Concord Pastor, Austin Fleming, uses my painting to convey important message...

Concord Pastor, Austin Fleming, contacted me the other day to ask if he could use an image of my painting "Salt and Light" as a visual for an upcoming sermon and blog post. I granted permission and thoroughly enjoyed his touching sermon! I have included a few of his words so you will thirst for the rest... Drop by his blog and listen to the rest... link at bottom of this post.


Salt and Light
6x8" oil on panel
Bernie Rosage Jr.

Note carefully what Jesus says here - and what he doesn’t say:

he doesn’t tell us to become the salt of the earth,

he doesn’t tell us to be like the salt of the earth…

and he doesn’t tell us become the light of the world

or to reflect the light of the world…

Rather, he says:

we ARE the salt of the earth

and
we ARE the light of the world.



We are the salt…

Salt brings out the flavor in food it brings out the best in what it seasons. But when salt goes flat, or when there’s too little, it’s of no use; or, if there’s too much salt it ruins what it tries to season…

We are the light…

Light allows us to see what there is to be seen what is beautiful, what is true. and light brings the warmth of the energy which is its source. But when our light dims, we see only in shadows and when we hide our light it no longer serves anyone and the warmth begins to chill…

These are strong and vital images Jesus uses and he uses them to describe us, to speak of what he sees us to be.

In any year or season these are good and challenging words to hear.

Click HERE to read and/or hear the rest of Pastor Fleming's sermon. Be sure to subscribe to his blog at http://concordpastor.blogspot.com/

"Salt and Light" by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"Salt and Light"... 8x6" Oil on Panel, alla prima from life, "Painting a Day" series, 4-2008.
PRIVATE COLLECTION

This painting was recently highlighted on Christian rock band, Third Day's website...

Click on image to see a larger view...



Scripture is often the inspiration for my paintings. This still life I set up and painted from life is such an example. My inspiration comes from Jesus' words in Matthew... "You are the salt of the earth" and "You are the light of the world." I think it cool the fact that one can associate salt with taste and thus the mouth and light with sight. Plainly put... our words (what comes out of our mouth) and actions (what others see us do) reveal who we really are.

Everyday objects painted from life is the essence of the "Painting a Day" art movement that is gaining momentum in the art collecting market.

Nigel James, Cardiff, Wales