Bible Study + Prayer — t.His

What to Pray When You Don't Know What to Say

I've spent a lot of time over the past several years studying prayer.

For anyone who really knows me, you know I’m sort of a ‘city’ girl. I love high heels, convertibles, and copious amounts of mascara. You know, girly stuff.

As a child, my best friend Cindy’s family lived in the ‘country’ and had livestock. I could barely stomach walking down to the pasture while Cindy had to feed the cows. It was dirty, usually a little muddy, and kind of stinky.

Fast forward 30 years and my father now has cattle. But here’s the deal, I love them. I found myself volunteering to go with him when he fed them. I even bottle fed one of his calves in which the mother had abandoned.

Now did the cows change? NO! They are dirty, the pasture usually muddy, and they too, are stinky.

So what changed?

5 Verses to Help You Overcome Comparison in Your Bible Journaling Pages

“Comparison is the thief of joy.” Theodore Roosevelt

Comparison is an ugly game that we all have played at least once in our lives (but more realistically, probably daily).

Envy is usually the result.

We all know that envy is not fun and God isn’t a fan of it.

The internet makes it worse.

It can encourage you and discourage you in the same breath.

We know what everyone is doing, or at least what they want us to know (the good things).

It’s so easy to scroll and scroll and have disappointment and jealousy grow with every thumb swipe.

Bible journaling is one of those things that can very easily make you discouraged. Here you are trying your best to worship and find encouragement and all that you find is that you’re disappointed.

I have been there…often. In fact, that’s the whole reason I’m writing this.

Just the other day, I was scrolling through Instagram looking at other people’s gorgeous Bible pages, reading their inspiring captions, and I got this twinge of “I’m not _________ enough.” You can fill that in with anything.

And believe me, the devil will try to force you to fill that blank.

Bible JournalingAbby RikeJanuary 23, 2017comparison, jealousy, bible journaling Comments

How to Draw 5 (Super Simple) Banners in Your Bible

It’s been a while since we first talked about bible journaling. I pray that you’re chugging along really well and finding tons of blessings along the way!

I thought that while you’re making some extremely amazing pages, you might want a few tips on some elements to add to your pages!

I’ve already gone over hand lettering, another really fun element to add to your bible pages. You can find that blog post here.

So now, I wanted to give a few tips on how to draw banners.

Banners are something I really like to add to my bible pages. They can really add dimension, interest, and fun to your artwork!

Hand Lettering- 5 Simple Tips to Get You Started Handing Lettering in Your Bible

I am often asked if I use special pens to make the words on my Bible pages look the way they do. While there are special pens and markers to allow you to achieve the same look, I usually don’t use those in my bible. You CAN; I just normally don’t. Below is an example of the lettering I’m talking about.

What I am doing in my bible is called hand lettering (or sometimes called faux calligraphy). Hand lettering is different from dip pen calligraphy and brush pen calligraphy. These ARE done with special pens and markers, which I may go over in the future, but you can hand letter with supplies you probably already have around your house!

Today I wanted to give you a very basic overview on hand lettering. Hand lettering is a very popular way to add verses in an artistic way to your journaling bible pages, address envelopes, or even create pieces to give to friends and family as gifts!

Before we start, I want you to remember something. We are accustomed to writing a certain way our entire lives. Just think of how long you’ve been writing. Probably since you were about 5! That is YEARS of practice to get to where you are today in terms of how you write. You probably don’t even think about it anymore.

How to Start Reading and Understanding the Bible

The Bible.

It's a big book.

Big in its literal as well as figurative sense.

Have you ever sat down to read it only to realize you have NO. IDEA. where to start?

You're certainly not alone.

Several years ago, coming from many years as a wayward saint, I felt compelled to start reading the Bible again. I wasn't excited about it. I just knew I needed to read it.

I wasn't excited about reading it because I had tried many, many, maaannnny times in the past. To be honest, I didn't understand much of it at all.

I don't know about you, but I'm not a big fan of feeling stupid. And quite frankly, when I read the Bible and didn't understand it, I felt stupid.

Bible Journaling: 6 Tips to Help You Get Started

It’s been a few months since I shared with you what Bible Journaling is and how to start Bible journaling. I pray that those blog posts encouraged you to dip your toes into the creative world of worship!

However, you may be sitting here a few months down the road and find yourself a little stuck. I’ve been in this same situation many times over the past year and a half. I’ve actually had a tough few months recently, creatively speaking.

