Friday, August 24, 2018

Bible Journaling

It is amazing the many exciting ways we have that can lead us to spend time in God's Word. There is prayer, praise, worship, soaking, sitting still, journaling, all amazing ways of connecting with God. I love all of these, especially praise and worship, but last year I discovered a new way to interact with God in a way that makes my soul sing: Bible Journaling.

As a cardmaker, I am always on the lookout for inspiration for my cards. Little did I know that there was a way to use the techniques and tools of cardmaking in my private time with God. It was mindblowing! As I researched and followed Bible Journalers on Social Media, I fell in love with this, for me, a new method of spending time connecting with God. It gives me a sense of freedom as I read His Word and His Spirit plants seeds of creativity in my mind and I visualize how He wants me to interpret what I've read.

I have gone so far as to step out of my comfort zone and take part in a challenge. This was amazing because it involved using watercolor to create the journal entries for World Watercolor Month 2018. For thirty (30) days, I journaled based on prompts supplied by the challenge organizer. This challenge opened me up to going outside of my comfort zone and trusting God with my creative masterpieces. I am no expert, by any means, but I keep at it because I get to spend time in His presence and because the work that comes forth from our time together brings glory to His name. 

This is the latest piece I created. I was studying Spiritual Foundations based on Romans 8:1-2 in a Bible Journaling course I participated. This scripture reads, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death." What impressed me most about this scripture was the phrase "the Spirit who gives life has set you free" and what immediately came to mind was broken chains. 

Take a look at the finished product below. If you want to see some more of the journaling pages I have done, click here.


Saturday, August 11, 2018

The Truth of the Matter

Love is patient and kind...love is not rude (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). These scriptures right here carry so much weight. If we love with the love of God, our words and actions will signify patience and kindness, but never rudeness. People tend to think that speaking truth and being truthful shouldn’t be hurtful because it is the truth. But when we deliver truth harshly, without consideration for those we’re “schooling”, or to make a point, we fail to realize that our words of truth can cause more harm than good. Jesus’ words, “...The truth will set you

free,” (John 8:32) are true words spoken by Jesus, but only if we deliver our “truth” in a loving way and not with the intention to hurt the receivers of that truth; only then will they gain meaning.

The truth of the matter is that truth without love is a weapon of mass destruction. As followers of Jesus, our words should build up, not tear down the body of Christ. We are God’s representatives on earth and as such we ought to represent Him the way Jesus did: with love, kindness, patience, speaking truth in a way the recipient’s eyes will be opened to see his or her mistakes; not closing their ears to shut out what we’re saying because we didn’t take the time to deliver the truth “in love.” Ephesians 4:15-16 states it well: “Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”

I pray that when you feel led to speak the truth to someone, you will first consider what motivates you to do so. Check your motives. If you’re doing it driven to make a point, please reconsider. Ask the Lord to show you a better way of delivering the truth, with patience, love and kindness. Then and only then will the truth set someone free.

Read 1 Corinthians 13