What's In My Bible? Following The Story!

At our church we are embarking on a 31 session curriculum called  "The Story", an innovative bible that presents scripture as a continuous narrative in chronological order. I am posting some of my journaling pages from our studies and comments from the author. Read more about the 31 week curriculum HERE.

ABRAHAM AND SARAH

Abraham and Sarah chose to follow God by faith and trust that He would build a nation through them, and He did!

As we are swept into the story of Abram and Sarai we begin to believe that God can use anyone and we are filled with hope because we realize that God can do great things through anyone...including us!

God calls each of His children, at various times, to follow him in ways that are risky and demand faith. Pray for strength to make the next step of faith that God is calling you to take.

Thank God for the older people he has placed in your life who've been a model of faith for you.

JOSEPH

Joseph could have retaliated and gotten revenge on his brothers for all the wrong they had done to him. Instead, he provided for them and extended forgiveness. Forgiveness is one of life's hardest actions. When someone has really hurt us, it is extremely difficult to forgive. We pray for courage and strength that we need to forgive those who have wronged us and we ask God to help us understand the depth of His grace so that we can extend that grace to others. 

MOSES

While God saw Moses as the perfect person to face Pharaoh and speak the word of the Lord to the leader of Egypt, Moses did not see it that way! We all have our "I could never"and "I hope God never asks me to..." moments. Commit to follow God as best you can, no matter what he calls you to do. Thank God that he uses ordinary and even broken people to accomplish His purpose in this world. Ask God to help you see yourself through His eyes more than your own eyes.

Part of faith is taking action. Surrender to the leading of the Lord, but also take action.

Journaling Supplies

I use a mix of various of art mediums to illustrate the scriptures. I am more of a project life kind of gal so some pages are painted , while some have many different layers to them. Some supplies are high end such as the Faber-Castell Artist Pen (worth the money because I use my study bible with very thin rice paper pages and these pens do not bleed through.)

Others are art supplies found at Target and my local craft store.

Used for these pages are:

Acrylic Paints from Target

Golden Rod, Brick and Orange

Water Color Gel Crayons from Target applied with a water brush.

Yellow and Gray Gelatos ( I use my Hobby Lobby 40% phone app coupon to purchase when they are not on sale.)

Assorted stamps from various craft stores.

Staz-On Black Stamp Pad

Washi Tape - I have purchased all of my collection from 

The Dollar Tree.

Alph Stickers

I use the worship folder from church a lot. Hymns and prayers that go along with the scripture. 

Cardstock and tags.

On the Joseph page I used the credit card paint method of applying a dab of paint on the end of the card and swiped on the page. I thought this effect looked like pieces of fabric. I used card stock, crayons and washi tape to make the paper coat.

I always date my pages and mark them with a top tab or a book mark .

On the Moses page I wanted to use the colors of fire from the burning bush. I applied the color using water color crayons and a water brush. Just enough water to blend the colors .

On all of these pages, the words of My God, are still visible and can be read.

To read more about illustrating the scriptures take a look at the Illustrated Faith tab at the top of this page. I have included pages from my power point presentation about Bible Journaling.

31 Days of Prayers For Your Family ~ A Legacy of Faith

My Little Box of Prayers

God has given grandparents a sacred trust, an opportunity to imprint another generation with His love and faithfulness .

Today is Nat'l Grandparents Day! Grandchildren are sweet precious gifts from God. They are our future.
Join me in being a praying Grandparent. Let us spend time today and every day praying for our grandchildren and their parents.
We live in the midst of a busy and evil environment filled with spiritual battles. It is important that we pray God will give parents of our grandchildren wisdom and time management in their monumental task of guiding our grandchildren in the ways of the Lord.
So what do we do when we live in a culture of spiritual, social and moral decline? WE PRAY!
I encourage you to start your own Grandparents at Prayer group. Learn how here.

Make your own monthly prayer calendar. A visual reminder of the call of prayer.

I completed 7 days worth of prayer cards today using two wonderful resources for my inspiration. You will find those below.

