Color My World

You don't have to be with me very long before you realize I color my world.

I live by color. I think in color. I teach in color. I study in color. It's been that way for most of my adult life. It's my way to remember what I learned as I studied & listened. It shows me how to decipher what I need to understand and reminds me of the importance to grasp the Way the Lord prepared for me to walk. 

I have 3 priorities. Each priority is represented by a color that helps me remember God's declaration of an absolute truth about Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord.
I found that truth in Romans 11:36. 
            "For from HIM and through HIM and to HIM are all things. 
                                    To HIM be glory forever. Amen."
Proving I believe God's purpose in Christ, I want to live that truth in all I do. This helps me daily know & evaluate my heart is not deceived by shallow living. My mentor taught me that sincerely living truthfully would be able to be seen fitting together through my choices. Living by colored priorities shows me the proof of intentional living truth. 

Spain Interview (click on this to hear an interview: Journal in Color)
While visiting Spain this past fall, I was asked to be interviewed because a friend remembered how I shared my priorities in color. There was no preparation. 
Suddenly, there were bright lights and cameras with one instruction: "Share."
I told of my love for Jesus and his Word. I shared how much I wanted others to know His love for them. Because I needed to learn to "Speak Jesus" to others, I created a colorful method to remember and learn.
In this interview, I simply talked as I flipped through examples on journal pages I held in my hand. These examples are divided by color, representing my relationships. I carry this journal easily wherever I go so I can quickly give visuals of my priorities. Most of the pages show simple charts of how I think in life, study, learn & remember passages in Scriptures. It also gives visuals for sharing Jesus both to believers for growth and unbelievers for more understanding. It opens understanding of how a believer can prove obedience to God's Word in every area of life. At a glance, the colors broadcast a priority backed by Scriptures pointing to Jesus. As I record, I hope to prove that my daily choices remain balanced even in the little things.
My journal is full of color because I organize my life by color. To know the meaning of colors, you must understand my relational priorities and understand the reasons I chose the particular color for that priority. 
 
My relationships are all about HIM.  

1. My relationship IN Christ is to bring HIM glory. 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 says, 
"For God, who said, "Let Light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. I have this wonderful treasure in me, although, I am only a fragile human. I have been given the glory of God (Jn 17:3) I want to carry it well and let it be seen in me! Yellow is bright, shiny and reminds me of glory. I highlight in yellow everything I learn about God - His character & attributes, His love, His thoughts for me, and His will for me and this world.

2. My relationship in the Body of Christ is my second priority because when this relationship is strong, I have a good spiritual support group for encouragement and a safe place to grow in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. This body has many members who have been given spiritual life through the blood of Jesus Christ's offering of His own life. His sacrifice of blood made it possible for Him to bring me to God. This Body is royal. (2 Peter 2:9) so I use BLUE to remind me of my membership in his Body. To encourage growth, this safe place has instructions on how to treat "each other."


3. My relationship in the Work of Christ wraps up everything else that hasn't fit into the other two priorities.    

God was in Jesus reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their sins against them. Jesus gave His life on the cross, willingly shedding His blood in sacrifice, to bring us to God. All mankind was going the wrong way - their own way (Isa 53:6). He pointed to God and said "Follow Me." Those who receive Him become His followers. Because Jesus wanted to stop everyone from the wrong way, I use RED to remember to help others Stop, turn around and look at Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth & the Life. (John 14:6)  

As the years have passed, the colorful practice grew quite by accident to portray a complete rainbow of colors. I found the reality of keeping my 3 relational priorities needed further explanations because things are not always as they should be. As in art projects, I realized simply combining the primary colors (Yellow, Blue & Red) with each other creates secondary colors (Green, Purple & Orange). These combinations helped explain to me what I was actually dealing with when confronted by mixed behaviors within relationships. 

Secondary colors can be for another post. 
But for now, taking the time focused on Christ's Glory (yellow), Christ's Body (blue) & Christ's Work (red)is a simple step in deciphering the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for me.  Here's how I start:
YELLOW - no matter what I hear or read, I ask, "What is this teaching me about God & His Son, Jesus Christ?" John 17:3 says eternal life is Knowing. I highlight or write on yellow the response I've learned. 
Example: I read: "The Lord is my shepherd."  Highlight: shepherd. Response: It is the Lord who shepherds me. 
BLUE - I ask, "What does this teach me about the Body of Christ, or the assembled believers?" 
RED - I ask, "What characterizes those Christ seeks to save? These may be precious opportunities where we can share God's message of reconciliation. (2 Co5:20-21)   

The colors are found in so many fun office supplies & stickers! It's easy to carry 3 colored pencils to use as object lesson items as well as coloring. There are post-notes, labels, stickers, papers, as well as pens & markers. Any simple composition notebook or journal can be used to record what you learn along your path but make sure the weight of the paper is thick enough to hold ink or glue! Make it fun & simple.
I hope you grab yours and begin the adventure of visual colors brilliantly lighting up your ministry as an ambassador! 2 Co 5:20 
I hope these colorful explanations encourage another to consider a more intentional way to move from abstract concepts to more visual proof (2 Co 6:6) of truly living a balanced life that pleases the Lord.  

