Month: December 2019

Living In The Light Of Eternity by Dr. Tony Evans

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HELLO!

Tomorrow we say goodbye to 2019. Time sure does fly when you grow older! At 20, time couldn’t move fast enough. Now at 56, I want to turn back the clock. (Not back to age 20, but maybe 40?????)

I’ve learned so many hard lessons by running ahead, motivated by misplaced expectations, wrong thinking & prideful desires. I’m extremely grateful to be here at 56…having learned the secret of contentment. It is simply placing my complete trust and reliance on the Lord. Paul tells us that it (contentment) is a secret we can learn, if we are willing to listen. This is the subject of the study I wrote called “The Virtue Of Contentment.”

And, even though I have a more steady walk of faith, like all human beings, I continue to stumble and lose my way. Dr. Evans says this:

“Where I look, will change the way I live.”

I spent so much time looking inward when all I needed to do was look up! Over time, the understanding that “this is not our home” was able to penetrate my heart and mind…changing my perspective…the way I think.

Having an eternal perspective can only come from the Lord, and this girl is ETERNALLY grateful that the Lord has been so patient…not confined by our understanding of time…waiting patiently for me to turn my eyes toward Him…for “He wants no one to perish!” <——that means YOU ❤️

 The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.  – Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace.

 Time is money. – Benjamin Franklin.

 Time waits for no one. – Folklore.

 Better three hours too soon than a minute too late. – William Shakespeare.

Lost time is never found again. – Benjamin Franklin.

 Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend. – Theophrastus.

 Time is the wisest counselor of all. – Pericles.

Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back. —Harvey Mackay

You can’t have a better tomorrow if you are thinking about yesterday all the time. Charles F. Kettering

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. -J. R. R. Tolkien

ALL WE HAVE TO DECIDE IS WHAT TO DO WITH THE TIME THAT IS GIVEN US. It’s a choice we each must make, every minute of every day. We are either moving TOWARD God or AWAY from Him. I don’t think there is anything in between. Living with an eternal perspective is not in our nature, but if we simply practice LOOKing UP…what we DO WILL MATTER…for eternity ❤️

A friend of mine practices this by setting her WATCH. During her work day, she sets her watch alarm to go off several times a day, reminding her to STOP and Look up. I LOVE THIS! We need help with this practice, and how fitting that she relies on her watch:)

I’ll close with this…

Dr. Evans tells the story of the Shoe Cobbler…

A man walks into the Shoe Cobbler’s shop, hoping to have his shoes repaired. It was late, and the man thought he might be turned away. The Cobbler said “of course, I will fix your shoes now.” The man was surprised with the time being so late, and asked the shop keeper if he might need a ride home. (Since he saw no other car in the lot) The Cobbler said no, I won’t need a ride

“I work down here…but I LIVE UP THERE”

Let’s continue to rehearse for the final show, getting better with each daily run through! As we experience the confidence we gain through the presence and provision of the Lord, our expectations will move toward “heavenly behavior” and victory will be won.

Here’s to a New Year that begins by Looking up!

Much love,

Stones Of Remembrance

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A teaching by Dr. Tony Evans (you can listen to this message on the FREE Tony Evans app)

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I have long used this scripture (Joshua 4:1-24) when describing the function of Bible Journaling…to create an altar to the Lord…a lasting memorial of the place where God has met with me. I like to imagine that one day, my children and hopefully their children will read of the great work God has done in my life through the pages of my Bible and my journals.

It was so convicting to hear Dr Evans speak of the generation of people (in the book of Judges) who had not been told of God’s great faithfulness and suffered from that knowledge not being shared with them.

Sharing our stories happens in many forums…in the workplace, church communities, social circles, & even Target:)

It is through our stories, God reveals His glory…and if we don’t speak of it, even the rocks will cry out!

Luke 19

36As He rode along, the people spread their cloaks on the road. 37And as He approached the descent from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of disciples began to praise God joyfully in a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen:

38“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

39But some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples!”

40“I tell you,” He answered, “if they remain silent, the very stones will cry out.”

Since my kids were little, I have collected rocks. Mostly from our travels. They remind me of the gift of time the Lord has given us…allowing our family to spend time with one another experiencing His glory in the most beautiful places.

My rock bowl from Spain 😊

I consider these rocks altars to the Lord, as I am reminded of His provision, His Glory and His Majesty.

God required these altars be built for the people’s good. Our Father knows that we are stupid sheep that are easily lost. We desperately NEED to be reminded of God’s faithfulness, lest we forget! We are easily fooled by our pride into believing that the good work we do is achieved by our meager efforts. Our pride trips us up and causes us to stumble and fall in so many countless ways.

When we are intentional about remembering what God has done in our lives, it gives us confidence in His faithfulness and we can learn to trust Him with more! (Instead of falling back into our old habit of self reliance and self focus)

Find a way that you can build your own altars to the Lord….a collection of “things” that remind you of the moments He has clearly provided for you. (Rocks,feathers,journals,photos, etc.)

Keep these altars in a place you will see them and be reminded.

May they be for the next generation, so that they will HEAR of God’s Glory!

Much love,

Understanding A Thorn by Dr Tony Evans

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IF you’d like a blank note page click here

Hello!

Today’s post comes again from Dr. Tony Evans’ podcast. You can listen too, by going to your App Store and downloading the Tony Evans app.

If you give it a listen, you can follow along with my notes 😊

“HOW TO UNDERSTAND A THORN” Posted Dec. 26th

This message comes from 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. We find Paul pleading (3 x) with the Lord to remove a thorn.

Do you have an irritating thorn in your paw right now? If so, I pray that you will find relief and hope through this message. It’s a GOOD one!

