let’s count it all joy

welcome!

Welcome to October!

This month, we are looking at friendship and fellowship!

God has blessed me with so many beautiful friendships and relationships—with both strong Christian women and non-believers or those who might belong to a church but aren’t actively pursuing Christ.

As I’ve used the items in this month’s kit in my journaling projects, I’ve really given some thought to the beauty and purpose of friendship. With fellow Christians, we bolster one another in our walks with Christ, help to carry each other’s burdens, pray for each other, and speak truth over each other. These friendships are life-giving and sustaining. In our relationships with those who aren’t actively pursuing Christ, we get to shine His light into their lives and come to Jesus in prayer for their salvation.

Through these reflections, I kept coming back to hands. We get to be the hands and feet of Jesus in helping others when they are in need and carrying their burdens. When we don’t have the right words, we can still hold hands (literally or figuratively) with those we care about. We can welcome all relationships God puts in front of us with open hands, trusting that He puts the right people in front of us and for a reason.

What a joy and privilege it is to get to go through life with friends by our side.

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Your mailer includes ten little bits of goodness that I hope will bring your faith and your joy in Jesus to mind whenever you see or use them. More than anything, I would love for you to USE the goods from this mailer - to weave them into your projects and your personal devotions, to add color to your spaces, or to gift them to others and in so doing pass on Jesus’ love.

on this special “subscribers only” page, you will find:

• A video showing the ways I’ve used the products in this month’s mailer.

• Some additional quotes on friendship and fellowship.

• A verse and scripture-section list.

• Images showcasing the ways I used the products.

• Journaling prompts.

• A prayer.

• Links to all supporting supplies that I used (sketchbooks, frames, art supplies, etc.). Please note that many, but not all of the supply links are affiliate links. And if I missed anything you are curious about, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask.

PROJECT VIDEO

VERSEs

1 Samuel 18:1-4 (Jonathan and David)

Psalm 133:1

Proverbs 12:26

Proverbs 13:20

Proverbs 16:28

Proverbs 17:9, 17

Proverbs 18:24

Proverbs 27:9-10, 17

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Matthew 18:20

John 15:12-15?

Romans12:10-11

1 Corinthians 15:33

Galatians 6:2

Philippians 1:3-5

Philippians 2:4

Colossians 3:13

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Hebrews 10:23-25

1 Peter 4:8-10

1 John 4:7

quotes on Christian friendship and fellowship

“Let those be thy choicest companions who have made Christ their chief companion.” -Thomas Brooks

“Godly friendships should be about loving each other, looking out for each other, and striving to bring out the best in each other - the same way Christ loves you, looks out for you, and strives to bring out the best in you.” -Joel Jarrell

“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.” -CS Lewis

“Sometimes we need a friend to simply be there, not to fix or do anything, but just to simply help us know we are cared for and remind us how very much God loves us.” -Deb Wolf

“Speak life over people. Remind them of who they are. Pray over them. Empower them. Give them grace when they need it. Be a voice God uses in their life. In a world where the enemy is constantly speaking lies, choose to speak life over your friends.” -Unknown

“God doesn’t want us to have friendships to merely fill our time with. He wants us to have appointed and spiritually nourishing relationships.” -Unknown

“A best friend is one who encourages you to seek God deeper in every way.” -Unknown

“Friendship…is the instrument by which God reveals to each of us the beauties of others.” -CS Lewis

journaling prompts

I process my thoughts (and pray!) through writing. Perhaps you do too. If this is something you haven’t tried before, I would encourage you to give it a go. Sometimes, a little prompt is all it takes to get started.

1. Am I growing in Godliness? Are my friends? Do we build each other up and encourage one another toward living Godly lives?

2. Do I exhibit God’s faithfulness and love to my friends?

3. What hopes do I have for future relationships that I can entrust to God?

4. A verse I want to dwell on today is…

5. Do I encourage, strengthen and call out the wrongdoings of my friends? Do they do these things for me?

6. God, thank you for my friend _____. She…

7. Copy your favorite “friendship” quote from above and write a related prayer.

8. Am I faithful in lifting my friends in prayer?

9. Do I need to make any adjustments to the friends I choose or those with whom I spend my time?

10. If making friends is difficult in your current season, write out a prayer asking God to help you see opportunities and put the right people in your life.

SUPPLIES I USED alongside THIS MONTH’S MAILER CONTENTS

Journals:

EMSHOI dotted journal (my commonplace book journal)

Art Journaling Supplies:

Here is a list of my favorite and most-often used art journaling supplies.

If there’s something I missed, don’t hesitate to ask!