Friday Feature: JORDAN CREEK MILL

Did you know that Jack’s favorite time of the year is Fall?  That may be one reason why his painting, JORDAN CREEK MILL is so beautiful.

If you know my husband, you know that his paintings have hidden pictures that point us to the Lord and have some great message.  But this one is different.  There’s something wrong in the painting – and that is the message.  Click on the link if you want to hear the whole message and a song by our daughter Sarah and myself.

Or you can read on…

The beautiful mill looks quite impressive in this quiet setting.  The fall leaves add to the ambiance.  

Wouldn’t you like to spend the day fishing with the lone fisherman who is enjoying the day in the shadow of this lovely mill?  Or how about take a walk nearby across the quaint arched walkway that crosses the lovely stream of flowing water?  

But as I said, “there is something wrong.”  Do you see it?  Study the mill.  It looks so picturesque.  Although it is obvious that this mill has been around for quite a while, it seems to have been very well maintained and I’m sure it has served a great purpose during its years.  It isn’t until you see the “problem” that you will begin to understand the message of this painting.  Do you see it?  Notice the flume (that’s where the water runs to turn the water wheel.  The flume is broken and because of that the power source – the water – never reaches the wheel.

The verse that Jack chose for this painting conveys the message, Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof.  2 Timothy 3:5

We are much like the mill.  If the water represents the Spirit of God and the Word of God – and we are the mill, then without the Spirit and the Word we are as useless as the mill would be without the water activating the wheel.  In other words, we can look good on the outside, we can even appear to be doing all the right things, but without the Lord we only have a form of godliness, we are fakes.  

And you know what?  This can also apply to our churches.  We can look good on the outside.    The property can be very well manicured, the pews are padded, the stage lights are up to date, the music is professional, and the preacher can captivate an audience.  But!  Without the spirit of God at work within us we are not doing what we were designed to do.  We need the Spirit of God and the Word of God empowering us to live effective and productive lives. 

I’ve led the music at our church for over 16 years and many, many times I have looked at this painting (which was hanging in our bathroom) and be reminded to pray, “O God how we need You.  Without Your Spirit at work in us, our efforts are just a show.”

But we must also notice the heart on the tree – and the scripture written on it.  God knows that we will struggle to keep our hearts right.  He loves us and wants us to know that no matter how many times our “flume” gets broken, He will be there to repair our broken lives.  He is the Water supply.  He is the River.  His supply will never dry up.

If we could only be honest that we need Him, when our “flume” is broken and we are working in our own effort – HE WILL REPAIR AND RESTORE US and flow through us from now and through eternity!  Now that’s worth a great HALLELUJAH!

Click this link to shop: JORDAN CREEK MILL