The Gospel of Mark and the Art of Sally Beck

 I have been reading the Gospel of Mark. 

I am always drawn to the images of artist Sally Beck.

 I decided at the first of the year that I would 

begin a journey in the Gospels 

and use the images that she has created that are on the 

Visual Faith Ministry website.

www.visualfaithmin.org

Every so often I sat and used colored pencils, watercolors, 

paper, and washi tape to slow down, 

pay attention and pray a verse of Scripture.

 The images are gathered in an 8 1/2 by 11 journal.

Last week as I was finishing up the first chapter of Mark,

 I realized that there was a pattern of sitting down

 to do this on the 21st of the month.

I didn't color the verses in order, 

it was where I was drawn with Holy Spirit nudges.

But, I do like the part of this being a practice

 for the 21st of the month.

You can see it took me 4 months to do Chapter ONE.

But, this time and reflection process

 does not have a time line.

I wait to see what the Holy Spirit

 does with this in my devotional life.

It really is a beautiful thing 

to not be in charge of the journey.

 I will keep you posted along the way.

Worship into the Week- Children of God

 

 Worship in the Week

"See what kind of love the Father 

has given to us that we should be 

called children of God;

and so we are."

1 John 3:1

Such a gift-

a plan that includes me in the family.

I give thanks.

Supplies:

Visual Church Year Printable

children-s-bulletin-1-john-3-1-4-18-21

Worship into the Week Printable

Washi Tape

 Colored Pencils

Junk Mail envelope

Tags and Cutouts

Spiritual Parenting

 

This past week we were asked to share our thoughts 

about Spiritual Parenting with Sara's MOPS group. 

I had tossed the notes in the trash and then decided 

 that if I shared them here-I could find them again.

1.  Keep an Eternal vs Now Perspective.

Focus on ONLY now outcomes lead to an energy drain

Focus on eternal gives purpose to frustrating moments 

Parenting is a marathon not a sprint

Important to frame BEING vs DOING in Christian formation 

2. Always Practice Forgiveness

Model the language of the cross from parent to child

Be ready to confess and ask for forgiveness from your child

Let siblings practice forgiveness among themselves and allow                  them to be in charge of their relationship 

3. Story Telling Conversations Shape Disciples

Fine the time that works for your family- at the table, in the car

Family meetings give opportunities for all to have a voice,   

and a safe place to ask questions

A continually updated family covenant identifies values

4. Sticky Faith is Resilient through Struggles

It is important for children to understand spiritual warfare                and they are on the Victory Team

A Family Mission Statement is a valuable tool.

Celebrate Faith Milestones often.

 

5. God's Meta-narrative-BIG STORY- Gives a Kingdom Perspective.

Create memory chips by intentional repetition with music, 

worship and prayer

Kairos- the highly and lows of our stories serve as God's construction zone

Visual Faith tools can complement spiritual disciplines.

6.  Live Eucharisteo with Joy and Thanksgiving

Have fun and laugh a lot- it is contagious

Children are often the bringers of JOY

Find purpose in serving others together

• 

7. You'll Always be a Parent

• You always have permission to ask: "How is the Holy Sprit working in your life these days?"
• Affirm to your adult child that God's story is in their story
• Heaven is our ultimate family reunion- plan for it.

We made many mistakes as parents, (still do). But, God can bless mistakes and make good things come out of them. John and I were both blessed with parents that gave us a great framework for lives lived out intentionally in Christian faith. We look forward to all the things yet to learn about spiritual parenting. We look forward to learning from our adult children and the days to encouragement them in this important life work. Their MOST IMPORTANT life work.

(margins and alignment, font size  have been a challenge here and can't figure it out- what I see here does not get published)

 

Sleeping with Lilacs

 

Sleeping with Lilacs. 

It is that time of year. 

They are are here for such a short time.

I set a bouquet on the nightstand

 by the bed at night.

The scent wafts through my dreams.

Vases are filled and I carry them around 

to where I am working in the house.

The pollen is so high right now, I rinse them off 

when I bring them into the house.

So for these few days, I will carry them with me,

stop and smell,

 and plant that scent in my memory chip to recall 

till next year.

Worship into the Week- God is Light

 

Worship into the Week

The Word of Life    Walking in the Light

1 John 1:1-2:2 

The Word of Life.

We have heard, seen, looked upon, touched.  

We can testify to it 

and proclaim to you the eternal life

that was made manifest to us.

This is shared that we may be in fellowship

 with the Father and His Son Jesus.

