OMMC Glass Paintings

19/11/2020

This painting reminds us of probably one of the greatest tests that have been recorded in the bible attributed to a mortal man. It reminds us of our father Abraham and his son Isaac. A story that still gets us wondering the kind of faith a man could have in God, to the extent that he would make up his mind to sacrifice his only son at the command of God, in order to please God.
It reminds us of the sacrifice of God and his son also, right? Giving up your only son or child is never an easy task.
The faith of Abraham when we think of and study his life should teach us that there is always reward for obeying God in faith. Just as the ram and the altar in the painting was a show of the provision of God after Abraham obeyed him:
“Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.”
Genesis 22:13 NIV
God’s provision will always come to rescue us if only we can trust and obey.
The faith that we show in trusting God pleases Him and moves Him to doing even what we never thought possible. When we remember Abraham’s faith, we also remember the other men of faith of whom the book of Hebrews 11 speaks so highly of; the feats they accomplished and the promise they obtained:
“who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised…”
Hebrews 11:33 NIV
We should also remember the obedience of the son, Isaac, who trusted his father to the extent of being sacrificed but for the provision of God. We should learn from this kind of faith; it was pure and unquestioning. The only question which Isaac asked, was clearly not out of doubt, and we can also ask God where we are going, but not from a heart of doubt and uncertainty:
“Isaac spoke up and asked his father Abraham, ‘Father?’
‘Yes, my son?’ Abraham replied.
‘The fire and wood are here,’ Isaac said, ‘but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?’”
Genesis 22:7 NIV
Just as his question was answered by his father, and he was convinced that truly God would provide, should also be our character of faith in trusting the Father. [Genesis 22:8]
For as Abraham believed that God would provide a sacrifice of a ram instead of his son, this kind of faith is worthy of full emulation. But not only did he receive a ram instead of his son, there was something bigger that this obedience brought, it granted him the greater promise of being the father of many nations; a blessed man with blessed generations.
For when we trust God for a thing and pray about it, our faith must remain steadfast; not changing or shaking:
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.”
James 1:6-7 NIV
It is a clear fact that if we do not believe with one heart, then we cannot receive from God.
So, let us be reminded by this painting of both the faith of the father, Abraham, who believed in God and received a sacrifice in the place of his son and also the promise of an innumerable number of descendants; and also learn from the son, Isaac, who also trusted his father and was rescued because of his obedience, for this faith also grew to trust God and receive the blessings of Abraham. For remember that ‘to obey is better than sacrifice.’ [1 Samuel 15:22]

19/11/2020

This painting reminds us of the greatest man born of woman that lived. His name was John the Baptist and he was the forerunner of Jesus the Messiah. His mission was to go before the coming of the Messiah, announcing and preparing the way for the master.
He was recognized and honored by Jesus as the greatest man born of woman:
“Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
Matthew 11:11 NKJV
He reminds us of a great man who was testified of by the Son of God himself.
We remember the man preaching in the wilderness, who had no fancy clothes or ate anything fancy, but his mission was to do the will of the one who had sent him.
The garment in the painting should remind us and keep us focused on the mission at hand. Just as John was a man who left everything to go into the wilderness, in abandonment of the good things of life. He left family and friends behind for the love of God’s work.
“Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.”
Matthew 3:4 ESV
The locust in the painting also reminds us of the self-restraint he administered in even his dieting. He ate locusts and wild honey, and didn’t feast as a king or one of affluence, but he kept his body under a strict system of living. He was a man of a secluded life, he didn’t bother about the things that were fleeting.
It gives us a picture of a way not necessarily restraining our lives from the things that God has given us, but even while engaging in them, that we have a heart of humility and self-control. We should learn to give God our all, our lives should be a living sacrifice to God, as a temple of the living God:
“I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”
Romans 12:1 NKJV
The life of John symbolizes the complete separation of a believer from the world and its ways. Just like John, we may be called stupid and ignorant for not fraternizing with the world in its lusts and perversion, but we must remain focused. The life of believers is one that should be of reflecting the light and difference of the kingdom of God. We are called to be different and have a different way from that of the world.
Jesus said:
“14. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
16.Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
- Matthew 5:14,16 NKJV
We are called to a different kind of life that shows men a difference in character and conduct, to the end that they see and understand that there is a higher calling, thereby glorifying our heavenly Father.
Men who have laid down their lives and forgotten everything behind them, have won the heart of God and they are so dear to him. He watches their every move and favors their every step.
Jesus said:
“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.”
Matthew 19:29 NKJV
Whoever leaves all the things that are dear to them in a bid to glorify and exalt God, will surely get a portion of the blessings of God in their life and will inherit the promised eternal life.
For to be carnally minded is death, so the bible teaches us:
“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
Romans 8:6 NKJV
The things that can distract us as believers should be put far from us. Sometimes, we have to take a bold step of intentionally cutting off from every distraction we know can be harmful to our faith and our relationship with God, and focus on the spiritual things.
As Jesus the Son of God did, he was driven into the wilderness to have a spiritual experience and be filled with power.
John was also a student of the wilderness where he spent most of his time and began his ministry of baptizing the repentant.
When God wants to use a man, he calls him to a place far from the noise and distraction. We might not physically be called into the wilderness or eat locusts and honey before we know that we are having an encounter with God, but God will always need us to shut out the noise that is not his voice when he wants us to listen to him speak.
We must be yielded like John the Baptist if we want to do great things like he did.

31/05/2020

31/05/2020

Wishing you a glorious Pentecost.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lstlearn.BiBr

Color your own version of this glass painting by downloading the free Bible Brush app made exclusively for Oldham Memorial Methodist Church [OMMC].

You can share your creation here and share your testimony too.

Jesus had promised to send His disciples a helper, an advocate, which is the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2:1-4, it is written that the disciples were all gathered on the Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended on them like tongues of fire.

This glass painting is the only one of the 30 that actually has any part of the human form. It is a laterally inverted replication of the world famous painting ‘Praying Hands’ by Albrecht Dürer. The 12 flames around the hands, signify Peter and the eleven who received the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:14).

01/05/2020

What do you know?!?

If you've liked/subscribed to this page, you get a sneek peak at the soft release* of this android app. Enjoy creating your version of the glass paintings. Feel free to share your masterpiece/s.

*yes, that means no payment required to download

02/03/2018

Need volunteers to help with creating pictures on

06/02/2018

Hoping to make a Sunday School Curriculum out of this material