(Free Printable) Prayer Reminder for the Christians in Iraq

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When it comes to praying I can have good intentions and a bad memory.

There are so many things I can pray for, but if I don’t write myself a note (or am reminded regularly) I forget certain requests when I pray. Lately I’m trying to remember certain prayer requests on a regular basis, especially since there are so many things that need prayers today.

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The Christians in Iraq are one of them, so I made myself a printable to remind me to pray for them, and thought you might like to join me.

It’s an outline of Iraq with the Nun symbol on it. The top flick of the symbol sits over Mosul where most of the problem has been occurring. I’ve found the simple reminder of pray encouraging me to do just that more often over the week.

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If you want to join my in praying for our brothers and sisters in Iraq CLICK HERE to download a free printable version to tape on your walls or stick to your fridge.

So how you remember to cover prayer requests?

If you prefer having a professional print, I’ve put the print up in my Society 6 shop. I do make some money from each sale in my Society 6 shop, but the reason I made it available in both ways is so you can get a copy in the way that you prefer and will work best for YOU.

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Inking In and Other Updates

I’m left handed so I’m used to getting ink on my hand, but I don’t get much of that when I’m inking in a digital image.

What do I mean by inking in?

Inking to me means drawing over my messy pencil lines with, hopefully, smooth black lines. It’s kinda the difference between pencil drawings and comics. It’s important, but does take a lot longer then I usually expect.

So far, I like the way the images I’m working on are coming together.

 Photo Credit: RBolance via Compfight cc


Photo Credit: RBolance via Compfight cc

I’ve also been taking a blogging course called The Art of Blogging by a lady I’ve followed for a while, Alisa Burke. On a side note, her name is really said “Alyssa”, and here I’ve been saying it “A-lisa” for years and now it’s stuck. Oh well.

The course has been interesting, except for the deep questions about myself I’m supposed to ask. Like what do I want my blog’s purpose to be? I’ve never done very well with those sorts of things, or quizzes for that matter. I’m usually a little bit of everything.

The plus side of the course though is it’s got my mind working over time on ideas, including ways I can improve the pictures I take, because frankly — they could use a little help.

If you’re a blogger how did you decide what to consistently write about?

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Visitor Under the Porch

Just when you think life is getting routine, something busts it up.

Our dog, Cody, asked to go out on the back porch today and we figured it was to soak up some rays. He loves the sun so much we joke about him being solar powered.

But Cody doesn’t walk around sniffing all over the back porch. For about 10 minutes straight.

Curious we went out and peered down figuring it was a bunny under there, we tried to see anything underneath, but couldn’t. Thank goodness we didn’t jump or make loud noises, because apparently we have a skunk at home down there.

Of course I decided it was a perfect chance to sketch one:

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The only question I have is, how do we get rid of it?

Ah, the oddities of life.

 

 

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3 Reasons Small Acts of Service Matter

His piece wasn’t as big as the others Fred realized. Watching the other bugs carry heavier pieces home, Fred dropped his. Why couldn’t he carry something bigger?

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Have you ever felt that way? Watching others serve in the big ways you’d like to but can’t. Or have you put a “price tag” on your service, more valuable versus less valuable? (I gotta stop doing it myself.)

Sometimes how I can serve seems so small, while others around me are pulling more weight. But we’ve all been there at one point. It could be age or financial status, but whatever you feel keeps you from serving in “better” ways — replace that idea right now with this:

Serve where you can, with what you have.

My Mom keeps reminding me of this, and it’s really the heart of service, and the key to serving well. Weed out the things you know you can’t do and do what you can.

The trouble is my adventure filled, story driven mind keeps telling me everything I can do is so small in comparison, so why even bother?

It’s a valid question, but one that usually begins the comparison game. Have you ever noticed how comparisons are like potato chips, you can’t make just one? Eventually all you’re left with is a skewed and depressing view of yourself.

But there is an answer to why we bother with the small things.In fact I believe there are 3 main reasons we need to do small acts of service and why we should think better of small acts. (If you’ve got any extra speak your mind below.)

