JULY 12, 2024 CONTINUED JAMES from page 7 drawing what moves me. If someone wants an image of tribal art, I'm willing to go for it. Many also use this for tattoos or just hang it on a wall. Believe it or not, I have two commissions I’m currently working on. I hope to get more as the summer progresses. “I'm looking at the possibility of going into art school and getting a bachelor's degree in graphic design and starting some computer graphics classes as well. "The art form I now practice is called abstract tribal art. Abstract is shapeless and formless, influenced by indigenous tribes across the world, along with the influence of lovecraft, steampunk, cyberpunk, bubblegum, pacific rim, Battle Angel and Dragon Ball Z.” Conclusion As a low income artist it can be hard to get art supplies and work. So I give a small shout to the world to help with James’ work. If you wish to show interest or even commission a piece of work from James, please contact Groundcover (page 2), or you can often find James near the downtown Ann Arbor library on the corner of Fifth Street and GROUNDCOVER NEWS 11 Liberty selling Groundcover News. You can also help James out by giving him any of the following: • mechanical pencils • fine point sharpies • sketchbooks (medium sized) • Prismacolor fine point pens • small sketchbook for ideas JONAH from page 8 animals, we want esteem, trendy causes, right doctrine and liturgy, clubby, churchy culture. The message Jonah ultimately points us to however, is CHRIST’S Cross and HIS Resurrection. Here we find encouragement and hope for humanity. The Book of Jonah points to CHRIST via symbol-types; for example, prophetically prefiguring depictions that parallel HIS PERSON, sufferings, death, resurrection and redeeming mission. Just a few of these are; The "Word" (John 1:1) that comes to Jonah (Jonah 1:1) to The Assyrian King (Jonah 3:6) and The Word that is proclaimed (Jonah 3.4, 7-9). Jonah as the strange, out-of-realm “FOREIGNER,” and the “guilty” one who must be sacrificed for others’ absolution and freedom (Jonah 1.:, 11-12). The REDEEMER, the SUFFERING ONE; and one who is utterly forsaken (Jonah 2.4, Matt 27:46) all prefigure and point to CHRIST’S PERSON. Almost all of Jonah Chapter 2 is replete with descriptions paralleling CHRIST’S sufferings and death, and temporary banishment to Hell. From 2:3 for example, “Weeds were wrapped around my head” even specifically prefigures the horror of the Crown of Thorns CHRIST would receive. Jonah was spared death; however the language indicating death pangs and death following and along with grueling sufferings, are intertwined throughout Jonah Chapter 2. We find descriptors such as, “Out of the belly of hell,” (Jonah 2:2), and “The waters compassed me about unto the soul: the depth closed me round about …” (Jonah 2:5a-b) , and “For [you had] cast me into the bottom in the midst of the sea, and the floods compassed me about: all [YOUR] surges, and all [YOUR] waves passed over me.” (Jonah 2:3) for example. CHRIST’S RESURRECTION is vividly and poetically afore depicted as, “I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me forever; yet [have YOU] brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my GOD” (Jonah 2:6) Also, other various allusions prophetically indicating CHRIST are presented via Jonah’s Redeeming Mission, a parallel/contrast of the Redeemer asleep in the bottom of a boat during a storm that has other passengers troubled, and casting of lots that occurs, just as it will/ did for CHRIST’S last garments. Each of these pointers thus, is towards CHRIST; just like the Voice present at HIS baptism that Calls Out; “This is MY BELOVED SON; HEAR HIM!” This message is therefore inviting us to believe on JESUS and be saved (Mark 1:15, John 14:6) transformed to be like JESUS (Rom 13:14) — and as much as we will (Matt 13:8). Also then, CHRIST’S people and church are supposed-to-be being “salt and light” on this Earth, bringing GOD’S mercies to as many people as possible who will receive HIM. We are also supposed-to-be not only GOD’s Voice calling people out from the ways of this fallen, sinful world, but also exactly to GOD’s Ways of LOVE and MERCY (Matt 12:7, John 13:34). This includes not only acknowledging the ONE, TRUE and LIVING GOD; but also exactly in HIS