Scripture Doodles- May 2023

Scripture Doodles- May 2023

A phrase takeaway each day.

Four colored pencils.

Reading the devotional-

New Morning Mercies- by Paul David Tripp.

Calendar cut into thirds 

and added to a Traveler's Notebook.

 

Final restoration is YET to come.

Thank you, Lord.

Psalm Summary- #34

 

Psalm Summary- #34

Review of this Psalm brings some 

powerful phrases to the forefront.

- get me out of a tight spot

-disciples so often get into trouble

-Yahweh is listening and ready to rescue

-if your heart is broken, Yahweh is right there

-do something good, embrace peace

-worship opens doors to all of His goodness

-Yahweh met me more than halfway

Some beautiful prayer thoughts here

 and an honest call to Yahweh for help.

I often call this process- Praying the Psalms.

Supplies:

Magazine cutouts

Inked cork stamp

Color pencils 

Fine-point Sharpie pen

Enduring Word Bible- Train Up a Child

 

Proverbs 22

My children and grandchildren have been 

on my mind alot lately. 

Daughters are juggling alot with littles, work, 

sports schedules and dads on the road.  

All young families have very full plates

 and never enough time or enough hands.

So this section in Proverbs forms

 the framework for prayer- 

for moms and dads and all ten littles.

It is the most important work 

of parenting- Discipling.

We are all learning to follow Jesus 

and striving to bring along the next generations.

It is the "work" that moves into eternity.

"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches."

"Train up a child in the way he should GO,

 even when he is old he will NOT depart from it."

Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, 

and apply your heart to my knowledge."

Moms and dads-

it is worth EVERY repeated effort.

Supplies:

Colored pencils 

Sharpie Marker

Fine point Sharpie marker

Transparent circle notes

circle sticky notes

Charlie is 5!

    Preschool celebration of turning five for Charlie!

  

                      Mr. Charlie recently turned five.

                          This energetic, funny, "middleman"

                            is quick to sort all of his treasures 

and put things in the right place.

He is headed to Kindergarten next year

 and loves to color.

Some fun new birthday clothes.

Pokemon, dinosaurs, and wild octopus.

Packer Man and Bike lights,

and some Evolutions.

A steel tongue drum and music jam playmat- 

the start of a rhythm and song 

for some fun little guys.

Charlie, we love your sweet smile 

and may the Lord bless you 

in this new birth year!

Worship into the Week- Exult

 

Worship into the Week: Psalm 68:1-10

Exult!

Commentators state that this can be a 

difficult psalm to connect our understanding.

Perhaps it was united with the coming of the 

ark of the covenant into Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 6)

It also speaks of God's faithfulness to give Israel victory

 over her enemies, as this would make Jerusalem

 a safer place for the ark in the city.

Sometimes this psalm is assigned for Whitsunday-

 another name for Pentecost.

As I read this section of the psalm I kept 

coming back to the word- Exult.

"To feel or show triumphant elation or jubilation."

Maybe sometimes when things are not clear

 or seem too challenging,

I just need to sit back and exult my God.

Sing His Praise.

Lift up a song to Him!

Praise His name!

Supplies:

Visual Church Year Printable

vcy-graphics-only-may-2023

Worship into the Week Printable

worship-into-the-week-may-2023

Colored Pencils

Pressed Pansy

Recycled mail envelope

Psalm Summary- #33

 I keep photos of my Psalm Summaries 

right on my cell phone. 

 Today I was going over this one

 in a moment of quiet reflection.

 I like having them with me 

so they can be pulled up even when traveling.

It is an 8 1/2 by 11 journal.

I add magazine cutouts and 

some inked wine cork stamping.

 I often use The Message- Peterson

or Psalms Now- Brandt

 for a more contemporary version to read.

 I look for my take-aways in the reading,

add the phrases, some doodling, 

and colored pencils

 They are also the perfect thing 

to send in a text to someone needing

 a bit of Visual Scripture encouragement. 

Jack is Seven!

A special day for turning seven!

In the dug out with athletic trainer dad at the 

University of Michigan game in

Ann Arbor.

Some time on the field was a highlight.

Time with the guys on the 

team was just awesome.

These brothers always 

like to celebrate together.

Opening some presents 

with nearby family was a treat.

Fun to see the excitement

 for some new treats.

A new bike for a fast rider.

One to grow into and a cool new shape.

We thank God for you Jack

 and all the things you are learning.

May the Lord bless you with strength, courage

and a heart for others.

Worship into the Week- Ascension Day

Worship into the Week- Ascension Day

Luke 24: 44-53

Jesus Appears to His Disciples- The Ascension

Jesus has been absent from the disciples

 and then he shows up again.

He stood among them.