1. God’s interested in my heart, in how I serve, not the size of the service.

It should be obvious to me that God gave all sizes of service, but my mind gets stuck on the big ones. Maybe you can relate, and if you’re in that boat let’s remember…

2. It could be small to you, but big to someone else.

I can’t measure my effect by my opinion. That’s just what’s going on between my two ears.

Telling someone you’re praying for them can make a difference in their life. A difference you might not realize until you’re on the other end of the stick.

3. The only way I’ll be faithful in big things, is to be faithful in small things. (Luke 16:10)

There’s no short cut to being faithful in service to others. You work from the bottom up.

So: Serve where you can, with what you have. Consider every act of service important.

Then your attitude can be a little more like this:

His piece wasn’t as big as the others and Fred was tempted to toss it aside and find a bigger, better one. Instead Fred smiled and hurried on with his tiny piece, it still made a difference.

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I’d love to know, how do you serve others in small ways?

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1 Reason Bumblebee’s Make Me Smile

Bumblebee’s are so cute.

When they’re not flying next to my head that is. Then I turn into an arm waving maniac, but today I found this especially sweet one outside!

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Did you know that a French entomologist (fancy name for a bug guy) named Antoine Magnan wrote this in his 1934 book Le Vol des Insectes*?:

“First prompted by what is done in aviation, I applied the laws of air resistance to insects, and I arrived, with Mr. Sainte-Laguë, at this conclusion that their flight is impossible.”

That quote is about the chubby bumblebee.

I remember hearing that they shouldn’t be able to fly, but to find that their flight is “impossible” reminds me how great God is.

It doesn’t matter what I think will work, if God wants it to it can work. We just haven’t figured out how He did it yet.

So if you’re feeling down remember you can “do all things through Christ who strengthens” you. (Philippians 4:13) It might feel impossible, but just like the bumblebee if He wants you to be able to do it — you CAN fly.

   “Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn’t be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn’t know it so it goes on flying anyway.” Mary Kay Ash

*Got the translation of Magnan’s work on Wikipedia

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The Grudge Keeper Book Review

It was one of those days, I felt grumpy at the world. As a generally easy going person I don’t like those days. The ones where everything someone says seems to be in THAT TONE, the one that sets my teeth on edge and I feel like I have to do what’s right even though my heart isn’t in it. Let me repeat, I do not like those days.

The fact that it’s hard sometimes doesn’t wipe away my responsibility to love others and be kind.

But:

  • What if every time you felt THAT way you could take THAT complaint to someone who would keep a record of it?
  • What if every time someone hurt you it went on file?
  • Would you feel better?

I don’t know about you, but knowing Jesus’ sacrifice has wiped my slate clean is one of the most comforting thoughts to me. Because I am by NO means perfect.

This idea is the whole premise of the book The Grudge Keeper.

I feel like I should say it in a deep announcer voice. “THE GRUDGE KEEPER, by Mara Rockliff and Eliza Wheeler.”

To me it’s the perfect visual for little kids (and big kids like me too).

People in Bonnyripple bring every offense, big or small, to the grudge keeper. A little old man who fills his house with all the complaints, and wrongs, done in the town. Got a problem? Bring it to the grudge keeper.

It’s amazing to watch the papers build up. And — I will not tell you what happens — but when everything comes to a head and people realize they need to forgive, well, there’s a very satisfactory ending. (Resist, ruining the book…)

I think it would be a perfect lead in to talking about grace and how God will wipe our slates clean and get rid of our record of wrongs when we follow him.

That’s why I’m recommending it for the perfect library find, and giving this book a rating of: Buy (do not pass go and do not collect $200 until you do).  Just kidding… I’m rating it as one that I will get one day for my bookshelves.

Is there a book you’ve used to teach a lesson to someone younger then you? I’d love to hear about it!

 

Hebrews 8:12 ESV “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”

The Amazon link is an affiliate link.

 

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Brushes, Studios, and a New Book in Progress!

