Artwalk

Artwalk
I met Antony and his mom at Art Walk

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Monday, May 31, 2010

God is a true artist when it comes to the people He uses for the purposes He employs them. He used David, a passionate poet, to pen many of the Psalms. He used Moses, a scholar of sorts, to record the history of the universe in Genesis. He used Paul's legal mind to logically state case after case concerning divine doctrine.

God a true artist he is the potter we are the clay. We must come to Him, placing ourselves in His hands, the Potter's hands. In order for God to make us into what He wants us to be, we have to become pliable and willing - like clay. We must come to him, placing ourselves in his hands, the Potter's hands. Sometimes Life has broken and damaged us and the wrong hands have molded us. How we come to him is not nearly as important as the fact that we come. like a Master Craftsman, God begins to work patiently and lovingly, with a specific plan and one-of-a-kind design in mind. He works through circumstances as well as people, through joy and pain, victory and defeat. He filters every part of life through His plan for us and uses it to create a life of worth and meaning.

I became a fan of Antony Rivera the Artist on Facebook. I had been following his work and reading his mother Diana Riveras posts on facebook. Around 3 months ago I went Downtown Mcallen to the Artwalk and ran into Diana and Antony I immediately recognized them. Diana had always seen me posting links to my Church and a few weeks later she called me and asked me if she could attend The Family Church with me, Of course I was excited because every time I take a guest they get those yummy brownies and they always share with me.

That Sunday Pastor John asked if anyone was ready to give their life to Jesus Christ to raise their hand and come forward. Antony raised his hand and I took him to the front for prayer and then he was taught the plan of salvation and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.
After Church we went for Pizza at Mama Mias Pizzeria. I was talking to them about the Alamo School teacher and the website and fundraiser I was having. Antony said "I want to give one of my paintings to the teacher that got hurt."

Antony is 39 and he has Autism. Diana is the proud mother of artist Antony Rivera . She has been blessed to spend her time giving him the best quality of life that is in her power. Diana is a retired attorney and also the President of the Arc of South Texas advocating for people with developmental disabilities.

Antony paints to music and uses his songs for inspiration. He names the paintings after the songs that inspire him. Antony loves music and many genres from Willie Nelson, Iron Maiden Bon Jovi to Johnny Cash and even Pedro Infante. He loves watching Conjuntos on PBS with his mother and eating raspas. I look forward to reading his posts on facebook he is always excited to count the number of fans he has.
I went to go choose a painting for the Silent Auction and the first one I liked had a lot of purple shades. I thought that would be the perfect choice since Purple is the Color that represents Domestic Violence and Violence against Women. The name of that painting was Jump Inspired by Van Halen.

Diana and Antony with much thought and prayer decided on donating the painting that was their favorite. Diana felt in her heart to give away the one that would be the hardest to let go of. Diana showed it to me I turned it around to see the name and it was Don't Stop Believing by Journey. That is one of my favorite songs and one of my favorite groups my eyes watered and I knew that was the perfect choice.

This is your chance to get an Antony Rivera original. The money is being donated to www.alamoteacher.com fundraiser for Lorena De la Cruz the Alamo school teacher that was attacked with sulfuric acid in April.
We plan to keep the website open until Lorena has made a full recovery and is able to return to work doing what she loves being a Teacher and Educator to our Valley Children.

Many people have asked me why I am doing this and wondering if Lorena is my friend or relative. I do not know Lorena or have ever met her she is a friend of a friend. But it could have very well been any of my friends from PSJA where I grew up. I like Diana prayed about it and decided to take on this project.
I have had an amazing response from the Wonderful people in the Valley Business Owners Artists, Entertainers so many gifted and talented people ready to help and donate their services. I thought about my gifts and felt sad that I could not sing or paint or play a musical instrument or even give a big cash donation. What is my talent I thought. A friend said "Lana your so hospitable and giving." That did not cheer me up because I'd rather be able to sing like Mariah Carey.
I decided to research the word Hospitable and how it is used in the Bible this is what I found.

Romans 12:13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Timothy 3 1-3 Paul instructs Timothy on what must characterize elders, or pastors, in the church. Verse 2 says an elder must be hospitable. Next, he says an elder must be able to teach. That's interesting. Teaching comes after hospitality. What does that say about the importance of hospitality?
Finally I turned to 1 Peter 4:7-11 where Peter utters these startling words, "The end of all things is near." It's a statement that begs the question, "If the end is coming, what are we to do?" Peter's answer is straight forward: "Above all, love each other deeply." Then he says to do this in two ways: First, everyone should "show hospitality to one another without grumbling." Second, everyone should "use whatever gift he has received to serve others." We do these things, moreover, "so that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ"

So I may never paint or play a musical instrument or sing like Mariah Carey but I found my gift.
And it makes me happy to be able to use my Southern Valley Hospitality to help Lorena De La Cruz and bring awareness about Violence against Women.

Again God the Artist as he used David Moses and Paul, brought all these good people together Lana De Leon Matt Crocker Walt Clinton Lawson Dave Huffman Terry Lyn Perez Berrenice Puga The Scalise Family The folks at Baskin Robins Antony Rivera and his mother Diana Rivera Raymond Orta his Wonderful and talented mother Blanca Flor Registered Nurse business owner and Mariachi singer. David Barrera and his wife Maria Canals Barrera. Attorney Viola Garza Garza and Griffen law office. Dr. Ricardo Garcia orthodontist. Jesse and Diana De Leon. Jo Jo and Patches Ktex. Mayor Palacios of Pharr Mayor Villarreal of Alamo. The PSJA Alumni cheerleaders that donated their tips and gave donations,and a big Thank you to Shane Thrailkill Inflatable rentals for his enormous generosity. Thank you everyone. God has worked wonders using all these people to help someone in need.

Every Christian must use his or her individual gifts to serve. A list of attributes that should mark what makes every individual Christian life distinct: genuine love, brotherly affection, fervency in spirit, patience, prayerful, and, eventually, showing hospitality. Apparently, hospitality is a basic of the Christian faith.

Anthony Rivera has shown these attributes of a good Christian Genuine Love, Brotherly affection and Hospitality.