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Documented Faith Friday on a Thursday

I say, why wait?? Hello Documented Faith Friday on a Thursday.

In addition to the verse for week 34, I have a video and a giveaway for you.  I am going to be sharing more and more about how I am using the Documented Faith binder as a place to "inventory" all of the "light bulb" moments, things I have highlighted, sermon note quotes and add a doodle here and there.  I have said it before and will continue to say "I have to write things down or I forget them" and this is important stuff. In addition to writing it down, I have to keep it all together in one place instead of in this pile and that stack...You picking up what I am putting down???

 

If you ask me, the Documented Faith Binder is pretty perfect for this BUT of course, you can use your own system, planner, journal etc. The most important thing is that MAKE/TAKE time to do it.

 

Also, thank you to those who signed up last week for the September "When Art & Faith Collide" online workshop. Registration is always open and once the class begins, the content is yours for the rest of your entire life..and it is only 25.00.

 

This class DOES NOT REPLACE the weekly verse. Nothing changes with the monthly words and/or verses and I am NOT going to start charging you $25.00 for them.  I am not sure what I said to make some think that, but it is not the case. The monthly online workshop is simply an online class that will have three projects with instructions, patterns, print outs and some blah blah blah from me. If you are interested in reading more about it, just click here.

 

Week 34 8/20-8/26

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10 NIV

Notes: Believing in this verse will provide peace of mind.  We need not fear because:

1. God is with us (I am with you)
2. God has established a relationship with us (I am your God)
3. God gives us assurance of His strength, help and victory over sin and death.

To download and print out the weeks verse, Download Week 34

Like I mentioned above, I am going to start sharing more about the WHY and HOW I document my faith here and also via the weekly Documented Faith Newsletter. (If you don't get the weekly verse via email, you can register here)  My hope is that  it will encourage and inspire you to start, re-start and/or start again in Documenting your faith and to remind yourself that there is no right or wrong way to create, express, document, illustrate or journal your faith and beliefs.  The important thing is that you do it. 

I set aside time each morning for my prayers, “quiet time”  and to work in whatever Bible study I am doing.  During that time, something will jump out at me or “dawn on me” which will cause me to write it down or highlight it.  THOSE things, my notes and highlighted thoughts, quotes and verses are what I document. 

Here is an example:

I am currently doing the Finding I AM Bible Study by Lysa Turkuerst.  On a particular day, it talked about ASKING God to shed light on situations.  I highlighted several excerpts from the lesson and noticed the “ASK” kept coming up. I knew that I wanted to remember those things because I continued to highlight the words. Once I was finished with the reading and questions part of that daily lesson, I went to my NIV Study Bible and read the notes on the verses that were being referenced. I have a page in my Documented Faith Binder with a tab marked ASK so that is when I took the highlighted quotes from the lesson, the thoughts from the NIV Bible and re-wrote them/doodled them on the page in my binder.

This is just one way of documenting my faith and it is pretty simple.  If something dawns on you, speaks to you or jumps out at you, pay attention to it. For me, I need to write it down so that I can remember it (especially when I forget to remember it.)

Documented Faith Friday

The Documented Faith Week 24 verse is from 2 Peter 3:18 NIV

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever.” 2 Peter 3:18 NIV

NIV Notes:

We are urges by Peter to grow in grace and knowledge.  To get to know Jesus better and better. No matter where we are in our spiritual journey, no matter how mature we are in our faith, the  sinful world will always challenge our faith. We all have room for growth. If each day we find a way to draw closer to God, we will be growing our roots deeper and will be prepared to stand for truth in any and all circumstances.

To download this weeks verse, message and printable, click here:  Download Week 24

IMPORTANT: The ETSY shoppe will be closed June 19 through August 1st so if you have been wanting to order a binder, online class, etc. now is the time to do it.  THIS WEEKEND ONLY, I have a discount code for you to use on your purchase. Use TAKE20OFF to get 20% off of your purchase now through 6/ 12/2017.

and without further ado, I present you this:

 

 

Documented Faith Week 23 & A New Word

It is week 23 for Documented Faith, and if you do not know what that means, you can read last weeks post here.  With a new month, comes a new focus word and it is no coincidence that GROW comes right after TRUST.  

That is the way God plans things and we don't get to understand it until it happens, duh.  As much as I am the leader in this whole Documented Faith journey, I am more of a follower with all of you because we are following Jesus, duh. 

I am starting to experience what I call "growth indicators" and as they happen, I write them down. It is like when something "dawns on you" and usually, for me, that is God talkin.  I feel it is important to document these things because if you are 48ish like me or older, we tend to forget a lot and these are important things.  I am going to share my recent growth indicator as an example.

