Numbers Bible Sketch

Our heavenly Father’s blessings of a beginning

Sending us forward in protection, mercy, grace, atonement and peace in Jesus

The Benediction, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 ESV Bible verse hand lettering with sketch of how to make the sign of the cross hand gesture—the oldest symbol of Christianity.

A pastoral blessing

1. is like the shining of the sun bringing joy and brightness,
2. gives peace and security in the wake of life’s tragedy and natural disasters,
3. verbally declares a wishing of God’s wishes,
4. calls Christians to love and bless others even in the midst of horrifying situations, 
5. reminds us of who we are as God’s children in the midst of chaos and adversity, 
6. includes a hand gesture to visualize the blessing’s effectiveness in God’s peacemaking on the cross
7. is spoken Word which forgives and strengthens

(reference and more about the benediction)

Explore to listen, watch, sing along

• The Lord Bless You And Keep You - Lutkin - performed live by Octarium
• The Lord Bless You and Keep You - Nidarosdomens Guttekor
• The Lord Bless You and Keep You - HSU Music High school a capella group Half-Step Up

Printable blessings sign of the cross art is available at FreshRetroGallery, Etsy. Learn how to make cards on the computer: tutorial and inspiration for making artistic notes.

Check out The Lutheran Study Bible with extra helpful study resources and prayers.

Leviticus Bible Sketch

Our Creator is holy

“What does it mean to be holy? … What does God require of us to be considered holy?” (find out what Pastor Mark Schlamann says by clicking here)

Sketch of praying hands under the cross of Christ Jesus, His shed blood, the Holy Spirit’s gift of faith given in the water of Baptism and the Word. “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” Leviticus 19:2b ESV

In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

“…we are part of His family—we are His own children…” (listen or read more from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Two Rivers, WI)

Sketchbook doodle symbolizing the gifts of being washed, cleansed and loved by the our Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The powerful light of God lives in, flows through and shines from all believers throughout the universal Christian Church.

We pray

Dear Father God,
Thank You for giving us saving faith that is ours through the

• working of the Holy Spirit and
• what Christ Jesus has done to fulfill the law

Turn us to your Word to

• show us our sin
• increase our understanding of the gospel
• transform us by the renewal of our minds that by testing we may discern
  • what is Your will
  • what is good and acceptable and perfect
• guide us to humbly live in the holiness of your merciful Truth
• encourage and strengthen us to accomplish things You provide for us to do
• increase reflection that leads us to repent of our wrongdoings
• make us certain of Your presence
• share divine love You stir within us
• motivate us to pray
• move us to be generous
• teach us to gently build others up with encouragement and kindness
• develop our leadership and creative skills which would point others to You
• light our way to care for others with
  • patience
  • forgiveness
  • compassion
• complete our joy in believing and trusting Your gracious invitation that has no end

Give us desire to receive Your gifts. Open our ears, hearts and mouths to receive your honest, holy goodness in worship and The Lord’s Supper. Amen.

The written Word of God

Check out this Bible with helpful extra notes and references: The Lutheran Study Bible

Exodus Bible Sketch

God is in the details of the ten commandments [God is love]

“Where the heart is right with God, all the other commandments follow.” —Dr. A. L. Barry

God is love—pure, patient, self-giving, desiring all to be saved.

• Listen to Issues Etc.’s excellent discussion about Love. 
• Read a short post, God’s Passionate Love!
• God’s ten commandments invite us to abide in Him, for our good and the love of others.

The cross of Jesus in Bible verse sketch “You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3 ESV

What are small-g-gods all about?

Grappling: The First Commandment and Six Idols (The Ten Commandments)  (open link, then click on picture to start short video about idolatry)

Sins make life difficult, meaningless, or dull; they take priority over praying, thanking, praising, revering, listening to His Word, singing hymns and worshiping God. Our Lord Jesus brings forgiveness, healing, peace and joy to those who confess and repent of sins (realized) as well as the sins which may be evident to others (and God) though we may not recognize. A few examples are

• spending time or money unwisely or miserly
• neglecting to attend to needs of others
• avoiding opportunities to share the Gospel
• poor response to others when they commit sins against us
• blame-shifting, denial or refusal to take responsibility for sins
• manipulating people and situations
• impatience
• the list goes on…

Dimensions of how deeply our sinful nature (unhealthy connection to other gods) affects others is beyond what we can accurately measure or explain. We get boxed into rigid perimeters other sinners place around us or we build walls around ourselves and others. We cannot free ourselves from sin preventing us to think outside our own little boxes.

