The American Covenant

by Albin Veselka

Mr. Veselka’s painting was produced as a theme-bound set together with Choose ye this Day.  Our choice is also a covenant today.  Like a holy marriage, the covenant is between God, the people and the government.  Only this covenant has power to preserve liberty and the life of prosperity and happiness we have long enjoyed. It is easy to see our self in this painting, but more important to see our self in this covenant.  This marriage, in our day, is failing; the best hope of reconciliation is to put God back into the relationship.   The religious leadership of America must lead!  Our forgotten founding document, the Declaration of Independence re-establishes the relevancy of religion, puts God back into the relationship and again must become a part of our government if our nation as a constitutional republic is to be saved.

God Protects the Covenant

by Lee Griffiths

Mr. Griffith’s painting is the lead into the great miracles of the covenant including the five times during the American Revolution General Washington called upon this people, congress and soldiers to offer fasting and prayers of gratitude in recognition that God had turned the tide of battle in favor of the American cause. The statue is representative of the legacy, the garden in indicative that the legacy is alive and growing but neglected and parched, the storm is representative of the intense national storms we currently face.  These storms are the very thing that can revive our legacy garden if we turn to God.  Ronald Reagan put it this way, “If we remove one nation under God, we will become one nation gone under.” The shallow rooted (faddish) plants of the foreground may not make it, but the deep rooted part of the garden in the rear still has strength and when re-nourished from Heaven will thrive.

Miracle #1. The Deliverance of Boston, The Fog Miracle

by Trent Gudmundsen

Mr. Gudmundsen’s powerful art captures the spirit of deliverance as the miracle played out.  Originally it was thought to put together a collage bringing together  numerous miraculous events each a part of the miracle, including the calling of George Washington, the fall of Ft. Ticonderoga without firing a shot done in the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress, the impossible mission to retrieve the fort’s cannon in winter by Knox, The whole army basically leaving when enlistments expired and a new replacement army  in without being exploited by the British,  The two intense blizzards  preventing counter-attack and others.  The blessings proved more than room enough to receive on a single canvas, so the artist wisely choose a representative event. The fog arriving in time to cover the taking of Dorchester Heights, which was key to forcing the British retreat from Boston.  The muted tone of the painting adds mood and feeling as Americans work together in partial darkness but above the fog, each man and beast fulfilling his role and part of the miracle.

Miracle #2. Battle of Trenton, Hope Survives

by Clark Kelly Price

This emotional piece by Mr. Clark lets us experience the surrender of the Hessian soldiers at Trenton.  The spirit of sacrifice is portrayed in the wounds to the feet of the shoeless young soldier his feet wrapped in rags and the evidence of the wounds, crimson blood in his snowy tracks. This is historically correct. The young American has not held back his devotion and been personally engaged as evident by the wound to the forehead.  This painting must be experienced up close to feel the expressions captured by the artist.  The surprise and bewilderment of the professional Hessian soldier reputed to be the toughest and most determined in the world is stark and equally captured by the expression of the young, untrained, ill clothed, American accepting the surrender.  In the background is the General.  The dark night of defeat, retreat, sacrifice, pleading and planning has been given new hope with the dawn of a blessed day. The Iconic painting of Washington crossing the Delaware tells part of the story; this painting emotionally captures the rest.

“Miracle #4 Judas/Benedict Arnold; Treachery and the Saving of West Point”

“Miracle #4

Judas/Benedict Arnold; Treachery and the Saving of West Point”

by Glen Edwards

Had Arnold held on a little longer history would have honored him as one of five truly great military revolutionary leaders. Instead, he is vilified in infamy. If we fail this cause, our name will become associated with the traitorous Arnold instead of the American founders. Mr. Edwards’s symbolic painting has Arnold opening a door with reflection obscuring the future.  He has already clothed himself in the uniform of the enemy.   Imperfections in the glass distort and uglify the reflected image.  We only see part of Arnold’s face, reminding us that History only tells us part of his story.  Remember his hurt pride as congress snubbed him twice and only made good after Washington’s personal intervention, his resolve weakened physically after being wounded twice in the same place, his moral fortitude dampened by drinking and incurring gambling debt, married to a tori  wife added temptation. What are our excuses?  Will we pass our test?     In the background is a reflection of WestPoint, a church and a family (his family) indicating betrayal of God, county and sadly one’s own family and posterity.  We love the early Arnold for his dashing bravery, competence and leadership, yet he failed his test.  We sadly remember Benedict Arnold.

Miracle #3 Benjamin Franklin's Mission to France

by Larry Winborg

The vibrancy of Mr. Franklin in this setting of the French court representing the American cause comes to life in Mr. Winborg’s painting.  This was a much needed miracle, for without the French assistance the cause had no reliable source of powder, ball and military supply.  Only Franklin’s inspiration and genius could have accomplished this mission by first the winning of the hearts of the French people and second the diplomatic recognition and support of the American cause.  The state of the French people is also accurately portrayed and felt.  Sadly, in a few short years the French nation would also turn to revolution but without turning to God.  The results were horrible beyond description.  The “godless revolution” to overthrow existing condition continues on today as does the revolution towards God.  The wisdom of Mr. Franklin steers us toward the latter.

Miracle # 5 The Tide of the Battle Turns in the South

by Warren Neary

America passed the test and was given the miracle gift of victory.  Center and front is General O’Hara representing the nation of Great Britain and symbolically giving his sword in surrender.  This, the surrender of the British at Yorktown, was the final great battle of the war.  The Americans came to battle significantly outmatched and underdog, but miracle upon miracle gave advantage and victory.  Artist Warren Neary, who is a military historian and painter, powerfully captures the essence.  Left background is the Swamp Fox, Francis Marion, who never had more than 60 men under his command but with, faith, skilled leadership, determination and using guerrilla tactics, bottled up 5000 British regulars.  On the right is General Lafayette, who pursued and pushed the British to their ill fate.  Washington had been able to slip away un-noticed in the north to lead the final assault.  The relentless cannonade made holing up impractical and the arrival of the French fleet sealed the escape.