Tim j bono

Creating artwork that is Theologically Informed + Architecturally Executed™ by drawing upon my background as a Pastor, Landscape Architect & Dad.

I design Fabricated Metal and Digital Artwork about Christian faith, mental health & cultural commentary.

12/26/2025

Merry Christmas everyone!
Hope you were able to pause and meditate on Christ our eternal hope, joy, peace and light.

12/20/2025

“Bring my soul out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name.” Psalm 147:2

I recently stumbled across this little napkin sketch crumpled in a binder from my college days. I was about 19 as far as I can tell. Either on the verge of becoming a Christian or had perhaps just become one.

I imagine in my mind at this time I was processing a growing awareness of my own sinful condition, feeling the weight of my inability to make myself right before God, and sensing the need to come to Christ for his offer of divine forgiveness and freedom.

All these years later, I still connect with this piece today, and the desperation of the Tim who drew it then. (Perhaps I’ll develop this crude concept further into a refined and colored piece one day.) Though I am now saved, I need him still to sanctify. I can’t do it myself.
There are things I wish I could change about myself, but I am learning acceptance and trust - that it is by his grace I am what I am in whatever good, and by his sovereignty I am not what I am not in whatever bad.

One day we will be fully free from the spiritual, physical, mental and emotional brokenness, bo***ge and decay of our current form, and for that I praise Him.

“Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God through Jesus Christ, our Lord.” Romans 7:24-25

11/24/2025

At times in my life I have struggled to believe that God really loves me.

(I suspect this stems from layers of losses over the years, perhaps my own stubborn unbelief, or maybe just personal disappointment in some life outcomes that, if I’m not careful, can feel like a reflection of His disappointment in me.)

But lately I’ve been meditating on this prayer passage from Ephesians 3. I love the language Paul uses to capture the limitless love of God in Christ.

It is a love that envelopes us & has no bounds.

Ironically, he prays we would know this love that transcends knowledge (v.19) that we can only grasp by His Spirit strengthening our inner person (v.16) & in the context of community of God’s people (v.18).

The three dimensional nature & spatial metaphor of God’s love caught my attention & led to this series of doodles & scenes. (I explored a few concepts graphically in my sketchbook & then modeled them digitally on a recent plane ride.) 😆

I’m thankful that Gods love for us doesn’t rise or fall based on our ever evolving situations or fluctuating religious & moral performances.
Instead, His love was fully shown & forever settled at Calvary - Romans 5:8 says, “God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” ✝️

I hope you are blessed & encouraged in this visual depiction & celebration of the truth of His love as I was.

“Could we with ink the ocean fill,
  And were the skies of parchment made;
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
  And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
  Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
  Though stretched from sky to sky.”
- Frederick M. Lehman “The Love of God” Hymn 1917

09/21/2025

Headed to the DR!
To be honest, I was given very sincere and rather persuasive advise NOT to go on this mission trip by a wise and loving counselor, pointing out that I am in the midst of a construction project, in the middle of coaching a baseball season, need to be with my kids, need to be present at work, etc. All very sensible reasons. Yet as I wrestled and prayed about it, the Lord gently but firmly gripped me with Mt 6:33, “but seek first the kingdom of god and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you”, and “if you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3:1)

I am also going as a bday present to myself. 😄🎂🎉Not raising financial support for this trip, though prayer support is of course always appreciated!

So - Lord God almighty, “open eyes, turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith…” (Acts 26:18), may “the Spirit of the Lord be upon me, to preach good news to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound”, and may I “finish my race with joy, and complete the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of grace of God.” Acts 20:24

Look forward to sharing what the Lord does!

07/20/2025

A few quick pics from our recent summer trip to Hilton Head.

07/04/2025

Jordan and I met over fifteen years ago at a weeklong training program at Wycliffe Bible Translators Institute. We studied linguistic topics such as phonetics, phonology, semantics, language and cultural adaptation, and learned from incredibly bright, humble and Godly servants and missionaries who have been translating the Bible overseas into the native “heart” language of under-reached people groups for decades. It was a powerful experience, and since that time, Jordan went on to missions work in Beirut and I went on to Seminary in Portland (turns out I wasn’t particularly skilled at linguistics, but did love studying and teaching the Bible 🤣).

In God’s providence our paths crossed again earlier this year, reigniting our friendship, and Jordan purchased a tee shirt with my artwork. Having returned from Beirut and been stateside for a little while, Jordan is now preparing to go back into the mission field, this time to Manilla in the Philippines. Jordan mentioned one reason he was drawn to this art piece is it served as a reminder of letting go of the past and moving forward into the future God has for us. Let’s help him get there and step into that call!

Jordan will be serving with “Teach Beyond” and is gearing up to fly out in less than 3 weeks on July 20th. In order to do that, his support level has to be at 90%. He is currently at 65%. Would you consider blessing him with a one time departure gift, or partnering with him for a reoccurring monthly amount, or joining him in prayer?

Jordan mentioned to me last night before we closed in a prayer time that he wants to make his life count for Christ. One way we can all do that as the body of Christ is supporting those who put their “yes on the table” and give their livelihood, and indeed life, to the cause of Christ in full time missions. His support page is linked below if you’d like to learn more or give:
https://teachbeyond.org/support/jordan-johnson

Alternatively, if you want to purchase his same T- shirt, I will be donating 100% of those proceeds to Jordan’s support fund from now until he leaves on 7/20.

06/28/2025

I recently had an exciting commission opportunity to work on an art piece and book cover for and with my talented friend Gabrielle Marcia, an accomplished author (“Arise Little Warrior” and more) podcaster (“The Healer’s Well”) and culinary creative.

Her devotional shares letters and lessons of motherhood to younger Moms trying to figure it out, imparting sage counsel, Godly encouragement, and timely practical help.

After praying about it, my concept vision for the art piece was a shared book being simultaneously upheld, written and read between a younger on one side and a more experienced mom on the other. Discipleship, mentorship, and parenthood have been deeply important themes in my own life. It was a challenging and fun task that stretched my sketching skills in new ways beyond my usual style of work.

Most of all it was rewarding to play a small role in this meaningful project that I trust God will use to advance his purposes of building strong families for the kingdom.

Check out Gabrielle’s page and work and be encouraged.

06/16/2025

A lot of prized positions and cherished titles can come and go. “CEO”…Pastor”…even “husband”, can be taken away from you. But once you become a dad, you will always be a dad for eternity. Happy Father’s Day to all my friends, brothers, and fellow soldiers out there.

“Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that, in Christ, your work is not in vain.”
- 1 Corinthians 15:58

05/03/2025

I had the privilege of preaching a short message from Luke 15 about the story of the Lost Sheep on Good Friday, and after sitting with the passage for a while, these are the 3 truths God revealed to me about His love. Namely, it is Individual, Joyful, and Sacrificial. 🙌

A few folks asked if the message was recorded, and since it was not, I’ve summarized a few of my main points for y’all in this post. If you found this encouraging or helpful, let me know and perhaps I will try to make more.

Studying this passage has also inspired a few piece art ideas I hope to create, if I can ever find time to do that again 😂 (it has been months since I’ve had personal time to draw & it’s eating away at me). 😭 But I digress.

Luke 15:1-7 reads as follows: 😎 🐑

“Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Jesus to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” So Jesus spoke this parable to them, saying:

“What man among you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. When he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’

I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”

Be found, be blessed. 👊

Address

2804 Opryland Dr, Nashville, TN 37214, United States
Nashville, TN
37203

Website

http://www.timjbono.com/

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