CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW FOR THE PDF FILE 🙂
May you be fruit filled today!!!
xo,
Just a fruity Doodle
faith
Speaking Truth in Love ❤️
Hello!
I want to share the process of speaking truth in love in a personal way with you today.
This is something I talk about often, especially with women in my close circles. As a wife and mother, I have learned this lesson MANY times over the years. The receiver will have closed ears if they hear even the hint of anything other than LOVE. (Anger, frustration, condemnation, etc.) Motivation to speak “truth” often comes from these places of frustration, anger, etc. and changing this natural human response could only happen once I acknowledged my own need for correction, and…that without the power of the Holy Spirit, I would not be able to deliver truth IN LOVE. (The message would always be slighlty tainted by “my flesh.”)
Correction is important to our growth, but until it is motivated by love and tempered with that love the recipient will not “hear” a “hard” truth. NONE of us like to hear or “see” our own faults and stumblings.
“And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, or lose heart when He rebukes you. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son.” -Hebrews 12:5,6
In order to speak truth and have it be heard, we must first develop trust within the relationship. It is only through time that we can develop a “track record” of loving responses that will enable the other person to see our true motivation is a matter of the heart.
I love the example Jason Weimer from CRU shares about this topic
What Makes Talking With You Taste Good?
Consider salt. Yes, salt.
In the ancient world salt did more than just make French fries tasty. Before refrigeration, salt preserved meat to keep it from spoiling. These dual purposes – flavoring and preserving – offer context to verses like Colossians 4:6 – “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Asking questions, listening, and seeking to understand is a great start to this. We can also encourage people with Scripture blended with snapshots of how we experience it personally.
We can give people a taste of Jesus.
My wife experienced this firsthand recently. We had just bought four chickens and put a coop in the back corner of our property. Our neighbor’s dog became obsessed with them, feverishly sniffing along the fence and refusing to do his other backyard business.
A few days later my neighbor saw my wife in our yard, stormed over, and confronted her.
“I’m not okay with the chickens,” he said.
My wife was taken aback, but she took a breath and whispered a prayer before responding.
“Can you tell me what’s bothering you?” she said. “Maybe we can work something out that would be good for both of us.”
His demeanor immediately changed, as he was expecting defensiveness. It was like my wife had disarmed a bomb, and through peaceful conversation they were able to agree to a solution.
This salt-seasoned interaction with my wife warmed him and our relationship has grown ever since.
So, back to the my personal story:)
Yesterday, I created a post and Doodle 101 regarding Wisdom. Below is the original image I created.
Later that day, a sweet online friend and Sister in Christ sent me a message that was salty, BUT tasted good:) In her message, she tempered truth with such love. She began by encouraging & supporting me, and in a gentle way, asked me about the modesty of the image of “wisdom” above.
She said…”Somehow wisdom with a hint of immodesty don’t seem to go together.”
In all honesty, I hadn’t given it a thought! Often, when I create a drawing tutorial, I consider what will be the most simple and direct way to the end goal. When I drew lady wisdom above, I wanted to draw a simple top, using minimal lines. I also wanted to convey a hint of grace and a posture of “knowing.” I instinctively drew what I would call a “ballet scoop neck” without even thinking about her slightly bare shoulders.
I have to agree with my friend, any form of immodesty and wisdom do not go together! Thank you Sister, for taking the time to not only encourage me, but to also speak truth in a loving way!
I especially liked something else she said that further “tempered” this truth she delivered…
“I totally mean it with gentleness and love, one sister speaking with her sister to maybe help her to see something that she may have missed. Kind of like I would say to a friend that may have some broccoli stuck in her teeth. :)”
What a beautiful example of speaking truth in love.
Here is my new drawing for Wisdom:)
AS ALWAYS, CLICK ON THE IMAGE ABOVE FOR THE PDF
IT’S ALL ABOUT LOVE,
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Focus
Happy Tuesday!
A special welcome if you are new here! It’s an honor and a privilege to connect with so many Sisters in Christ ❤
Today, I’m beginning with a bit of a confession…
Lately, I have been “focusing” on improving my watercolor techniques. I am a self taught doodler, with no formal art training. (Other than freshman high school art! Thank you Ms. Marsh!) I have so much to learn!
