I hope YOU know...

Been cleaning out stuff in these days-

 organizing folders,

 shredded old tax papers,

and also just MOVED some piles.

Maybe where I can't SEE the piles.

But, in the bottom of a stash was this post card.

I had to LAUGH out loud-

 well, not at the Bible passage.

But, the beginning-

I Hope you Know....

I was taken back to a household of 3 young girls.

  Probably almost 30 years ago 

and remember hearing many statements

 from the ladies begin with.... 

I HOPE YOU KNOW.

It was usually stated as a sort of alarm-

 with emphasis, and maybe a bit of attitude.

Whatever they said AFTER THAT

 was VERY IMPORTANT.

So I sat and paid attention to this card-

I hope you know there is

SHELTER from this storm.

Shelter under the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:1

Clasping this card in hand, 

I simply sat and prayed.

For Shelter

For Family

For Protection

For Leaders

For the Sick

For Wisdom

For an unknown Future

with a Known God.

Lenten Journaling in Community- #8

 When from Death I'm Free- 

Lenten Hymn Journal- #8

The Dignity of the Cross 

Reflection time with the hymn words

 Mixed media reflection page-

Hard to see dignity in this image-

 but that he gave up all dignity for ME.

 There is a DEBT your love has paid-

FOR ME

(watercolors)

 Mixed media reflection page

 Seeing how the section of Phil. 4:4-9

wraps around what he endured on the cross.

Think of these these things-

 Whatever you have learned or received 

or seen in me- put it into practice.-

because He sits on the throne of God.
(Katie Helmreich image for Visual Faith Ministry)
hebrews-122-

 Scripture Study-

 The treasure and the pearl-

(Sally Beck image)
sally-beck-matthew-13-kingdoms-treasures-

Then - what we see when we look to Jesus

 as the founder and perfecter of our faith.

 Hymn reflection- 

pulling the words and phrases out of the hymn.

Visual Faith experiment- 

a glimpse  of the Father's heart for me-

a moving experience when you see
 just a small portion of it all laid out together.

The resource we are using this COVID 19 Lent is:
When-Death-Im-Free-Journal

Lenten Journaling in Community- #9

 This is sort of my introduction page to this section-

#9 Stricken Smitten and Afflicted

(thanks to the Lutheran Witness magazine)

                                      Hymn page study-

I JUST KEPT COMING BACK 

TO GRACE UPON GRACE UPON GRACE.

 Mixed Media Reflection page

 Image reflection page-

 Design by Valerie Matyas

                                             Mixed Media Reflection page

 for 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

 Cover image for Scripture page

 Time to read and pray this Scripture-

 What does this mean for me- a new Creation? 

Word Study for the Hymn Stanzas

 Confounded-

 realizing that I may not have EVER

 used this word in a  sentence in my life.

But, I have often been mixed up and confused.

Visual Faith Experiment-

Mapping out the Great Exchange.

From this- to THIS.

Loving seeing where each of these pages

 takes me in my  

very special time to DIG IN- 

in this COVID19 Season of life.

This Lenten journey is using this Resource-
When-Death-Im-Free-Journal

Worship into the Week--- Now I See

Worship into the Week-

 Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind.

John 9:1-41

The understanding that often prevailed

 in the time of Jesus was that 

some illnesses were perhaps 

brought on by sins of the parents. 

As Jesus encounters a man blind since birth,

he makes mud and places

 this on the blind man's eyes.

Then he tells him to go 

and wash in the Pool of Siloam.

Then he came back with his sight restored.

All the neighbors knew this man had been blind.

Jesus also realized he was stirring up trouble

 by performing this miracle on the Sabbath.

The healed man gets drilled

 by the leaders of the Jews.

All he can attest to,

"Whether he (Jesus) is a sinner I do not know.

One thing I do know,

 that though I was blind, now I see."

The leaders cast him out 

and Jesus finds the man.

In the conversation Jesus reveals 

himself as the Son of Man.

The man's vision has been restored and

his life of faith begins as he states,

"Lord, I believe."

May we have our poor vision restored, 

cataracts removed,

so that nothing gets in the way

 for seeing Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Supplies:

Visual Church Year Printable
childrens-bulletin-john-925-32220

Junk Mail

Watercolors

Watercolor pencils

Magazine cutouts

  

Lenten Journaling in Community- #4

As I share these journal pages I must tell you that

 we are doing them in the order that the leaders

 in our group have designated them for our time together.

This may not necessarily be in numerical order. 

(in case you thought you missed #3- that is still coming)

  The numbers corresponds to the Hymn section in the book.

