It’s ESPECIALLY fun, when I can combine the two! I’m slowly adding items to my Etsy shop, as I learn how to use my quarantine machine, the CRICUT ❤️
I created watercolor designs by hand, and then made them into kiss cut stickers. If you’re interested, visit me on Etsy @ 1Arthouse.
Hope you all have a GREAT Holiday Weekend!
Much love,
A Spring Bible Study Session that includes Bullet Journaling
Small Group Discussion Outline
1 Timothy 6:3-10
3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. 5 They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
BIG IDEA
It is crucial to believe that the Whole Council of God (The Bible) is (the ultimate) truth and provides sound instruction for our daily lives. Apart from the revelation we receive through the Holy Spirit, we cannot understand the ways of God. If we try to reason with our limited human mind, we are often led by pride and understand nothing. If we lean to our own understanding we develop unhealthy interests (often self focused) which draw us to controversy, quarrel, envy….(corrupted minds) We are robbed of truth pursing (little g) godliness for personal gain. Temptations are traps that lead to destruction. Love of money is a root of all evil and leads to grief. / “Pride comes before the Fall.”
All of these things separate us from our Father, and keep us in a state of discontentment.
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?
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 splendor was 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.
BIG IDEA
Life is more than food and clothing. These physical necessities will not yield fruit (love joy peace patience, etc.) God provides ALL we need if we rely on Him.
“Look at the birds of the air”, if the Father provides for them, He most assuredly provides for His children!
Worry and anxiety create chaos and “does not add a single hour to our life.”
The Father knows our every need, and if we seek FIRST HIS Kingdom and His righteousness all these things (that we need) will be given to us as well. Our God is a promise keeper.
Live one day at a time, relying on God, moment by moment, through our helper the Holy Spirit.
IN THE WORKBOOK
1 TIMOTHY 6:3-10
Pg. 48
Acts 17:11
11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica,for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scripturesevery day to see if what Paul said was true.
Pg. 49
Another word for conceit is pride. Pride leads us to turn inward, placing ourselves at the center of our focus. What are the results of this kind of thinking?
(self focus, lack of empathy, division, lack of compassion for others, inability to give sacrificial love, need for control, stepping into God’s shoes, frustration)
In what ways has pride come before the fall in your life or those close to you?
PRIDE LEADS TO DISCONTENTMENT BECAUSE IT CAUSES US TO TURN INWARD (self focus) AND AWAY FROM GOD. Pride leads us to the pursuit of ourselves (being right, financial gain, division) and takes us down a road of destruction.
“It is impossible to be content when our hearts are SET on gaining MORE. A desire for godliness (placed before God) is quickly eroded by a greedy covetous spirit. (Pg 52)
–PG. 52
Good deeds or godly behavior can be a source of pride in our lives.
Read Matthew 23:25-28
25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
-Did anyone in your group do the PRAISE LOG? (See Example below)
-Was this practice helpful in —-> replacing “cravings/desires” (& pride) with gratitude
–PG. 54
Matthew 6:25-34
-Were you able to record some of the things you are anxious about?
(Worry jar)
-How do you try to handle these worries on your own?
How does this relate to pride?
-Were you more aware of giving these worries and fears to the Lord this week?
Trusting God to provide all our needs requires obedience
-PG. 57
“When God instructs us to do something based on our knowledge of Him, He moves our relationship from mental to experiential. God doesn’t just want us to hear about Him, but to see and experience Him in our lives.” -Priscilla Shirer
SUMMARY
Contentment is something we can learn. We heard this from Paul in our first week. So, why does it continue to elude us? We tend to keep tripping over the most common stumbling blocks that prevent us from living the life of Contentment God created us for. This week we took a closer look at Pride and Anxiety.
Our Father is very clear…we should not rely on our own (human) understanding…
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and He will make your paths straight. -Proverbs 3:5-6
Leaning on our own limited thinking, leads us to a place of pride where we have no true understanding of truth…this leads to self focus & discontentment.
God is also clear that He is to be our sole provider. We can trust Him, for He has proven to be faithful. Lack of trust in our Sovereign God leads to anxiety and fear….this moves us further from contentment.