Walking in the Light.

God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.

 If we walk in light 

we have fellowship with each other. 

"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, 

and the truth is not in us. 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful 

and just to forgive us our sins 

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, 

and his word in not in us."

This last section is often a part of the liturgy

 in our worship services. 

Good to see it in the context of this reading.

Lord, let me walk in your light!

Supplies:

 Visual Church Year Printable 

children-s-bulletin-1-john-1-5-4-11-21  

Worship into the Week Printable

Watercolor pencils

Washi tape

Junk mail envelope

Griffin is 7

 

Griffin turned seven last week. 

The oldest grandson is leading the way.

Kion of the Lion Guard and Griffin make a great team.

We "gifted" Griffin early when we were 

together on our Easter visit. 

(we ordered a used copy- they are hard to find)

Fun to see the party day off to a great start 

and the whole family in party hats for the day.

Lots of sibling and cousin helpers 

when it is time to open gifts.

Cake and family certainly 

make for a great celebration.

A very big surprise was the brand new bike.

Can't go wrong with that on your seventh birthday.

As darkness fell, the Amazon driver pulled up

 with a box and walked right to Griffin.

(How did he know about the birthday gift

 from Papa and Gigi?)

Yes, Miles is here to save the world.

 Just in time.

Bible Marginalia- by Grace Though Faith

Enduring Word Bible

By Grace Through Faith

Ephesians 2:1-10

Some days I just need to come to the Word

 and rest where I land.

Today it was this section of Scripture.

What an amazing gift offering-

 not by works or what I have done- or not done.

Simply offered freely and undeserved GRACE.

The pure Joy of the weight lifted for performance

 and stationed in relationship with the Jesus.

I thank my Heavenly Father for this great GIFT.

Supplies:

Enduring Word Bible

(Pat Maier image)

Colored pencils

Washi tape

Sharpie Non-Bleed pen

Worship into the Week- Easter

 

Worship into the Week

1 Corinthians 5: 6-8

Finishing up the Epistle readings for Easter Sunday.

This one connects the first Passover, 

and the sacrifice of our Passover Lamb- Christ.

The admonition here is to remove the 

unleavened -sinful things-

from our lives.

Remove malie and evil and 

replace it with sincerity and truth.

The margins for the two readings.

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

The Resurrection of Christ

Christ died for our sins, was buried, 

and was raised on the third day

 as stated in the Scriptures.

Then he appeared to hundreds of people.

Paul reminds us that it is all by grace,

every last thing- is grace.

Supplies:

Visual Church Year Printables

1-corinthians-5-6-8-4-4-21-easter-sunrise

1-corinthians-15-1-11-4-4-21-easter-day

Worship into the Week Printables

Watercolors

Prismacolor Pencils

Colored Pencils

Scrapbook paper

Junk mail envelopes

 

Easter 2021

 

Easter Sunday 2021

We had one split second

 for this shot.

Mayhem before and after.

Christ Is Risen! 

He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia

The grandchildren helped to lead worship

 with Papa for Easter.

They sang all the songs we have been practicing

 by zoom during Lent.

Jack had made Resurrection eggs at Preschool

 and he and the older boys told the Easter story.

Here is the gathered troops with parents-

(missing Wilson dad-Joshua.)

Miss Hadley in a vintage handmade ensemble.

(thanks Lisa Latall)

The Wilson crew

Hadley in a wardrobe change 

for the day for the Easter egg hunt.

The Meier Boys.

Jess and Dan hosted our dinner 

and a beautiful table was set.

We even had an amaryllis open its blooms

 on Easter morning.

(thank to friend Ms. Lee)

Dan smoked salmon for our dinner.

We added Hasselbeck potatoes, bacon-wrapped asparagus,

deviled eggs, 7 layer salad, 

fresh strawberries, raspberries, 

apple pie, and decorated treats. 

The 2 kids tables.

It takes 2 tables with the 8 seated here.

Family shots and snuggles.

The youngest Hudson- steals the show.

Rachel and Kyle Thoms joined us for the day. 

Rachel sneaks in a squeeze with her goddaughter- Hadley.

not sure what was so funny- 

but such fun laughter here

always good to grab littles

John and his girls.

What a blessed family time and celebration.

We give thanks for the gifts and especially for 

our Jesus who loves us so much He gave His life for us.

"He is not here, but has risen. 

Remember how he told you, 

while he was still in Galilee.."

Luke 24:6