1.  I have been praying that I can see myself the way God see's me.
2. In April and May I had the sinus infection that would not stop and went to the doctor. 
3. When they called me in, they weighed me.
4. WHY do they have to do that, really?!?
5. The number on the scale was different than I had expected and they probably need to get that scale calibrated or just run over it with steam roller.
6. I walked into the room in a blur from that number.
7. I knew I had not been to the Dr. in a year, so I asked the nurse if she had my weight from the previous visit and she told me the number.
8. It was 13 pounds more.
9. I didn't internally freak out, I didn't cry and I didn't react.  Yes, I was a little stunned because come on, THIRTEEN pounds?????

The 9 things above indicated to me that I am growing and that I am beginning to see myself differently.  It is the beginning to the answer of my prayer and I want to retain that, write it down and remember that.

I hope you understand what I am talking, well typing, about. I have a hunch you might. 

Alright, this weeks verse, message and a little creative challenge can be downloaded here:  Download Week 23

Documented Faith Week 22 & TRUST

Who am I and what is all of this blogging about???? I don't know but I am just going to ride the blogging wave and keep paddling.

So while I still have to share about my most recent trip to Seattle, I needed to get up to speed with Documented Faith. It is week 22 and if you do not know what that means,I will give you the basic run down:

1. Each month of the year we (The Documented Faith community) focus on one word.  May 2017 is TRUST.
2. Each week, I send out an email to those who have subscribed to the DF Weekly newsletter with a verse that applies to the focus word.
3. What you do with that is totally up to you.  My purpose is to get you a verse to read and reflect on. Some doodle the verse and/or the word in their existing planner, DF Binder, Post-it Note, etc.  It is totally up to you.  If you would like to register for the weekly email, you can click here.  It is as simple as that.  IF you do not want another email landing in your inbox, you can get the same info right here, each week.

To download this weeks verse, message and little writing challenge, click here:  Download Week 22

Documented Faith Friday..On a Wednesday

Hello Week 18 almost..I am headed out of town therefore this is coming to you a bit early.  In addition to the weekly DF post, I decided to include my IG photos from the past week to keep you visually inspired. Let's start with the visual because that is always way more fun than just reading.

It is crazy how one thing leads to another and this is a good example:

I started adding stitches to the piece of muslin that I stamped my hand carved stamp onto from my "When Art & Faith Collide Online Workshop: CREATE"

I am just about finished reading the book "Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl" by Lysa Tuerkerst and highlighted this reminder from page 164 then re-wrote it in my DF Binder.

I am headed to Ponca, Arkansas to attend and teach a little stitching at Sister Camp and this was the lovely calm before the kitting storm of stitching supplies..

I loved taking some creative fun time to print out, trim, add washi tape, punch holes and add these little Daily Five sheets into my binder.  They really do help me stay accountable to the 5 things I must do daily to stay aligned and focused. 

Like I mentioned, they help me stay on task and well if the Washi tape matches what you are eating, then you take a picture of it and you post it, duh.

Okay, onto this weeks Documented Faith verse. 

Week 18 4/30-5/6

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your words are wonderful, I know full well” Psalm 139:13-14

 Notes from the NIV Study Bible:

God’s character goes into the creation of every person.  When you have feelings of worthlessness, remember that God’s spirit is ready and willing to work within you. We should have as much respect for ourselves and He has for us.

To download this weeks Message, verse and printable, click here: 

Documented Faith Week 18

 

To watch this weeks process video, click the screen below:

 

Why I Document My Faith

On March 6th, I posted this on social media streams

  without knowing anything except for the feeling.  I have felt "shifts" happening in the past but I don't think I have actually announced them out loud.  For some reason, with this one, I thought I should.  

Okay, rewind back at least 2, maybe three years.

I have been hearing a loud whisper saying "use what you have" and I have honestly been practicing it myself and passing it along, encouraging and reminding you, fellow friends, followers, pinners, posters and readers to in fact, #usewhatyouhave.  I thought that I was practicing, encouraging and inspiring myself and others to, again, #usewhatyouhave when it came to our scraps, stash and unused inventory of stuff i.e. paper, paint, fabric, felt, ink, etc. because we all got too much junk. (remember, I use the word junk in a good way)

Now fast forward back up to a few days ago when I finished reading an AMAZING book called The Hope Quotient by Ray Johnston.  He is the Pastor of Bayside Church in Northern California and he recently visited Saddleback.  (you can watch his sermon here. p.s.print out the sermon notes and grab a pen.) After finishing the book, I went back through it and reread all of the areas that I had highlighted (I highlighted a lot) and came across this: 

"The greatest thing about discovering and developing your gifts is that it frees you to be yourself.  When you find and use your gifts, you will be encouraged to trust God for what is next"

woah.

wait.

