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| In Praise of Red...Acrylic on Board...colour study |
Gift package arrives all wrapped up ribbon red...year swept quick away...thoughts toward celebrated Christmas remind what’s often missed!
Year flies by without deep thought...
Lives lived in slashing gray...
What’s been missed as on we’ve got?...
Robins certain flight in May...
On one Amazon excursion, companions excitedly pointed up toward feathered squadron skydivers red and though I searched with hard intent, I saw alone but green, or green surmised...this, the joy of being a color blind artist. Having said that, when red stands on stage alone, I sometimes see enough to say, ah...so that’s a joy worth celebration, whereas in any crowd it slinks to gray.
I own a single contact lens, deep blood red, which, when put into one eye, gives a visual 3D dimensional feel to red...somehow I don’t think very accurate, as all the ‘reds’ dance out in front of everything else in fluorescent ‘pink’...but who knows for sure? It also leaves others who, glancing into my eye, horror, feeling a distinct need to call a doctor as all they see is certain corneal rupture!
Early mornings gold green haze in France’s Normandy, forty years past, as apples off a toppled cart created avalanche of rolling red toward teenaged band at rest below. Farmer’s disgust on hill above with red faced sure, turned on heel to tractor red, belching blue exhaust from both mouth and machine. His unexpected and then chosen loss became weeks sweet supply of round red provision. It was not all that long however, until our fearless leader reverted...feeding us bottled tripe, horse meat, red potatoes cold, with a touch of bread, and of course...water...all in the name of ‘spiritual discipline!’
Made me think...hmmmm...not all red is fun, and tripe, bread and water have really very little to do with the spiritual disciplines!
Side note...lost much ruddy weight that summer...while in minds eye I dreamed of ...
Raspberry jam pasted thick, dripping red off buttered toast. Strawberry sauces lacing summer sundaes punctuated with cherry maraschino! Cherries Jubilee bubbling red in brandy sauce as waiters celebrate Caribbean breezes. Dinners of lobster broiled with beef red rare or salmon rich, from far and deep...and then, to wash it down...a light rosé...or burgundy.
On lighter note, and further south with red hot sauce...the chili made...tomatoes mixed with peppers flame...then watermelons cool and fresh reprieve.
Hot air balloon floats red cross bluest sky, while birthday balloons below, with ribbons tied, attempt to stretch and join...each with gifts unique bring contentments joy, the other could not give...
Christmas cranberries lay red aside turkey white. Poinsettia’s floral flames and holly berries crimson imitate above fireplace warm. Old Saint Nick’s eastern fine red suit and Rudolph’s blinking nose bring childlike delight. Red glass baubles hang on evergreen while lights daub bright with gaiety.
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| Christmas Red! |
Sally Ann’s swinging kettle rings hope from dark to light...reminds with gratitude to give...to bring another’s day some bright...
Poppies red attach November Canadian collars, remembering sacrifice complete, those whose dripped red blood gave all for freedoms sake.
Scarves red with accent suave...on town with rubies flaunt...gifts of garnet give...jasper’s facets depth reflects, sparkle through from cuts sharp deep.
Life is red full!
Candy valentines and cards of hearts...
Lips of red that curl and smile...
Carnations bloom in summers sun...
Rose unfurls to stretch and sing...
Skies of cadmium red astound...
Glows alizarin in pink delight...
Shepherds morn to come...
Across same skies they wing and whirl...
Tanager’s stage on highest branch...
Cardinal contrasts pure white snow...
Blackbirds epaulette’s red, first hope of spring to come...
Forest’s haunting knocks as woodpecker pounds red deep to bark...
Ladybug strolls on sun streaked sill...while foxes red our forests grace...
On southern trails...
Macaw’s screech scarlet on sandy walls...
Flycatcher Vermillion way above intercept all those ‘that bug’...
Flamingo and Ibis strut flaming stuff...
Magnificent frigate birds soar high on Galapagos volcanics red as...
Aerial pirates float...great red ballooned out front and...
Scarlet peacock butterflies in rain forest green...flit on orchids rouge...while,
Ant columns red, they march to war...and blood is spilt...reminding of that rift of yore...
Cathedrals windows, cut red stained glass...sparkling quiet wonders light...and just outside red buses rush, and not too far, troops in scarlet regalia guard those wrapped crimson royal, while simple folk use vertical rectangles red that ring and cling to time, long since memory.
Scarlet Lake, Quinacridone magenta...the painters palette dips...attempts to replicate autumn leaves and sumac’s bright, and then at night in search of heavens deep, views Mars or super novas far beyond.
Another year is quickly gone, sights so few of red recall, and why we think as year dissolves would scarlet scriptures thread of hope which, just as stop sign insists response, we run directly through, and often crash or nearly so, and miss the news so brightly sent and replace Him yes, with but an ‘X.’
In quest for wisdom’s knowledge deep with human choice communion broke, we bit and swallowed hard and choked, and caused red flow to cover shame, the pain and brokenness to grow.
So then began redemptions plan entwined through centuries long.
Abel’s sacrifice of ancient times got the nod and murders red results were spent. Street walker Rahab, through faith and grace redeemed, her life once ‘used,’ now in service higher saves and linked with DNA to absolute redemption.
The plan it seems, turns interminable brokenness on its head and redeems who ever wants to come.
In Israel’s history, firstborn redemption was received because of sacrificial lamb’s blood being brushed on household doorposts, and to this day Passover celebrates. The Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur the Hebrew word "kaphar" translated "atonement" means literally "to cover."
Now in testament and covenant new, God covers by Christ’s interception, because I’ve missed the mark.
The scarlet thread continued by the forerunner, John the Baptist who pointed to Jesus and said, "Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).
The scarlet thread continued by the forerunner, John the Baptist who pointed to Jesus and said, "Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).
At Christmas time, the color red reminds of Herod’s slaughtered innocents, in tragic ruse to circumvent eternities plan. It points short years ahead to Roman soldiers stripping Jesus naked of simple clothes, placing cheap scarlet drapery as ‘robe’ upon His shoulders and thorny needles long, a crown that dug red deep and spear that pierced through side, to mock this one who with solo volition, lay down His life a ransom for all whose aim is even slightly off!
So, with red tear stained eyes, reflecting on life’s constant loss, invited again to bring...props all gone, to Christ’s red cross and burdens lay and sorrows freely stow with knowledge firm that He waits to pick and carry them and me.
Christmas is about intentional sacrifice, joy of hope beyond...and although being ‘X’ed out by most is He worth true investigation?
What if His claims are just maybe true?
So what to do, to give him due?
In gratitude receive His gift of Christmas red, and then give thanks for other red reminders throughout the year which wait aside for moments brief that point to things beyond the slashing grey!
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| In Praise of Red...Acrylic on board...colour study 2 |
Soli Deo Gloria
J. Douglas Thompson...SDG
Copyright 2011
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