Shop Offers Community Building Crafts

Christmas handcrafts are now available at Mark's online visual arts shop, Artingle.

The items draw us toward God in the community of one another through simple crafts depicting key symbols and scenes of the holidays. You may receive these black and white images by e-mail as digital files which you can print, color, cut out, fold and use to decorate your home.
Beyond Crafts
It is akin to prayer and meditation when you take time to slow down and create an object full of meaning about the celebration of Christmas. In another way when a group works together on these projects, special conversation occurs, memories are made, fellowship strengthens the bond of love between the participants. The finished objects trigger the memories of the conversations and fellowship as they hang and sit around the house. Then, in coming years, those good experiences can have a rebirth as the creations are brought out of storage for future celebrations.
Lots to Choose From

You may choose between eleven simple projects by Mark: a nativity scene, a Christmas tree, five gift tags, three elegant ornaments and a greeting card. Each one may be printed as many times as desired and colored in infinite ways. Suggestions for variations are included.

All the items may be purchased in one Christmas Celebration Kit at a 40% discount.

Parents and teachers will find welcome activities here for classes and groups. Parties will be enhanced by several activity stations using these projects.

Browse through them and Mark's other visual offerings at http://Artingle.Etsy.com

Get Gifts for Helping Our Film Grants

At the encouragement of some new advisers with experience in obtaining grants, we are developing proposals to submit to foundations.
These proposals will focus on gaining support for testing our idea of the Film-Gallery-Café, the venue with a conversational atmosphere where we envision exhibiting short art films and the physical art used to make them.
To Make A Prototype
The idea needs a prototype to be demonstrated in order to gain understanding and following. This requires special funding. For instance, production of "To the Diggers", one of the films in the initial collection, is making slow progress because computer programs need upgrading and Mark's time is taken up with immediate income crises. With proper funding this and other films awaiting production could take on a continuous daily schedule and have the right tools.
With major funding we could attract collaborators in the gallery and café expertise.

Where You Come In
Foundations are more open to funding projects which have a good donor base of individual, monthly pledges. You could be part of helping us attract major funding by pledging even a small monthly amount.
In appreciation for your pledge we have prepared gifts from Mark's Artingle shop for 2011 Pledgers!

For Pledges of $10, or more per month - a Christmas ornament to craft (click here to choose one)

For Pledges of $20, or more per month - Two Christmas ornaments to craft (click here to choose two)

For Pledges of $40, or more per month - The Nativity scene for you to craft (click here see it)

For Pledges of $100, or more per month - The Christmas Celebration Kit (click here see it)

Pledge by e-mailing to info (at) horizongate.org with a short note stating your pledge of any amount and your choice of ornaments (if applicable). We will send back a confirmation with your gift and our heartfelt thanks.

2 Sound Tracks - Vote for 1

Following are two versions of the sound track for our art film "To the Diggers". Help choose one by listening to both versions. Then, in your comments, vote for the version you prefer and convince us to use that one. Until December 1 e-mail your vote and comments to mark (at) horizongate.org with permission to add you to our mailing list and we will give you free, signed artwork from the film.

Film Sound Track Version #1 (copyright 2010, Mark R. Turner)

Film Sound Track Version #2 (copyright 2010, Mark R. Turner)

Guess What This Is And Win

This is a drawing of part of something shown in the film "To the Diggers". The first person who guesses what it is by January 1 (12am) will win a signed copy of the film. Listen to the sound track above in this blog for clues. Give as many guesses as you want in the comment box below, or by e-mail to mark (at) horizongate.org. Mark might respond with a clue for further guesses if you beg!

Help Choose Film Sound Track

As Mark has been creating the visual portion of our film, "To the Diggers", ideas for improving the sound track have been occurring to us. You can help us choose the sound track by listening and commenting on two versions. Until December 1 we will give you signed artwork from the film if you leave your e-mail addresses with your comments.

Two versions of the sound track are posted on the Web including this blog (above). They are in the form of two separate videos, approximately 2 minutes long, and the visual is just a still graphic. Please listen to both versions. Then, in your comments, state the version you prefer and convince us to use that one.

The more friends and family you get to listen and comment the better we'll know how to make the sound track.