#use what I have

my gifts, skills and abilities...

DUH.

I mean, I know this but maybe it is not just about using up all my junk...it is about using MY JUNK. The junk HE gave me and please remember, I am using the word junk in the most kind way. (not like junk as in junkyard or junk mail)

and my shift!?!

Maybe this is part of my shift. 

This is what I call a light bulb moment and it is how God talks to me (besides when I am running or in the shower and have no way to write it down.) When things start to connect, a "light" turns on and/or something "dawns on me" it is really important for me to WRITE IT DOWN so that I remember it because guaranteed, I will forget it and I know that I will need it in the future for myself and quite possibly as a reminder for someone who might already know, but forgot to remember (that is you)

THIS is why I document my faith.  

Love Is..

"Love is more important than anything else.  It is what ties everything together...."If that popped phrase popped out of a fortune cookie, many would read it, be encouraged by it, agree or disagree with it and might even believe it but here is the good news..the end of it reads: Colossians 3:14 CEV which means it comes from the Bible which also means it is true.  Love binds the virtues of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience TOGETHER.  We need to remember that we cannot do one without the other.

To download this weeks Documented Faith verse and PDF, click here:  Download Week 7

Documented Faith Week Five in 2017

If you are following along with Documented Faith then you know that there is one focus word per month along with verses for each week that coordinate with the verse.  You can get the weekly verses right here  and they are posted once a week, usually late Friday or Saturday morning.  

Each month of the year we also focus on a specific word.  The first word for 2017 is MOVE.

Along with the Facebook group postings, emails, and Documented Faith page posts, I am also going to post right here where you are reading, about how I document and/or illustrated the weeks verse as inspiration and encouragement for you.  How YOU documented your faith is totally up to you and is PERSONAL so please do not ever feel that you have to do it and then post it to Facebook, put a hashtag on it on Instagram or anything else for that matter.  However you want to do it is your decision...which goes for me as well.  

This gives us freedom to sometimes be in the margin of a Journaling Bible, on a sheet of paper that I may add into my existing planner system, a little something jotted on a PostIt ( I LOVE post-it notes) and/or some weeks on 3 x 5 cards. There is no wrong or right way to document or illustrate your faith. The important thing is that you do it and that you work on creating a habit of doing it. 

Here is the verse for week five of 2017: 

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye on you" Ps. 32:8

Note to Self: Before we can move forward, we may have to let go of something we've been doing awhile. God nudges us outside of our comfort zone to encourage and remind us to rely on Him.  When we are feeling stretched and uncomfortable and possibly even experiencing a sense of anxiety, we must trust that He is leading us along the best path for our lives.

This week I wrote/doodled/lettered the reminder on a separate sheet of paper and used washi tape to add it into my Journaling Bible. If you would like to download the art to add some details, doodles and shadows, click here:  Download Weekfiveprintable

 

If you are not already getting my weekly Documented Faith email, please consider registering so that I can share all of the things that are going on in the Documented Faith community as well as share with you the release of the brand new 2017 DF Binder (due to start shipping very soon!)

 

Documented Faith Week Four

If you are following along with Documented Faith then you know that there is one focus word per month along with verses for each week that coordinate with the verse.  You can get the weekly verses right here  and they are posted once a week, usually late Friday or Saturday morning.  

Each month of the year we also focus on a specific word.  The first word for 2017 is MOVE.

Along with the Facebook group postings, emails, and Documented Faith page posts, I am also going to post right here where you are reading, about how I document and/or illustrated the weeks verse as inspiration and encouragement for you.  How YOU documented your faith is totally up to you and is PERSONAL so please do not ever feel that you have to do it and then post it to Facebook, put a hashtag on it on Instagram or anything else for that matter.  However you want to do it is your decision...which goes for me as well.  

This gives us freedom to sometimes be in the margin of a Journaling Bible, on a sheet of paper that I may add into my existing planner system, a little something jotted on a PostIt ( I LOVE post-it notes) and/or some weeks on 3 x 5 cards. There is no wrong or right way to document or illustrate your faith. The important thing is that you do it and that you work on creating a habit of doing it. 

Here is the verse for week four of 2017: 

 

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:7-9 NIV

 

Note To Self: Carrying all of your worries, stress and daily struggles by yourself shows that you have not trusted God fully with your life. Letting God have your anxieties calls for action.  Do not submit to circumstances but to the Lord who controls them.

 

To print out the black and white doodle of this weeks verse, click here:  Download Weekfour1peter57