Every time I sat down to read, I found myself having a really hard time concentrating. I couldn't focus on the words, the meaning, what I was supposed to learn, and I definitely couldn't concentrate enough to know what I was supposed to journal.

I believe 100% that bible journaling should be spirit led, so when I’m not feeling it, I just don’t do it.

I know that I still need to spend time with God. For almost 2 years, bible journaling has been my favorite way to do that. I have realized though, that sometimes even when I’m not forcing it, I actually am.

Meeting Jesus Christ: A Story of Salvation

It was an ordinary Wednesday during the school year of 2007.

My friend and next-door teaching neighbor was absent, so there was a substitute teacher in the room. Her name was Linda Martin.

I had known Mrs. Linda for a while and thought her to be the nicest lady. As we stood by our doors greeting students, she asked if I’d like to go to church that night.

Without even processing the invitation, I said yes.

That evening I stopped at Books-A-Million to get a notebook for church. Being a neurotic note-taker, I figured I’d better be prepared. Prepared for what I did not know.

I arrived at the building and found a seat in the middle toward the front so that I could see the altar and the preacher, whoever he might be. Being studious, I knew I’d get more out of this sitting near the front.

Service began with worship—the small band playing, arms raised in praise, hands clapping. This was familiar to me since I had attended two services here before with a friend. After a few songs, the pastor took the stage, led us in prayer, and began with his message.

I hung on every word this man spoke. He spoke with passion, conviction, and authority. I was hooked. I wanted more.

Bible StudyJennie McChargueSeptember 12, 2016how to be saved, Jesus Christ, Jesus, becoming a christian, salvationComment

Where was God? - Jeremiah 29:11

Often times when something bad happens people say, "Where was God?"

I've thought it. I bet you've thought it. I don't think you're human if you haven't, honestly.

Praying recently, I was basically apologizing for always seeing the negative in everything and getting in a rut of expecting the worst to happen. It's one of my biggest obstacles. I am a negative person, plain and simple.

Yesterday, I was thinking that even through all bad times, I can find at least one good thing despite them or in the midst of them. It might be something so small I almost miss it, but in the hard and trying times, there's almost always something good.

Trusting in the Lord: Psalm 125

Do you have one little word? A word that you try and focus on for the year?

My one little word for this year is trust.

When this word popped in my head originally, I thought it was because of some health issues we’d all been having. Health is the part of life where we struggle most with trusting, so it made sense. But as the year has gone on, I think it’s God telling me to trust Him with a few other things as well--things only He knew about when He gently persuadedme towards this word.

Sometimes we’re presented with tasks or commands, and we aren’t sure if we can do them. Sometimes we’re right; we can’t.

I’m learning that just because I can’t do something doesn’t mean God can’t.

Bible Journaling- Acts: The Power of the Holy Spirit

I'm going to admit something to you that I’m a little embarrassed about.

The Holy Spirit is something that took me a long time to really understand for some reason. It seemed ghostly, unattainable, and strange until I really sat down to deliberately learn what and who it was.

And when I really think about it, the Holy Spirit is something that’s extremely easy to take advantage of.

It’s one of those really important things that you don’t realize how much it does for you until it’s gone (Lucky for us, He's not going anywhere!).

Psalm 107: Breaking Chains

I really like Psalm 107.

“Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.” Psalm 107:2 says,

The whole chapter talks about 4 different kinds of people and how God helps them: the wanderers, the prisoners, the sick, and the storm-tossed.

They all bear talking about, but 107:14 really stands out to me.

"He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains."

I think this verse is talking in a literal sense of prisoners, but we can be in prison without sitting in a cell. A prison can take form in so many different ways.

Anxiety, depression, addiction, temptation, anger, jealousy.

There are so many things that can make us feel like we’re sitting in darkness. Some things we have more control over than others, but there’s one thing that can bring us out of that darkness—Jesus Christ.

For me the struggle has been with anxiety and mild depression for as long as I can remember. There have been times in my life where it is better, and there are times where I have felt like I was a prisoner to it. I have felt like I had no control over my emotions, happiness, or thoughts. Satan truly knew how to keep me down.

The Top 10 Christian Books That Will Change Your Life

As an avid reader, I'm always looking for a great read. Recently a new member of the Tribe, Barbara, asked if I had any book suggestions. I thought it was a great time to put together a list of my favorite books.

If you're looking to grow in your relationship with the Lord, what you read, watch, and listen to are vehemently important. Here is a list of books to feed your mind and more importantly, your soul.

How to Find God When You Can't See Him

Have you ever needed to hear God speak?

As in your soul was crying out for Him.

