Don't Look Back

 

Have you heard the saying, "Don't look back, you're not going that way"? When I was reading the account of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis, this saying popped in my head in relation to Lot's wife. The sad end to Lot's wife is summed up in one short sentence in Genesis 19:26,

"But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt."

We all know the story, right? Two angels came to Lot's family in Sodom and instructed them to flee before the Lord destroyed the city. The angels had simple instructions - escape and don't look behind! Once Lot, his wife, and his two daughters were safely removed, God rained fire and brimstone down on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah for their egregious sins against Him. He completely destroyed the entire area so that it went from a lush, fruitful valley to completely uninhabitable by man or animal, and it remains so to this day. 

Some researchers say that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was an unsurpassed act of divine judgment in which God literally rained great chunks of fire and brimstone down on the entire region. Others say that God caused volcanic activity to erupt at that specific moment in time and used the earth's natural resources to bring about the destruction of the two cities. Either way, I think we can all agree it would have been an awesome, terrifying sight to behold. 

I've always been a little curious about the story of Lot's wife. In all honesty, I thought her harsh judgement a bit unfair. I mean, her home and entire city were being destroyed by a miraculous display of God's mighty power and she couldn't just sneak a peek? I would be curious. I would want to look. I would want to see. Wouldn't you?

So I had to do some digging. And in my digging I realized that her punishment was not for sneaking a peek at God's mighty display of power. No, her punishment (and why it was so harsh) was because her heart and her devotion still lay in Sodom, not in God. 

Here is what David Guzik's commentary has to say:

"The word looked back has the connotation of looking intently. It might possibly be rendered lagged back, or maybe even returned back. In referring to the end times, Jesus uttered some almost cryptic words in Luke 17:3: Remember Lot's wife. In other words, no Christian should have a heart like Lot's wife as we see the end of the age, a heart that loves the world and will in some sense, regret the judgment God will bring on it. We need to look forward to our deliverance, not back at a world passing away and ripe for judgment."

Matthew Henry's commentary says this:

"She disobeyed an express command, and so sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, which ruined us all. Her looking back evinced an inclination to go back; and therefore our Savior uses it as a warning against apostasy from our Christian profession. we have all renounced the world and the flesh, and have set our faces heaven-ward; we are in the plain, upon our probation; and it is at our peril if we return into the interests we profess to have abandoned. She was struck dead in the place; yet her body did not fall down, but stood fixed and erect like a pillar, or monument... which would last perpetually."

It wasn't the look, it was the intent behind the look. At that moment, the look showed what was in her heart. Her punishment was immediate and she became a monument to her love for Sodom over God.

How does this relate to us today? Well, it reminds us that God knows the thoughts and intents of the heart. He knows where your true devotion lies. But it also reminds us not to look back. Don't look back on your former life, what God has called you out of. You're not going that way. You're going forward to what God has called you to be, where He has called you to go, to do what He intends for you to do. The story of Lot's wife is tragic (and really, the story of Lot's entire life is tragic), but it is a reminder to us all to guard our hearts, to set our sights on God and His plan, to follow Him and never look back. 

Page Details

I used clear gesso, Distress Oxides, stamps, and a Zig writer marker/pen to create this page. I first used two layers of clear gesso to protect the page and make the inks easier to blend. Once dried, I blended three different colors of Distress Oxides, splattered with water, dried, and then stamped my title. I journaled my notes, stamped the date, and added a bow paperclip and called it good. :)

Stamp sets used:

  

I pray you go into this new week not looking back, but looking forward to what God has planned for you. 

Much love in Christ, 

Janelle

@journalingjoy

God Already Knows

 For your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask Him. Matthew 6:8b

Hi Friends!

There seems to be no end to the chaos and craziness that is this world. I came across a song by JJ Heller called You Already Know (Click the song title to hear the song.) It was her response to Covid and the shut down last spring. And I related to so much of what she says in her song. 

