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Issue 8

Editor and Layout Design: Emily AyersContact the thread at: communications@fellowshipnwa.org

© Fellowship Bible Church, Northwest Arkansas 1051 W. Pleasant Grove Road, Rogers, Arkansas 72758

Scriptures taken from NIV unless otherwise noted THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide

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About This Issue

Many people have been blessed with a truly precious, artistic ability to unfold and forward His purposes and expectations. Art is one form of worship we embrace to see our Lord glorified. It can be a catalyst for spiritual discussion, can nurture and teach through introspection, and can certainly propel the viewers-or creator- to deepen their understanding of Him.

Spectra Christian Artist Ministry is mainly made up of painters, photographers and graphic designers who seek to make art out of the overflow of God’s Spirit within them and nurture their gifts through various opportunities. These include gallery initiatives, such as the Books of the Bible display, photo walks, art events, service projects and occasionally hearing from fellow professional artists that share about their craft. The artists learn both formally and informally and are a great encouragement to one another.

We are grateful for this pictorial edition of the thread. Just another way our Spectra photographers can praise God by showcasing just some of the beautiful works of His hand this season and how the Artist has inspired them with His glorious creative touch.

For information on getting involved in Spectra, please contact bedavies@fellowshipnwa.org.

Beth DaviesDirector of Production and Creative Arts

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My name is Chasnie Vinson and I am from a small town called Bartlett, Kansas. My husband and I currently run our life and wedding photography business, Vinson Images in Fayetteville, AR. If I’m not working with a beautiful bride and groom, you can find me on the lake wakeboarding or off collecting four-legged animals to join our family. Over the years, I found my love for photography trying to capture little glimpses of His blessings. Being a part of Fellowship and Spectra, I am continually being challenged to push myself in my work but also in my life.

Chasnie Vinson

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Isaiah 40:8The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. (ESV)

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Isaiah 45:12I made the earth and created man on it; it was My hands that stretched out the heavens and I commanded all their host. (ESV)

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Proverbs 10:25When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is established forever. (ESV)

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As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the world. (ESV)

john :5

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Beth was born and raised in Southern California. She is currently experiencing life’s moments by aiming for intention in her days in Fayetteville. Beth thrills in any opportunity to create and design. Beth is a local watercolor and collage artist. She teaches art classes locally. She shows her work regularly at the Fayetteville Farmers Market. She is a part of the Spectra Leadership Team and a member of Artists of Northwest Arkansas and the Eureka Springs Artists registry. She has studied art and design her entire life, beginning with her first box of crayons. Beth’s art depicts subjects she loves to colorfully memorialize.

Beth Woessner

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Ecclesiastes 3:1-8For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven... (ESV)

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Psalm 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that He does, He prospers. (ESV)

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Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years. (ESV)

Genesis 1:14

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Lorinda Gray grew up in Vilonia, Arkansas and has a degree in Art with an emphasis in Graphics from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She has worked in Siloam Springs for twenty-two years as a designer and photographer and works at John Brown University as a Creative Specialist. She also freelances and publishes a quarterly digital magazine called MattieGrace (www.ragamuffincreative.com). Lorinda is involved in the singles ministry, choir, and the Spectra leadership team at Fellowship. She enjoys capturing God’s creation with the camera and sharing it with others as a testament to His creativity and faithfulness. For her, photography and design are another outlet for worship.

Lorinda Gray

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Psalm 108:4For great is Your love, higher than the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. (NIV)

Psalm 42:8Each day the Lord pours His unfailing love upon me. Througheach night I sing His songs, praying to God who gives me life. (NLT)

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Psalm 126:3The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. (NIV)

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He has made everything beautiful in it’s time. (NIV)Ecclesiastes 3:11

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My name is Jason Vinson! I grew up in Corrales, New Mexico and made my way to Arkansas. Over the past 5 years, I have met, married my wife and grown our wedding photography business, Vinson Images. My favorite thing about what we do is capturing different images for our wedding clients that they love! I’ve joined Fellowship and Spectra with my wife, Chasnie, in an attempt to be a part of something MORE, but also to challenge myself in my work. I strive to have different perspectives on life and am thankful God has given me the ability to share it with others.