SPIRIT to minister to practical needs and empower to “a leg up” — just as the First Century Christians actually did! (Acts 2:44-47, Acts 4:34-35) It’s not enough to simply wish people good (Jas 2:16 a-c , I John 3:17) ; we must actively be bringing GOD’S mercies via meeting practical needs, and opening jobs and opportunities. We must do this for everyone. Including the outcasts, the non-in-crowd, those who for whatever reasons have practical needs for life openings and resources. Whatever blessings I have, I therefore have the responsibility to seek the blessing of others. At this time in Christian history, there has been much saying correct teachings about who CHRIST is, and the salvation from our sin HE offers — though astonishingly then not actually being as JESUS in this World— to have and lead the way for social conscience, to give gladly what we truly can to stop our arrogance of blame for practical needs and invite people to the level ground at the foot of CHRIST’S Cross. To humbly seek to live in and offer CHRIST’S transformational LOVE to a world in need! Exactly this includes offering job openings, life calling opportunities, providing resources and means, empowering shoulder to shoulder. This fallen, sinful world only has counterfeits! This is also why it’s so important that GOD’s conduit for modern-day — the actual, believing Christian Church — return to being “on-mission” with GOD and HIS mercies for people and animals and for this World that HE created and HIMSELF suffered and died for (John 3:16-17). It’s easier and more “culturally comfortable” to cognitively believe — as even demons do! (Jas 2:19) — all the right facts, doctrine. The actual, liberating Gospel of Jesus however, calls us to real heart transformation and life (II Cor 5:17). The Christian contemporary band Casting Crowns has a line in a song that says, “What if we put down our signs, crossed over the lines, and loved like [HE] did?” “Churchianity” calls us to counterfeit; THE HOLY SPIRIT calls us to really live the values of JESUS — to be HIS Hands and Feet (I John 4:17)— in all aspects of our lives. THE HOLY SPIRIT wants “a cup of cold water” (Matt 10.42) to be given in JESUS’ name. When CHRIST’S people don’t do this, others counterfeit. Jonah’s message includes the irony that if those of us who “believe-on-JESUS” are refusing our mission — GOD in HIS mercies will nonetheless one way or the other send out and offer HIS mercies. As GOD deals with people in The Book of Jonah, we find HE is completely trustworthy. HIS ways are goodness, truth, mercy. HE will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5). Following HIM leads us only to good for ourselves and others — though sometimes in this fallen, sinful world also with some sufferings and persecutions. There is a 1990s song by Christian singers FFH called “Big Fish” that certainly can be a fun reminder about Jonah and GOD’s Message to and through him, and thankfully over our own failings. A sad thing regarding Jonah is that after he was delivered and no longer in danger: 1) He allowed himself to forget the tender touch of GOD’S LOVE that he had experienced SO powerfully and particularly while he was being rescued (Jonah 2:6-10); 2) Jonah did not continue to defer to GOD when his own limited understandings were challenging what GOD exp. 01/31/2025 was actually telling him and CALLING him to do (Jonah 4:1-4). As we look forward, will we ourselves receive JESUS and truly share HIM with others? The gourd plant (also symbolizing CHRIST) that comforted Jonah and then was mercilessly eaten by a worm exposed Jonah’s return to hypocritical, non-care for people and animals (Jonah 4:2, 11). This observation helps us realize our own utter callousness to CHRIST, people, animals, and plants. In light of CHRIST’S horrible sufferings and death to atone for us, after GOD stretched out HIS arms on a cross — WHAT ARE WE DOING? Are we living HIS LOVE? Being HIS Hands and Feet? For shame! If we don’t seek our every breath and moment — given back in praise and gratitude to HIM. FATHER, help us look to YOU, and not miss the BLESSED sign of Jonah; to point us to CHRIST JESUS and the LOVE HE has for us EACH and ALL, and wants us to have for each other. AMEN.
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