I am a Christian artist, inspired by the wrapping of the tabernacle of the Old Testament and the words of the Lord, "I AM."

Several months ago I was inspired during my morning reading of the Scriptures to begin a large artwork incorporating the method of wrapping. The tabernacle in the Old Testament was wrapped in specific layers of protection. Each one had a purpose and symbolic meaning.

“I AM” in progress. Note the Arabic for “I AM” within my embroidery hoop—top left of photo. Measures 30×40”

About that time, my pastor read from the book of Genesis about creation. At God’s Word, the oceans teamed with sealife. (Genesis 1:20) In the past, I have worked prolifically with layered glass, creating sealife mosaics, highlighting their beauty and variety.

With prayer, I began there. At the bottom of the artwork, I formed the coral reef.

Taking recyclable materials, I stuffed, wrapped, knitted and sewed the coral. With sequins, ribbons and beads, I gave it great beauty, just as the reefs themselves are gorgeous, just as the tabernacle was very beautiful.

Wrapping in layers shows depth. The sea turtle is polyfil stuffed cardboard, glued and sewn shut. Then it is bound with green fabric, decorative mesh, green fishing cord, strung beads, and finally gold pieces from disassembled jewelry. Between the gold are green “sequins,” created from plastic beverage bottles.

Within the ancient tabernacle was a first covering of violet, purple, and scarlet material, embroidered with cherubim, a type of angel.

Above and around the sea turtle are embroidered fish, on similarly-hued tulle, the powerful words of the Lord from John 18:5 in many languages. The fish swim together in the deep water column of the sea. Togetherness is protection.

Each spoken tongue proclaims the divinity of the Lord as Creator—the great “I AM.” He speaks to each part of the body of Christ in their own language, yet, He speaks to all as one body.

At this time, January 2025, there are 28 languages recognized, including the early church languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, Latin, Coptic, Arabic, Geez, and Greek; the Cyrillic languages of Russian and Ukrainian; the languages of Macedonia and Armenia; the scripts of Farsi and Kurdish; and the exotic alphabets of the Far East: Chinese, Thai, Bengali, Hindi, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese. As this is a work daily in progress, more languages will be added. As I work, I pray.

You can read my blog, “The Wrap,” where I write about the fascinating origins of the languages, their scripts, and how they were developed to take the Gospel to the world. The history of how God moved in this way, through language, demonstrates His power—the very power of God, the Word of God.

It was in John 18:5, that Jesus spoke “I AM” to the mob that had come to arrest Him in the Garden of Gethsemane. John 18:6 continues, “Now then, when He said to them, ‘I am He,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.”

This Scripture has always amazed me. Such is the power of Jesus, even His very Word!

Jesus wants believers to know He is the power. His words are power. They are Spirit! They are life! (John 6:63) They are truth! (John 17:17)

At one time, the beginning of the church, she was one body, according to the will of God. (John 17:20-21)

Let us “Remember His wonders which He has done, His marvels and the judgments spoken by His mouth.” (Psalm 105:5)

As Christ calls us to carry forward the Gospel across the waters into all the world, so I hope to send this piece of art to cities around the United States and even abroad to open eyes to the truth of the Creator, our Savior--"I AM.”

In addition, I hope that all parts of the body of Christ will see that Jesus speaks the same words of truth to all true believers.

Would you please share in this joy of reaching others who will recognize their own tongue and ask “What is this?” and then they will be told, “They are the words of Jesus, the Creator, the One Who Is.”

Would you please share in uniting the body of Christ?

Every bit helps.