Celebrating GRACE {On This Day}

The last couple of days have been rough. We're all okay, and no big, bad major event has happened (in fact, there's been some good, happy stuff in the mix!:)), just a whole lot of general life yuck and then Satan hurling some fiery darts into the whole mess. Yesterday was the worst for me. I fought a lot of tears and lapsed into extreme survival mode.

Between those struggles and a busy schedule this week, I hadn't even really thought about the date itself...until I clicked over to my TimeHop early this morning and saw this status from two years ago:

Nine years ago today was the worst day of my life. As the status above says, our world shattered into a million pieces.

The intervening years have been hard. There were times during the first few years especially that I wasn't sure any of us were going to make it. Trauma issues in our children and in ourselves, concern for the safety of our family, life-altering decisions we weren't really prepared to make, and countless sleepless nights were just a few of the issues with which we struggled during those years.

The last few years have been a bit like the calm in the eye of the storm. God has worked much, much healing and growth in our lives. We have seen His glory in ways we could never have dreamed. In those very early days nine years ago, we began to pray, "Please just make the path so totally crystal clear that there is no question possible about the right direction." We have seen Him do exactly that over and over and over again.

As I shared here,we've dreaded 2015 for a long time. And yet, as we enter the second half of this year, we have already seen God answer prayers we didn't even know how to pray, and provide for needs in ways we would never have imagined.

My TimeHop this morning is full of reminders of God's faithfulness from this date in years past. I love that! I love that those "standing stones" are there to remind us how far He has brought us and how much He has shown us of Himself even in the darkest of days.

I'm also reminded today how blessed we've been in the people God has provided over the years to support and encourage and pray for us. Out of necessity, only a handful of people were aware of the situation in our lives 9 years ago. Those people spent much time in the trenches with us...and unlike us, they made a choice to be there, because they loved us and were fulfilling God's call to help bear our burdens. That is true friendship, and I can't imagine these last nine years without them.

Others had no idea what was going on, but God called them to pray for and encourage us anyway. How thankful I am for those people, who listened to the still, small voice and obeyed, and who impacted our lives in ways they will never completely realize. And how thankful I am for those who have since heard our story and supported and prayed and encouraged. We have an amazing array of friends who have invested in and loved and prayed for and encouraged all of us in so many ways, and that blessing is tremendous (to use a favorite word of a certain music minister *grin*)

Psalm 40:1-5 have long been favorite verses of mine, and this morning I cried all over again when I got to verse 5:

Many, O Lord my God,
    are the wonders You have done,
    the things You planned for us.
None can compare with You;
    were I to speak and tell of Your deeds,
    they would be too many to declare.

He has shown that verse to be true in our lives over and over again. He has done many wonders, and His deeds have truly been too many to declare. Through that He has shown us beyond a shadow of a doubt that none can compare with Him. It has certainly not always been easy, it has certainly not always been the way we would have chosen, and we know that there is more difficulty and uncertainty ahead as we move closer and closer to this fall. But this is as true today as it was two years ago:

Nothing but His grace could explain the fact that on this day, I can rejoice in His sovereignty, have peace in His plan, and be more sure than ever of His goodness.

How have you seen His grace at work in your life? I'd love to hear in the comments! Are you struggling right now, or facing a dark situation? I'd love to pray for you. You can message me via the "contact me" box in the sidebar, or leave a comment below.

[Scripture Journaling notes: Superquick entry (as shown by the super-messy lettering...ACK!...but I wanted to get it finished this morning and didn't have much time) on Psalm 40:5 using Anita's Acrylic Craft paint, Pilot G-2 pens, and washi tape and stickers from various sources.]

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Welcome to Ponderings of an Elect Exile!  Whether you are new here or a faithful friend and regular reader, I'm glad you're here!  If you aren't already following, I'd love to have you join us for the 2015 Ponderings.  It's easy to do, in a variety of ways!  You can follow via  Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest, or  find me on Instagram as Jenbh68. You can also sign up in the sidebar to receive new posts by email.

For His Name's Sake!

