Ecclesiastes / Read the Bible in a Year with the READ SCRIPTURE APP

Good Day!

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by!

For a few days, we are in the book of Ecclesiastes.

If you’ve just joined me, I am participating in my home Church’s journey to read the Bible in one year using the READ SCRIPTURE APP. 

Below is the opening video for the book of Ecclesiastes.

THE PURPOSE: Is life really worth living? Can I possibly find peace and purpose in this life? The author of Ecclesiastes attempts to answer these questions by proving that satisfaction in life can only be found by looking beyond this world. Ecclesiastes gives an analysis of negative themes but it also develops the positive theme of overcoming the vanities (hevel / meaningless / fleeting nature)of life by fearing a God who is good, just, and sovereign (12:13-14).

THE THEME: The fear of God leads to a meaningful life.

(This summary structure was adapted and revised from Bruce Wilkinson & Kenneth Boa, The Wilkinson & Boa Handbook @ bible.org)

All that we seek of the world will pass away like a vapor ———> “HEVEL, HEVEL, HEVEL”

But, our God is everlasting.

”Full of Splendor & Majesty is His work. His righteousness endures forever” (Psalm 111:3) His glory is seen everywhere!

Each day is a gift. Each gift has purpose. In our quest for meaning it is our human desire to be known by the world which leads us away from the gift of our God given purpose. It is knowing the Lord that fulfills our hearts and will keep us “occupied with joy!” I love that phrase!

“Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment  in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. ¹⁹ Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. ²⁰ For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.” Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

It is right to enjoy what God has placed before us…each breath is a gift.

 

 

 

May we each be occupied with joy as we count each day as a blessing, whatever our lot, experiencing the presence of God in each moment as we seek Him with our whole heart. Lord help us…hear our prayer ❤

This clip from Bart Millard is so encouraging and inspiring. I had to share it with you today:)

 

Be encouraged!

God Bless you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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,

Proverbs / Read the Bible in a Year with the Read Scripture App

Hello out there!

Thank you for taking the time to “stop by!”

For those of you following along with me on this journey to read the Bible in a year…

I have not been so diligent in creating visuals for awhile! It is “quite the reading schedule” and some weeks I am doing well to simply “listen” to the daily assigned Chapters! I am so very thankful to the creators of the READ SCRIPTURE APP for the AMAZING highlight videos they produce!!! They really help me stay focused ❤

If you haven’t yet, check the APP out here.

Currently, we are reading in Proverbs.

In the video this week, Wisdom is described as a skillful artisan who excels at her craft to create the “good life” (intended for us ) We read that the key to the “good life” (full of fruits & hope for our future) begins with the fear (reverence/Righteous respect) of the Lord.

Check it out below!

Are these videos amazing or what?!

In order for us to “digest” all that Proverbs has to offer, we must start with 2 things:

1. A deep understanding of WHO God is and WHO we are NOT….fear begins when we recognize our Creator’s Authority & Sovereignty.

2. and this comes from the revelation of the Holy Spirit as we surrender our will.

Wisdom isn’t just having a knowledge of truth, it is applying it…living it. It is moving forward in FAITH to act on that truth through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Through Solomon, we learned that in order for God to bless us with wisdom, we must have a righteous motivation.

Solomon desired wisdom because he had the motivation to better love and serve God’s people. This is the heart of our Lord!  (See 1 Kings 3) God was pleased with Solomon’s heart and blessed him with more wisdom than anyone on the earth!

Chokmah is the Hebrew word for Wisdom.

Wisdom (from the verb chakam – to be wise) is the ability to judge correctly and to follow the best course of action, based on knowledge and understanding. Wisdom is the ability to see something from God’s viewpoint. Wisdom is “God’s character in the many practical affairs of life.” -from Precept Austin

Faith ———>knowledge————->action

Below is the Doodle 101

 

 

 

CLICK ON THE IMAGE ABOVE FOR THE PDF

 

May we each approach God’s Word with fear and reverence, motivated by love for our Lord and for others.

