Joy Stick, "Refuge II"

Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

1 Peter 1:7
These (trouble and hardship) have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Alder wood scrap. Black slate stacked and layered is the troubles we have in this life. Gold glass swirls from the bottom to indicate the good and bright things of life. Cubed brass from Africa, a fossilized shell with crystal calcite is surrounded by shell collected from the Texas coast and fossilized ammonite. I use fossils to represent the old patterns and behaviors that have been put to death because of salvation through Jesus Christ. The black heart rock is actually formed lava. If left to myself, my heart is evil. yet "even while we were sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8. The crystal structure in the center reminded me of a fortress - a place where we take refuge and find hope - namely in Christ. Notice above the "fortress," there is no more black as we are being transformed daily. Our faith of greater worth than gold - shown by 3 different specimens of pyrite, a chunk above galina, a pyrite sun, and a perfect pyrite cube. Copper, white stone, citrine crystal points point Heavenward to complete this Joy Stick. Reason to sing for joy!