Here I stand - in Pumpkin Center

A bit fitting that we visited Pumpkin Center

 near Lincolnton, North Carolina

 over the weekend.

It was actually St. Luke's Lutheran Church

 that we visited on Sunday.

This congregation was celebrating
 its 240th Anniversary.
 Two years ago they made a challenging
 Here I stand decision.
They were an ELCA- 
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America congregation.
They took a Sola Scriptura stand
 and became a LCMS-
 Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
congregation.

Lay Minister Glenn Roseman- Left
Husband John -right
Interim pastor- Rev. Craig Schultz 
was serving another neighboring congregation
 on Reformation Sunday.

 Pastor Schultz is working to help the congregation
 piece together their LONG history.
Some of the time line here.

They are looking for artifacts of photos
 and printed materials to add to the story. 

We love exploring the grounds a bit on a visit.
It was beautiful day for a stroll in the cemetery.

Years of military dedication

 in this gathering of saints.

and maybe a sense of humor.....

A Here I stand congregation- 
on Reformation Day,
 that is almost half as old as the Reformation.
And giving thanks for all the Saints
 that have gone before.

A bit more of their history here-
St. Luke's History

Bible Journaling - in the Missionary Age

 Bible Journaling Series- #188

This week I was able to attend a 

Professional Church Worker's conference

 and loved  listening to our presenter-

Rev. Robert Newton.

I ended up putting the notes 

right into my Bible-

so I wouldn't lose them.

The story of Daniel- 

what does it mean for us in our own

"Babylon" today?

Missionary Posture in Today's World-

1. Maintain our Core Identity

2. No other gods

3. From Ritual to Personal Faith

4. Discipleship

5. Knowing the Story

6. Living the Story

This becomes our "Acts" story today.

Often we are feeling unsettled 

and just out of sorts in our world.

 Nothing seems right.

Maybe we feel like we don't belong.

It is EXILE living.

The key is remembering God's faithfulness

 in the diaspora.

God uses exile for blessing.

Exile is always where God 

forms or reforms His people.

So--- How do you think Bible Journaling

 helps you to Know your story?

Can you see the ways that 

you can Share your story?

What does LIVING your STORY look like?

 I believe that the Lord is giving us 

these Bible Journaling resources-

to comfort and encourage His people

 in our Exiled living.

We live in the third largest 

Missionary field today- the United States.

Perhaps a look at the choices of Daniel 

make a great map for us today.

Supplies-

Stamp and ink

Colored pencils

Fine-point Sharpie marker

Scrapbook paper

Here and About- October 2016

Ebenezer Lutheran Church 

Greensboro, North Carolina

Sometimes a week is just very full

 of all sorts of experiences.

This post gathers some of the comings and goings

 of this past week.

We worshiped at Ebenezer this past Sunday.

Amazing art- Visual Faith.

Everything from Illuminated Bibles 

to art from the studio of Lucas Cranach.

Original printwork of artist Adam Moser.

Monday and Tuesday were 

Professional Church Workers Conferences- 

at Resurrection Lutheran Church, Cary, North Carolina 

and 

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Herndon, Virginia.

We were blessed to Rev. Dr. Robert Newton- 

District President from California, Nevada and Hawaii 

join us to direct our thinking about the Missionary Age.

We took off to spend some time downtown DC

 and headed to one of our favorite spots- 

the National Cathedral.

On the last Tuesday of the month

 the inside of the cathedral

 is set up with multiple labyrinths. 

We wandered around quietly listening
 to beautiful music 

and visiting the chapels in the lower level.

A stroll through the cathedral gardens, 

supper at  Old Ebb's Grill- 
A DC tradition since 1856,

and a late night stroll past the White House.

Wednesday evening was the Gala for  

LIRS - Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services. 

We were at Capitol View at 400
 with night time views

 of the Capitol and Union Station.

Former refugee Joseph Lewis 

was the Master of Ceremonies,

and Omar Al-muqdad was the Keynote Speaker.

A Walk of Courage award 

was presented to  Rev. Mark Hanson- 

former Bishop of the ELCA.

 Madeleine Albright, the first female Secretary of State,

 and the highest ranking woman in the history of the U.S. government was also presented a Walk of Courage Award.

At one time she too, was a refugee to the United States,

 and fled Europe during World War 2.

Linda Hardke serves as President and CEO of LIRS.

I pray that the Lord would open the hearts 
of more Americans to see refugees 
as human beings marginalized and needing 
our welcome- as our neighbors.

Bible Marginalia- Christ Strengthens Me

Bible Marginalia Series- #187

Philippians 4:13

Learned in whatever situation...

to be content....

know how to abound....

learned the secret of facing hard things...

my God will supply every need...

