Worship into the Week- Shine Light

 

Matthew 5: 13-20    Shine Light

Jesus speaks to His followers and helps them to think

 about their presence in the world. They are different.

They are to let their light shine in the darkness.

It is to be seen, not hidden.

They bring good flavor and preserve goodness,

 just like salt did in the ancient world.

Believers are to have a positive impact

 in their families and communities.

When they do good things and show care,

 it is not to make themselves important.

 but to reflect God's love to others. 

Jesus is working to help those listening to understand

 that His new words are not meant to abolish the Law

 that rules the world of the Jewish people.

Jesus frames his speech with simple teachings that fulfill

the Law and it is made perfect in Him.

The righteousness is deeper than mere outward compliance

 and keeping the Law to the letter.

It is a heart matter and Jesus gives the power

 to have a "heart made right."

This is Tiberius on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. 

The shoreline at the top would be Capernaum and Magdala. 

This would have been one of the hills that shone light

 in the dark at the time of Jesus.  Another possibility 

would have been the Roman city of Hippos- (Sausita) 

across the lake. Standing on the shore at night

 it is very easy to see how Jesus used -

 "right where you are" object lessons with the disciples

 and His followers. 

Shine Bright!!

Supplies:

Visual Faith Ministry Printable

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Postage stamps

Colored pencils

Gel pens

Word tape

Calendar Journaling- January 2026

 

Devotional Journaling January 2026

A subdued and quiet entry into the new year.

Four colored pencils and a fine point Sharpie.

Phrase take aways from a favorite devotional-

Streams in the Desert.

Lord, what do you want me to SEE this month?

The Gospel of John and the Art of Sally Beck- Part 4

Just hangin' out with Scripture and an image.

Thinking about the people involved in the story.

How were lives changed?

What was different for them 

after they "hung out " with Jesus?

How did their stories change 

after an encounter with Jesus?

How do I share my story and tell the Good News

 about time with Jesus?

Lord, lead me.

Worship into the Week- What does God Require?

 

Worship into the Week- Micah 6:1-8

Micah was a native of Moresheth,

 a village about 20 miles from Jerusalem.

He lived at the same time as Isaiah and Hosea.

The time period of his prophesies in the later half

 of the eighth century BC was ruled by self-serving rulers, 

judges who were corrupt, and idolatrous people.

the people of Israel didn't listen to Micah 

and were conquered by the Assyrians in 722 BC.

Micah waged war against an erring culture.

This world was filled with false worship, fraud,

 cultic prostitution, bribery, occult practices

 and many other evils.

There was no peace with God for these people.

Micah speaks of the compassionate Shepherd 

who will gather and guide His people.

God moves in the world as merciful, 

compassionate, and faithful.

These words of Micah in Chapter 6 are well known 

and reflect a righteous God to the world.

How do we we showcase our God as His reflection?

Now is such time to stand in the gap 

for the rights of the poor, 

and the downtrodden in our society.

How do followers of Jesus 

show compassion and care and mercy?

This is what God REQUIRES-

to do justice, walk humbly and love kindness 

and to walk humbly with our God.

Supplies:

Visual Faith Printable

Graphics 2-2025

Magazine Cutouts

Vintage Postage Stamps

Watercolor Pencils

Distress Ink

The Gospel of John and the Art of Sally Beck- Part 3

 Sometimes the simple lines of Sally Beck's

 work just point directly to the main thing.

I like working with watercolor pencils on these images.

 They are very forgiving 

and it is fun to see an unexpected result.

Just adding a few stamped spots

 adds a bit of dimension.

The lines on the sketches draw you into the story.

Sometimes the journaling helps 

to cement the time in the Word.

Each image stands alone as a study time 

and I love to revisit the individual pages of this journal.

The Gospel of John and the Art of Sally Beck- Part 2

 

More from my time in the Gospel of John 

with images by artist Sally Beck.

I love finding snippets of found things 

around the studio. Pieces of this and that.

The small collage images were actually

 made by Sally Beck

 and given to me with "some treasures".  

Loved pairing the two things together.

Using black and white papers as the base unites

 the whole work even though each page is very different.

More Sally Beck collage images paired

 with the John 2 reading.

Enjoying the journeys always....

Worship into the Week- United in Christ

  Worship into the Week- 1 Corinthians 1: 10-18

United in the Same Mind

Paul picks up the issue wrecking havoc

 in the church at Corinth.

Divisions in the church are causing disunity.

The leaders in Corinth boast of the spiritual attainments,

but the chaos speaks otherwise.

Bottom line is that they are really spiritually immature.

 People have sent the report

 to Paul about the quarrels.

Paul had sent Apollos-

 a Jewish Christian from Alexandria- 

to help and lead in Corinth.

Paul did not criticize the work of Apollos.

Paul's work was to help the people know that

 they needed to value more the proclamation

 rather the proclaimer of the word.

They needed to be united in Christ

 and not around a leader.

Paul seeks to make it clear that God alone saves.

God transforms the lives now and in the future.

Spiritual wisdom looks to God

 as the source of all power and strength.