Yesterday, after spending several hours working with watercolor, (twice the time I spent with God) a twitter post from Lysa TerKeurst came across my iPad screen.
“A good heart check for today: Whatever is holding our attention the most is what we’re truly worshipping.” -Lysa Terkeurst
OUCH! The Holy Spirit grabbed my attention in that moment, and caused me to evaluate my time management, which was quite telling of my focus & my heart.
So, I quit what I was working on, and got back to the business of prayer and study.
Later last night, I went to find that quote. It was still “on my heart” and I wanted to create a visual to remember it!
I have a twitter account, but I don’t really use it. I am so technically challenged, that I don’t even know why her tweet came across my screen?!!! 😂
ANYWAY, I was searching google for her twitter feed from yesterday, and the quote below came up from a few years ago…
”Wherever we focus our attention the most, will become the driving force in our lives.” -Lysa TerKeurst
Well, that was right on point too! God, are you trying to tell me something?!
I think so.
I LOVE creating. I could sit and draw, paint, doodle…all day long. That is a misuse of the precious time the Lord has given me to share of His glory and fulfill the purpose He has made me for….I need to listen to the Holy Spirit regarding balance in my life.
Anyway….
I finished this visual today and thought I would share it with all of you!
Hope becomes a visual reminder for you as well…
CLICK ON THE IMAGE ABOVE FOR THE PDF
Bless you & your time with the Lord,
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To the least of these…
Hello!
I’m writing from my bed today…after caring for several sickies, I have now fallen to the same end, & on my lap sits my iPad Pro. How amazing it is to be afforded the luxury of laying here with this miraculous piece of technology underneath my fingertips. I am constantly in awe and wonder over it’s capabilities!
Below you will find my latest doodle 101 of a few cute woodland animals. Their evolution began yesterday, when I started working on a simple little sketch from a live “model” on my back patio…a mama dove on her nest with 2 babies.
2 years ago today, my Mom left this world to be with Jesus. When I returned home from the hospital, I found a dove nesting on my back porch for the first time.
(This is the original post I wrote the week I found that dove)
2 years ago, I experienced God’s presence with me, as I watched this dove make her home in my backyard.
A symbol of hope…a promise of new life…& eternal life.
She has come back this year, caring for her babies, as the circle of life continues. She reminds me that the Lord is faithful and good. She reminds me that He cares for us in such personal ways…often mysterious, often misunderstood. I am again reminded that this earth is not my home, but while I am here, God He has called me to follow His lead…
“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” -Matthew 6:26
…to love without measure…to care for those I sometimes feel are unlovable… to serve the lost, the widow, the orphans, the poor…the sparrows.
Matthew 25:40
And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
I hope to get back to my sketch book soon, to finish journaling about the Dove’s return.
Until then, happy doodling!
Bless you,
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The Power of the Tongue/ Dynamite in your Dentures- by Tony Evans
Hello!
I have been listening to Dr. Tony Evans latest podcast series entitled “Watch Your Mouth” If you’ve never heard Tony Evans preach, you’re in for a treat. I have mentioned him here before…he happens to be Priscilla Shirer’s Daddy:) The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!
You can download his podcast app for free here.
These lessons are about our mouth.
“From the same mouth come blessing and cursing” We have the power to heal or destroy…to build up, or tear down.
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” -Proverbs 18:21
God simply spoke and the earth was created. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us…The Word was God.
Words are important to God. They need to be valued and used with great care, always tempered by the Holy Spirit.
Many of us have experienced the explosive dynamite that can come from someone’s mouth. Words that have caused us harm; words that have changed the way we see ourselves, others, and even God.
“How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life,and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers,these things ought not to be so.” James 3:5-10
”No human being can tame the tongue.” As it says above, man can tame many beasts, but not the tongue. When it is unleashed it has the power to “stain the whole body!” I am sure many of us have experienced this kind of damaging fire that was started by one “small” match.
We are careless with our words, and often take the responsibility of speech lightly. We throw out words so recklessly, without giving thought to the effect they have…the fires they start.