Amen,

 

 

 

 

A weekly PEEK into my Bible Journaling Class using the READ SCRIPTURE APP/ WK 5

Hello!!!

We have now completed week 5 using the READ SCRIPTURE APP   . 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 5 includes Isaiah 52 – Hosea 10

Isaiah

a brief summary from this weeks reading

The end of chapter 51 describes Jerusalem and its people. Isaiah’s speaks of a period about two centuries after his own life. It is 65 years since Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the city. The present inhabitants have only known rule by foreigners.

God will rescue Jerusalem (Chapter 52)

The Lord’s people come home from Babylon (Chapter 52)

The Lord’s Servant will suffer, but He will have victory (53)

The number of God’s people will increase vastly (54)

The Lord’s invitation:

“Come, all you who are desperate to drink. Here is water! Come, even if you have no money. Buy grain! You need no money. Eat all that you want. Come, buy wine and milk. It is all free” (55)

The Lord declares, ‘My plans are not your plans. Neither are your ways my ways. v9 As the sky is so much higher than the earth, so my ways are much higher than your ways. My plans are so much higher than your plans. v10  Rain and snow come down from the sky. But they do not go back again before they have watered the ground. That helps the ground to grow corn. And so the ground provides seed for people to sow and bread for them to eat. v11 So it is with the word that I speak. My word will not return to me without any result. My word will perform my plan. It will carry out my purpose.’ (55)

God’s people will include all nations (56)

God’s loyal people may suffer

The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death. (57:1,20

Wrong practice of religion/Right practice of religion, Holy Days (58)

Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. (59:1,2)

God’s Servant brings good news. (61)

The LORD says, “I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help. I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am!’ to a nation that did not call on my name. (65:1) NIV

Below is a video from the read scripture app. (these videos are so well done and bring scripture to life!)

Aren’t these videos awesome!

It is heartbreaking and convicting to understand that God’s righteous judgement was so slow in coming. Each time, He warns, each time He pleads with His people…

”I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help. I was ready to be found but no one was looking for me!”

Isaiah continues to relay God’s message of judgement, but it’s always tempered with HOPE!

(Without Righteous judgement there is no justice!)

The Hope was coming in the form of a Servant King. God’s plan to redeem His stubborn, prideful people.

The video above touched me so much.

The visual of this truth in “doodle form” came from what was captured in this clip.

Jesus sets aside His deity (coming down from the mountain / beside His Father) to bring an urgent message of GOOD NEWS. (Euangelion/ Greek for Good news!)

He steps into human flesh with the knowledge of his eventual betrayal, torture & death because He would rather DIE than be WITHOUT US.

Click on the images for the pdf files:)

Use the image below to trace in your Bible!

 

* I choose not to cover up text (God’s Word) when I journal. Occasionally it happens by accident, and when it does I re-write the text that was covered. (This happened with the word beautiful, above. Definitely not intentional!)

Hosea (1-10)

Hosea, brings this message good news to “life” through his own personal story. God allows us to see the struggle we have with sin, through Gomer. We can easily relate to the huge challenge Hosea faced.

Forgive the “unforgivable” the underserving… even when they turn away from you in betrayal.

This is a picture of God and His people! He gives us undeserved forgiveness. (Grace)

He doesn’t stop there!

He washes our dirty rags (sin) with the blood of the lamb. (Jesus) When we accept Jesus as our Savior, the Father sees us clean! Righteous…Holy.

I had a conversation with my daughter about the challenge we have in reading and understanding the Old Testement. She reminded me of something Jennie Allen said:

”The Old Testement is written to show us we can’t do it ourselves!”

I’m so thankful that I am digging into the whole council of God. We need to know the WHOLE story to understand the message…it is all about LOVE…it is all about Christ:)

 

May this be a blessing to you as you spend time with the Lord!