Tons of things have been happening between posts lately. Course it helps that there’s so much time between them.

Last month I went to a Bible Forum and got to see several friends and make some new ones. It was a great weekend, but I have to admit nothing much got done on the book writing/illustrating end.

But now I’ve actually been working this week on my next book!

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Image from DailySquee

Yup, I finally had an idea that the writing got to the final editing stage while I’ve been sketching some super cute the images for the book. It’s so nice to have everything I work on in one place. So far I have the sketches for 8 pages of the 34 page book.

Which I just realized is basically a quarter of the way there. Wow. Can I say again how pumped I am?

Plus getting my sketches working on paper I also bought some digital brushes from FRENDEN for the art suite Manga Studio 5 (which I finally decided on for a belated b-day present). I’m excited to start inking the images.

Oh, everything’s coming together.

I think these inking brushes will look so much better then what I’ve been producing so far, though my art keeps getting better.

This end of the screen is back to being busy and I’ll be writing more about what the next book will be so stay tuned.

Talk to you soon!

P.S. If you don’t want the hassle of remembering to check back be sure to sign up for my newsletter!

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Big Doings – New Computer

That might officially be the dumbest title yet, but I’m so excited this week I don’t care! (Which is why I commented on it, go figure.)

No, I haven’t published a new story, though I’ll admit one is in the works. Can I just take a second and say: watching animal videos to see how to draw the main character in my next picture book is the best? It really is so much fun, and inspiring.

Bunny trail.

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Photo Credit: Foxtongue via Compfight cc

The real reason I’m excited is the hurdle of an old computer is out of the way. That’s right I’m clacking away on not just a new keyboard, but a whole new machine. I feel so special and blessed at the same time (been saving for a while). The reason I’m calling this a hurdle, instead of an excuse, is people tend to look down on the “I can’t do such and such, until I ______”. You fill in the blank.

Seems some can’t stand that type of talk, and I understand. Really most people come up with fearful or lazy excuses (guilty), but quite frankly sometimes you can’t do something without that little blank that’s driving you crazy. That was my computer, and I can’t tell you how glad I am to have that hurdle out of the way.

Now I’ll have to figure out how to accomplish everything I’ve wanted to do when I got — Ward. That is my sister’s idea for a name for the machine, which is a step above her high class suggestion of… *ahem* Herman. Which is an “Uhh… no. Absolutely not”.

Anyhow (spell check doesn’t seem to care for the attitudinal “Any-hew”), that’s what I’m up to this week.

Have you overcome any hurdles in your life lately, or is your hurdle really an excuse in disguise?  Whisper your confession below.

(Warning: whispers on the internet are a ton louder, just so you know.)

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Reading Too Much

I think I read too much.

Not books, but learning how to do what I want to do. I don’t know how many pages of blogging rules, writing and all it’s rules, as well as social media how to’s are tucked up in this head of mine.

But it sure is heavy around here.

Which is why I’m trying not to look up more how to’s or learning, but making it my own way.

Sometimes knowing the “rules” of a man-made system like writing or blogging is what holds me back. Sure, sometimes they help, but at the core there a lot of rules I knew anyway, plus the things I do as a Christian, which means I already have a unique way of being myself online. So the rest is just candy on the top of a pretty awesome cupcake (gluten free).

Having all those rules swirling in my head, most of the time, can stop me from accomplishing. From finishing. Because nothing can fit all the lines I’ve created as acceptable. (for example how long a picture book should be, or should I use the -ing ending?)

But that’s why I got into writing, because of the freedom of spreading my wings and doing things my way. Yeah, I’m a bit of a uniqueness nut, but we all have things we want to try. Sure it might not get published by that group I imagined falling at my feet and promising me the world (creepy!).

But there are other opportunities.

And experimenting is the best way to find my way. So let all the rules fade and try to create something awesome today.

I’m with you — let’s shut that inner critic up.

What’s your inner critic’s name?

I think mine might be… Archibald or Arachnid. Bah, maybe another name will come up later, but it needs to be annoying. Any ideas?

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