Bible Journal - Mark 8:27-35

"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny 

themselves and take up their cross and follow me.  

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it 

but whoever loses their life for me and for the 

gospel will save it."    

Mark 8:34-35

I chose to journal today's gospel reading from church this morning.  The reading was replete with of nuggets of wisdom and life lessons, so I decided to focus on verses 34 and 35.

Give control of my life and submit my entire being to God.  Sounds easy?  It should be, right?

Yet, when I think about it, Jesus calls me to deny myself - EVERY DAY.  

To die to my desires, dreams, hopes and fears - EVERY DAY. 

To pick up my cross and follow Him - EVERY DAY.  

Wow...that's a lot of denying and submitting!  Yet, if we truly trust Him, and want to be with Him in eternity, it is what He calls us to do.  

I did due diligence with my study of these verses today.  I understand the reasons, and the rewards, of denying my own ways and following Jesus.  What I was searching for was HOW to do this.  
The physical and emotional part of my being is weak.  I want to think, reason, and act with my spiritual side, and God knows I try, but my human tendancies get in the way more often than I care to admit.   I'm sure I'm not alone in this.  So, how do we make our lives more lives of service to God, and less about the 'I wants?'

Jesus taught by example.  He lived a selfless life of service to others, and followed His father's will.  Here are some thoughts I came up with to help me stay on track.   

• Jesus prayed, often alone, sometimes with others.  Prayer kept Him close to the Father.   Prayer is a gift God gives us to keep us close to Him - it is our life-line.
• Faith, commitment, and daily devotion to God's will and purpose for my life.  Jesus spent time with His Father.  He sought God's will in His actions and plans.  Do we spend time with God, and seek His will for us daily?  Do we ask Him to place us where He wants us each day, and to open us to His plan?
• Commitment.  Taking up our cross is an intentional act.  We must purposefully choose to give our time, talents, and resources to God.  Each day!
• Jesus promises to be with us.  He wants us to take His yoke upon our shoulders, and trust Him to give us rest.   His Holy Spirit is always 'on call' to lead and guide us.
• Jesus offered a glorified life, and eternity, at the end of the journey.  An eternity with God!  Enough said.

So, yes, it may be difficult to follow Jesus.  But, if we trust Him, we will follow Him.  He will place His anointing on us.

God bless,
 

Bible Journal - Romans 5:5

"And hope does not put us to shame, because 

God's love has been poured out into our hearts 

through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."

                                                                      Romans 5:5

This is my final lesson in the Seeing The Scriptures class by Sandy Allnock.  I have really enjoyed this class.  It has taught me ways to dig deeper into Scripture, to analyze what I am reading, determine what God may be saying to me, and finally to brainstorm and create artwork to express God's revelation visually in my journaling Bible.

If you struggle with Scripture, and want to read more deeply and grasp what God is saying, I highly recommend this course.  You can find all of the details about the class, and be able to sign up for it HERE. 

For this page, I felt the Lord encouraging me.  His Holy Spirit is always with us, guiding, loving, and bringing us hope.  Because of God's love, I have hope in the Lord.  My trials produce perseverance, which, in turn, develops character, and character, hope.   

I chose a chrysalis of a butterfly to illustrate this verse.  It was the image that came to mind in my brainstorming phase of this lesson.  The caterpillar goes through the trial of being in the dark chrysalis, losing it's form, and then, finally, breaks out as a glorious butterfly.  

God's Holy Spirit in us helps us trust Him, and gives us hope.  He is leading us to new life!

For my page, I drew the chrysalis with Polychromos colored pencils, and journaled with a Sakura micron pen.

Thanks so much for visiting.

Blessings,

Bible Journal - 2 Timothy 1:7

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, 

but gives us power, love and self-discipline."

                                                             2 Timothy 1:7

I spent a couple of days pondering and studying today's class verse.  I really felt the Lord encouraging me to spend time with it.  It seems there is a lesson here that I need to reinforce in my life!

For years, I have been a 'closet' anxiety sufferer.  I think I just didn't realize what it was, or that 'it' had a name.  I deal with frequent adrenaline rushes, stress, and sometimes crippling fear.  Social events and even things that I enjoy lately bring on anxiety issues.  When I teach an art or Zentangle class at the local town hall, a church or library, I stress about it for weeks before.  I love to lector at our church, but I start tensing up days before I am to read.

I feel embarrassed talking about my 'condition.'  But I have discussed it with a couple of close friends.  I'm not sure they really understand, however.  I feel that people think it's something I can control, or that I allow.  It's neither.  I certainly don't want to feel this unmitigated fear and stress daily.  If I could control it, I would.  I have tried medication, however, that brought it's own little series of issues (even worse than the anxiety).  I am trying some relaxation techniques.  With the help of my doctor, diet and exercise, and lots and lots and LOTS of prayer, I am working through my anxiety issues.  It's a daily struggle, and an uphill battle.  But, through God's love, and the Holy Spirit, I have hope.  