The Hymn for this section is: 

#4 -The King is Calling by Kip Fox

Mixed media - Reflection page

Theme journaling page- Watercolor

 Image by Katie Helmreich

Mixed Media page

Acrylic and magazine tear out

Scripture Meditation page

2 page layout with stickers 

Acrylic paint and 

printable from Concordia Publishing

Lyric meditation page

Lyric meditation page 2

Visual Faith Experiment-

Prayer page 

In this journal I am demonstrating

  that it isn't necessary

 to be able to "draw images"

 to participate in a Visual Faith experience.

 I am most comfortable in mixed media processes

 and putting things together collage style.

I look for ways to cement ideas together 

and create the place for learnings and gleanings -

adding the depth of the music,

 image and kinesthetic all together.

Maybe that makes sense to you too?

This is the book we are using:
When-Death-Im-Free-Journal

Music can be found Here-
findmynextstep.org/music

Lenten Journaling in Community- #2

 Hymn Reflection for #2 

is On That Morning by Kip Fox.

 Mixed Media Journal page

 Coloring Reflection page-

 Image by Pat Maier

 Mixed Media Scripture Reflection- 

Genesis 3:12-15

Sally Beck Graphic from her library

 at Visual Faith Ministry-
sally-beck-old-testament/genesis-313-

 Scripture Reflection page

 Devotion by Justin Rossow

 Hymn stanza Reflection and prayer time

Mixed media- magazine cutouts

 Continuation of Hymn study

Visual Faith Experiment-
(image by Pat Maier).

 We were asked to write our failures

 that burden us on the cross part.

We could then color over them- 

confident that Jesus is alive

 and these failures are not permanent.

I used the journaling technique 

of layered journaling for this part.
Thankful for this refrain humming in my head- 
I was Saved.

This Lent journal study is found here:
When-Death-Im-Free-Journal
Music to add to this can be found Here: #2
https://www.findmynextstep.org/music

Lenten Journaling in Community- #1

I have debated whether 

to share the journey of Lent 2020.

Seems like so much has been 

shifted in our world right now.

But, I am learning that in these very fragile days, 

it is precisely what these practices

 have offered in community-

 that have become reassurance and "saving grace."

So I will go ahead and share the Visual Journey

 of processing with the book-When From Death I'm Free. 

This was the joint effort of author Justin Rossow

 and Visual Faith Coach Valerie Matyas.

She rounded up talented artists

 to add to the visual resources
 that tie together hymn studies

 of both traditional hymns 

and contemporary hymns by Kip Fox.
The book incorporates Visual Faith prayer practices
 that we have developed 
and teach in our learning communities.

It is a 12 week study and I will share the journey

 in the order that we are doing them in community, 

using the order of the pages in the book.

#1 What Wondrous Love is This

Introduction and Permission page

Time with the Words of the Hymn

Mixed media response page

Reflection page- image by Valerie Matyas

Mixed media and journaling page

Scripture Study

Devotion by Justin Rossow

Song and Prayer Time

Visual Faith Experiment Response

Mixed media response page

There is a POP-UP community on Facebook

 where currently 641 people 

are sharing this journey together.

Here is the link:
When From Death I'm Free Pop-Up Group

This Lenten journal study 
was a #1 New Release on Amazon.
you can find it here:
When-From-Death-Im-Free-Journal

Here is the link to podcasts
 that go with the Lenten studies.
findmynextstep.org/podcast

Praying that your Lenten journey 
has places of encouragement and hope
 in these days of quarantine.

COVID 19 Prayers

It is certainly settling in these days-

long term and wide-sweeping.

We are beginning to understand that 

the future is not ever going to be quite the same.

We don't know exactly what that means just yet-

perhaps we are afraid to picture that now.

In all of this I have faltered in how to respond,

set my days,

and bring encourage to my family and friends.

When it sorts out at the end of the day- 

there is one thing I know.

Under stress-

 people resort to what they know best.

And it is stressful days right now-

 and the only thing that makes sense to me-

 is the tried and true.

My "go-to" rises to the top

 and as I reflect and look back

 at that last few days, I see a pattern.

The patter is prayer.

Day out and week in-

 that is just what makes sense to me.

The above prayer page is one 

that my friend Pat Maier

 created for Visual Faith Ministry.

It is where I am sitting 

and writing and noting

 and resting in these days.

 I share it with you right here:

covid-19-prayer-sheet-by-pat-maier

Print and share.

Share and Share.

There are certainly plenty of us

 in need of places to gather in prayer

 in these very challenging COVID19 days.
Trust, rest, and live in His grace.

Be blessed!