Mothers....and others

So Mothering Sunday has passed. The chocolates are eaten, the wine drunk and the flowers are reminding us of the love our families have for us. The cards - some hand-made, sticky and glittery - others carefully selected in a quiet moment, a memento of the special day.

In modern times the verb "to Mother" has become a noun "Mother's Day" - a "label" perhaps that can isolate and be painful to those for whom it doesn't quite fit.

As one of those people, I shy away from the spotlight that Mothering Sunday shines onto my relationships: both past and present, those that never quite blossomed as they should, and those that only existed in dashed hopes and broken dreams.

Rather than hide away from the issues that cause me discomfort, I try to tackle them openly in my Bible Journaling and prayer.

The scriptures are so richly filled with descriptions of parenting, and particularly mothering - its joy, nurturing, purpose...and pain.

My Bible Art Journey started (as for many of you journalers) with my favourite verse - the verse that has anchored me during storms, held me together in challenges, pushed me into happy times, and that I have thrown back at God in anger and frustration.....

Psalm139

The Bible has lots to say about families and relationships. Focussing on these has helped me to understand God's plan for my family, and has guided me in my role as a wife and parent....

Ephesians 5

Colossians 3

And I've also been able to reflect on and capture the happiest times. This one makes me smile every time I see it.....As it happens, the entry above this one in my Bible is "with God all things are possible" - something God proved to me with those smiling faces in the picture.

Mark 10 v 14

And yet our earthly families are not perfect - there is tension, pain, stress, worry - and sometimes unforgiveness and hatred. But we have a perfect Father who understands the things that we don't. We have a big brother who protects us, guides us and loves us so much he is willing to die for us.

And despite the jumble of emotions that are forced into the open at this time of year, we have a hope, and the ultimate comfort in the Love of our Almighty God.

Psalm 131

 by Lindsey Campbell

A Word in season...Slow Journaling by Lindsey Campbell

During my journaling journey, I have tried lots of ways of connecting with God’s word and meditating through art, but sometimes we can get “bogged down” or even lose our creativity.

In these times, as well as leaning on the lovely work of other journalers (thank you, Bible Art Journaling UK!), many people turn to “quick journaling” – short pieces, taking five minutes or so, and often with limited space.

I’m also finding, though, that sometimes we need to focus on a message over a long time. Many of us adopt a word or verse for a whole year, or a “season” at least. This is not the place for quick journaling.

Instead, I have discovered “slow journaling” – that has helped me through a season of my life. Working on a single piece of Bible Art over several weeks, and having the unfinished piece on display to constantly remind me of the verse, has helped me to focus on the words – cling to them, apply them, pray about them.

I started with the “word” I needed to focus on and drafted it, wrote it and flooded it with colour – the beauty of this technique is that you can use very slow-drying media (such as Pebeo Prisme).

More words came later…..followed by the start of a background.

Another day, the background was smudged and watered…..

And a week later some fruity colour was printed using bubble wrap…..

The “season” is not yet over for this verse, as I adjust to my life changing direction, and so the piece is not complete.

Some more words have been added, but still the unfinished piece sits on display – an ongoing reminder that I am also a “work in progress”  but that God – the ultimate artist has not finished with me yet either.

Imagine That! by Evelyn Murphy

In this week's blog, Evelyn Murphy shares with us again, more about her journey of life and faith - thank you Evelyn! 

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I am realising that being a Born-again Believer can be a totally different way of life altogether, IF I would simply let God take the reins. Who knew it be hard to let go of all the junk I have carried around with me for so long. At church Pastor has been teaching a series on imagination. I have been so excited about learning this and I just love the study process. 

I loved school but I was always getting into trouble and by the time I was 15 I was pregnant with my oldest son. At the age of 17 I had 2 boys, 14 months between them, so any ideas I had about school were put to the back of my mind. It was time to grow up. Of course, that didn't happen. At 21 I was a single mum to three kids, no job and a whole lot of problems. 

When I was younger I was a dreamer, always imaging something or other. Jeremiah 33:3 is our "Golden Scripture" for this series which is called "Imagine That".

"Call to me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish or recognize, have knowledge of and understand)." Jeremiah 33:3 (AMP)

I don't know about you all but I want God to show me these "great and mighty things". I have hope for the first time since I was a kid and I don't want to limit what God can do in my life. I am excited about life now. Thank God that:

"His mercies are new every morning". 

I used to think getting Born-again would make life boring, Wow, how wrong could I have been! X

My Journey into God with Colour - by Evelyn Murphy

Hi everyone, my name is Evelyn. When Deborah asked me to share on the blog I was amazed at how Awesome our God is. Finding Art recently has helped me so much.


I can also show how the Scripture has affected me personally, using colour, during my study time. I love grabbing my Bible, Windsor and Newton watercolours and water brush and play with colour. I never knew colour could excite me so much. 

I have been on a journey recently, finding out who Jesus really is and I am also finding out who I really am. This is an amazing time in my life. I am spending time with Jesus. Wow...the Prince Charming that I had dreamt of years ago doesn't even come close. I know you know what I am talking about!

How lucky are we that Jesus wants to spend time with us. He will never lie, cheat, steal or let you down in any way. No, He will LOVE you! 

He will always be romantic, no more forgotten birthdays. He is better than perfect. He protects us and He is so strong. You can't even begin to imagine the life that He has planned ahead of you. I am excited about life, all my hope is truly in Him.

I am looking forward to sharing my Art with you and get to know you all along the way. xoxo

Comfort for God's People - by Sarah Anderson

As I was pondering what to share in today's blog post I found out that my Dad had had to go to A and E after passing out again (it happened yesterday too) for no apparent reason.  I've just heard that all is good and the tests all came back normal so he is home.  :)

 I am so grateful that my first reaction on hearing news like this is praying to my Father God who loves and listens.  I am also grateful for all my praying friends who can immediately (due to the wonders of modern technology and social media)  pray with me.

What also came to mind was this verse that I journaled in my bible last month:

"those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength"

Isaiah 40 v 31

and the knowledge, remembering the feather, that God covers me, and my Dad, with His wings (Psalm 91:4)

 Worry is very draining but God asks us to trust Him and through Him, putting worry aside, we are strengthened.  So today I added some further stamping to this page, emphasising the words 'hope' and 'strength'.  These stamps are from Clarity Stamps' Word Chains 6 and 12.

He is my hope and my strength, no matter what life throws at me, and my Dad's hope and strength too!

I started this page back in November after sketching out a feather shape and carving myself a stamp.  I stamped the feather with black ink that came out quite grey but this allowed me space to doodle or 'barntangle' (see Deborah's post here if you'd like to know more!).  It's what the lovely Carolyn Dube would call an 'oops' - "outstanding opportunity presenting suddenly"!!

 I then added patches of watercolour around the feather before writing the verse out around the image.  Spending time with a verse creatively like this is what makes it stay in my mind - plus it sends me on another adventure  - I'm on a hunt now for more references to wings/feathers in the bible!!

So I pray that you will know God's hope and strength over this festive season.  Christmas doesn't stop people being ill or sad or homeless, but because of the reason we celebrate Christmas  we can feel the love of God in both difficult and happy times, and share His love with others.

Happy Christmas from all of us at Bible Art Journaling UK

Sarah xx