Both versions are posted on each of the following links. Go to one of the sites and enjoy listening:

• Our Indiegogo Campaign Site: http://indiegogo.com/Art-Gets-Home Listen to both sound tracks on the "Update" tab. Vote and comment on the "Comment" tab.
• The Artingle Blog: http://artingle.blogspot.com Just vote and comment under each version. While you're there why not subscribe to the blog?
• Facebook: Horizon Gate Productions page http://artist.to/horizongate/Mark's Profile page http://profile.to/markrturner/ Choose and comment under each video in the video section. Choose and comment under each video in the video section.
• Horizon Gate's Blog: http://horizongate.blogspot.com Just vote and comment under each version. While you're there why not subscribe to the blog?
• Horizon Gate's You Tube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/horizongate?feature=mhum Comment in the channel comment box. While you're there, subscribe to our channel.

Help us make this movie!

Final Days for "Art Gets Home"

November 21 is the last full day of our Art Gets Home campaign to secure our Horizon Gate homebase. Visit our campaign page at Indiegogo.com ( http://indiegogo.com/Art-Gets-Home ) and you will see video of the place with Mark explaining the challenge.

As of this writing there have been over 1,621 views of the campaign home page. If just one-third of those people had contributed the lowest level of support offered, $20, our homebase for the arts would be current with the mortgage and have some funds toward coming payments.

There is still time to make our goal of $8,908. As each person contributes, many who might have only viewed the site are encouraged to make that next, simple click to join in. Even giving the smallest amount anonymously, helps build the momentum to rescue this important ministry.

• At each level of funding signed artwork, photography and films are offered as "thank you's" for your strategic help.

Ten years ago a major gift made it possible for us to begin radiating life-giving art from this place. It has been a place of inspiration to many who have attended events and seminars here. It has been a place encouraging original, imaginative creation, and conducive to quality preparation for mission trips. This has been an important place for recuperation when returning from ministry outreaches.

With the help of our supporters this homebase will be developed and improved for even greater ministry to come.

• When you help send bread to famine victims you feed a few for a finite time.
• When you help send our art to a world seeking God you feed countless souls for eternity.

That is the importance and value of this homebase.

Two Earmarks of God's Work

Everywhere we look there are forces and circumstances that break apart and scatter people.

Two Earmarks

We have recently been reminded by Christ's life that faith is characterized by "gathering" and "generosity" (Luke 11).

These are earmarks of God's actions among us. When we see these happening, we know where to put our support and what to cooperate with.

Want to see what God is
doing in the world?

Look for deeds that are healing divisions between people and gathering us together. Avoid people, organizations, and media that are divisive in language, visuals, attitudes and actions. Embrace what is conciliatory and usually you will find openness and generosity in there with it.

Generosity seems easier to spot, but it comes in many forms from handing a street person some change, to listening to someone's problems. We thank God for a generous plumber who recently broke away from his schedule to come over and help in an emergency.

In Tough Times

When times are tough it is harder to be generous with schedule and resources. But, without generosity toward one another, how will we survive the tough times? Yes, God will save us. God's way is to engage the flesh and blood walking on earth. We come into tough times often because we do not live as God's gathering, generous people.
That's learning the hard way. We know we're tired of it. How about you?

Still learning and growing,

Mark and Donna Turner
November, 2010

We Have Power of Place

Arts Home Base - Main house viewed from office/studio -- Here we can produce our films and art, house collaborating artists, and hold events. Situated in a mountain retreat setting near a historic California gold mining town, we neighbor other facilities which can house larger retreats and temporary production space. Helping us keep this property is a substantial boost to the creation of art and films which draw people to God. Through this place you can be an important factor in art and films which give countless people hope and courage to do great things.

When you apply for a job you expect the establishment to have some structure in which to work. Even if the job is out in the field, or on the road, you have someone someplace to relate to. We usually steer clear of a "business" which can not be found on the map.

So, too, artists usually need to operate out of more than the trunk of their car.

Ten years ago we were helped with a major gift to begin purchasing the place for our arts ministry. You can be part of the beauty and inspiration which now flows from this arts haven in the mountains around Julian, California. From here we have created art for ministries in Africa, Australia, North America and the global Internet. From this home base we assist and teach arts in our city as well as overseas. Having this place has made it possible to create art that carries the light of Christ around the world.

Please visit our "Art Gets Home" page http://indiegogo.com/Art-Gets-Home . Watch the video there to see pictures of the place. Listen to Mark's three-and-a-half minute presentation and peruse the levels of contribution from as low as $20. We are giving away signed art, photography and films as "thank you's" for contributions.

Art Reveals the Unseen

Drawings for the film "To the Diggers" -- Here is a sequence of drawings by Mark Turner studying a TV studio camera and camera operator. A TV studio is usually a mass of technology that we don't want to look at. Everything is focused on the illusion created by the gleaming set. But, these drawings show very intriguing shapes, lines and colors behind the scene which will entertain our viewers' eyes. Part of the mission of our film of drawings is to reveal more than the viewer normally thinks about. As a film the drawings will move through the field of vision and show a relationship to each other. In the gallery the drawings will stand alone as still images. In both ways the art will illuminate the mind and heart of the beholder.

