“caught” finds a good home

sophia caught in adultery

I’m pleased to announce that this original drawing, “caught”, has sold and has found a home in California. I incorporated this drawing into my Sophia series. I’m always happy when an original sells. They aren’t cheap, and so it means someone loves it so much they are willing to make a commitment and invest in an original piece. It means a lot to me. Thank you!

Several of my original Sophia’s have sold, and every time I carry them to the post office to ship out I feel a bit of sadness. The compensation is they are going to good homes. It also means that another person besides me identifies with this intriguing young woman named Sophia.

Sophia continues to inspire me. She represents, without a doubt, my own soul’s journey towards independence and wholeness. She stands for the determination and courage it takes for me to walk my own path with confidence and joy.

I absolutely know she will find what she’s looking for, because she’s already discovering that the finding is in the seeking.

You can acquire you own Sophia originals and prints HERE. You can buy a print of “caught” HERE.

refugee questions

questions as refugees that need to be freed

The questions have been gathered up and collected in a refugee camp on the outskirts of civilization. Who will release them to live among us, to be loved, and to have an equal voice in our world?

Hear their voice! Release them! Before they become extinct.

Own the original drawing! Or buy a print of this cartoon.

Check out my books.

zombie seminary graduation

zombie seminary graduation

Oh, if only I knew then what I know now!

When I graduated from seminary (I actually did twice with two Master degrees!) I was determined to change the world to my way of thinking. I sincerely wanted to help. When I started pastoring churches, I was certain I would bend them to my will, or, I should say God’s will… which I believed my will represented.

Oh my! I shudder to think.

Own the original drawing! Or buy a print of this cartoon.

Check out my books.

your religious self

my painting "religious self" mask.

As gorgeous as this stained glass mask is,
rich in its religious beauty,
meeting the hungry expectations
of those you support
with your belief…
it is just a mask.
Lower the hand that holds it,
and see the world as it is.
Drop the pretention.
Yes, they may drop you.
But it is you.
It is you.
Finally!
You.

(I saw this mask in a dream many years ago. It changed my life. Although the original is sold, you can buy a print of it HERE.)

prayer from the cell: with Gotye

Gotye's "now you're just somebody that I used to know".

I love Gotye’s song.

This prayer from the cell can be taken many ways. Here’s a few options:

  1. Does it mean, flatly, that I no longer believe in God?
  2. Or, does it mean that the god I used to know is no longer a viable one, that it was more like an idol, no where near matching the actual God?
  3. Or, does it mean that God broke up with me, left me, abandoned me, and that I simply don’t know him anymore because he’s gone?
  4. Or, does it mean that I used to think I actually knew God, but the deeper I go into The Mystery the more I realize I don’t have a sweet clue, that I really don’t know anything at all?

Take your pick. Or perhaps you have another?

new artwork of Jesus “includer”

Drawing of Jesus called "Includer".

"includer" (drawing on paper by nakedpastor)

I finally finished this piece. It is done with graphite pencil, ink and colored pencil on heavy cotton rag paper. It measures 8″x10″ (20cm x 25cm).

I call this “includer”. I really don’t feel like commenting on it. It speaks to me for itself. I hope it does for you as well.

Own the original drawing! Or buy a print of this cartoon.

spiritual transition and marriage

Lisa and I at our engagement party in 1979.

This is a photo of Lisa and me at our engagement party in 1979. Oh my God what a babe. And she’s gorgeous too! Today we celebrate our 32nd wedding anniversary. It’s been an incredible journey, and I love where we are.

I have been thinking a lot today about spiritual transition and marriage. I was talking with someone recently who said that when one of the partners in a marriage goes through profound spiritual upheaval and transition, their marriage almost always “ends up in the shitter“. That’s what he said. I agree. That’s what I’ve witnessed as well.

Lisa and I have gone through some pretty scary spiritual transitions throughout our marriage, but none as profound, cataclysmic or traumatic as the past two years. Well, when you get right down to it, the last 6 months. Let me be honest: there were days I did not think, nor did she, that we were going to make it. But we did. So far. We’re stronger for it. And that’s all we can ask for.

What has kept us together? It certainly has not been theological agreement. It has not been spiritual compatibility. It has not been authority and submission or adherence to basic fundamental beliefs. We do not even believe it has been divine intervention.

I’ll tell you what I think it is that kept us together: love! And this is what our love looks like: we affirm an individual’s right, responsibility and privilege to search for, find and walk their own spiritual path. I love Lisa. She loves David. Whatever path she is on or I am on is not her or me. It is just our respective paths. I am one of the most confused people on the planet. But I admit it. And she knows it. However, she loves me in spite of it and affirms my search. Because when the sun sets, it is still David lying next to her, loving her and believing in her and appreciating her beauty, inside and out.

This applies to church, to religious community. This is how we practiced being pastors of our churches. We affirmed the spiritual walk of others. We loved the person, affirmed their search and edified their paths. This is how relationship works. This is how our inherent unity is manifested.

It is not from agreement, similarity or compatibility, but from an affirming, inclusive love.

To celebrate our anniversary today, all my art is 50% OFF!! Just type in the word “anniversary” when you go to my gallery. Today only!