Jason Vinson

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Psalm 46:10Be still, and know that I am God. I will be honored among

the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! (ESV)

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Genesis 1:27In the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (ESV)

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John 1:5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (ESV)

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Exodus 33:14And He said, “My presence shall go with you and I will give you rest.” (ESV)

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Melissa lives in Springdale with her daughter and has been attending Fellowship for over ten years. She enjoys designing, creating, and just about anything artistic in nature. When time permits, she loves exploring life off the beaten path, finding peace and comfort in the midst of God’s creation. Not a day goes by that she does not experience Him in His creation. He can be found along the morning compute, in the fog suspended in the air between the sloping hills and valleys along the highway… To the up close view of a dandelion at sunset, how the light hits it’s thousands of needle-thin strands... Simply put, He is everywhere... and photography helps preserve some of the special God-filled moments.

Melissa McKee

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We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade the presence of God. The world is crowded with Him. He walks everywhere, incognito.

C.S. Lewis

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Trees are the earth’s endless effort to speak to the listening heaven.

Rabindranath Tagor

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Reading about nature is fine, but if a person walks in the woods and listens carefully, he can learn more than what is in books, for they speak with the voice of God.

George Washington Carver

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I was born in Northwest Arkansas and God blessed me with a creative spirit at a young age. Art and photography have a special place in my life. My Lord and Savior has also instilled a passion in my heart for art and sharing His word. In the past years I have been able to use my passions in many places around the world. “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31, NIV). My family will be re-entering the mission field in Southeast Asia this January. We still raising support. Contact creativelyinspired@outlook.com if you would like to become a part of our sending team.

Malissa King

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Revelation 3:20Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear My voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. (NLT)

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Isaiah 42:10Sing a new song to the Lord! Sing His praises from the ends of the earth! Sing, all you who sail the seas, all you who live in distant coastlands. (NLT)

Psalm 65:11You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. (NLT)

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A single day in Your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked. (NLT)

Psalm 84:10

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Greg McGee and his wife Karen live in the Farmington area and have been married 35 years. They’ve been attending the 8:00 am Sunday services and Fellowship Community services at Fellowship for two years. They have 2 children and 3 grandchildren. They enjoy being outdoors, hiking and kayaking on area lakes and rivers. Greg also enjoys photography as a way to capture the images that they see during their outings. Photography has been a hobby of Greg’s for several years.

Greg McGee

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Ascribe to the Lord the glory that is due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness. (ESV)

Psalm 2 :2

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Psalm 42:7Deep calls to the deep at the sound of Your waterfall; all Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me. (ESV)

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Psalm 8 :6For who in the skies can compare to the Lord? (ESV)

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He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun know its time for setting. (ESV)

Psalm 10:1

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I live in Rogers and attend Mosaic. I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had at Fellowship Bible Church to offer my artwork as a display of God’s creative work. Since a young age I’ve loved photography and drawing. It is not in my own ability, training, or efforts that God allows me to capture a moment of His creation and reflect it in the visual arts. The colors, contrasts, changes in value and shapes are part of an opportunity I had to commune with God and His divine creation.

Donna Sheppard

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I saw the fullness of Jesus Christ in all His glory revealed as these leaves floated to the surface of His “living water.” It was at first “a poor reflection as in a mirror, then I saw Him face to face.” (I Cor. 13:12, paraphased)

Leaves in Reflection

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Leaves in DesignHow amazing is it that man can labor and toil for hours and days to create a masterpiece of art, but with God and just a breath of wind, a perfect composition of colors, shapes, sizes can be created instantly. The perfect design of God’s masterpieces are created in a moment. He is the Artist of all creation.

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Displays of ColorStanding before vivid displays of color from trees, flowers, butterflies and all of nature, I step into the very presence of God; exposing myself to eternally powerful forces. My soul is changed as I enter into and commune with God’s Holy presence.

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I grew up in central Illinois and currently live in Springdale, AR with my husband Jeff and four growing children and two crazy dogs. Spectra has been a source of inspiration since God has expressed himself through us with creative energy. I see this as part of a larger movement where artistic expression reflects the beauty of our Creator.

Artist Highlight: Christina GrossPresentation of the Gospel in 8 Images.

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The FallWhen the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. (Genesis 3:6-7, NIV)

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A Holy Perfect GodThis is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is Light;

in Him there is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5, NIV)

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The ProblemFor all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23, NIV)

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The SolutionBut He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:5-6, NIV)

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I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.

John 10:

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And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:13, NIV)

Transformation

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1 Corinthians 6:1 .Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the

Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.

Therefore honor God with your bodies.

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ExpectationThe creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. (Romans 8:19-21, NIV)

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... Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

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The Spectra logo is designed to represent the movement and life that God gives. It points to the color wheel used by artists and is a representation of the “breath of life” with which God created humanity. It is a creative breath that we as artist and image bearers of Christ carry on in our creativity through the work of the Holy Spirit.

About Spectra