Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Scripture Doodles- November 2022

 

Scripture Doodles-November 2022

Four Colored Pencils
A Small Square Each Day
A Take-Away Phrase from
Devotional Reading

The collection of the STORY 

of what the Lord is wanting me

 to notice each month.

This month it is:

God's Timing.

Devotion:

Streams in the Desert

by L.B. Cowman

Monday, November 28, 2022

Scripture Scribing - Thanksgiving

Scripture Scribing for November.

Thanksgiving
12 Sections of Scripture for Writing Out
 and Reflection Time.
Keeping it simple with unlined 4 by 6 index cards.
Filling in spaces with colored pencils 
for another time of reading.
Interesting to do this with a theme for the month.
Tying together a theme through the Old Testament,
 with the Psalms and the New Testament.
Oh Give Thanks to the Lord for He is Good!

Resource for Scripture Scribing is FREE 
each month at Visual Faith® Ministry.
Here is December:
Simplicity

 

Saturday, November 26, 2022

Worship into the Week- Whatever

Worship into the Week-
Thanksgiving Day

 Philippians 4: 6-20

Contentment is not Found in Strength.

Contentment is not found in a Perfect Life.

Contentment is found in the Life 

that Jesus Christ  brings to us.


Peace that transcends all understanding.

That is a phrase I use alot when thinking

 of those who have lost loved ones.

 What does that mean?

How does that peace seep into our daily life living?

When life doesn't make sense, 

and will never "be right" again?

Guard our hearts and minds.

Is that really necessary to protect us

 from the force of the evil one?

Absolutely, without a doubt.

Whatever.

The byline of our middle daughter.

That became her blessing verse for life.

"Whatever is true, right, lovely, admirable, 

excellent, praiseworthy, think about such things."

Thanks Paul,

 for meeting us right in the 

challenges of faith life living.

Supplies:

 Visual Church Year Printable

vcy-graphics-only-november-2022

Worship into the Week Printable

worship-into-the-week-november-2022

Magazine Cutouts

 Colored pencils

 Vintage stamps





 

Friday, November 25, 2022

Thanksgiving Blessings

    

                  A simple project to prepare for Thanksgiving.

                                          Made on #8 tags.

                                  A bit of scrapbook paper.

Some Distress Ink.
An O binder ring and some fibers to trim.

Torn edges and a die cut or two.
Words to set before me for devotional time.
Visual Reminders of God's Word.
Praying Scripture.
Propped on a shelf or the corner of a table.
Verses of Thanksgiving from the 
Old Testament and New Testaments.
The Psalms and the Epistles.
The project makes a wonderful way
 to add Scripture verses to a gathering.
Take apart the tag booklet 
and use the verses for prayer time
at a Thanksgiving meal- or after.
The project is here from Visual Faith® Ministry.
Here is an additional resource:


Thursday, November 24, 2022

Worship into the Week- By, Through, In

 

Worship into the Week-

The Preeminence of Christ

Colossians 1:15-20

Preeminence means: 

the fact of surpassing all others- superiority

For all things were created by Him- visible and invisible.

All of life flows though Him, by Him, in Him.

"For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell."

Challenging to wrap the extent of this in my human mind.

I will simply rest knowing that Christ is all, above all,

in all, under all, around all.

I am invited into that relationship of completeness.

Supplies:

Visual Church Year Printable

vcy-graphics-only-november-2022

Worship into the Week Printable

worship-into-the-week-november-2022

Magazine cutouts

Colored pencils

Vintage stamps



Wednesday, November 23, 2022

The 2022 Thanksgiving Garland

We started this family tradition in 2010.
A jute string with some yarn and a couple of photos.
Sparse but good. Twelve years later 
we have added 3 sons-in-laws, 10 grandchildren,
 and more blessings than we can count.
We have moved to the fluffy category.
Fluffy is good.
 
Each year I get a few photos texted 
to me by my daughters.
I ask for 2 photos of each child, one family 
and one with the child crew.
Maybe a few reminders and a printing deadline later,
 but their help is invaluable for the project.
After all, I am making the tags for very busy 
working moms with littles- as a gift.

The Wilson Crew photos.
The Schumacher Crew photos.


The Meier Crew photos.

I make a set of each of the cards 
for the garland for Papa and Gigi.
The #dengrandloves enjoy looking 
at the photos of themselves and cousins and family.
We have added blessings and gratitudes, Bible verses,
and dinner place cards as tags.
This is the story of the family faith rhythm
 of giving thanks.
We give thanks- in all things.
Rejoice always, pray continually-
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us.



Friday, November 18, 2022

Worship into the Week- Speed Ahead

 

Worship into the Week-

2 Thess. 3:1-5

Pray for Us

Paul speaks here to the people of Thessalonica

urging them to pray for them 

and their work for the Lord.

The key is the word of the Lord that it may speed ahead.

Today we would probably say "all hands on deck"

 and "full speed ahead."

Their prayers were that the word of the Lord be honored

 and protection from wicked and evil men.

"BUT, the Lord is faithful. He will establish you

 and guard you against the evil one."

Lord, help me to be diligent

 in the sharing of your Good News. 

Strengthen my trust and confidence in your work in me.

You are the the faithful.

Guard me and my loved ones from the evil one.

Amen.


