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!

A guest doodle from Amy Lou

Proverbs 31 is the ultimate scripture for women. I have the verses all over my house and I love reading the encouraging words. As we strive as women to embody this proverbs 31 woman let's remember that God's love is filled with grace upon grace! What He desires most from us is love and worship- not perfection and striving. There is freedom in Christ! 

I love this doodle from @amylouhawthorne via Instagram. Her feed is full of beautiful artwork and encouraging love to others. Be sure to give her a follow. 

Matthew 13:47

Today a #scripturedoodle from @kingsqueen75 via instagram. I'm not sure I remember ever reading this scripture before but I'm sure I have. I just love the visual that the kingdom of heaven catches fish like a net. Aren't we just so blessed to be those chosen by him. And that it says, "all kinds of fish". We are all different and made by him just to be ourselves. That's something I've been wrestling with lately. What does it look like to be "me"? I love myself and I'm so thankful for the life He's given me, but I often think, "am I doing this right?" So glad He is my guide.

Happy Monday!

Doodle of the Day

Today I was flipping through the #scripturedoodle hashtag search on instagram and I'm just blown away by all the beautiful illustrations out there. I love that God is receiving worship in so many ways! Here is one of my favorites by a gal called @leah_marie_brusselsprout. Such strong words from the book of Ruth and a Chris Tomlin worship song I believe. And- i love the compass.  Thanks for letting me share Leah!

colossians

At church we recently finished a series studying Colossians called Deeper. It was SO good. I've read through the book before but it's been awhile and during the study the verses of each chapter just came alive. Much of the book talks about what it looks like to be a christian and Paul brings a strong challenge to "take off" the old self and "put on" the new self. I felt God challenge me in a few different areas. To bring accountability to myself (which let's face it, is basically the only way I get anything done) I decided to #scripturedoodle one of my favorite verses from the book.

And so I'm sharing it with you! This verse is great to have hanging on the walls of the house to remind us to love...especially when the kids are screaming and the house is a wreck. Happy Day!

Download it here.

Nehemiah 8:10 Free Printable

So I've been going through the #shereadstruth Nehemiah study and I am just loving it! I never new I liked the book of Nehemiah, in fact not sure I'd ever read it. I'm so thankful for the girls who take time to write this great devotional! Today's devo was focused on memorizing scripture, I've never been great at that so I decided to make a #scripturedoodle on the verse to hang on my fridge, and I thought I'd share it with you. Here is a free printable of my doodle. Hang it on your fridge and memorize it, or even better teach it to your kids!

Sri Lanka Summer

FRIENDS! I am so excited to share a bit of my summer plans with you. I will be going with a team from our church to Sri Lanka. 

Our women's ministry is sending 5 of us to train the women leaders at a sister church, Bethany Christian Life Center. When I think about this awesome opportunity a few things come to mind:

1. A Thankful Heart- I am so thankful for the chance to go and see, go and bless, go and learn from these beautiful women about how they do ministry and share a bit about how we do things over here.  Thank you God for orchestrating this move and for letting me be part of it.

2. A Big Responsibility- We will be in Sri Lanka for about seven days, that's one week to share with these women! Our leaders have put together an awesome schedule of events for us including a one day Chosen leadership conference we will put on similar to ours at Seacoast each January. Our focus at the conference will be three things: Love God, Love People, and Be the Change. I have been asked to speak on the "Love God" topic. I'm so excited to share, and I'm praying that what I bring will spur these ladies on and ignite a deeper passion to love God, and share God's love with the unchurched people in Sri Lanka.

3. An Art Opportunity- Probably the most exciting part of this trip for me will be sharing my art with those we will meet. I will be taking various prints of my #scripturedoodles to give to the women at Bethany. How awesome to get the word of God into their homes in a creative way. In Sri Lanka there are three different languages spoken, before we go I will make three special #scripturedoodles each in a different language especially for these women! Imagine them opening their fridge each morning only to read God's word on the print stuck to their fridge just before grabbing the milk...Or maybe a sister gives her #scripturedoodle to someone else, a friend who needs encouragement in her life. God's truth will reach her friend as well. The Bible says that God's word is living and active, sharper than any double edged sword penetrating the soul (Hebrews 4:12). I am believing for God's word to penetrate the hearts of everyone we meet in Sri Lanka, believers and otherwise! Amen?  The truth of God is the only thing that will save people from this temporary world and bring them into His eternal kingdom. That is why we have been Chosen to know God, to share His love with everyone! I'm getting more and more excited just writing this!