BECAUSE I can do all things through

Christ who strengthens me.

Hope and promise.

A Withness in this passage.

A prayer for now,

and all the days to come in the future.

Lord, help me to remember.

Supplies:
Washi tape
Colored pencils
Fine-point Sharpie marker
Bible verse stamp and ink

Bible Marginalia- Psalm 121

 Bible Marginalia series- #186
 Psalm 121

I had stamped this page about 2 years ago.
It was a favorite psalm of my mom's. 
 Sometimes that keeps me from coming back
 because I fear that what ever I engage here
 on this page won't be special enough.
But, as I was "drawn" to this psalm 
in a  lectionary reading-
 a door opened.
I know the first verse well.

And as usual in my time for margin work,
 new things sprang forward.
The Lord KEEPS me.

The Lord KEEPS me from evil .

The Lord KEEPS me and never sleeps.

The Lord KEEPS my life.

Keep-Keeps
1. have or retain possession of
2. continue in a specific condition or course
3. provide for sustenance of someone
4. honor or fulfill a commitment or undertaking

Honor, guard, protect, value, hold dear

Certainly on this page I can lay my prayer
 before the Lord to Keep those I love dearly.
Thank you, Lord.

Supplies:
Bible verse stamp
 Circle image stamp
colored pencils
Fine-point Sharpie non-bleeding

Bible Marginalia-Walking in the Truth

 Bible Marginalia Series #185
3 JOHN

Sometimes I am too anxious
 to even breathe these words:

my children are walking in the truth.

Fear comes in and challenges me with:

what if's and the tenuous fate 

that future holds in our lives.

And then I come back and remember the promise

 given to them in their Baptism,

 and to their spouses, and now to our grandchildren.

And I rest in that strong hold of our Heavenly Father, 

who cannot lie, 

and tells us that He will never leave us.

because it is His nature

 and He CANNOT break a promise.

There is NO GREATER JOY- 

than to hear, know, believe, and see

this journey of faith for my own children.

And I pray over these words:

Walking in the Truth.

In a world that does not believe 

in ABSOLUTE Truth,

and how our walk is sometimes a shuffle, 

and other days it feels like we are running ragged.

And I give thanks for the breath relief 

of being a part of God's family, 

as HIS CHILDREN,

the church, the KINGDOM of GOD.

May I live a life that points to Him 

as creator, sustainer, and provider.

May my own journey be blessed -

as I KNOW that my own parents

 prayed these verses over ME.

 Supplies:

Colored pencils

 Fine point Sharpie marker

Washi tape

Illuminated Seating

 Once in awhile you just see the spot -

when the sunshine comes around the corner 

and dances light in a way 

that captures your glance.

 In a quick run for the camera-

holding breath that it will be there on return.

An Illuminated seat-

calling my name.

Come and just sit a bit.

Take a breath.

Bible Marginalia- The Lord's Patience with ME

Bible Marginalia Series- #184
2 Peter 3: 8-18.

The Day of the Lord will Come
Ever wonder where that saying is from-
One day is like a thousand years?
Well, it is right here.
Talking about how the Lord does time, 
and the mystery of it, 
and how "waiting" just doesn't fit 
into the same time frame 
that God looks at these things.
The Lord is patient with me, 
will "slow down time"- 
because he doesn't wish that any should perish, 
but that all should reach repentance. (v.9)
Sometimes when I am "waiting on God"-
 the reality is that He may be "waiting on me."

The Lord breathes patience.

We should count His patience

 as our salvation gift-

that all may be gathered to Him on the last day.

This section talks about the heavens

 that pass away with a roar.

  The heavenly bodies will be burned up

 and dissolve. 

The earth and the works 

that are done on it will be exposed.

But, DO NIOT OVERLOOK this one fact, 

beloved, 

that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, 

and a thousand years as one day.

Do not say that you need more days or more time-

He may already have given you thousands of years.

Oh, what a gift that the Lord 

is so patient with me!

Let me give that grace to all others

 that I encounter, Lord!

I decided not to journal in the blank space

 as that might impact what I would do for 1 John- 

on the flip side of this page.

 The tangled tip-in with watercolor 

worked for a space for journaling 

Supplies:

 Heidi Swapp Stencil- American Crafts

Michael's-pearlescent watercolors

Tattered Angels- Tangle pack- 

(found at Tuesday Morning)

colored pencils

fine-point Sharpie non bleeding

Washi tape

When Hope anchors the Soul

Watching the wind blow 

the grasses this time of year.

 Hope sometimes feels

 as elusive as the wind.

It comes and goes.  

 Sometimes it bends deep to the ground.

