Bible Marginalia- Bow and Confess

Bible Marginalia Series- #96

Section of Romans talking 

about not judging others.

Why should we judge?

WE will all stand before

 the judgment seat of God.

It is the Lord who will judge.

Our job is simple-

 every knee must bow 

and every tongue confess.

We tend to make it so complicated.

Simple honor.

Simple confession.

Supplies:

Background- WeR Memory Keepers- envelope wraps

Red Banner- packet of readymade- Michael's

Alpha Letters

Outline Pencil- Staedtler

Poppy flower die-cut

Chatting with Lisa Nichols Hickman- Writing in the Margins

Had the opportunity to speak with Lisa Hickman

 by phone this morning.

Always good to put a voice with the emails

 and Facebook connections.

We are planning an event for November 7, 2015 

with Lisa and Shanna Noel -

here in Northern Virginia.

(details to come very soon)

So, this was time to listen to each other 

and see what might be the best way

 to shape this experience.
Lisa is mom to two, 
and struggles to find her own margins:
 as a ministry leader, mom, 
wife, professor and student too.

I had come across the book- 

Writing in the Margins in Feb. 2014.

Truthfully, it took me a while to finish the book,

 for a number of reasons.

I love Lisa's writing

 and didn't want the book to end.

I was actually doing the suggested prompts

 at the end of the Chapters.

I took the time to thoughtfully process

 in the places that she directed her readers in the Bible.

After I found the Journaling Bible Community

 on Facebook- I quickly joined

 when there were just a few of us in the group.

I had already connected to Lisa 

after reading her book.

Then, I shared with her this amazing new 

group on Facebook that was 

writing in the margins of their Bibles-- 

and MORE.

This was new information for the author of the book

ABOUT writing in the margins.

 That is how quickly things change

 in a socially connected digital world. 

Later, I shared with the Facebook group-

 her book and careful research.

One of the things that I believe

 is helpful about Lisa's 

contribution to the Journaling Bible community,

is that it opens another approach to the discipline.

She helps the reader with clear research,

 historical documentation, 

and endorsement of the practice

 as ancient- renewed.

For those that are not drawn immediately

 to the creative process,

 or are not sure about "arting up their Bible",

it allows another open door to the discipline.

One of my favorite phrases that Lisa uses

 to explain the process of writing in the margins is-

"bridging WORD to world".
 Margins become the place of cultivation- 
"finding a new way in the midst of confusion."

 The powerful realization for myself

 is that I have often pushed my faith life-

 Bible reading time- to the edges of my busy life.

A marginalized faith life.

And in grace-filled gentleness, 

I am reminded that THIS,

 is exactly where the Lord meets me.

Give Him the margins of your Bible

and see what He does in this space of worship,

and prayer as He writes 

your story.

If you are a Bible Journaler and have NOT read 
Writing in the Margins, 
the reading is an enhancement
 to the practice of Bible Journaling. 
If you are new to the Bible Journaling Community,
 this book is a wonderful introduction 
and can help frame this practice as spiritual discipline.

In the mean time -
we are very excited about bringing together 
these two women leaders-
 Shanna Noel and Lisa Hickman,
who have simply made themselves available
 for the moving of the Holy Spirit,
for such a time as this.

Bible Marginalia- Holy Spirit Gifts

Bible Marginalia Series- #95

 Spent some time in this

 section of Acts for Pentecost.

 A monumental day in Jerusalem.

Maybe this is what draws me

 to the city of Jerusalem 

in my two visits there.

And they were ALL filled

 with the Holy Spirit.

 The power to Renew ME.

I am REMADE 

by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 Walking into my week- 

FILLED.

Knew that divided tongues of fire

 would look dorky if I tried that -

 so I just brushed the 

paint dobber on the page.

Subtle flames here.

The little alpha stickers are easy to use

 because of the small scale.

 That works best for me.

 Love the clear black

 "doodles" sticker.