 

 

 

 

 

A weekly PEEK into my Bible Journaling Class using the READ SCRIPTURE APP/ WK 4

Good day!

We have now completed week 4 using the READ SCRIPTURE APP   . 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 4 includes Isaiah 28-51.

Below is a brief Outline

A warning comes to receive the word attentively, “line upon line, precept upon precept” (Isaiah 28:9-14)

God will lay a new foundation with a strict measuring line (Isaiah 28:15-22)

Help is Not in Egypt (Isaiah 30-31)

The King (is coming) in His Beauty (Isaiah 32-33)

A king will right the wrongs (Isaiah 32:1-8).

Although in the nearer future Judah will undergo great suffering and loss, there is a time in the more distant future when a king will reign in a new Jerusalem that will never pass away. Those who dwell in this kingdom will be forgiven of their iniquity forever. Isaiah presents these facts.

Hezekiah‘s reign Isaiah (36-37)

(Isaiah 40-51) deliver a series of messages to Judah and the remnant of Israel. Isaiah looks into the next two centuries. He sees beyond the Babylonian captivity to the fall of Babylon, the rise of Persia, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem, and foresees…

-John the Baptist/ministry (Isaiah 40:3-5, Mark 1:1-5).

-Christ the Good Shepherd (Isaiah 40:9-11)

-Messiah, the chosen Servant of God (Isaiah 42:1-4).

-The Creator speaks of His glory (Isaiah 42:5-9).

In the last verse of chapter 44 Isaiah names a future king of Persia who would shepherd the remnant of God’s people and oversee the rebuilding of Jerusalem. All this came to pass.

God tells all the remnant of Israel to listen and remember. He reiterates that he is their true God and that He  will save them from Babylonian exile when he calls Cyrus from the east, Cyrus the man of God’s purpose. (Isaiah 46:3-13)

God reminds Israel that he has chosen Cyrus to rescue them from the Babylonians (Isaiah 48:14-16).

Isaiah 49- 51 Christ for the world, God ’s love for sinners, Awake and listen to Me! 

It’s so hard for our human mind to comprehend the fullness of God’s Sovereignty and at the same time to grasp the depth of His love and provision for His people.

Like Thomas, we want to see up close, for ourselves. We want to feel it, touch it, experience it…we want proof! We certainly have proof, if we take the time to step outside of ourselves and look up!

  “Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
    Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
    and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
    not one of them is missing.” -Isaiah 40:26

In our sin nature, we a drawn to be self focused. We have a message playing in the background of our mind that says what’s in it for me? We act, with expectation of a return on our investment. (even though it’s hard to admit this to ourselves) We often do good, with the hope that the favor will be returned according to our expectations. This is a heart problem. Our motivation to serve will come from a place of gratitude and selflessness when we start believing who our God is, and who He has made us to be.  Loving God and loving others will become a natural response that extends from experiencing His presence and provision. We have to practice using our PAUSE BUTTON, to look up & see.

This is what I chose to capture as a visual : a memorial of God’s truth. It was the focus of one of our class projects. (Both “galaxy images” done with watercolor)

I had a few boo-boos in the one above:( Ink splotch from my messy fingers to name one!)

When I teach journaling classes, my goal is to meet each person where they are by providing some options. We are each in a unique place on our spiritual journey. We each respond to the creative process within the framework of our individuality. Some art forms are not appealing at first, but God uses them to stretch us beyond what we think we are capable of! As an instructor, this is one of my greatest joys…watching someone be challenged, stepping forward through fear, to grow beyond what they would have hoped or imagined. This mimimicks our journey of faith! As we take one step out into faith, trusting our God to provide what we need, He meets us there in our obedience and we get to experience His presence! (And His provision) It usually doesn’t come the way we think it will:)

While some who are taking class are ready to jump into their Bible to record visuals, others are not. I don’t EVER want someone to leave a class feeling frustrated or defeated. Class begins with time spent discussing what God has revealed to us throughout the week in our study. We are INSPIRIED & ENCOURAGED as we each share God’s specific provision and revelation. This is where the art starts….in the heart…having personal experience with our Father.