Just when they are talking about him.

Certainly this makes sense that

 they were startled and frightened.

"Peace to you!"

They certainly know this greeting from Jesus.

He was with disciples on the road to Emmaus.

He reappears in Jerusalem.

They can see he is not a ghost 

when he shows them signs of the crucifixion

 on his hands and feet.

They are witnesses that He is alive 

as he takes a piece of broiled fish and eats it.

He shares with them that everything 

that was written about him had been fulfilled.

Now they need to share the news of the forgiveness

 of sins in the name of Jesus- beginning in Jerusalem.

But stay in the city until the 

promise of the Father is upon you.

They he leads them to Bethany, 

a village on the Mount of Olives, 

and lifts up his hands and blesses them.

Then he left them and was carried up into heaven.

The disciples worshiped him 

and were filled with joy 

and continued to bless God in the temple.

 Many Protestant churches no longer 

celebrate Ascension Day

 on the 40th day after Easter- always a Thursday.

It is a public holiday in France, Germany, Austria,

 Belgium, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands.

(plus a few more)

It is not a public holiday in Canada, 

the United States or Australia. 

This Feast Day is important as it is the flourish 

on the Resurrection Story.

 He has gone to prepare a place for us

 and will return.

Supplies:

Visual Church Year Printable

vcy-graphics-only-may-2023

Worship into the Week

worship-into-the-week-may-2023

 Colored Pencils

Magazine Cutouts 

Distress Ink 

 

Worship into the Week- Prepare

 

Worship into the Week- 

 I Peter 3:13-22

Suffering for Righteousness Sake

We just don't like the idea of ending to suffer

 for the sake of the Gospel or anything else.

Then there is one step further, answer questions

 with gentleness and respect.that means

 "without attitude and with a humble heart.

We are asked to think through and be ready to answer.

We are to PREPARE a response

 about this hope that we have in our lives.

Jesus has changed lives and we are washed

 through Baptism and are united 

in this resurrection of Jesus.

Help us Lord, to have an outward focus

 to the Next Generation and our friends and neighbors.

Give us the gentle spirit that answers with a good conscience,

 even when others don't speak well of us. 

Allow me to put on my Baptism garments of "washed anew" 

to be ready at any time for sharing 

your love with others and your truth in Hope.

Amen.

Supplies:

Visual Church Year Printable

vcy-graphics-only-may-2023

Worship into the Week Printable

worship-into-the-week-may-2023

Colored pencils

Magazine cutouts

Distress ink

Vintage Grace Gardens in May

 

Something happens in May that is pretty 

breathtaking in the flower department.

 Pinkladies- Oenothera speciosa pops up

 all over a corner of the garden.

Top right and Around- peonies join dianthus

 and soapwort and late season azaleas.

The delicate petals of the peonies 

launch the memory-filled fragrance.

Deutzia and late lilacs 

and peonies embrace in a bouquet.

Top right and around- Deutzia, roses, rugosa rose

 and columbine dance in the breeze.

I especially love to be home in May

 and not miss a day of the blooms.

They come inside and move through

 the day right with me.

The season is too short and the beauty 

too fragile and fleeting to miss a moment.

Thank you God for all the beauty of May.

Worship into the Week- Chosen

Worship into the Week- Chosen

1 Peter 2:2-10

A Living Stone and a Holy People

We have a Resurrection identity

 in this cornerstone- Jesus.

With that promise comes the gift of

knowing we are chosen and precious.

Nothing takes that away from me- 

as a believer in Jesus.

With the power of Jesus in me,

I am capable to be Light in the darkness

as God's masterpiece.

No matter what the world says-

 I am His, by merciful grace, and I can 

live out my days as God's people.

Sermon Notes

added during worship.

A margin added during 

reflection time this week.

Chosen.

A familiar term these days with the 

television series.

A great reminder speaking

 into the hours of my day.

Supplies:

Visual Church Year Printable

vcy-graphics-only-may-2023

Worship into the Week Printable

worship-into-the-week-may-2023-1

Colored pencils

Magazine cutouts

Vintage stamp

Watercolors

Distress Ink

 

Journaling Thessalonians

Our recent trip was leading a Footsteps of Paul

 trip to Greece, Turkey and Rome.

We spent some days in Thessaloniki and I started reading 

Thessalonians on our travels on the bus.

CHOSEN.

LIVE WORTHY OF GOD WHO CALLS YOU INTO HIS KINGDOM AND GLORY.

There was just something very special 

about reading Paul's words 

to the people of Thessaloniki while we were right there.

BE JOYFUL ALWAYS.

PRAY CONTINUALLY.

GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.

Even on a jiggly bus and bumps here to there,

 there were so many wonderful 

connections to God's Word.

