the unlikely orange

"claimed" paper collage (found papers, acrylic paint, glue) on book board gregory a. milinovich october 2018 But now thus says the  Lord ,      he who created you, O Jacob,      he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;      I have called you by name, you are mine. "you are mine," says God.  "do not be afraid.  i have redeemed you.  i have claimed you.  i got this." in a messy world full of pipe bombs and synagogue shootings; in a broken mess of hate and fear, i believe a certain kind of fearlessness based in a love that is perfect and holy.  i believe that the light defeats the darkness.  i believe we are claimed.  

"weapon of the word" mixed media collage (found papers, acrylic paint, glue on book board) gregory a. milinovich september, 2018 "a bible used as a weapon against other human beings is always a bible misused."  -kristen rosser i know this new collage i made a few weeks ago isn't going to win any beauty contests, but i wasn't trying to make something pretty.  i was reflecting on how i so often feel about how some Jesus-followers sometimes use the bible.  standing on a foundation of fear, they pack the bible like a pistol, loaded and aimed at anyone who challenges them.  it gets aimed at those who are different.  it gets aimed at those who interpret it in different ways.  in this way the word is weaponized in order to silence the voices of those who would ask questions.   for me, the bible is much more a love letter than a loaded weapon.  it invites relationship not retribution.  it gives life, not death.  it cr...

if i was going to start something awesome, i'd probably start with the most attractive thing i could.  i mean, it's marketing 101, right?  you've got to attract people, tell them that you've got something great, and that they need it.  so think about it: if i was going to start a club for steelers fans who also love indie music, i would probably start by hiring my graphic designer wife to make some super awesome brochures or posters or something, and i would make sure they looked interesting and inviting.  next, i would look for some cool people to join my club, maybe even some people that people know .  i mean, it would be great if i could get the Avett Brothers to join my club, or JuJu Smith-Schuster, or someone that would attract others to join my club.  and we'd have snacks.  maybe little black-and-gold cookies in the shape of a banjo or something.  but not Jesus.  that's now how Jesus operates.  (well, maybe the snacks...h...