So where do you come in? I'm glad you asked. First of all PRAYER. I know everyone shares the need for prayer, but truly prayer is number one! Although the $3500 price tag on this trip can be a bit overwhelming, prayer is the part that will have eternal impact. Our trip is August 9th-16th, can I count on you to pray for us before and during our trip? Maybe you're not in a place where you can give financially to the effort, don't worry God will make a way for the finances, I often remind Robert that God has all the money in the world, surely He will make a way for His children, especially when we go in His name. Thank you in advance for your prayer support to us.

Lastly, a financial gift. Are you able to give? If so, thank you! After an incredible message from our pastor this sunday on generosity I will boldly, but humbly ask for help. The message reminded me that God has called us to give financially to further His kingdom. Here is a link where you can give directly to my trip: https://public.serviceu.com/PaymentForm/15589/?OrgKey=a724bfb0-33c4-447d-9df8-ccdadd445df9

I can't wait to share more about taking #scripturedoodle with me to Sri Lanka! Stay tuned.

For the Mom who has lost...

Mother's Day! Such a precious day for so many blessed women in this world. Today can also be a day of heartache for all those who have lost a child in any capacity. Maybe through miscarriage or stillbirth or a failed adoption or losing the life of a child who has shared your home with you. Even those who just feel the loss of never becoming pregnant, getting that monthly reminder that once again you are not with child.
I never thought that I would have any trouble with infertility, but Robert and I shared a short season of it and it truly was one of the hardest things we have ever gone through. Those of you who are still in that season may think, "I can't hear what you have to say because you have a healthy baby now. Your hurt is gone and you can't understand what my heart is feeling". That's pretty much how I felt about every pregnant woman around me. I can't know exactly what you are feeling, but I welcome you to be angry at me or any other mom for as long as you need to be. And when the time comes where you want to continue to the next step, my ears are always ready to listen and share in your journey. One of the greatest things someone told me during our season of infertility was to let God grieve with you. Open your heart to God and understand the fact that his heart is broken for your loss and He is right with you. It won't happen right away but it will happen, God will heal your heart. Being a Mom is truly one of the greatest blessings in this life.
After my second miscarriage God gave me a series of paintings to tell our story. The pictures and narrative describe all of the feelings involved in the process. You can see it and read about it here: https://picasaweb.google.com/118253543908283414431/OurJourney#
My thoughts and prayers are with all the moms out there in this season, awaiting the story of God's faithfulness in your life!

Like an old school revival

So we are a week into our Instagram and health detox and I just wanted to share for a hot minute on our progress. In short, I feel great. The first couple days were really hard to stay off of social media but after I got used to it it became much easier. Now I don't even find myself thinking about what I'm "missing". As for my body on the health side of things I also feel great. A couple days in I remember feeling like a had the flu one evening, I was achey and tired, but the next day that went away and I started noticing the benefits of our healthy eating. I seem to have more energy than normal and I am waking up feeling rested. As a result I feel like my mind is sharp and my heart and ears are tuned to hear from God. I noticed yesterday in church I was taking away so many nuggets from the message and had a sweet time in worship. I'm just so thankful. Thank you God for allowing this detox.

I'm not saying that all of this refreshing is from my #instadetox or my #whole30 challenge with Robert, but I do think it has something to do with it. I think part of it is setting time apart asking the Lord for refreshing. Like an old school revival in church. People come expecting God to move, and He does. I can't wait to continue this little revival for the next few weeks, asking God for even more refreshing!

I came across this verse this morning and I loved it! It's how I feel about what this 30 days is bringing. I love the last part, "Return to Me, for I have redeemed you". Aren't we so blessed that God allows us to return to Him...always.

Insta Detox

This week Robert and I are starting a #whole30 challenge and to go along with it I feel a little nudge to also do an Insta-Detox and a Facebook fast. I've been fighting it but I think it's time. I know it's going to be hard because I love instagram and keeping up with everyone through Facebook, but I feel it taking up too much of my time on a daily basis. I pray that God will use this time away to discipline me with His word and love. Just this morning I was reading a devotional teaching about the tactics of the enemy, and two of his favorites are noise and distraction. Although social media is not supposed to be noise and distraction it has certainly been distracting me from spending time with the Father on a daily basis. Let me just take a minute to declare that I am the absolute worst at spending consistent time in God's word, and even though me spending time with Him won't change the way He feels about me, it might change the way I feel about Him, and that is what I'm hoping for.