Not Knowing Everything Is Very Freeing

by Mark Turner

The same picture can take on wildly different meanings depending on your attitude, world view, and faith. Remember that we do not see the whole picture. There are unseen things going on. That's not just “spooky talking”; it's just reality: you can't know everything! So, looking at the circumstances of your life, pessimism could be completely unfounded. Well, optimism could be unfounded too, . . . unless you embrace faith.

Faith informs our view point that yet unseen good is coming, that observable bad circumstances are not the whole picture, that God is always working all factors together for the good. Scripture is packed with promises and reassurances that God loves and delights in us, that God is everything we need, defending, rescuing and providing regardless of the way things seem.

Is God delaying the help we need? We simply can not see God working out factors we do not even know are part of the picture. Too often the “normal” response is to focus all of our strength, soul and mind on ourselves as the self-sufficient masters of everything. This could and does kill people. I mean, consider the stress that puts on us.

Give faith a boost by remembering that we do not know everything, but God does. Say, “Hey, for all I know God has the answer right around the corner.” Is this self-delusion? Call it what you like. I think a lot more is accomplished with this attitude than when we say, “I know it all. Get out of my way,” and then proceed to make things worse.

Those that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength, rise up with wings, run and walk without fainting (Isaiah 40:31). Value your understanding, but do not rely exclusively on it since it is but one aspect of the picture. Rather, acknowledge God in all your ways and He will direct your path (Proverbs 3:5).

Thinking and speaking with faith releases us from the pressure to fix everything ourselves, which is the impossible obligation put on us by a self-centered world. Interestingly, when we acknowledge we don't know everything, we relax and experience the joyful freedom needed to release creativity for effective partnership with God in ultimate solutions. Why would we want to live any other way?!

Art Gets Home - grab this place to radiate hope

Through this place you can be an important factor in art and films which give courage and hope to countless people. Help us secure our home base by either going to http://www.indiegogo.com/Art-Gets-Home , or going to http://www.horizongate.org and clicking on the "Donate" button to participate. (donations are tax deductible)
Beauty and inspiration will keep flowing from this place if we work together. $2,700 is needed by Sept. 30. An additional $5,619 will be needed by the end of October.
The equivalent of 12 pledges of $110.58 per month is needed to keep up on the payments. Call Donna's cell, 760-445-9470, to pledge.
Here is a concrete way to support the arts that inspire the world to do great things.

"To the Diggers" Film Enters News Media

Drawings of political campaigns have given way to drawings of news anchors and pundits. These drawings will be part of a montage corresponding to this part of the poem:

"We, transfixed by
images, Chew on shiny, tasty,
sexy fear, . . ."

The poem speaks of the transitory nature of statements blown out of proportion by the media today.

Mark spends many hours searching for models and then creating the drawings. The overall effect of all the drawings with the rich sound track will be very engaging. To see more drawings and follow the progress of the production go to Mark's blog, http://artingle.blogspot.com .

We Help Other Nonprofits Use Business As Mission

Non-profit organizations are feeling the loss of support as the economy has cut employment and as large donors have pulled back. Many charities and ministries have closed their doors. Many churches have measured a sharp decrease in giving. Horizon Gate too is suffering. But, the needs for which a mission was started do not go away just because the money does.
The Ministry of Helping Non-Profits
This is why we have attached to our mission "cause marketing," the work of helping other non-profits raise funds by inviting people to switch brands in support of their cause.
Newman' Own brand helped popularize "cause marketing" by donating all company profits to charity. The Shaklee corporation is giving non-profits free, perpetual fund raisers. At no charge, Shaklee, the number one all natural nutrition company in the U.S., is providing a state-of-the-art shopping web site and the means to earn a large, residual income internationally. As non-profits accept the opportunity, the Turners receive a percentage of their Shaklee business and that helps support the ministry of Horizon Gate too.

Organizations Are Signing On
One church has signed up under the Turners and another church is very positive about it. We will soon present the concept of "cause marketing" to an organization which does construction projects in low income communities. The Turners are presenting this program about once-a-month. As these organizations sell the products and sign up their own Shaklee distributors, they could add $10,000 to $14,000 to their annual budgets within six months. There is no limit to how much they could grow this fund raiser, especially when expanding into the currently open Shaklee markets of Canada, Mexico, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan and China.
Send Your Non-Profits Our Way
If you know of, or help a non-profit organization such as a church, private school, service organization, PTA, arts organization, or Sports club, chances are that they need the benefits of this opportunity. Please put them in touch with us: 760-445-9470, e-mail HealthIntheJungle@gmail.com. They can see an introductory video at http://tinyurl.com/freefunds2

Business and Mission Go Together

When the Mission Machine didn't feed all the bill collectors . . .

