This page is the result of another episode of “oh God, this looks awful, how do we fix it?” I have no idea what I’m doing or saying on here, people! And, I love it. For when I am weak, He is strong.
I sat down over the weekend to creatively journal while reflecting on the Lord being my strength. I had a picture and process in mind but the end result is very unexpected.
About two steps into creating the background, I had the idea to add some texture to the page. I used to dabble in paint years ago and still have some stored in my craft space. I rarely use them because of the limited space and potential for mess. However, I thought I could add something small to what I typically do with ink blending.
In looking through my old supplies, I saw a jar of what I thought was crackle paste (but turned out to be collage medium). After applying it and not seeing the result I expected, I realized my mistake and said to God – “well, that didn’t go as planned; how do we fix this?” The answer I discerned was to “just wait”, so I did. Moments later, I am finger painting!
The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.
Psalm 28:7
Process and products used:
These pages in the NIV Journal the Word Bible features the following products by Creative Worship Stamps. These are affiliate links, please see the Privacy Policy for details.
- Joshua 1:9 stamp
- Nature Silhouettes stamp set
- Have Courage stamp set
- Skinny Caps Alpha stamp set
- Typewriter Alpha stamp set
- Lots of Dots Mini stencil
- Messy Blocks stencil
The inspiration for this page was the Joshua 1:9 stamp. I started by stamping it twice, on the top of the page and then the bottom, in brown ink. Then, I applied sage green ink over that using the Messy Blocks stencil and a blending brush. After that, I added some distress collage medium all over the page, through the stencil, using a palette knife.
After that dried, I used my finger to swipe white acrylic paint over most of the page while leaving some of the existing background visible. I was especially careful to not cover the words “be strong”. Before that dried, I applied some yellow ochre and magenta paints in smaller measures. I let that air dry for a bit then added some of the magenta through the Lots of Dots Mini stencil. I left that to completely dry while I switched my attention to the left page.
I outlined the verses using a black pen and highlighted using a pink marker. Then, I applied the sage green ink as well as red ink through the stencils using blending brushes. I also applied the same dots of ink to the right page which was now dry.
Next, I stamped the flowers from Nature Silhouettes in black ink on the page as well as on the top edge. I stamped the title using Skinny Caps and Typewriter Alpha stamps. Then, I stamped the phrase “The LORD is STRENGTH” using the Have Courage stamp set onto mixed media paper. I cut out the strips and outlined the edges using the brown ink pad. After gluing to the page, I outlined them using the pink marker. Lastly, I finished by adding some white paint splatters to the pages.
Be encouraged
🎶 You Keep Your Promises ~ Charity Gayle, Ryan Kennedy
Tell Jesus about your weaknesses and He’ll show you Who He is.
He is the same God revealed to us in His word. He is Helper, Provider, Comforter, Saviour, and so much more!
In Him are we made complete; mature and perfect. Whatever we lack, He supplies. In Him, we are strong. Don’t ask for the weakness, or challenge, to be removed but for help to endure and overcome.
The Apostle Paul writes about this in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10. He was given a thorn in the flesh to keep him from becoming conceited:
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
We can and should ask Him for help in the “little” things, not just those things that are too heavy to carry. We should call on Him in the everyday and not only cry out when the road is too difficult. We should keep in step and not just run to Him when in trouble.
Until we learn this lesson of daily surrender in everything, we will continually be given this test. We will be humbled. We will be given burdens to learn that He is our strength. To learn that He carries our burdens. To learn that we can trust Him to do what is best. To truly know that we can expect Him to be our God.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