Here are the lyrics:

Everything around me seems uncertain

My weary heart can't take much more surprise

I wish there was a point on the horizon

Something I could see with my own eyes

I need to tell You that I'm scared

I feel completely unprepared

And nothing's what it was two weeks ago

But You already know

You already know

Everything I'm scared of

Everything I hope

You hold my tomorrow

And all tomorrow holds

You already know

I can't seem to find the easy answers

Someday, I hope the suffering makes sense

I just need to know that You are with me

Even if You keep me in suspense

We talk so much these days

Because I have so much to say

You stay and listen to me closely even though

You already know

You already know

Everything I'm scared of

Everything I hope

You hold my tomorrow

And all tomorrow holds

You already know

Whatever I'm feeling

Whatever is coming

Whenever the ending

You're already there

You go before me

You go behind me

Wherever I'm going

You're already there

You already know

You already know

Everything I'm scared of

Everything I hope

You hold my tomorrow

And all tomorrow holds

You already know

You already know

God already knows, friend. Nothing that has happened, is happening, or will happen surprises Him (Ps 139:16.) He knows what we're scared of. He knows what we hope for. He knows what we are feeling (Ps 139:1-4.) He goes before us and behind us (Ps 139:5.) Wherever life takes us, God is already there. He holds our tomorrows and He holds us. I encourage you to read Psalm 139 in its entirety. It's a beautiful psalm that teaches that God knows us inside and out, better than we know ourselves. And Matthew 6;8 reminds us that He knows what we need before we ask Him. Take heart, friends, we may be living in unsteady times, but we have a steady God. If we stand in Him, we will stand firm.

Page details: I used the following Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps sets: Lollipop Alpha, Marker Alpha, All in All, and Delightful Daisies. I stamped some of the flowers on hymnal paper and cut them out. I used watercolor crayons for the background and lollipop letters.

He knows. And He has us in His hand. Take care, my friends! Andrea

Judge, Lawgiver and King

Hi friends,

Little did I know when I started creating this page earlier this week, that it would be so timely in the light of the events that have unfolded. I feel compelled to write what I am sharing today in the hope that it will challenge all of us, much like the prophet Isaiah challenged the people of Israel in his day. In Isaiah 33:22, the prophet declares, "For the LORD is our judge; the LORD is our lawgiver; the LORD is our king; he will save us." Let's look at these three roles/titles and think about how we should live in the light of this truth today.

Firstly, the Lord is our judge. It is important to remember that the Lord is the one who judges individual lives as well as governments and systems. This should be both sobering and comforting. We should live with the awareness that the Lord is the judge of ALL - not just the people or party we don't like or agree with. He alone knows the heart and motivations. He knows the difference between truth and falsehood. Where we are flawed in our discernment and deficient in our knowledge, he is perfect. So when he judges, he judges rightly. We also need to recognise that as Judge, he has put in place human institutions to carry out justice on the earth, and part of recognising God as the ultimate Judge means respecting the authorities he has instituted on earth (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:14), whether we like them or voted for them or not. Much like the prophets, we must speak out against injustice, but we must be careful about allowing our preferences to filter what we do and do not see and say.

Secondly, the Lord is our lawgiver. This follows on naturally from the Lord as Judge because he can perfectly judge according to his perfect law. When I was creating this page, one of the last things I did was add the heart stickers, and their placement was aesthetic rather than anything related to the scripture. But when I took these photos, I noticed the place of the heart next to 'the Lord is our lawgiver' and was reminded of the most important law that God has given us: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, and love your neighbor as you love yourself. (Matthew 22:37-40; Mark 12:30-31; Luke 10:27-28). This made me wonder whether we have forsaken this law - the royal law of love (James 2:8) - because of other laws that we have become worried or obsessed about. What if we lived each day in the knowledge that as our Judge and Lawgiver, the Lord says that the most important law is to love God and love our neighbor. How would that change the way we interact with others, particularly those we disagree with? How would that change the way we evaluate the fruit on display in our leaders? How would that change our approach to voting, and to either victory or defeat?

Finally, the Lord is our King. This is true no matter who is in government, and it no more or less true depending on who is president, prime minister, senator, minister, or earthly king. Our hope should not be in our earthly, human, fallen leaders but in the Lord who is our King. He is the King of the universe, and invites us to be a part of his kingdom which is not a political realm or a country. Our King showed that the way to use power is not to grab or grip onto it, not to demand or seize it, but to lay it down in service of others, humbling himself even to the point of death on a cross. Yes, this is our King: King Jesus. When we follow him and pledge allegiance to him as Lord and King, we take our eyes off earthly kingdoms, we refuse to put our hope in political leaders or policies, and we choose not to participate in the party politics of a broken, human system. Yes, we can vote, prayerfully discerning which party or person we believe according to Scripture will be faithful in carrying out justice, and leading by example, but we can't put our hope in the outcome. Jesus is the King above all kings, the Lord above all lords, the name above all names, and he will not be co-opted into a political party. He stands ABOVE.