It is not the accomplishments, degrees, or titles

 that allow a leader to bring worth to the church.

It is true reliance on Jesus 

and laying it all at the foot of the cross.

Supplies:

Visual Faith Printable

vcy-graphics-only-january-2026

Magazine Cutouts

Distress Ink

Colored Pencils

Postage Stamps

The Gospel of John and the Art of Sally Beck- Part One

 Spending some time with the art of Sally Beck 

and the Book of John.

 I like to use more mixed media with these layouts.

 Here I added some left-over old fabric from a quilt block

stack.  At least 85 year old fabric. 

 Watercolor pencils are an easy way

 to add color to the images.

The images help the story to have more

 "presence" in my memory.

 

I decided to not be hindered to find 

these and work in "order" of the chapters and verse.

The basic page is set up and then as I page through, 

I just listen for Holy Spirit nudges

 for the "next" verse of the Gospel of John 

to marinate in and to pray into my life.

I am thankful to know Sally personally and as a friend.

I give thanks for her legacy of art.

Worship into the Week- God is Faithful

 

Worship into the Week- 

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Paul had a lot to say to the community 

of the newly forming church in Corinth.

The spiritual formation of this group was his prime concern.

Over and over again he asks them to change 

their behavior in a spirit of unity.

His commands the church to align 

its behavior with the gospel.

Many of his admonitions are not so well taken

 by the listeners who thought of themselves

 as already spiritually mature.

 In this section of Scripture he begins with establishing

 that God is the source of his vocation. 

He recognizes that God is the originator of all faith,

 grace, and spiritual gifts.

God's sovereign power and presence is affirmed

 as the center of the life of the church

 in Corinth and even so today.

Paul was called by the will of God just like we are called.

We are saints as set apart and God's holy people.

 Paul then gives thanks for the people 

using the Greek word Eucharisteo-

the root word for Eucharist.

As we remember the communal aspects of Communion, 

we give thanks for this great gift.

For we are strengthened by Jesus Christ to the end,

    because God is faithful.

When we falter and stumble, we can be encouraged

 that God is faithful.

Supplies:

Visual Faith Printables

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Colored Pencils

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Worship into the Week- The Voice of the LORD

 

Worship into the Week- Psalm 29

This hymn brings to the forefront the story of

God's majesty over creation.

His voice becomes the thunderstorm that commands nature.

Unlike the fake god Baal, the LORD brings

 strength and peace to His people.

Even Mount Hermon moves and leaps

 to the voice of the LORD.

Everything from  heavenly being  to earthly rulers 

need to honor God's unrivaled glory.

He created the waters and the thunder and the mountains

and in all things He reigns to bless His people.

He has power over all the things He created 

and we need to be reminded that in the "storms" of our lives, 

 He reigns there too.

Supplies:

Visual Faith Printable

vcy-graphics-only-january-2026

Magazine cutouts

Colored Pencils

Distress Ink

 

Worship into the Week- Epiphany

 

Worship into the Week-

Psalm 72:1-15

May all Kings fall down before Him

 and all nations serve Him.

The Wise Men have arrived in Bethlehem.

May we continue to follow the light.

Jesus is the true light which enlightened everyone.

An old Christian tradition is 

"chalking the door" on Epiphany.

That really can't be seen very well above our door,

so I decided to chalk the driveway instead.

Here is a bit more about it: (from Wikipedia).

How it's Done:

1. Blessed Chalk: Families often receive blessed chalk from their church, though any chalk can be used.
2. The Inscription: Above the main doorway, write the symbols: 20 + C + M + B + 26.
3. Meaning of Symbols:
   • 20 and 26: The current year (2026).
   • C, M, B: The traditional names of the Three Wise Men (Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar).
   • C, M, B: Also stand for the Latin phrase, "Christus Mansionem Benedicat" (May Christ bless this house).
   • Crosses (+): Symbolize Christ.
4. Blessing: The inscription serves as a prayer for God's protection and a reminder to invite Christ into the home. So finish the "chalking" with a prayer over the home and family that lives there.

Since we really don't know how many Wise Men there were-

 (or their names), I suggest the Latin meaning for the process.

Chalking the door- or sidewalk 

can be done anytime during Epiphany.

Shine the Light!!!!

Worship into the Week- Quiet Strength

 

Worship into the Week-

Isaiah 30:8-17

This sections speaks of God's condemnation of Judah. 

They were rejecting His word and relying

 on political alliances like Egypt, 

instead of Him for protection against Assyria.

This gave them a false sense of security. 

True strength is found in "quietness and confidence" in God,

foretelling their swift defeat when they flee.

 God is calling them to repent and return to the Lord.

A reading for the New Year is an invitation to

lean into quietness and trust. That is where

strength lies. This framing my daily life certainly 

is an invitation to a journey.

Lord, bless my time in the Word

 and documenting that time as you lead. Amen.

Supplies:

Visual Faith Printable

vcy-graphics-only-december-2025

Watercolor pencils

Magazine cutouts

Postage stamps

Distress Ink