A Watercolor April

 

April flowers have been spectacular this year. 

Everything has bloomed early and May came in April.

I decided to capture the beauty 

with the Waterlogue App on my phone.

 Pinks, lavenders and new growth reds and greens.

Lilacs for Easter.

The bright colors of Spring.

 We had a watercolor event at our church 

and had fun experimenting with something new.

A great reminder of simple joy.

"Lord, fill me with joy in your presence."

Psalm 16:11

Worship into the Week- Abundant Life

 

Lectionary Reading- Acts 2:14 a, 36-41

Peter Preaches to the Crowd

"Make no mistake about this."

Jerusalem needed to listen carefully. 

It wasn't a time to make assumptions.

Things were not as they seemed on this Pentecost day.

Peter's words struck at the hearts of the people.

Repent and be baptized!!!

This Jesus they had crucified 

was the Lord and Messiah.

Hearts were broke open by the Holy Spirit

 and many were baptized.

They added 3,000 to the church that day.

Lord, bring your Spirit to move

 the hearts that need you today! 

May we share His Word 

to this current crooked generation.

There is the abundant life waiting 

for those that seek you, Lord.

Amen.

Supplies:

Visual Church Year Printable

vcy-graphics-only-april-2026

Colored Pencils

Magazine Cutouts

Distress Ink

 

Worship into the Week- We are Witnesses

 

Worship into the Week- We are Witnesses

Acts 5:29-42

The Apostles Meet Opposition

It is a tough time for the Apostles before the Sanhedrin.

They stood their ground with a statement 

of obeying God over human authority.

Peter holds to the fact of the resurrection of Jesus.  

As witnesses of these events,

this becomes the basis of all their teachings.

The wise counsel of Gamaliel was to leave them alone.

Their cause will either fizzle out,

 or really take off if it is from God.

The high council had them flogged and told them

 to never speak again of Jesus.

The apostles rejoiced in their suffering in the name of Jesus.

They went right on teaching about Jesus

  in the Temple and from house to house.

The apostles declared to all that "Jesus is the Messiah." 

Nothing was going to stop them, 

they would not back down.

Supplies:

Visual Faith Printable

vcy-graphics-only-april-2026

Magazine Cutouts

Distress Ink

Colored Pencils

Vintage postage stamps

Acts 5:29-42 details the apostles' bold defense before the Sanhedrin, establisPeterhing the principle of obeying God over human authority. Peter affirms Jesus' resurrection and role as Savior, leading to Gamaliel’s wise counsel to let them be. Despite being flogged, the apostles rejoice in suffering for Jesus, continuing to teach daily. 

First Baptist Church | Thomson Georgia

Griffin is 12

 Griffin turned 12 this month.

We were able to be with him to celebrate.

The whole family was together 

in the midst of the upcoming move.

That was the best gift.

Everyone had fun watching the gift opening.

Some new shoes was a treat.

A fun day hanging out with a special friend.

Fun things with clay and the pottery wheel.

Another cake and celebration.

Way to go!!!

Time with the cousin gang is always a good thing.

Griffin - what fun to see you growing up!

May the Lord bless you, young man.

Pool of Siloam

 Most of our trips to Israel have included the Pool of Siloam.

The steps here have been where we sit.

This year was different as there

 is a huge excavation tent and active dig.

Our guide Yossi has told us that there would never be

 permission given to have the land to excavate. 

But things change in Israel.

The recent 2025-2026 excavations have now

 uncovered a massive 2,800 year old,

 40 foot dam from the First Temple period- (800 BC.)  

It reveals an advanced water management system 

during the reigns of Kings Joash or Amatya. 

This structure is older than the Herodian pool 

of the early excavation. 

They believe it is a massive reservoir 

that was built to manage 

the extreme climate changes in Israel.

This dig is located in Jerusalem's

City of David National Park.

The Second Temple site is where Jesus is believed

 to have healed a blind man.  

In 2004, the site was accidentally rediscovered

 while street crews were working on sewer and water lines.

The large stone-stepped pool was part

 of a ritual bath area for pilgrims. 

The earliest part dates back to King Hezekiah.

The pool was fed by the Gihon Spring through

 the 1,750 foot long Hezekiah Tunnel.

This was the main water source

 for the city during the Assyrian siege.

Lord willing, we head back in Jan. 2027

 to take our next group there 

and we will see what has been added to the discovery.

Worship into the Week- Easter 2026

 

Easter Sunday Sunrise Service

Old Testament Reading

Exodus 14:10-15:1

The Egyptians Pursue Israel

and the Escape through the Red Sea.

This is a story of deliverance for the Jewish people

 and forms the foundational background

 for the Passover celebration.

It reminds us of God's preserving power and His

ability to restore and protect.

God's ultimate plan is revealed on Easter Sunday 

with the Resurrection of Jesus.

Easter Sunday 

Old Testament - Jeremiah 31:1-6

Hope for Restoration

"I will be the God of all the families of Israel, 

and they will be my people."

Rebuilding and tender care and forging a future.

The Lord says, " I have loved you, my people, 

with a an everlasting love. 

With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself."

How good it is when the Lord says:  

my people, my people.

The other first reading for Easter

 is Acts 10: 34-43.

The Gentiles Hear the Good News.

There is peace with God through Jesus Christ.

In Jesus there is the full story of redemption

 by His death on a cross.

 But, God raised him to life on the third day.

The apostles are witnesses and have seen the good things,

  and heard his teachings.

They saw him and ate and drank

 with him after he rose from the dead.

The apostles have been appointed to tell the story 

and let people know that Jesus 

is the one who  is over the living and the dead.

He is Lord over all.

He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!   Amen.

Supplies:

Visual Faith Printables

vcy-graphics-only-april-2026

Magazine Cutouts

Colored pencils

Distress Ink

Calendar Journaling- Lent 2026

 Lent- 2026

Calendar Journaling for this season with a resource from

Visual Faith® Ministry.

This year it is right in our Common Book.

 Right along with the rest of the practices 

was this calendar image.

I used the Lenten Word Project for reflection time 

for the 40 days of Lent.

That resource is right HERE:

lenten-words-project

This practice helps me to see the visual of how

 these words fit together for my Lenten walk.

A blessed part of Lent this year for me.