As I've mentioned before, Bro. Gary is preaching through Ephesians on Sunday mornings right now.  Every verse is just packed full of truth. In preaching on the Ephesians "faith in the Lord and love for the saints" from Ephesians 1:15 Sunday morning, He referred to Revelation 2, the letter to the church at Ephesus.

In Rev. 2:3, God praises the church at Ephesus for their labor "for [His] Name's sake". Bro. Gary reminded us that our labor is for HIS name's sake ~ that it is ALL about Him, and about HIS glory, not about us. 

What a great reminder that has been this week particularly as we are in the midst of VBS at our former church. {Disclaimer: I'm not teaching this year. Two of my children are teaching, and I'm driving what we are affectionately calling the "VBS Taxi". :)} All the work, the crazy schedule, the many miles driven, the exhaustion...it's not about us, it's not even about the children, but it's about HIM. It's for His glory. And what a blessing to watch Him work in that!

That doesn't just apply to VBS. It applies to all of life! All that we do as spouses, as parents, as friends, as church members, as employees, as students...whatever roles we fill...it's not about us, or even those we serve and minister to, but about HIM.

What a challenge to keep my focus there! But what a difference it makes when I do! I've tried to keep that reminder in front of me (and in front of my children) this week: It's all for His Name's Sake!

What are you doing right now "for His Name's sake"? What is He teaching you right now? I'd love to hear in the comments!

(Another super-simple journaling Bible entry tonight...just my Pilot G-2 1.0 and washi tape. I really wanted this one to be super-wonderful, because it's such a fantastic truth! But exhaustion and time caught up with me, and even my quick writing isn't really up to par. I also forgot to use the "Remember This!" stamp I originally planned the layout around! *banging head* But you know what? It's all okay. His truth has been in front of my mind and in my heart tonight. Super-simple and not what I'd planned is enough. I'm thankful for that!)

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  Welcome to Ponderings of an Elect Exile!   Whether you are new here or a faithful friend and regular reader, I'm glad you're here!   If you aren't already following, I'd love to have you join us for the 2015 Ponderings.  It's easy to do, in a variety of ways!   You can follow via  Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest, or  find me on Instagram as Jenbh68. You can also sign up in the sidebar to receive new posts by email.

The Mere Edges of His Ways!

Bible journaling doesn't have to mean fancy artwork. Sometimes the words are enough. I had actually planned to "decorate" this page when I started, but once I got the words down, not only was there really not room, but I decided I liked it just as it was.

These words pack a huge punch on their own!  We are going through the Behold Your God Bible study at church for the second time, and both times, this verse has just blown me completely away. To think that what we are able to see and know of God...which is far beyond amazing, awesome, and magnificent...is just the mere edges of His ways, the smallest whisper of Who He truly is...WOW!

What are you studying in the Bible right now? Or maybe you aren't a Bible study-er, but you have questions. I'd love to hear! Leave a comment or send me a message through the sidebar widget.

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If a post or posts on Ponderings of an Elect Exile has been a blessing to you, would you do me a huge favor?  Please share the link to Ponderings with your friends using the social media share buttons below or the "pin it" button above.  Thank you! 

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  Welcome to Ponderings of an Elect Exile!   Whether you are new here or a faithful friend and regular reader, I'm glad you're here!   If you aren't already following, I'd love to have you join us for the 2015 Ponderings.  It's easy to do, in a variety of ways!   You can follow via  Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest, or  find me on Instagram as Jenbh68. You can also sign up in the sidebar to receive new posts by email.

They Had Just Ruined EVERYTHING...

Loving Bro. Gary's sermon series on Ephesians right now, and the magnificent theme of God's amazing, abundant GRACE in Paul's letter to the Ephesians.

This stuck out to me in one of his first sermons from the book: In Genesis 3:21, Adam and Eve had just ruined everything, disobeyed the one command He had given them...and He is still meeting their needs, making them garments of skin to clothe their newly discovered nakedness. What fabulous evidence of a gracious, merciful God!

What verse has stuck out to you recently? Do you have some Bible journaling to share? I'd love to hear in the comments!

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If a post or posts on Ponderings of an Elect Exile has been a blessing to you, would you do me a huge favor?  Please share the link to Ponderings with your friends using the social media share buttons below or the "pin it" button above.  Thank you! 