Supplies:

Visual Faith Ministry Printable

vcy-graphics-only-november-2022

 Worship into the Week Printable

worship-into-the-week-november-2022 

Magazine Cutouts

Chalk Ink

Gel Pens

Colored Pencils




Tuesday, November 15, 2022

In Everything Give Thanks

 

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,
in everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thess. 5:16-18

This simple painted canvas 
with napkin leaves was done in fall 2006.
The hand-lettered Scripture verse with a Sharpie
was the prayer verse that held our 
family together in some very rough seas.
Every fall it comes out to hang on
 the wall as a reminder of the 
blessing of God's faithfulness.
The lettering had faded 
and a few years ago I wrote over it again.
Every time I walk by it, 
I stop and see a part of the verse
 to whisper in a heart prayer.
Pray...
rejoice without ceasing,
in everything give thanks,
pray without ceasing.
The right landing spot for each Spirit-led Breath.
I give thanks for the experiences we never 
wanted, but were allowed in our lives, 
so that we stand sixteen years later-
 still giving thanks to God.

Saturday, November 12, 2022

The Baptistery of Lydia

 

     Near the town of Krynides next to the

 ancient city of Philippi, there is a unique church

 that honors the stay of the Apostle Paul in this region.


Apostle Paul arrived in Phillip, the most important city
in this region in the winter of 49-50 AD
during his first trip to Greece.
He visited a place where Jews gathered on Saturdays
on the banks of the Gangitis (Zygaktes) River.

      

                   We learn from St Luke that Lydia was among

                  the women that heard the preaching of St. Paul.

          Her business was selling porphyry for the dyeing of fabric

                                 in the city of Thyatira.





Many baptisms take place in this special setting.



              Lydia was the first Greek and first European woman 

baptized by the Apostle Paul. She accepted Christianity 

and was baptized as well as her household. 

They later worked together to spread the faith. 

The church located here marks the spot for this important event.




The outdoor setting for the site is beautiful

 and the water still flows here.


A wonderful place to remember our own baptisms 
and the gift of faith that flowed
 from here to the rest of Europe.
John leading a time of devotion.
Our group gathered on the seating 
for some quiet reflective time.

Paul's team continued to visit the small 
"place of prayer" each Saturday as they sought new ways
 to win more people into the faith.
Lydia's home was large enough to house Paul and his team. 
Her gift of hospitality was a Kingdom blessing.

See Acts 16:11-16.

Thursday, November 10, 2022

Worship into the Week- Stand Firm

 

Worship into the Week-

2 Thess. 2:13-17

Stand Firm

All Saint's Day reminds us to STAND FIRM.

We need to See the way that those that have come

 before us kept the faith.

We are witnesses to that and we need to be

 reminded that others are watching us.

We have been called through the Good News

that we obtain the glory of of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I give thanks for all the blessings of knowing

 so many sainted friends and family.

God keep the the next generation of saints.

Supplies:

Visual Church Year Printable

vcy-graphics-only-november-2022

Worship into the Week Printable

worship-into-the-week-november-2022

Colored pencils

Magazine Cutouts

Vintage Stamps

Distress Ink 


Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Enduring Word Bible- Always with the Lord

Enduring Word Bible-
The Coming of the Lord
1 Thess. 4:13-18

I have been settling into thoughts about
 the Saints gone before us this week.
Here Paul brings comfort to the Thessalonians
who mourned the death of family and friends.
Grieving is a part of life, but tempered with hope.
He warns them to not be like the Gentiles-
 who have no hope.
Christians have the MOST SURE HOPE 
of eternal life after our time here on earth.
This hope is greater than all 
the griefs and tragedies of life.
We don't really understand the complexity 
and mystery of death.
It is an unknown territory.
But, believers in Jesus- sleep in Him.
In this time of rest their assurance
 is the Resurrection of our Lord. 
This changes everything.
When the Lord descends from heaven,
 there will be the sound of the trumpet of God,
  and the voice of an archangel.
v16..."And the dead in Christ will rise first. 
Then we who are alive, who are left, 
will be caught up together with them in the clouds
 to meet the Lord in the air, 
and so we will always be with the Lord."
This gives us great courage
 and we are called to share this good news with others.
We too, will be gathered with the Saints-
to ALWAYS be with the LORD.

  • Supplies:
  • Enduring Word Bible
  • Washi Tape
  • Colored Pencils
  • Thread stitching Stamp and ink







Thursday, November 3, 2022

Worship into the Week- The Truth

 

Worship into the Week

John 8: 31-36

The Truth Will Set You Free

Jesus is having a conversation 

with the Jews who believed in him.

They see themselves as offspring 

of Abraham and not slaves.

So what is Jesus talking about to be set free?

"If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,

 and you will know the truth, 

and the truth will set you free."

ABIDE in my word.  Be my disciples.

Something happens when we live that way.

Things become clearer. Paths become known.

"So if the Son sets you free, 

you will be free indeed."

For this Reformation celebration remembrance,

we give thanks for our freedom in Christ.

Supplies:

 Visual Faith Printable

vcy-graphics-only-october-2022

Worship into the Week Printable

worship-into-the-week-october-2022

Magazine Cutouts

Colored pencils

Distress Ink

Vintage stamps

VFM Reformation stickers

reformation-printable-by-valerie-matyas-katie-helmreich

Sewing Thread Stamp



Tuesday, November 1, 2022

Scripture Doodles- October 2022

 

Scripture Doodles- October 2022
Four colored pencils.
A phrase from the devotion each day.
Collected prayers throughout the month.
In a Traveler's Notebook- TN.
Calendar from Concordia Publishing House.

A simple. grace-filled, reliable practice.  
The collected story of my devotional life.

Devotion:
Streams in the Desert- L.B. Cowman