Captive Heart: June 2021

As you know, my purpose in writing here in this space is to bring words that inspire you to have a heart for God...to be captivated by His grace, to be inspired by His Word to live a life that brings Him honor and glory. And sometimes I love to bring resources to your attention that can help you in your walk with God.

So I'd like to share a new product with you today.

I was blessed with this beautiful box-set of daily inspiration cards from Ink & Willow. I love the line of gift products that this retail division of Waterbrook Multnomah curates, because each gift product is based in biblical truth with the intent to spark a reminder of how God reveals beauty in the midst of our ordinary. I even love the symbolism in the name of this product line. Here is what has to say about it's name:

Throughout literary history, willow trees have been symbols of growth, balance, learning, healing, and harmony. Since willows often grow near streams or rivers, the name Ink and Willow was inspired by the verse in Psalm 1 about the person who delights in God and therefore is deeply planted and able to thrive, bearing fruit and prospering through every season.

I love this! Don't you? How can you not love products that have their whole purpose in helping us delight in God? This set of inspirational cards can help you to align your heart with God's Truth. Each card is printed on a very heavy card stock and has a one sentence message on one side.

On the other side it has a correlating longer message that reinforces the message with biblical insight and truths. (It also comes with its own stand).

Here's another example:

Front side: You can trust God's timing to be perfect.

Back side: We all have goals, desires, ambitions, and a set time in mind for each of them. But God may have planse for our lives that differ from our personal goals. His timeline might be drastically different from what we're anticipating. This isn't a cause for disappointment. Rather, we can use this season of waiting on God as another gracious opportunity to grow in faith.

This kind of biblical wisdom can be propped up on your desk or nightstand...or wherever you will see it daily...to encourage you and help you grow in your faith and trust that God's ways are best and that there is hope no matter the current mess or bless(ing) the days may bring. There is so much value in filling our minds with biblical truths. It prepares us to ignore the lies of the enemy that seem to come to us daily.

My only 'if only' about these cards:

The messages are definitely biblically based, but I would have loved them even more if they had included an actual scripture quote, or, at the very least, a scripture reference on each card that supported the message on the card.

I also wish they had developed a more femine looking set of cards for us girly girls. These are very nice and are not ugly by any means...just in neutral tones of salmony/orange, greens, greys, and blues. I love the simple lines...just would love them even more in more feminine colors.

There is so much value in dwelling on truth and beauty as it is found in the Word of God. We are told in Philippians 4:8 to 'think on these things' or as this set of cards puts it...dwell on these things. I especially love how it is stated in the Amplified Bible:

Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God's Word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart.

If you are looking for something simple to bring you encouragement each day to 'think on these things', then I would recommend this card set.

About Dwell on These Things Inspiration Cards...from the publisher

Your daily inspiration is never far from reach with this unique set of cards that encourage you to see yourself through God's eyes, featuring messages that are biblical and beneficial, all designed to be displayed with the included stand.

Countless messages enter our hearts and minds each day. Some of these messages are true and helpful. Others are hurtful, destructive, and out of line with the message God wants us to understand and embrace.

What messages are you choosing to believe and repeat to yourself? When you first saw your reflection in the mirror this morning, what did your internal conversation sound like? Did you speak a message of hope to your heart or a diatribe of defeat?

Based on the book Dwell on These Things by John Stange, this thirty-one-day inspirational card set will encourage you to change the message that enters your mind into a positive, biblical one. On the front of each beautifully designed card is a short message to remind you of how God views you and everyday situations. The back of the card reinforces that message with time-tested wisdom.

Let this be your first step in a great journey toward self-love and self-acceptance! Change your life by changing the messages that enter your mind.

Available at these retailers:

About the Author

John Stange is the lead pastor of Core Creek Community Church in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, as well as an adjunct professor at Cairn University, where he teaches courses on counseling, theology, and church planting. John is a certified speaker, trainer, and coach with the John Maxwell Team, as well as a podcast host and the director of the National Mission Board, a ministry focused on church planting and church health. He and his wife, Andrea, have four kids.

Ink & Willow

Ink & Willow encompasses a line of interactive products that infuse contemplation and inspiration into the regular spiritual practice of creative-minded Christians, wherever they are in their faith journey. Each thoughtfully curated gift product is based in biblical truth and sparks a reminder of how God reveals beauty in the midst of our ordinary.

*I was gifted this product to review from the publisher. I was not required to offer a positive review. This is my honest opinion of the product.