Category: mixed media art

Sense: To Be Aware Of; Comprehend


For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand 
the things freely given us by God.
(1 Corinthians 2:11-12 ESV)


We perceive the world around us with the five senses: sight, touch, hearing, taste and smell. Carving pumpkins is one of those activities where all five senses can be engaged. The smell of the pumpkin when you slice open it’s lid. The feel of the ooey, gooey “guts” cold in your hand. The sound of giggles, as we witness each other’s creative attempt at various faces. Tasting the roasted pumpkin seeds harvested from the “guts.” And the delight of watching the candle light up each face once the sun goes down.

God gave us our senses to engage with His creation. He gave us his Spirit to help us comprehend the things freely given to us, especially the spiritual truths in the Word and in nature. A favorite book that I used to read to my kids around this time of year was The Pumpkin Patch Parable by Liz Curtis Higgs

In 30 Ways to Wake Up Your Quiet Time, Pam Farrel asks us to engage with the Bible using our five senses:

Look through the Bible and note the smells, like Jesus being called the “Rose of Sharon.”

Gather up a few treats from the Song of Solomon…listen to a recording of Hebrew music while you eat.

Watch a travel video of the Holy Land…

Hang a nail from you Christmas-tree branches as a reminder of his death on the cross. 

You might try incorporating a traditional Jewish holiday into your family traditions. Attend a Passover Seder or set up palm booths … and celebrate Purim and read the story of Esther.

Use color to rev up your quiet-time experience. Use colored pencils to mark verses so you can find them more readily. 

©Pam Farrel from 30 Ways to Wake Up Your Quiet Time (IVP). For more devotional books by Pam www.Love-wise.com



Adding color to my quiet times has taken on various forms over the past several years. First, I found the book Praying in Color that encourages you to doodle and color while you pray, giving you focus. Some may think doodling is distracting, but it actually helps me to concentrate. Then after the coloring is done, the image gets imprinted in my memory. When I see the image it reminds me to pray for the person or situation I was concentrating on at that time.

A prayer doodle using a Sharpie pen and  watercolor pencils.


As I have become more interested in mixed-media art and collage, I have been incorporating those practices into my devotional time. The joy of creating and playing with color and texture gives me a more tactile remembrance of my time with God. You could even incorporate Scriptures or a word that describes your relationship with God into your art work.


Dream


Another resource, I just found at a women’s conference, is You are Loved! A Doodle Devotion by Marsha Baker. You can get the journal and read more about her doodling philosophy at Blessinks: Drawing People to Christ


A page from the doodle devotional workbook.



I would love to hear the creative ways
 you engage your senses in your devotional times.
Posted on by kelrohlf 4

Thrilling Thursday: Inspired

 
Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on
His faithfulness.
(Psalm 37:3 NKJV)



Last fall, I hosted a Thrilling Guest  for Thursdays, and I hope to have some old friends and new friends again this year.

I didn’t have time this week to invite anyone, so I thought I’d invite you to check out some inspiring blogs and an ezine that I’ve enjoyed recently.

1) I’d love you to come over to Three Way Light with Jody Collins on Wednesdays. She is hosting her first ever online Bible Study! Last year, she spent time dwelling in Psalm 37. And now she is sharing weekly insights on that Psalm, as well as challenging her readers to dig in the Word for themselves. She’s calling the study: ‘2TW squared’–Through the Word, Through the Week! Come join in as we discuss this rich Psalm at Jody’s blog.

Bible Study
 
 
2) Another writer/blogger, I’d like to introduce, is Kimberlee Conway Ireton. Her post today describes a glimpse into the process of writing as prayer. She also has a book that I recommend, which is titled, The Circle of Seasons: Meeting God in the Church Year.
 
It gives insight into the liturgy of the church year, as well as practical ways to participate in the various feasts and fasts of the year. I read her chapter on Epiphany about a week late, and I was pleasantly surprised with a new way (to me) of how to observe the feast. She shares a practice of blessing your home for the new year. (I will write more about that next week 🙂
 
 
3) I like to journal and I like to play around with art, so I often browse the art journaling and mixed media sites. I came across this monthly ezine edited and created by Amanda Fall at Persistent Green. The downloadable magazine is well worth the $6.00 cost. It is full of beautiful art, inspiring writing and prompts to jumpstart your own creativity. Check it out: Sprout! (Click on image to link over.)
 
 
 
4) Deep Calls Unto Deep is a journal prompt site created by Diane Ronzino from an encouraging word. She just recently started posting again. I was so excited when I saw a new post in my Google Reader Feed. She posts a Scripture and a thought to inspire your journal dialogue with God.
 
 
It’s always a joy to share. I hope you are inspired and encouraged!

Posted on by kelrohlf 2