Artist, Connell Patrick Byrne, 1957-2018, painted murals for the rich and famous and has artwork in the Smithsonian. Diagnosed with inoperable cancer, Connell had on his bucket list the desire to paint a VW Bus. Enjoy his artwork and its meaning …
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The road to nowhere … or Paradise There’s a city on my mind, Come along and take that ride |
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‘The worst is Death, and death will have his day’ Wm Shakespeare” And I heard, as it were, the noise of thunder One of the four beasts saying, ‘Come and see.’ and I saw, and behold a white horse” “And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts And I looked, and behold a pale horse And his name that sat on him was death, and hell followed with him” Johnny Cash, The Man Comes Around 4 horsemen: Conquest, War, Famine & finally we all must face Death … However, |
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“The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.” Oxford Professor, C.S.Lewis “Man of sorrows Well acquainted with grief Dragged to the city dump Spread eagle on a cross beam Propped up like a scarecrow Nailed like a thief There for all the world to see … You did that for me You wore the chains so I could be free” Pierce Pettis, You Did That For Me |
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Tetelestai Jesus tilted His head back and cried, “Tetelestai!” It was a Greek accounting term. Archaeologists have found papyrus tax receipts with “Tetelestai” written across them, meaning “paid in full.” With Jesus’ last breath on the cross, He declared the debt of our sin cancelled, completely satisfied. Nothing else required. Not good deeds. Not generous donations or penance or confession or …or nothing. The penalty for sin is death, and we are all hopelessly in debt. The gift of Christ is life. He paid our debt in full by giving His life so that all who accept this gift might live forever.” Charles SwindollParadise Regained “I, Who erewhile the happy Garden sung, by one man’s disobedience lost, now sing recovered Paradise to all mankind, by one man’s firm obedience fully tried. Through all temptation, and the tempter foiled, in all his wiles, defeated and repulsed, and Eden restored in the waste Wilderness.” John Milton, 1671 |
Connell’s Hope …
Romans 6:23 says “the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The Bible gives us amazing pictures to teach what death holds for those who have accepted Christ’s free gift of life.
Divine Appointment
- “It is appointed unto men once to die.” Hebrews 9:27
Because the Creator God has spoken to us, explaining our future, we can live our lives and face death without fear. Death is, in fact, a divine appointment.
Blessing
- “Blessed are the dead who die believing in the Lord Jesus from now on.’” Revelation 14:13
This is one of the most positive and remarkable statements about death. The Biblical teaching on death is that it is a blessing.
Sleep
- “We do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or grieve or have no hope.” 1 Thess 4:13
Death is compared to falling asleep suggesting that one day God will free us from the cares, worries, anxieties and pains of this life. A great release from the stress of life is to turn out the lights and sleep. One day God will turn out the lights and grant us eternal rest. Hebrews 4:1
Departure
- “The time of my departure is at hand.” 2 Timothy 4:6
Paul speaks of death as a departure. Have you ever experienced the excitement of a ship departing from the dock? Have you ever anticipated leaving on an exotic cruise? Getting away from the daily grind and exploring a new world. For those accepting God’s gift, death is an exciting departure.
Exodus
- “After my exodus you will always be able to remember these things.” 2 Peter 1:15
Ancient Israel was enslaved in Egypt. The Exodus was their turning point from bondage to freedom. Their chains were broken. God promises His children true freedom.
Folding up a Tent
- “I know that I will soon put aside the tent of this body I live in.” 2 Peter 1:13-14
Death is like folding up a tent. Have you ever gone camping or backpacking? I t can be great fun but there usually comes a point where you are glad to pack up the tent and head home to a shower, running water, and electricity.
For the Christian death is like packing up and going home, as Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” And Paul said, “Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” 2 Corinthians 5:1
A tent isn’t made to last forever but the house that God has promised is everlasting. We are to enjoy the tent for now while we are here, but, God has something wonderful in store for us after our life here is completed.
“Far from being prepared for death, modern society has made the word unmentionable … we bring all of our talents into use to avoid dying – and when the time comes we react with excessive triviality or total despair.” The Observer
Why is Death the heart of the human predicament? Because we all have, in our own way, rebelled against our Creator, the Bible tells us that, Death is the wage we earn for our sin and rebellion. Romans 6:23 states, “For the wages of sin is death …” But we are not left in despair because remember amazingly, “the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Though he did not have to face death, Christ voluntarily took our punishment, took our place, assuming the wage we earned, death.
For those who are willing to accept this gift that Christ offers, death is, according to the Bible: “katargeo”meaning destroyed, defeated, ineffective, powerless, nullified.
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55
Have Hope! Our guarantee of life is Christ’s resurrection from the dead. “Because I live, you also will live … I tell you the truth … You will grieve but your grief will turn to joy … you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”
See you all in Paradise, the land of life eternal! Peace, – Connell
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