Journey of the Word

These things aren’t “new,” as such.

But maybe they’re new to you.

And if they are, they shouldn’t be.

And if you read to the end, they won’t be.

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First, you need to check out this blog: ifwewilllive.com.

“Do you want to solidify your understanding of the Bible?
Grow in godly influence and impact as you build God’s Kingdom?
Here you’ll find tools for your foundation—
a rational and biblical worldview that comes from setting our minds and hearts on God’s Word.”

Not only does my friend, Cody, have a fantastic purpose for his blog,
he writes in a way that’s easy to understand, that keeps you thinking,
and that compels you to keep your Bible open.
{Trust me, these kinds of blogs are few and far between.}

A couple of my favorite posts to get you started:
The Journey We Need
How to Understand the Bible More Clearly
5 Steps to Sound Doctrine Even When Everyone Disagrees
3 Powerful Ways to Absorb God’s Word

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Next, surely you know that the Children’s division of Desiring God Ministries
provides this amazing resource called “Fighter Verses.”

“Fighter Verses is a five-year Bible memory program
designed to encourage believers to fight the fight of faith by memorizing God’s Word.”

The battle plan includes a memory system, memory cards,
{plus a memory card maker to create your own . . . okay, this is awesome}
progress charts for children, an app.

And songs.
{Including the entire Sermon on the Mount.}

Oh. And free.

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And last, an art shop called Par La Grace.
And it includes these fantastic little things called Faith Building Blocks.

Learn more in this mini interview with Jessica, Par la Grace creator and designer.

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Tell us about your shop and why you chose to include scripture in your artwork.

I chose the name “Par la Grace” (which is French for “by grace”) because it is by God’s grace that I am what I am.

When I was younger, I remember my Aunt Trudy telling me about having a scripture sign on her wall. She read it every time she dusted. Although she never intentionally memorized it, it was little by little being ingrained in her memory. Later, when she was battling cancer, the Lord used that scripture to bring her comfort and encouragement.

In Deuteronomy 6:9, we are told to take God’s word and to “. . .write [it] upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.”
The purpose of my shop is to provide home decor that serves as a reminder of God’s presence and grace in our lives.

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How did you come up with the idea of Faith Building Blocks, and what was your intention behind those?

This past year, my parents have been in the process of building a new home. They often save the “scraps,” cutting them into blocks and various sized boards for me to use in my shop. One day, my youngest sister gathered the smaller blocks together and used them as building blocks. My sister, Amanda, took a picture to show me how much fun our little sister had playing with my blocks. During the course of our visit, we began talking about the way that our faith was built upon scriptural concepts. The idea of creating building blocks to emphasize a simple scriptural truth by using a key word and scripture grew into what is now known as “Faith Building Blocks.” My intention was to provide small daily reminders that will encourage
Christians to grow in faith.

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What is one way that the Word of God has brought strength or solace to your life?

During one particularly trying time in my life, I was challenged to pray and to get into God’s Word to find help to overcome the spiritual battle that was raging in my life. My mom encouraged me to read the Psalms and write down, in a journal, everything that God is to us. As I read, I began to understand God as I never had before. In Psalm 1, I learned that the Lord knows the way of the righteous. Psalm 2 taught me that the Lord is to be trusted. Psalm 3 describes Him as my shield, my glory, the lifter up of my head, my sustainer. I found comfort in the truth that He hears my cry. As I read, I was amazed at how God worked in me to calm my spirit and give me joy and strength to overcome! As I allowed God to take over my battles and minister to my heart, it was as if I had become a different person.

Jessica has kindly offered a special discount to you, my readers!
Purchase $20 or more and receive 10% off using the code JOTW10.
{Christmas shopping?}

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Happy November!

 [images & quotations: ifwewilllive.com, fighterverses.com, & parlagrace.com]