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Friday, March 30, 2018

Good Friday for Us

Good Friday 
The Place of the Skull-
would have been outside
 the walls of Jerusalem.
Where this might have been 
is now a part of a bus terminal.
The rocks continue to fall off
 the side of the rock side.

It looked more like
 this about 100 years ago.
 The traditional site as preserved
 by Constantine's mother 
is The Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

The large mosaic in this setting depicts
 the crucifixion, 
and dressing of the body of Jesus.


"Early Christians venerated  the site. 
Then the emperor Hadrian 
covered it with a pagan temple.
Only in AD 326 was the first church 

begun by the emperor Constantine I. 
He tore down the pagan temple
 and had Christ’s tomb
 cut away from the original hillside. 
Constantine’s church 
was burned by Persians in 614,
 restored, destroyed by Muslims in 1009 
and partially rebuilt. 
 Crusaders completed 
the reconstruction in 1149. 
The result is essentially 
the church that stands today."
(seetheholyland.net.)
Whatever the exact site,
we know that the important event
 for Christians was our Jesus 
dying on the cross for each of us.
And we wait with Holy Saturday vigil-
the Good News of His Resurrection. 


Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Bible Marginalia- Gone Astray

Bible Marginalia Series- #288

Isaiah 53:1-6
oh the richness of words-

believed, heard, revealed,
root, dry ground,
beauty, desire,
despised, rejected,
sorrows, grief,
hide, despised,
borne griefs,
carried sorrows,
esteemed, stricken,
smitten, afflicted,
pierced transgressions,
crushed iniquities,
chastisement, peace,
wounds healed,
sheep astray,
turned, every one-
and the Lord has laid on him
 the iniquity of us ALL.

Holy Week Reflection.

Supplies:
Printable-pageofjoy.com.
Sheep- Vintage book page
Distress Ink- Weathered Wood
Akashiya Sai Watercolor Brush Set





Sunday, March 25, 2018

Hosanna- Now Save us!

O Jerusalem, O Jerusalem 
Thinking of the walls 
and gates of the City-
 this Palm Sunday.

Thinking of the streets of the city.
O Jerusalem.

So they took branches of palm trees 
and went out to meet him, 
crying out, “Hosanna
Blessed is he who comes in the name
 of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”
John 12:13



Friday, March 23, 2018

I can do All Things- through Him


I received this packet at the 
Best Practices Conference 
in Phoenix in February.
Just getting around to opening it up.
 I like the Send a Prayer-
Send a Blessing title.
 This preprinted card 
was in the packet.
It was stamped and addressed
to a recent graduate 
of Concordia Seminary.
The instructions on the envelope
 gave the directions
 to pray for the pastor on the label.
You could add another prayer thought
 and put it in the mail.
So today a prayer card went in the mail to
Rev. Timothy Roth.
 I prayed for his family
 and congregation-
Saint Peter Lutheran Church
 in Humbolt, Kansas.

I like this simple method of 
praying for others 
and then blessing them 
with the prayer.
This could be a way for a church
 to begin 
or strengthen their prayer ministry.
Verses could be printed on a card and then
a Visual Prayer added to the back side.
Encouragement
and prayer for others 
done in community.






Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Bible Marginalia- In His Word I Hope


 Bible Marginalia Series- #287

Psalm 130: 5-6
In His Word I Hope.
Today was a challenging day.
Hearing about the unexpected
 death of a dear friend.
Another friend had the unexpected
 death of her brother-in-law.
Often death comes unexpected.

"Out of the depths 
I cry to you, O Lord.
O Lord, hear my voice."
Some days we are in the depths.
Nothing makes it better-
 or changes things.
In these challenging places I am reminded
of His Goodness.
"Wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
my souls waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning."

In memory of my friend-
Vivi Diefenthaler

Supplies:
Napkin
Tri-Art Gesso
Stickers
Die-cut
Colored pencils
Finepoint Sharpie pen




Monday, March 19, 2018

Bible Journaling with Kids

It is always good to 
share great resources.
Chelsea Wojcik
was at Creative Haven 
early March for a book signing
 of her newest book-
Bible Journaling with Kids.
It has been a blessing to be a part of 
watching this journey.
Chelsea is such an encourager 
for those who desire to bring 
this processing tool 
for time in His Word
 and share it with children.
 She shared pages from her Bible
 and stated that it is simply-
pray, read and talk.
 It is not about having your children 
"copy" your pages.
She loves it when her children surprise her with
their simple understanding.
It may be a basic Biblical truth that becomes
 the focal point of a Bible page.
Chelsea gives practical guidance 
for using supplies "in the house." 
Her education background shines
 in the way of making 
complex topics "come alive"
in approachable and tactile ways.
Blessings in this journey?
Time of worship with her children,
marking the journey along the way,
and awe-inspiring truths about God.
Sharing our goodbyes.
The Women of Margin Madness-
the Bible Journaling Ministry 
at Burke Community Church
 in Burke, Virginia
has been a rich blessing 
in the Visual Faith journey.
L to R- Connie, Sara McCormick,
 Michele Bowden, and Chelsea. 
Some are moving to new places 
and we give thanks to our Heavenly Father- 
for bringing us together along the way.
I am thankful for having the opportunity
 to write the forward for Chelsea's book.

