If You Need Permission for Mark Making

Rev. Dr. John Saleska and his well worn Bible.

After over ten years of teaching Visual Faith practices,

we still encounter the comment, "I was raised to not write in my Bible, so I can't do that."

I think that may have been true for many of us in this community.

But, we have a call to action and invitation for you.

We have been asking people to bring their Bible to worship as an act of participation.

There is also an open invitation to take sermon notes, underline lectionary texts,

or respond with a personal prayer right in your Bible.

This photo of Dr. Saleska, a well-loved teacher and seminary professor,

was one that I saw early in our ministry and it was such a gift.

This well-worn, annotated, underlined, sticky-noted Bible shows an amazing journey

of thought, response and connections.

That became the legacy I wanted to leave behind also.

Sometimes it helps to purchase a new Bible to use as your "respond and reflect" Bible.

That Confirmation Bible can stay clean and unmarked, if that is right for you.

But, try something new if this invitation seems a call to your Spirit.

I often share with communities that it would be amazing if a pastor

looked out into the congregation as he began a sermon

and saw many open Bibles on the laps of the people.

Members are ready with pen or colored pencil in hand to make a note,

lightly color in a word that stands out, or a note a sermon thought.

The participation in this experiment is an individual plan for each person.

Try the experiment. Edit and revise as you need.

Open the door for the Holy Spirit to step right with you.

Give the Holy Spirit something to work with in your worship time.

Move from a passive to engaged posture in worship.

This simple move changed my worship life.

Pray about joining us.