CLARISSA AND APOSTLE PAUL

"Sailing" Painted by Clarissa, enhanced by Mommy Malu.

Apostle Paul said, "To keep me becoming conceited because of these surpassing great revelations, there was given me a thorn in the flesh... to torment me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'"  2 Corinthians 12:7-9

Many people have asked me why Clarissa doesn't go to school anymore.  "What about her social life?" they ask.  How I wish she could do both, go to school and be home schooled at the same time.  I must admit that I envy other children with special needs who are able to talk, run, read books and even have jobs.  There were times I, like Apostle Paul, questioned God why He had given Clarissa a "thorn in the flesh." Apart from having Down syndrome, Clarissa's hearing impairment has hampered her learning abilities.  Because she is also bipolar, her mood swings have been so erratic for years now.

The artist while recovering from chicken pox.

In spite of her disability, I thank the Lord for giving Clarissa the gift of art.  Through her disability and weakness, we experience God's power being displayed.  Through her limitations, we learn to turn to God to seek pathways for effectiveness.  Clarissa's weakness not only helps us develop our character, it also deepens our faith and walk with the Lord, because in admitting her limitations, we affirm God's grace.  The Lord granted her a way to communicate not through words but through painting.  Her paintings speaks to us, touches our hearts and teaches us to be grateful.  

"I see a boat!"

This is one of the 18 paintings that Clarissa made while confined at home for two weeks because of chicken pox.  Initially, I was so confused trying to figure out what the painting is about.  But as I stared for a long time, I began to see a figure of a boat.  In fact, I think it looked like the boats we see sailing in the river in Hong Kong.  Quickly, I googled a picture of the boat and yes, it does look like it!

It's amazing how God make our minds and hands work together and be able to communicate with each other.  He is truly amazing!  To God be all the glory and praise!  

CLARISSA AND JESUS

My daughter Clarissa's new series of abstract paintings is a reminder to us about the death of our Lord Jesus Christ.  When she began painting them last month while confined at home due to chicken pox, I noticed that she did not paint one cross but three crosses representing Jesus in the center and the two criminals beside Him.

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Him:  "Aren't you the Christ?  Save yourself and us?"  But the other criminal rebuked him.  "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence?"  We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve.  But this man has done nothing wrong."

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."  Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."  Luke 23:39-43

As we read these verses, we learn that we have a choice to believe and accept Jesus Christ or be like the other criminal who insulted Him.  These two criminals were about to die but one of them turned to Christ for forgiveness and Christ accepted Him.   This proves that good works does not save us.  It is our faith in Jesus that enables us to be saved.   We can trust that God is merciful and will forgive us  if we make the choice to receive Him as our Lord and Savior.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16

Make that choice today and receive the free gift of eternal life by saying this simple prayer from your heart:

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for loving me.  I confess that I am a sinner.  Thank you for dying on the cross to pay for all my sins.  Please come into my heart, forgive my sins and be my Lord and Savior.   I accept your free gift of eternal life.  With your help I will turn away from all my sins.  Thank you for forgiving me and for giving me eternal life.  By your power, I will live my life to please you.  I love you.  Amen.

If you just trusted in Jesus Christ, you now have the assurance of eternal life.