Tag Archives: Julie Chen

Nov 25 2014

Some Thoughts on Trusting God — Proverbs 3 Scripture Art {Half Price Tuesday + Behind the Scenes with Life Verse Design}

Prov3S_900{Art Available HERE}

This Scripture, Proverbs 3:5-6, is some of the most often quoted verses in all of the Bible. I chose the image to be a garden path as it is full of life and represents one step at a time, which is how {I think} we learn to trust in God. As we trust Him & He makes our paths straight, He gives us life in which we can rest in Him {ie: the bench}.

I have thought about trusting in God so much lately. I think often times we honestly say it flippantly in our “Christian” lingo. We also say it when we have no clue & it’s truly ALL we can do.

But, I ask you: what does it REALLY mean to trust in the Lord & acknowledge Him in all your ways?

This past summer, we had an incident which really has to this day challenged my thinking of what does it / should it look like to trust in God? Our kids were being cared for by family & at one point the caregiver & Sunshine Girl got in a fight. The caregiver made my son ride in the front seat {though we do not allow him to, as the air bag would hurt him as he is not heavy enough} & there was no booster seat for my youngest. So, Sunshine Girl {in her usual way} spoke up to say NO we will not go in the car. To which the caregiver replied, “We do not put our trust in seat belts or carseats or air bags, it is GOD who protects us & keeps us & we put our trust in HIM!”

So, it got me thinking: what DOES it look like to “trust in Him”? Is it to drive however you like & trust that God is sovereign & will watch over your life? Is it when you are sick to not take medicine cuz again, God’s the healer? Is it when you are out of a job that you just pray about it until one drops in your lap? Or, how does one acknowledge God in all their ways in light of severe injustice or pain?

I obviously do not agree with not taking proper precautions {ie: seat belts & abiding by the law}, but in today’s day & age where we in America essentially have anything we “need”, again… what DOES it look like for us to trust in the Lord?!
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I personally think a lot of it comes down to prayer & obviously faith. Also integral is searching the Scriptures for truth & seeking wise counsel in others whom you look up to. I would love to hear your thoughts as you really ponder what this looks like in your daily personal life {& I am not just talking here about the huge life decisions like what job should I take or whom shall I marry, etc..}!

Today only I am offering the Proverbs 3:5-6 8×10 print HALF PRICE!

Just head on over to my Facebook page & leave a comment if you would like one & I will bill you.

 

Grace & Peace,

Julie

FreeSHIPPING

 

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Nov 15 2014

Sweet Home Chicago {Julie Chen Photography}

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I cannot even tell you how many photo sessions I want to show you from this fall & yet I am still catching up on editing, Christmas card orders, Life Verse Design work, and you know… the most important thing … my mommy & wife work! But, I interrupt your exciting Friday evening to show you these BEAUTIES!Julie Chen Photography_0054

They live downtown, literally blocks from all the sights so they wanted to do a photo session in “their neighborhood”! Oh how fun! It was my first “official” downtown shoot & it was very challenging {the sun was sooooo strong, not a cloud in the sky & the crowds were tricky to maneuver & part of Millennium Park was closed off due to setting up a festival}, but they were troopers & I am really happy with the results.Julie Chen Photography_0055

I LOVE how their mama dressed them in black & white. So chic! Aren’t those eyes just gorgeous?!

 

Grace & Peace,

JulieFreeSHIPPING

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Nov 11 2014

Rooted — Jeremiah 17 Scripture Art {Half Price Tuesday + Behind the Scenes with Life Verse Design}

Jer17S_900

{Art available HERE}

I know I’ve told all of you before how obsessed I am with trees. Branches, leaves, roots, blossoms… I love it all. In college I kept a pile of branches under my bunk which I would use to sew sticks as frames to my paintings and I also had books full of leaves being pressed which I would collage into my art.

 

These roots I photographed in Colorado while on our first family camping trip. LOVE!

 

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I love how in God’s Word there are so many tree/leaf/fruit analogies we can learn from and grow in. This promise in Jeremiah is so powerful. It is essentially saying anyone who trusts in the Lord will be like a peaceful tree full of life.

 

In the last month, the theme of roots has repeatedly come up in my personal life and that is why I have chosen this verse to be half price today.

 

I recently went on a field trip with my daughter’s first grade class {in which they dressed me up as a flower btw!} & we went to the forest to study plants. Our first station was dissecting acorns & I had never realized how cool it is that the roots begin to grow RIGHT AWAY & they are soooo tiny {hairlike really} & yet SO STRONG! Roots are the source of nutrients thus bringing about life. When your roots are strong, you are strong. When roots are cut or broken or diseased, the entire plant/tree/life will be effected also.

A week after the field trip, we had a little sewage back up in our basement. {YUCK!} It turns out roots were in the pipes… did you realize tree roots are so strong that they can grow through metal pipes?! That is just crazy to me. A root literally starts as fine as hairs & grow so thick and strong they can effect pipes and foundations.

 

In any case, roots are important. So it got me thinking:

What is my life rooted in? What are my desires rooted in? What are my motives rooted in? What are my words rooted in? What are my actions rooted in? What is my self-esteem rooted in?

Of course, my desire is to be firmly rooted in Jesus Christ, but honestly so often I am rooted in selfishness and pride {me, me, me}.

I challenge you to take a look at the different areas of your life & think about what are YOU truly rooted in?

Then think through how you can grow your roots to be healthy & strong & bear fruit.

 

Today only I am offering the Jeremiah 17 8×10 print HALF PRICE!

Just head on over to my Facebook page & leave a comment if you would like one & I will bill you.

 

Grace & Peace,

Julie

FreeSHIPPING

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Oct 31 2014

October Beauty {Hinsdale Photography}

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Early October I had the joy of meeting Miss A and to say she was a natural to photograph would be an understatement! She’s an all American girl who truly lights up the camera. Those leaves have all now fallen & I am so glad we got to enjoy such a gorgeous day together!

 

Grace & Peace,

JulieFreeSHIPPING

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Oct 28 2014

Half Price Scripture Art TODAY ONLY

Here’s how it works:

Offer is good for 50% off ANY of my SCRIPTURE art only in sizes 8×10, 11×14, or 16×20.

Head on over to any of my ETSY shops & use the coupon code Scripture at checkout to receive the deal. Ends tomorrow! Start stocking up for Christmas now.

{Offer is not good on any custom orders. In stock SCRIPTURE art only.}

1Cor13LoveS_900_WEB

For vintage style art go here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/LifeVerseDesignMicah6C_900_WEB

For subway style art go here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/WordsToMoveYou1Sam1_900_WEB

For collage style art go here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SunshineStudioArt

Happy Shopping!

And, again, since my heart is to get God’s Word in people’s homes in a unique & beautiful way, this offer is ONLY good for Scripture art.

Grace & Peace,

Julie

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