2027 Hymn Calendars are in the shop! "A year of singing the goodness of the LORD" Dismiss

Marydean Draws

  • Home
  • About
    • About & Contact
    • Creating my hymn prints
  • Bible Studies
    • My Substack
    • The Gospel of Luke Studies
    • The Jesus Speaks to Women Studies
    • Bible Study links
    • Bible on the Blog (by topic)
  • Podcast
  • FREEBIES
  • The Blog Archive
  • TEACHING
  • WHOLESALE
  • the SHOP
    • SHOP ALL
    • NEW
    • ART PRINTS
      • Hymns
        • Spring 2026 Print Collection
        • HYMN POSTCARDS/Mini Prints
        • CHRISTMAS
      • Florals
      • Birds
      • Jesus Speaks to Women
      • Landscapes
      • Encouragement
      • Harrisonburg/Local
      • CHRISTMAS
    • Greeting Cards
      • Boxed Card Sets
      • Christmas Cards
    • POSTCARDS
      • All Postcards
      • Postcard Sets
    • Stickers
    • 2027 Hymn Calendar
    • Notepads
    • BIBLE PRINTABLES
      • Full Color Card Sets
      • Coloring Pages
      • Advent + Christmas Printables
      • PRINTABLES in SPANISH
    • Classroom Printables
    • Watercolor Templates
    • $5 BIBLE CARD SETS
    • Gift Cards
    • SALE
      • STUDIO SALE
    • Your account
    • Wishlist
  •  
August 28, 2014 gospel•identity

The most real thing

I just finished reading Ted Dekker’s novel, Eyes Wide Open. I like his books because they get to the heart of life and, in crazy and sometimes disturbing ways, point to the Gospel. These books always get me thinking.

This book was about a pair of friends stuck in a world of their own imaginings, a world that is very real, and scary. The only way out is to grasp and hold onto a greater reality–of who they really are. It’s all about finding identity.

“Life is a cycle of remembering and forgetting,” the character Outlaw tells the two protagonists.

I was thinking about this as I fell asleep last night and work up this morning: I must remember what is real. 

There are competing truths constantly spinning me into the cycle of forgetting–what others say about me, what I think others are thinking or saying about me, what I want people to think of me, and what I think I need to be or accomplish.

Kind of a swirling mess of me, right?

But this is what is singing to my heart today: The most real thing today is God’s love for us.

It’s simple, and I’m letting that sink in today. Where are you today in the cycle of remembering and forgetting who God is, and who you are because of Him?

This has been our homeschool memory verse for the week: “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10

PS! I added a new print to the shop today! Here it is!

Previous don’t just serve
Next All the little nows

Related Posts

When you’re wrong + 1 John 1:9 Bible Verse Coloring Page

forgiveness

The problem with mirrors

Beauty
Losing Myself: Part 1

Losing Myself: Part 1

gospel

Straight into the impossible

gospel

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to the blog!

I’m Mary and I’m glad you’re here! Since 2014, I’ve been sharing encouraging words, fun Bible printables, and accessible art activities.

let’s talk about . . .

SEARCH THE BLOG

The 2027 hymn calendar is in the shop! I love the The 2027 hymn calendar is in the shop! I love the color and joy of this year's calendar. Each month's hymn can be cut out and reused. They're small enough to fit on a refrigerator, but large enough to note the month's important dates and activities. Find them at www.marydeandraws.com 💕

https://marydeandraws.com/product/2027-hymn-calendar-a-year-of-singing-the-goodness-of-the-lord
A new study of Luke 4:14-28, Jesus' rejection at N A new study of Luke 4:14-28, Jesus' rejection at Nazareth, is posted on Substack. I'm talking about the Isaiah scroll, exile in the imagination of Jesus' listeners, and why Jesus presses the point of just how inclusive his Kingdom is. Find Marydean Draws on Substack! 

Artwork is from the Gladzor Gospels, an Armenian Gospel manuscript from the 1300s.

https://marydeandraws.substack.com/p/the-gospel-of-luke-eyewitnesses-to-ffc

 #biblestudy #bibleart #bibleartwork #arthistory
❤️ (Sticker in the shop) ❤️
(Sticker in the shop)
I really enjoyed my conversation with Emma about t I really enjoyed my conversation with Emma about the story of the Samaritan woman in John 4. It's an incredible account, but we so often get the whole conversation wrong, and it's way richer than we realize. 

Listen at The Pictured Word podcast or look for Marydean Draws on Substack.

You can find me at www.marydeandraws.com or on my Substack page at https://marydeandraws.substack.com/
Follow on Instagram

Subscribe to the Newsletter!

Copyright ©Marydean Draws 2025 2026 Marydean Draws
Theme by SheShoppes

Hi there! Would you like to join my newsletter?

I send new Bible studies on Wednesdays and a free newsletter
on Fridays filled with encouragement, good reads, and shop updates.
As a thank you for signing up, I’ll send you a printable 5×7″ print.