From the paintbrushes and computer of Barbara M. Kozera

New for 2007 and waiting publication Painted Meditations Book III Jesus and Us with eight original paintings, corresponding meditations and four stories. The paintings and chapter titles are:

Transfiguration [Luke 9:28-36], Be A Part of Me [Genesis 9:12-17, Luke 22:14-20],

Grapes and Wheat [John 13:34], A Bruised Reed [Isaiah 42:1-4],

The Annunciation [Luke 1:26-37], Spiritual Garden [Hebrews 11:1-4, Galatians 5:22, 1 John 4:7-9, 1 Peter 1:3],

The Visitation [Luke1: 35-45], and Jesus Comes to Jerusalem [Matthew 21:1-11].

This book joins the following three books all waiting publication:

Painted Meditations Forgiveness (2004) with twelve original paintings, meditations and four stories

Painted Meditations (2001) with sixteen original paintings and meditations

New Life Psalms (2000) all the psalms using a Christian point of view with Hebrew imagery and names

My literary agent is Barbara Bauer at www.bbla.com phone number(732) 566-0446

I can be reached at barbarakozera@hotmail.com

From PAINTED MEDITATION BOOK III JESUS and US

the painting Jesus Comes to Jerusalem

An excerpt:

The inspiration for this painting is Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem that is proclaimed on Palm Sunday throughout Christendom. This story is told in all four gospels with a number of variations between them. Some of the discrepancies are over how many asses Jesus rode, who the welcoming people thought he was, and what the crowd shouted and carried. Some of the crowd thought Jesus was a warrior type king a title Jesus does not attribute to himself. Perplexing as it may be, a closer comparison of these four gospel versions seems to add more questions than answers. However when trying to portray these differences they become a part of the painting and thereby this meditation.

The entry into Jerusalem Matthew 21:1-11,...

Matthew’s account of the entry into Jerusalem incorporates the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9.

Some translations have the king riding on both the mother donkey and her colt.

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!

Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your

king comes to you, righteous and having

salvation gentle and riding on a donkey,

on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Zech 9:9 NIV

The Jewish Study Bible as well as the other bible translations has the king riding only the colt.

Rejoice greatly, Fair Zion;

Raise a shout, Fair Jerusalem!

Lo, your king is coming to you.

He is victorious, triumphant,

Yet humble, riding on an ass,

On a donkey foaled by a she-ass.

Zechariah 9:9 JSB

An excerpt from “THE CELEBRATION” also from Painted Meditations Book III Jesus and Us

The plans had been in the works for sometime. It is not everyday that one celebrates the auspicious occasion of a one hundred year olds birthday especially one that had so many ups and downs over the many years. Family and friends planned and planned so even the smallest detail was not overlooked. The entire townspeople had been invited and almost everyone had responded favorably. Most of the townspeople volunteered to bring a favorite dish for a massive potluck dinner...

Finally, the day arrived beautiful, sunny with just a few clouds. People were scurrying about doing this and taking care of that. The party started with a small parade from Lizzy’s house to the town square. There was a troop of banjo players and clowns. The Women’s Club members waved multi-colored flags and the Girl Scouts carried festive balloons. The Boy Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps marched leading the war veterans. Amid all this merriment one could almost miss the four houses draped in black with their window shades down with signs prominently proclaiming Lizzy was a charlatan....

Excerpt from New Life Psalms Psalm 107

O, let us give thanks to Jesus, for He is gracious; and His love is with us for all time.

Let our love be one with God, for Jesus has redeemed us into "New Life." We the children of God, Jesus gathers from every land; from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.

Some had lost their way in a barren desert; they found no pathway to the "City of God." They were hungry and thirsty; their soul was ebbing away. In their great distress they appealed to Jesus, who lovingly rescued the lost from their plight. Jesus led the lost back to the God's pathway so they could reach the "City of God.

Let us all be grateful for His loving concern over the children of God. Such gracious acts Jesus renders for us who are mere flesh and bones.

For Jesus fills our cups to overflowing with "Living Water"

and He feeds us with His very self. So we are One in flesh and One in spirit...

New Life Psalms Psalm 23

The Lord Jesus is our shepherd; we have no needs. Jesus leads the children of God to life giving lush pastures to eat and rest, bountiful springs of living water flow into restful pools.

Our spirits soar, and they are renewed. Our Good Shepherd leads us along the path of righteousness, for Jesus' name is above all names. Even though we walk through the valley near the shadow of death; we fear no danger for You, Jesus, are at our side with Your rod and staff in hand that protects us.

Jesus, You have given us Your table to nourish us. Your body and blood help us to see and fight off our foes, those from within and those around us...

Paintings that have appeared on this web site previously:

“THE CREATOR” from Painted Meditation

“Cast Your Net” from Painted Meditation Book II Forgiveness

“Spiritual Garden” from Painted Meditations Book III Jesus and Us

My literary agent is Barbara Bauer at www.bbla.com phone number (732) 566-0446

I can be reached for comments at barbarakozera@hotmail.com

Thank you for your interest! Barbara M. Kozera Last updated August 26, 2007