I am constantly learning from others, as God works His miracles through the body…stretching us, refining us, sharpening us. I wish I had some pictures to share with you from the group. This week, there were some powerful lessons shared through the visuals of truth God revealed to each heart. Some images were detailed, some were plain and simple…both powerful, MEMORABLE,  and life giving.

My pages will never be perfect, there will always be flaws…just like me. BUT, I know my God is not flawed. I know that He has a perfect love and a perfect plan for me because I HAVE seen Him up close and personal. He provides for me everyday, when I take the time to look up & listen!

Below was a second project option. It is something that can be down in the margin, and a good example of a design that uses simple shapes and lines. This one was done with acrylics.

(The inspiration for this piece came from something I saw on Pinterest several years ago. I went back to try and find it and could not! I apologize to that artist!)

Below are a few more powerful, prophetic verses found in Isaiah.

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me. -Isaiah 6:8

“They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”  -Isaiah 11:9

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” -Isaiah 12:2

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet,they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson,they shall become like wool.

If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;”  -Isaiah 1:18,19

“They lift up their voices, they sing for joy; over the majesty of the Lord they shout from the west.Therefore in the east give glory to the Lord; in the coastlands of the sea, give glory to the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. From the ends of the earth we hear songs of praise, of glory to the Righteous One.” -Isaiah 24:14-16

Does a farmer always plow and never sow? Is he forever cultivating the soil and never planting? Does he not finally plant his seeds—black cumin, cumin, wheat, barley, and emmer wheat—each in its proper way, and each in its proper place?  The farmer knows just what to do, for God has given him understanding.” -Isaiah 28:24-26 (NLT)

“For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling.” -Isaiah 30:15

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” -Isaiah 40:8

“Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars?

He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name.

Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing.” -Isaiah 40:26

“but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” -Isaiah 40:31

”Draw near to the Lord and He will draw near to you!”

Blessings!

 

 

A weekly PEEK into my Bible Journaling Class using the READ SCRIPTURE APP/ WK 3

Good Morning!

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

He would perform miracles

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

The Messiah would be rejected

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,

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:)

 

A weekly PEEK into my Bible Journaling Class using the READ SCRIPTURE APP

Hello!

Several weeks ago I menitoned that due to the Lord’s direction to concentrate more on one on one discipling and less on “blogging” I made the decision to limit my time online. I have to admit that even though I LOVE meeting one on one with women of all ages, I do also really like being a hermit. I enjoy being home…cooking, taking care of family, reading, studying, being STILL with the Lord and of course creating! (And sharing with all of you!!!)

It’s a tight rope we walk maintaining good balance in life, and if I’m being honest, I must confess that I’m often an “all or nothing” kind of girl. With that said, I must also confess that I’m in a constant “battle” for that balance. Most of you reading join me in a love for crafts…well, the enemy is the craftiest… with his own version of a glue gun and heat tool!  He leans in and manipulates our good work into something that can become an idol. (The very thing we “love”) This leads to pushing our agenda up front and center, without listening to the better plan and purpose our Father has for us.

I mention all this to explain my “seasons” of posting…they are not consistent, or neatly scheduled. One reason for this is that I repel numbers, schedules, and structure. (I can really drive my husband crazy!) I am most comfortable getting up each day to “wing it.” If the Lord whispers for me to change my plans mid stream…I usually welcome the change! It’s my hard wiring.

So, this is my awesome introduction to the next 6 weeks 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂☺😂🤣 a confession.

Many of you know that Jan 1st, I  joined my home church’s journey to READ THE BIBLE IN A YEAR using the READ SCRIPTURE APP. As I explained above, I’m not a consistent or scheduled blog poster…BUT, because I highly value all you sweet Sisters out there who take the time to read my ramblings and use my doodles, I thought I would try to include you all in a class I’m teaching for the next 6 weeks. I have continued to read and journal through this process of reading the Bible in a year, but I have not kept up here with posting about it.

