Master of the Sea

Good morning, crafty friends! I'm so excited to be sharing on the Creative Worship blog today. Although I've been on the Sweet 'n Sassy design team for a number of years, this is the first time I'm posting for the Creative Worship team. 

Bible journaling is a relatively new experience for me, as I recently gifted an art journaling Bible, which lays out the pages with wide margins that are perfect for adding images, quotes, and notes. I have found that Bible journaling is helpful for focusing on a particular Scripture text or doctrine as your mind can't help but ponder the words you're that inspired your art.

Today's passage focusing on Jesus' power over nature and the text of how He immediately calmed the storm. While we can see literally see how God brings about and calms storms, and all of our weather, figuratively He can also calm the trials (storms) that come into our lives. Jesus' miraculous works while physically on the earth, was to demonstrate that while He was fully human, He was also fully God and the creator of man and the elements. These simple, but powerful truths should comfort us as we face various trials. Not only is He fully in control of all that happens, but He is also the one who will be comfort in the midst of the trial, and the one who will bring it to an end. Amen and amen!

My layout started with a wash of color from Pan Pastels. Pan Pastels is one of my favorite mediums for adding color to Bible pages; the color applies easily, goes on smoothly, is transparent, and doesn't bleed through the pages. When using Pan Pastels, you will need to set the chalk when you're finished applying the color. I just use a light mist of hair spray. LOL!

I used a die cut circle to mask a sun and added stamping using coordinating die ink colors.  The boats and anchor were stamped on a piece of cardstock, colored, and attached with glue to my pages. When added die or hand cut images to Bible pages, it's best to use a lighter cardstock and anything heavy weight will add bulk to the thin pages. My text was added using a variety of alphabet sets and words from other Bible journaling sets (see supply list below). I love mixing fonts! Below are a few more close up photos of my spread. Happy crafting!

Supplies:
Master of the Sea

Skinny Lower Case

Skinny Upper Case

His Wings

What Anchors Your Soul?

Because God wanted to make the 

unchanging nature of his purpose very clear 

 to the heirs of what was promised, 

he confirmed it with an oath.   

God did this so that, by two unchangeable things 

in which it is impossible for God to lie, 

we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us

 may be greatly encouraged.  

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

We can see on every turn that life seems to be getting more chaotic, out of control.  People are looking for security, for hope, for something to anchor them.  Thankfully the believer has a reliable source for these needs.  Right in the center of Hebrews 6 you can see the heading, The Certainty of God's Promise.  Not much in life is certain.  I've heard the joke that nothing is certain but death and taxes. Now I'm hearing people saying things more like "taxes will be the death of me"...so maybe those two realities are all wrapped up together! 

Joking aside, there is a serious side to be considered regarding the certainties of life.  When people are searching for an anchor it usually means they are experiencing rough waters.  Some times our life-tempests surely seem like they will overwhelm and drown us.  That's when we turn to God's Word, to His promises for hope and security.  Only God can anchor our soul. Only the Master of the Sea can still our troubled waters.

I believe this passage in Hebrews is very powerful.  We can depend on, be anchored to, God's unchanging nature.  God is not fickle, He is bent by nothing other than His own will.  Nothing will foil the plans that God has.  God's Word and the principles He sets for our eternity security are rooted in His promises.  

God is an anchor because His nature is unchanging.  And He is an anchor because He cannot lie.  Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life..." (John 14:6).  This bold declaration from Christ's own lips says far more than "I will tell the truth."  He is saying that He IS the Truth.  All truth is anchored in Christ.  And we are blessed that He chooses to reveal His truth, His nature to us so that we will always be anchored and secure in the certainty of His promised to us.

The next time your are buffeted by tumultuous waters, remember that the Master of the Sea is an anchor for your soul.  Every single one one of His purposes for you will stand. You can depend on His Word for your life because He cannot lie.  And He cannot, will not lie because His nature, His character is unchanging. 

I used Kuretake watercolor paints for the background, and the set Master of the Sea for this page.  I stamped the anchor on white cardstock, colored it with Copic markers then adhered it to the side bar.  The sets used: Master of the Sea (left) and Choose Faith (right).

Diane's Daydream Designs