Visual Faith- North Carolina

Have you heard of Bible journaling

 and visual prayer?

  I will admit,
 those two phrases were new to me.

 As I researched them, 

I discovered a medium where I could create

 while spending time in God's word. 

This journaling ignited a passion in me

 to spend more time 

in God's word.

 I began my Bible journaling in June 2016. 

On Saturday, January 28, 2017, 

we had our first Bible journaling 

and visual prayer retreat 

at St. James Lutheran Church 

in Southern Pines, NC. 

Visual Faith coach Megan Daub 

from St. Paul Lutheran Church

 in Havelock, North Carolina, was our presenter. 

Megan gave an overview of visual prayer 

and different techniques for Bible journaling. 

A variety of prayer and study resources.

Visual prayer- a way to bless others.

Our group learned that you 

don't have to be an artist to Bible journal!  

The ladies left our event ready to create,

 while spending time in God's word. 

Why don't you think about joining us

 at another gathering?

  Saturday March 11, 2017

St Paul's Lutheran Church

Havelock, North Carolina
 9 am - 3 pm

Presenters are-

  Visual Faith Coaches:

Megan Daub,

Connie Denninger 

Belinda Bost 

and 

Peggy Thibodeau

More info below:

Check out and JOIN the 

Visual Faith Community on Facebook-

NC Visual Faith

Registration forms are in the FILES section 

in the above FACEbook group.

Download, fill out and send with a check

 to the address on the form.

Bring a friend.

Space is limited for this event- so

secure your spot today.

Thanks to contributing writer- Jean White,
 for sharing this story
 and the invitation 
to join them in Havelock, NC!

Bible Journaling with Friends

 Visual Faith Coach Mary Durkin

 traveled to Northern Illinois

 to spend some time with friends.

 Girlfriends for 20+ years.

Jessi Fisher is a teacher at 

Cross Lutheran School in Yorkville, Illinois.

Jill Sidlowski, is a stay at home mom, 

involved with homeschooling.

She is a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran

 in Frankfort, Illinois.

Mary, Jessi and Jill have been friends 

since their college days.

In their time together they looked at 

some Visual Faith practices.

They started with the verse of 1 Peter 4:10.

Focusing on their gifts 

and how to use these gifts to bless others.

This was Jill and Jessi's first 

Bible Journaling experience.

Jessi and Jill are both moms of 3 boys.

Some reflections from this experience:

Jill:  I liked coming up with my own idea.

It made the verse real for me. 

I liked looking for inspiration to create 

what Scripture is saying to me.

Jessi:  This was so fun to journal

 my thoughts next to my picture.

 My journaling was as much a part

 of the process as the drawing.

It was a fun discipline to grow through. 

A bit of my hard edges were smoothed out.

Mary:  Sharing the joy of Bible Journaling 

with my Christian sisters has been so terrific!

 I loved giving them freedom to play and explore 

with the different mediums.  

Exposing them to the spiritual journey

 of Bible Journaling has been very rewarding.

It takes a bit of courage to share

 something new about our own faith practices.

Even with long-time friends.

It opens a vulnerable part of ourselves.

Sharing a bit about faith meeting us

 in our everyday life.

What we are learning.

Where we are struggling.

When something is hard to understand.

How God meets us everyday.

Why we are drawn over and over again

 to His Word.

Left right- Jessi, Mary and Jill

Visual faith practices 

mark the journey along the way.

Pilgrims here in the Kingdom.

Seeking our place and encouraging others.

Thank you to Mary Durkin- 

contributing writer for 

the Journeys of Faith blog-

 for sharing the heart of this post.

The Snow Settles In

Perhaps it has been snowing 

where you are this weekend.

Snow has scattered over parts 

of the Southeastern District of the LCMS.

That includes: 

Maryland, Delaware, District of Colombia,

Virginia, and North and South Carolina.

Natalie Grace Hartwig shares some thoughts 

about country snow and city snow in the poem here.

Email photos of your snowy view to Connie at:

condoit@aol.com 

and we will add your photos to this post.

Old Snow

Old snow in the country side

Slips slowly, silently into soil.

It needs no drain. It leaves no passing trace.

                                                Not so old city snow,

                                                Painfully rotting into sharp shards

                                                Anchored on oil slicked scum, absorbing forever qualities.

Old country snow is fragile.

Kitten treads crush it to mush.

Children mourn its passing

                                                Old city snow becomes concrete.

                                                Tar topped, attaining, in late winter,

                                                A permanent place in the city scape.

Old country snow, sculpted with care,

Is soothed into luge slopes.

Weeping for lost fun, it vanishes with sure rapidity.

                                                Old city snow, like fur-balls and dust bunnies,

                                                Renews itself each night,

                                                Resisting solar efforts to clear it from our sight.