But... even on those days of wondering-

 my hope is built on nothing less.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
In Him, my righteousness, alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
 Edward Mote- 1797-1874

Martin Luther's Morning and Evening Prayers

Always looking for resources 

for Family Faith Life Living.

Recently Concordia Publishing House 

offered these Free printables on their blog for 

Martin Luther's Morning and Evening Prayers.  

 I did not grow up saying these in my family together 

and learned them later when I got married.

Now I am looking for ways to bring them 

into the homes of the next generation.

Certainly these Visual Faith tools 

are a welcome addition 

for a family teaching faith life living.

Printables are HERE:
Luther's prayers

I printed them on regular

 8 1/2 by 11 copy paper.

I used acrylic paint to brush on paint 

on the edges of a flat canvas- (Michael's)

Then I tore the edges on the side

 and brushed on Distress Ink.

Used Mod Podge to adhere 

underneath the whole sheet 

and then on the outer edges of the paper.

(if you have a brayer then I suggest 

covering the whole sheet with Mod Podge)

Inexpensive Visual Faith Tools-

to lean on a window sill or on a bookshelf.

Can also make this project 

with a prayer on either side of one flat canvas.

A great project for a Families in Faith

 craft project for gathering families 

to make together.

What is Visual Faith?

So just what is Visual Faith?

This is an attempt to gather 

some of the processes,

 and reminders of faith 

that tell part of the story 

for followers of Jesus.

We are made in the image

 of a creative God,

and visual faith tools honor 

His creative sanctification 

of believers on a daily basis.

It is the basic process of bringing together

 our great gifts of prayer and His Word- 

and adding visual, kinesthetic, 

and tactile adaptations that make meaning

 for us in our daily life.

It is the answer to the question-

What does this mean for me?

Visual Faith

Bringing together images of everyday life

with words- typography, 

that communicate a Biblical truth.

Visual faith photo booklet

with faith language affirmation.

Graphic displays and text 

cement words of hope

in beautiful transformative ways.

Manila Tag booklet 

for specific liturgical seasons.

(with age-appropriate language)

Theology- the study of God,

lived out in our own 

lives and experiences.

The language of faith- discipling words

that become part of faith-life living.

 Small tactile remembrances 

of God's dramatic intersection in our lives.

 Daughter Jessica's -Baptism story.

Faith milestone.

Faith foldable- "Faithable" to

Gather the story of faith milestones.

And Confirmation story.

A tool to witness to family, 

friends, neighbors,

and the world- 

of God's gracious faithfulness to us.

Prayers for my Children-

Scripture Flipbook 

Visual faith is the intentional process 

of using reminders of faith 

in our prayer life.

God's Word to pray over our children.

Prayer cubes for Meal time, 

Bedtime, Anytime.

Visual faith includes 

teaching methods to instill 

words of prayer

 in the lives of our families.

Visual theology 

allows the connections

 to be personal,

and a part of the story-telling

of God’s faithfulness.

 It is seeing and understanding

 the truth about God.

Scripture Printable (from Pinterest)

and added to a flat canvas.

Visual Faith is the intentional placement

of God's Word in front of us in our homes 

so that we may 

See and Remember.
These tools deal with the diagnosis 
we all have of spiritual amnesia
 and forgetting God's faithfulness to us.

Faith Foldable- Accordion Booklet

It is the gathering of the STORY 

of our faith journey-

along the way- 

and documents our spiritual formation.

Faith Family Rolodex-

an ongoing project that collects 

words of meaning and milestone events,

 and the rhythm of the liturgical seasons.

Visual faith is the response

 to conversations with families 

about what is helpful

 in the teaching of "faith culture".

Meeting families right where they are.

Baseball card holder with 

prayer cards for individuals.

Visual Faith is a way to lift up 

people to the Lord in prayer.

And remember who we are praying

 for in our daily walk.

Prayer card made for a friend

Visual faith is a way to bless others

 in our lives with the images that 

bring prayer to the center of our lives.

Visual faith can be in the margins

 of our Bibles

where God's Word 

meets the world of our lives.

Gratitude journals and cards

Visual Faith is an intentional plan

 to pay attention to our daily gifts,

to create hearts of gratitude.

Visual faith can be the journaling of prayers,

 Bible Study, and sermon notes. 

Visual faith is connecting 

our response to God's text message to us.

The centering of the growing relationship

 we are blessed to experience in prayer

 and time in His Word.

Visual faith is our ongoing spiritual formation,

worked out by the Holy Spirit

 in an Individual Education Plan. 

It is the journey of our Heavenly Father

turing the broken into the beautiful,

and our witness of this process

 that is covered in Grace.

What can YOU add to the conversation
of how the Lord is working out 
His plan for your life?
And how you Tell the Story....