Jesus In Your Home

This exercise might be a bit of a stretch, but it also might be my favorite one in the book. When I think of my home, so much gratitude and so many memories come to mind.  At the same time, I must confess I’ve never really spent time to invite God into each corner of my family’s space.  I certainly want God’s very best blessings on our home.  Below are a few verses that shed some light on what the word of God says about our homes.

“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established: by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” Proverbs 24:3-4

“Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.” 2 Chronicles 7: 15-16

On the next page draw out a floor plan of what your house looks like, room by room and floor by floor.  Print one for each floor if you prefer.  Your drawing does not need to be perfect or to scale but make sure you include each room of your house-even your garage if you have one!  Then I want you to take some time to write a prayer to God in each space, tell him how you want to invite him into that specific room of your home.  Ask him for his best blessings and tell him what you desire to receive from Him there.  May you take this time to create with an expectant heart.

Finding Contentment In Weakness

FINDING CONTENTMENT IN WEAKNESS

“Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

-2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Weaknesses…For me they are probably self doubt and disorganization, among many other things.  I often feel ill equipped--as in the worst person to do my job. God has given me wonderful revelations about His power and character, along with a great love for me.  There are times I recognize my strength in Him and other times my sin and the “thorn in my flesh” make me feel weak.

Take some time to examine your heart.  What are your weaknesses?  Ask the Lord to show you how to be content in imperfections. Keep in mind that Paul says, “When I am weak, then I am strong.”

As you continue to reflect, move to the journaling page.  A little cottage on a hill awaits. Notice the stones in the hill supporting the house. So it is for us. As believers it is important that we recognize our weaknesses but we must not build ourselves on them. We must build upon what God says about us, that in our weakness we are strong. Because He is strong in us when we can’t be strong for ourselves.

So for today, take time to color this picture and write in the stones of the chimney a few of your weaknesses…but then fill the stones supporting the home with the strengths and attributes of the Father. Add part of the scripture verse somewhere in the picture, perhaps as smoke leaving the chimney. Let it be a reminder for you that you may boast in God’s strength, even find joy in the troubles you face. For through his power we are strong in our weakness!

Send #scripturedoodle to Thailand this Christmas

The other day I posted this picture on Instagram... and today God is showing how incredibly true this really is, about a dream of mine: #scripturedoodle. 

God gave me the idea about three years ago for #scripturedoodle- a quick illustration of a bible verse. I first thought it was just for me, but God has shown me #scripturedoodle is not just for my artist heart but it is for everyone, for people wanting to explore God's word in a creative way. As we are all allowed to sing in church we all have the freedom to try art in worship. Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Three years later God is using #scripturedoodle to put hope in the hearts of children in Thailand. 

Here's a story about a little girl called "Hope" and her #scripturedoodle shared by my new missionary friend, Kathryn:

"She wrote Ephesians 5:8 (in Burmese). It says "for once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!" She told me that God put a dream in her heart to start a "Jesus home". When I asked her what she meant, she said, "I want to start a home for children who are unwanted and show them how Jesus is our Savior! At my home they will learn that Buddhism can never save them, only Jesus gives light and life!" And she is only 11 years old!! 

Hope, like the 149 other children, is an orphan. She is part of the Mercy home orphanage where she receives care from missionaries. Sending her a #scripturedoodle starter pack will not save her life, it won't even feed her, but it will bring her hope. It will be hers, and it will help her dream, and as a child, I think that's a need, a treasure, a sweet privelege of  being young. And if she can learn the hope of Jesus at a young age it will carry her through the rest of her days. 

Here's what I know: 

1. I can't do this without you and group of people passionate about helping. 

2. God is doing something incredible here and I don't want to miss it. 

3. This is a huge goal #scripturedoodle starter packs for 150 kids = $3000 

4. Christmas is on December 25th and my dream/mission/hearts cry to God is to get the packs there by then. 

Our goal is to raise $3000 to send 150 #scripturedoodle starter packs to the children of Mercy Home and the Life Impact Centers. Please consider helping. What does that look like? Prayer-first and foremost for the children of Mercy Home and the Life Impact Homes (three homes total). Pray for their safety and God's blessing over them. Second, consider sponsoring a pack for a child for $20. If you have kids maybe help them put together some sort of fundraiser to help, like a bake sale. If you are a doodler or artist, consider selling some of your own #scripturedoodles or artwork to help raise funds. If you're not able to give then share our story with anyone who will listen. And pray for God to provide the funds, I know he will because GOD IS FAITHFUL. 