Marking Another Year of Faithfulness

I think it is only fair to pause as one marks another year of activities fading into vague memories as quickly as a vapor.

In this leisure moment, I'm pausing to mark, journal & thank the Lord for another year that has passed. It has been an awesome year of Florida sunshine, poolside BBQ & picnics with laughter & great conversations, new friends & visitors, travel, grandchildren's school performances & successes to cheer, and moments of teaching God's ladies while serving the Lord alongside a faith community. This pause is filled with praise to my precious LORD Jesus for the all the good He has showered on my days. 

My personal trek with the living God began over 60 years ago with the words "for you" spoken by Jesus when explaining His choice to die in my place. I received Him as my Savior and He gave me the right to be called by His Name. I love what I recently found of just what God did for me in Romans 1:5-7.
Throughout my adult life I've become more and more aware of the depths those precious "for you" words actually mean to me. To know that my Creator wants "good" for me has given me more courage than I've even imagined. My life has been so full of adventures and the solid promises of good have been the anchor of security through both storms & peace. 

I'm constantly amazed how our faithful God declares Himself present in our lives. Just recently, Don & I traveled again to Wales to visit our younger daughter's family. It's been said often by those from the UK, so I'll just agree with them.
 "Wow! It's so beautiful!"
Our Creator God did really good with the formation of those beautiful rolling hills & flowery meadows, making a perfect dwelling place for some of his lowly wooly creatures. Yes... there are sheep everywhere!!
Psalm 23 came to my mind as I watched a shepherd climb the slope to his flock. 

Each time we visit, we have wonderful times exploring the surrounding Brecon Mountains and the valley communities. On one hike, we stood on a Brecon Summit, to gaze far off into the distance. The shadows of billowy clouds darkened further hills in an array of green tones. We enjoyed our restful Teatime in the Roundabout and wandered the pastureland, marveling at God's creation covering the immense landscape & amazing cloud formations outlining the sky. 
                                                                            

One Sunday afternoon on this recent holiday trip, we drove to a very high peak. The road was narrow, muddy and curving sharply. It was very challenging whenever we met an oncoming vehicle. Each driver inched slowly as close to the hedge as possible to barely squeak past each other. There were also some tense moments when our wheels spun icy patches, struggling to grasp gravel to slow us down.   
Because the wind was sharp, cold and intense, we spent the winter afternoon exploring mostly from the car. The girls climbed out once to run & play on the lush green bluff but quickly raced back to the car, weary of fighting the gusts challenging their strength. Even dressed in several layers, I huddled in the car, trying to keep warm.
The beauty spread below the bluff was breathtaking. It was most beautiful when the sun shone on the houses clustered in the valley. The countryside was dotted with hedges, marking off roads and farms. In the distance, we could see the ancient stone castle, a fortress during many historical enemy raids.  

During those moments in creation, I found it hard to describe my inner feelings. I've almost accepted the possibility that there may be no words for such poignant feelings. A whispered hint might be that I felt like my soul encountered the closeness of my inner Anchor's Presence. Within me, I've held tightly to Him, believing securely His declarations of love explained in Scriptures. I'm persuaded my Redeemer lives. I know I live in His Presence wherever I roam, but there on the mountain top, my physical world was enveloped by His Majesty. The moments were poignant, vivid, flamboyant, yet breathtakingly peaceful.

I am so blessed. As I contemplate other days of this passing year, I realize I've encountered His Presence in so many different places. He surrounds me with good. The squeezes of little arms embracing my weariness, the smiles in friendships, a well-written text greeting, and the camaraderie found while serving our community have been just a few of the moments. 

Returning to our Florida home, our heated pool wards off the winter blues while offering leisure afternoons to float in the sun, relaxed by listening to the broadcasting songs, hymns & spiritual songs. These have been times of inner refreshing as well as more quiet hours to read & study Scriptures while basking in the sunshine!
I also find great enjoyment comparing my treasure hunts with what others have excavated in their studies! How blessed we are to have the technology to hear several weekly sermons, take classes online, hear pods, or read other posts sharing individual studies! All of these have brought such joy and remind us daily that we live in His Presence. 
So, life continues to move on with so much promise of adventures in the Presence of our Living God. 

I pray for my family and friends to be very aware of where the Living God is making His appeal through his representatives and the marvelous gift of God's kindness. (2 Corinthians 5:17- 6:1). 
May each of us gratefully join Him in the message of reconciliation as we practice His Presence daily through 2026.