Which brings me back to today's verse.  God wants me to be courageous and brave.  He gives me power daily, through His gift of the Holy Spirit, to overcome my fears and anxiety.  I do a better job some days than others calling on His power.  He wants me to serve Him, and has gifted me with time and talent to do so.  I want to serve Him with power, love, and self-control.  I can do this by staying close to Him, reading and studying His Word, and calling on the Holy Spirit.  

I am sharing my story here, as I know that others suffer from this condition, as well.  I pray my story will help others find the hope that I have found.  If you are a fellow-anxiety sufferer, know that there IS hope.  And you don't have to do it alone!  I would love to hear from you.  Please comment below and I will get back to you. 

"The Spirit of God does NOT make us timid (fearful), but gives us POWER, LOVE, and SELF-CONTROL."

I believe this with all my heart.  

Blessings,
 
JOURNALING NOTES:  For my page, I used Gansai Tambi watercolors, painting them on randomly around a hand-drawn dove that I penciled in.  Then I added my notes and the verse with a micron pen.  I dried the page with a heat tool, then pressed it with an iron to flatten the page and remove some of the wrinkles.

The Restorer Of My Joy

"But you, LORD, are a shield around me,

my glory, the One who lifts my head high."

                                                             Psalm 3:3

These 17 words are packed with meaning.  Isn't it interesting that the short verses often have so much 'meat' to them...so much meaning, filled with nuggets of wisdom?! 

I thought of a sunflower when I studied this verse.  The sunflower follows the sun.  It keeps its corolla upright.  It's radiant beauty shines it's brilliance outward.

That's how I want to be.  Keeping my eyes upright, firmly planted on the Lord.  I do not want to stray.  I want to glow with my love for Him, through His love for me.  

When there are storms in my life, I will remember that nothing comes through God's shield around me that He does not allow.  God has a purpose for the trials He allows in my life.  I purpose to trust Him, and sleep content in His glory!

Blessings,

I am adding my page to the World Watercolor Month challenge.

I used Lyra Aquacolors to watercolor my sunflower.  After painting, I outlined with a micron pen.

A Rainbow Promise

"Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind.  Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life."   Genesis 9:14-15

 

I wonder why God chose a rainbow as a sign of His covenant with us.  Could it be because 

...of it's brilliance and beauty?  Who doesn't love to look for the rainbow after a rainfall?

...A rainbow reaches across the sky, encompassing everything, and can be seen by all those around.  

...A rainbow appears after a storm, or rainfall.  This speaks to us of hope.  The rain is over, the sun is out! 

...Perhaps because, like us, each color is different, yet they are all necessary to create the rainbow.  The colors each blend together.  Their hues compliment each other, and create infinite possibilities when they are mixed.  What wonders we, God's people, can create when we all work together, using our unique gifts, to share His love with those around us. 

God's grace is evident in this covenant.  Through his rich provisions, we look to the rainbow and to the empty cross and remember that God has not forgotten us.  What a glorious sign of peace and comfort! 

For my Bible journaling of these verses, I used Polychromos colored pencils.  I drew 'God's' hand with a string around His finger.  In the verse following these, God says that whenever He sees the rainbow, He will remember His covenant.  I find it interesting that even God needs reminders!

Blessings,

Bible Journalng - John 14:2

"My Father's house has many rooms; 

if that were not so,  would I have 

told you that I am going there 

to prepare a place for you?"

                                               John 14:2

What joy fills my heart when I read this verse in John 14.  I rejoice in Jesus's promise of an eternal heavenly home for those who believe!

What comfort to know that He will come for me to be with Him.  That He is preparing a place for me!  And for you!

I cannot fathom what Heaven must be like.  I only know that Jesus will be there.  And all those loved ones who have gone before me, and will come after me.  We will all be together again on that glorious day when He comes to take us there.  

I like to think of Heaven as a garden.  It is where I feel so close to God.  My garden is my happy place!  
In my garden I...
- find rest for my weary soul.  
- rejoice in the beauty of God's creations.
- tend to the flowers and vines.
- watch the birds flit and butterflies dance.
- enjoy the creatures who visit there often.    
- talk to God, and feel His presence.

I do hope the Heavenly place He prepares for me is in a garden!  To be with Him, and all the people I love, in that place of peace and beauty.  I can only imagine! 

Blessings,

Bible Journal - Matthew 5:16

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father.

Matthew 5:16

I really enjoyed my study of this verse.  In my study, I saw many references to the moon and sun.  The moon, especially, because the moon lights up the night sky.