Old country snow is sought out and patted

By snow soaked, wet wool mittened hands,

Into perfect spheres of flying fun.

                                                Old city snow won’t do for snow balls or forts or fantasy.

                                                Glacier like, it trips up slick soled flying feet.

                                                It slices un-gloved hands flung out to brace a fall.

Old country snow is surveyed

For pristine, game ready squares

Where eager boots trace fanciful patterns that hide no corner cutting.

                                                Old city snow needs must be shoveled, chiseled,

                                                Scraped into oblivion. And still, the ghostly presence lingers

                                                In salty shadows and gravel graves.

Old country snow, of blessed memory,

Like snow-cream lingers, preserved with love

Protected by angels for generations yet to come.

                                                Old city snow, like frozen smog,

The residue of joylessness,

                                                Is with us still.

© Natalie Grace, March 2000

Natalie wrote his several years ago when a heavy snow

 in the mountains was taking its own sweet time melting. 

The difference between old snow in the country side 

and old snow in the city scape was just too much to endure. 

We know that snow doesn't stay around long in our areas 

and you might find this description fits where YOU ARE.

Epiphany, Epiphany!

January 6, Feast of the Epiphany

Numbers 24:17, Matthew 2:1 - 12

It makes no difference if our path to worship the King started with infant baptism or if Christ entered our life after many years, the faith that allows us to kneel and present our praise is a gift of God. We are numbered among the stars of Abraham no matter what our DNA shows.

“O Savior of Our Fallen Race” may be a new hymn to you, but it is an ancient hymn based on a Latin text that dates from the 5^th century. If you have one of the newer hymnals, open it and sing alleluia with the saints from centuries past and glorify our Savior God today. Unless you grew up singing from TLH the 15 verses of “All My Heart This Night Rejoices” will surprise you, but take the time to see the joy of Paul Gerhardt exploring the sweetness of salvation and sing this Reformation Era hymn in its entirety. Take pleasure in the detailed rhyme pattern and think it a bit of linguistic incense rising before the new born King.

Here is the abbreviation key for the Hymn Resources:

All my heart this night rejoices As I hear Far and near Sweetest angel voices.

“Christ is born,” their choirs are singing 

Till the air Ev’ry where Now with joy is ringing.

Forth today the Conqueror goeth, Who the foe, Sin and woe, Death and hell, o’erthroweth.

God is man, man to deliver; His dear Son 

Now is one With our blood forever.

Shall we still dread God’s displeasure, Who, to save, Freely gave His most cherished Treasure?

To redeem us, He hath given His own Son 

From the throne Of His might in heaven.

Should He who Himself imparted Aught with-hold From the fold, Leave us broken hearted? 

Should the Son of God not love us, Who, to cheer Suff’rers here, 

Left His throne above us?

If our blessed Lord and Maker Hated men, Would He then Be of flesh partaker?

If He in our woe delighted, Would He bear 

All the care Of our race benighted?

He becomes the Lamb that taketh Sin away And for aye Full atonement maketh.

For our life His own He tenders And our race, 

By His grace, Meet for glory renders.

Hark! A voice from yonder manger, Soft and sweet, Doth entreat:

 “Flee from woe and danger.

Brethren, from all ills that grieve you I will surely give you.”

Come, then, banish all your sadness, One and all, Great and small; Come with songs of gladness.

Love Him who with love is glowing; Hail the Star Near and far 

Light and joy bestowing.

Ye whose anguish knew no measure, Weep no more; See the door To celestial pleasure.

Cling to Him, for He will guide you Where no cross, Pain, or loss 

Can again betide you.

Hither come, ye heavy – hearted, Who for sin, Deep within, Long and sore have smarted;

For the poisoned wounds you’re feeling Help is near, One is here 

Mighty for their healing.

Hither come, ye poor and wretched; Know His will Is to fill Every hand outstretched,

Here are riches without measure; Here forget All regret, 

Fill your hearts with treasure.

Let me in my arms receive Thee; On Thy breast Let me rest, Savior, ne’er to leave Thee.

Since Thou hast Thyself presented Now to me, I shall be 

Evermore contented.

Guilt no longer can distress me; Son of God, Thou my load Barest to release me.

Stain in me Thou findest never; I am clean, all my sin 

Is removed forever.

I am pure, In Thee believing, From Thy store Evermore Righteous robes receiving.

In my heart I will enfold Thee, Treasure rare, Let me there, 

Loving, ever hold Thee.

Dearest Lord, Thee will I cherish. Though my breath Fail in death, Yet I shall not perish,

But with Thee abide forever There on high, In that joy 

Which can vanish never.

For the Family:

The Epiphany Star, a circle containing a 5 pointed star with rays reaching out to the edge of the circle, is the symbol of the Christmas of the Gentiles, our inclusion among the stars of Abraham. Hang this symbol on your Tree of Promise and then shine for all to see.