The bullet journal exercises this week, are to help instill a practice of releasing our fear and anxiety to the Lord. (Worry Jar)
We are to work on replacing our pride with praise, and to work on stepping out in obedience as we become more aware of the role pride plays in our life and relationships—->To recognize it, and then surrender our behavior as we listen to the Lord’s correction and redirection through the Holy Spirit. As we are able to set aside our pride (through the help of the Holy Spirit), God will allow us to see beyond our limited understanding to see with His perspective…Beyond the circumstance we are in, to the hope He has for us! This develops fruit in our lives, and leads us to Contentment, and living a life like Christ.
Supplies used:
Watercolor, Unity Stamp, StazOn black ink pad, Micron 005 & 01, Bold white uniball-signo pen.
FOR THE PRINTABLE/TRACEABLE script above click on the image for pdf
Unity Stamps https://www.unitystampco.com/
Happy post Easter week!
He is Risen!!! He is Risen Indeed!
Xo,
Hello!!
Writing to you from CO. In awe of my surroundings and the abundance of blessings the Lord provides!! I feel like I walk around repeating…wow! Wow…wow… GLORY all around!
That last little “bundle” is my brand new grandson…Charlie:) Poopah and Mimi have the other two so Mom & Dad can catch their breath!
Currently, we are in Ezekiel, as this journey continues with reading the Bible in a year.
Each Biblical Prophet had the same underlying message: return to God. The Israelites suffered from the same disease we see today…me, me, me. God who? It’s all about what I want, what I can get. I WILL find my own “happiness” 😫There is nothing good that comes from this…just a lack of “fruit.”
Like Israel, we choose to align our hearts with the world in self focus without giving the One who created us a thought. This is our natural response…we are rooted in pride.
-In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.” Psalm 10:4
It is just too easy to get caught up in the me, me, me. To see beyond ourselves, we must be engaged with the Holy Spirit. Only He can give us a greater perspective! With my limited view, I will always be disappointed.
I want to look in the mirror and NOT see myself, but Christ in me. As I gaze at my own reflection, I am caught up in the not good enoughs & the need mores…instead of my true identity, which is whole and complete in Christ.
Oh, Lord, give me your eyes to see beyond myself and a heart to love You and others first.
CLICK ON THE ABOVE IMAGE FOR THE PDF
Blessings to you,
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
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
Hello again!
I’m going to try and improve my tech abilities! As I learn, I’ll be posting some short process videos for your enjoyment! Hahaha!!!!
I apologize for the shadows and off camera moments! I lost my morning sun and had to work with the light I had:)
Watercolor: https://www.jetpens.com/Kuretake-Gansai-Tambi-Watercolor-Palette-24-Color-Set/pd/14863
Watercolor brush: https://www.jetpens.com/Silver-Brush-Black-Velvet-Voyage-Travel-Brush-Round-4/pd/21120
xo,
Day 5 of Week 2
This is a long one:)
Let’s look at our Scripture for this week one more time.
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Cor 12:8-10
Truths I gleaned…
1. I can PLead with the Lord and He will LISTEN
2. The Lord’s GRACE * (SEE NOTE ABOUT GRACE) is ENOUGH and His Power is made PERFECT in MY WEAKNESS.
3. I can be content in ANY circumstance, even through insults, hardships, persecution and calamities.
*GRACE -Grace may be defined as the unmerited or undeserving favor of God to those who are under condemnation.
Definition of God’s Grace – What does the Bible say?
“This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:22-24).
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:8-10).
“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17).
“For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” (Romans 5:17).
We have a Father who listens. We have a Father who extends His GRACE to us and we don’t NEED ANYTHING ELSE. IT IS ENOUGH…and through His GRACE we can LIVE with CONTENTMENT. (In any circumstance)
We get stuck in the past. We recall what we “most know.” HOLDING ONTO “things” that have been said to us, or done to us…that change the way we see ourselves, others, and the Lord. THESE “THINGS” ARE OFTEN THE SOURCE OF OUR DISCONTENT.
BUT…IF WE CAN LEARN TO TRUST THAT WHAT GOD SAYS IS TRUE…BELIEVING HE IS WHO HE SAYS HE IS AND WE ARE WHO HE SAYS WE ARE, WE CAN OVERCOME THE PAST and OVERCOME THE PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOR THAT WE HAVE LEARNED TO ACCEPT.
