Thursday, October 30, 2014

Bless the Lord {Mixed Media Art Journal}

Bless the Lord mixed media page

Having created a fun many-layered mixed media background from a tutorial by Terri Kahrs, I was inspired to use a praise silhouette with some of the words from a wonderful praise song as the focus on top of the background.

I have mentioned here before that one of my favorite songs is Matt Redman’s “10,000 Reasons.” I love the verses, and I love the chorus. I especially love the last verse, as it calls to mind my Mother’s last days, when she was so ready to go to heaven.

Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I worship Your holy name

The sun comes up; it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes


Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I worship Your holy name


You're rich in love and You're slow to anger
Your name is great and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness, I will keep on singing
10,000 reasons for my heart to find


Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I worship Your holy name


And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
10,000 years and then forever more


Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I worship Your holy name


Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I worship Your holy name
I worship Your holy name
I worship Your holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I worship Your holy name
I worship Your holy name
I worship Your holy name

--Matt Redman, “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Promise of Seasons {Bible Art}

seasons promise

I just love the changing seasons. My overall favorite is FALL, although I am sometimes heard to say that spring is my favorite, on the first warm, sunny and green day in the spring. Or, I might say that about summer, when soaking up the warm sunshine on a walk where lots of flowers line my path. Well, then there’s winter, with a beautiful snowfall outside and a warm fireplace inside.

Admittedly, I love the CHANGING seasons, more noticeable in some locations (Missouri!) than others.

This is a verse that I used in my art journal recently, but still on my mind, I decided to illustrate it in my Journaling Bible.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Fall Pumpkin {Art Journal}

Fall Pumpkin Gen 8-22

I love autumn. It is my favorite season. I’m not into Halloween, but I do love pumpkins and all things harvest.

Today is a rainy day where I am. As my baby sister was known for saying, “What a wonderful day for coloring.”

There is something comforting about the seasons. Maybe it’s because the seasons are a biblical promise!

Linking to Dion Dior’s Friday Sketches.

Friday, October 24, 2014

Happy Birthday to Him Whom My Soul Loves

I found him whom my soul loves.
I held him, and would not let him go…

Song of Solomon 3:4 (selected portion)

My Valentine for 54 years

Happy birthday today to my husband Russell. Of his 69 years celebrated today, I love loved him for 55. Yes, I fell in love with him when he was 14. I was 12. True story. Of his 69 years, we have been married 49.

He is the best husband in the world. God gave him to me. God must be “especially fond” of me. That He is.

My deepest wish for my granddaughters is that they would follow God’s plan for their spouse and ultimately be blessed with a man like mine. My deepest wish for my grandsons is that they be like their grandfather, a strong man of God, a “man of steel and velvet,” who loves unconditionally, and with biblical proportions.

Russell and Barbara small framed photos

Russ Curt Dave

Russell is the oldest of four, two brothers and a sister. He and his brothers Curtiss and David must have been quite a handful for their mom! “All boy,” that’s what they were, for sure.

Curt Dave Russ at Scotts

Russell junior 1962 guard 257 points all year

High School Basketball

 

Russell's studio senior  hs picture 1963

High School Senior 1963

 

Bride and Groom

Our Wedding 1965

 

Russ at supply whse 1-13 DaNang

USMC Officer 1967-1970
(Viet Nam 1968-1969)

 

1973 Oct Family of 4

Two children: Mark (1970) and Sharida (1971)

 

Conner 1996-025

First three grandchildren: Tory Elise (1993) Alyssa Megan (1993) and Conner Russell (1995)

 

DSCN3194

Fourth grandchild: Dawson James (2006)

 

IMG_5966

Our family Christmas 2013, L to R: Barbara, Russell, Sharida, Alyssa, Kristy, Conner, Tory, Mark, and Dawson in front.

Even if I didn’t have my own heart as a measuring stick for the picture of love that is this man, I have the verses in First Corinthians that define love—and that describe him—him whom my soul loves.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. – I Corinthians

Happy Birthday, Honey, and thank you for loving me even when I am not loveable, for putting up with all my faults, and especially for wearing those rose-colored glasses through which your view of me has been filtered for 55 years! I love you.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

God is My Shield {Bible Art}

The Lord is My Shield

Blessed be the Lord! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield, in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. – Psalm 28:6-7

I know I have read this verse before, probably several times. But somehow, when I read it today, it seemed to hold special meaning for me. So I chose this verse to illustrate in the margin of my Journaling Bible today.

