It's Monday time for a new start to another beautiful week..... and time for an amazing guest. Heather was one of the first people I asked to be a guest because she is someone I look up to both as an artist and as a believer! I had the great privliedge of meeting her when I was near her home town for a conference, and let me tell you she is as sweet and centered as she seems. I wanted to just hang out with her for days and soak up all her inspiration. I love what she has planned for us today, so sit back and take it all in.....
I am incredibly thrilled and honored to be featured here on Shanna's blog. It was almost a year ago that Shanna and I were introduced by Facebook message. I've been a huge fan of hers for years and had no idea that that meeting would lead to being a part of this incredible ministry called "Illustrated Faith".†
I've had the joy of working with her on a few projects and this is by far my favorite. I LOVE checking in each day to see what's going on in this "tribe" and community. I LOVE reading the testimonies of what this ministry has unveiled. Most of all, I LOVE seeing so many women in the Word and the joy that comes from that.
This past January, some would say my life was turned upside down... I say that I finally got the nudge (more like kick in the bottom) back on to the path God wants me on. For many many years I led worship in my church, it became my identity. Everyone knew me as the girl on stage. I thought this was supposed to be "my" ministry. This is how "I" serve in my church. But, something inside of me was nudging me that this was not my purpose in this short life on earth.
So, when we were told that there were going to be changes to the worship team, I knew that I could no longer let fear keep me from doing what God gifted me to do. I'm not just a singer on Sunday mornings, I'm an artist. I'm an artist with a purpose. I started to see the big picture for "my" ministry.
I decided I couldn't live in fear anymore. It was time for me to share my art AND my faith. So, I would write my notes on Sundays and then come home and do an art journal page based on the message. Then with the nudging of my friends and pastors, I started posting them on social media. All that fear went away. That was easy! Why did it take me so long to share my faith through art on social media?
Then Shanna started sharing her Journaling Bible, and a lightbulb went on. Why am I doing this art in a separate journal? Why not do it actually IN my Bible?†
I grew up thinking it was wrong for me to doodle or write in my Bible, (not my parents, btw, my peers) I did it anyways. My peers finally won the war and I put the pen down and stopped doodling and writing in my Bible. I thought there was something wrong with me. Why couldn't I love the Bible like them, why was it so difficult to read it and understand it?
A few years ago, at the age of 38, I was diagnosed with ADHD. It was like a million pounds fell off my shoulders. There wasn't anything wrong with me! I just need to worship and study the way God gifted me. All this doodling and art journaling has brought me so much closer to God. I now see his love and grace like never before. I now read the Bible like never before. I now can truly worship the way God intended me to worship.
Matthew 28:19 says "GO and make disciples of ALL NATIONS...", this is the lesson I've learned this past year. God wanted me to "GO" and share my faith and the arts to all nations, through social media.†
I love the Illustrated Faith Facebook Community, but I want to encourage you to think about what your purpose in this short life is. Are you going to keep God's gifts in our Facebook group, or are you going to share it for the world to see the loving Savior?
Thank you for that call to action Heather! I agree, the community is a great place to gather inspiration, and ask questions etc but it is important to share with those around you! Thank you so much for sharing your heart with us this morning!
Heather does and art bible tutorial on Thursdays you don't want to miss!! She has also provided us with this amazing free printable that would work perfectly in any art journal/ journaling bible!
For those new to the idea of using a journaling bible in this way I have a FAQ here and wanted to link you to the bible that Heather is using as well as a few others: NIV Notetakers | ESV Journaling Bible Single Column | ESV Standard Journaling Bible | ESV Leather Bible | Writing in the Margins
go.be.inspired.
Shanna
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