Praying in Color, by Sybil MacBeth (Paraclete Press) is another book from my color-coded shelf (heh, heh). I haven't finished reading this yet, but so far, I'm enjoying it. Those of you who've read my blog would know that this title would immediately catch my attention. I read the back cover - it said, "Maybe you love color (I answered yes...). Maybe you hunger to know God better (yes...). Maybe you are a visual or kinesthetic learner (uh-huh...), a distractible or impatient soul (yes, yes..)". That was enough for me...right-click-->Add to Cart. I'm finding this book to be very affirming.
I'm a doodler. I doodle in my journal. I doodle in the margins of my Bible. Years ago, a very well-meaning older saint scolded me for this, for marring the Holy Word. I wasn't marring - I was illuminating! It helps me concentrate. And personally, I don't think the Lord minds :) So imagine my excitement when I found a book that encouraged creative expression as a tool to help you delve deeper into your prayer relationship with God. 
I have a stack of these prayer journals, and I like to imagine that one day maybe my grandchildren and great grandchildren will see a written and illustrated journey of faith, prayers prayed, thanks given--and find their old granny's inability to spell hi-larious (no spell-checker with pen and ink). One parting quote. I read it this morning in a devotional I use.
"But why do we have color? It seems to serve no practical purpose--at least none that scientists can discern. And why are there photoreceptors in our eyes that enable us to see it?
I believe that God's goodness is the point of His creation. He is 'good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works' (Psalm 145:9). He colored the world for our childlike delight. He's like that, you know."
David Roper
Joining Emily today
36 comments:
You have a fellow soul here....though I haven't added color to my doodles (yet)!
Have you read A Passion for the Impossible, about Lilias Trotter's life? And also A Blossom in the Desert, a book of some of her artwork and journal excerpts? I think you would like those.
Sara, I haven't heard of either of these, but I'm definitely going to check them out. Thank you, fellow soul sister.
I think this book was written just for you! The quote about color gave me chills--I can just imagine how it fed your soul. And the doodles? I think those are going to be proudly displayed in heaven right next to a bunch of those medieval illustrated manuscripts. Your doodles make me deliriously happy just looking at them. My friend Ethel is a doodler, and I love looking over at her in church, wondering what she's drawing while the pastor is preaching and she's receiving God's word. Good stuff my acorn friend!
Sounds like a book I must get. I too have doodled for years in my Bibles and all my journals. I'm very "curious" now.
love,love!
Jodi! I saw that book in the bookstore at this amazing place here in MA called The Community of Jesus (oh my, look up their website, you would LOVE the art/life that goes on there). I just glanced through the book but have used one of the ideas I saw there to help my prayers. Now I want to read the whole book...
I love the stuff you bring here. Thanks.
love the shots of your journal...i like being creative as well...and i think that truly honors the creator and what he gave us...very cool...keep illuminating...
I'm learning to be more free and joyous in my prayer, which for so long was bound up in doctrines that served only themselves. Thanks for writing.
I'm a doodler too : )
And this book sounds interesting. I wonder if it would be happy on a non-color-coded bookshelf? ; )
Love the quote about color, too:
"He colored the world for our childlike delight. "
That's a nice thought to carry with me, today. Thanks, Jodi.
(I hate it when my smiley faces get split between lines)
So interesting! It seems like colour is an Imperfect Prose theme this week! I really love God's sense of humour and his appreciation (support, creation) of different ways to do and see things. I find this to be his most "God"-ly attribute.
Kit, thanks I will!
Yes. I admit it. I am a perfectionist. (This said to the lady who stayed up all night color-coding her bookshelves...)
Dear Leslie, muahahahahah
Kati, I've noticed similar themes before, and being that it's unplanned, I think it's a spirit-thing. Very cool.
oh i love the pictures of your prayer journals! i used to write mine on unlined paper in strange, intricate patterns and different coloured ink. after having children and very limited time, i've switched to just using coloured ink and plain writing on lined paper.
i've also noticed the themes. it's very cool. :)
I love to doodle as well....but yours is beautiful Jodi! :-)
I love you. I really like that quote thank you for sharing.
I don't think God minds doodles at all.
I think God has a bit of a flower child like spirit.
I love that He cared enough to make uniqueness and give us the gift of enjoying our unique bent on beauty.
Cool journals. What a treasure.
RuthV
oh my goodness. i need this book. i'm adding it to my wish list. and the last quote made me cry... the fact that God gave color just because... oh, he speaks my heart. as do you, with your beautiful doodles and your lovely 'impatient' soul :) i would be honored to inherit your journals. whoever does is very blessed, friend. xo
Beautiful ideas. Beautiful prayer books--so lovely. And yes, colors a sign of God's love.
Thank you.
This is WONDERFUL! I happen to be attending a seminar tonight in NYC themed around the "distinctive excesses which we experience in the arts function as a sign of the Spirit’s work in the world." God's gift of color is a prime example of His abundance in creation. Keep doodling, friend...
oops, I meant to give you a link: http://artspastor.blogspot.com/2010/10/my-redeemer-presbyterian-nyc-arts-talk.html
Love that last quote. God's greatness and goodness is reflected in every spectrum of color.
Tamara, thanks, this looks interesting, and I'll check it out.
Enjoyed sooo much this POST on color, bks., being a visual person...easily DISTRACTED -that fits ME also.
I also enjoyed your Doodle notebks. I have a bk. by David Roper, called "OUF OF THE ORDINARY". It's a Devo bk., excellent - it says 'GOD'S HAND at Work in Everyday Lives'
Easy to see that this idea resonates with lots of your readers! I love color! It is part of creation and something for which I am profoundly grateful. I think I'm going to have to track down a copy of this book!
I need it. Totally. I'm going to go tell somebody. After all, it's my birthday in 5 five days! ;)
thanks for the heads up!
amy in peru
this post makes me say "yes and amen"!!! I'm also adding this book to my wishlist (made Santa will bring it for Christmas :-) )
I so needed to hear that others doodle to pay attention, thank you for sharing and reminding me that God created me this way and so it is possible to glorify God by doodling!
Your pictures of doodles give me joy. Thank you!
So stoked to discover my library actually has this book! Looking forward to checking it out.
Love the doodles. I'm the same way. Writing in my Bible and marking up books helps me process the information- making it my own.
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Ha, I was able to request this from my library which also has it. I read about the book at amazon, and noticed another book called Making Crosses which sounded interesting and slightly similar. I am a doodler too.
I'm a doodler too! :) awesome stuff Jodi!
So blessed by your words and your prayers. Thank you for stopping by. I've always loved your space here. <3
Misty, you're most welcome. <3
this is so enlightening..
lovely writing,
admirable inspirations.
these doodles are art.
this was all around stunning.
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