. . . Earl knew he had to push some of those other buttons.

Our mission is about people receiving inspiration from films and art so that they awaken to the significance of their lives on earth, rise in faith, encounter Christ and go on to live Godly lives. What mission could be more important than that?
But, part of the work is navigating through a world full of obstacles which try to deny us the time and resources to accomplish the mission. When we take on outside jobs, such as the one Mark and Donna have taken at Taylor Research, we do so with the prayer that it will fit in and contribute to our vision, rather than compete with it.
Effective, meaningful art requires sustained periods of thought, prayer, searching for inspiration, and experimentation followed by long hours of highly skilled labor. So, taking an outside job does interrupt the flow of art.
We understand that it has gotten harder to donate, but that you still want to give. Other streams of income can be employed to sustain the ministries you believe in. By building a new stream of income in the Turners' Shaklee business you can support us both through business and renewed donations. Click here to go to their business web site: http://healthinthejungle.myshaklee.com .

No More Small Thinking

The world does not need anymore small thinking. The challenges before us are all big and we all need to think bigger to meet them. If you are thinking "How will we survive?", fine. (Room for doubt) Now enlarge your thinking to "How will our survival help someone else thrive?" (Expectation of succeeding) If you are thinking "How can I help 10 other people?", good. Now enlarge your mission to help 100 people, 1,000 people, . . . and keep growing in God's strength.
We have been meditating on Psalm 18 which is full of metaphors about doing superhuman, implausible feats. As we apply these metaphors to our lives, we move ahead to meet the challenges and find God performs through us what we viewed as impossible. Small thinking keeps us from becoming all that we are made to be.
A business leader of ours, Gary Burke, says, "If you don't go after it, you'll never get it. If you don't step forward, you'll always stay in the same place. If you don't ask, the answer will always be 'no' ". Jesus says, "Keep asking and it shall be given to you; keep seeking and you shall find; keep knocking and the door shall be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7)
We're running with you.
Love,

Mark and Donna Turner
September, 2010

LUVmovie Gets New Lease on Life

When we released the film "Everybody knows how to spell LUV" in 2003 we were thinking like Internet geeks before the Internet was ready. Today we take for granted the ease of conversation through social media. This film was designed to generate conversation, but back then, conversation was not as easy to get.

Paul and Sharon Maley put in stunning performances in our indie film released in 2003. View a clip at http://tinyurl.com/LUVflick

New Era for LUV
So, we're bringing the film out again with the aid of Facebook. There is a good clip of the film posted there. Visit the film Facebook page by typing the film title in the search box, or just click this short address: http://tinyurl.com/LUVmovie.
Click the "Like" button at the top of the page to be part of the new audience and to encourage others to join the conversation. Being on the "Like" list puts you in the loop for new discussion topics, announcements and related events.
Get the DVD
We have just upgraded the products page on our web site to make it super easy to buy the DVD. You'll be glad to see it is now half price! Just click here http://www.horizongate.org/products/, scroll down to the film and click "Buy Now".
Still the Same Great Film
The film is still a great performance by Paul and Sharon Maley condensing the twists & turns, humor and pathos from first grade through college and into adult careers all in less than an hour! Simply put, it is an altogether engaging journey which thousands more will be glad to discover.
Help Build the New Audience
Please help spread the word! Tell them to go to the Facebook page, or to the products page of our web site and click "Buy Now".

Art Shows In Two Exhibitions

Mark Turner has been showing five of his paintings and one photograph at exhibitions. Three of his paintings appeared at the "Art-Jazz-Poetry" evening, July 23, held annually by the Arts Council of St. Paul's Cathedral, downtown San Diego.

Storm to Calm by Mark Turner
acrylic, 45.5 x 22.75"

Two other paintings and a photograph are hanging in St. Paul's Cathedral for the month of August for a juried show called "Images of Peace on Earth". The show commemorates the 65th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Composition from Twigs
by Mark Turner
acrylic, 20.25" x 16"

The Cathedral is open during day time as well as at service times for all who want to see the show. It is located in San Diego's Banker's Hill area on the corner of 5th Avenue and Nutmeg St., next to Balboa Park. For more info call the church office: (619) 298-7261.