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  Welcome to Ponderings of an Elect Exile!   Whether you are new here or a faithful friend and regular reader, I'm glad you're here!   If you aren't already following, I'd love to have you join us for the 2015 Ponderings.  It's easy to do, in a variety of ways!   You can follow via  Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest, or  find me on Instagram as Jenbh68. You can also sign up in the sidebar to receive new posts by email.

Journaling Through Ephesians {Pondered Pages}

I am slowly but surely journaling through my notes from Bro. Gary's current sermon series on Ephesians. Here are my first two entries. LOVE these two quotes. Much to chew on from these first few weeks in the book! Be watching for more soon. 

What are you studying right now? Has God really spoken to you through a particular sermon lately? I'd love to hear in the comments!

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If a post or posts on Ponderings of an Elect Exile has been a blessing to you, would you do me a huge favor?  Please share the link to Ponderings with your friends using the social media share buttons below or the "pin it" button above.  Thank you! 

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  Welcome to Ponderings of an Elect Exile!   Whether you are new here or a faithful friend and regular reader, I'm glad you're here!   If you aren't already following, I'd love to have you join us for the 2015 Ponderings.  It's easy to do, in a variety of ways!   You can follow via  Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest, or  find me on Instagram as Jenbh68. You can also sign up in the sidebar to receive new posts by email.

The Answer to Suffering {Pondered Pages}

Supplies used: Acrylic paint (Anita's), Washi tape, and TUL pen

 

When suffering comes, questions inevitably follow. "Why is this happening?" "What did I do to cause this?" "Why is God allowing this?"

During one of my own most difficult periods of suffering a few years ago, I asked those questions and more. I spent time searching the Bible for answers. What I learned was life-changing.

What comes to mind when we think of the book of Job? Job's loss, "the patience of Job", the theme of suffering are all things that usually came to mind for me.

I've been amazed in recent years to discover that the point of the book of Job is not actually Job's great loss and suffering. Nor is it Job's patience. The theme of the book of Job is Who God is.

The truth God began to teach me 9 years ago as I was questioning God about the suffering our family was experiencing can be summed up by these two quotes from the Behold Your God study:

"God's character unveiled is the answer to suffering."

"...the answer to Job's suffering is not an explanation from God; rather it is a revelation of God."

(The Behold Your God study is a fabulous study, btw...Our family is doing this study again with our church this year and I cannot recommend it enough.)

As we go through this study for the second time, I am trying to journal some of the highlights in my journaling Bibles. I need to be reminded often of this truth: that when life is difficult or hard to understand, my focus needs not to be on the "whys", but the "Who".

It's amazingly simple and incredibly complicated all at the same time, but the answer to suffering is simply more of Him. Scripture says if we seek Him with all our hearts, He will be found. (Jeremiah 29:13) He uses our suffering to draw us closer to Him, to show us more of His glory.

Supplies used: Washi tape and TUL pen

 

What is God teaching you about Himself today? I'd love to hear in the comments. Have you done any Scripture journaling lately? I'd love to see!

For more on Scripture journaling here on the blog, check out these other Pondered Pages posts. 

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  Welcome to Ponderings of an Elect Exile!   Whether you are new here or a faithful friend and regular reader, I'm glad you're here!   If you aren't already following, I'd love to have you join us for the 2015 Ponderings.  It's easy to do, in a variety of ways!   You can follow via  Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest, or  find me on Instagram as Jenbh68. You can also sign up in the sidebar to receive new posts by email.

Hymn Ponderings {Pondered Pages}

I love to play the piano. However, as I've said often recently, my love for playing has always exceeded my ability, even back in the days when I practiced all the time. :)  Those days are in the far distant history now. I went for ten years barely touching a piano, and then tried to rapidly brush up my skills when I played for our church's children's choir for a few years. I've now gone another several years without playing on a regular basis.

All that changed a few weeks ago, though, when our wonderful pianist at our little church was led elsewhere, and I began playing for our Sunday worship services. I'm suddenly practicing an hour or more a day. Eek! :)  I'm about to drive my poor family batty by playing the one Hanon exercise I remember over and over again, because I can't locate my Hanon exercise book and I need some serious finger strengthening! Mostly, though, I'm practicing hymns...the specific hymns for the upcoming Sunday when I have them, and practicing from one end of the hymnal to the other when I don't.