Dr. Evans tells a story about Billy Graham. In this story, Dr.Graham was sited for going 10 miles an hour over the speed limit. The monetary fine he received was $100. When the Judge asked if Graham was guilty, his response was yes. It was then that the Judge connected this unmistakeable voice with the person standing before him & he was shocked…overcome.

He took out $100 and paid Dr. Graham’s fine, then asked him if he could buy him a steak dinner! Billy Graham received GRACE because of WHO HE WAS.

SOMETIMES we receive “A TICKET” in order to receive grace…BUT, we have to KNOW WHO (AND WHO’S) WE ARE.

DR. EVANS also tells a story about a building without enough elevators.

In order to shift the public’s focus from the thorn of waiting for an elevator, the building installed mirrors on every floor.

IF WE CAN REDIRECT OUR FOCUS ON THE LORD, WHILE WE WAIT FOR THE ELEVATOR TO BRING US FROM THE FLOOR WE ARE STUCK ON, WE WILL BE OPEN TO RECEIVE THE BLESSING OF GROWTH HE HAS FOR US.

“IF GOD IS ALLOWING A THORN, HE IS ADMINISTERING AN IV WITH THE MEDICINE WE NEED” <——- Love that!

I hope you will find some time to listen to this encouraging teaching, and then in the quiet…journal what you have learned…and maybe even add one of the images above to create a memorial to the Lord of the place He met with you ❤️

Much love,

Seeking God’s Kingdom First-Dr. Tony Evans

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FOR THE FREE PRINTABLE NOTES PAGE CLICK HERE

FOR THE FREE PRINTABLE BLANK NOTES PAGE CLICK HERE

HELLO, on this Good Friday, Dec. 27th!

For those of you who have been following my journaling, you know I’m an avid listener of Dr. Tony Evans!

You can listen to his podcasts with his free app.


Just when I think I truly understand a section of God’s Word, the Lord gives me a fresh perspective!

The Podcast I listened to this morning is titled “Seeking God’s Kingdom First” posted on December 23rd. (From Matthew 6-25-34)

Do Not Worry

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendorwas dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

The following quotes really stood out to me in this teaching on Matthew 6:

  • “What food is to the body, righteousness is to the soul.”
  • “The antidote to worry, is the repositioning of God’s place in your life”
  • “Are you running so fast to catch your plane, that you out run even the Pilot? You’re not going anywhere without the Pilot!”

Living in the present WITH God, is to abide. It’s a constant effort of obedience to seek His will in every moment of every day. It’s not something that comes naturally for any of us. We can only walk hand in hand with the Lord by opening up our hands… Putting down the other thing(s) we are holding instead & Daily REPOSITIONING Him as the first priority in our life. This is the key to experiencing fruit. (Love, joy, peace, patience, etc. / Gal 5)

It’s our nature to race ahead, to get to the plane first, and fly solo. How crazy is that? Would we attempt to fly and airplane without it’s pilot? Learning to follow takes time, but with each step of obedience we take, God meets us with His presence and provision. Experiencing this (HIM) is what grows our confidence in His faithfulness to provide…and from this, our desire to position the Lord first in our lives will grow.

Let me know if you like these printable note pages and I will work on creating more!

I created the sticker page and you can find them in my Etsy shop.

Bless you!

The Virtue Of Contentment

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Hello!

I’ve been away from my writing desk for quite some time. While I’ve continued to post Doodle 101’s on Instagram, I have set my blog aside due to other priorities in my life. I’m a Mama of 4 and Mimi to 5, and love every minute of these very important roles! I have also been focused on Women’s Ministry and connecting deeply with the precious Sisters God has allowed me to walk beside. I am in another season of change and have found time to update my Bible Journaling Study The Virtue Of Contentment.

This study is deeply personal for me, as it came from my difficult journey out of a miry pit. I am so grateful to be rescued and it’s an extremely rich blessing to have the opportunity to use both my passion for God’s Word and my love of creating together to glorify the Lord!

His rescue plan for me included Women like you; caring Sisters who lovingly walked with me as witnesses to the relationship I could have with the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit. Out of desperation, I slowly took the important steps towards obedience and God met me there with His presence and provision. 

Out of deep appreciation for His love and kindess, I have a sincere desire to share the good news with others. Everything I have and everything I am is a gift from God. He has so sweetly allowed my passion for His word and my passion for creating to come together in a way that brings Him glory.

This Book was created as an aid, to facilitate both a Bible Study and the process of journaling. This study was birthed through my own personal journey to restoration.  In this workbook you will find the 3,2,1 Method of Study, weekly questions, journaling prompts and doodle 101’s. These short journaling lessons will help you take the truth God reveals to you and create a lasting visual of His Word. It’s less about creating art, and more about connecting multiple senses in the process of meditating on God’s Word. Journaling can simply be re-writing scripture, keeping a gratitude list, or tracking your plan of obedience and journey of faith. These expressions of truth and praise, will become an altar to the Lord… a lasting memorial of the place where God has met with you. (Gen 12:6-9). I pray that you will meet with your Father daily, relying on Him for all things. To Him, all glory is given!

A FEW PAGES FROM THE BOOK

I will continue to add Bullet Journal Options to compliment this study. You can find them by going to my Home Page Menu.

If you’d like to order the Study, you can find it in my Etsy shop. Click “My Etsy Shop” on the side bar of my blog or go to ETSY.COM and search for my shop 1ARTHOUSE. THE BIBLE STUDY WORKBOOK COMES WITH A STUDY GUIDE BOOKMARK AND SCRIPTURE STICKER FOR YOUR PERSONAL BULLET JOURNAL.

As always, I’m here to answer any questions you have along the way!

Look for more info coming soon about another exciting project I’ve been working on…

Puzzles to facilitate community and conversation about God. Kickstarter coming soon!

Much love,