Several years ago my mother and I were blessed to go to Alaska for one of my speaking events. It was in October, and we would be there for the wreck anniversary day.

I normally don't do speaking events on or close to that date, but.... it was Alaska. And my mom.

Bible StudyAbby RikeMay 23, 2016God, hearing God, faith, listening to God, bible studyComment

SPIRITUAL VISION: Too old? Too late?

Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp
Or what’s a heaven for? (1)

Ah, Oswald, how you prick my heart! Anyone who knows me knows that Oswald Chambers is on my list of top 10 heroes – it (the list) changes periodically as I study and read and get to know people – most of whom are dead since most are from the Bible – save and except Francine Rivers (that’s for another time!) Oswald Chamber’s “My Utmost for His Highest” has been on my daily reading list for 20+ years. And it was, once again, his words that encouraged me to search the scriptures.

I digress (must be dreaming dreams instead of having visions). Because - VISIONS – that’s what’s been on my heart. As I read Oswald, I recognized myself as often being one with “idealistic principles.”

Bible Journaling: 10 Supplies You Need

So you've dipped your toe in the water.

You've started Bible journaling. Now you may be wondering, "What supplies should I use?"

I don’t use a ton of supplies. I have tried numerous things, but I always come back to these.

Everyone has a different style. After you’ve been journaling a while, you’ll probably notice that you tend to gravitate towards certain things. Some of my friends, like me, tend to only use watercolors.

Other's pages look like beautiful scrapbook pages, full of stickers, tip-ins (when you tape in a printable/prayer card/etc), and other types of embellishments!

There isn’t any right way to journal and there aren’t any proper or improper supplies. You should use whatever you love.

That being said, here are the things that I love!

Bible Journaling | Matthew 28:20 - God's Promises

This page was inspired by a SheReadsTruth devotional a few months ago on Genesis. One thing in particular that the writer of the devotional said really resonated with me. It said, “Jacob’s path was marked with memories, with celebrations and sorrows, just like yours and mine. And the most remarkable part? God kept every bit of that promise He’d made to Jacob, watching over him wherever he went.”

As I read this, I could so clearly see our path so far.

Bible JournalingAbby RikeApril 19, 2016 Comments

Bible Journaling | John 16:16 - In A Little While

"In a little while."

Something that I have said so often to my son…and honestly sometimes it’s just my way of not flat out telling him no. A placeholder until I can find the time or the energy. When Jesus told His disciples "A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” John 16:16. It was a promise and He meant it.

Bible JournalingAbby RikeApril 19, 2016Comment

Bible Journaling | Genesis - It is Good

In the beginning of the year people asked me, “How was last year?" How do you think this year will go?” My first response wants to be, "Kind of bad." We lost my grandpa in July. We haven’t felt very good physically. We had to cancel plans because of things out of our control. Things went our way & things didn’t.

But if I sit & I think about it, it was good. It was good because there is a blessing in every situation. There’s something in the works of every struggle & victory, even if we can’t see it.

Bible JournalingAbby RikeApril 19, 2016Comment

Bible Journaling | John 8:12

I think that sometimes in life we feel like we’re just surviving. I know that I have definitely felt this way. Sometimes it feels like I’m seriously just living day to day, hoping to make it through to the end in one piece.

When you’re out in the wilderness, the first thing you need for survival is fire. Pretty much everything hinges on it. You need it for warmth, light, food, for fresh water… you need it to sustain and thrive. Jesus is our campfire. He is our campsite. He’s the Living Water, the Bread of Life. He’s our shelter. He gives us every single thing we need to survive the wilderness of life.

Bible JournalingAbby RikeApril 19, 2016 Comment

Bible Journaling | Exodus 14:14 - The Lord Will Fight For You

So, most of the time, I just need to be silent.

In Exodus14:10, the Israelites started complaining. This is only the first instance when they grumbled and doubted. They were afraid that they were trapped as the Egyptian army started closing in on them. They started saying to Moses, “See? What did you think you were doing? We told you to leave us alone.” And in response Moses told them to be still, the Lord would fight for them. And He did

Bible JournalingAbby RikeApril 19, 2016Exodus 14:14, the Lord will fight for you, bible journalingComment

Be A Woman In The Word Every Day.

So now, I wanted to give a few tips on how to draw banners.

I believe 100% that bible journaling should be spirit led, so when I’m not feeling it, I just don’t do it.

Often times when something bad happens people say, "Where was God?"

My one little word for this year is trust.

I’m learning that just because I can’t do something doesn’t mean God can’t.