Film Gets Political Drawings

Early in the "To the Diggers" film we will see flashes of political campaigns. So, Mark has been collecting and studying photos of politicians pressing flesh in the crowds and waving from motorcades.

Detail of a political campaign drawing for "To the Diggers" film by Mark Turner

The poetic words underlying this section are as follows:

"We regard as wisdom
Bright reflections, pixels,
Bites of sound repeated;
Arranging body and face
Choreographed in a timely place,
Makes powerful and great."

The drawings made from these studies will form a fast cutting montage. The images you see here are details from the larger, colored pencil drawings which will enjoy a second life exhibited along side the completed film. Other work on the film has included enlarging images to emphasize individual

A detail of a political motorcade drawing by Mark Turner.

pixels. I have made 17 of these "swatches" and will use them as colorful flashes over other images.
The next set of drawings will be from studies of TV News Pundits, news sets and TV equipment.
To follow the progress on this film and see more drawings subscribe to the blog Artingle.

What is the Value?

Donna and I are asking "What is the value?" more often.
Everyone is concentrating a little harder these days to be sure we get the most value for each of the fewer dollars in our keeping. We also ask "What is the value of my work? Will it pay the bills?"
The inspiring vision which once motivated a person's life mission has the tendency to fade in the urgency of paying some bill. It's not that the vision and mission isn't still valid, but we just have to postpone it, to put it off until there is time, or until "we can afford it."
In "good times" it is easier to affirm the value of beauty, generosity, art, spirituality, faith. However, it is when things get tight that we must affirm the value of those intangibles. In hard times we need the inspiration of art, poetry, beauty and spiritual direction to carry on in faith that God will make a way where there is no way.
If ever there is a time to help sustain the "intangible" ministry of Horizon Gate, it is now when so many need the courage, hope and faith promoted by our art and films. Just the act of giving a little to these ministries is an act in defiance of the slave masters which would steal your vision away.
We pray that our faithfulness to the heavenly vision will inspire courage in your soul to hold on to your mission in life.

Love,

Mark and Donna Turner
August, 2010

Art Film Takes Form

Before Mark could proceed to create the drawings for the film "To the Diggers" he had to script it.

Click this frame to see Mark explain that "To the Diggers" is film 2 of 4 slated for exhibition in a special gallery/cafe next Spring.

Mapping the Journey
This film will be pretty complex even though it will be short. Before picking up the art materials Mark had to type out a script to make himself think through all the visuals and timing. Spinning off of a completed sound track (it was part of a podcast) is a big help because the visuals can extend the poetic images and sound effects.

A composite of a photo and a drawing for the film "To the Diggers" by Mark Turner. See http://artingle.blogspot.com for more.

This is like an animation in that we have to know the split seconds for each sequence. With the script all thought out Mark won't have to pause much to think up a visual the whole trip, just draw and draw and draw . . .
And folks, you are gonna love all these drawings going by.

"To the Diggers" Generates Interest, Gains Backers

Our campaign to fund the short art film "To the Diggers", has been viewed over 2,219 times in the last 3 weeks. That's over 100 visits per day! Referral icons on the site have been clicked by viewers 59 times inviting others to take a look. These statistics indicate there is significant interest in our project.
Interest In the Good We Could Do
This level of interest is not surprising when you consider the potential for good: art films and the art used to make them exhibited in a place where they stimulate conversations which draw people to God; where artists, filmmakers, gallery and café workers form community around the mission. Please click http://www.indiegogo.com/To-the-Diggers to review the mission.
Creative Incentives for Giving
People have donated both on the campaign site and off line totaling, as of this

Detail of painting for film 3: "The Gateway" about imagination in prayer

writing, $640. We have until July 10th to reach our goal of $7,000. At our rate of visits to the site we could still reach our goal if you and your friends will choose from contribution levels as low as $1. If we do reach our goal by the 10th, IndieGoGo.com will donate an additional 5% of the total.
We Can Reach the Goal
So, please visit http://www.indiegogo.com/To-the-Diggers. Get everyone you know on the Internet to go there and choose a level of contribution. There are some nice rewards on each level of giving including copies of our films signed by the artists, personalized poetry recordings, original art and your name in the film credits.
Pray for the campaign to gather people as well as dollars to support this ministry.

Watch this Film Being Produced

You can look over Mark's shoulder as he creates our next art film, "To the Diggers". He is posting reports and pictures from the production on his blog http://artingle.blogspot.com . The first installment is up and you can even comment on what you see. Imagine that: an artist lets you watch and comment as he works! Don't miss this opportunity.
Pieces of It Could Be Yours!
Those who participate in this way will be first in line to get special mementos of this new artistic piece. It is being composed of many drawings suitable for framing with an intriguing mix of spoken word, rhythms and sound effects. Be sure to subscribe to the blog so you won't miss any installments.

