Steward of the Harvest

By Stephen Vattimo

This book is a collection of spiritual art and poetry by Stephen J. Vattimo. The artwork and poetry challenge the viewer to open their eyes and ears to the salvation message of Jesus, so they can come to a saving relationship with God. The author attempts through his artwork to convey biblical concepts through the skillful use of symbolism, subject matter and the use of color. Through poetry, the author aspires to communicate spiritual principles that encourage Christian living. The writing style makes use of allegory, colorful descriptive language and plays on words. The writings encourage the reader to find hope in God. This hope will strengthen them in adversity and enable them to weather the storms and survive the droughts. As a result, they'll be able to replant after the locusts of life have devoured the work of their hands. The book can also inspire and equip Christians to walk obediently and serve God. So, when Christians stand before the throne of God and give an account for the stewardship of their lives, they as a faithful servant will be able to present a fruitful harvest to the glory of God. In sharp contrast, the unfaithful servants present a harvest of thorns and thistles to their own shame.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 17, 2018
• ISBN: 9781641917490

Book preview

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Stephen J. Vattimo

Steward of the Harvest

ISBN 978-1-64191-748-3 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-64191-749-0 (digital)

Copyright © 2019 by Stephen J. Vattimo

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

God

Uncovered and Awakened

Beautiful formed creation

Natural and pure at its beginning

Uncovered and awakened from sleeping under the blanket of darkness

The warmth of the sun rises over the mountains and hilltops

Caressing them to life with the gentle kiss of the wind

The wind blows across the valley, through the bushes and grass

Causing the motionless statue to sway to its soft music

Warmth of the sun

Gentle rain

Gentle breeze

Awaken the maple tree from its dark, cold sleep

Nurture it to erect toward the sky in its strength

In its prosperity, ooze the sweet maple sap that is craved

Warmth of the sun

Gentle rain

Gentle breeze

Cascading through the canyon

Awaken the deep fountains of life from their dark, cold sleep

Stimulate them to gush into living streams that the salmon swim up to spawn

Beautiful formed creation

Natural and pure at its beginning

Uncovered and awakened from sleeping under the blanket of darkness

(April 8, 2017)

Glory of the Divine

Diversity is found in university

Flows from the Divine, magnified among every kind

Shape of eye, size of body, color of hide

The creativity of our Creator will blow your mind

Diversity is found in university

The deceiver, he is a weaver of webs of lies

He wants nothing good to flourish

His heart pines for everything created by the Divine to die

He poisons the mind toward diversity

Portrays it as a strangling vine

Of hate, violence, death

Diversity proclaims the glory of the Divine

Diversity in color creates art

Diversity in sound creates music

Diversity in thought creates poetry

Celebrate diversity

It proclaims we are created in the image of the Divine

(February 27, 2017)

In the Beginning There Were Three

Medium: Acrylic on canvas

Size: 48 × 68

Year completed: 2002

In the Beginning There Were Three

I painted this illustration to publicly proclaim the biblical account of a six (literal) days creation by the Holy Trinity to be the true account of the origin of all things that have been, are now, and will exist. I believe the evolution theories have many holes in them and lack sound evidence to declare evolution as the true account of the origin of all matter. I believe schools should teach both theories, and let the student decide which is truth for themselves.

The three figures of light that are holding the hourglass represent the Trinity—the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit—Who together created all things. The background of the painting is supposed to illustrate that the Trinity created all things from nothing. The hourglass is supposed to appear to be made of pure gold, representing a creation without corruption and decay, which would later be part of the curse the creation would be subjected to because of man’s sin.

The top and bottom bases of the hourglass have the icon of the moon and sun six times to represent the six days of creation.

The six spheres floating inside the hourglass represent the six (literal) days and what was created on each day. The first day, God separated the darkness from the light. This sphere is placed at the bottom of the hourglass because sand in an hourglass always flows down.

The second day, God separated the sky from the sea. This is represented in the sphere located at the bottom right of the hourglass.

The third day, God separated the land from the waters, represented in the top half of the sphere. The bottom part represents the plant life that was created on the same day.

The fourth day, God created outer space: every star and planet. God mentions the sun was created to light the earth by day and the moon to light the earth by night. This is represented in the sphere located at the top middle of the hourglass.

The fifth day, God created the creatures of the air and the creatures of the water. This is represented in the sphere located in the top right of the hourglass.

The sixth day, God created both the land creatures and man. This sphere is located in the top left of the hourglass.

(October 28, 2017)

The Devil

Two Spirits Watching the Ocean of Turmoil

Life is like being a passenger on a luxury ocean liner

That sails across a Sea of Turmoil.

Passengers feel safe by putting their faith in the sturdy construction of the ship’s steel hull.

Their senses are enveloped by the beautiful gold, silver, brass, and wood that accent the interior of the ship.

There is a specter whose heart is dark as black satin and as cold as an iceberg.

Who is rarely seen by the human eye, for he stealthily moves under the cloak of night

And dwells in the shadows by day.

His nature is deception and violence

His powers are death and decay

He roams back and forth on the Sea of Turmoil, stalking luxury ocean liners.

Sometimes he will play cat-and-mouse games by annoying the passengers, slowly picking their ship apart with rust and