We have set up a gofundme page where you can donate: http://www.gofundme.com/ggo9mg 

And if you want to learn more about the ministry team serving there you can visit their site: www.lifeimpactintl.org 

God's story is the sweetest, and I'm so glad we get to be part of it!

Why #scripturedoodle?

Have you ever been chasing a dream that maybe wasn't what God had for you even though it was a good thing? That's been my last two years. Even though I was pursuing my art it wasn't the part of my art that He wanted me focused on..... Here's a few things He's been teaching me:

After much stress and fighting God sometimes without even knowing it I finally said okay. And can I just say that it feels so good to say yes to God! I know now where he wants me and that is spending time on #scripturedoodle. For the past couple years I steered away from it because frankly I didn't think the idea could sustain me financially, but as we know but sometimes need reminding- it's not about the money it's about obedience. And if God calls me to it, he will make a way financially for it.

All to say, you'll be seeing a lot more of it in the coming days. I feel like God wants to use the creative worship space of #scripturedoodle to make himself famous and to draw hearts to him. I feel so strongly that #scripturedoodle is not just for the artists- it is for anyone who wants to explore God's word in a new way, that is my heart and so I want to make it available to everyone. I have this wild pipe dream that someday we could illustrate the whole bible with #scriptuerdoodle.... I can't even wrap my mind around that one but I'm just speaking it so that God knows I hear him and I believe that nothing is too big for him.

I also have a huge confession to make, I am NOT A BUSINESS MASTERMIND.... not a big surprise to those of you who know me well, (especially my husband). The whole idea of growing this thing is a bit scary and seems too much for my creative brain, but I do know that if this is where God wants me he will guide me and show me the steps to take to build it. You can follow most of what's happening with #scripturedoodle not here but at worship-artist.com

SO... what is he calling you to? Will you say yes?

Be Strong and Courageous Joshua 1:9

What a strong verse this is! Although these words were spoken over Joshua before battle I believe they can be for us too. Take a moment to read the scripture again, but this time read it as if it is for you. 

Whatever battle you are facing today know that "God will be with you wherever you go". "Do not be afraid" and no matter how hard it gets "Do not be discouraged". God will make a way for you. He knows your situation and he is already at work on your behalf. He is after all your father and he will fight for you (nehemiah 4:20).

MAR

25

Let's Collaborate

Y'all it has been a while since we've done any kind of #scripturedoodle collaboration around here and the other day my girlfriend said, "it's time". If you don't know what it is you can read more about it on this site.  In a few words #scripturedoodle is a quick doodle or illustration of a bible passage. For me it's a great way to look at God's word from a new perspective and as an artist it brings that visual element that I love. I do it during my bible study time, morning or night, whenever I get my mind straight to make time for Jesus, can I get an amen?

SO... starting tomorrow I'm inviting you to join me for a super low commitment- short and sweet collaboration, just to get your feet wet. We'll be going through Habakkuk, don't worry it's only three chapters so we'll be done by friday. How it works: Let's read a chapter a day, maybe read it through once and then read it again to get a better handle on it. Then, choose ONE verse or a couple if they fit well together to draw a simple illustration of what the verse is saying. I usually use pen and paper, but whatever your heart desires is what you should use, you are the boss! Lastly- post it on IG or FB and tag #scripturedoodle #habakkuk so we can all follow along.

Very briefly let me say that #scripturedoodle is NOT about making excellent artwork for people to ooh and aah over. It IS about worshipping God. It IS about unlocking a creative element in your time with Jesus and it IS about freedom in Christ. If you're still not convinced you should try this here are 5 reason why you should!

See you tomorrow!!

A Doodle of the Day from @gabydoodles

Sharing a doodle today from a girl who has taken the idea of illustrating scripture and made it her own! Daily Gaby shares simple #scripturedoodles that bring  the truth of God right to your heart. Be sure to follow her #scripturedoodle feed on Instagram @gabydoodles

Here's one of our favorites from her!