The Holy Spirit gives believers power to resist temptations, lies, vices of Satan, the world, and our fallen nature which promote an inclination to abuse or give excess praise, focus, reliance on

• things we consume and places we go—confused about what [we think] we “deserve”—we sometimes forget to thank our Creator who provides skills and opportunities which allow us to generate income to afford these items and pleasures
• ourselves—selfish, prideful, stubborn, wants, worries, negativity, mistrust in the Lord 
• work—falsely thinking it “earns” God’s favor
• control—which is not ours to impose on others
• people in our lives:
  —having an unrealistic expectation of perfection
  —assuming to be understood by a person without communicating with him/her
  —unforgiving lack of compassion toward one who seeks to be heard/forgiven
  —demanding of or using someone for our own glory and gratification

Our Heavenly Father provides the Word to help us offer forgiveness and compassion toward those He placed for us to humbly love, lead, support, nourish, cherish and protect.

Being able to forgive others (pastor, teacher, parent, spouse, sibling, child, grandchild, friend, co-worker, etc.) isn’t like a light switch that is turned on and off—it is a process that takes time. We may never forget the sins, yet with the help of God we can and it is good for us to

1. confess our own sinfulness
2. have empathy toward ourselves and those who sin against us (if they are willing to communicate, listen to their fears, desires, misplaced trust)
3. because of what Christ has done, we can forgive self and people who sin against us even if they do not ask to be forgiven

Don’t lose heart!

God opened the Way to freedom and saves many who abide in Truth. His Word teaches us to ask for His will to be done and enables us to receive His forgiveness and goodness. Generously and mercifully he

• feeds our hunger
• directs our focus
• protects and delivers us from evil
• heals the brokenhearted
• shows kindness
• comforts us in sorrows
• levels—makes a smooth path by still waters for our thirsty souls
• leads us to Himself and a life of repentance
• walks with us
• forgives, washes, cleans up after us, turns us around
• allows us to receive and fully trust His mercy
• provides us capacity to share mercy with others
• creates peace and goodness

Pray: dear God of Love, we praise and thank You for this Good News! Guide us that we may generously forgive, show mercy, share and receive compassionate love. Amen.

“…as far as the east is from the west…” Psalm 103

Gracious God sketch of the cradled Christ, crown of thorns, cross of Christ, Easter lilies, risen sun (Son of God) with rays of hope, water of baptism, trees of the field—doodled during a bible study class.

Our Creator is so gracious!

While we were yet sinners, He pours the Holy Spirit into our hearts—we receive this gift in the water of baptism and by hearing His Word.

Our Heavenly Father frees and saves repentant sinners through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus, our Precious Treasure who

• is true God and true man
• was tempted
• never sinned
• suffered
• died by crucifixion
• was buried
• rose from the dead
• ascended to heaven
• intercedes for us

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV (whole chapter)

Are you looking for a Bible with helpful extras? 

Check out The Lutheran Study Bible.

Genesis Bible Sketch

Why doodle during class and for leisure?

Doodle sketch: Relax, merciful Savior, precious Redeemer, friend. —freshretrogallery

Doodling helps some people concentrate while listening to a topic, or helps them relax while they dedicate time to think.

As creatures God designed with His gift of creativity, we thrive on innovation, spiritual reflection, and mindful planning.

“and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,” 1 Thessalonians 4:11 (whole chapter)

To fully explore my present journey through this life I’ve been given, growth is essential and comes by learning in a variety of ways. For example, The Illuminated Catechism is an artistic resource which would help anyone reflect on God’s grace, pray, and deepen understanding of the Christian faith.

I exercise and practice visual art when I

• sketch
• draw
• paint
• color
• doodle
• photograph
• organize mixed media
• tear
• cut
• glue
• tie
• build
• layer

Creating is a form of personal brainstorming to help me

• focus
• remember
• meditate on Scripture
• relax
• absorb teaching
• expand my mind
• share

Art journaling, sketching and hand lettering Bible verses enhance life. 

In future posts, God-willing, I plan to share photos of doodles that I’ve imagined or truths which have traveled through my ears into my mind and onto paper. The perfectionist in me would change every single one of them someway—they are not great works of art; yet, time is limited and I’m learning to let go to avoid being stuck on too many details. For peace of mind and to push forward, I rely on God’s grace and mercy just as I hope to offer and receive this from the people closest to me. I share my illustrated inspiration in gratitude to the glorious Spirit of our Creator Savior.