Supplies:

Adirondack Metallics

 Acrylic Paint Dobber- Copper

 Alpha Stickers- $1 Bin Target

Accent Sticker Doodle- remarks- found at Tuesday Morning

Printable Faith Sticker

Zig Marker pen
 Colored pencils to outline

Garden Whites

I am heading out to the garden

 to work this morning.

 Right now I am loving the white 

and cream flowers in the garden.

Unusual for us to have May days without

 high humidity and temperatures that melt me.

I keep the snow on the mountain-

 well- OK- it runs rampant-

 just for the lacey flowers of this month.

 Like Queen Anne's lace.

 I try to bring a bit inside as I can.

 To set among the table things.

Seeing what is gathered here -

All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name.

Think that will be my morning prayer -

pulling weeds this day.

Bible Marginalia- Continue Steadfast- Listening Prayer

Bible Marginalia Series- #94

Our District church was in convention last week.
 A busy week.

Meeting people. A time for encouragement.

I had nothing to do with floor committees, 

resolutions or amendments.

 Or Robert's Rules of Order.

So I sat a prayed over the convention.

We used listening prayer in our convention time.

 Chosen Bible pages to read, listen,

 read and then pray over together

 for the sake of the voting - 

and the sake of the KINGDOM.

This section in Colossians 4:2-6

was the guiding overall prayer to lift up.
Let your speech be gracious.
 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders.
Some very fine thoughts here.

There were readings for each of these sections:

 The invitation to Listening prayer.

 Thanksgiving for the Mission of the Synod.

The District Vision of iNeighborhood.

For the Work of the convention.

For 75 years of Mission

 in the Southeastern district.

   

All sections followed the same format:

Listen:  The reading

Reflect: With guided questions to help.

Read Again.

Respond.

Pray.

 Later: how might this impact you?

Rules for Christian Households- 

that just might hold up

 for Convention gatherings also.

 My husband John was reelected as

 President of the Southeastern District - 

Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

 at this convention.

  Time to listen close

 to just what the Lord has in mind 

for His Kingdom.

Bible Marginalia- Going Horizontal

Bible Marginalia Series - #93

In Daniel Here. 

Thinking about living counter- cultural-

 no matter the cost.

The beginning of the time of

 dream interpretation.

 Not too sure of the future ahead.

 Living in a land-

 where the majority did not follow the Lord.

Thinking about how that just might

 mirror living in the world today.

But, our God is to be blessed forever-

 after all- 

He is the one that changes times and seasons.

 He is kind of a BIG DEAL.

Here is one done in Advent Blue.

I like lettering in the margins in the horizontal.

Most of my margins are about lettering anyhow-

 since I can't draw worth a hoot.

 I simply draw 4 wavy lines across the margin.

Then begin lettering to fit the space-

lots of good examples out there.

 I have been doing this for scores of years- 

just because I generally 

like what it ends up looking like.

 In other words- 

I find this easy and very forgiving.

You can mix up small and capital letters. 

You can have your lettering

 reach the top - or NOT.

You make up the rules.

 Then I like experimenting

 with coloring in the spaces. 

 Some times all one letter are a certain color. 

 Sometimes I just pick 4 colors

 and use them in order. 

The previous post

 also show a horizontal margin.

This one has lines drawn to fill in with color

 and added lines in the spaces.

Also a simple way to mix it up a bit.

Try switching the flow of your writing-

 you might be surprised

 what comes out of a series of words.

 Supplies:

Mostly colored pencil

 and Black Fine-Point Sharpie pen

Bible Marginalia- The Lord builds the house

Bible Marginalia Series- #92

Psalm 127
There is a retreat center in Richmond, Virginia
 that has this verse painted
 in the altar area of the small chapel.
Every time I am there
 and pray over the city of Richmond,
I am reminded that is our calling.
Each of us- to pray over the city.
Like we have been praying
 over the city of Baltimore.
Where prayer calls the Lord
 to watch over the city.

This section also has words to encourage parents.

