Bible Journal Romans 8:31-39

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, and gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died - more than that, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

'For your sake we face death all day long;

we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.'

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8:31-39

I was at a retreat through Sunday last week. It was four glorious days at a Christian Camp retreat center. For me, it was a spiritual escape, time to be away from distractions of every day life, and spend time with the Lord.

There were trails to walk, the beautiful Silver Lake to sit beside for contemplation, a chapel for prayer and reflection, a special scripture time with discussion each day, prayer time, and, to top it all off, there was a large room where we could set up and work on a craft, quilting, or art as we wanted at any time during the retreat. I brought my journaling Bible and art supplies. I also brought some sketch books, and my Zentangle journal, neither of which I spent much time working in. My focus was on journaling in my Bible.

Each day we were treated to three delicious, hot, home-cooked meals. The staff thought of every detail to assure that our four days were filled with comfort, peace, and that all of our 'creature needs' were taken care of.

This page is the last one I made on Sunday morning, just after breakfast. It really sums up all that I was feeling during my time there. I felt God's presence and comforting love each day. He comforted me as I worked through some difficult areas I had been dealing with in my life. He was there when new friends gathered round and we prayed for each other. He laughed with me through fumbled drawing attempts. He walked with me as I bared my soul to Him.

One of the hymns we sang was 'It Is Well With My Soul.' I have always loved this song, and I just cannot get it out of my head now. It sums up my feelings perfectly. I knew I just had to journal that in my Bible.

I know that nothing can separate me from God's mercy and love. He is there with me, always, just as he was there with me throughout those four days. I can conquer anything with Him! I wanted to journal that, so when I am feeling alone, or lost, I can come back to this page and reflect, and remember.

For my page, I drew my flower and wrote my journaling with a Micron Pigma pen, and colored with Polychromos colored pencils. For the artwork, I took inspiration from some of the lovely quilts the girls were working on.

A couple of pictures from my retreat....