kuhnegallery

Are you an Effective Leader?

2011-06-22T10:40:00.000-07:00

To be an effective leader AND flourish one must have the following 7 qualities.

Imagine being a palm tree in a desert, a harsh environment...
1) You must have deep roots (a strong foundation) to be stable. If you wish to build a high tower, you better first dig a deep hole, or like a building, you will topple over. These deep roots are also necessary to feed when surface water is low or nonexistent. A leader constantly learns (feeds).
2) You must also have roots that spread out for extra stability. Think of these roots as your networking with other strong people. Think of these roots as being intertwined so when strong winds blow, you can support each other. A great leader is connected with others who share similar values.
3) You must provide shelter for others beneath your canopy of branches. You are to provide shade from the scorching sun to younger plants so they too can survive. A great leader helps others grow so they too mature and become leaders.
4) Fire (adversity) is good and helps burn away pests clinging to your trunk. A great leader learns fro their mistakes, circumstances, adversities and is able to move on.
5) Strong winds are also good in that they naturally prune away for leaves that are no longer strong and useful. A great leader is teachable and allows "qualified" others to shape and speak into them.
6 & 7) read my book "Giving God the Helm, Overcoming Storms of Adversity" to learn more. Available at OvercomingForLife and Amazon.

If you understand and embrace these 7 qualities, you are well on your way towards be a great leader and flourishing like a palm tree. Despite an often harsh environment, you too will flourish!

Mark Kuhne

"Giving God the Helm is Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views

2011-05-06T14:02:00.000-07:00

Giving God the Helm: Overcoming Storms of Adversity
Mark Kuhne
Overcoming For Life, LLC (2011)
ISBN 9780615429038
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (5/11)

Mark Kuhne likens life’s trials and tribulations to facing the turbulence of the open sea in a row boat. In his book “Giving God the Helm: Overcoming Storms of Adversity” Mark shares from his own life experiences to encourage the reader to make Jesus the Captain of their lives. He goes on to show the reader how; by turning over the helm of their life to Jesus, He will lead you into safer waters, in the midst of tumultuous life difficulties and adversities.

Throughout his story Mark refers to “The Parable of the Pontoon Boat.” He candidly tells how blinded by circumstances and enticed by visions of ownership and pleasure, against his better judgment, he became the owner of a pontoon boat. What started out as a “free gift” became a costly lesson, revealing Mark’s vulnerability, his weakness, and his stubborn heart.
Later, in a similar instance, with much more at stake, Mark discovers the hard way that he has not learned his lesson and once again finds himself accepting what he thought was a favor (or free gift) which turned out to be a nightmare, the worst storm of his life.

Mark Kuhne’s writing is founded on proven Biblical principles, examples, and faith building lessons leading to spiritual growth and living victorious Christian lives. He uses the Old Testament story of the spirit of Jezebel to help the reader understand the forces of spiritual battles and the armor to fight these battles. He has a unique way of clearly articulating how to use the energy from your adversities to transform your life by applying your faith to help you proactively avoid the worst of storms to overcome anxiety, fear and depression.
Throughout the book are bold highlighted tips, advice and inspiration, for example: “No matter how difficult the circumstances, the experience will prepare you for something greater if you determine to learn and accept the lessons from God, your Captain.”

The selected scripture passages that offer promise and possibility are another source of inspiration. Other important features are the comprehensive selection of Bible affirmations and suggestion resources.
Mark relates how, on occasion, he has found direction from the interpretations of dreams in the midst of a particular trial. This may raise a flag from some readers. However, I found Mark’s foundational theology to be solid.

After 25 years in banking, Mark Kuhne left his position as Community Bank President to pursue painting and writing full-time. He has included black and white replicas of many of his original paintings. These dramatically reinforce and impact a number of the Biblical examples included in the narrative.

“Giving God the Helm: Overcoming Storms of Adversity” is a strong reminder of the power and possibilities available to the person willing to turn their life over to God as their Captain

Susan's Blog: Ron DiCianni: Painting the Resurrection - CBN.com

2011-02-24T11:05:00.000-08:00

Susan's Blog: Ron DiCianni: Painting the Resurrection - CBN.com

2011-01-22T13:26:00.000-08:00

I am soaking up the oldest Samoan cultural traditional art form called Siapo (tapa) while here in American Samoa. Siapo has been passed down through generations and had international attention when a tapa was presented to Lady Bird Johnson in 1966. My instructor at the American Samoa Community College is Regina Meredith. She is also related to the women who brought this to international attention (see www.siapo.com for more details).

I prepared my siapo board using a starch arrowroot paste: glued 2 plys of u’a (paper mulberry or bark paper that comes from the skinny tree being wet, hammered over and over until it creates a cloth). This was even used for clothes before cloth as we know it was brought into the islands.

