Rich Davis is an illustrator of  children’s books. He lives in Siloam Springs AR.

“From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.”    Romans 1:20 (NLV)

Visual communication is paramount in God’s plan.
He created a beautiful “living picture” for us to live in with nature telling us about Him…what He is like and how powerful He is.  And God said no man would be able to say to Him, “it’s not fair!  I didn’t know about You!”  God invented the power of visual communication and every human being that has ever lived or will live has been wired to be able to understand it’s message.
It is speaking to us about Him all the time.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge.There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.”
Psalm 19: 1-3 (NKJV)

Visual communication is paramount in God’s plan.
Consider how often you have dreamed at night…and the unexplainable explosion of creativity that happens inside you as these “picture stories” unfold…without you even trying to make them happen.  Dreaming is a universal experience.  Everyone is interested in dreams because we want to know what they mean…how to translate their bizarre stories.

Visual communication is paramount in God’s plan.
Not only do we dream at night while we sleep, but we also make pictures in our minds all day long through the incredibly powerful tool God has placed in us called the “imagination”.  He gave us a way to be creative and visualize ideas before they become tangible.  It allows us walk through stories that just come to us from deep inside.  Consider how “memories” activate the imagination and allow us to revisit something from our past with vivid color and intensity…like replaying a video clip or movie.  Countless POW’s speak of mental and emotional survival through the agonizing conditions of prison life by using the imagination to go through happy memories or daily things they enjoyed doing such as playing a round of golf.

Visual communication is paramount in God’s plan.
Every person begins with a pencil or crayon drawing on paper.  There is great enjoyment in doing it and great satisfaction.  It’s just fun!  In those early years there is no judging of whose is more beautiful or better…everyone just loves doing it….and every child has ideas tumbling out onto their paper with unabated freedom.  Put a piece of paper and pencil in front of a 5 year and they are off to the races.  What has spoiled this beautiful enjoyment that everyone began with?  I hope you will consider this….and consider it in relation to the things I have written above.

God has called and put the desire in me to help others reignite the desire to speak visually again.  To see it’s place in our everyday lives….it’s power to communicate and etch His wonderful truth and love in our world.
I hope I can share some more how God is leading me in doing this.  I love it.
And perhaps, some of you reading this will feel His nudge that He has something for you to do as well…

Visual communication is paramount in God’s plan.
“O taste and see that the Lord is good…” Psalm 34:8 (NKJV)

“How has God spoken to you today personally through some kind of visual communication around you?”
(if you can’t think of anything, perhaps ask the Holy Spirit to speak something to you today…express your desire to Him.)

Rich is a talented artiest, and has a unique gift for helping kids find the creativity that God has given them. He is available for workshops at schools, libraries and other organizations, as well as freelance illustration. Check out what he does at www.richdavis.freewebspace.com. He has also created a game called Pick and Draw. (It’s fun, I’ve played it!). If your feeling creative check out his blog of creative drawing and imagination exercises. – Ben