As we allow God to tame our tongues, we can choose to bring life to others.
I cannot do Tony’s teaching justice, so I encourage you to listen to his messages on “the Mouth.”
Below is a doodle that was sparked by this powerful message! (Dynamite in your dentures)
CLICK ON THE IMAGE ABOVE FOR THE PDF
Tony uses the cow as an illustration in one of the other messages in this series…”he” (the cow) kept coming to my mind:)
Lord, help us practice the surrender required to give YOU the “reins” to tame our tongue…
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” -Ephesians 4:29
Equip us with self-control… to stop, and invite the Holy Spirit to direct our mouths.
Blessings,
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Page Design 1
Hello!
Those of you sweet friends who are following my blog, know that I have been posting about the “classroom happenings” as I teach a Bible Journaling class using the READ SCRIPTURE APP. (As we read through the Bible in 1 year)
This week, I touched upon the idea of using shapes and lines to create lettering structure, and inluded a handout with some very basic (certainly not complete) guidelines for overall page design.
Below are the PDFs. Hope these are a help to you as well!!!
Lettering Design Structure / Sue Carroll/ Grey for practice <———click on title for pdf (pictured center above)
Lettering Design Structure / Sue Carroll/ open for fill
Click above for pdf (pictured bottom right)
Layout design Tips/ typed pdf/ Sue Carroll <———-Typed guidelines for layout design
Blessings,
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A weekly PEEK into my Bible Journaling Class using the READ SCRIPTURE APP/ WK 3
So…we have completed week 3 using the READ SCRIPTURE APP and we just finished our first week in Isaiah. See my previous post for more information on this if you are just now joining us!
(CLICK HERE TO READ THE PREVIOUS POST INTRO)
WEEK 3 includes Isaiah 1 – 27
Isaiah is the first book in the section of the Bible called Major Prophets. They are called Major Prophets because of the large amount of material they wrote.
The name Isaiah means “YAHWEH is salvation.” <——-love that! It’s such a foreshadowing of Isaiah’s life and ministry! He was given great purpose in proclaiming truth and hope in our Lord Jesus!
Isaiah differs from Jeremiah and Ezekiel in that his prophetic ministry blends foretelling (the seer seeing far into the future) in a greater measure with forthtelling (preaching the truth to a sinful people).
Isaiah prophesied under the reign of four Judean kings—Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (1:1)—and he likely met his death under the evil King Manasseh. (Hezekiah‘ s son)
It contains foreknowledge, in incredible details, about the Messiah, and the future reign of Jesus Christ. The purpose of the book of Isaiah was to call God’s nation, the nation of Judah, back to faithfulness and to declare the coming Messiah “Immanuel”. God calls and commissions His prophet to declare to Judah and Israel condemnation, conviction, and ultimately great hope.
Isaiah insisted that his prophecies be recorded for future generations: “Go now, write it on a tablet…that it may be an everlasting witness. For these are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to listen to the Lord’s instruction” (Is. 30:8, 9).
In Chapters 1-39, Isaiah points out the sins of both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms. He declares severe punishment to them and all the neighboring nations around them, “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight Cease to do evil” (1:16). He proclaims great hope of the coming Savior, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel” (7:14), this passage was fulfilled in Matthew 1:22-24, in the New Testament.