Let's live like this is true.

I used some patterned paper in the margin, and created a background with acrylic paints to blend together with the paper. I used a number of stamp sets on this page: The Lord's Battle, His Name, Skinny Lowercase Alpha, All of Me Alpha, Texture Tiles 5, and Faith Wordfetti. 

Lord, please forgive us for when we have placed our hope in human leaders or systems instead of in you. Please forgive us for allowing the frenzy of politics to inhibit our love of our neighbor. Please forgive us when our submission to and prayer for our leaders has been conditioned by our preference. Please help us to live faithfully under your lordship as Judge, Lawgiver and King.

Amen.

Be blessed...

x Amy x

All Things New

 "And He who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' Also He said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'” (Revelation 2:5)

We've had one week of 2021 now. We all hoped that 2020 was behind us, and that 2021 would bring some normalcy back. But this year is already starting with craziness and chaos. The events of this week have pushed back any idea that life would get back to normal. But God never promised us "normal" and problem-free living. He only promised to be with us in whatever we face. When life is too normal, we get too comfortable and complacent. I don't know about you, but 2020 taught me to keep more focused on things above, because things of this world were just too depressing and worrisome.

Revelation 2:5 promises us that God is making all things new, even if 2021 isn't the answer, and of course it isn't. The Bible tells us that this world will only get more challenging as we suffer its sin-sick consequences, and expectantly wait for the Second Coming.  But that day is coming, and THEN He will make all things new. No more Covid-19, no more masks, no more sickness and death. No more political division, no more social and financial instability, and no more racial unrest.  God will make a perfectly problem-free world where we can dwell with Him forever. Until that time, though, we must hold to His promises and His gain strength from His word.  

I created this page while I was at a camp with my family for the New Year's weekend.  Getting back to nature is always restorative and renewing for me, and that's just what this time away provided for me.  Camp Kulaqua is in north Florida, and the weather was typical Florida-winter mild.  The leaves crunched under my feet as I walked outside in the woods.  On two separate occasions, I saw a group of seven young deer. Their spotted backs and small size spoke of a newness and innocence.  How trusting these sweet fawn were as they eyed me from behind the trees.  

Like these younglings represent, we will soon enough see the newness and rebirth of life on this earth.  I pray daily for His soon return, and for the hearts of those who yet need to be reached.  

For this page, I used the fun, new Lollipop Alpha stamp set.  I also used Fur-ever Friends which includes this fawn image.  I masked the deer and the leaves so the image lines didn't intersect, thereby creating a more realistic and uniform picture.  I colored everything with watercolor pencils and then blended them with a wet paint brush.  I finished with a simply drawn border, washi tape, a tab, and splatters.

You can check out how this page came together in a process video over on my YouTube channel or by clicking the video link below.  The products I used are linked below the video (some are affiliate links).  

https://youtu.be/HGDPFFe8jyA

Fur-ever Friends

Lollipop Alpha

Products Used:

Watercolor Pencils

ESV Interleaved Bible

Tonic Studios Glass Media Mat (SBC) or Amazon

Water Brushes:

(Scrapbook.com)

(Adornit)

Versafine Onyx Black Ink

Stamp Shammy Cleaner

Heat Tool

Illustrating Bible Mat

Clear Acrylic Blocks

Precision Pens

Signo Uni-ball White Gel Pen

Craft Scissors SBC or Amazon

Illustrated Faith Date Stamp

Tab Punch SBC or Amazon

Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher (Mini-Stapler) SBC or Amazon

Illustrated Faith Watercolor Paint set

Signo Uni-ball White Gel Pen

Pitt Big Brush Pens (White #101)

Washi tape from stash

Unseen Blessings

 

I have a confession to make, I have been in a creative funk lately. Ever been in one of those? Well maybe not creatively but we all find ourselves in a funk now and again, where we have just seemed to lose our motivation or inspiration for a little while. I don't know if it's been the busy of the Christmas season or what, but I've been struggling to get it back.