Genesis 9:13

I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Genesis 9:13 (whole chapter)

  “…take the side of God's rainbow, not the rainbow flag.” —The Days of Noah…; Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty (LCRL)

Are you looking for a Bible with helpful extras? 

Check out The Lutheran Study Bible.

How to protect car door from paint damage that would occur if it opened upon a garage wall.

Up against a wall? Cheers! 

This New Year’s Eve I share inspiration—my invention that helps me center and get out of a tight, potentially harmful space. I used egg cartons to protect my car doors from damage that would occur if I accidentally opened the doors too far and bang into the cement or concrete block garage wall.

Eat eggs and save the cardboard carton—boil, peel shell and quarter for chef’s salad , prepare smoked salmon egg salad tea sandwiches, make classic deviled eggs, cook basic French omelets, or bake Quiche Lorainne.

Use scissors or shears to cut cover and flap off of egg carton

Add poster mounting putty to the bottom outside of each egg compartment

Press the carton, adhering it to cinder or concrete block garage wall. The carton is the same color as the concrete blocks, so it is hardly noticeable! Make sure to apply enough cartons to cover the distance variance of parked car pulled into its spot as well as coverage for both front and back doors.

Egg cartons on garage wall protect paint by buffering the open doors from hitting the unforgiving wall.

Trusting my Savior for protection and thankful for forgiveness…

• I am willing and open to expand my insight and knowledge; yet, I must be satisfied that I can’t and don’t need to know and fully understand everything (Ecclesiastes 11:5). And I can’t expect any other human to know and fully understand me either—only my Creator knows me even better than I know myself (Romans 8:27-37).
• It has been much harder than I ever thought it would be to keep a promise. I sin often and in many ways (James 3:2). I am sorry (1 John 1:9). I am forgiven in Christ (Psalm 103).
• I turn for help (Psalm 121), pray to, seek, and praise my Protector (Psalm 5:11-12) who loves everyone perfectly (John 3:16-17)!

…and many mercies

• the gift of life and health (before diagnosis, through/after cancer surgery)
• friends and family
• caring church home
• a safe, peaceful home to rest
• an efficient, quiet place to work
• good suppliers
• technology
• Etsy and Amazon Handmade shops from which I sell
• buyers who support my creative business

A friend and I attended a class and learned how to stain a wooden plaque and use three colors of foil to decorate it with feathers. The project reminded me of God’s protection, so I added hand-lettering …under his wings you will find refuge… Psalm 91:4 (whole chapter)

I look up [to Jesus’s cross] and let go what weighed heavy this past decade. My printable Look up and let it go balloon art is available at FreshRetroGallery.

To learn, grow, share my faith—these goals I hope to explore in the next decade, God-willing!

I pray I may live to the glory of God by the grace given to me in faith.

Have a happy new decade 2020!

Sour milk on my cereal

How to get through a day

If life gives you sour milk, eat ice cream!

Among the good blessings in life, we discover some surprises aren’t good. Like pouring sour milk on a dish of cereal, we never know when frustrations will seep in to soak up our energy and distract us from our goals.

With gratitude I enjoy breakfast …

1. Coffee—a staple in my diet
2. Cereal—variety or combination of rice, wheat, corn, barley and oats
3. Nuts—pumpkin seeds and sliced almonds
4. Fruit—fresh or frozen blueberries
5. Milk—if sour and there’s no fresh milk on hand, ice cream makes a rich and smooth substitute

Sour milk ruins cereal, so start fresh and substitute ice cream! To fix the breakfast blunder: strain and pick out cereal to dispose, rinse/save the blueberries/nuts, add fresh cereal and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Voilà—a blessing in disguise!

Words sour, substitute, purpose and accomplish inspired me to take this picture and motivated me to write.  

And then questions came to mind:

1. “What does your daily routine look like?” a friend asked, knowing I’d made a career change to work from home.
2. “What do you hope to accomplish in this life before you die?” came up during a class studying a man of integrity, Martin Luther, who translated the Bible so it could be printed for everyone. 

His last written words were, “We are beggars: this is true.” from Holy Ponderings of the Reverend Father Doctor Martin Luther, translated for Project Wittenberg by James Kellerman

I push forward to accomplish purposeful goals and keep an open mind to where the Lord may be leading me. And then I sin.

Sin can be summed up as all the things we say, think, do, and don’t do, that fall outside of God’s holy will for our lives and end up separating us from God. —Lutheran Hour Ministries

All of us should watch out for various ways Satan tries to trick, confuse, pull us into his lies and distasteful ways. Our own and also other people’s sin cause us to suffer all kinds of unpleasant consequences: sad situations, horrible circumstances, harmed or broken relationships.

