He was a popular inspirational painter of realistic and breath-taking scenes. Known as “the painter of light”, he had the honor of painting “The cross” scene at the Billy Graham Museum. He is known for selling millions of copies of his paintings. He received many awards for his work including multiple National Association of Limited Edition Dealers awards for Artist of the Year and Graphic Artist of the Year, and his art was named Lithograph of the Year nine times. In his art, he placed an emphasis on the value of simple pleasures and said that he intended to communicate inspirational, life-affirming messages through his work for the glory of God. Before his unexpected death on Good Friday, April 6, 2012, he held the title of being “America’s most-collected living artist”.
He says of his salvation experience and the impact that it had on his work, “I became a Christian in 1980, when I was about 22 years old, and I would say that when I was saved, my art got saved. It was then that a very interesting transition began in my life. I started to see the characteristic of light begin to develop within my work. The darkness was leaving and the light was beginning to break forth. For example, my paintings, prior to that time, were very much self-defining and idiosyncratic. They were very much my own expression. I had little interest in how my art affected other people. In fact, my college professors would constantly make the point that one’s art is all about one’s self. It doesn’t matter if someone else understands or likes it. It doesn’t matter if they purchase it. All that matters is you.’ It was art as self-expression, as opposed to any concern for, or consciousness of an audience, or any desire to impact other people. When I became a Christian, I began to challenge that notion…”
He credited the Lord for both the ability and the inspiration to create his paintings. He says, “My goal is to touch all people, to bring peace and joy into their lives through the images I create and I see my art as a ministry tool to share Jesus Christ with the masses.”His name is Thomas Kinkade.
This is the “Chief of Sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, and just as Thomas Kinkade gave his life to Christ, may I encourage you to do the same.
Here is how: John 3:16 reads, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” “For God so loved the world” means that if you are in this world, God loves you. No matter what you have done. “that He gave His only begotten Son.” His name is Jesus Christ. He suffered, bled, and died on the cross for your sins and for mine, and He was buried and rose again. “that whosoever believeth in Him”, the word “whosoever” means anybody at anytime. “believeth in Him” means to trust in Him, to depend upon Him, to rely on Him, or to have faith in Him for your salvation. “should not perish” where? in hell. “but have everlasting life” in Heaven with God.
The Bible also says in Romans 10:9 and 13: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved…. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Dear friend, if you are willing to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, please pray with me this simple prayer: Heavenly Father, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I now believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.
Congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour!
Remember, friend, Believe by faith. Share the faith. and Keep the faith!