As I played through hymn after hymn the other day, I was reminded of the many, many people who've been used over the years to encourage my love of hymns. My parents, first and foremost. Their church choir figured prominently in their courtship over 50 years ago, and it's not surprising that two long-time choir members (and a former church pianist) would pass their love of hymns on to their daughter.

Daddy not only passed on his love of the hymns themselves, but the stories behind them. Horatio Spafford, Isaac Watts, Fanny Crosby, Francis Havergal, and many others became heroes to me through Daddy's recounting of their lives and the stories behind their hymns.

Next would be Bro. Bill Probasco and Don Bingham at FBC, Conway, the first pastor and minister of music that I remember. Bro. Don led a worship music program that set the bar for my future church music experiences. But oddly enough, it's Bro. Bill who comes to mind even more when I sing/hear/play certain hymns. I'll never be able to hear "Sweet, Sweet Spirit", "Victory in Jesus", or "The Church's One Foundation" without thinking of Bro. Bill. Those were precious days.

Bro. Roy Chatham was part of those days as well, but his tenure was much longer in my church life, spanning 15+ years and two churches. He and his wife were also just dear lifelong friends of our family. Other than my parents, he may have had the most impact on my love of church music in general, and my love of hymns in particular. There are several hymns that I associate closely with him, as well, particularly those he taught us over the years in chapel time in VBS. And if I close my eyes and try, I can hear him whistling in the hallways at FBC, Conway. It wasn't unusual for him to be whistling at one end of the building, and my daddy to be whistling at the other. Sweet, sweet memories. *heart*

As I played through a section of the hymnal the other day, I was reminded also of Mrs. Marguerite Vann and Mrs. Austin. During my teen years, I helped both of these ladies with music in their elementary and middle school Sunday School classes. They both loved the old hymns and enthusiastically shared them with the children week after week. How I wish I could play hymns like Mrs. Vann! What a treat to learn from and play with these ladies week after week in those years!

Since then there have been many others, not the least of which has been Lyndel Hobbs from our years at Oak Cliff.  Lyndel is another whose leadership in worship music is just unparalleled. One of many, many things I'm thankful for from my years under his music leadership at Oak Cliff is Lyndel's care to sing nothing, ever, that doesn't line up with Biblical truth. As Guy Penrod says of hymns, "We don't sing 'em because they're old; we sing 'em because they're good!" It may be a well-loved old hymn, but if it doesn't square with Scripture, it's not worth singing. I'm thankful for Bro. Gary and Bro. John at Grace who share that commitment to singing Biblical truth.

Last week we sang an old favorite of mine, "The Solid Rock". I was reminded of the way God used it in my life during my college years, when my beliefs were challenged heavily, and although they weren't shaken, it was just utterly wearying. I remember sitting out by the lake (we were starting a new church and didn't have a building yet, and had some evening services outside by the lake :)) one night and singing this song and realizing the truth of these words in a whole new way, "On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand."

I was prompted to journal this wonderful old hymn in my Bible, along with one of the verses from which it came. *Love* :) This was a really simple entry...we have several old hymnals that we saved from a trip to the dump (our church gave the ones in good condition to another church in need, but these were too far gone for church use), so I pulled out the hymn itself to use as a tip in, then used washi tape, letter stickers, and some of my own journaling on a journaling card from my stash. :)



Do you have a favorite hymn? Or like me, is the list too long to write down? :) Are there people who come to mind when you sing certain hymns, or those who just encouraged your love of hymns in general? I'd love to hear in the comments!



I recently had the blessing of teaching a Scripture Journaling class for a group of ladies...it was such fun, and I'm hoping to do a couple of additional classes soon! I wasn't able to share nearly all I'd planned during the evening, though, so I'm planning to do a blog series from my notes. If you are interested in keeping up with that series, please follow the blog in one of the ways listed below. Thank you! 