So, what do we do about the sour moments?

Do not swallow the sour milk. Sin is more than we can handle and fix on our own. To be strong we should quickly pick up our heavy sin and give it to Jesus, saying, “I’m sorry” to Him and also to each person offended. Seek help, change direction, work hard at not repeating mistakes—it’s called repentance which receives God’s mercy.

If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. Proverbs 24:10 ESV (whole chapter)

Love others because Christ first loved us. Thrive on every ounce of the Holy Spirit’s fruit to face difficulties caused by darkness coming from another person, poor health, or natural disaster.

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1 ESV (whole chapter)

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV (whole chapter)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control… Galatians 5:23 (whole chapter)

Like strained sour milk, rinsed fruit and rich ice cream, let the merciful love of God save the day.

The Holy Spirit creates faith and comes to us in the water of Christian Baptism and the Word. Once received, always there—stronger than evil which the Truth of Scripture exposes.

When sin is repented, it is strained completely out through Christ. Jesus, Our Substitute has accomplished what was necessary. God looks into the hearts of believers and sees not our sin, but sees His Son who took away the sin of the world. More about repentance and forgiveness: click here

To top it all off, we are covered by the richness of the Holy Spirit to smooth over our conscience.

Out of thankfulness, we study the Bible with friends regularly in church. To follow God’s perfect recipe, complete with instructions for life: we drink, eat and inwardly digest the Good News which sustains and holds us safe.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 ESV (whole chapter)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. … Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding… Proverbs 3:5,13 ESV (whole chapter)

Explore God’s purposes for allowing us to experience disappointing hardships.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 ESV (whole chapter)

1. Our loving Heavenly Father desires all people to be saved.
   
2. He expects us to ask questions and examine Scripture for guidance and wisdom. 
3. Reminder to reconnect if we’ve wandered, procrastinated, or have become arrogant and lazy about faith matters.
4. Pray The Lord’s Prayer as it may relate.
5. Find a church and talk with a Pastor.
6. If you love God with your whole heart; just trust He’s working it for good. 
7. Reminder to: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. … So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:2,10 (whole chapter)

The power of the Holy Spirit

• Educates and opens our eyes to realize we need our Savior; then leads us to repent and strive to change
• Offers relief from fear and comfort for pain
• Lifts depression—replaces it with contentment and joy
• Grants freedom to be faithful
• Makes clear methods to improve self-control
• Allows us to receive forgiveness, goodness and kindness
• Equips us to forgive others (even when thy have not admitted guilt); then permits us to be good and kind toward them
• Strengthens us to patiently, mercifully, bear with the faults and burdens of others
• Encourages and motivates us to be gentle, peaceful and loving

While I can’t escape sour milk moments, in an average day my routine may include:

• Sleep about 7–8 hours until I wake for the day
• Stretch and tone up for about 40 minutes
• Listen to Worldwide KFUO and other internet radio stations
• Pray, read and listen to prayers, various devotions and Bible
• Sing or listen to hymns (a form of prayer) via You Tube or Hymnary.org
• Work creatively in some form such as sketching or writing in this blog
• Business at FreshRetroGallery Etsy and Handmade-Amazon: plan, design, research, development, product creation, photography, graphics, promotion, purchasing, maintenance, organize, bookkeeping, customer service, print labels, package, take shipments to the Post Office, continue education
• Home—organize, shop, meals, laundry, clean
• Exercise—long walks or swim laps; use stepper
• Socialize in person or online
• Relax with a novel or Netflix

I expect additions and changes in my daily routine:

• Vocations and family experiences make life full
• High-gear pre-Christmas business shipping rush
• Church, theater, concerts, museums, travel, extending/receiving invitations, celebrations, book club, dates, festivals, special organized activities and events
• Opportunities to volunteer or give special offerings.
• Health issues and appointments for myself or to help others

Please click center arrow to play Lutheran Service Book hymn: From God Can Nothing Move Me from Heirs of the Reformation: Treasures of the Singing Church 4-CD Set

Dear Lord, thank You for the love Christ has shown to me through His death and resurrection. May that love motivate me to continue in my Christian faith, even when it’s hard. In Jesus’ name. Amen. — prayer from Mustard Seed Devotions

Free coloring sheet printable: Lutheran Christian faith art for adults and kids

Coloring page, free crafts for VBS, Sunday school, church event party favors and activities!