Here is a short list of Isaiah’s prophecies:
Isaiah 7:14
Isaiah foreshadowed the virgin birth of Jesus
Isaiah 9:6-7
There would be a son called God
Isaiah 11:1-10
Nations would seek the counsel of Jesse’s descendant
Isaiah 13:17
Babylon would be attacked by the Medes
Isaiah 13:19
Babylon’s kingdom would be overthrown, permanently
Isaiah 14:23
Babylon would be reduced to swampland
Isaiah 27:12-13
God promised to restore the Jews
Isaiah 35:4-6
Isaiah 40:1-5,9
The Messiah would be preceded by a messenger
Isaiah 42:1-9
The Messiah would be a light to Gentiles
Isaiah 45:1
Babylon’s gates would open for Cyrus
Isaiah 49:6
God’s salvation would reach the ends of the earth
Isaiah 49:13-17
God will never forget the children of Israel
Isaiah 50:6
Jesus was spat upon and beaten
Isaiah 53:1-3
Isaiah 53:4-6
God’s servant would die for our sins
Isaiah 53:7
God’s servant would be silent before his accusers
Isaiah 53:9
God’s servant would be buried in a rich man’s tomb
Isaiah 53:12
God’s servant would be “numbered with the transgressors”
Isaiah 61:1-2
Isaiah foreshadows the ministry of Jesus
THE ABOVE LIST IS FROM BIBLEPROPHECY.COM
Like I’ve mentioned before, if you are reading the Bible in one year, it is VERY challenging to dig in and study the amount of reading required. With that said, as we prayerfully open the Word of God and “eat” the Lord provides what we need. I am encouraging my class to listen to the Holy Spirit as He draws each of us to truth, revealing what we need to know.
By using the 3,2,1 Method of study for at least one passage or verse each week, Will allow you time to do a little deeper digging. I created a journal for taking daily notes, recording the 3,2,1 study guide questions & creating a personal visual recording.
If you’d like a journal like the one above, you can go to my etsy shop by clicking on the ETSY icon in the sidebar. It can be used for any study:)
Below is my “visual” page for the week. I long to have this mantra daily…..intentional to listen to the Lord’s direction, and follow through with obedience! Isaiah knew his limitations and sin, but knew he could rest in God’s provision.
Below is one of our class projects using decorative napkins.
Begin by drawing a “rough oval” for the “wreath” keeping pencil lines light. (I actually go back and erase most of them keeping a faint outline as a guide)
Next, I “fussy cut” the flowers from this napkin. Once cut, separate the napkin layers, using only the top printed layer. You want to work with a single layer for a few reasons…it will better adhere to your paper, looks less like a napkin and more like part of the drawn/painted design, and is somewhat transparent.
Next apply glue to your page in the area you will place the napkin piece. Work slowly and carefully to prevent tearing the napkin. Once it’s down, lightly “pat” the top with more glue. You can use Matte medium or Mod Podge. (I usually thin Mod podge with a little water, it’s too thick for napkin application)
Next, in pencil, I drew rough lines as a guide and wrote the text.
Next, go over the pencil with permanent pen (I use microns) adjusting as you go when needed. I tend to “clean up” my lines with the pen, not always adhering to the original pencil sketch.
I went back over some of the “down strokes” and curves and doubled the lines, then filled in the space created with “hash marks.”
Let the ink dry….then, carefully, keeping a light touch, erase the pencil lines.
I finished this piece by adding watercolor as the background and details using a 005 Micron pen and a white uni-ball signo pen.
Below is another napkin project. In this one, the napkin is less noticeable in the overall design and blends into the background as layers of mixed media are applied.
With my class this week, I touched the subject of page design, using lines and shapes. Below is an example of that using the above scripture from Isaiah.
I will be posting a few more thoughts on page design and color in the days and weeks to follow!
Are you following along? How is your study time and journaling going?
As always, I’m happy to help you in the process, just ask!
Bless you,
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A weekly PEEK into my Bible Journaling Class using the READ SCRIPTURE APP/ WK 2
Good Morning!
So…we have completed week 2 using the READ SCRIPTURE APP and we are currently in 2 Kings. See my previous post for more information on this if you are just now joining us!
(CLICK HERE TO READ THE PREVIOUS POST INTRO)
WEEK 2 included 2 Kings – 2 Kings 22
In 2 Kings…
-God performs amazing miracles through his prophets as He sends these messengers to proclaim His will.
-The two kingdoms are far from the Lord and immersed in sin and rebellion. God’s prophets bring the only hope to this lost yet, chosen nation. We read of the rulers of the divided kingdoms who lead them to their fate in exile.
- The prophet Elijah concludes his ministry and hands over the reins to the next up and coming prophet, Elisha.
- God took Elijah in a whirlwind to heaven and Elisha asks for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. God granted this request (2:9).
- In Elisha’s ministry, he carries out twice as many miracles, as Elijah, as God does His will through his prophet. We also find in these chapters, details about kings and dynasties, which ultimately disobey and ignore God’s commands and provisions.
