Creator Issue (January/February 2021)
Oh Beloved One has always been a symbiosis of words and art. Its cornerstone is an understanding of the importance of creativity in the life of Christians. We combine creative words and images to become a vehicle for God's truth. We believe that creativity is innate because we were fashioned in the image of a creative God. We believe that this creativity comes in many different colors and shades: it is not defined merely as the ability to wield a paintbrush well. No, creativity is what sets us apart from anything else in this world. We have a part in deciding our destiny (even if the whole thing is a bit confusing), and God wants a personal relationship with us. Enjoy this issue as we delve into what it means for our God to be our Creator.
Oh Beloved One has always been a symbiosis of words and art. Its cornerstone is an understanding of the importance of creativity in the life of Christians.
We combine creative words and images to become a vehicle for God's truth. We believe that creativity is innate because we were fashioned in the image of a creative God. We believe that this creativity comes in many different colors and shades: it is not defined merely as the ability to wield a paintbrush well.
No, creativity is what sets us apart from anything else in this world. We have a part in deciding our destiny (even if the whole thing is a bit confusing), and God wants a personal relationship with us.
Enjoy this issue as we delve into what it means for our God to be our Creator.
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
oh
beloved
one
JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021
STAFF
CREATIVE DIRECTOR &
HEAD EDITOR
Amanda Brown
WRITERS
Bethany Myers / Janelle Martin /
Julia Findley / Olivia Nickerson
/ Eve Parnell / Kara Linaburg /
Celia A. Miller / Acacia Mitchell
/ Hannah Benson
BRAND STRATEGIST
Allison Joiner
MARKETING MANAGER
Kayla Johansen
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR
Kaitlyn Heriford
PHOTOGRAPHY
Amanda Brown
ILLUSTRATORS
Lisa Elis / Korin Linaburg
PROOFREADERS
Lisa Elis / Rebecca Brown
Volume No. 10, Issue No. 1
WWW.OHBELOVEDONE.COM
CONTENTS
CREATOR ISSUE
kingdom creatives: kaitlyn heriford 04
the creation story 10
the gardener 20
JOURNAL ENTRY NO. 1 24
4 nature activities to enjoy 25
the creation
story
10
the best things God has made 34
in His image 38
created to create 41
scrapbook of God's creation 47
JOURNAL ENTRY NO. 3 55
what is salvation? 56
scrapbook of
God's creation
47
official 2021 travel guide: 5 must-visit locations 27
credits 57
cover: photo of Rachel Brown by Amanda Brown
JOURNAL ENTRY NO. 2 30
different 31
visit
WWW.OHBELOVEDONE.COM
to purchase previous magazines
EDITOR’S NOTE
Amanda Brown
EDITOR - IN - CHIEF
Oh Beloved One has always been a symbiosis of words and
art. Its cornerstone is an understanding of the importance of
creativity in the life of Christians.
With Oh Beloved One, we combine creative words and images
to become a vehicle for God's truth. We believe that creativity
is innate because we were fashioned in the image of a creative
God. We believe that this creativity comes in many different
colors and shades: it is not defined merely as the ability to wield
a paintbrush well.
No, creativity is what sets us apart from anything else in this
world. We have a part in deciding our destiny (even if the whole
thing is a bit confusing), and God wants a personal relationship
with us.
Whether you are a self-professing creative or you would never
describe yourself as creative in a million years, I pray that this
issue helps open your eyes to how important our creative spirit
is in how we run the world . . . and make it better.
amanda brown + team
photo by abby marasigan and amanda brown
voidless nameless faceless hovering covering
EARTH
slow gentle form shape change dust
BIRTH
when i survey the heavens
the work of your hands which you have put into place
what is man that you are mindful?
mind outside of time dwelling and swelling with the
beauty of possibility and exquisite detail and intricacy
and unfailing love for all made and
each beautiful thing created on each beautiful day and
perfection to the point where even
the most holy being
looked at his work and said "it is good."
and in the beginning was the word and
the world and the father and the spirit confered about
the image that God would later take on earth and
BREATH/BREATHE
and inhaled by the first adam
the first image-bearer of Almighty Abba
what is man that you are mindful?
when i consider the heavens
the moon and the stars that you have put into place
and the
wild expanse of the darkness of space and think that i
can fall to my face and weep with the awe of the glory
of your name
it is too much for my mind.
it is too much to take.
— acacia mitchell
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM KINGDOM CREATIVES
k i n g d o m
c r e a t i v e s
meet kaitlyn heriford
OH BELOVED ONE | 4
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM KINGDOM CREATIVES
BEGINNINGS
creative outlets & more
I am an abstract expressionist painter
living and working in Lansing, Michigan.
Through a mixed media process in oils,
acrylics, pastels, graphite, and sometimes
thread, I create abstract compositions
that acknowledge our hardships in this
world, but proclaim the source of our
hope outside of this world through the
contrast of darkness with light and broad
movements with intricate markings.
