On:
In: Advent 2017, Bible Journaling, Recess with Jesus

I was overwhelmed this week by these words of the Prophet Isaiah… Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. (Isaiah 53:4 NIV) He was wounded and stricken for you and me. He took MY punishment and YOUR punishment because of OUR sin. How do we respond to that? It’s a gift beyond imagination. The ONLY real response to that kind of gift is to love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind. And not stopping there but to love others with the same kind of costly love. Not just to obeyRead More →

On:
In: Advent 2017, Bible Journaling, Recess with Jesus

For followers of Christ the joy of Christmas is in understanding the bigger picture. Watchful Waiting Joy is an attempt to help us focus our eyes on Truth and to intentionally apply it to life beyond Advent. I am so glad you’ve joined me here. May you be blessed and spurred on as you journal your reflections on God’s gift of love to us. Watchful Waiting Joy Advent Bible Journaling Focus – Week Two  Expensive Love My son has been working hard on an extravagant gift. He’s labored and toiled over it for hours, spent crazy amounts of money on it, and grown frustrated whenRead More →

On:
In: Advent 2017, Bible Journaling, Recess with Jesus

  But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3:15a Hope has been on my mind and heart for months. And yes, it is the subject of our Watchful Waiting Joy Bible Journaling focus for week #1 of Advent. More and more I feel the hopelessness of the people in my neighborhood. This past fall an older man shot his wife and then killed himself. Over the time we have lived here two others have been murdered, families curse and fight,Read More →

On:
In: Praise, Recess with Jesus

Have you ever seen a black bear cub with its momma? Maybe you have. But then maybe you haven’t! I have a favorite memory from this past summer that will stick with me probably forever. My family got to go camping in one of our favorite places in the world – Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you have never visited Cades Cove, you should seriously consider doing that. I don’t know what it is about Cades Cove that grips my heart. Maybe it’s the history, maybe it’s the beauty of God’s creation so clearly on display, maybe it’s… I can’t reallyRead More →

On:
In: Bible Journaling, Recess with Jesus, Taking After My Father

A Praising Song There is space for you at A Praising Song – Recess With Jesus’s Bible Journaling Workshop on October 17. Baby black bears and purple mums are among the brand new original images that you will receive when you attend. I am pretty excited to share those! There is already a good group of ladies registered for both morning and evening and it would be great to have you there as well! Preregistration is requested and closes 24 hours before each workshop so that I can be well prepared. Tuesday, October 17 10 – 11:30 AM & 6 – 7:30 PM at LifeWayRead More →