Canadian, Christian artist Timothy P. Schmalz Canadian, Christian artist

I am devoted to creating artwork that glorifies Christ… My purpose is to give Christianity as much visual dignity as possible. Christian sculptures are like visual sermons twenty-four hours a day.

“Whatsoever…”

“I was in prison…”

The Homeless Jesus

8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” Isaiah 55 8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord..

9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

And yet… God is knowable

I do not attempt to defend God He needs no defense My purpose is to explore the principle that God is good at all times and in all circumstances

It is good for God’s people to regularly contemplate His goodness

Examine the meaning of “good“ Explore the certainty that “God is good“ Reflect on their significance today

The meaning of “good”

Good (adj.) 1. to be desired or approved of. "we live at peace with each other, which is good"

"the schools here are good” Good (adj.) 2. having the qualities required for a particular role. "the schools here are good”

“I’m good!”

GOOD - Hebrew excellent (of its kind) right (ethical) rich, valuable in estimation kind, benign understanding (intellectually)

GOOD - Greek excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, beautiful to look at, magnificent excellent in its nature and characteristics, beautiful by reason of purity of heart

GOOD - Greek praiseworthy morally good, noble honourable, conferring honour affecting the mind agreeably comforting and confirming

What does it matter?

one of the primary targets In spiritual warfare, one of the primary targets of the enemy is the goodness of God!

6…without faith it is impossible for he who comes to God must Hebrew 11 6…without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is,

…and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

God can only be good because He is: Holy… Absolute truth Righteous Just

Many of His other attributes are an expression of His goodness. He is: Love Merciful Kind Faithful

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, Psalm 107 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,

68 You are good, and do good; Psalm 119 68 You are good, and do good; Teach me Your statutes. 69 The proud have forged a lie against me, but I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart.

22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Lamentations 3 22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. 25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. 26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, What Next? James 1 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? What Next? Romans 2 4…do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

What Next?

What Next? Always look for God’s goodness Life, lived in the presence of our GOOD God is meaningful Trials, difficulties and troubles in submission to our GOOD God are meaningful Always look for God’s goodness

What Next? Christian sculpture acts for many as a gateway into the Gospels and the viewer’s own spirituality.

on a cross? Why does he suffer?” What Next? After looking at an interesting piece of art the viewer is curious. “Who is this man on a cross? Why does he suffer?”

The more powerful the representation of the art, the more powerful What Next? The more powerful the representation of the art, the more powerful the questions become.

22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Lamentations 3 22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness 43

Thy compassions, they fail not As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father There is no shadow of turning with Thee Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest Sun, moon and stars in their courses above Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside.

Great is Thy faithfulness. Great is Thy faithfulness Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided. Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Go with confidence into the days ahead, trusting in God’s unfailing love and faithfulness. God will not abandon you, for you are the work of His hands—His own creation— and His love endures forever. So go in joy to love and serve the Lord!