Right now, I seem to be drawn to verses that remind me that God is my Strength and my Shield.

He fights battles for me, he protects me. He takes my part, with action if needed. Or sometimes He just quietly shields me from my enemies. My heart trusts in Him. I am helped. My heart is full of exaltation, and I give thanks to Him with my song.

Music is my passion. I love the part of the verse that describes my heart bursting with songs of thanksgiving to Him.

Sometimes I realize that I do not tap into the strength and the power that is mine as a child of God. Since He is my Strength and my Shield, shouldn’t I have more faith to let Him handle the worries and fears that threaten to steal my joy…Of course I should.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Recommended: a New Faith Art Online Community

I am pleased to share information about a brand new, much-needed online community for faith artists. Some of my “friends” are teaming up to offer this awesome place.

Final Banner

You can read all about it on the blog of one of the founders, here.

The description of the community includes this information (but you will want to follow the above link to get all the details and to sign up)!

His Kingdom Come will be a safe place to share your faith, be inspired, and explore creativity across many art mediums- journaling, mixed media, painting, bible journaling, textiles, water color and more. His Kingdom come will offer free tutorials, technique classes, devotionals, crafts to celebrate the holidays, opportunities to go deeper in your faith and in your knowledge of God and the Bible. His Kingdom Come will offer Christian artists a platform to host classes (free or fee-based) with a great profit sharing plan.  You can also advertise on His Kingdom Come. 

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Living Waters {Bible Journaling}

Rivers of Living Water

I have long understood the description of Jesus as the Source of living water, as when he described himself as such to the “woman at the well,” who was seeking water. But recently I took notice of a verse that says that one who believes in Jesus is actually a source of living water.

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. – John 7:37-39

So, Jesus is referencing the Holy Spirit as Living Water. Those in whom the Holy Spirit dwells (believers in Jesus Christ) have Living Water within them.

What are we (what am I) doing with that resource that I have been given?

Monday, October 20, 2014

I Exalt Thee {Altered Book FaithArt}

I Exalt Thee

This is my version of a project for the free Christian art class, Kingdom Come. Shonna encouraged us to journal some of our feelings about praise and worship first, and then cover the page with paint. Because I am comfortable with stream-of-consciousness journaling, this type of exercise is therapeutic for me.

paint over most

I did this project in my altered book, one of my favorite places to art journal.

This project brought to mind an older praise and worship song that I have always loved because of its simplicity in lyrics and music, while being profoundly inspiring in its message.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

The PNW: Finally a Rainy Day

IMG_5455

So, here we are, living in our second home in the Pacific Northwest, where everyone has “threatened” that “the rains will come”ever since we arrived here in late July. So, today, “the rains have started,” as they say here.

When it rains here, it is not like rain in Missouri. Yes, I know, God sends the rain on the just and the unjust. But he sends a different kind of rain in different parts of the world. In Missouri, we would have gotten up this morning, looked out the patio door, and said, “It must have rained last night.” We would’ve said it that way because there was, at that time, no visible rain. But, there was rain. It was just such a fine mist that it was not recognizable as “coming down.” In Missouri, when it is raining, you can see the rain. Coming down. And, there might even be thunder accompanying.

This is hilarious. I’m typing this in my studio, I can hear a light drizzle outside. AS I WAS TYPING the last sentence of the above paragraph, I could hear a rumble of thunder! Go figure!

It hasn’t rained here (except for a few minutes of mist, about twice) since we arrived late July. So, this must be the start of “the rainy season.” Perfect day for Homemade Soup and Homemade Bread.

My very favorite bread machine is by Zojirushi. I have owned this brand for at least 10 years and have always used it just on the dough cycle (to knead and then the first rise). But I wanted to try my new “Honey and Buttermilk Bread” recipe (already successfully used for rolls) to make a loaf, for a change.

IMG_5452

I set it on dark crust, and it was the most delicious loaf bread EVER!

IMG_5453

One of our very favorite homemade soups is Italian Sausage and Black-Eyed Pea Soup (recipe from my mother).

