Churchtoons, cartoons from Church

Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts

Monday, November 21, 2022

A Tale of 3 servants

Although a powerful military figure, Naaman was inflicted with a disfiguring disease that isolated him from his community 2 Kings 5. Naaman heeded the advice of a slave he had taken who pointed him to the prophet Elisha. Although pride almost kept him from obeying, Naaman eventually listened to his servant and the servant of Elisha and received healing. These acts of humility led directly to his cure.
 

Sunday, October 31, 2021

Are you ashamed?


 David was called a "man after God's heart (1 Sam 13:14) but was later guilty of adultery and murder. He loved God deeply, but still fell to the most vile sins of his day. David's redemption came a steep price, but during those times of shame, he humbled himself and wrote stirring Psalms begging God for forgiveness. How do you respond when your sins are exposed? Are you able to humble yourself and beg God for help?

Monday, October 11, 2021

Waiting on God

 

God's miraculous call of Moses to service (Exodus 3) occurred when Moses least expected it. Before receiving God's word and a commission to do God's work, Moses had to remove his shoes and come closer to the burning bush. We often try to force God to respond to our need for instant attention rather than waiting on Him in daily prayer and mediation. How do you wait on God?

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Leaders lead


 Deborah, the fearless voice for God and a just judge of His people, demonstrated outstanding leadership by accompanying the country's general into a dangerous battle (Judges 4). While the motives of the general, Barak, are unknown, he insisted God's representative stand with him during this crucial battle. Like any great leader, Deborah lead by example and put herself in harm's way before asking others to do so.

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Paul glories in...pain?


 The Apostle Paul, one of the most influential voices of the early Church, did not brag about his position. Instead, Paul acknowledged his ongoing prayer for relief and God's refusal to take the impediment from him (2 Co 12). While we don't know what Paul suffered from, we know that this affliction did not undermine his faith or his work. What weaknesses can you be thankful for?

Sunday, June 13, 2021

On the way to worship


Psalm 130 was part of a 'playlist' of psalms sung while traveling to the Temple. This Psalm reminds us of the pain we have felt, or might be feeling as a way of preparing the ourselves for worship. Whatever our circumstances, we can choose to be like the psalmist and put our faith in God's love and power to see us through these times. How do your hard times show that God is faithful?

Monday, May 31, 2021

Memorial Day, 2021


 This year we have so many dead friends to remember that it might become overwhelming. Over 3.5 million have died from COVID, and many more have died from hate-induced violence led by those who should be promoting peace. Isaiah 40 describes a similar time when even the young men lose their will to fight. May we memorialize our dead with the hope of the gospel, and with our own care and ministry.

Sunday, December 6, 2020

Caring for the Cause


 God's care for His people is not always straightforward. After calling a drought on the land, Elijah suffered along with those he had cursed (1 Kings 7). God directed Elijah to a poor woman, whose suffering was undoubtedly increased by the drought. During this extreme time, she ensured the cause of  her increased suffering(Elijah) was given provision, and God blessed her for it in two unique ways.

Saturday, October 10, 2020

Listen up!

  

Jesus often used the words, "He who has ears, let him hear," but while using those words, he also used stories that were not easily understood by the religious leaders (Lk 8:10). It seems like Jesus held back truth for those who really wanted it and were willing to seek him out in private to get it. Do you seek out Jesus today for truth?

Thursday, August 6, 2020

Who's your publican?



Jesus told of a highly respected, conservative and orthodox religious leader who prayed in a way that demonstrated his utter disdain for those in worship with him. One of the other worshipers, a social pariah, simply admitted his sin and begged for mercy. Jesus stunned his audience by saying that the social pariah was forgiven by God, but the leader left still in his sin. Can you think of anyone you feel superior to when you are in worship with others? How does this align with Jesus's story? Luke 18:9-14

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Fear in the calm


In troubled times, it's easy to forget the absolute power of God. One reminder can be found in Mark 4.  After Jesus calmed the storm, the people became frightened of him, because he was even more powerful than the storm they just survived. Have you come afraid of reaching out to God, because of His power? Can you think of a time you were in awe of God's power?

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Can you see the beauty hidden behind creation's fall?


Living in a world that has been stained by sin can cause the Christian to forget the wonders of God's creation. Psalm 104 reminds us of the care God has taken in creating the world and its creatures, reminding us that we serve a wonderful creator who has brought beauty from dust. What beauty can you find when you examine God's handiwork?

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

God can protect you, but will He?


The famous story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Dan 3:16-28) provides modern Christians with a sound way of anticipating God's deliverance, while accepting His hard decisions. The faithful trio believed that God could save them, but were willing to accept God's plan, even if He decided not to. What trying circumstances do you want to be delivered from, and have you asked God to do this?

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

David prays alone


Psalm 51 is David's prayer for forgiveness, after committing a cowardly act of murder and betrayal. David doesn't bring all of the sacrifice his wealth would afford, but rather, he declared that God wanted a contrite and broken heart. What acts of sin are you afraid of confessing to God? Could you find the joy that David ultimately discovers, by admitting your wrong-doing and trusting God to still love you?

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

God cares for the oppressed


God describes Judgement as His calling card (Psalm 9:16), and reminded the oppressed of the many great and terrible judgments He has enacted on oppressors. As Christians, we should take notice of this warning and ensure we are not oppressing or supporting oppression of any population. 

Sunday, May 17, 2020

He knows you, do you know HIM?


Most people who believe in God, believe that he already knows all about us. What might be surprised that God invites us to know Him too. In Psalm 86, David declares how good God is, based on David's personal experiences with and on the written history about God. Is it possible that your history is actually God revealing himself to you? Can you compare your story with the story of God's people in the Bible?

Sunday, July 7, 2019

But why can't I hear God anymore?

Often Christians feel the need to cover-up the times when God seems to be silent and far away. Part of having faith is believing in the promises of God, even when we don't see physical evidence of His active participation in our lives (Heb 11:1). These painful silences can be strong reminders of just how dependent we are on God and His blessings, and how little we can do for ourselves.

Thursday, June 13, 2019

When your prayer loses steam

Have you ever noticed your desire to commune with God slipping away? One of the reasons might be that you are not trusting that God exists and that He is good (Jam 1:5-9). When we remember the blessing of talking with God and habitually bring our minds back to His good works, we find our interest in prayer increases. What experiences do you remember from your prayer time?

Sunday, April 29, 2018

Full Access pass - GRANTED

 Imagine being able to ask anything of the one person who can do anything. That's the promise given to those who follow Christ, Heb 4:16.  How are you using this special all access pass? Do you make it a point to pray everyday? Do you pray more than you complain?

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Looking for Hope? Try Faith


Heb 11 describes faith as a way to make the intangible things of God 
accessible to us. While misplaced faith is a dangerous thing
that can be used to manipulate us, we should consider the strength
of character we can access through a true faith in good things of God.

Welcome


Each of the cartoons on this site is an expression of a sermon I heard in church. As a cartoonist, my method of understanding complex theological topics is to boil them down to simple images.

These images will never do justice to the sermons from which they are derived, but hopefully, they convey at least one aspect of those sermons to you, the reader.

I hope that you gain some benefit from the cartoons and will reuse them in ways that honor Christ.