I'm going to try and post every couple of days to share what I'm learning and maybe a couple of #scripturedoodles along the way.  Join me if you feel the nudge too. ;)

P.S. I can already tell this is going to be SO hard, posting the pic above made me want to look at my feed so bad.....and now I am convinced I have an insta-addiction. Deliver me Jesus :)

Doodle of the Day: Psalm 139:9-10

 Since having my sweet boy and getting back to work this new year I have felt somewhat in a "funk" artistically. I recently wrote a post about getting back to the heart of #scripturedoodle which has been slow but good at the same time. In my "funk" I just feel un-creative. I feel like I've stopped pushing myself as an artist to create something truly unique and special. So in my doodling, I've gone back to the beloved thumbnail sketches and pushing farther into what each piece "could" be. This has been a sort of conditioning if you will and it has been so refreshing! Thank you God for meeting each day at my sketchbook.

I just had the chance to do a special custom #scripturedoodle for one of our students at church for her 16th birthday. I really tried to tie the scripture to the image in a unique way and stretch myself creatively. Here's the final image.

Today's Challenge: stretch yourself creatively!

Re: Focus...it's about time!

So... have you ever started something with great intentions and lots of gusto? And as time went on you lost focus of your original goal and the point of the whole thing to begin with? For me that is how I feel about #scripturedoodle today.

At the beginning of each year our church does a 21 day fast where we prepare and re-focus for the coming year. In evaluating where I am the Lord has convicted me and in how off kilter my original vision for #scripturedoodle has become. My heart is broken that I let it get this way. In the beginning my heart for #scripturedoodle truly was for a devotional practice, one that digs deep into the word of God and explores creativity in worship. Over the past two years it has become a self centered way to make money, and I'm embarrassed.

In working for myself it is so easy to make everything income focused? What do my books look like? Where is my next job? Am I making enough money this week? ...Have any of you ever felt this way.  In all these "worries" I found that #scripturedoodle was a way to bring an income, selling prints of ones I've done and taking original custom orders. I'm not saying that it's bad, but what it is, is out of focus.  Instead of devotion and community creativity #scripturedoodle has become all about me and by art. It's not that I can never sell prints of my work or do custom work, but that can't be all there is, and it can't be first. The devotion has to be first.

So, in our fast this January I am refocusing #scripturedoodle to get back to the heart of what God wants it to be. THANKFULLY our God is a God of grace and love who forgives us for our shortcomings. God knew it would get this way, but He is faithful and loving to bring me back to Him and guide me in the re-focus of the purpose. I am SO BLESSED and thankful to have a Father like this.

Are you out of focus in your work or mission for God? Do you feel so far from where you started wondering how you can get back? Fear not! God is present waiting for you to come back to Him. He wants to help! Let's refocus together! Amen?

#scripturedoodle Christmas Cards

Finally a new post after two months of no posting! Since my last post I had a baby and have been figuring out what motherhood shared with work looks like. Needless to say I feel like it is conquering the world just to get this post up!

I'm excited to share some Christmas #scripturedoodles that I've done and recently had made into Christmas cards. Each of these illustrations comes from the Luke 2 Christmas story. The story is also shared in Matthew which I haven't made any doodles of yet. We miss out on the wise men in Luke, as they are only mentioned in the Matthew portion, but you get most of the story nonetheless.

I'm thinking of doing a Christmas #scripturedoodle collaboration the last 12 days leading up to Christmas, so stay tuned via twitter to join in. In the mean time I hope you enjoy these!

To order any of these Christmas cards click here. Use coupon code: SDCHRISTMAS for 10% off your order. 

A Halloween #scripturedoodle

My first thought when I considered doing a Halloween doodle today was... Is that legal? So many people have strong opinions either way, especially believers. In our home we don't exercise strong opinions either way, we do hand out candy as a chance to bless the kids in our neighborhood, but we don't have any little ones yet and my trick or treating stance may change some day.

That being said as a pondered if it was legal to merge Halloween with a #scripturedoodle I was reminded that God is bigger than all of it. Even thought Halloween is considered a "pagan" holiday, I think that God is a fan of His truth being shared in any way on any day. So I decided to go for it. Share his truth with a jack O' lantern in the background, why not.

The verse fror this #scripturedoodle is Romans 6:23, certainly a scary fate if we do not choose life. Enjoy!