My goal is to fill my little drawer with prayer cards for each day of the month. Each day, I will place the prayer card for that day in my little angel card holder...this is actually one of those photo holders but works great to hold the prayer card.

Be intentional with your prayers.Look for ways to share the Gospel. Leave a legacy of faith.

My hope is that my little box of prayers will be passed on to others ....who pray!

I used large jumbo kids playing cards rather than taking the time to cut out cards. They are the perfect size and weigh for this project.
I covered each one with left over scrapbook paper that I had.

Here are the 7 completed prayer cards for week 1.
I used distressed ink to color over the text and then I gently tore them apart.
As you can see I am using hearts and flowers on each card....a reminder of God's love and spiritual growth.

You could choose to turn your prayer cards into a flip ring.
 See this project here.

Here is another version of the prayer flip ring.
Visit this site for the pdf instructions and prayers to print and use in your project. There is a video you can view as well.
Families in Faith
and
Revive our Hearts  Click on the resources tab and then the 30 day challenge.

View my Pinterest board for more Faith in The Family projects.
Follow Belinda's board Faith in the Family on Pinterest.

Be part of a community of prayer grandparents
Visit The GRANDparent Page on Facebook

Kiss and Make Up with Forgiveness

So today is National Kiss & Make Up Day!

Some thoughts on this:
Did you lose your temper with your spouse or children today. How about that co worker or friend?

It is the beginning of a new school year and the stress meters for families are climbing to the top and we often find ourselves quick to anger, we are tired and we are pre-occupied with worries . Our mouths pop open and here they come...those words that we wish we could take back.
We can't take them back but we CAN ask for forgiveness.

All we have to do is take the time to say," you know that person who said those hurtful words, that's me when I let sin get the better of me, please forgive me"!

The wonderful thing about forgiveness.....whether we are asking of it or giving it...we are showing love for that person. What a great gift to give to our spouses, our children , co-workers and our friends. It is a an opportunity to show that with God's grace he gives us do-overs, another chance to get it right. Our God is a God of second chances.

Mother Theresa writes about forgiveness: If we really want to love, we must first learn to forgive.

Love and Forgiveness go together like peanut butter and jelly, cake and ice cream, biscuits and butter iced tea and lemon, chicken and dumplings.....you get the picture!

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted , forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you.
 Ephesians 4:32

Feel free to print this journal card and place it in your bible, marking your favorite scripture about Forgiveness.

You can scale this print to 8x10 size and smaller. Visit Doodle Art Alley for more coloring/doodle pages.

Be Happy! Be Healthy! Be Forgiving!

~ BeeBee~

Be A Blessing To Those Who Need A Blessing

Be a Blessings to those who need a Blessing!

 This was our theme for a recent Faith in the Family workshop held at my church. Families gathered together and put together Blessing Bags and Blessing Baskets.

 The Blessing Baskets are filled with items for those folks that find themselves in hospital waiting areas and do not want to leave or can't leave to get snacks. Many times young children are around and need something to eat. Sometimes they are there overnight and do not have a toothbrush to freshen up.

Consider Same Day Surgery Waiting areas
Intensive Care Waiting areas
Birthing Waiting areas
Hospice Waiting areas

We included:
Notepads/Pens
Lotion
Soap
Shampoo/Conditioner
Toothbrush/Toothpaste
Cookies
Crackers
Applesauce

Included in both the Blessing Baskets and The Blessing Bags are Blessing Cards.

The children enjoyed coloring the Blessing Cards and adding stickers to them. We put 4 on a split ring . They each wrote their name on the I am Praying For You card. We talked about that when someone reads the card they would see our names and know that we have prayed for them. Sometimes when you think you have nothing else..there is always prayer.

The Blessing Bags are for those folks who we see standing on the street corner that are asking for help.

These bags are kept in our vehicles. When we are out and about and we see them, The Blessing Bag is for them.

We included in a Gallon Ziplock Bag:

Socks

Water Bottle

Soap

Peanuts

Canned Protein ( easy open tops)

Beef Jerkey

Apple Sauce

Crackers

Cookies

Blessing Cards Ring

Even though we were working to be a Blessing to others , we were being Blessed in the process.