Hey friends, I made this this printable coloring page for adults and children! Free download: just click the art to open a larger jpg image, save to your device, print and color it! You are welcome to share with teachers, students, pastors, parents, friends. See colored seal, get vector PDF format (higher resolution) and other versions at FreshRetroGallery Etsy.

Ideas to use as art, craft, coloring projects for Lutheran/Christian events and occasions

Enjoyment, education, evangelism

Coloring is a trending activity using art to teach lessons, memorization, and share our Savior’s gospel with students, family, and people in your circle.

• Baptism
• First Communion
• Confirmation
• Party favors
• Sunday school
• Vacation Bible school (VBS)
• Parochial school classroom
• Adult Bible study class
• Prayer, devotion, women’s group (LWML) meetings
• Mother-daughter events
• Hospital and nursing home visits

What does this mean?

About the Design

Martin Luther personally oversaw the creation of the Luther Rose art recognized for Lutheranism. The seal is a beautiful visual summary of the faith which is common to Christians of every place and time. Luther explained the meaning of his design in a letter to Lazarus Spengler, July 8, 1530 [WA Br 5:445]; tr. P. T. McCain

Taking a fresh look at Luther’s purposeful, enduring art — the symbol he shared in good friendship — I created this rendition with a purple banner that says, “It’s all about Jesus” to emphasize that nothing we do achieves salvation which is only in Christ. Purple paraments are used by liturgical congregations during Lent. The color reminds Christians of their daily need to seek to live a life of humble repentance (as the inerrant Scripture reveals).

“And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him.” Mark 15:17 ESV

Words in the gold ring summarize Lutheran teaching

1. Grace alone
2. Faith alone
3. Word (Scripture) alone
4. Christ (Truth) alone

Lessons prepared for adults and children are found in the short descriptions of faith on the coloring page drawing.

Black Cross

The first should be a black cross in a heart, which retains its natural color, so that I myself would be reminded that faith in the Crucified saves us. For one who believes from the heart will be justified”. Although it is indeed a black cross, which mortifies and which should also cause pain, it leaves the heart in its natural color. It does not corrupt nature, that is, it does not kill but keeps alive. “The just shall live by faith” but by faith in the crucified.

Red Heart

The heart is red because Jesus shed His blood for us so that we may live. He saves us by grace through faith.

White Rose

Such a heart should stand in the middle of a white rose, to show that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace. In other words, it places the believer into a white, joyous rose, for this faith does not give peace and joy like the world gives. That is why the rose should be white and not red, for white is the color of the spirits and the angels.

Blue Background

Such a rose should stand in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that such joy in spirit and faith is a beginning of the heavenly future joy, which begins already, but is grasped in hope, not yet revealed.

Gold Circle

Around the blue field is a golden ring, symbolizing that such blessedness in Heaven lasts forever and has no end. Such blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy and goods, just as gold is the most valuable, most precious and best metal.

Purple Banner

Purple represents repentance as we daily turn from our sin and trust in Christ.

Green Leaves

Five green leaves remind us of God’s wonderful creation! New life through the Spirit of Christ comes to us in Baptism. Trusting His Word, we grow in faith.

Shell/Water and Bible

Baptism art is placed above three lines where a person’s full name can be written. It is one of the miraculous means of grace (another is God’s Word as it is written or spoken), through which God creates and/or strengthens the gift of faith in a person’s heart. Biblical references for the coloring page are Romans 10:10, Romans 1:17, John 14:27, Matthew 28:3, John 20:12, 1 John 3:2, Romans 5:5, Genesis 1:1, John 11:25, and Mark 1:15.

Coloring page created to celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation

We appreciate the creativity of Luther’s rose design which has lasted so long! God’s hand was in the timing of Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press and Martin Luther’s Bible translation. These events made Scripture accessible to common people throughout Germany and eventually the world!

“Martin Luther was many things: preacher, teacher, orator, translator, theologian, composer, and family man. He came to symbolize everything the Protestant Reformation stood for. But perhaps Luther’s greatest achievement was the German Bible. No other work has had as strong an impact on a nation’s development and heritage as has this Book.” more at Christianity Today (CT)

Learn more history, theology, teaching, worship, media, resources, and how to get involved at the Lutheran Reformation site. Get answers to Lutheran Christian faith questions and read more about my church’s beliefs and practices.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 ESV

Go ahead! 

Please, enjoy using my coloring page as you study its content. Personal and educational use of the coloring sheet does not require further written permission from me, the designer.

© Elizabeth Knaus, FreshRetroGallery

Additional versions of digital files — color, grayscale, black — in high resolution PDF and other formats are available to download for reproduction at FreshRetroGallery