- Finally, during the reign of the last evil king, Hoshea, the Assyrians take the Northern Kingdom into captivity. They have neglected the warning and coming judgment announced by the prophet Hosea.
- The more evil of the two kingdoms (Northern Kingdom) goes into permanent captivity. (By the Assyrians) There is no record or evidence of these 10 tribes of Israel ever returning from exile.
- Hezekiah (son of Ahaz) does good. He has a heart for the Lord. He takes down the altars in High places, and tries encourages the people to turn back to God.
- Unfortunately, Hezekiah falls to sin and pride after receiving a gift from the Babylonians. He flaunts all his wealth and treasures… Isaiah rebukes him, explaining to Hezekiah that one day all that he boasted about, would be taken to Babylon along with his descendants.
So, we continue to see the sin of man “rear it’s ugly head.” We see repeated rebellion and division. The good new is, our God sees worth in His people as we have been created in His image…and although He instills discipline, He also has great mercy.
I love God’s renewed promise to Hezekiah, in the midst of his sin:
“Once more a remnant of the kingdom of Judah
will take root below and bear fruit above.
For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant,
and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors.
“The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”
-2 Kings 19:31
This is the scripture I chose for our class project using acrylic paint, micron pen, uni-ball signo pen, a foam brush & Q-tips! The larger flowers are done with a small round brush.
Below is a series of photos to see the step by step process.
1. Grey paint is applied with a foam brush, brushing in a touch of white and black for texture.
2. Green paint is applied with a plastic card. (Old gift card, key card, etc.)
3. Add touches of lighter green
4. Gather 5 Q-tips and dip in light blue paint. Group vines in 3’s
5. Create 3 clustered flower vines in varied lengths.
6. Using one Q-tip, create 3 medium blue “larger flower” vines in varied lengths. Begin to overlap flower vines.
7. Add a tiny bit of white to the medium blue flowers
8. Create a 6th color by mixing blues, light green and white
9. With the new color, create 3 vines of a “bell shaped” flower by brushing one Q-tip down at varying angles from the starting point. Alternating the angle of the flower as you apply them down the page.
10. Add a touch of white to the bottom of the “bell flowers.”
11. Layer 3 larger flowers in between and on top of vines. Start with light blue and add darker layers. Use a round brush.
12. Use the navy blue for the centers. 13. Next add tiny white flowers by applying white paint with a Q-tip using a cross motion followed by and “x” motion. (* <——-like this simple “asterisk”) I used navy for the center.
Keep in mind, this is an impressionistic style…you are giving the “impression” of flowers and vines without true form and precise detail. As you continue to add layers, step back from your piece. You will see it from a better perspective!
14. Add some simple leafy vines starting with dark green and then brushing on the lighter green for highlights.
15. I added “loose” details with a white Uni-ball signo pen, and then a black 005 Micron.
I also did this same process outside my Bible without the white details, see below. (I added a little more navy to the piece below with a single Q-tip, creating single berries)
Blessings!
*Inspired by Angela Anderson on You Tube:)
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Checking in ❤️
Hello and a BIG welcome to those of you who are new to my blog! It is such a gift to be able to connect with Sisters in Christ from all over the world! I never dreamed it possible!
I have been a busy girl finishing up a morning and evening Bible Study SEAMLESS (by Angie Smith), and hosting Jennie Allen for our annual Women’s Conference! I’m a bit behind in my journaling through the Bible in a year!
I have continued to read (we are in Judges), using the READ SCRIPTURE APP, but need to put my “thoughts” down in pictures:)
Currently, I am preparing for an upcoming 6 week Bible Journaling study using the READ SCRIPTURE APP. I will be sure to share with you, some of the material I create for it!
Below you will find a free printable for a bookmark a Sister out there requested. Her church is gearing up for their women’s conference! I am ALWAYS happy to support the work you are all doing as you love and serve in your communities! ❤
This is from one of my FAVORITE Chapters…Ephesians 1.
Happy Monday!!
CLICK HERE FOR THE PDF TO PRINT
Love,
1Arthouse 
