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,