SEEK THE LOST

"For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost."  (Luke 19:10)

We find this quote from Jesus at the end of one of the most beloved and well-known Bible stories:  Zaccheus. It’s a story of seeking and saving. Zaccheus sought Jesus by climbing a tree so he could see the Savior pass by. Jesus sought out Zaccheus, stopping in front of the tree, and invited Himself to his home. Not worrying about what the pharisaical crowd thought of His mingling with “sinners”, Jesus exclaimed that His purpose on this earth was to “seek and save the lost.” 

Brothers and Sisters, we are sinners, and Jesus has sought us out in order to save us!  Praise God!  I am a sinner set free, just as Zaccheus and his entire family were saved and set free.  When we open our hearts to His love, seeking Him diligently and whole-heartedly, Jesus enters our lives with His saving power. And just as Jesus sought for sinners to save, so must we have the heart to seek and save the lost.  There are so many people around us that are lost, and in need of Jesus:  family members, neighbors, co-workers, friends, perhaps even our spouses or children. And then there are the countless lost souls in our communities, cities, and around the world.  The more we seek and encounter Jesus in our daily lives, the more we’ll be equipped and ready and passionate about seeking the lost.  Our job is to seek them, and then love them with the Gospel and share its simple truth. God's job is to do the saving, nor ours.  

I created this Bible journaling page with several stamp sets, spray inks, and watercolor pencils.  First I stamped the words and images on my page, masking the people off so the color wouldn’t cover them.  Some of the color seeped through though, but I didn’t mind too much.  Next, I spritzed and splattered the sprays onto the page, using water to activate and blend the colors. After I dried the background, I used watercolor pencils to color the people and the hearts.  Finally, I added some detailing with a white pen.  I love vibrant colors, and the shimmery shine of these paints makes my heart happy!

SEND ME

    

SURROUNDED IN PRAYER

FAITH WORDFETTI

BITTY MINNIE ALPHA

WWJD?

This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:10-11

Hi Sweet Friends!

WWJD? Do you remember when those bracelets and that saying were all the rage? What Would Jesus Do? That's a great question. I find myself asking that quite often in this modern day. In this modern world where we are expected to accept any and all behaviors and not call sin sin, what would Jesus do? HWLF.  I came across a bracelet with those letters on it and wondered what they stood for. He Would Love First. It was the answer to the WWJD question. And I thought to myself, "yes, that's what He would do." Isn't that what He shows us in the gospels? Time after time, He met sinners and not once did He condone their sins, but because they could feel His love, they were drawn to Him. And because they were drawn to Him, they listened to Him. They changed their lives because of Him.

1 John 4:7-21 says a lot about God's love for us. Jesus DIED for us. What greater love is there? And because He loves us, we are called to love others. God IS love. If we call ourselves His followers, then we need to be loving. Not judging. Not beating people over the head with our Bibles. Not telling sinners they're going to hell. Because guess what? We're sinners too. And the only reason I'm not going to hell is because of Jesus. And He didn't sacrifice Himself just for me. He did it for everyone. All they have to do is be drawn by His love and repent of their sins and accept Him as their Savior.

He Would Love First. And you and I should love first too. I'm not saying we should condone sin. We shouldn't. But we're not going to be able to share the gospel well unless the people we are talking to feel loved. Then their hearts will open. Their eyes and ears will open. And, maybe, just maybe, they will change their lives.

Page Details: I used the following Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps sets: Surrounded in Prayer, Marquee Caps, Bitty Minnie Alpha, His Love, Grunge Elements 2, and Texture Tiles 1. Surrounded in Prayer is a neat set created in honor of our Creative Team member Jane Bosi and her recent battle with breast cancer for the purpose of raising funds for a cause that is dear to her heart. SNSS is partnering with Aspirus to raise funds for their Family House project which will support families while their loved ones undergo treatment. $10 from each stamp sold will be donated to the Aspirus Family House project. To find out more about this project visit their website: https://www.aspirus.org/family-house-at-aspirus . I stamped the Marquee alpha with distress oxide pads. I also used watercolor crayons and a Micron pen.

We are loved. So, let's love.

Be well my friends! Andrea

Journaling Cards

Hey guys,

I'm thrilled to be sharing this blog with you as it involves the making of something that has become a huge help to me in my Bible journaling:  journaling cards.

There are many ways to use these.  I love being able to put them in my Bible as a tip-in and such, but I've seen many use this similar idea for card making, planning, and just basic paper crafting!  It's such a fun technique.  I'm using a couple of April release stamp sets from Sweet n Sassy Stamps today, the affiliate link is right here to get your own!
Additionally, if you check out my Youtube channel, you'll see the full process video of how, what, and why I made these colorful additions to my repertoire. 

 

As in everything "Bible Journaling," the thing to remember about the creative process is that it's your own.  It's whatever you make it, it's however you achieve it, it's between you and your Maker, and ultimately about bringing Him glory with your creation!  

I want to share a bit about making journaling cards, and why it is that I made an entire tutorial on how you could mass produce them. 
You may want to use these a number of ways.  I use these types of cards in journaling often, whether in my own journaling or otherwise.  More specifically, I've started to make them to give them. 

A while back, I began a different way of creatively worshiping by way of something called "The Loved Bible Project," which in short, is the idea of "loving" a Bible ( usually compact bible - something small and easily toted from one place to another) through journaling notes, prayers, small devotions, and inspirations on a card, then fastening it in some form or fashion to a Bible page.  I've seen page after page of this concept executed in such beautiful ways!  Some use devotionals and some use their own Bible study time to guide their entries, much like any other form of Bible journaling. 
For me, it encourages growth in prayer and study, and the fruit of those things goes into this little Bible that God has led me to give!  I love it! 
I've been led to give it to a young lady who will be graduating from high school soon and will be venturing out on her very own for the very first time as she begins her college career. 
My hope is that she will look at this as a gift and love offering from me, but more importantly as a reference and tool to aid her in her walk with God in this new life!

I've been enjoying the entirety of this process!  From the paper prepping to the implementation of it, I've been able to work through my own struggles in creativity, my own lack of confidence in artistry, to come out on the other side a little more developed!  God is certainly a Master Creator, giving us each a piece of Himself as we learn how He's gifted us!  He's so good!

If you're interested in finding out more about The Loved Bible Project, I've provided several links below wherein you'll find the explanations of how "loving a Bible" works, as well as AMPLE inspirational pages, and what YOU could do to participate in this journey!

Much love,

Deeds
IG: mercies_journaled
Facebook: Deirdre Cason
Youtube: Mercies Journaled

Stamps used: "Cheerful Hexies" & "Surrounded in Prayer"

Loved Bible Project
IG: @thelovedbibleproject

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLovedBibleProject/
   Also: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1790436421192713/