If You Love Me, Spell My Name With a "Y"

Another interesting dialogue with someone on my Facebook page.  What do you think?

Bay Native said:

"thats not how Yehshua looked...wrong nationality ... very typical for a white man to paint Him caucasion

How would you like it if the people that loved you the most couldnt even get your name right... there ws no J at that time His name is Yehshua"

McNaughton said:

There are a number of people that believe a critical part of “correct” Christianity is whether you believe Christ had a certain color of skin, eye color, hair color, hair length, spelled His name with a “Y” versus a “J,” etc.  I believe it is foolish to place emphasis on these things.  If it were truly important, would Jesus have not stated such details?  Perhaps it is an individual quest to learn such things.  As an artist, I only worry about Jesus’ outward appearance to the extent that it creates a familiar image and to help “build faith” in Christ.  As for myself, my focus is to know Him in a more personal way unaffected by such trivial questions.

To learn more of my experience in “How to Paint Jesus” click the link below:

http://blog.mcnaughtonart.com/2010/11/how-do-you-paint-face-of-christ.html

You Should Pray for Obama

Here is another dialogue with someone on my Facebook.  I normally don’t respond to negative comments, but sometimes I just have to do it!

Misty said:
I think it's wrong to use your art to pick on one person. Even if you don't like what he does I don't think this does anything but cultivate resentment & hate. Would this help lead Obama or anyone else to Jesus? Why don't you pray for his salvation instead of painting these pictures against him?

McNaughton said:
Misty, most Christians do just that; they mind their business and pray. You are correct that the painting cultivates resentment, and among some even hate.  If I was alive at the time of the War of Independence with Britain should I have only prayed for King George’s soul? What was the intent of the Founders when they signed the Declaration of Independence?  Fortunately, we still have our rights and a voting process.  I will do all in my power to awaken as many people as possible to the dire situation we face.  There are a lot of “good” things in this world that do not lead a person to Jesus that are important none the less.  I have prayed for Obama and our country many times, but God requires us to do all we can after we pray.  "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed all things are possible." This painting is my way of calling out Obama and his administration. Can you think of a better way?

Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged

Here is a short dialogue I had with a visitor to my Facebook…

Smith said:

Have you ever read the bible Jon? "Judge not lest ye be judged"! I'm sure that God does not think of Obama as "evil"! Why can't we just pray and ask that who ever is our president will make the right decisions for our country.

McNaughton said:

Judge not lest ye be judged? You just judged me. We are required to judge every day between right and wrong. I will forgive a person who trespasses me and comes asking for forgiveness. I will strive to not have malice in my heart toward any man.  I will not suspend mercy on those who ask for it.  But I will not sit idly by and watch an insidious group of people destroy our country. Imagine if G. Washington had said to the Colonials as they prepared to fight the British, "Judge not let ye be judged." Smith, Christ also said, "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth." Rev 3:16  We can not sit on the fence when it comes to standing up for what is right.