El Roi

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

Change

Do you change your art, long after it’s “done?” Change is inevitable in life. And for me, in my art too. My art journaling sprint I posted about earlier this week really fizzled out. I did get one more Names of God journal page done (and will share it soon, but not today.) This week has been full of days of remembrance, (and new days of repairs I don’t care to remember.) I think every day for the past week+ has taken a 180 turn from my plans, into something I had no idea was coming. Change. “A person plans… Continue reading

God’s Ways Aren’t Ours

A person’s heart plans his way, but YHWH determines/directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9 Have you been dealt a major curve ball in life? When things took a huge turn from the direction you were going? Me too! Because this summer—this month—this week are significant “stones of remembrance” in those turns, I’m sharing a bit of my story today. Hoping it will help you see that God is still directing your path in your story too. As we walk the straight and narrow, there are still twists and turns in the path that we weren’t expecting, but that doesn’t mean that God… Continue reading

One Thing

One thing I have desired of YHWH, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of YHWH all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of YHWH,… ~ Psalm 27:4 This is the first thing that came to my mind when presented with, “What is your dream?” You may be wondering if you’re experiencing Déjà vu. I’ve shared parts of this make twice! The house finally found a home for it to land on. 😊 Totally different background, that was reworked 3 or 4 or more times. And I’ll probably add more finishing touches later…. Continue reading

Selah Retreat {Art Journal}

I’m back from my retreat and have so much to share that I think you’ll find helpful and encouraging. But for today, I’m only sharing the journaling of my trip—my art page. I so enjoyed my Selah time, to Pause. Ponder. Pray. Praise. Spending time with God alone. 🎨Creating, 📚studying, and enjoying nature walks in pretty, peaceful places. 💖 The river. The vegetation. The flower gardens. The peace. They all made their way into my journal page. The supplies weren’t my typical. I had my bag of usuals with me. But I wanted to do something different. Which led to… Continue reading

Selah Retreat

Sometimes clarity just can’t come in the midst of the chaos. This doesn’t have to be the big things in life—like gaining clarity in a crazy-making destructive relationship. But sometimes—life is just clamoring a little. Even if we aren’t frazzled or overwhelmed, we can just be going so many directions, and it can be hard to slow down and fully get our bearings. Last night was one of those times when my mind was just restless. I’d accomplished much during the day. I’d worked my job. Done housework and laundry. Prepared yummy Good-for You-Naturally!* snacks. Exercised. Worked on an art… Continue reading

Go Make Disciples

Have you ever had a creative piece that you knew just what it was to be, but it still just wouldn’t come together? This Faith+Art Journal page was inspired by Marjolaine Simard’s Dream page, in Encounters in Color, and I started it back then, in June. It activated much thought, and I knew it wasn’t just going to be a page in an art journal. It has a longer story, of course. (That will likely wait until my memoir.) 😄 It brought so much meditation, it took 6 weeks to finally get it done. Oh, what can be sparked by… Continue reading

My Guiding Light

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

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!

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