But what I have found helps is just sitting down with some paint and stamps and just play! I wasn't sure where I was going with this when I started, but I put on my worship music and just started playing. While I was scraping paint on a piece of yardstick in this binder clip junk journal I created a few months ago, this song "Blessings You Can't See" came on. 

It got me thinking as I continued journaling. Just think of ALL the things that have been blessings in our lives that we don't even know about! Most people try to count their blessings especially when you're in a hard time and trying to remain grateful. But what about all the quiet unseen blessings we don't even know about?!

I know one thing I am really grateful for the unanswered prayers I said in high school! Back when I thought I knew what I was doing and what was best for me. But those unanswered prayers turned out to be blessings. I didn't know what I needed, but God did. And he strategically removed people from my life to protect my future. 

And how about all the things that never happened to you but COULD have?! For example, I was stopped at a traffic light one afternoon after getting lunch with my kids. The light turned green but I hadn't moved yet because I was checking to make sure I didn't leave my wallet behind. By the time I looked up and saw the light had turned green, a truck came barreling through the red light right in front of us. Had I not stopped to check my purse, our car would have been in the intersection when that truck ran a red light, and either smashed into my door or my daughters. It took a moment to sink in, but I realized what COULD have happened!! A huge blessing that I almost didn't notice. I have no doubt God put that thought in my head that caused me to pause at that light before going. It could have changed our lives forever!

So when you count your blessings at night, try to not forget about the quiet unseen blessings. God is always working behind the curtain. His hand is in everything.

xoxo,

Stephanie Gammon

@faith.and.creativity

Lollipop Alpha

Made New

With Love Alpha

Mini Grunge Type Alpha

Flee to Christ

Hello, sweet souls!
This has been an interesting time of new resolutions, or perhaps just a wonderful time of resolute faithfulness in the church body. 
All around me and in me, more and more hearts are seeking to redefine who we are and determine to follow Christ, in context of the Gospel.  This is AMAZING, and we should be encouraged!

How the Lord has been gracious to help us see a bit more clearly the fervor under which our faith must be established! Christ the Lord has mercifully guided and lovingly opened the eyes of us who - for a time - shut ourselves into complacency and ritualism, daily motions and routines. 
Praise be to God, for in Christ, we have all we need, not the least of which is the continual outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  But by this Spirit, our faith has been tried, tested, purified.  God, in His wisdom, continues to call us out of stagnant religiosity into brilliant work for His glory!

2020 marks nothing less than a Refiner's fire to bring us as a church back - jerk us awake - to the reality of what is truly important and what is truly at stake.  It's a merciful call from God when we go through trials of various kinds.  A call to repentance, to returning, and resolving to continually flee to Him as our sole salvation, sole refuge, and soul rest.

15  For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel,
“In returning[c] and rest you shall be saved;
    in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
But you were unwilling, 16 and you said,
“No! We will flee upon horses”;
    therefore you shall flee away;
and, “We will ride upon swift steeds”;
    therefore your pursuers shall be swift.
17 A thousand shall flee at the threat of one;
    at the threat of five you shall flee,
till you are left
    like a flagstaff on the top of a mountain,
    like a signal on a hill.

18 Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you,
    and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
    blessed are all those who wait for him.

Studying Isaiah has been an eye-opener as it stands timeless with what is happening today.  The remarkable similarities between the outcry of said prophet and the status of our world are no question: we are most certainly living in perilous and indicative times. These are times of labor, as the Scripture puts it, which have steadily grown more intense and more frequent as we prepare for the triumphal entry of our King Jesus!  Oh LORD, come quickly! The coming of our Lord Christ is pending! 
To what - to whom - are we fleeing? 
Who will hide us in the day of judgment and the fury of God's wrath? Can we depend on our health?  Our wealth?  Our intellect?  Our religiosity?  Our strength?  What about our power?  Our connections?  Our status?  In the day of Christ's return, will we truly find solace and peace in any of these?

