Karen Hinds

Light in the ShadowsFinding a Path Back to God

Acrylic on canvas

24” x 36”

The path is almost lost in the shadows—the shadows of exile, the shadows of hardship, the shadows of disappointment.

The path leads into the sunlight.

The stone wall is the remains of a structure from the past, now overgrown and broken down— almost forgotten.

Like Nehemiah responding to the call of God, trusting in God, searching for the path in the grass in the shadows to find at the end of the path God has been reaching out all along.

The morning sunshine illuminates the wall giving hope to a new future, the chance to the hope of building anew with God—seeking Him first, with prayer, planning, acting in faith and finding hope in new life with Christ despite the shadows and the ruins.

Noshua Nunley Jr.

Mourning the Aftermath

Acyrlic on canvas

This piece was created to give insight on a part of a longer story that began with a message from Nehemiah‘s brother Hanani, who informed him of the return of the captives from Jerusalem that they are in great trouble, and the gates and walls were torn down and destroyed by fire and Jerusalem. This teaches patience to persevere in times of grief and struggle. Nehemiah went to inspect the walls down to the Dung gate. The dragon well and to the Valley gate, which is what you see in the picture. Nehemiah was put in maroon clothing to really pinpoint the main character of this picture. There were other men there with him. For some of them it’s probably the first time viewing the gate. When Nehemiah was informed about the wall, being torn down the mourned and fasted which resulted in him going to inspect the wall himself!

Pearl DeCew

The Comfort of God

Fiber

Panel #1 (lower right) – Like the walls of Jerusalem, our life is broken down by our sinful nature. We reach up to the ultimate King and ask for help to rebuild our lives. He is faithful and gives us His word.

Book #1 -The Bible. It is here we learn to rely on God’s promises. Just as Ezra read the law to the Israelites as they built, they gained strength and knowledge. We too, should read our Bible, to gain strength, knowledge and recognize victories as we walk with Jesus.

Panel #2 (middle) –Nehemiah faced forces that fought against the builders of the walls. During our time here on earth, we have forces that we think we must fight, but we must remember, the battle is the Lords. We do not fight against flesh and bone. Our sword is the word of God. Sometimes it is dark, but we look towards the light and know our names are written in the book of life.

Book #2 – The Book of Life. Some Israelites were chosen to live on the other side of Jerusalem after the walls were built. I find comfort that my name is written in the book of life. I will live in the New Jerusalem.

Panel #3 (upper left) – Heaven is our destiny, There will be all the fine things of earth there. Still this panel could not come near the beauty of what we’ve yet to see.

Lisa Bramblet

Food

FOOD ~ not merely what we eat as fuel, it represents History, Science, Culture and Art. The Israelites as a people were mobile, occupied, held captive and scattered. Their food reflects the collective experiences of where they have been and who they were with. It was incorporated into their lives and their sacred traditions, notably Sabath and Festival observances. Featured in this event are some well-loved dishes:

Borscht: (Cold Beet Soup) Standard in the restaurant trade, light and surprising. (Lithuanian influence)

Potato Kugel: an Ashkenazi staple, a hearty and filling favorite. (Polish influence) Shalet: (Apple

Pudding/Soufflet) a cloud of apple delight that will amaze your palate. (French influence) Loubia:

(Black-Eyed Pea Salad) cold salad, hearty and satisfying. (Egyptian influence)

Vanessa Zakas

A Wretch Like Me

Oil on canvas

24” x 36”

When we read stories, it’s easy to identify with the heroes because we want to be the hero of our own lives but if we’re honest, we often have more in common with the villains. In the book of Nehemiah, even the title, the hero, the main character is Nehemiah. But Tobiah saw himself as the hero of his story, so much so that he chose to occupy a space designated for the things of God for his own personal use. Do we ever abuse the sacred things of God with our own personal agenda? How often do we occupy the space in which we find ourselves with our own overbearing presence rather than giving space to the presence of God? The world tells us to be our own heroes, but deep down we know we are desperate for a savior outside of ourselves because we can never be hero enough. So what a sweet relief it is that God doesn’t ask us to stand before him as heroes but as villains in need of His grace.

Alysia Watkins

Raised Up

Acrylic & charcoal on canvas

24” x 36”

When digging through the rubble while rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls, what pieces of the previously destroyed lives were found? Broken toys? Dishes? Bones? This sad, yet hopeful, painting explores the parallels between recovering from a natural disaster and the Israelites returning to restore (even resurrect?) their destroyed city. God saved a remnant from the disaster, though many also died. Ezra, the priest, returned first to rebuild the Temple, just as people need medics first to resuscitate life. Later, Nehemiah led a group to rebuild the defenses and re-establish God’s boundaries for His people—as construction workers come to do here. (Nehemiah 6:15-16)

Ann Cruz

Nehemiah Inspects Jerusalem’s Walls

Oil on canvas

Nehemiah 2:13-15 13 By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. 14 Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; 15 so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate. This painting depicts a type of resolve in the loneliness of God’s calling. The difficult work Nehemiah must do in preperation for the rebuilding of God’s city and the restoration of His people. Rebuilding the wall paves the way for Christ to come through those very gates as the one who ultimately lead us to repentance and a rebuilt life. In the painting a cup of wine, a wooden tree , a crown of thorns and in the distance Galgotha are foreshadows of what is to come. Look closely.

Lily Mahar

Pray Without Ceasing

Graphite pencils and paper

This piece is about continually reaching out to God in prayer in every circumstance the way Nehemiah did before, during, and after the rebuilding of the wall. The first scene demonstrates Nehemiah praying to God on his bed in sorrow and in preparation before talking to the king. In the second scene, he’s in the presence of the king, but before he answers him, he prays discreetly to God. The last part of the piece is about praise. Nehemiah and all the people are rejoicing and praising the Lord saying “Amen, Amen” with their hands reaching for God and their heads bowed, overjoyed with gratitude.

Jessica Firkins

Nehemiah Prayed

Colored Pencil on Pastelbord

12” x 16”

"Based on Nehemiah 1:1-11

When I read this, I pictured Nehemiah standing in the midst of abundance and great human accomplishment at the citadel of Susa and grieving the condition of Jerusalem. Perhaps seeing what could be accomplished for an earthly king helped Nehemiah to envision what could be accomplished in Jerusalem. Nehemiah’s uplifted hands are lifting Jerusalem and God’s people up in prayer. This is framed with flowers, fruit and nuts that would have been available at the time and are symbolic of abundance."

Marianne Spekner

The Journey (Seeing God’s glory)

Acrylic paint on canvas, lined with Micron ink pens

24”x48”

The dove represents Jesus Christ, guiding her on her journey, and the snake is a representation of the enemy, who reminds us of our past (The old self). The tree roots below are our roots in Christ as our foundation, and He is building us up in His likeness throughout our lives, and the purple ribbon she has in her hair becomes a covering for her that hides her shame. The gold clouds and leaves are the Holy Spirit moving us along like the wind. In the final panel, the dove symbolizes the cross, how Jesus died for our sins and rose again to give us new life.