COUNTED WORTHY OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

Even Athens, contributed to the Bible Journaling 

inspiration with a whole city full of graffiti walls.

STAND FIRM.

NEVER TIRE DOING WHAT IS RIGHT.

Bible journaling gives me the opportunity 

to journal my time in God's Word.

When life events become story in the  

journey of faith.

Supplies:

 Interleaved New Testament-

 Pocket size from Zondervan

Colored pencils

Fine-point non-Bleeding Sharpie

Washi Tape

Scripture Doodles- April 2023

 

Scripture Doodles- April 2023

Marking the devotional time and take-aways

in snippets of text with color as tiny billboards.

To nudge a prayer thought or to tie together-

 life and the Word.

Four colored pencils and a black fine-point marker.

Documenting the journey of faith-

along the way.

Worship into the Week- Follow

 

Worship into the Week- Follow

Good Shepherd Sunday

1 Peter 2:19-25

It is a simple theme after Easter to fall

 into the "lead and follow" of New Life.

But, Peter reminds us that it is a more complicated process

 than we would like to live out daily.

He shares the vision of Jesus as example, healer and restorer.

For "we, like sheep, have gone astray."

Jesus is the one who has turned us back to the shepherd 

and guardian of our souls.

We do this "turn" in the midst 

of cultural callings and beckoning.

We seek to be winsome with the aroma of Christ

in a world that judges quickly and pushes back. 

Hard line and hard nose get us no where,

 except perhaps out the door.

The image of Jesus leading and within my own vision

 helps me to stay on track 

and not be swept to the side of distraction.

Lord, keep my sightline clear. Amen.

Visual Church Year Printable

vcy-graphics-only-april-2023

Worship into the Year Printable

worship-into-the-week-april-2023

Magazine Cutouts

Washi Tape

Distress Ink

Colored Pencils

Footsteps of Paul- Corinth

 

The Acropolis of Corinth - also called the Acrocorinth-

stands as a huge outcrop of rock in Corinth. 

This high peak was home to the Temple of Aphrodite 

and had over 1,000 sacred prostitutes.

The Temple later was turned into a Christian church

 and then a mosque.

Corinth is located on the Isthmus of Corinth 

which is the narrow land that joins the mainland 

of Greece with the Peloponnesus. 

It is halfway between Athens and Sparta.

Corinth was one of the largest cities in Greece 

and because of its location it became very rich.

In 146 BC, Corinth was captured by the Romans 

who were very cruel. They burned the city and killed all

 of the men and the women and children 

were sold into slavery.

The city was abandoned until Julius Caesar began to use it

 as a place to retire his troops in 44 BC. 

The city regrew to include Jews, Greeks and Romans. 

The strategic location was an important detail for St. Paul.

 He first visited the city in AD 51 or 52.

He stayed for 18 months, started the church there and 

worked with Priscilla and Aquila.

The remains of the Temple of Apollo.

This sixth-century B.C. ruin is one of the oldest 

stone temples in Greece. It is built on a hill overlooking

 the Agora-(marketplace).

This Temple was still functioning in Paul's time. 

It was eventually destroyed by an earthquake, 

but these original Doric columns still stand. 

Shops along the Forum were a busy spot in Corinth.

The city was known for its immorality. 

To "corinthisize" something meant to corrupt it. 

The Isthmian Games were held here the year before

 and the year after the Olympics. This brought huge crowds

 to the city who stayed in tent communities and this helped

Paul's tent making business.

Our guide said the party was the coming together of the

 Olympics and the Super Bowl in a Las Vegas environment. 

Throw in 1000's of sailors coming to port 

and the temple prostitutes.

Paul would have also been interested in all those who came

 to visit the Asclepion, a temple dedicated to the deified 

Greek physician Asclepius.

We know that Paul visited Corinth for about 3 months

 when he wrote the book of Romans.  (Acts 20:3)

Paul reasoned in the synagogue here in Corinth.

This is the BEMA in the Roman Forum. 

The leaders would have set on this platform 

when Paul was brought before them.

Paul would have stood on the ground 

by the stand (Top right) before Gallio-

 the Roman Governor when the Corinthians brought 

charges against him. (c. A.D. 52)

A sharp-eyed member of our group spotted this in the ruins.

CONCORDIA.

Concordia was the Roman goddess of harmony and peace.

In my faith community,

 it is a meaningful name for schools and seminaries

 in our Lutheran tradition.

Corinth was destroyed by earthquakes in A.D. 365 and

 375 and by a Visigoth invasion in 396. Walls were erected

 in the 6th century to protect it but it continued to decline.

There are many significant ties to Paul at this site.

It is easy to imagine him living here.