St. Patrick's Day

Gathering a few vintage  postcards 

around the celebration of St. Patrick today.

Think many gatherings may include Guinness, 

soda bread and corn beef and cabbage.

I like remembering the story of St. Patrick himself

 and listening to In Christ Alone by Celtic Worship.

In Christ Alone

But, the green has also begin to herald 

the YELLOW that is popping up all over.

Also remembering my trip to Ireland. 

Though we didn't get to Black Rock Castle, 

we did love County Cork.

The stack of green books 
with the green bench.

  A nest and 

Ms. Green bunny. 

The gathering of the green.

So, on this day we hear the story 

of a faithful saint.

But, we are also reminded 

about our Heavenly Father 

who is the one and only forever faithful.

3:16 on 3-16

Bible Marginalia #303

John 3:1-21

Today as I wrote out the date- 3-16-

I was reminded of another 3:16.

So a great day to reread 

the story of Nicodemus- a ruler of the Jews.
He learns from Jesus about being born again-
of water and the Spirit.
How can this be?
But, we believe in the wind 
because we see where it blows.
Even though we can't see where it 
comes from and where it goes.
Nicodemus was challenged to believe
 in these earthly things.
Heavenly matters were even more perplexing.
Then Jesus speaks to Nicodemus
 the center of the Gospel message.
"For God so loved the world, 
that he gave his only Son, 
that whoever believes in him 
should not perish but have eternal life."
Of the 31,373 verses in the Bible-
this one centers the whole Gospel
 message in a sentence.
God's love is so BIG that it 
includes the WHOLE WORLD.
And everyone in it.
God's love is so SACRIFICIAL
that He gave His only Son.
God's love is so GRACE-FILLED
that He had a salvation plan for me.
That is my Good News for today 
and yours too.

Supplies:
Enduring Word Bible
Prismacolor Pencils
Washi Tape
Yellow Gelato

A Visit with Joanne Fink

Following our Extravagant Love cruise last month

 we were also blessed to stop for a visit

 with Joanne Fink in her Orlando home.
L to R- Pat Maier, Joanne Fink, 
Connie Denninger and Diane Marra.

 We spent some time playing with supplies.

A bit of lettering how-to 

from a master calligrapher.

I had fun trying out different supplies.

This was a beautiful set of Pearlescent colours.

And some fun Koi Watercolor Brush Pens.

Joanne wrote the name of Grandson- Isaiah for me.

Pat got some "Procreate" hints
 and time to try it out.

 It is not surprising that Joanne

 has some beautiful ART in her home.

We had fun seeing the variety 

of Joanne Fink products-

books, cards, stencils, stamps and notepads.

We are very blessed that Joanne
 has a love for Visual Faith 
and creates downloadable printables 
that she sells in her Etsy store.
How fun to see the Visual Faith logo
 on the things that she makes for us.
These are the Prayer flowers 
for the Prayers by the Month journal.
visual-faith-prayer-flowers-by-joanne

Thanks, Joanne, for letting us stop by
 for a visit and spend some lovely time with you!

Worship into the Week-Giving

Worship into the Week-

Lectionary C

Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-21

Lots here in this reading.
Secret giving.
Self-control. 
Spectacle.
Motive.
Reward.
Celebrated actions- or not.
Fasting.
Secrecy.
Humbleness.
How do we live?
Enough to pray about at the
 beginning of this Lenten journey.

Supplies:
Printable-
Visual Church Year
matthew-6:1-6-16-21-ash-wednesday-3-6-19
Prismacolor Pencils
Junk mail

In the Studio with Diane Marra

I recently was blessed 

to spend a couple of days with 

Visual Faith Coach- Diane Marra 

in her Florida home.

That meant time in her studio.

Pat Maier had fun learning 

about Distress inks and making some tags.

 Pat Maier joined me

 for our creative time.

It was time to learn about

 Gelli Printing.

We took roofing tar paper 

and the finished collage papers 

and made a journal with a sgraffitto cover.

It was a delightful,

 fun process to learn something new.

It was wonderful to spend time

 in  Diane's creative haven.

Enjoy a bit of the story here.

Worship into the Week- Listen

Transfiguration Sunday

Luke 9

A Mountaintop Experience for Sure.

The Transfiguration

28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.30 And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure,[b] which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. 34 As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

I have tried to think what it 

must have been like to keep silent.

To tell no one in those days.

Having heard the very voice of God.

To understand the affirmation of 

just who Jesus was in the Kingdom.

But, surely they must have 

talked about it to each other.

I would have liked to hear that conversation.

The command of God still moves among us today-

Listen, to Jesus.

Supplies:

Visual Church Year Printables
visual-church-year/childrens-bulletin-luke-9

Staples- Gel Pen

Illustrated Faith- Vellum Pieces

Scrapbook Paper

Junk Mail

Bible Marginalia- A Clean Heart

Bible Marginalia- #302

Psalm 51

Ash Wednesday

Create in Me a Clean heart,

 O God.

Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your steadfast love;

according to your abundant mercy

blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

 and cleanse me from my sin! v.1-2

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away form your presence,

and take note your Holy sPirit form.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

 and uphold me with a willing spirit. v. 10-12

Supplies:
Enduring Word Bible

Colored pencils

 Gelatos

Washi tape

Fine-point Sharpie non-bleeding pen