Film Collection to Inspire Conversations

The Film Gallery Collection is the first wave of a campaign to inspire lots of people. We are producing four art films which will be the core of a growing collection to be exhibited in a film-gallery-café. This is our dream of people sitting among the films and the art used to make them being inspired to have life changing conversations.
Each Film Builds to the Next
The first phase was the art film, "Comforting Hovers", which is produced and released. The remaining three are at various stages of development. Each film is another phase building to the final and fifth phase: the premiere of the collection in a pilot venue testing our film-gallery-café concept.

"Diggers" to Make Noise
We are now in the second phase of the campaign, "Film 2: 'To the Diggers'". Like "Comforting Hovers" this film merges physical artwork with digital treatment, spoken word with music and sound effects, all in a motion graphics presentation which inspires the viewers to talk about the philosophical and spiritual aspects of life. But, it will be more boisterous and aggressive than "Comforting Hovers". Based upon a poem Mark wrote in 2006, "To the Diggers" employs images and noises from current affairs. It is about the temporary nature of public image and marketing in the flow of history.
Party Soon and Premiere Next Spring
We plan to have a release party late summer/early fall to celebrate the completion of "To the Diggers". When the whole collection of films is completed the premiere of the films will be a pilot event to test the new exhibition idea, the "film-gallery-café". The projected time of the pilot event is Spring, 2011. This test event will teach us about opening a permanent venue where art films and the artwork used to make them stimulate significant conversations encouraging people on their journeys toward God. Until then each finished film will help build the support base which will make the premiere a big success and launch development of the "film-gallery-café".

The Power To Be Christ Extended

We just celebrated Pentecost Sunday, the empowerment of Jesus' followers to go into all the world as Christ extended. You can not think of Christ without observing the engagement of the spiritual with the material. Jesus said it was necessary for him to ascend to the Father so that the Holy Spirit would come.
"But, why not just stay? We don't need the Holy Spirit; we have you, Jesus."
What he MEANT was: the Holy Spirit was to come so we would be him in multiplied numbers, rather than just one to whom everyone clung without the slightest thought that they would ever speak, act or be like him.
Christ treated material things as servants and vehicles of the spiritual. The Holy Spirit came to empower us to do the same, to open eyes, heal the sick, multiply the bread and fish, turn water into wine, release the prisoners, calm storms and, when appropriate, walk on water.
What were we thinking? Of course, you are right, Oh Lord. Yes, come Holy Spirit. We have hung back fearfully from the needs of the world, from the blindness, the lame, the sick, the prisoners, the hungry, the storms and from those who need us to walk on water. Come, Holy Spirit, transform us into Christ extending into the world with creation power.

Yours,

Mark and Donna Turner
June, 2010

Bless Mother with a Card from Artingle

This is one of several beautiful images for your Mothers Day cards
which are available at Mark Turner's online shop "Artingle".
Click on the image to go there.

Four beautiful cards to bless the mothers in your life are available at Mark Turner's new online shop "Artingle". These are the first of a large collection of cards which Mark is publishing to encourage quality, personal communication between friends and family.
The visuals are carefully selected for their inspiration and ability to evoke spiritual contemplation. Available both in large and small sizes, they are blank cards so you can write your own personal message inside. To further personalize them you are sent the digital file of the card by e-mail which you then print yourself as many times as you like on 8 ½ x 11 sheets. One is arranged to be folded once for a greeting card. Another is arranged to be folded twice for a note card.
The selection includes a black and white drawing of a bouquet backed by a pastoral landscape which you can personalize by hand coloring in your own style. Beautiful, impressionistic roses adorn two others and the fourth features a peaceful photo of lotuses in a pond.
You can visit the Artingle shop at http://artingle.etsy.com . Your purchases support the Turners' ministry and extend it into the lives of your own circles.

Mothers Day Is Our Chance

Mothers Day is everyone's chance to think of the model of giving and generosity God has built into motherhood. Not every woman wants that image thrust upon her, but they find surprising resources within to meet the huge challenge. Both man and woman are made to be generous, even though we often feel we can not live up to it. God provides the way and strengthens us to do it.
Sometimes it feels so impossible that we actually pray. Why pray? The challenges of life and prayer exist to show us the presence of God. Viewing troubles as opportunities, rather than hell on earth, raises us to our intended status as creators, problem solvers and stewards of this world. Impossibilities prompt prayer in order to prove we are not lone, independent agents, fending for ourselves: God made us to enjoy the fellowship of working with Him. The benefits are found in freely opening to receive God's solutions by asking.