That the gift of children

 are a heritage from the Lord.

A gift to be treasured.

The margin lettering is inspired

 by the work of Joanne Sharpe.

Her book of lettering styles

 and helps certainly makes the cut for 

the creative library.
Whimsical-Lettering-Joanne-Sharpe


Supplies:
Colored pencils
Zig Memory writer pen

Bible Marginalia- Bleed-Through Helps-2- Envelope Wraps

Bible Marginalia Series- #91

I see from the posts that get

 a lot of traffic that many are looking

 for help with bleed-through issues

 in their Journaling bible.

(have learned that it is really called -

"ghosting")

So I wanted to share with you

 all a very simple HELP.

ENVELOPE WRAPS.

I hadn't even heard of them before.

Apparently a really cute way

 to send snail mail.

I came across them in an Amazon feed

 buying another item.

I purchased a set to see how they worked. 

It was hard to tell if they were really

 the right size or not.

They are perfect for my Bible.

Here is a 2-page spread using some from the same set.
They are self adhesive and the size fits exactly in my 
Crossway single column ESV journaling Bible.
(One of the Bibles you can hardly find right now.)

Tried to find the link for this exact one.
They don't seem to have this one right now- 
but this is similar.

Floral envelope wraps

This one has the cute border
 and flowers all ready to go.

I just added in nuggets from what I was studying.

Some stern warnings here to the hypocrites

 about observing traditions 

with the same honor as the Commandments.

This section in Matthew- 

the discussion of what defiles a person.

The writing does not go through to the other side-

 even using a Fine-poing Sharpie pen 

which does have some bleed-through.

It also did not affect the journaling

 on the other side of the page.

Here this worked quickly and simply in Isaiah.

Some of the wraps in the packet 

have words like- SEND TO, etc.

I plan to just cover that with washi tape
 or stickers 

or something
 and will still be able to use
 all of the wraps in a set.
Envelope wraps

This comes from a chalkboard set.

 Apply. Stamp- Remember This!

and He is Faithful lettering!

Simple and DONE.

Blackboard envelope wraps

This was from an earlier post.
steadfast-love


So another simple and doable way 
to deal with margin bleed- through.
Order packets with friends
 and share the different designs.
And a great help to the NON- ARTIST.

Spring Beauties

Columbine

Psalm 57:11

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;

let your glory be over all the earth.

This verse certainly speaks

 to me in the Spring.

God's majesty erupts from the earth.

 His creative touch on all things.

Tree peony 

Lily of the Valley

Miss Kim lilacs

Knock out Roses

Deutzia

Pink Azalea

 and out about in the neighborhood---Iris

 Thank you for the sure sign, Lord,

 that you move the seasons of the year

 and bring us again to GROWTH.

 May this time of year- remind me also- 

of your desire for me to grow- in YOU.

 Amen.

Mothering

So there is so much honor in mothering.

And gifts that unfold as years float over space.

And deep breath prayers that melt hearts.

Now grandmothering stirs love in deep crevices.

Remembering the journey- so quickly tracked in days.

The prospect of changes and challenges lurk in the edges,

because I know that we hold them all loosely, 

with gentle sway.

The King of the Universe claims them all- 

we are just blessed with the loan.

Bible Marginalia-Steadfast Love

Bible Marginalia Series- #90

Looking at Lamentations-
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end
they are new every morning
not just some mornings
EVERY MORNING
when I forget to draw close
He remembers ME
 The Lord is great in HIS faithfulness

What a comfort that is- today
or when things aren't going quite right
or when things are a really BIG MESS

Lament- cry

A passionate expression of grief, 

often in music, poetry, or song form.

 The grief is most often born of regret, or mourning.

Been reading this as a lament 

over the city of Baltimore.

Such unrest, hurt, and years

 of not seeing those in the "margins".

A time when endurance has perished

 and there is no hope.

 Then a glimmer as I remember-

 just where my HOPE lies-

I HOPE in HIM.