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If a post or posts on Ponderings of an Elect Exile has been a blessing to you, would you do me a huge favor?  Please share the link to Ponderings with your friends using the social media share buttons below or the "pin it" button above.  Thank you! 

***
  Welcome to Ponderings of an Elect Exile!   Whether you are new here or a faithful friend and regular reader, I'm glad you're here!   If you aren't already following, I'd love to have you join us for the 2015 Ponderings.  It's easy to do, in a variety of ways!   You can follow via  Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest, or  find me on Instagram as Jenbh68. You can also sign up in the sidebar to receive new posts by email.

Pondered Pages ~ Scripture Journaling at Ponderings of an Elect Exile

Last fall, I posted that I was beginning a new journey with Scripture journaling. In October, I shared a bit more about Scripture journaling on the Worshipful Living blog. That post ended up being Worshipful Living's most popular post of the year. :)  All over the world, people are discovering a whole new way of worshiping God through Scripture art.

Journaling. Note-taking. Doodling. Lettering. Crafting. All things I love, and all can be incorporated into Bible art journaling. Not only is this a way to express the character quality of creativity, but it's a way to deeply imprint the Scriptures being journaled on the heart and mind of the journaler.

I've always written in my Bibles. I shared in Blessings of a Chicken-Scratched Bible that I treasure the chicken-scratched notes I've made in my Bibles over the years. They are "standing stones" of remembrance of the work God has done in my life and the things He has taught me. my parents set a wonderful example in this area, and I treasure the Bibles I have from my daddy with his neatly written notes in the margins. I love watching my children write in their own Bibles during church and in their own personal study times.

Scripture journaling takes that a step further. It adds color and images and creativity to the process of worship and study. It also provides a very personal keepsake to hand down to future generations.

I plan to share some of my Bible journaling entries as "Pondered Pages" here on the blog. I hope that these posts will be encouraging and inspiring to others seeking to worship through Scripture art.

If you are new to Scripture journaling, here are some resources to help you get started:

• Shanna Noel's blog, Illustrated Faith. Shanna's blog is a wealth of information, including tutorials, videos, and guest bloggers. 
• Journaling Bible Community on Facebook. Also begun by Shanna Noel, this group is a wonderful place to share your own Bible journaling and see what others are doing. 
• Pinterest.Search "Bible Journaling", "Scripture Journaling", and "Illustrated Faith" for great ideas and inspiration. 
• Instagram. Check out #illustratedfaith and #journalingBible on Instagram.

I'll share more resources in future posts, but those are good places to start. :)

This entry was a quick one. I saw a quote not long ago from one of my favorite authors/speakers, Paul David Tripp, that reminded me of one of my favorite verses. 

The quote:

The question is not whether there is boundless grace available to you, but whether you will admit your need and seek it. ~ Paul David Tripp

The verse:

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, ~2 Peter 1:3

I blogged on this verse a couple of years ago. It came up during  a Bible study I was teaching at church at the time. I was completely blown away by the fact that Paul says here that God has already given us everything we need for life and godliness. I loved the reminder in Paul David Tripp's quote that His boundless grace is available to us...it's right there...and all we have to do is admit our need and seek that grace. I've needed that reminder in recent weeks!

I did a quick entry last night using my favorite Pilot G2 1.0 (bold point) pen, a pink Bic Cristal pen, a little washi tape, and a tab made with a We R Memory Keepers file tab punch.

What has God been teaching you lately? Is there a verse or passage that has really stuck out to you? I'd love to hear about it in the comments!  I'd also love to hear about your thoughts or experiences with note-taking in your Bible and/or art journaling.

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If a post or posts on Ponderings of an Elect Exile has been a blessing to you, would you do me a huge favor?  Please share the link to Ponderings with your friends using the social media share buttons below or the "pin it" button above.  Thank you! 

***
  Welcome to Ponderings of an Elect Exile!   Whether you are new here or a faithful friend and regular reader, I'm glad you're here!   If you aren't already following, I'd love to have you join us for the 2015 Ponderings.  It's easy to do, in a variety of ways!   You can follow via  Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest, or  find me on Instagram as Jenbh68. You can also sign up in the sidebar to receive new posts by email.