God bless the image of Himself in mothers.

Yours,

Mark and Donna Turner
May, 2010

Getting What You Want

The quandry: "...but, if I give it to HIM, what about ME?"

We value what meets our needs, hopes and dreams. In this is a key to building relationships and wholesome communities. People are drawn to those who discern and deliver what they need. We would tend to draw toward each other more if we all discerned and delivered what each other needed. Thanking one another might become more common. As needs were met, more of us would be able to turn to higher things than just getting our needs met.
More often most of us focus on what WE need and strive to get it for ourselves. If you devote all your time and energy to discerning and delivering what OTHERS want, you never have time to get your OWN . . . right? But, don't we prefer to patronize businesses which are oriented around the customer? Customer oriented businesses prosper better than self-centered companies. Movies that appeal to the audience are the most popular. It better serves ourselves to serve others. Not only do we get more customers, but it feels better all around.
Jesus said it: "Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For whatever measure you deal out to others, it will be dealt to you in return." (Luke 6:38)
An artist would apply this principal by delivering the beauty, insight, inspiration that the audience is seeking, rather than indulging only in "self expression". Self expression can be fulfilled by giving what is needed. The writer consciously chooses to write the screenplay thinking of the audience, trusting that he/she will receive their own needs if they deliver the audience's needs. This will help create a work of long lasting value.
But none of us can deliver anything without ultimately receiving it from God Who knows all our needs and delivers. Can we trust God to provide what the others need us to deliver? This should be the artist's prayer.

New Video Spreads the Vision

We have produced a video launching our "Shine Your Light" campaign to support the artists. Thank God for artists. Without them most of us would not be inspired to rise up and do the good we can do. The Horizon Gate artists have been inspiring us for over 40 years. Right now they are preparing a hand full of art films for an exhibition coming soon and you can participate in many ways listed in this video. Lets get a lot of great things done together and let our light shine!

"Shine Your Light" Campaign Is On!

The way things go sometimes it just seems like we're a gray sea of people, each wrapped up in our own necessities. Thank God for the artists of Horizon Gate who, for over 40 years, have been shining their lights into the crowd, showing the way of hope, aiding people in coming to God.
Most do not realize the role of artists in the world, but without them most of us would not be inspired to rise up to good deeds such as feeding the poor, or digging people out of the ruins of an earthquake.
"Shine Your Light" is a campaign to keep our artists' lights burning so they will continue to provide the inspiration and godly message as they have for so long.
Horizon Gate provides the covering and structure needed for artists to collaborate and produce the art films now in process toward a significant exhibition later this year. Right now we urgently need you to help supply funding, support work and word-of-mouth promotion. Join the effort in the following ways:

1. Contribute financially in one of these levels
Script Level - one time gifts of $100 or more
Storyboard Level - a pledge of $25 per month
Lights Level - a pledge of $50 per month
Camera Level - a pledge of $100 per month
Premier Level - pledge of $200 or more per month

OUR FIRST GOAL - $3,000 BY MONDAY, MARCH 29TH

Be among the first 30 people who launch our campaign by sending $100, or more. Go to www.horizongate.org and click on the "Donate" button to give through PayPal. Regular mail to P.O.Box 2186, Julian, CA 92036, is gratefully accepted as well. (Make checks out to Horizon Gate Productions.)

2. Collaborate with us as artists, or support workers: call 760-765-3884, e-mail info@horizongate.org, or message us on Horizon Gate's Facebook wall http://artist.to/horizongate

3. Be a client, or business builder in our artists' personal businesses. Links to all the businesses are found at our new landing page http://artsgate.info

4. Spread the word about Horizon Gate and this campaign by sending links for our video to friends and family, forwarding this e-mail, and recommending our web sites and blogs to others. Artsgate.info is a convenient way to get people to all our links and buttons.

Use Our Landing Page to Go Everywhere

It is easier to find all our web sites. Artsgate.info is a landing page which we are using as the portal to the vision and support vehicles of Horizon Gate artists. You can click on links to web sites, Facebook pages, blogs, and Twitter. When we add another site, we will add it to Artsgate.info. You will also find videos, and you can tell others to use the buttons there to get this newsletter and to donate.

"Glow In the Crowd"

"Glow In the Crowd" by Mark Turner

Christ said, "Let your light so shine before people so that they will see your good works and praise (worship) the Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

We offer enlarged prints of inspirational images illustrating spiritual truth signed by the artist, Mark Turner, and suitable for framing, as a "thank you" for your donation to sustain the artists engaged by our arts organization.

