I’m Kristin, a creative mama to two little girls — Ella (8) and Sophie (5) — and I blog at Taz + Belly about motherhood, faith and family. I cannot even begin to tell you how flattered I was when Shanna asked me to guest post this month! I fell in love with Bible Journaling about six months ago and not a day goes by that I’m not digging in the word, adding to my supply stash or stalking the #illustratedfaith hashtag on social media.
My husband and I have been looking for a new church home for several months now and that can take a toll on your spiritual health in a big way. Being separated from a fellowship and not knowing where you and your dreams fit in the “big picture” is overwhelming and discouraging at best. For the past several weeks, the church where we have been visiting has been presenting a sermon series called Dream Again. It was one of those Sundays where you feel like the whole thing was orchestrated just for you — your children woke up on the right side of the bed ON A SUNDAY MORNING, the stage lights were your favorite colors, they sang all of the worship songs on your favorite playlist and you just knew the pastor was going to call you by name because the sermon was so clearly written just for you. Haven’t you had those moments?
The theme verse for this series is “If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; but when they attend to what he reveals, they are more blessed” (Proverbs 29:18 Message; emphasis my own). This particular week’s message was called “Don’t Give Up on Your Dreams.” Pastor Chris shared so many scriptures where God was allowing His people to wait on Him through trials and affliction, but at the same time encouraging them not to give up on their God-given dreams. He focused on the story of Joseph and how if you listed all of the things that happened in his life, there were far more reasons for him to give up on his dreams than to persevere. Galatians 6:9 says “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Dreams don’t always start off well, they are often full of surprises and sometimes take a long time to be realized. I am so comforted in the knowledge that God is a “process-driven God” and not a an “event-driven God”. Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but by how we respond to those things that happen. No matter what we face in our lifetime, our story — our history — isn’t bigger than God’s grace. God works for the good of those who love Him, in our current situation and in every situation (Romans 8:28).
We’re excited that Kristin is sharing her process video with us… WE LOVE PROCESS VIDEOS!!! Thanks Kristin!
ESV Single Column Journaling Bible
I adore Kristin! She is such a talented artist and designer and has a great heart. It was a treat watching her process video.
Love it! I go for bright colors it helps me on my cancer journey. Positive things and people and working in bible journaling has been a new beginning for me. I tell you anyone who is si ck I’ll,going through difficult circumstances start journaling. I also underlined and wrote notes in my Bible and stumbled on these posts and then God showed me to start doing this. Brightened my heart immediately. And once I got over the fear oh painting and worried about messing up I didn’t care and just started decorating. I am able to meditate on the scripture many of them on strength and be still before the Lord especially during my scans I drew the scanner in my old bible when a dear couple cared for me during I time I did not have peace before a very difficult test. This couple from church brought me peace since I have to to these every few 3 months. Now I can memorize prayer during a four hours scan. Many scheduled together. So to me that is the purpose in doing it. Plus it relaxes me and my fears. My joy is back. Hadn’t had that since 2009. I am living life to the fullest with water colors , markers, pencils and my journaling bible. God is good. And also I use colors that seem you can’t read through through the color but you can, it is just the lighting of the photo you can use a watercolor wash that tones it down. The thing is you can be creative in every different way. There is no right or wrong way because we are so unique
Great process video! I like how you used the sermon series title as a reminder of the sermon that spoke to you so clearly!
Thanks Kristen, I really enjoyed your video! Wonderful page….love the tab!