 A City that needs the LORD.

A City that needs the LORD's 

hand of intervention.

A City that needs

 to seek the will of the LORD.

 That they might receive the gift 

of HOPE.

I used an envelope wrap 

on the page on the left.

I often add them to deal

 with bleed-through problems. 

 They are the perfect size

 for my Journaling Bible.

Self- Adhesive

Fast and easy to use.

Supplies:

Colored pencils 

Zig Memory Pen

Fine-point Sharpie marker

VERVE stamp

Stamping ink

Alpha stamps

Washi tape

Remember THIS! stamp
We-Memory-Keepers-Blackboard

Bible Marginalia-Be Strong

Bible Marginalia Series- #89

Back in the Psalms here.
 Psalm 31

Love these phrases right now-
 BE STRONG
 TAKE HEART 
HOPE IN THE LORD

little compass stamp -
 He will TEACH you THE WAY
 you should GO
 and bottom line then-
 Steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts-
So
 SHOUT for JOY!
 A great way to begin any morning
 and close every evening.

 Supplies:
 VERVE Bible verse stamp
assorted stamps
Washi tape
 Colored pencils
Zig Millennium pen 

Creative Haven- Spring Collage

Catching up with some photos from

 a Creative Haven event a few weeks ago.

A little bit of fun with Easter card copies,

 doilies, vintage satin ribbon,

paper accordion whirls, tulle,

 rhinestones from Grandma D's stash,

and some fabric flowers, and bead dangles.

Here is a a bit of burlap, 

some of Grandma D's lace and rhinestone button,

 corrugated cardboard, felt flower cutouts, 

gold glitter butterfly,

 and vintage paper from a Spring Ideals magazine

 from about 50 years ago.

Tagboard butterfly, doily, vintage hymnal circles, burlap,

cross sticker, tulle, satin ribbon, Ideals magazine paper,

Grandma D's lace, paper medallion whirl.

Tulle, corrugated cardboard,

 vintage Easter postcard copy, 

satin ribbon, tagboard butterfly, 

sewing pattern flower, paper medallion whirls,

 burlap, vintage book cutouts,

Grandma D's rhinestone and lace.

The bases are tissue paper covered  
white foam display board. 

with a wire hanger.

always fun to see what comes out 

of a room full of "FINDINGS"

Bible Marginalia- Restore us

Bible Marginalia Series- #88

Restore us to Yourself, O Lord,
 That we may be restored!
 Praying over the city of Baltimore-
and all the places in the world 
that are not at rest-
because they do not REST IN YOU.

Reading in Lamentations 5.

Supplies:

Stamp and ink

Colored pencils 

 Black fine-point Sharpie pen

Bible Marginalia- He Lives!

Bible Marginalia Series- #87

Oh! the Joy that this sweet sentence Gives!
I know that My Redeemer Lives!

The words of Jesus to His disciples.

Three times- Peace Be With You!

In shock- they needed to hear it multiple times.

As I often do- Peace, Peace, Peace.

Simply the story for me on this page.

That became a prayer.

Visio-Divina.

Praying the Scripture.

And a page that calls me 

to prayer with a glance.

This is a two page study....... 

showed the page on the right in this post.......
fully-restored

The deli paper flipped out- 

just added the cover 

from the worship bulletin from Easter Sunday

Dealing with the bleed-through in the margin area-

used an envelope wrap.

It is self adhesive and they are made

 the perfect size for the margins
 in the Journaling Bible.
Envelope wraps

The paint shown here is actually

 the acrylic paint from the front side.

 No extra paint was added for this flip out side.

Words here in the margin

 from the story of Jesus and Thomas- 

after the Resurrection.

Oh! to believe though we have not seen!

Some shadowing here from the other side,,,,,,

 but still worked well to finish this study.

Supplies for the left side layout work:

Alpha Stickers

 Typewriter key letters

Colored pencils

Black Sharpie non-bleeding pen