See all images at Mark's blog "Artingle" .

A 9"x14" print of "Glow In the Crowd" is available as a thank you for a donation of $35 or more.

To donate and receive your thank you gift reply to this e-mail stating your donation. We will send you a reply with a link to PayPal and send your print within approximately ten days of your donation.

Get Out and Mix

Many of us Christians live with an underlying sense of responsibility to "recruit for Christ".
Such an obligation is something different than what Christ calls us to. We are being formed into the radiance of Christ, into his image, as children of God. As we conduct our lives in the world the Family resemblance is manifested in the way we work, play, relate to others, in the things we make and say, in the conversations we have and the care we give. Sometimes we are verbally specific about the truth of Christ, but always we are "little Christs" (the meaning of "Christian"), the presence of Christ which is redemptive wherever we go.
A major delay in the world coming to God is that many of the little Christs, don't get out much, feeling more comfortable keeping to themselves and their regular routines. But God has put a light in us which yearns to radiate; not to promote, or sell itself, but to simply be its beautiful self and, in so being, to beautify those around it by its radiance.
This is why Christ said, "Let your light so shine before people so that they will see your good works and praise (worship) the Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16
Look at the next post listing ways you can get out and mix.

Ways You Can Get Out and Mix

Never before in history has there been a time when so many ways were offered to get around. Even from your kitchen, or an obscure Starbucks table you can send the light of Christ around the globe. Here are a few ways we do it. Following each item are actions you can take to participate.
1. E-mail: Even this is getting a little archaic! But, friends, associates and family can be blessed by the words, pictures, audio and video which can be sent for far less than the price of a postage stamp. Go to our homepage , scroll to the bottom and sign up to receive your free copies of our e-newsletter. When you get your copy each month use the links provided to forward it to others with encouragement to subscribe too. Consider more creative uses of your own e-mails.
2. Social Networking: Facebook, MySpace, Plaxo, Linked-in, and many other sites facilitate building existing and new relationships. You can even create such a site yourself designed for a specific type of interest group to gather in. Whether for fellowship, voluntary activities, marketing, or professional networking, these sites help connect people who in the past would never have found each other. Through our presence on Facebook alone Horizon Gate is regularly addressing potentially over fifty-thousand people. When you sign up for Facebook you immediately gain the capacity to bless and influence many more people. Become a "fan" on Horizon Gate's Facebook page by clicking here - http://artist.to/horizongate/ . Start your own Facebook page and build your own network.
3. Blogs: Here you can present your thoughts and inspirations in countless genres from recipes to Bible studies, in pictures, video, audio and text. You can be all verbal, all pictorial, or both. You can promote, or comment on others' presentations elsewhere on the web. What you post on a blog remains available to the whole world 24/7 until you decide to remove it. In ten years, whether you are on earth, or gone to heaven, someone could be blessed and drawn to God by what you post. And these are but a few possibilities to shine your light world wide, for free through blogging. Make comments on Horizon Gate's blogs - HorizonGate - SayLetThereBe
Visit other blogs and write comments mentioning Horizon Gate providing a link to our blog and web site. This motivates others to visit ours.
4. Online Businesses: You could have a web site where people with special needs can find solutions produced, or represented by you. Ebay.com, CraigsList.org and Etsy.com are examples to explore. Through business you could shine the light into people's lives, whether or not they are in your immediate village. We have had accounts on Ebay and CraigsList. The Turners are planning a shop on Etsy.com besides their business through www.GraceProceeds.com . Become a participant in iGive.com , a free service through which over 700 well-known businesses donate to Horizon Gate a percentage of the cost of your online purchases. Click here to join free of charge:



Browse and send others to the Turners' business site, GraceProceeds.com where their ministry is extended through business that helps support their presence in Horizon Gate.
5. All of the Above: Combine these and other avenues to reinforce one another. For example our audio programs on BlogTalkRadio.com are posted on the "Say Let There Be" blog and are also available as text articles which give links to businesses and the Horizon Gate ministries. These find new people and build relationships which increase our light shining in wider and wider circles. Visit, listen to our programs and leave comments on our page at blogtalkradio.com .
For a much fuller experience where you can read along and see illustrations listen and leave comments on our "Say Let There Be" blog.
Someone in your friends and associates and in each of their circles needs some blessing that contact with Horizon Gate could bring. Help them connect with us through the ways listed here. The light of Christ will reach through you as far as you allow it to shine.