Listening
A Personal Story and Devotional
Print the short PDF

Years ago, I was asked, “What would you like people to say about you at your funeral?” The answer that came immediately to my mind shocked me. It also gave me a new focus. The answer – I would like just one person at my funeral to say, “She heard me.” In other words, “She listened and valued me.”

I never thought of myself as a good listener. Because of my visual nature, I take in a lot of information in my environment and find myself working hard to focus away from the details of my surroundings to assimilate the words of others. And so, along the way, I gathered listening tips that resonated with me. I even made a bookmark to remind myself of them. Although I still rush in to get a word in edgewise, I find myself calmer and more interested in others than in being heard. But I still have a long way to go! Here is my list on how to be a good listener along with other thoughts and Scripture.

His Name 
Why is it so important?
Print the 2-Page PDF

People in the Bible have called God by many names that express the aspect of His character they experienced. They are beautiful names and are the reason I created The Hebrew Names of God Collection of art cards. God’s three most used names in Scripture are Yahweh, Adonai, and Elohim. The translators of my Bible (NASB) use the uppercase GOD and LORD to designate His Name Yahweh. They use the lowercase Lord to designate Adonai and the lowercase God to designate Elohim. I love this tool because it informs me of the aspect of His character the author is expressing. Today, I want to focus on His Name Yahweh.

In His Dust – 8. The Explosive Power of the Kingdom 
His power in gentleness
Print the 2-page PDF

In these last days, how should we live? As we look at the parables of Yeshua (Jesus), we will see “what the kingdom of God is like,” and we will know how to advance as the darkness increases. Our advance will not be like the armies of the world but will come explosively and powerfully in unassuming ways.

In His Dust – 6. The Role of Women in the First-Century Church 
Restoring her calling and gifts
Print the two-page PDF

In His Dust is a series based on my notes from Dwight Pryor’s teaching. For details, please see In His Dust – A Quick Recap.

Outline

• Introduction Points
• Examples of the roles women assumed in the first-century church
• The beautiful, breath-taking meanings of “head” and “submission”
• Conclusion

In His Dust - 9. The Breathtaking Beauty of True Submission 
Loving Each Other
Print the 2-page PDF
In His Dust is a series based on my notes from Dwight Pryor’s teaching. For details, please see In His Dust – A Quick Recap.

This writing was extracted from a previous writing called In His Dust - 6. The Role of Women in the First-Century Church. I added more detail and emphasis on the definitions of the words head and submit because they are so beautiful.

The I AMs of Jesus Collection 
A Story
Print the PDF

After the Hebrew Names of God Collection was printed in 2014, The I AMs Collection was created and printed in 2015. It is shown on Page 2 of our new catalog. It contains 12 “I AMs” spoken by Jesus (Yeshua) from the books of John and Revelation. The back of each card includes Scripture and devotional thoughts. I have loved these breathtaking declarations and painted them many times. Jesus declared Himself to be:

Beautiful Word
An oil painting of three passions

The original artwork for this greeting card was created in an oil painting workshop taught by nationally-known impressionist painter and friend, Mark Gingerich. I arranged the still life that included items representing my passions – my Bible, flowers and study books, symbolizing the beauty and depth of God’s Word. 

Made for Another World 
Windows into Joy
written December 18, 2021
Print the PDF

On Saturday morning, December 18, 2021, I awoke after a long night’s sleep to waves of thoughts, all connecting into a powerful revelation that produced joy in me. I grabbed my journal to capture the thoughts. After writing them down, I realized what I so often realize when writing… that the thoughts were not particularly profound in themselves; but rather they were powerful because they were personal. The Lord simply wanted to give me joy.

We are Redeemed
Redeemed is the Hebrew nîgāl.

The soft, periwinkle words on the front of the We are Redeemed Art Card are:
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for His has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people… Luke 1:16
“Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow,” says the Lord. Isaiah 1:18a

Great faithfulness Cross Stitch
His love is new every morning

The original artwork for the Great faithfulness Cross Stitch Art Card was designed on graph paper and cross-stitched with gold, pink, and light green floss on purple cloth. The border was painted with metallic inks.