Seek His Wisdom

These two journal entries really go hand in hand, though I didn't create them at the same time. In Job 28:12-19, it describes in perfect visual imagery that the Lord's wisdom is certainly more precious than any jewels or gemstones. One thing I always want to strive for is to walk in His wisdom. As long as I seek His wisdom first and not try to do everything on my own, or my way, I will walk in His blessing.

In Daniel chapter 2, Daniel goes to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and asks them to help him pray for wisdom to help interpret the king Nabuchadnezzar's dream so that they may live. The focal point of my entry is the section of scripture that Daniel spends praising the Lord for giving him wisdom and thanking him. Even as I seek the Lord for wisdom in all things--I want to always praise and thank Him with equal passion and gratitude. God is faithful and He always looks out for the good of His children. When you seek after His wisdom, you will surely find it. Then, be sure to thank Him for it when you do.

The Key to Perfect Peace

Did you know that the thoughts that you have are powerful? Thoughts you have about yourself, about others, about life...Isaiah 26:3 says, "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." By fixing our thoughts on God, we allow His peace to come on us. It isn't always easy, especially when life is hard and we are going through struggles, but the more that we do that--focus our minds on God's goodness, on His love--the easier it will be to do that during those valley moments in our life.

I'm continuing to use my watercolors and Aqua Painter brushes and am really having a great time using this medium in my journal Bible.

Have a beautiful week--keep your thoughts on the good things, the positive, on God.

The Fight Within

Our Pastor just concluded a mini-series titled "The Fight Within." He explains: "The Fight Within" is about yielding and overcoming...yielding to the Holy Spirit as He leads your spiritual being and overcoming every opposition that holds you back from following through and doing what you know to do.

This Romans 7 passage has long since been a favorite of mine. How many times do we find ourselves struggling on the inside--knowing what is right and wanting desperately to do so, but instead we do the opposite? It can be a continuous battle for many. Isn't it encouraging to know that Christ can deliver us from that inner fight and help us to overcome the opposition that tries to get in our way!

Pursue a Heart of Integrity

"Few things are more infectious than a godly lifestyle. The people you rub shoulders with everyday need that kind of challenge. Not prudish. Not preachy. Just Cracker Jack clean living. Just honest to goodness, bone-deep, non-hypocritical integrity." -Chuck Swindoll

May we always strive to pursue a life with a heart of integrity.

The Joy of the Lord is my Strength

"It takes intentional change and obedience in the Spirit to learn to live in joy." Holly Gerth in "You're Going to Be Okay" This quote resonated with me the first time I read it. Sometimes joy requires action. We must fight for joy. We must remember that strength comes THROUGH joy, not after it. In other words, joy provides strength. It IS a choice. I choose JOY, don't you? What better way to live than with a joyous heart? May Nehemiah 8:10 be a reminder of that for you this week or the next time you are struggling to find joy amidst a storm of struggle.

My Hope Is In the Lord

It's been a year since I started Bible Journaling. What an awesome creative outlet it has been for me! I have really enjoyed this type of artful worship, and I can see that it is becoming more common.

I purchased a new set of water colors yesterday and had to try them out immediately. In this time when so many people are afraid for the future of our nation and the world, I rest in knowing that my hope comes from the Lord alone. Psalm 33:20-22 is an awesome reminder of that. Just like a caterpillar turns into a butterfly--with freedom to fly away, we have freedom in Christ knowing that He is our help and our shield when darkness tries to surround us.

Be encouraged, friend! And may you find hope in the Lord alone.

Be Still and Wait

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him." Psalm 37:7....this scripture has always been hard for me, mostly because I struggle with patience a lot. We live in a world that demands immediate answers and attention, and as a person I'm not different. But through the years, over and over again, it's in the times where the Lord tells me to be still and wait that the outcome always comes out better than I could ever imagine.

I was reviewing some old journal notes today and came across this scripture and the following passage that I had included with it (a blurb from the She Reads Truth daily devotional): "It's easy to forget God is in total control. We serve a God who fulfills His promises, and it is His delight to reveal Himself amidst a swirl of troubles. He calls us to be still and wait patiently, and in His goodness, even gifts us with the faith to do so. Even before the floodwaters swell over our head, He has already prepared a safe passage." I knew immediately that I wanted it to be today's journal entry.

I used this journal entry from my Pinterest board for inspiration, though since her post was just an Instagram photo I had no instructions on how she created the page, so I just stepped out and tried to recreate it on my own. I stamped the image using my "Blended Bloom" stamp in black StaZon ink, followed by adding the journaling with my Micron 01 black pen. For the color, I mixed hot pink acrylic craft paint with some water to dilute it down and used my Aqua Painter brush to do a water coloring technique. For the lighter pink, I mixed hot pink and white acrylic craft paint and then mixed in some water to dilute it further. Be sure to put a piece of wax paper behind your page before you paint to keep it from bleeding through. As you can see, the back side of the page looks brand new with nothing coming through!

The acrylic painting medium is becoming a fast favorite of mine. I love the vibrant color it gives. I look forward to doing more with paints in the future. It's not so scary--give it a try!

Watercolor Wonder

I love water coloring when I have the time...this was the technique for my monthly club this month so it got me motivated to try another card with it. I used markers for the edges of the flowers and used the aqua painters to blend the color into the flowers. The third picture is the inside of the card...

Watercoloring Preview

This is another preview from the upcoming Summer Mini Catalog, using the "Elements of Style" stamp set. This stamp is perfect for water coloring--I used my Watercolor Wonder Crayons with my Aqua Painter to bring these flowers to life.

I love the elegance and simplicity of this stamp that I hated to add too much embellishment to the card, afraid I would take away from the image. The bird image is the inside of the card.