Getting Started*

Before I dive into how to start your own faithbooks, I want to give a little disclaimer. I want you to understand that each one of us is at different stages in our lives, and that the concept of faithbooks is FILLED WITH GRACE! You may be ready to dive right into taking "Pictures with a Purpose" with both feet right now! For others, this may just be a seed that is planted to ponder in your heart for a few months, or even years, before you begin to bring forth its fruit in your life. And, for some of you, you may never actually create faithbooks, but after reading Pictures with a Purpose, you will become more aware of the fingerprints of God in your daily walk with the Lord. Wherever you are in this process, ask the Lord to show you what His purpose is, or what fruit He wants you to yield, from reading Pictures with a Purpose.

As you begin your own journey of creating faithbooks, let me share with you some thoughts that have helped me as I work on my own faithbooks. The first and most important tool you must possess for successful faithbooks is that of faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 3:12 states that God has given each of us a "measure of faith." In order to see the hand of God moving in your life, you must first have an ongoing personal relationship with Him. You must take advantage of the faith placed inside each of us to trust that He is actively involved and cares about every aspect of our lives.

The second tool I use in creating faithbooks is prayer. Prayer is what will give your pictures purpose. Prayer is what will cause you to write with wisdom. Prayer is what will cause you to get the task done quickly and efficiently. When I pray, I ask the Holy Spirit to give me the creative ideas I need for the journaling, or the photos I need to illustrate His hand in our lives. When you write down the things that God is doing in your life, or document the words that He is speaking to you, you are journaling the spiritual realm of your everyday life. Journaling gives you the handle to hold on to. Rick Warren states in his book, The Purpose Driven Life,

"Keep a notebook or journal of lessons learned. This is not a diary of events, but a record of what you are learning. Write down the insights and life lessons God teaches you about him, about yourself, about life, relationships, and everything else. Record these so you can review and remember them and pass them on to the next generation (Ps. 102:18, 2 Tim. 3:14). We remember what we record. Writing helps clarify what God is doing in your life. Dawson Trotman used to say, 'Thoughts disentangle themselves when they pass through your fingertips.' Your life is a journey, and a journey deserves a journal."

My challenge to you is not to just talk about starting your faithbook, but to just do it! Whatever obstacle you face, choose to overcome it and press on to the goal of creating your own memorial of faith. The rewards are well worth the effort. Let me ask you to pause right now and ask the Holy Spirit if faithbooking is part of His plan for your life. Trust that whatever answer comes back to you truly is the Good Shepherd's voice. As you live through your faithbook moments, journal the memories, take pictures to capture the event, and allow the Holy Spirit to use these books to inspire your faith as well as that of your family.

*excerpts from Pictures With a Purpose by Naomi Shedd