We know that the moon itself, however, does not shine.  The moon gets it's light from the sun, hence it actually reflects the sun's light. As I reflected (no pun intended) on this, I had an aha! moment.  I cannot shine and show God's love to others on my own.  God gives me His light, and I must let it shine through my attitudes, words, and deeds.  Hence, when I do that, I am reflecting Jesus's love, compassion, and forgiveness.  

When I share His love with others, and let His spirit shine through me, God is glorified.  

I am a glorifier!

Lord, You are my light.  Help me to be a beacon of love, truth, hope for you by letting my light shine in a sometimes dark world.

Blessings,

For my Bible Journal page, I used Gansai Tambi watercolors for the picture.  For the actual journaling, I used a Micron .01 pen.

Psalm 51:10 Bible Journal

"Create in me a pure heart,

O God, and renew a steadfast

spirit within me."

 Psalm 51:10

I'm finally getting back to my 'Seeing The Scriptures' class.  Here is my page for Lesson four.....

I used Polychromos colored pencils on my page, with a Micron .01 pen for my lettering.

This is another of those Psalms which has been put to music, and which we sing in church!  I love when I come across one of those in my Bible.

In this Psalm of David, he describes forgiveness as a cleansing and purifying.  He seeks God's purging and purifying grace.  He realizes that the weight of his sins has kept him from living in the joy of the Lord.  

I drew the old, beaten-down, torn, bandaged, sin-laden heart in my page, with the sparkling clean and shiny new heart to remind me that God is always ready to renew my spirit and cleanse my heart.  I only need to ask, and to acknowledge that I have sinned, repent, and ask for forgiveness.  I cannot cleanse my own heart by doing good deeds, or by sacrifices or almsgiving.  It is God Himself, and only God, who creates a pure heart. 

By His grace, I can walk in the joy of the Lord, and let His light shine from within my being.  

When my heart is right, everything else will fall into place. 

Blessings,

Bible Journal Psalm 23

Psalm 23 is a familiar and favorite scripture passage for many.   We sing verses from it in our hymns and songs at church.  We have heard sermons and homilies on it.  There are posters and mugs and plaques with the familiar poetic words everywhere.

Each time I read the words, I find a new insight.  Isn't that the exquisite beauty of reading the Bible?  Having it be new over and over again!  No wonder it's still the world's best selling book!

This time, the reading really spoke to me about how well God knows me.  He loves me in spite of myself!  He cares about me.  

....He calls me by my name!  The Lord is my shepherd. 

....He is aware of, and provides for, my needs.  I shall not want. 
 
....He provides rest when I am tired and stressed.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters.

....He soothes me when I am weary.  He restores my soul.
  
....He gently calls me back when I wander.  How patient He is with me!  He guides me along the right paths for His name's sake.

....When I am afraid, He calms me.  Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

....He gives me hope and abundance.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

....He promises to be with me always.  Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

I was contemplating how I wanted to journal this section in my Bible.  As I was leaving a meeting at church this week, I stopped by our secretary's office to say hello.  As we talked, I saw my answer.  There on a couch in her office were several little stuffed animal lambs and sheep.  Around each was a little tag with their names on the tag.  She had given each one of them a name based on the the 23rd Psalm!  I knew immediately that was what I would do for my page.  

I love that God is in the details! 

Blessings,



 

Many Seeds

"Very truly I tell you, 

unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground 

and dies, it remains a single seed. 

But if it dies, it produces many seeds." 

                                                      John 12:24

In my Bible journaling page today, I drew the wheat with the cross behind it, and the little sprouting wheat seed at the foot of the cross.  My intention was to create a visual reminder of the supreme sacrifice Jesus made for me; for us.  Jesus is the seed, the cross represents His death (the seed dies).  The sprouting seed at the foot of the cross represents the fruit resulting from the fallen seed's death, reaching deep into the ground, and opening to new life (resurrection) to produce many new seeds.  The stalk of wheat contains the many seeds (us).

In my study, I learned some interesting facts about wheat.  Two bushels of wheat seeds produce 40 to 50 bushels of yield!  One grain of wheat yields eight or more heads, with over 40 seeds per head.  That's 320 new seeds from just one seed!  Impressive. 

Jesus wants us, you and me, to die daily to our sinful nature, which will cause new life to spring up in us.  But, often, we want to cling to our old life, don't we?  That old life needs to be threshed and buried.  We cannot get life, and we cannot give life, without a little bit of dying.  Jesus gave up His very life in obedience to the Father.  But the last word, the Easter message, is not the suffering, but the resurrection!

When arrogance and pride dies, humility arises.
When selfishness dies, generosity of spirit arises.
When a judgemental and critical spirit dies, love and acceptance arise.

I want to bring honor and glory to God.  With God's grace, and the Holy Spirit's help, I can do that by my obedience to Him.  By dying to my way, daily, and going the way He leads. 

God bless!