Tag Archives: faith

God with Us

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Emmanuel, God with us. Behold, the tabernacle of God is with humanity, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. Revelation 21:3 Many hundreds of years before Jesus was born, Isaiah prophesied by the Spirit of God, that a “virgin will conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Emmanuel [God with us].” As Y’shua (Jesus), God the Son came to earth in human flesh, through that virgin, and lived among His people, 2000 years ago. He walked this earth, as a man, for 33 years. But even… Continue reading →

Redeeming Layers

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Do you have the same problem that I often do? (Thankfully, this isn’t that—artistically anyhow. But read on.) Problem. The idea in your head doesn’t transfer into your journal, like you want. Your picture isn’t painting 1000 words, and you feel like it’s going to take 1000 words just to explain what you’re trying to convey through artistic expression. That background that looked so great in your imagination is just plain ugly on the canvas. Do you trash it? Keep trying? Give up and let it be what it is? And we won’t even talk about main focal image. In… Continue reading →

God Most High

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Who do you say that I Am? Jesus asks this question (in Matthew 16:15) of His followers. As His followers also, we must answer Who we say He is. God, the Trinity, reveals Who He is by many names—and also many metaphors— throughout His Word. An in-depth study of all the Names of God can greatly deepen your relationship with Him and your worship, as you come to know Him more and more, in spirit and truth. Over the years I’ve done several such studies, no artwork involved. (But I did create 7 Names of God altered playing cards, as… Continue reading →

El Roi

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In this vast universe God has created, I am less than a speck. (See me down there?)  But YHWH not only sees me in the midst of the hard, hidden, lonely places, He cares and His eyes “roam throughout the earth to show himself strong for those who are wholeheartedly devoted to him.” (2 Chron. 16:9) This was my meditation as I created this journal page, inspired by Aiko’s lesson in the Who Do You Say that I Am? Bible Art Journaling Retreat put on by Jen Alward. What is a human that God is mindful of them, that He… Continue reading →

Sheep, Shepherds, and Wolves

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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!

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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

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🔥 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 →

Retreat

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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 →

Our God is for Us

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“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭31‬-‭32‬ This verse is solid truth we can hang our hopes on. But it doesn’t always feel that way. We face a lot of things in life that are scary. Those of us who have lived in DV know very well the feeling of being alone and that everyone and everything is against us…. Continue reading →