Friday, June 2, 2023

Worship into the Week- Living Water


 Worship into the Week- John 7:37-39
Living Water
Pentecost Sunday

"If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said,
 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."

In this setting we know that Jesus
 is in Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles.
It was one of the big festivals when adult Jewish males
 made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
Pentecost means "50 days"- which was seven weeks
 after Passover, and was celebrated when people
 harvested their grain, offering a "tithe" of it to God.
During the time of Jesus, this Festival had also taken on
the remembrance of God's care and provision
for the people of Israel during their 40 years
 of  wandering in the desert. 
The disciples wanted Jesus to go Jerusalem 
so that others would learn about him.
He later went privately and the Pharisees 
wanted to arrest him.
Then on the last day of the feast, Jesus stood up to
share some thoughts.

We learn from the Mishnah that the water ceremonies
 were an important part of this celebration.
At the pool of Siloam a priest would draw water 
with a golden pitcher and then carry it all the 
way back to the temple to pour it 
into a silver bowl next to the altar.
Sometimes they were also choirs and musicians.
With the pouring of the water the priest 
would ask the Lord to send rain.
Some writings state that the water-drawing 
of Tabernacles is interpreted 
as the drawing of the Holy Spirit.
This helps us to understand why Jesus 
brings up Living Water at this time.
 Just as God provided water in the wilderness,
Jesus gives water that is not ceremonial but the
source of eternal life.
A significant point was that the believers
 had not yet received the Holy Spirit,
 because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Water and the Holy Spirit are a powerful 
combination and that gives new meaning 
for this reading at Pentecost.


Supplies:
Visual Faith Printable
Worship into the Week Printable
Color Pencils
Magazine Cutouts
 Postage Stamp

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Scripture Doodles- May 2023

Scripture Doodles- May 2023
A phrase takeaway each day.
Four colored pencils.
Reading the devotional-
New Morning Mercies- by Paul David Tripp.
Calendar cut into thirds 
and added to a Traveler's Notebook.
 

Final restoration is YET to come.
Thank you, Lord.


Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Psalm Summary- #34

 

Psalm Summary- #34

Review of this Psalm brings some 
powerful phrases to the forefront.
- get me out of a tight spot
-disciples so often get into trouble
-Yahweh is listening and ready to rescue
-if your heart is broken, Yahweh is right there
-do something good, embrace peace
-worship opens doors to all of His goodness
-Yahweh met me more than halfway

Some beautiful prayer thoughts here
 and an honest call to Yahweh for help.
I often call this process- Praying the Psalms.

Supplies:
Magazine cutouts
Inked cork stamp
Color pencils 
Fine-point Sharpie pen




Saturday, May 27, 2023

Enduring Word Bible- Train Up a Child

 

Proverbs 22

My children and grandchildren have been 

on my mind alot lately. 

Daughters are juggling alot with littles, work, 

sports schedules and dads on the road.  

All young families have very full plates

 and never enough time or enough hands.

So this section in Proverbs forms

 the framework for prayer- 

for moms and dads and all ten littles.

It is the most important work 
of parenting- Discipling.
We are all learning to follow Jesus 
and striving to bring along the next generations.
It is the "work" that moves into eternity.
"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches."
"Train up a child in the way he should GO,
 even when he is old he will NOT depart from it."
Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, 
and apply your heart to my knowledge."
Moms and dads-
it is worth EVERY repeated effort.

Supplies:
Colored pencils 
Sharpie Marker
Fine point Sharpie marker
Transparent circle notes


Thursday, May 25, 2023

Charlie is 5!



    Preschool celebration of turning five for Charlie!

  

                      Mr. Charlie recently turned five.

                          This energetic, funny, "middleman"

                            is quick to sort all of his treasures 

and put things in the right place.
He is headed to Kindergarten next year
 and loves to color.
Some fun new birthday clothes.
Pokemon, dinosaurs, and wild octopus.
Packer Man and Bike lights,
and some Evolutions.

A steel tongue drum and music jam playmat- 
the start of a rhythm and song 
for some fun little guys.
Charlie, we love your sweet smile 
and may the Lord bless you 
in this new birth year!

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Worship into the Week- Exult

 


Worship into the Week: Psalm 68:1-10
Exult!
Commentators state that this can be a 
difficult psalm to connect our understanding.
Perhaps it was united with the coming of the 
ark of the covenant into Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 6)
It also speaks of God's faithfulness to give Israel victory
 over her enemies, as this would make Jerusalem
 a safer place for the ark in the city.
Sometimes this psalm is assigned for Whitsunday-
 another name for Pentecost.
As I read this section of the psalm I kept 
coming back to the word- Exult.
"To feel or show triumphant elation or jubilation."
Maybe sometimes when things are not clear
 or seem too challenging,
I just need to sit back and exult my God.
Sing His Praise.
Lift up a song to Him!
Praise His name!

Supplies:
Visual Church Year Printable
Worship into the Week Printable
Colored Pencils
Pressed Pansy
Recycled mail envelope




Monday, May 22, 2023

Psalm Summary- #33


 I keep photos of my Psalm Summaries 
right on my cell phone. 

 Today I was going over this one

 in a moment of quiet reflection.

 I like having them with me 

so they can be pulled up even when traveling.

It is an 8 1/2 by 11 journal.

I add magazine cutouts and 

some inked wine cork stamping.

 I often use The Message- Peterson

or Psalms Now- Brandt

 for a more contemporary version to read.

 I look for my take-aways in the reading,

add the phrases, some doodling, 

and colored pencils

 They are also the perfect thing 

to send in a text to someone needing

 a bit of Visual Scripture encouragement.