hal moran.com

From my Nothing Less Than Love series at www.halmoran.com

This is the image that gave birth to the series.

Love runs deep. Compare that with what you read in Romans chapter 8 and let me know how many metaphors you find. It may surprise you.

Please contact me for pricing.

From my Nothing Less Than Love series at www.halmoran.com

One of my favorite and ironic visual metaphors. We’ve all witnessed this many times I’m sure. People claiming to have open hearts when their doors are actually bolted shut.

Please contact me for pricing.

From my Nothing Less Than Love series at www.halmoran.com

Empty hands… is a current sub-theme with me. It’s only when we empty our hands of the stuff that weighs us down that we can truly be of help to others.

Please contact me for pricing.

From my Nothing Less Than Love series at www.halmoran.com

Yes! Rust is beautiful. When we learn to look past what the world calls beautiful, we’ll see it all around us. Just like rust.
(Hint - “There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.”)

Please contact me for pricing.

This is one of my images from the series - Nothing Less Than Love.

From my Nothing Less Than Love series.

Another “Empty hands…” title. When we “get it” as a society I’ll stop posting images like this.

I think I’ll be at it a while!

More images can be found in my Nothing Less Than Love gallery on my website. www.halmoran.com
Contact me for pricing.

This is one of my images from the series - Nothing Less Than Love.

There are so many visual metaphors in this image I almost don’t know where to start. So, I’ll leave most of them up to you to figure out or add your own.

More images can be found in my Nothing Less Than Love gallery on my website. www.halmoran.com
Contact me for pricing.

I wonder what the world would look like if we looked past what is and could see what might be. Here’s my small attempt.

Incongruous - what a word! You can read the definition in the image below. Here’s my take on it - it was neither correct, proper, or logical that Jesus was executed. Nor, was it correct, proper, or logical according to human understanding that he would offer himself up on our behalf.

Sounds incongruous to me!

Too many times we confess to having open hearts but our “doors” remain closed.

Your lifestyle is determined by the art you consume.

My thought is that - just like the slogan you are what you eat, our lifestyle tends to reflect the art (with a small “a”) or creativity we consume. It’s all around us. No one lives in a vanilla box. The music we listen to, movies and TV we see, books we read, fashion we wear, etc. - all go into the make up of our lifestyle. Our choice is - what will we allow into our minds and spirits?

Go to a heavy metal concert or a country hoedown and you will find uncommon people with common styles.

We are not a monolithic culture all consuming the same thing. I like the differences. I like the “styles.” However, I wonder how much influence people attribute to the “art” they consume?

And, to what degree do we filter or discern what we consume? My sense is  - the filter looks like a piece of Swiss cheese.

Don’t blame the people creating it. It’s what they do. Take a closer look at what you are consuming instead.

Here’s your chance to get 2 pieces of artwork in 1. This image shows a mini Distinction print (8.5×5.5) mounted on a 1/2″ substrate that was hand painted on the back and sides by me. The price is $25 plus tax/shipping.

Each is unique! Stand them on your desk or place them in a small easel. Better yet - give them as a gift.

Send me a note with the title of your choice. All titles can be found at www.halmoran.com

I love old things. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older!

I came across several old grain silos the other day and thought they’d make for some interesting images. Here is one, that with a little quick improvisation, turned into the title referenced above. What’s in your hands?

Some of you may know that I recently lost my secular position, which was the major funding vehicle for our arts ministry Go Show & Tell and website - www.halmoran.com

We continue to see God reach people in new ways through this ministry. From individual interaction, to exhibiting our work, people are being exposed to the Light.

Here are a few quick facts from 2009:
1 - over 30,000 visits on our website from 50+ countries
2 - donated over 400 pieces of artwork to various causes and individuals
3 - continued our partnership with Jars of Clay in their well drilling efforts in Africa. Many villages now have access to clean water, thanks to your support.
4 - launched Father’s Love Letters to pass the faith along to the next generation.
5 - developed workshops as part of Art as Healing programs

If you’d like to help keep this ministry Going Showing & Telling - any purchase, no matter how small ($2 for an Art Card), would be appreciated.

Orders can be placed by email, phone, or FB. Go to our website for contact information.

Thanks for your support over the last 7 years. We look forward to Going Showing & Telling in 2010 and beyond.

Distinctly,
Hal Moran
Isaiah 42:6-8

Today marks my first day of unemployment. My former company eliminated my department along with others.

In speaking with a close friend he reminded me that we don’t work for The Man - we work for God. And, I have to tell you that is very liberating. He knows what I need, what I’m capable of and, even what I like to do.

So, it’s time to rest, trust, and place all things in his hands.

Oh, BTW I had a former customer email me about a week ago about doing a special project for their hospital. Coincidence? Naw!

It just figures sometimes, doesn’t it? Today I found out that my position in a secular company is being eliminated in January. I’m not the first and I won’t be the last person who lost his or her job in resent times. Many have been affected by the recession.

So, here’s a word to me and anyone else who is listening - What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.” Luke 12:31The Message

Although the news I received today wasn’t good, these are still good times. I have faith, health, a wife who loves me, friends, a new granddaughter, and a Father who knows my needs before I even ask.

Turning bad news into Good News!

I recently came across the I Am Second website and I love the idea! To not see ourselves as “first” has been a problem in America and the church for a long time. Humble stories, redemption, high quality production - it’s worth your look.

http://www.iamsecond.com/#/home/

I’ve been somewhat dismayed with the approach to Sunday morning preaching for quite some time. (And, trust me, I’ve heard a lot in the last 50+ years.) Whether in a large or small church, most preaching I’ve witnessed consists of a pastor laying his or her exegetical outline over a passage, and maybe, just maybe a short story. In essence we expect them to have all the answers. And, I wonder if that is truly the best approach when addressing a large group of diverse people.

Is there a better way? Consider what is said about Jesus in Matthew 13:34 All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable.

When Jesus taught in public he taught in parables – always! He didn’t give them all of the answers. Some things were “hidden” from the followers. I believe Jesus raised more questions in the minds of the crowds than he answered. He wanted them to dig for the truth. To “hunger and thirst after righteousness”, that they may be filled.

We do know that he taught his disciples on a more intimate basis in a small group experience.

So, I wonder what would happen if pastors used Jesus as their model? Use story and parable to ask the questions with which we are wrestling. Then, provide some extra helps for digging into deeper truths or meaning in a family or small group setting.

It would take some work and imagination, but I believe they could engage their congregation at a much deeper level.

If you’re a pastor who’s tired of spoon fed sermons, why not give it a try. I’d love to hear if this is being done somewhere.

Below is an excerpt from an excellent article by Chris Seay, pastor of Ecclesia Church in Houston. Chris is one of the founders of The Advent Conspiracy - an alternative to the wreckless spending during the Christmas season. You can also read the full article here - http://www.theooze.com/articles/article.cfm?id=2347

… In these days it seems God has done the same for America: “You want wealth? I will give you obscene wealth — and it will lead to your destruction.” Ralph Winter, the founder of Frontier Mission Fellowship, writes: “The underdeveloped societies suffer from one set of diseases: tuberculosis, malnutrition, pneumonia, parasites, typhoid, cholera, typhus, etc. Affluent America has virtually invented a whole new set of diseases: obesity, arteriosclerosis, heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, venereal disease, cirrhosis of the liver, drug addiction, alcoholism. . . . In saving ourselves we have nearly lost ourselves.”