Our brush is the pod or key from a pandanus bloom trimmed with a scissors to a point of desired thickness. The pointed end holds the dye better than any other type of brush. The 4 dyes are
• Brown: made from the bark of the blood tree. It has a tannic acid that is also used to tan leather, for example.
• Black: made from the candlenut tree bark, burned and turned to soot. Since this is a time consuming process, we used India ink.
• Red: from the loa tree, also known as the lipstick tree, comes from the berry. This was not in season (not used).
• Yellow: the only dye from a plant root, the lega plant that has turmeric. The root is orange similar to a carrot and has a very pleasing smell. Once grated it is squeezed to extract the yellow dye.
• Both yellow and brown also had medicinal properties: helped cure upset stomach or constipation and the yellow was rubbed on sores.
• We rubbed our boards with a glass jar to burnish or smooth the surface to prepare it for the dyes.
I used traditional motifs or symbols to create my tapa:
• Net (Fa’a ‘au’upega) crossed lines, nets used to catch turtles and pigeons.
• Trochus shells (Fa’a ‘aliao): triangle shapes in numerous formations.
• Sand piper (Fa’a tuli) and also their footprints (Fa’a vae tuli).
• Starfish (Fa’a ‘aveau).
• Snmall lines or wavy lines (Tusili’i): midrib of coconut leaves used in household items like making brooms or needles.
• Male pandanus bloom ( Fa’a sigago): narrow petals with cluster of sharp points.
• Breadfruit leaf (Fa’a lau ulu).
• Banana pod (Fa’a tumoa).
• Rolled pandanus leaves (Fa’a masina).
• Centipede (Fa’a atualoa).

Images may be grouped or sized an any combination. My overall image also forms what should look like a mask. Interestingly, the various islands in the Pacific have different names for this art and use different materials to make dyes and some use stencils to form their motifs.

2010 International Christian Art Competition

2010-10-20T11:38:00.000-07:00

In the 2010 5th Annual International Christian Art Competition (ICAC -- www.art4God.com) Mark Kuhne had three entries that placed as follows:
"Tree of Life" Honorable Mention (and Top 200)
"Door of Hope" Top 200
"Make Disciples" Top 200

Learn more about these paintings and more at www.KuhneGallery.com.
Become a fan at www.Facebook.com/KuhneGallery

Massive Cyclone Named “Laila” has hit India!

2010-05-20T16:34:00.000-07:00

Here is an urgent Prayer Request for India from a Christian Apostle Samson Roberts, IFCI, India. A massive cyclone named “Laila” has hit. Extend your prayers for the safety of lives and livestock. Share this request with your networks and repost, tweet, etc! Samson Roberts thanks you much. he didn't ask but please consider how you can help with donations.

http://epaper.sakshi.com/Details.aspx?id=460747&boxid=28732422 or http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/20/stories/2010052057650100.htm

Kingdom Gospel Ministries & Sow The Seed - India
8-22-93 Sita Nagar 2nd Lane.
Guntur - 522001. Andhra Pradesh (State).
Southeast India.
Phone & Fax : 91-863-2321696.
Web Site : www.kingdomgospel.org.in.
Email: kingdomgospel@yahoo.com.

In Christ,
Mark

Make Disciples

2010-04-03T11:51:00.000-07:00

"Make Disciples"

Finished 3/10: 16" x 20" oil and 18KT gold leaf on board

Matthew 28:19: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Vision when Bishop Syamson Roberts Kolagani, Kingdom Gospel Ministries & Sow The Seed – India, was speaking 9/20/09 at our World Mission Conference ending Sunday 9/20/09.

Painting is a large stone wall with a great arch entrance; at the top is a cross with the Lord’s glory bursting forth! Numerous people are coming and receiving Christ. Women are dressed in their colorful robes and many are kneeling and praying with their hands lifted to the Lord.

This painting specifically honors CP Thomas and Samson Roberts Kolagani's evangelism in India: they have converted thousands of Muslims, Hindu, and Taliban to receive Christ as their Lord despite hazards and persecution.

It is also about Christ’s Family Church International (and Christian Family Church World Outreach) apostolic outreach from MN to Russia, Norway, Honduras, Philippines, Taiwan and other countries. CFC is responsible for 100's if not thousands of church plants! CFC is making disciples of nations!

Give Christ the glory!

Prayer time with the Lord-enhanced in living color!

2010-03-17T16:47:00.000-07:00

Have you had your contemplative prayer today? The Lord has taken up residence inside of us and sits on the throne within our hearts. He dwells there in a personal way and wishes to share with you and me!

