Marydean Draws

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books that shape me

March 5, 2021 all good things•books that shape me•lent•Uncategorized

All good things: March

All the good things I'd share with you over over coffee or tea.
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February 4, 2021 all good things•books that shape me

All Good Things: February

a few personal notes We got snow this weekend here in Virginia, so we have had even less school than the normal at-home days. BUT . . . we found out yesterday that the school board is starting the process to bring two of my three kids back to school at the end of March! Winter is hard for me emotionally. My mood takes unexpected dips and sometimes my whole body feels heavy. Other times I want to cry,...

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January 15, 2021 all good things•books that shape me•my favorite things•reading•Uncategorized

All Good Things: January

Well friends, the new year feels . . . like more of the movie Groundhog Day (and there were way too many wonderful Groundhog Day GIFs to choose from). I know this past week has been heavy and anxiety-inducing for many of us in this country, so here are a few things from the last week (and month or so) that I have enjoyed and learned from: I thought this article by Esau McCaulley, “Truth over power: It is...

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January 8, 2021 anti-racism•books that shape me•Coloring Pages•Uncategorized

A Prayer for Times of Conflict + Coloring Page

I had started a lighter, more newsy post for this week . . . and then Wednesday happened. There is much to process and discuss. You might trace the history of white supremacy and voter suppression in this country. You might trace the history of white Christian nationalism in the evangelical church. You might look into the roots of right-wing extremism and internet conspiracy theories like QAnon. You might trace how all these things may have led to a...

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December 4, 2020 advent•all good things•books that shape me•Uncategorized

All Good Things: December year-end wrap-up

First of all, HAPPY ADVENT SEASON! I hope that you have found doable ways to enter in and celebrate Jesus and all that He brings. I have done a wrap-up of Advent resources in previous years if you’re still looking for help: Advent Resources 2019Advent Resources 2018Advent Activities 2016Joy to the World Coloring PageGiving Art for Christmas (free and for purchase) As this wildest (and most difficult) ride of a year comes to a close, I am closing out...

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October 15, 2020 all good things•books that shape me

All Good Things: October

How is it the middle of October already? Our days have been filled with school in the morning, lots of play time outside with friends, naps for me in the afternoon, followed by me avoiding making dinner as best I can. But in the midst of these wearying days, there are good things! Here’s a little recap: Recent Art And how can I not share this little treasure of a family portrait from my son? This is my favorite...

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October 1, 2020 anxiety•books that shape me•prayer•Uncategorized•weakness•worry

A fierce love for dark days

One of the lessons I’ve learned in this pandemic is that it’s okay to be gentle with myself. It’s okay to show myself compassion and care. I’ve learned that my anxiety can get the better of me if I don’t pay attention to the warning signals my emotions send. In response, I have needed to allow myself extra rest and fewer demands (where possible, haha). “The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”...

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September 10, 2020 all good things•anti-racism•art•books that shape me•Uncategorized

All good things: September

I can’t believe I haven’t checked in since June! It feels like the last few months have been a bit of a time warp. I don’t even think I’ll attempt a detailed recap, but the intervening months included: grocery store sushi, puzzles, exploring streams and rivers, smoothies, books on tape, Minecraft, library books, bike riding, cartoons, attempts at gardening, lots of Hamilton listening, daily naps (for me), and just one emergency dental appointment (which turned out well). My kids...

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June 19, 2020 anti-racism•books that shape me•Uncategorized

All good things: June

Grab some coffee or tea and join me for a rundown of some good things I’ve read or watched or learned recently, and also what I’m working on. I hope you find something helpful! Jamie Grace’s Playlist for UnderstandingDo you know Jamie Grace’s music? She’s been speaking a lot about racism lately, and I love hearing from her! She created this playlist “for understanding why a lot of black people feel a lot of things.” Goodness, music sometimes hits...

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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.

let’s talk about . . .

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If you look up artwork or movies featuring Mary Ma If you look up artwork or movies featuring Mary Magdalene, you’ll often find her depicted as a penitent woman or as sexualized, with her clothes literally falling off her body. It was Pope Gregory the Great who proposed that Mary Magdalene’s seven demons represented the seven deadly sins and that she was both a prostitute and the penitent sinner who anoints Jesus in Luke 7:36-50 (Jennifer Powell McNutt).

Later church historians assumed that Mary Magdalene’s great sins were to blame for her demon possession (McNutt). While the Western Church came to see Mary Magdalene as a prostitute and a great sinner, the Eastern Orthodox church honored her as the leader of the “myrrh-bearing women” (Taylor and Bond).

Read some research into the REAL Mary Magdalene story here:
https://marydeandraws.substack.com/p/jesus-speaks-to-women-chapter-16
In today's Friday newsletter: 🌸 Mother's Day Sa In today's Friday newsletter:
🌸 Mother's Day Sale! 20% off with the MOMLOVE on my website. Mother's day is Sunday, May 10 this year.
🌸 Part 1 of the Mary Magdalene study is up on Substack. Have you ever heard that she was a prostitute? Where did that come from? Is it Biblical? I was fascinated by how her story has been told through history, the origins of her name, what it means that she had been possessed by seven demons, and her place among Jesus’ disciples. 
🌸 The Holy Post podcast episode with Bri Stensrud, the director of Women of Welcome, “a community dedicated to diving into the whole of scripture to understand God’s heart for the immigrant and refugee.” 

Read the newsletter here:
https://marydeandraws.substack.com/p/marys-friday-newsletter-41726

Read the Mary Magdalene post here:
https://marydeandraws.substack.com/p/jesus-speaks-to-women-chapter-16

If you sign up for my newsletter, you can receive all my posts in your inbox. Sign up on my website at www.marydeandraws.com or find me on Substack. You don't need the Substack app to read my posts, but it's easy to use, and you can listen to any of the stories with the playback feature.
When I started writing the Jesus Speaks to Women B When I started writing the Jesus Speaks to Women Bible studies last year, I started collecting books on New Testament women. I really didn’t know where to start at first. I wasn’t familiar with the scholarship about women in the Bible, and I hadn’t even heard of any female theologians doing this work!

So you don’t have to start from scratch if you’re like I was, I’m going to share a list of books I’ve learned from in the last year. Some are more academic than others, but all have been helpful. 

See the list here or find me "Marydean Draws" on Substack:
https://marydeandraws.substack.com/p/books-about-women-in-the-new-testament
In today's Friday newsletter: 🌸 things I learne In today's Friday newsletter:
🌸 things I learned from my pastor dad (in honor of his birthday)
🌸 upcoming bird collage workshop at Friendly City Clay and Art Center
🌸 using oil pastels + a recommended set from Blick
🌸 book about women in the New Testament 
🌸 preparing to write about Mary Magdalene and the resurrection stories

Read it all here:
https://marydeandraws.substack.com/p/marys-friday-newsletter-41026

The post about books about New Testament women:
https://marydeandraws.substack.com/p/books-about-women-in-the-new-testament

If you sign up for my newsletter, you can receive all my posts in your inbox. Sign up on my website at www.marydeandraws.com or find me on Substack. You don't need the Substack app to read my posts, but it's easy to use, and you can listen to any of the stories with the playback feature.
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