My page today does not reflect as much of an artistic process as it does a personal, spiritual process.  I didn't use anything more than an alpha stamp set to illustrate the attitude of Isaiah.  For this time, it suffices to say that there is something a bit more urgent than modeling a watercolor technique or honing a blending style - the eternity of all who have not yet fled to the immovable, steadfast, gracious positioning of our Lord Jesus.
Personal insert:
It moves me to tears watching my father succumb to colon cancer.  As we look on the slow decay, we are reminded of the inevitability of the separation of body and soul.  It's coming, though slowly, and one day he too will bear the curse of death on mankind.  But the heart-wrenching pain in my heart is that of his soul which has not yet hurried to the safety and security of His Savior.  The One who bled and died for him is patiently waiting, beckoning, "Come."  My father's life, marked by self-reliance, self-idolatry, self-motivated ambition, self-sustenance, is not yet covered by the "I AM" who is all-sufficient in life and godliness, under whose banner we all must flee for our very lives.  
But this slow and gruesome cancerous process has also awakened me to a far bigger plan and purpose of being a child of God, saved by grace.  

Matters of true importance - above elections, above pandemics, above sexual orientation controversy, above social status and degrees, follows and shares - are the eternal welfare of each person that continues in darkness though the Light has come.  My neighbors, my friends, colleagues, family...
Nobody wants to talk of judgment - least of all, me! - but this is what happens when Christ comes to cleanse the world of all evil for the final time, and replace it with a people and kingdom of eternal glory.  
Nobody wants to speak of MORE pain - least of all, me! - but it is sure to happen as God continues to purify a people for Himself, the perfect Groom.
Nobody wants to speak of hell, fire and brimstone - least of all, me! - but isn't it the place of finality for those we love who haven't yet seen, heard, or experienced Christ in us?

Continue sisters (and brothers), to look outside the home and Christian "bubble" to those on the outside of the family of Christ.  Continue to avoid blending personal pursuits with your walk in Christ, that your witness may have its full efficacy! Continue to resolve to know "Christ crucified" and only Him, for it is in Him that we live and have our being.  Continue to resolve to love God and love people, for He died not only for our sins, but that of the entire world!  Continue to speak the Good News of Great Joy to all people though it may seem unpopular, uninvited, unfamiliar, or unfriendly.  We don't know the soul God is drawing to Himself; far be it from us to withhold His light!

At all costs, flee to Christ.
At all costs, show others the way to, the need to, the urgency to, and the blessing to fleeing to this ultimate, overall Rock of Salvation.

"Rock of ages cleft for me let me hide myself in Thee
Let the water and the blood from Thy wounded side which fload
Thee of sin the double cure save from raft and make me pure
Let me hide myself in Thee!"
(Rock of Ages, Augustus Montague Toplady)

Much love and hope,
Deeds

Sing Praises

 

I have slowly been studying the book of Psalms using my Max Lucado Encouraging Word Bible and Matthew Henry Commentary (from my Blue Letter Bible app). If you care to see my comments and personal notes, I've included them below. 🙂

The Psalms are replete with joyful praise to the Lord, but the key theme of Psalm 95-100 is singing praises to God. ♪

"Oh come, let us sing to the Lord!

Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;

Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms."

Psalm 95:1-2

"Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!

Sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Sing to the Lord, bless His name;

Proclaim the good news of His

salvation from day to day.

Declare His glory among the nations,

His wonders among all peoples."

Psalm 96:1-2

"The Lord reigns;

Let the earth rejoice;

Let the multitude of isles be glad!"

Psalm 97:1

"Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!

For He has done marvelous things:

His right hand and His holy arm have

gained Him the victory."

Psalm 98:1

"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all you lands!

Serve the Lord with gladness;

Come before His presence with singing."

Psalm 100:1

Praising God is so important, but not just when things are going well - even when they aren't. When God puts a new heart in our chest, He also puts a new song in our mouth. If all creation rejoices, why can't we? Short answer: WE CAN! And we should. God has given us so much to praise Him for, let's praise His name together! 🙌

  

  

Page Details

My art page turned into a little explosion of color and music notes! I didn't plan it that way, but it sure turned out that way 😀 I used the Texture Tiles 7 for the music notes background, and Lollipop Alpha for the page title. I had originally stamped the title directly on the page, but decided that I needed some dimension, so stamped with words on cardstock, fussy cut each letter, and stuck it on the page using foam mounts. I watercolored the pink/purple background, and used the Background Builders: Stripes for the thick border lines. I then added some purple splatters and called it good. 

Here are the stamp sets used: 

   

  

Let's join together in praising the Lord this week 🎵

In Christ, 

Janelle

@journalingjoy