Our Good Shepherd

                                                                                                        Copyright free image Google

 On Good Shepherd Sunday, we heard Psalm 23,

 sang at least one hymn based on the Psalm, 

and think of the pictures of Christ 

carrying the sheep.

 It is comforting to think of ourselves
 as that lamb, 

safely tucked in the arms 

or draped around the neck of the Shepherd. 

It is a little harder to remember 

Christ’s instructions to Peter,

 “If you love me, feed my sheep.” 

Yes, we are called sheep, 

and it is not a compliment. 

Without Christ, we are the foolish sheep

 who need protection and guidance. 

But with Christ, that is a different story. 

As the workers in the vineyard 

we are to care for each other 

with Christ-like love and concern.

I was thinking about the pictures

of Christ painted

 by artists and poets and then moved on 

to the verbal pictures I carry in my heart 

about the First Person of the Trinity, 

God the Father. 

The first of those pictures formed 

during my high school years 

when an English teacher 

read the poem “The Creation” 

by James Weldon Johnson.

 Once I started to think of the Creator 

in human form, I began to also see Him

 walking in the Garden. 

First, He was in comfortable conversation 

and then in parental confrontation.

 I saw God the Father as a strong protector

 slamming shut the door of the ark

 to protect and shelter Noah. 

But, my favorite mental picture 

of God the Father in human form comes from

 Deuteronomy 33:12 and Hosea 11:1. 

The blessing of Moses to Benjamin 

says that Benjamin is beloved of The Lord

 and rests between His (God’s) shoulders. 

I know many take that to be a physical description

 of the land assigned to Benjamin 

with the shoulders being 

poetic descriptions of mountains. 

I like to think of God the Father picking up

 those of childlike faith and putting us

 on His shoulders just like a human father

 picks up a toddler and perches

 the little one on strong shoulders 

to keep them safe, let them see, 

and keep them from wandering off. 

The closer I get to heaven,

 the more certain I am that heaven

 must feel just like those laughing children

 sitting on dad’s shoulders. 

Think about it, we were in “Egypt Land” slavery 

when God rescued us and led us

 through the waters of baptism. 

Now we are free, 
now we can dance with Miriam,

 sing with Moses, 

and ride on the shoulders of God!

 I like that picture.

More resources: Creation- James Johnson
and here is a reading-
Video- Creation


Thanks to Contributing writer- 
Natalie Hartwig, 
for this Good Shepherd reflection.

A Visual Lenten Journey

So what does a LENTEN journey look like?

I have been doing this practice for 7 years now 

and it is always amazing to me

 to see the Ash Wednesday to Easter

 list of words, terms, 

and prayer prompts for this reflective time.

Once again we are doing this 
personal meditation time

 and sharing in community as folks choose.

You can download either 

of these journaling calendar templates here:
Visual Faith Ministry-Seasonal Resources

You may use any devotional book

 that your church gives out for Lent

 or one you already have.

We suggest choosing 4 colored pencils

 and a Fine-point non-bleeding Sharpie pen

 or Micron pen.

(then you don't have to deal with smearing ink)

The LENT WORDS 2018 can be found here:
lent-words-2018

Join any of the 14 Visual Faith Facebook groups
 to share your Visual Lenten journey with all of us.
Here are a few:
Visual Faith DC METRO

Visual Faith DELMARVA

Visual Faith North Carolina

It is about a prayer time focus
 in God's Word-
 and that is just a great way
 to move forward in Lent.

Lenten Labyrinth

Lenten Labyrinth

Natalie Hartwig shares some thoughts 
for a devotional practice 
that you might consider for Lent this year.

"In this contemplative season the Spirit leads us quietly

 to walk more closely in God’s love. 

One way to do this is to follow a labyrinth while singing.

 A finger labyrinth coupled with a liturgical chant

 or a hymn from the Taize’ Community 

can open your heart and mind to God’s loving care.

This link will take you to a printable finger labyrinth.

Chartres Labyrinth

(There are many more options online.)

The labyrinth formed by concentric lines 

around a heart is my personal choice.

 You can modify most labyrinth designs
 by adding a straight line drawing

 of a cross in the center.
That keeps our focus on Jesus
 as the center of our Lent meditations.

  I also plan to work a labyrinth design 

either with yarn or with fabric paint on canvas 

to create a raised shape that I can trace-
 even with eyes closed.

I suggest starting your chants with the Agnus Dei

 from the communion liturgy. 

Other chants that are favorites of mine are:

 “O Lord, Hear My Prayer”; “Lead Me, Lord”;

 “Jesus Remember Me”; “Eat this Bread”;

 “Open Our Eyes”; “Lord Be Glorified”; 

and “Father, I Adore You.” 

It is advisable to use only one chant per week,

 but if the Spirit moves you
 to use multiple chants- LISTEN.

The Taize’ hymns are not easy to find in 

Lutheran hymn books, 

but some searching on You Tube 

will help you find free downloads of recordings. 

Another source is your own memory 

of music used at retreats, or worship. 

I look forward to using “Allelu!” on Easter Sunday

 while I follow the labyrinth."

Thanks to Natalie Hartwig- a featured contributor
 to the Journey of Faith blog for sharing 

a doable, practical Lenten prayer focus.

This is a great combination of visual and kinesthetic
  movement that may help us to
 keep our focus and deal with distractions.