Bible Journaling:

Epiphany

Follow the Star

Matthew 2:1-12

Bible Journaling 
Connie Denninger

I wanted to use mom’s frosted brownie recipe for Epiphany. The brownie was good, but it was the frosting that was fantastic. I thought it was pure fudge goodness and would gladly have eaten just the frosting. But I cannot find the recipe anywhere! I will just have to make do with some of the last of left over Christmas cookies. 

Thank you for joining us for the Advent and Christmas Journey to Epiphany, we pray that this series has blessed your devotional life. Leave a comment if you have followed along.

Tree of Promise Devotions
Natalie Hartwig

Christmas 12- The Way, the Truth and the Life

January 5

Matthew 2:1 – 6; John 14:6

The magi had no doubts about what the star revealed and were not surprised when the star guided them directly to the infant King. By faith we also know that Christ is ‘the Way, the Truth, and the Life,’ the only way to God. Christ’s birth, life, death and resurrection are the promise of a path to eternal life.

The familiar hymn, ‘As with gladness men of old’ speaks clearly of the magi and also of Christ, our way to the presence of God.

As with gladness men of old Did the guiding star behold;

As with joy they hailed its light, Leading onward, beaming bright;

So, most gracious Lord, may we Evermore be led by Thee.

As with joyful steps they sped, Savior, to Thy lowly bed, 

There to bend the knee before Thee, whom heav’n and earth adore;

So may we with willing feet Ever seek Thy mercy seat.

As they offered gifts most rare At Thy cradle, rude and bare,

So may we with holy joy, Pure and free from sin’s alloy,

All our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to Thee, our heav’nly King.

Holy Jesus, ev’ry day Keep us in the narrow way;

And when earthly things are past, Bring our ransomed souls at last

Where they need no star to guide, Where no clouds Thy glory hide.

In the heav’nly country bright Need they no created light;

Thou its light, its joy, its crown, Thou its sun which goes not down;

There forever may we sing Alleluias to our King.

For the Family:

Create a double walled triangle and in the center of the triangle put the name God claimed for Himself, “I AM.” When Christ used these sacred words He clearly identified Himself as the Son of God. On each leg of the triangle place one of the three characteristics that Christ claimed for Himself, “The Way, The Truth, and The Life.” Hang this symbol on your Tree of Promise and use verse 4 of “As With Gladness Men of Old” as your prayer.

Bible Journaling:

Christmas 12

John 14:6

Bible Journaling 
Connie Denninger

From the Kitchen:

The farmers in Emporia, VA raised peanuts. It was easy to get a couple of pounds of raw shelled  peanuts in the fall. Those peanuts, sugar, water, and the recipe were all that was needed to make Sugar Peanuts. 

SUGAR PEANUTS

St. John’s Lutheran Church, Emporia, VA

2 Cups raw peanuts

1 cup sugar

½ cup water

• Dissolve sugar in water over medium heat in sauce pan or frying pan
• Add peanuts and continue cooking over medium heat stirring frequently until it looks dry

Spread out on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 300 for approximately 30 minutes, stirring at 5 minute intervals.

Tree of Promise Devotions
Natalie Hartwig

Christmas 11--Star of Bethlehem

January 4

Numbers 24:17 and Matthew 2:1 & 2

The Star of the East has generated discussion and speculation for millennia. Astrologers and historians have provided multiple scenarios that make sense if you need them. God could have used a natural phenomenon or God could have created a single source of that light. It really doesn’t matter. The light was there and the magi (gentiles) attributed it to the birth of the promised king of the Jews. The task of taking the message of Jesus to non-believers is now the task of the spiritual children of Abraham – today’s stars in a dark world.

“I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light” may not be familiar to you as either a Christmas or an Epiphany hymn, but it clearly reflects to response of the child of God yearning to follow the star lit path to the Savior. Sing it with joy as you kneel at the manger. “Hail, O Source of Every Blessing” sings of the fact that gentiles, now included in the spiritual family of Abraham, also live a life of witness and praise.

Hail, O Source of ev’ry blessing, Father of our human race!

Gentiles now, Your grace possessing, In Your courts obtain a place.

Grateful now, we fall before You, In Your Church rejoice to live,

See Your glory and adore You, Thankful for the grace You give.

Once far off but now invited, We approach Your sacred throne,

In Your covenant united, Reconciled, redeemed, made one.

Now revealed to eastern sages, See the Star of Mercy shine,

Myst’ry hid in former ages, Myst’ry great of love divine.

Hail, O all inviting Savior! Gentiles now their off’rings bring,

In Your temples seek Your favor, Jesus Christ our Lord and King.