I will pick up right where we are in our year of reading and share what we are working on in class along with any resources, videos, tutorials, etc. that I use “live.” (Feel free to give me a shout out if you have an questions along the way! )

If you don’t have the APP and want to join us, go to google play or the apple App Store and download it (for FREE) CLICK BELOW

READ SCRIPTURE APP.  

Once on the APP make sure your SETTINGS are set like the example below:

I know it seems like you should be able to put in the START DATE using today’s date. BUT, if you want to have your days and readings follow the place we are CURRENTLY, you must enter the date JAN 1, 2018.

Once all your settings look like the pic above, when you scroll down in the app, the date will be correct for the current daily reading which happens to begin in 1 Kings.

I apologize for starting you a day late! You will have to do the reading from yesterday to catch up to the APRIL 5th reading which is 1 Kings 4-7. There are 3 chapters to read each day + 1 Psalm.

As I have mentioned here previously that this APP is so GREAT! The creative review videos included in the APP are enough of a reason to download! Go ahead….go get it…I’ll wait:)

Below is a sneak peak at the creative style they use if you need another nudge:)

We will be taking notes and journaling what we are reading/studying in a little something I created.

Because it is quite a lot of material to cover, I have included 7 pages (1 for each day of the week) to keep “bullet point” notes for each chapter you read. Within each weekly section I have also included 1-3,2,1 study sheet, a blank visual journaling page, and 1 page to record “Ah-Ha Moments.”

I break each day up by starting with the Wk/ Day / and scripture, then write, circle and highlight each Chapter number with a sentence or two / bullet points.

If you are not familiar with the 3,2,1 method of study (one that my sweet online friend Brecken Berning helped me develop!) I give an explanation of this in the journal I created.

Each week, I am teaching an “in class” project.

Below, is our project this week.

It begins with a lesson in Watercolor…practicing Paint to Water Ratio.

I did a short, very amateurish video to show the watercolor process. I did this one, to help the class get used to working with watercolor and to understand it’s “flow” properties…AND to grasp how to balance water to paint. You will find it below.

 

The above scripture is from the reading this week, and one that really “spoke” to me. Well, it was the Holy Spirit doing the talking:)

Sometimes, we simply need to change our posture to change our attitude and approach to the Lord. Like Solomon, when we simply take a posture of surrender…on our knees or with our hands lifted high…our mind & heart follow our body in surrender. While we are at it…following Solomon’s example of praise will bring us to a place where we meet with our God and He meets with us.

Sorry for the “side view” below…like I said, amateur! I was trying to fit the process into a narrow portrait frame:)

Once your watercolor dries, you can go in and pencil the simple cap letter words for the verse- 1 Kings 8:23, double the lines, then fill in the space with “hash marks” or any other fill you desire:) Go over pencil with pen….WAIT until the pen is dry…then erase pencil lines:)

Materials used:

Watercolor: Reeves student grade tube watercolor / personally, I most often use Koi, Sennelier, or Gansai Kurtake

Brush: Grumbacher #12 Round

Pens: Micron / #01, #005

If you are interested in purchasing the 3,2,1 Journal you can go to my etsy shop and find it there!

Blessings!

Sue

 

 

Numbers

Hello!!!

I’m still wading in deep water as I read through the book of Numbers! I am so thankful for the amazing APP “READ SCRIPTURE”

If you are using it too, I encourage you to donate to this talented group of believers! All they do, they GIVE AWAY…FOR FREE! ❤

Thank you Bible Project!!!

Reminds me of this quote from “SAME DIFFERENT AS ME.”

HERE IS a highlight sheet, with the help of those great kids over at THE BIBLE PROJECT.

CLICK the image above for a pdf

Blessings to you on this Sabaath day.

xo

sue