IMG_5451

Missing our Washington family right now, as they are in Nicaragua on a mission trip. But, for just the two of us, this is a great lunch, enjoyed while watching post-season baseball (YAY, Missouri teams).

Go Cardinals!!

Both recipes can be accessed through the Recipes tab at the top of the page, or by  clicking here. I am also including both recipes within this post.

Recipe: Italian Sausage and Black-eyed Peas Soup

  • 1 pound Italian sausage ( I like Johnsonville Mild), cooked, crumbled and drained
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium green pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 2 - 14 ½ ounce cans black-eyed peas (do not drain)
  • 1 - 14 ½ ounce can petite diced tomatoes
  • 16 oz chicken broth (or 1 can)
  • 1/2 tsp Tabasco Sauce
  • 1 T balsamic vinegar
  • 2 t basil
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Cook sausage in large skillet. Set aside. In Dutch Oven, sauté raw vegetables in olive oil until tender. Add remaining ingredients and sausage to vegetables. Simmer for 30 minutes.

(recipe from Mother)

Recipe: Honey Buttermilk Bread

Use the bread machine to knead and rise the bread (first rise). *Or use for entire baking process, if desired.

In bucket of bread machine, put these ingredients, in order:

¾ cup buttermilk

½ cup water

1 T butter

3 T honey

3 cups bread flour

1 ½ tsp salt (sprinkle over the flour)

2 tsp yeast (make a well on top of the flour, for the yeast)

If making into rolls and baking outside the bread machine:

Put the bread machine on dough cycle. After that cycle completes, turn the dough onto a bread board and either shape into a loaf to bake as a loaf, or divide into 12 balls for rolls.

Cover with cloth. Let rise about an hour.

Bake at 375 for about 15 minutes or until brown.

*If making the entire loaf in the bread machine:

Suggested: set the crust for dark.

Shine Like Stars {Bible Marginalia}

Shine Like a Star

so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”

Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky… Philippians 2:15 (NIV)

Yes, we children of God are to shine like stars in the sky among a warped and crooked generation. How very descriptive of the challenge that faces Christ-followers today!

This marginalia was created by sketching and then using Micron (08), Wink of Stella Gold Brush, Prisma Colored Pencils, and the background is Pan Pastels.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Golden Rule Bible Journaling

Golden Rule Bible Journaling Page

(click image to enlarge)

This is another simple journal entry in my ESV Single-Margin Journaling Bible. I used Micron pens and Inktense Water Color Pencils. For the ruler, I used the Wink of Stella Gold brush-tip.

I’ve often wondered how many people talk about “the Golden Rule” without realizing its source is the Bible.

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Bible Marginalia for Today

delight in doing God's will

I am challenged by Paul’s words in Colossians 1:24:

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church…

He rejoices in suffering, for the sake of God’s church. I cannot even imagine, in my world, in my life, having to endure the sufferings that Paul did, as he followed God’s will for his life. Can I say that I have experienced delight in suffering that comes from doing God’s will?

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Bible Journaling {Joy Comes}

Joy in the Morning Bible Page

I am enjoying journaling and art journaling in my ESV Single-Column Wide Margin Journaling Bible. It blesses me to focus on the meaning of a passage in this way. In the post previous to this one, I shared an art journal spread that I created in my altered book, on this verse. Here is how I used the thoughts on the actual Bible page.

Joy in the Morning

joy in altered book

I am doing a Bible Study on JOY, and I love reading reminders in God’s Word about how HE is the source of joy.

When I was younger, I’m not sure I could fully appreciate the depth of meaning behind “weeping may last the night, but joy comes with the morning light.” There has been a lot of heavy sadness in my life in recent years, so I am thankful that after the weeping always comes the joy, because it is from God. I notice there is not a promise that there will not be weeping. But there is a promise of joy to come after the tears.

God’s Joy is one of the methods He uses to bless the lives of His followers.

Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.

Psalm 30:5 (ESV)

Hallelujah!

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Bible Study Notes in Art Journal

Since I have started doing art in my Journaling Bible, I like to take notes on my daily Bible study in an art journal. Then if it seems like something I want to use on my Bible pages, I might transfer the idea. In this case, I have done a couple of pages this week that I don’t plan to transfer (may change my mind later).

happiness or joy

delight to do His will