Sermon Notes Gift- Part 5

                                                                                                        J. Berger
This is the final post 
about the Sermon Notes Gift.
Here we will also share some thoughts
 from the artists. 

First, Debbie Harman shares some honest thoughts

 about "learning along the way"-

"I first started journaling my sermon notes 

after attending a Visual Faith Workshop in 2015.

 Before that, I thought that sermons were something

 to get through before communion. 

But once I started, I found I couldn't stop! 

Now, I even take my sketchbook

 when I go to the beach!"

                                                                                                                                          D. Harman

                                                                                                        J. Berger
"I always sketch in pencil,

 just jotting down notes or little drawings

 to represent the thoughts I have or something

 the pastor said. I then spend the rest of the week

 "making it look pretty."

I have found that the message of the sermon

 becomes more meditative for me.

 I may be drawing or coloring, 

but I'm thinking about the message. 

I never used to remember sermons 

once I walked out of church!"

                                                                                                                                                          J. Berger

                                                                                 J. Berger
                                      "I also have the time 
                                 to do a little more research

 on what the pastor has said. 

I've looked up other Bible passages, 

read about the historical 

significance of certain events,

 and even looked up Greek or Hebrew

 to get a better understanding of context. 

I have also found myself meditating

 on religious artwork as I search 

for inspiration for my own art."

                                                                                                                                       D. Harman

                                                                                                                                            J. Berger

                                                                                    D. Harman
"I think this is a habit 
that will be with me forever. 

I have even journaled congregation
 town hall meetings, 

prayer vigils, and Wednesday night Lenten services.

 I never realized how such a simple exercise 

could make such a lasting impression on my faith."

                                                                                       J. Berger
Jeanne Berger shares a bit about her process.

"The Illustrated Guide to Visual Notetaking

by Mike Rohde

 led me to my current process 

of sketch- noting sermons. 

It tells how to quickly draw simply, 

(even for the non-artist). 

You can pull out key information, 

and enjoy taking notes. 

Sometimes I catch the theme quickly 

and do a bigger picture, sketch/drawing."

                                                                                                                                    D. Harman

                                                                                        J. Berger
"Often, I am just listening to the sermon

 and brainstorming, connecting ideas,

 letting God (and coffee) direct me. 

Don't worry, just go. 

I tend to start in the middle of the page

 and then fill in space around it. 

Not a purposeful thing- 

just what feels right to me."

                                                                                                                              D. Harman

                                                                                D. Harman
"When I know I will be busy,

 I go straight for the pen. 

Otherwise, I draw in pencil

 and go back later and clean it up.

 Layering color and texture later

 is a way of meditating

 and helps to reinforce the message.

 Sometimes I steal away an hour or two 

and pray this way.

 I find a verse 

that fits a prayer need 

or something to inspire me

 and draw that- 

either in my sketchbook or Bible.

 If I am praying for a someone 

and think it will help, 

I will send the drawing to them."

                                                                                                                                               J. Berger

                                                                                   D. Harman
"Initially, I began this process because

 I'd watch my friend Debbie draw in church. 

Then, I went with her to a Visual Faith workshop. 

With the encouragement of my friend, Debbie,

 and Pastor Dave Betzner,

 I have continued this spiritual practice."

                                                                                                                                               J. Berger

                                                                                                                                    D. Harman

  The images of the drawings in these 5 blog posts 

were photos taken from the book gift to Pastor Dave Betzner.

Any cut off words and blurriness are due to this format  

(and my very hurried photo taking to return the book) 

and not the work of the artists. 

I give thanks for the sharing of this body of work

 from these 2 inspired artists.
Perhaps their work will
 INSPIRE YOU
 to be connected to the Word
 in this fulfilling way.

Connie Denninger

Sermon Notes Gift- Part 4

                                                                                        J. Berger
MORE ENTRIES from the 
SERMON NOTES GIFT.
New Beginnings- are we awake 

to the new beginning God offers us?

                                                                                                                                     D. Harman

                                                                                                                                                   D. Harman

                                                                                                                J. Berger
God is with us Always.

                                                                                               J. Berger
God can use powerful 

mystery to do His will.

                                                                                                                                             J. Berger

                                                                                                                                             D. Harman

                                                                                                                                               J. Berger

                                                                                                                                      D. Harman

                                                                                                   J. Berger
In our repentance-
Jesus calls us home.

                                                                                                                                                   D. Harman

                                                                                                                  D. Harman

Our ID is in Christ

                                                                                                                                            J. Berger

                                                                                                                                        D. Harman

                                                                                                           J. Berger
Jesus Gives Us Living Water.

(Blurriness and distortion does not reflect
 on the artist but on my taking photos
 of the work in a book-Connie)

Sermon Notes Gift- Part 3

                                                                                                    J. Berger
Part 3- Continuing with the amazing

 sermon notes gift.

Let go of what holds us

 back from serving

thru mission.

                                                                                                                                           D. Harman

                                                                                                                                            D. Harman

                                                                                                                                        D. Harman

                                                                                                        J. Berger
Nuggets of truth

Thoughtful questions

                                                                                                                                         D. Harman

                                                                                                                 J. Berger
Mission Vision

Terms that make a memory impression

                                                                                                                                             J. Berger

                                                                                                                                                      D. Harman

                                                                                                                                        D. Harman

                                                                                                                                      D. Harman

                                                                                                           J. Berger
Make available a part

 of yourself to others.

                                                                                           D. Harman
Faith is relational- not private

                                                                                                                                                     J. Berger

How are we Going to be the Church?

(Photo blurriness and distortion 

is from my taking the photos from a book- Connie)

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