May we, body, soul, and spirit, Live devoted to your Praise,

Glorious realms of bliss inherit, Grateful anthems ever raise.

For the Family:

On a dark oval place a star of Bethlehem (a 4 pointed star) with your name on it. Make one for each member of your family. Hang this symbol on your Tree of Promise and ask God to guide you as you share the good news of salvation with others.

Bible Journaling:

Christmas 11-
Star of Bethlehem
Numbers 24:17
Bible Journaling 
Connie Denninger 

From the Kitchen:

Mom and Dad made candies throughout the year, but they were more apt to have it available in the winter time. They dipped pretzels in melted chocolate, made no bake cookies that were really closer to fudge than they were to cookies, and fixed peanut butter crunch sticks that had way too much cholesterol for anyone over 20. But my favorite, by far, is still praline crunch. 

PRALINE CRUNCH

 Dora Pfitzer Meyermann-Mother of Natalie Hartwig

¼ Cup butter

½ Cup sugar

1 Cup coarsely chopped pecan meats

• Melt butter in skillet. Stir in sugar. Add pecan meats.
• Cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until sugar mixture begins to turn golden brown (about 3 minutes.)
• Remove from heat, turn out onto piece of foil.
• Cool. Crumble into small pieces.
• Makes 1 ½ cups.

Husband John’s favorite:

RUM BALLS

Fern Pfizer-Aunt of Natalie Hartwig

2 ½ Cups finely crushed vanilla wafers

2 TBS + 1 tsp cocoa

1 Cup confectioner’s sugar

1 Cup finely chopped walnuts (or walnuts and shredded coconut)

3 TBS corn syrup

¼ Cup bourbon (or rum)

Additional confectioner’s sugar

• Mix together: crumbs, cocoa, 1 cup sugar, and nuts
• Add corn syrup and bourbon or rum, mix well.
• Form into 1” balls, then roll in additional sugar.
• Store in covered container at least 2 days to ripen.
• Makes 3 ½ dozen

Tree of Promise Devotions

Natalie Hartwig

Christmas 10- Blossom of Peace

January 3

Hebrews 11:11 – 16; Luke 2:36 - 38

Anna, faithfully clinging to the promise of the Messiah, spoke of the promise kept in the infant Christ to the believers gathered in the temple on the day of Jesus’ presentation. We also share our joy in God’s faithfulness with fellow believers during worship.

“Let Our Gladness Have No End” and let the alleluias ring as you give thanks for the promise kept to heal the break between God and His creatures. 

Let our gladness have no end, alleluia! For to earth did Christ descend, alleluia!

On this day God gave us Christ, His Son, to save us;

 Christ, His Son, to save us.

Prophesied in days of old, alleluia! God has sent Him as foretold, alleluia!

On this day God gave us Christ, His Son, to save us; 

Christ, His Son, to save us.

See, the loveliest blooming rose, alleluia! From the branch of Jesse grows, alleluia!

On this day God gave us Christ, His Son, to save us; 

Christ, His Son, to save us.

Into flesh is made the Word, alleluia! He, our refuge and our Lord, alleluia!

On this day God gave us Christ, His Son, to save us; 

Christ, His Son, to save us.

For the Family:

A Christmas Rose is the long awaited blossom of peace on earth. Hang this symbol on your Tree of Promise and give thanks. You can select a picture of a Christmas Rose from choices on line or a gardener’s catalogue and hang that on your tree or you can draw the 5 petal calligraphy rose and use that as your ornament.

Bible Journaling:

Christmas 10
The Christmas Rose
Bible Journaling
Hebrews 11:11-16
Connie Denninger

From the Kitchen:

An Italian restaurant in NY ends its service with simple cornmeal cookies. 

I am still looking for a recipe that comes closer to those cookies, but these are pretty good.

Gluten Free Orange Cornmeal Cookies

On Line

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

1 ½ cups cornmeal

1 ¼ cup corn flour

½ tsp salt

¾ tsp xanthan gum

1 ½ sticks butter, melted

1 TBS concentrated orange juice

Zest of 1 orange, very finely minced

• Whirl eggs and sugar in the bowl of the food processor. Slowly add the rest of the ingredients, stopping occasionally to scrape the bowl.
• Don’t over process. When the dough comes together, remove from the food processor and place in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350 F. line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
• Roll dough into small balls (about half the size of a walnut), place on cookie sheet and flatten. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden. Depending on size of cookie makes from 3 to 6 dozen.
• Can add currants, raisins, or dried cranberries.

Not very sweet, but that is fine with me. Might like it with a dark chocolate coatin on half of the cookie.

Slice the orange that is now minus the zest and put the slices in a pitcher of ice water. Because the orange has been zested the essential oils are released and the water picks up the flavoring very rapidly.

Tree of Promise Devotions
Natalie Hartwig