One family shared that their teenage boy wanted to drive around that day and find someone to give the bag to. His parents convinced him that an opportunity would arise without searching for one . The next day they were out and about and saw someone asking for help, but the other sibling was not with them to be part of giving the bag. They decided to go ahead and share the bag but go and buy supplies to make more bags....34 more Blessing Bags!

She shared this great idea of including her neighbors. Here is part of her e-mail she shared:

Our family went through our neighborhood delivering Blessing Bags and explaining  their purpose. The neighbors were at first shocked because usually the only times my kids are at their door is to sell them something. Several even asked how much they cost. We were happy to explain that they were free, our blessing to them, we just asked that they pass the blessing on to someone in need. Two neighbors ( men) teared up and smiled from ear to ear. A couple seemed bewildered but accepted the bags. One wife called last night to express her appreciation. I tell you this not to brag but to share how your blessing blessed us and how in turn I hope we have blessed others. Thank you for this opportunity to connect to our neighbors and share Christ's love.

So friends...God connects the dots for us and uses us in ways that we may not think of ourselves. Connecting others sharing the Love of Jesus.

Consider making your own Blessing Baskets and Blessing Bags.

Be a Blessing to those who need a Blessing!

If you would like copies of the Blessing Cards  e-mail me at Bost _b@yahoo.com

I would be blessed to share them with you.

Tending The Flame 2015 Reflections

Study Bible, Bible Study Journal, Legacy of Faith Journal, Daily Devotional and the Little Pink Book of  Scriptures and Prayers. I find God there. 

I just returned from a great inspirational conference where I had the awesome opportunity of sharing my version of Bible Journaling ~ Finding God,  with some pretty special men and women who came from our Southeastern District States to attend the Summer Outreach Conference, Tending The Flame.

Some highlights that were meaningful to me:

 *Visual Prayer
It is visual because you are seeing your prayers.
Meditative because you revisit your prayers.
It is a process not a product.
A picture of how the Holy Spirit has moved your heart.

Resources to consider:

Praying In Color: Drawing a new path to God by Sybil McBeth

Why Pray? by John DeVries

Found at Amazon. Available in hard/soft cover and Kindle edition.

* Tell Your Story 
We all have a story of how God has worked in our lives.
Tell it! Share it! To our neighbors and our friends.

* The Good Shepherd 
The Good Shepherd is calling us to have FIRE IN OUR BELLY for those who are lost and without Jesus. We love them. We pray for them!

* A Different Lens For Viewing

Take a look at the world through the lens of the cross, See others with this finder.

*Reflections

Even in my last minute preparations, God was still connecting the dots for me!

My daily devotion form Guideposts pops up as I am preparing resource packets. This was the perfect opening prayer/devotion that I was needing for the first day. Pablo Diaz reminds us that just like our physical bodies need to stay hydrated, so does our Spirit! Psalm 42:1 states "As the deer pants for streams of water so my soul pants for you, O God". I hydrate my Spirit with Bible Journaling. Using the gifts of creativity to glorify Him. I find God ...In my Journals.

*To Follow Up:

View my Pinterest Bible Journaling Boards for Inspiration

Follow Belinda's board journal ideas on Pinterest.

During the workshops I gave away several of these mini New Testaments as gifts. The company that I  originally ordered from have sold out of these little gems already but I have found another source that  has them today. Ordered yours here.

• TNIV New Testament 
• New format provides an entire blank page to journal, take notes, or sketch opposite every page of Scripture
• Elastic closure for security
• Elastic bands on spine holds pen or pencil 
• Accordion pocket for extra notes 
• Ribbon marker 
• Hardcover Bonded Leather, Navy Blue 
• 3.25" x 6.75" x 0.75

• 6-point type

*Let's Stay Connected

Bloom Bible Study

Several months ago I purchased a devotional form Illustrates Faith written by Stephanie Ackerman.
On the last morning using the devotional, I felt so renewed and motivated I was ready to make changes...for ME..after all, I am valuable, acceptable. lovable, forgiven, capable, usable...and all kinds so awesome because I am a child of God. Created in His image. So......I moved forward making short term goals, long term goals,  making plans...lots of lists! I was making a lifestyle change! Wow, there is that bad word again, Change....! I had already retired. I spent 20+ years of my life with 3, 4 and 5 year olds as a Director and Teacher in an Early Childhood Christian School so I had already experience a huge change just by not getting up every day at 5 a.m. and going to bed at midnight....whew, I was a emotionally, physically and mentally tired puppy...but I sure do miss those little sweeties.

