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| "The cattle on a thousand hills are mine." Psalm 50:10 It's been a month since I purchased my journaling Bible and I am in love. I've always loved God's word and many times painted my response in oils or acrylics on canvas, or doodled in the margins of my Bible, but I now feel that I've actually been given permission to study and express myself right on the page. One of my frustrations with previous work was "What to do with it?" Do I offer it for sale? Keep it in a drawer? Give it as a gift? But now it all has a place. Some of my colorful illustrations are fantastic. Precisely what I had in mind, while others have not turned out so well . . . and yet they are all there between the covers. *** |
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| Later on I will write about my journey into this "Illustrated Faith." But for now, I encourage you to do a little exploration at your Christian book store or on line at many sites. Once you've begun you will experience for yourself how personal and intimate and rewarding this manner of Bible study - creativity - love of The Word - can be. And a bonus . . . all ages may participate. What a wonderful activity for your family to begin this summer!! *** |
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While tentatively delving into "Bible Journaling" I am finishing up my coloring book for the children at New Beginnings in Martin, GA. The book is a testimony and affirmation of who they are in Christ, with pages of their surroundings to color along with illustrated pages of the 23rd Psalm. When I am done with this project I will begin a small illustrated book, just of that Psalm. In my head it is so cool. Just pen and ink sketches illuminating the scripture. So simple. *** |
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| Where two or more are gathered in My Name . . For years now I have used my art and faith to paint and preach colorful insights I've discovered while reading and studying the Bible. I've painted pictures, cut, pasted and drew ideas on canvas, in notebooks or right in my Bible. I've spoken to many groups about my passion that a creative God loves stimulating and creative people. I recently began to post some of my art and photographs on Instagram along with a relevant scripture in the hopes of preaching to the electronic generation around the world and was surprised to discover a multitude of others doing the same thing. What I have learned over the many years of painting the essence of faith is that the time I spend with my Bible: searching for a scripture reading and listening to that word pondering/digesting the meaning and then responding in full color turns out to be the most intimate times I've ever spent - one on one with God. The revelations discovered never leave me and I have a "token of His goodness" to keep, refer to for continued inspiration, and even to show others. Check out "illustratedfaith" see what I'm talking about. You don't need any special materials, just a sincere and adventurous heart. Now go .... shooo Be brave! Get started! ("poemplayz" on instagram) *** |
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this is one of my favorite paintings acrylic on paper the scene across the street minus the ranch house and horses I love the boldness intensity of color a statement I want to make with my life having the courage to make sure strokes without wavering or apology seems like spring is a good season to start *** |
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It's March 1st, 2016, a day that has never happened before, and I am impressed that this is the beginning of a new season. Yes, spring is right around the corner, but I believe it is much more than that. To successfully enter and participate, we must travel light. Letting go of former things, and facing Him with joy and expectancy truly believing that our God is good and honest, all power and majesty, and that He loves us beyond reason and measure. He thinks we are awesome. Let's prove Him right! *** |
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When the enemy comes in . . . like a flood the Lord will raise up a standard against him. (Isaiah 59:19) The words "lift up a standard" against are translated from the Hebrew: to vanish away, subside, chase, make to flee meaning (in my opinion) that when the enemy comes in the Lord Himself will sweep him away like overcoming - flooding waters . . . *** |
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Love is patient. Love is kind. What a perfect time to reread and ponder 1 Corinthians 13. What a perfect time to put it into practice . . . and practice makes perfect! *** |
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I've just begun a new painting. My thought has been to create something atmospheric, and I wonder why. With pigments and a brush, I want to place on canvas something with the hard edges gone. Something like the blind squinting of Monet. Something fragile yet enduring. Something with the hard edges gone. Just the sweet soul remaining. *** |
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Arise and shine for your light has come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1 *** Light always comes overcomes makes promises creates energy SHINES! *** |
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God will give us witty inventions. Proverbs 8:12 Just showing off some of the tools of the trade along with a couple of my "word" birds. What a great time to get out some of those art supplies you've gathered in the past and begin to put them to good use. By that I mean - entering into the joy of the Lord and joining Him in a creation project. Don't you know that He loves to create, create new things, even more than you? *And Color* Just yesterday I was thinking that what God must be thinking when we get all excited about color swatches in paint stores: "Hey sweetie, just wait til you get up here. Your eyes will pop at My color selection!" Can you just imagine? *** |
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| I don't consider myself a photographer, but lately I've been impressed to "see" a bit further than has been my habit and record it with my phone. This was viewed along Wade Hampton Blvd. on my Sunday morning drive to Dunkin Donuts. I saw it to the right and had to find a spot to pull off the road to stop and take the picture. There was a choice to be made - to veer off my established course or stay on track and quickly attain that cup of Joe. I'm so glad I chose to pull off the road. I'm so glad I had a phone that takes great pictures. I'm so glad that I stopped . . . to smell the roses. *** |
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Several years ago I made many of these 5" dolls. Most I gave away, keeping only this little island cutie created in remembrance of a holiday in Rorotonga. Thinking of creative ways to "preach or publish" the Word, I thought that perhaps she could be utilized as a messenger of the Good News. I loved designing her costume, twisting bronze wire into arms, and sprinkling her feet with glitter. Though she has no wings I believe she can fly! *** |
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The word "army" can be translated "company" meaning a mass of persons assembled for war or service. Interestingly - the Hebrew is written in the feminine. *** |
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HOPE. What a wonderful word on which to begin, build, and continue in 2016. I wrote the word on an oak leaf hydrangea even before noticing the bud, and then discovered a perfect bud tipping each branch. What a visual promise of new life to come. New life to burst forth. New Life. Life Abundant! *** |
