Marydean Draws

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books that shape me

January 25, 2024 all good things•books that shape me

All Good Things: January 2024

This is my blog series where I recap good things I’ve enjoyed the last month, so here goes! I have been more intentional this month about making art a part of my work day routine. There’s always the business side of things that needs tending–bookkeeping, updating the website, checking inventory, sending orders–all the necessary things that help pay the bills, but making art is so life-giving. Here’s a little sneak peak of some florals I’m working on right now,...
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September 15, 2023 books that shape me•kids

A resource for teaching the Bible to kids, the Tower of Babel, + an update on my Bible study project

I recently started teaching Sunday School again and the lesson last month was on the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11. After all I’ve been learning about faithful Bible reading, I knew better than to assume that I understood why the Biblical authors and compilers included that story! I found helpful information in this book by Old Testament scholar, John Walton: “The Bible Story Handbook: A Resource for Teaching 175 Stories from the Bible” (I got the Kindle version...

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May 12, 2023 all good things•books that shape me•Uncategorized

All Good Things: May’s Good Books

It’s been a long time since I wrote a “All Good Things” post, but today I’m reviving it! I have gotten back into the swing of reading and I thought I’d share a few books I’ve read recently and what you might learn from them. Everything Sad is Untrue: (A True Story) by Daniel Nayeri* This is the best creative non-fiction I’ve read in such a long time. It’s a hard book to describe because it’s so good for...

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March 25, 2022 all good things•books that shape me

All Good Things: March

Hello and welcome to my “all good things” post for March where I share some of the good things I’ve come across this month. WORKING ON I’m working on a fruit of the Spirit printable Bible verse set! Several of you have asked for this set over the years and I’m finally doing it. I’ve been googling fruits of the Middle East and researching Scriptures to go with each fruit of the Spirit. I may even include a sketch...

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February 25, 2022 all good things•books that shape me•Uncategorized

All Good Things: February

I was talking with a friend yesterday who is walking through some very hard things. I said, “I’ve always wondered how people survived things like pandemics and wars and, well, I guess now we know. You just keep living one day at a time.” Here are some pictures from January and February of living life in the middle of the hard. I hope they bring some joy! Sometimes we like the snow; sometimes we don’t. My son created this...

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January 3, 2022 all good things•books that shape me•Uncategorized

All Good Things: 2021 Year-end recap

Well hello there to you and a new year! Because I was quite absent here on the blog in the blur of work and school activities, I wanted to do a recap of the end of last year. Just in time for the big Omicron surge, my whole family was able to get vaccinated (and I boosted), for which we are very grateful. We started reading through the Narnia books with the kids. I had the opportunity to display...

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June 10, 2021 all good things•books that shape me•Uncategorized

All Good Things: June

Hello friends! Yesterday was the last day of school for my kids are we are . . . ahem . . . adjusting. I typically take the summer off regular blogging and creating to focus on time with the kids. Our summer plans this year include summer school, pool trips, working on a mural for the kids’ elementary school, and preparing for a September artisan festival in town hosted by another local church. The shop will remain open and...

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May 7, 2021 all good things•anxiety•books that shape me•depression

All Good Things May: moments of quiet, a broken rib, and emotional health

Hello friends! This past month has been a whirlwind of adjustments for our family. All my children are now back in in-person school four days a week! My introverted and creative soul has been revived by the wonderfully quiet hours between 9:30 and 1:30. Two weeks ago, I was at a vaccine clinic at our local university’s basketball stadium getting my second dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine (for which I’m so grateful!) . After waiting the requested 15...

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April 1, 2021 all good things•books that shape me•growth

All Good Things: April

Hello and happy April . . . and Holy Week! I have a bunch of happy plant babies growing in my dining room and all kinds of plants waking up in the yard. It’s always a joy to see them faithfully returning each year. My two back-to-in-person-school kids are doing well and adjusting to the new routine. I have even had some mental space to start sketching on the iPad for new coloring pages and cards sets. I’ve been...

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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.

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In today’s Friday Chat, I’m joined by my frien In today’s Friday Chat, I’m joined by my friend Katie to talk about my Bible study pet peeves and best practices for leading Bible studies. We have both led and been part of small group Bible studies for many years, and we talk about how our ideas about the purpose of Bible study have changed over the years.

We discuss the importance of letting the Bible be complex, keeping Jesus at the center, dealing with the fear of the discussions going off the rails, and Katie’s hot take on the importance of actually praying in our small groups. You’ll also get to hear Katie’s answer to the question, “Is Jesus a Republican or a Democrat?”

It’s a wide-ranging discussion that I found really helpful and challenging. You might agree or disagree with us, but that’s okay, because that’s the point we’re making. Hope you enjoy the discussion!

Mentioned in this episode:

Priya Parker’s The Art of Gathering https://www.priyaparker.com/

Lectio style Bible study https://renovare.org/articles/lectio-divina-1 (for example)

Inductive study method https://www.precept.org/2023/02/what-is-inductive-bible-study/ (for example)

Mary’s Magnificat in Luke 1:46-55

Orthodoxy vs Orthopraxy https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/reviews/nobody-turn-you-around/ (for example)

Moms in Prayer https://momsinprayer.org/

In case you missed it, I published the next Luke study on John the Baptist and the first part of Luke 3 this week. You can read it here:
https://marydeandraws.substack.com/p/the-gospel-of-luke-eyewitnesses-to-d53

🖤

You can find The Pictured Word podcast on Substack, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. You can also find me at www.marydeandraws.com or by searching for “Substack Marydean Draws.” 

All my Bible studies are available for anyone to read on Substack, but you can support my work by becoming a paid subscribers. Paid subscribers can download the printable study guides and coloring pages. 

You can also find my hymn art prints, cards, postcards, stickers, and Bible printables on my website. On my website or on Substack, you can sign up for my mailing list and get everything in your inbox, including new Bible studies each month and weekly newsletters.
The study in Luke is up on Substack! Here's a prev The study in Luke is up on Substack! Here's a preview of what's covered:
🖤 maps, I love maps!
🖤 Luke establishes the timeline
🖤 so many Old Testament connections
🖤 why does John have wings in this Syrian icon??

Read it all on Substack!
https://marydeandraws.substack.com/p/the-gospel-of-luke-eyewitnesses-to-d53
These colors 😍. These colors 😍.
Part of my heart is always drawn to abstraction an Part of my heart is always drawn to abstraction and pure color play. 💕
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