Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Worhsip into the Week- Dust to Dust


 Genesis 3:1-21
The Fall of Man

The story of man is outlined here with:
  the temptation, the fall,
the consequences, the judgment and curses,
the Gospel promise and mercy.
Everything else in the world works from this scenario.
Despite all of the shame of the story
 and the outcome bringing 
challenge for our time on earth,
 there is the offered hope of a plan.
There will be the ultimate crushing defeat of Satan.
Christ is the victor and our redemption has been won.
But, we are reminded that the dust 
that we are made of, is the dust to which we return.
We see the broken nature that runs rampant in our world. 
We feel the separation from God and the challenge
 of our broken relationships.
We understand the boundaries of our world
 that include the hard struggles in our labors.
But, woven into this drama is the grace thread
 from the God of love.
Oh, how thankful we are that this story has the 
Good News of Jesus for each of us.

Supplies:
Visual Faith Printable
Prismacolor pencils
Magazine cutouts







Sunday, February 22, 2026

Levi is 10

 


Our big guy is 10 and on to the double digits.


Thumbs up!  It is gonna be a good thing!


And yup an Oriole fan.



Time for the boys to 
hang together on a fun outing.


May the Lord bless you. young man!!!
Keep reaching for the sky!
Guard and protect your body and your heart!
Amen.

Friday, February 20, 2026

Worship into the Week- Return


 Ash Wednesday   Joel 2:12–19

Return to the Lord
The call for an urgent, inward
 and community return to God 
comes during a really difficult time-
a plague.
God was demanding a real and true repentance-
"rend your hearts and not your garments".
Meaningless rituals are not 
what God wanted from His people.
 In response, God promises mercy and the restoration of 
blessings to the land.
Our God is gracious and compassionate 
when repentance is sincere.
God asks then to 
"turn...with all your heart, with fasting, 
with weeping, and with mourning."
God is looking at hearts and a real change and 
is not moved by big shows of piety 
or outward displays of goodness.
The abounding steadfast love of God is what 
allows me to return time and again.
May I make a heartfelt reversal 
from the ways of distraction
 to a focus only on Jesus.

Supplies:
Visual Faith Printable
Magazine cutouts
Colored Pencils


   

 



Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Worship into the Week- Holy Ground

 


Worship into the Week-
Transfiguration Sunday
Old Testament Reading-Exodus 24:8-18 
Moses ascends the mountain
 into the cloud of God’s glory.

Epiphany ends on Transfiguration Sunday. We have been thinking about God's incarnation and now we center on revelation. This mountain is where heaven meets earth and humans encounter the divine. This section of Scripture  includes the Lord's directions to Moses and the ascent of Moses on the mountain. Then the glory of the Lord comes to the mountain, and Moses enters the cloud. Moses the mediator had a significant role as God's glory is manifested and they are given the law. It is Holy ground and they are entrusted with this covenant relationship. After the covenant ceremony there are the instructions for the tabernacle. God shows that He demands obedience (giving of the Law) but He also wants to dwell (be with) His people. We have lost much of the awe of God, the sheer utter magnificence of our Creator. As I contemplate this story of the actual presence of God, may I have a renewed sense of a limitless God in all ways.  

Supplies:  Visual Church Year Printable, Magazine Cutouts, Colored pencils, Gel pens











Saturday, February 14, 2026

All in the Name of Love- Valentine's Day


Maybe it is because my birthday
 is the day before Valentine's Day.
Or maybe it is just because I LOVE hearts.

A favorite collection is 100 year old Valentine postcards.


But, I love bringing out the nostalgia

 and the vintage for February.


February 1940 Home Arts magazine?  oh, yea.



A glass jar of red and white marbles?  Yup.

3-D Valentines- many from Germany.

A collection of keys?  the older the better.


The key to my heart?  The best.

Grade school Valentine's?
The more the better.

Nostalgia and red.


A valentine tree with vintage red and white handkerchiefs?
And lights on the dark days?

A heart florist's container is now a bit harder to find.  
Yes, yes,  I love it all.
For the greatest of these is LOVE.



Worship into the Week- Shine Light

 


Matthew 5: 13-20    Shine Light

Jesus speaks to His followers and helps them to think

 about their presence in the world. They are different.

They are to let their light shine in the darkness.

It is to be seen, not hidden.

They bring good flavor and preserve goodness,

 just like salt did in the ancient world.

Believers are to have a positive impact

 in their families and communities.

When they do good things and show care,

 it is not to make themselves important.

 but to reflect God's love to others. 

Jesus is working to help those listening to understand

 that His new words are not meant to abolish the Law

 that rules the world of the Jewish people.

Jesus frames his speech with simple teachings that fulfill

the Law and it is made perfect in Him.

The righteousness is deeper than mere outward compliance

 and keeping the Law to the letter.

It is a heart matter and Jesus gives the power

 to have a "heart made right."


This is Tiberius on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. 
The shoreline at the top would be Capernaum and Magdala. 
This would have been one of the hills that shone light
 in the dark at the time of Jesus.  Another possibility 
would have been the Roman city of Hippos- (Sausita) 
across the lake. Standing on the shore at night
 it is very easy to see how Jesus used -
 "right where you are" object lessons with the disciples
 and His followers. 
Shine Bright!!

Supplies:
Visual Faith Ministry Printable
Postage stamps
Colored pencils
Gel pens
Word tape



Friday, February 6, 2026

Calendar Journaling- January 2026

 


Devotional Journaling January 2026

A subdued and quiet entry into the new year.

Four colored pencils and a fine point Sharpie.

Phrase take aways from a favorite devotional-

Streams in the Desert.

Lord, what do you want me to SEE this month?