but lots to enjoy!  

Text the word HELEN to 22828 

or hit the button below to be included!  

Please! I want to join!

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In Full Bloom!

Royal Purple, 9x12" oil on gessoboard 

© Helen Read  

 

Please visit my website to see this and other beautiful paintings! 

Nothing says "spring" to me quite like the bloom of tulips.   Spring hasn't really arrived here in my area - even though it's past due - being mid-April!  So, I've taken to creating spring with paint, while I wait!
This gathering of beautiful purple tulips seems to shimmer and glow. 
I looked up the meaning of tulips... so many flowers are associated with a cryptic meaning.  I found out that tulips are representative of love and passion.  Purple is indicative of royalty.   I must admit, they do have a very regal upright habit, commanding one's attention!

Bring a love, passion, and lots of royal color to your walls! 
This lovely painting is almost dry and ready to ship very soon!

Oh - before you go! 

Did you know that I keep in touch with my friends with a monthly newsnote? It's filled with visual beauty and other fun things like free downloads, contests for free mini paintings, discounts, and late breaking updates and news.  You get an inside look into the life of an artist and get to share some of the fun!
It's super easy to join us! Just click the button below and let me know!

Yes! Sign me up!!

For Email Newsletters you can trust.

The Best News Ever!

Dear friends of mine ~ I have to share this with you, because it truly is the best news in 
all the world! A truer story has never been written....take a minute and imagine with me the 
feelings of Jesus' band of friends millennia ago ....

Friday evening ~

It looked like all was lost. Every ray of hope destroyed.

Jesus, their friend - the miracle worker - the preacher who had an

upside down, radical message of love and relationship,

of mercy and forgiveness,

of hope and promise -

the One who made people laugh and dance - who changed sickness into health - 
who fed the hungry, who touched the untouchable; Jesus, who spoke of the

wonders of things to come, the One who calmed the wind with just a word and 
commanded Death to give way to Life ...

Now He, Himself, was dead.

Devastation - Disbelief - Questions .... Doubts.  Fear.

"What just happened? HOW could this have happened?"

But His death was confirmed.  No question. Certain. Final. Buried.

That was Friday.

______________

Saturday  dawns ~

A day of grieving, of despair, of wondering how to move forward 
amidst the shards of shattered hopes and dreams.

______________

Then came Sunday morning....

and

the earth trembled, then shook with force.

A blinding, brilliant, angelic light moved to the massive stone that sealed the tomb.

Heaven was descending to write a new ending to this story.

Guards,  posted around the grave,  could not withstand the forces they witnessed and 
fell to the ground as if dead.

Jesus, who had been bloodied and beaten, blow by blow - 
who had been nailed to a Roman cross, who had been pierced in His side with a spear... 
Jesus, who had breathed His last breath as a prayer to His Father - this same Jesus 
whom His friends had wrapped for burial and sealed in a tomb, all in public view -

now, He walks out of that tomb vitally alive!

Healed from his wounds, but with the evidence of His scars.

Victorious over the specter of death!

___________

His friends:

From grieving, hopeless, disbelief to

laughing, incredulous joy!

Amazing!

The miracle worker has dealt Death its death blow.

Now, so much of His message - not fully understood in the preceding days - 
fits into place with deep meaning.

As the Roman Soldier said, observing Jesus’ death:

“Surely this was the Son of God.”

_____________

     What strikes me, dear friends, is that the happenings of those 3 days reverberates 
through time and history and it's still good news today ... the BEST news, ever!  We - each of us - 
are invited into Life!!

     But the bad news that is on the forward side of the good news has to be faced. We are born 
into a far less than perfect world. We each live with our mistakes, with wrongs we might wish 
to right, with attitudes that could have been better, with good that we didn't do... 
We are trapped, really, in the way we are. Living with our failings -  trying to be better - 
is never good enough, according to God's perfect standards.

      Jesus' upside down message then and now says, there's HOPE! There's a way out... rescue!  
His perfect life and unjust death is God's answer to our predicament.  Out of His great love, 
He died to take on the weight of everything wrong in this world. He satisfied God's requirement 
for justice and also showed God's love for mercy. He paid my debt (and yours too) and then burst 
out of death's grip – into vibrant life. And He offers to bring each one of us with Him! So many years 
after that first Easter, His gift is still extended to all who choose to embrace it - 
those who say, "Yes, I believe."

       I know I can't provide any of that for myself; only God could.  Physical death may still stalk us, 
but the inner life of the spirit - the eternal soul - is alive and well forever! What great news - 
we have hope! Not just the "maybe" kind of hope, but hope based on the assurance of God's promise 
and the proof is in Jesus' resurrection. That's a hope no one else offers!

"But to all who believed in Him and accepted Him, 
He gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12

     Easter is a day of joy and thankfulness, a day of brilliance shining into darkness. It's a day that 
offers a Life that prevails over Death! It's a day when God proves His love for each of us.

The whole of this amazing story - an eyewitness account of it -

is found in the New Testament. I suggest reading beginning in John, chapter 18. 
The account continues through chapter 20.

      This is the best news I know how to send! I hope it's news that encourages you and gives you hope! 
It could be news that changes everything. Please don't hesitate to send me a message if I can help! 
That's what friends are for!

Wishing you a  Joyful and Happy Easter ~ may it be a day of deep blessing.