Greetings Illustrated Faith Tribe!
Have you ever played a song over and and over? Has a song ever ministered to you in ways no human counsel or written word could?
I love the song by Lauren Daigle called Trust in You. It’s about mountains and trust. It has been a repeat song for me this year.
So many times we cry out to Lord and ask Him to move the mountains.
Lord, heal.
Lord, move the mountain.
Lord, take away this trial.
Lord, make a way, open a door.
I have every confidence the Lord hears us and He always answers. But what about when He doesn’t answer in ways that we understand? What about when He says, “No” or “Wait” or when He seems silent?
Where, then, do we put our heart cries? How do we walk out those times? Do we trust Him even when we don’t understand? When we can’t see?
The passage in Isaiah 40:3-14 speaks of making a way in the wilderness, valleys being lifted and mountains and hills being made low, uneven ground made level, and rough places made plain. His Word tells us He will make a way for us. We can be sure He will see us through even though we may not see how.
In fact, I am not sure the mountains in front of us are the biggest issue. I don’t believe they are His primary focus. And maybe they shouldn’t be ours.
He desires to be revealed on the earth. Isaiah 40:5 says, “And the glory of the Lord will be revealed.” He is always revealing Himself through our journey, especially when the mountains loom and the path is difficult. He wants us to seek Him. He wants us closer. He wants to be known. He wants us to know Him. He wants us to know without doubt He is trustworthy. He wants to be revealed.
I think He also wants to teach us we can, in fact, do hard things for Him and with Him. He is building us, shaping us to be brave, strong warriors. Warriors that don’t look at the mountains shaking or blocking our way. Warriors who look to Him and lead others to look to Him. Warriors who know He is enough.
He is also designing warriors who are prepared. He knows what tomorrow brings and He knows exactly how to equip us for the journey. If we trust the Master and lean into Him, experience will tell us He will always make a way. The mountains may crumble to dust in front of our eyes in a pile of miracles. He may lift up the valley and we may detour around the mountain. Or He may call us to hike straight over mountainous terrain with the spikes of truth on our feet. Regardless of the path or method, He will provide. He will journey with us. And on the other side, we will be more like Him. More of His glory will shine through. We will have more peace and more of His character. Our trust will be based on experience because He brought us through and we will be better prepared for what tomorrow brings.
So if He isn’t moving the mountains in your way, be encouraged friends. He has something greater planned, something eternal. He will make a way. Don’t focus on the mountains, focus on Him. Be brave, He is making you into a warrior.
Time to journal truth.
I love the printables in the Illustrated Faith shop. I especially love printing them on transparencies. I love that you can see text beneath them and add them to your Bible in so many ways. When I saw Elaine Davis’s mountain printable set, I knew I wanted these mountains in my Bible to document what God has shown me this year.
I use regular office transparencies and my Epson inkjet printer. Just be sure to load them correctly in your printer. You want the ink to print on the rough side of the sheet. If it doesn’t, you will have a wet messy sheet!
The next step is to cut them out. Warrior, choose your weapons!
The key I have found to cutting out any printable is to match the cutting tool to the job. This is especially important when you are cutting plastic.
Use long straight scissors or a paper cutter to cut straight lines.
Smaller scissors are best for curves. I like the Tim Holtz scissors pictured.
Next lay out your transparencies on your page.
I like to put my own handwriting on journal pages. Fancy lettering is pretty but I think using your own handwriting is more personal. I usually write out what I want to say first on another piece of paper, especially if I think I want to play with the spacing.
My journaling Bible has become pretty “lumpy” and I like it that way but it can make it difficult to write on a page. I usually slip a piece of cardstock behind the page for a smooth writing surface. Another tip is if you write in pencil first and then go over the writing with pen, hit your lettering with a heat gun to seal the ink and make the pencil lines easier to erase.
Gluing down the transparencies can be tricky. I have not found a completely invisible solution. If you have, please share! Clear Adhesive tape works but can still show through. I have prefered to adhere the cut outs with washi tape or a sparing application of clear scrapbooking glue. It will be most hidden in areas of pattern or darker color. As you can see, the clear strips of words do show where the glue is but this is ok with me.
Final step was adding the tab. I love to dig through scrap paper or packaging scraps as the base and then pull out Illustrated Faith Bella Blvd goodies to layer on top.
Most of Isaiah 40 3:-14 relates to my journaling so I did not highlight any particular verse. I love that I can read verses 11- 14 through the mountains. I added an enamel heart to the tab, because heart, and my page was complete.
I was in awe of how the pieces Elaine designed fit perfectly with what I wanted to journal. Another example of His attention to detail and a strong confirmation for me to keep my eyes off the mountains and on Him.
May His grace surround you sweet tribe! Draw near to Him. He is making us all into brave warriors.
Hugs,
Amy
ESV Leather Journaling Bible | Illustrated Faith Print Pray Paste – Altitude | Illustrated Faith Bella Blvd Enamel Hearts – She Blooms Mix | Bella Blvd Black Tiny Text Letter Stickers
Loved your journaling & story.
I use mini adhesive dots when attaching vellum…also there is vellum adhesive….
Debbie – great ideas! I will be trying them for sure! Blessings and Hugs, Amy
Love that song! Great post and great journal entry!
Thank you Lesa!
Amy, your words are speaking right down my driveway right now. I have said this so much lately that it has started to feel like a boring repeat. Thank you for putting the wind back in my sails!! You raise me up friend!!
Thank you Lesa!
Monika – sorry about messing up on the first reply ? You are ALWAYS a huge encouragement to me sister ❤️
Have you tried Xyron machine adhesive? It is almost invisible – it applies an even coat of adhesive over the entire back of the item.
Great idea Catherine! I did not think of using my Xyron for smaller pieces. Thanks for your tip!