Try this: go to www.kuhnegallery.com, click on "Portfolio," click on a painting that pleases you (a box should open to show you more), read the Scripture, study the painting, then close your eyes and contemplate what the Lord wishes to reveal to you about that Scripture.

Get lost in your mind with images and truth being revealed to you. Ask the Lord questions. Why are the roots to the trees so deep? Why is there the color blue so deep near the roots? Is that Your Holy Spirit? Are my roots deep enough to stand strong in the face of adversity? What does the color green mean Lord? Growth? Prosperity? Spring? Something new? Are the reds in this painting Your blood? Tell me more!

Not only can Scripture come alive with color, but you can use paintings and images to visit with the Lord in a personal way! Contemplate!

Tree of Life

2010-03-07T14:49:00.000-08:00

Tree of Life

(the painting--see http://www.kuhnegallery.com/)

Finished 4/11/09 by Mark Kuhne

Proverbs 11:30

The fruit of the righteous [is] a tree of life; and he that winneth souls [is] wise.

On March 15, 2008 during an International Fellowship of the Sword Conference at Christ’s Family Church International (CFCI), in the span of a few seconds I saw an open vision superimposed on Dmitry Shatrov as he stood on the stage about to share his thoughts to the audience. Visiting the United States, Dmitry is an apostle of CFCI and a native of St. Petersburg, Russia. Standing there, I saw Dmitry as a strong tree, older and stronger, with deep roots supporting a large and wide canopy overhead with fruit “raining” from the tree.

Dmitry then asked the congregation to open their Bibles to Proverbs 11:30 and started speaking. It was at that moment that the Lord nudged me, and said, “Paint it!” The Lord also said, “Present it to Dmitry as a gift to him in Russia.” Dmitry began to relate to Proverbs 11:30. He talked about his outreach in St. Petersburg to teens, especially teens on drugs. He talked about how his ministry has grown from one church to several. He shared about his generational roots of pastors: Dmitry’s father and grandfather were pastors that faced great tribulations and incarceration in a hostile environment towards Christianity.

In the painting, the mighty tree represents strength and wisdom, a good and righteous man or leader and the great blessings that spring forth to the places where they stand. It also represents God’s glory! The tree has a strong foundation with roots that are deep and wide. Spiritually the roots draw blue water or nourishment from the Holy Spirit, and naturally a leader draws from other leaders as well as from the Lord’s Word. Like a strong ministry with no end to its influence and reach, the canopy continues off the canvas and doesn’t end. The fruits are of one’s piety, instruction, prayers, and influence. Those that win souls need wisdom to communicate and show that they are wise. They are building God’s church on earth and spiritually reaching the heavens. They leave a legacy: their works follow them (Rev 14:13). “And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together…” (John 4: 36-38). By sowing into the ministries of others, we can reap from their labors!

Give Christ the Glory!

Find your hope through your valley of trouble!

2009-04-25T05:42:00.000-07:00

Formulating the next oil painting: "Valley of Achor as a Door of Hope" that is from Hosea 2:14-23! Key elements will be gate and path framed by the hands of Jesus, olive trees, and distant mountains near Jerusalem in this Valley of Achor which stands for trouble or death. It is through our troubles and circumstances that we can choose to be made stronger so we can walk through our door of hope! In the Hebrew language, "hope" is a certainty. IHS

Tree of Life (painting)

2009-04-23T05:32:00.000-07:00

Tree of Life

Finished 4/11/09 (see at www.kuhnegallery.com)

Vision on 3/15/08 by Mark Kuhne of Dmitri Shatrov, St. Petersburg, Russia (during the International Fellowship of the Sword Conference):

Dmitri was standing on the stage. I saw Dmitri as a strong (older solid) tree with deep roots (strong foundation) and a large and wide canopy overhead with fruit “raining” or falling from the tree (very fruitful, many souls saved). The tree represents a leader. The roots are strong and deep. The canopy—Dmitri’s ministry/influence—is large and very wide. The tree is full of fruit (ripe and ready).

Dmitri then started talking about Proverbs 11:30 and his work with the teens as well as his generational roots of pastors. His work follows his fathers’ (Rev 14:13 and also John 4: 36-38) as well as all the saints that precede us!

Proverbs 11:30

The fruit of the righteous [is] a tree of life; and he that winneth souls [is] wise.

2009-04-08T16:06:00.000-07:00

Can you imagine oil paintings that show Scritpure put to color like you have never seen before? Check it out at www.kuhnegallery.com. Click on portfolio and then click on an image.

kuhnegallery has arrived!

2009-04-04T05:32:00.000-07:00

Just setting up. Go to www.kuhnegallery.com to see color and Scripture come together in a new way!

Mark