God led me down a path with a flashlight, shining on different parts of my "Change" for me to see. Some of the "Change" I saw very clearly and some of the "Change"  needed a closer look.
The big "Change" is that I am joining my Stephen Ministry/Early Childhood training with Healthy Lifestyle Coaching for families....wow, I even had a avatar designed of me, see her below and I ordered business cards.

You can read more about that on my Facebook Group page called, My Genesis, just ask to join.
Also, I decided to get a group of ladies together who wanted a summer small group bible study using the Bloom material. This past Thursday we had our maiden voyage and we did to sink! Exciting times for sure. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity to share with them...to share Jesus. It's a good thing.
Click on the Illustrated Faith Tab on this blog to see the bible journal page for this week using supplies from the Bloom Bible Study.

It is through Him that we are able to BLOOM where we are planted.
I know what it takes to make a seed grow but I never looked at myself as the seed!
Be planted in the good soil with daily bible reading.
Give yourself the good stuff, the fertilizer, when you attend worship and have fellowship with others , praying with others, giving praise and thanksgiving with others.
Pollinated yourself with the gospel, OVER and OVER and OVER.
And always look to the Son for growth.

Friends, we cannot Bloom on our own!
We need the Word and Worship and Prayer AND to hear the good news of love and forgiveness and our salvation and never stop looking for that light that shines for us daily!
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13
The joy of the Lord is my strength. Neh. 8:10

The Gift Of A New Day!

A New Day....do we even consider a new day...... a Gift?
Our days sometimes are full of hustle bustle, stress, sadness, schedules, laundry, meals, bills, sickness......and the list goes on and on AND some days we just want to be done with the day and move on.
But......the GOOD news is that within all of the doom and gloom our good and gracious Lord fills our lives with good things and the GIFT of a new day to see it all, experience it all, know it all...The Good, the Bad and The Ugly!
Each new day offers us new beginnings, do overs, second chances..HIS love, grace, mercy and forgiveness. Just as a young child learns to get back up after a fall, we too pick ourselves up and work hard not to stumble ..to keep our balance.
We are His sheep, He is our shepherd! Each day we learn to know His voice and follow Him. He is always there to pick us up when we take those falls and He gives us the courage and strength to get back up and keep walking.
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me" John 10:27

So, yes my dear friends...Everyday Day Is A Gift. He Fills My Life With Good Things!

A bible journal entry on Mother's Day.

He Fills My Life With Good Things!....A Granddaughter!

A Good Day Print....in the Etsy Shop.

Paper Envelope DIY

I love , love DIY projects. Here is a paper envelope DIY that you can use for many things. Kiddos will love this. You can use the large heart shaped doily but I only had large doily placemats...worked great!

Check out the the Etsy Store for some beautiful water color cards . Great last minute Mother's Day gifts.

A Mother's Day Card

Are you still trying to come up with the perfect gift for Mother's Day?  For me, I always enjoy those hand made school projects  ~ you know the ones with handprints and all.

I have designed two beautiful cards that can be printed as a 5x7 card or as small as a 3x5. They make great book marks for bibles and devotion books. Get the kiddos involved in make them their own with beads and ribbons. turn the card over and they can trace their hand or make a flower with a stamp pad and thumb prints.
Use it as a gift tag or a insert in another card....all kinds of possibilities.
These prints make great "anytime" gifts.

Visit the Etsy store of The Buzzing BeeBee to purchase and download the prints.

Water color background.

Use decorative scissors to cut around the message. I added a cross charm and a letter bead as well as some  colored beads  strung on a ribbon.

This 3x5 size is perfect for this devotional book.