May the Lord bless these friends 
as they all continue to serve in His Kingdom.
Books can be ordered from her website:
http://www.biblejournalingwithkids.com

Saturday, March 17, 2018

Lent and Easter Words- Tag Booklet


Some photos of the 
Keep the Faith Project-
 Lent and Easter Words-
the Tag Booklet
Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday
Lent and Holy Week
Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday
Gethsemane and Good Friday
Golgatha, Tenebrae
Strepitus and Hymn 
 John 14:1-4,  Holy Saturday
Easter and Resurrection
 Christ the Lord is Risen today!
Alleluia!
A favorite hymn
The project can be downloaded
 in Resources on the
Visual Faith Ministry website
lent-and-easter-words-tag-booklet

Supplies:
Scrapbook paper 
Old Hymnal
Fibers and ribbon
Washi tape
12 #8 size manila tags
Assorted die-cuts
Distress ink
Thrift store Bible
Paper Clips

Thursday, March 15, 2018

Bible Marginalia- Living Hope

Bible Marginalia Series: #286

LIVING HOPE
1 Peter 1:3-9

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
changes EVERYTHING.
It brings us the blessing by His mercy,
to be born again
to a LIVING HOPE.
This inheritance is imperishable, 
undefiled, and unfading, 
kept in heaven for me- and you.
This inheritance, by God's power, 
is being guarded by faith 
for a salvation 
ready to be revealed in the last time.
We can rejoice, 
even though we have trials and 
challenges.
A genuine faith - tested by fire, 
is more precious than gold. 
Though we have not see him, 
we love him.
Though we do not see him now, 
we believe in him.
This LIVING HOPE-
what a gift.
Each day, every hour-
an alive HOPE.

Supplies:
Interleaved Bible
Used the printable verse from
 purejoycreative
scripture-cards
napkin from Tuesday Morning
Alpha letters
Washi tape


Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Grandson #5


 Isaiah John
Born March 9, 2018
9 lb  8oz   22in

 Mom Sara--doing well
Dad Joshua-
 looking at his new son




Papa with Isaiah
Smooshy face
Never gets old-
these little ones 
Gigi going to love
 these snuggles




Big Brother Levi-
 gonna figure out all this 
new stuff.
He's got this.

Heavenly Father,
 we give thanks for your tender care
 for this new little one.
We are thankful for the ways you
will care for Isaiah 
and continue to bless the life of this
loved one..
We give thanks for the safe delivery
 and health of his momma too.
In the name of Jesus we pray.
Amen.

Saturday, March 10, 2018

Bible Marginalia- Remember

Bible Marginalia Series - # 285

Deuteronomy 8
Remember the Lord Your God

This chapter certainly lays things
 out for us about the commands
 that God has given us.
Remember.
Remember. 
Time to be humble.
Take care lest you forget.
Remember- 
the Lord your God.
God gives you the power
 to get wealth.
And IF you forget the 
Lord your God
and go after other gods
and serve them and worship them,
you shall surely perish.

Sometimes we have a 
difficult time reading
 this passages in the Old Testament.
 It is much easier to say-
 that was then and this is now.
Maybe these commands 
do not apply for us today?

Moses had charged parents
 in teaching their children,
to impress the Word of God upon them.
The best way to teach this is the frequent 
repetition of the same things
 over and over again.
So in this chapter, Moses is using the 
same principles with instructing 
the Israelites as his children.
Obey God.
Remember the great things 
God has done for them.
Be cautious about the temptations
 of a prosperous condition.
There is a warning about consequences
 of disbelief in God.
What do we do now?

LIVE AS IF THE 
LORD IS YOUR GOD.

Supplies:
Colored pencils 
Washi tape
Fine-point non bleeding Sharpie pen
Crayola Crayons



Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Hope Legacy Paper Bag Journal


Sharing a Keep the Faith project
from 14 years ago.
 My mom was diagnosed with uterine cancer
 and began chemotherapy treatments.
 I started sending my parents 
notes of hope and encouragement.
After her death in August 2004, 
 I was helping my dad sort life,
and I found the notes
and cards taped all over the house.
They were in the bathroom,
inside cupboard doors, and
on the wall of the bedroom.
 I didn't know what to do with them.
But, I knew one thing.
 I didn't know how to grieve
 the loss of a parent.
Somewhere along the way,
 I had seen a paper bag journal project.
This was long before Pinterest, 
and I don't really know how 
we came across new ideas.
 I used 6 basic lunch bags 
(not the extra large size)
 placed end to opposite end 
and a small pink paper bag for the center.
 The layers were hole punched
 in the center through all layers
 and tied with ribbon.
 The pockets serve as places
 to add the notes and memorabilia.
Recycled greeting cards-
(from sympathy cards) 
served as the extra embellishments.
I added a page of mom's handwriting.
Double sided tape secures the items on the pages.
Flaps are formed with a hole punch and a brad.
When sorting through boxes of old newspaper, 
I found the newspaper article 
about my great-grandmother's death in 1922.


When I saw what had been written 
about her in the church's newsletter-
Emanuel's Lutheran Church in Tipton, Indiana, 
 a new life's purpose was being shaped.
Great Grandma Anna was 
"a faithful wife to her husband, 
a devoted mother to her children, 
she was mindful not only of their bodily
 but also and especially of their  spiritual welfare."
That's legacy.
The forming of spiritual centering
 from one generation to the next.
Passing the baton.
So the pieces came together within
 the layers of a paper bag journal.
A grieving heart grasped the words of hope
 in Bible passages secured along the way.
I began to SEE the purpose unfold
 of my journey ahead,
for the sake of my children and their children.
 Meaning-making is not meant to be difficult,
but it does become clearer with the hands-on
 tangible, visual gatherings along the way.
Perhaps then, the story to bless 
the next generation is a bit easier to find.
Anna Bauer-
my grandmother with her siblings.
Katherine Elizabeth and Constance

 Maybe a simple "Keep the Faith" tool 
brings hope and encouragement to another 
mom or dad-
for the sake of the next generation.