Thomas Cole (1801-1848) was a Christian painter and the founder of the

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When I paint the sky, I make it blue

with a yellow sun.

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When Thomas Cole painted the sky, he made it endless

with breezy clouds melting in the distance

and dancing, sparkling, playful sun rays

streaking and warming the balmy air.

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When I paint the ground, I make it green

with flowers here and there.

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When Thomas Cole painted the ground, he tickled it

with brambling grass

that had giggles of earthy colors

on land that dipped and soared.

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When I paint a mountain, I make it brown

in a triangular shape.

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When Thomas Cole painted mountains, he made them mighty

with shadows and cracks,

tangled weeds and rich shades of stone and rock.

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When I paint water, I make it blue

with wavy edges.

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When Thomas Cole painted water, he made it shine,

glowing and shimmering, lit from within.

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When I paint a tree, I make a brown trunk

with a puffy green top.

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When Thomas Cole painted trees, he made them graceful

with sweeping branches, strong and solid mixed with dainty and twiggy.

They streeeeetch toward the sky

or cradle meadows and pastures.

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After seeing how Thomas Cole painted nature in his art,

I still paint the same as I always do.

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But, now I see art in nature.

I see God’s sacred touch.

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I see leaves falling and sprouts rising,

sacrifice and new life.

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I see possibilities, growth, light, and infinite love.

And I feel grateful for this wonderful world. Kelly Bakshi

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Close your eyes and listen. Can you hear the air moving or birds singing?

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Thomas Cole used his gift to rejoice in and honor God’s power. How could

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In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to

Read Verses:

Psalm 96:11-Psalm 96:12; Job 37:14-Job 37:16; Psalm 95:4-Psalm 95:5