Here's the short version of my story about this new venture in Bible journaling for me:
Sadly, I have left this blog unloved for far too long. I had been considering closing it. Since Zentangle is a form of paper craft, I felt I could combine it with my Paper Arts Cafe blog. And while I have been working in my Zentangle journal, and creating tangled tiles, I have not posted my work here. I had been struggling with my Bible reading lately. I wasn't getting excited and inspired the way I used to. And writing about it just seemed so forced, let alone posting on my blog about it. While Zentangle helped me focus on my reading, it had started to become detached. So I have been praying about it. And praying. Nothing. Yet, I persisted. Life happened, with an avalanche of life-changing, stressful events, consuming my time and energy, and even my health.
Then there it was. An email from Sandy Allnock, one of my favorite artists. I read about her new class, Seeing The Scriptures: Visual Interpretation of God's Word. So, I checked it out. I knew immediately that I just had to take that class! I signed up, and am just finishing the first lesson. This page is my 'homework' for this lesson.
I love reading the Bible, but this has really opened up for me a new way of gaining insights into God's Word, and of expressing it in my art. The method Sandy teaches really helps me to dig deep, and actually enjoy doing it. Her method helps me apply scriptures to my life...to actually see how God is working in his people, and in me. And, it helps me apply that learning to my art, to sort of 'seal it in my heart' as I create. I've never been so excited about reading scriptures. And creating. I can't wait to open my Bible every day, and get to work.
All of this to say, I'm back! And I am keeping this blog!
I will continue to share my tangles and insights on this blog. I will also share my Bible journaling tangled pages here. I will also use my other art techniques (watercolor, pencils, markers, etc.) and share those pages on my Paper Arts Cafe blog. After making this decision, I realized that the blog's name, Tangled In The Word, is very literal now that I'm adding my tangles actually in my Bible! God really is in the details, isn't he?!
The verse that inspired this page is from Isaiah, verse 40:31...
"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Although I had read that verse many times before, this time it gave me new insight into God's love and concern for me...and for all of his people. We can do nothing on our own, but when we wait on the Lord, put our hope in him, he renews us. He lifts us up. And when the cares of this world overwhelm and stifle and bury us, he is our strength. He pulls us out, and causes us to soar on wings like eagles.
These insights inspired my page today. I wanted to draw an eagle, but my drawing skills leave much to be desired. So, I went with a feather, and decided to use a Zentangle pattern on this page.
I encourage you to check out Sandy's classes. I also took her Bible Journaling basics class to learn about how to go about this new venture for me.
Thanks so much for visiting, and for staying with me. And thank you so much for your kind words of encouragement in the comments.
Blessings,