WE WHO ARE IN CHRIST, ARE OVERCOMERS.
CLICK ON THE IMAGE ABOVE FOR THE DOODLE 101 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THIS BANNER
(BELOW is Referencing PG 36 in your BOOK)
Isaiah 59: 1-2
Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save,
or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;
2 but your iniquities have made a separation
between you and your God,
and your sins have hidden his face from you
so that he does not hear.
THE LORD’S “HAND IS NOT SHORTENED” (when we think He is not listening) it is our SIN that creates an inability to HEAR.
Matthew 5:23,24
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your 6 brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
If we have “unresolved conflict” with our brothers and sisters, we are also separated from our Father. DIGGING DEEPER, and allowing the Lord to reveal these conflicts and their “roots” will allow us to move forward in the direction He has for us to go. It is a place of FREEDOM from the heavy chains that we carry.
Hebrews 12:14
14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (NIV)
This week, we have spent time processing and listening to what the Lord has to say about our earthly relationships…If we surrender all to our God…He will lift us above what we feel below and allow us to see from HIS PERSPECTIVE. He will shed light over dark places, bring clarity where there is chaos, forgiveness where there is unforgiveness, healing for all wounds, hope where there is despair, freedom from chains…He will replace sorrow with joy…even in the WORST of our circumstances. IF…we “practice His presence”…SURRENDER AND LISTEN… PAUSE & PRAY, before we PROCEED:)
WHAT IS GOD CALLING YOU TO DO? WHAT ACTION IS HE REQUIRING YOU TO TAKE? UNLESS WE MOVE FORWARD IN HIS TRUTH AND POWER WE WILL BE STUCK SPINNING OUR WHEELS.
Psalm 30 :1-5
I will exalt you, Lord,
for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
2 Lord my God, I called to you for help,
and you healed me.
3 You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead;
you spared me from going down to the pit.
4 Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;
praise his holy name.
5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.
LOT’S to process. LOT’S to give to the only One who can save us from ourselves. I am praying that He will draw you close to receive exactly what you need. Only the LORD can provide ALL you need, in EVERY circumstance, as you place ALL YOUR EXPECTATIONS on the one who WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN.
BELOW IS A PROCESS VIDEO FOR THE WEEK 2 PROJECT. ABOVE, IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THIS PROJECT. This project uses the “fancy fill” technique from the TVOC support files.
BLESS YOU SISTERS!
Hi everyone!
We continue in our study of Contentment as we begin WK 2, day 2.
Are you carving out time to “steep” in God’s Word?
Even if you don’t have time to journal or draw….sit and just BE with your FAther. INVITE Him to be with you all day, and know that He is with you for counsel, help, encouragement, direction, love, discipline and POwer!
Each week I am going to try to post at least one DOODLE 101 and the page I did with it in my Bible.
This Doodle came to mind, as I prayed through and processed our Scripture for this week using our 3, 2, 1 Method of Study.
Like Paul, we stop and plead with the Lord, but usually, that doesn’t’ happen until after we have RUN (like Jonah) away from the VERY WEAKNESSES (and areas of doubt) God WOULD use to “rest His POWER.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
I am praying that we will all STOP this week, as we commit to our time with the Lord, and confess our weaknesses. But let’s not stop there! As we DIG DEEPER into God’s Word and learn more about His faithfulness, let us each go to Him with GREAT EXPECTATION that He will DO all He says He will do!
When we stop STRIVING for perfectionism and expose our weaknesses for CHRIST”S Sake…we will find CONTENTMENT. It’s a PROMISE!
SEE 2 COR 12:8-10
As we “hand over” our “feelings” our “emotions” (even pleading, like Paul) the Lord will shed LIGHT on those dark places (our misunderstandings, confusion, disappointments and doubt) revealing HIS TRUTH, HIS PROMISES, HIS FAITHFULNESS, AND HIS SOVEREIGNTY. When we take one step at a time, in faith, we will experience His provision, which will in turn increase our BELIEF!
WE MIGHT RUN, BUT WE CANNOT HIDE FROM OUR GOD…NOT EVEN IN THE BELLY OF A WHALE:).
When we are weak, we are STRONG. When we get over that hurdle we could never get over without the Lord…we gain confidence in His faithfulness.
Blessings,
1Arthouse 