Category Archives: {living}

Not Just for Artistic People

By | | ,
Leave a comment

Saying it again for those hiding in the back. This isn’t just for artistic people! I know what some people think when they hear words like journaling or workshops. They immediately think, “Oh that’s for creative people,” or “I’m not good at that stuff.” Even though you’ve heard me say over and over here, Faith+Art Journaling is for everyone! 💖 But honestly, in the Faith Journaling Collective Workshop from Faith Bundles, not every presenter will even use the “art” part. This summit presents many different ways that “Faith Journaling” can be done. This isn’t really about artistic ability at all…. Continue reading →

Revive Your Quiet Time

By | | ,
Leave a comment

Can I ask you something? Have you ever opened your Bible, read a few verses, prayed, closed it and thought, “Okay… now what?” I think we’ve all been there at some point. Not because we love God any less, but because sometimes routines become so familiar that we stop expecting anything new. That’s why I love the idea behind the Faith Journaling Collective Workshop from Faith Bundles. Twenty women—including me! —are sharing different ways they personally spend time with God, and I love that there isn’t just one right way to do it. Maybe you’ll connect with journaling through Psalms,… Continue reading →

My Guiding Light

By | | ,
Leave a comment

Who remembers the song My Lighthouse by Rend Collective? When I saw Natasha’s make with a lighthouse, in the Encounters in Colour Retreat, my mind immediately went to this song. My lighthouse, my lighthouse, shining in the darkness, I will follow you. What a great follow-up make to my Great Shepherd mixed media meditation on John 10, My sheep know My voice and follow it. They will not follow another. It’s all about following Jesus! In my wresting and in my doubt, in my failures, you won’t walk out… In my questions your truth will hold. Your great love will… Continue reading →

Sheep, Shepherds, and Wolves

By | |
Leave a comment

Not all ongoing control, violence and cruelty comes from within the home. The times when I talk about abuse on this site, it’s usually about marital abuse, fracturing the closest of human relationships. But God, in His Word, talks about another kind of abuse, in the broader family. He condemns the misuse of that relationship too. And shows us His intention for it. I’ve been pondering sheep, shepherds, and wolves a lot lately. YHWH has brought them up in many different contexts, so I had to dig in. It’s interesting how often His Word talks about them—and how often He… Continue reading →

Happy birthday, Freely Whole!

By | |
Leave a comment

As Freely Whole turns 10 today, I reflect on what God has done in this last decade. He has clarified what Freely Whole is and is to be, continually bringing more clarity. As I expected, Freely Whole exists to come alongside you, as a “helper of your joy”, to bring you comfort, encouragement, and support, while helping you grow more deeply in your understanding and love of Jesus. Not expected was its ministry to abused, divorced women, who love and follow Jesus. But not only to her! It is for any who desire to grow closer to Him. Who desire to express their worship to Him in creative ways. Who desire to walk in greater Freedom and Wholeness. Freely Whole is for YOU! Continue reading →

Happy Spirit Filling Day

By | | ,
Leave a comment

🔥 Happy Shavuot! 🔥 On the day of Shavuot/Pentecost, (50 days after Passover,) Jesus’ disciples were gathered together in one accord, one mind, one passion. (On the Jewish calendar, this was this past Friday. As Christians we celebrate it on the Lord’s Day (1st day of the week.) On this feast day celebrating God giving His Law/Torah to Moses, He sent His Spirit to fill and indwell the men and women who followed Him, His disciples. He came to write His law on their/our hearts, not just on tablets of stone. To empower them/us to share God’s Word, His life… Continue reading →

Joy in the Storm

By | |
Leave a comment

Last week, my peonies and roses started to bloom. It’s been so dry here, I was surprised to see them mid-May. I’m so thankful I snapped some pics, even though there weren’t many blossoms, because just an hour later it started to hail. I didn’t know how bad it would be, or if they would survive it. My doubts sprang from disappointment just a few weeks earlier, when just after the first day of Spring, my first 3 daffodils bloomed. A freeze just after that insured none of the rest would. But the next day, I walked outside to see… Continue reading →

Retreat

By | |
Leave a comment

What does a Retreat look like for you? Is it complete R&R time? No schedule. No plans. Just slowing down, resting and relaxing? Is it reflection time? Spending time in nature? Journaling. Creating. Reading. Pondering your life. Your purpose. Your present. Your future. Is it renewing time? Getting great teaching for growth? Prayer and support for healing? Connecting with old friends. Making connection with new ones. Iron sharpening iron. I just returned home from my annual Christian women’s Retreat for—domestic abuse survivors and people helpers that advocate for them, the Called to Peace Ministries Retreat. There, I experience all of… Continue reading →

How Jesus Views Women

By | | ,
Leave a comment

The ancient world, for the most part, had a low view of women. After sin entered this world, God said that sinful men would desire to rule over women, and it surely happened. Although Jesus came to “reverse the curse”, restore what had been lost through The Fall, sadly many, even those who proclaim Christianity, somehow think that those sinful desires should be perpetuated. Believing that women are less than, lower than men, and that men should rule over women. Even though that directly opposes what Jesus teaches about how His followers’ hearts and actions should be. Throughout the Gospels… Continue reading →