Benjamin R. Burton This is Me

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1. 1. www.messianicart.com

   www.messianicart.com/art/drawi - [Cached]

   Published on: 5/26/2008   Last Visited: 5/26/2008

   Artist: B.R. BurtonContact: brburton@messianicart.com
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   B.R. Burton

2. 2. www.heartofisrael.net

   www.heartofisrael.net/minor/bi - [Cached]

   Published on: 5/12/2007   Last Visited: 5/12/2007

   Ben Burton, artist of MessianicArt.com originally invited her to include her Language lessons from a now non-existent Christian website.

3. 3. www.messianicart.com

   www.messianicart.com/aboutthea - [Cached]

   Published on: 3/11/2007   Last Visited: 3/11/2007

   Benjamin R. Burton was born November 24, 1979 in Midland, Texas. Ben began drawing at an early age, taking an interest especially in the human figure. He is a traditional artist (oil painting, water color, sculpture), although played with digital art when he was very young, with an old program called Pictor. Since about 1999, he has explored the realm of 3D and digital art, some of which you will see here.
   
   In spiritual terms, Ben never grew up in church, although he did have an encounter with the Presence of God at the age of twelve, after being baptized by his father. At the time, it was "like energy running through his bones." The feeling of one's spirit being cleansed from sin, and the very real and dynamic Presence of the Holy Spirit was without comparison. Yet he did not understand what exactly it was that he was experiencing.
   
   With virtually no religious foundation or background, Ben diverted onto the path of destruction, walking in the ways of the world. During his senior year in high school, Ben had a dream he was in the school's courtyard, and angels appeared. Later, he met his ex-girlfriend (whose father was a pastor) in that courtyard, and he expressed to her that he wanted to go to church.
   
   After graduation in 1998, one Sunday, Ben woke up very early. He felt a "burning desire" to go to church. He got up, and looked in the phone book for churches, and then he remembered his ex-girlfriends' fathers church. He needed to go to someone he would know. After getting dressed, Ben began to put on his shoes. Sitting on his bed, the soft covers and comfort of rest began to call to him. He laid down, and thought, "God, I'll go to church next Sunday." Suddenly, all of the lights in the house shut off, and turned back on. Ben began tying his shoe faster, and was out the door.
   
   That day, June 14th, 1998, he went to the First Church of the Nazarene. This church just happened to be baptizing people that Sunday, a rare occasion for this church. Ben knew what he needed to do. He wanted to experience the same Presence of God he did when he was twelve. The baptism would take place in the evening service, which started at 6:00pm.
   
   Now, Ben was a HUGE Chicago Bulls fan, especially of Michael Jordan.
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   For most people, this will seem very shallow, but Ben was coming out of the world. Ben had to make a choice: "MJ" or "JC"? Even for the carnal mind, the question did not last long: "JC" was the winner hands down.
   
   That night, Ben accepted Yeshua, Jesus as his personal Savior and was immersed into the Body of Messiah. The Holy Spirit cleansed his heart, and became a driving influence in his life, forever changing his course, diverting him off the wide road toward the Narrow Path. In a twist of fate, Ben watched the second half of the Game 6 of the NBA Finals . . . and do you know who hit the game winning shot with 5.2 seconds left on the clock?
   
   That's right.
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   Yeshua brought salvation, the greatest gift of all, to Ben. After this, Tom Reed, the associate pastor of the First Church of the Nazarene, mentored and discipled Ben, and helped him grow tremendously in the Lord.
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   God has allowed Ben to create MessianicArt.com, which has undergone many changes over the years, and has come a long way from its original state, and to God be the glory, as He has blessed Ben with many tools and gifts, and taken him through the many hurdles of life. May you also know his yeshu'ah (salvation)!