Reflecting on this truth during the process
of creating, I weave together abundant
boldness, rawness, shifting colors, and
distinct moments of pause. With paintings
endlessly inspired by seeking beauty and
purpose in everyday life, choosing joy
amidst sufferings, and holding onto grace
through it all; my work aims to magnify
the notion that the battle against darkness
is already overcome—we are free to live in
the light.
hand, I believed I would be a professional
artist one day. Throughout my youth, my
artistic style developed into hyper-realism,
and it wasn’t until college when I began
shifting toward abstraction—seeking its
freedom.
In 2019, after nearly six
years of working for an
art museum, I went fulltime
as an artist and
began working from the
studio where I continue
creating paintings full of
life and light today.
Ever since I could hold a crayon in my
GOD-GIVEN
CHARACTERISTICS
I am continuously in awe of the characteristics God gives
me to aid in my creativity, especially as a creative running
a business. He has grown a deep ability within me to seek
meaning, purpose, and beauty in my circumstances and in the
smallest of moments. These experiences find their ways into
my work through the abstraction, but with so much depth and
symbolism. I’ve also always had a strong “left brain” and “right
brain,” which is immensely helpful as I wear all the hats of my
business—the art, marketing, accounting, pricing and selling
of work, shipping, design, photography, etc. There are tons
of crucial skills that go into being a creative business owner
and sharing my work in beautiful, authentic ways, so having
knowledge and interest in these various areas has been an
incredible aid for me.
OH BELOVED ONE | 5
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM KINGDOM CREATIVES
BEST TIPS
for young creatives
There are so many lessons I've learned as
I've grown and developed in this creative
field over time.
One of the most important lessons is
to seek freedom and allow
mistakes in the process of
creating. Growing up as a perfectionist,
I allowed no room for error, which
resulted in losing the joy and exploration
of art that is so important to me. Today
I am always making sure I’m changing
up the sizes, surfaces, materials, colors,
and other variables to make my work feel
fresh. When something isn't working, I
allow it to be so, give the piece time and
space away, and then come back with fresh
eyes—even willing to cover it all up with
new paint sometimes.
Something I wish I would have known
at a younger age was that I did not
have to fear sharing my
faith through my art. For
so long in my youth and in college, I
believed I wouldn't be taken seriously as a
professional artist and individuals would
turn away from me if I were to fully let my
faith be known to the world. I kept my
faith quiet in response to a fear that I later
found to be such a lie. I reached a point
where I could no longer hold my love for
Christ down, so I let it be known boldly
and authentically. The opposite of my fear
was the response—the professional world
and individuals all have turned toward me
in ways I never fathomed. I am endlessly
astounded, and pray that young creatives
today can share that boldness.
Lastly, seek inspiration outside
of social media often. There
is so much talent and creativity shared on
social media, but if that is the only place we
set our eyes for inspiration, it can be easy
to lose one's own voice or have difficulty
solidifying one's style. For my own work, I
find endless inspiration in the experiences,
colors, and landscapes of the outdoors;
in the gratitude and growth I’ve found in
relationships; in books; and especially in
the Word.
OH BELOVED ONE | 6
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM KINGDOM CREATIVES
GOD IS CREATOR
how that changes how i create
God’s creativity in nature and His
identity as Creator has greatly impacted
me as an artist. I see it as such an honor
to experience and share the small taste
of Him as Creator with others, thanks
to Him gifting me the ability to create.
It helps me recognize and appreciate
creativity and art around me all the more,
too.
With nature having such a strong presence
in the inspiration behind my art, it’s made
me realize the importance of spending
time away from my studio creating to
spend time in nature and fill myself with
its beauty. Nature reminds me of the
goodness, gentleness, and kindness of
God, even when the rest of the world
or my circumstances do not seem good,
gentle, or kind. It reminds of what a gift it
is to be a part of God’s creation, just like
the flowers, mountains, trees, waters, and
sunsets that I see as being so beautiful. I
get to believe in the beauty found within
myself, too.
This sense of peace, gratitude, and rest
that come in these moments weave
themselves into my paintings through the
delicate, soft, and light-filled markings.
Find Kaitlyn!
Instagram: @kaitlynrose.artist
Website: https://kaitlyn-rose.com
OH BELOVED ONE | 7
GOD
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 OHBELOVEDONE.COM ARTICLE TITLE HERE
IS MY
CREATOR
OH BELOVED ONE | 8
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 OHBELOVEDONE.COM ARTICLE TITLE HERE
In the beginning, God created the heavens
and the earth. And God saw everything
that he had made, and behold, it was very
good. Genesis 1:1, 31
OH BELOVED ONE | 9
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM THE CREATION STORY
the
Creation
Story
a narrative by bethany myers
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
THE CREATION STORY
5
3
1
2
4
6
OH BELOVED ONE | 11
Silence... complete
silence...then out
of nothing came
everything.
OH BELOVED ONE | 12
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM THE CREATION STORY
1
Silence utter silence,
darkness covers the earth like a
blanket,
a holy hush sweeps over the
waters.
The heavy silence and darkness
are broken by the majestic
voice of God—from this voice an
eruption of light is sent.
The darkness and light are then
split in two, never to meet again.
And God saw that this was
as it should, it was good!
OH BELOVED ONE | 13
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM THE CREATION STORY
Waters divided—
just imagine that point where the
Earth meets the sky.
The crashing of water against
the shore displaying God’s glory
forevermore,
the cotton clouds forming way up
high in the sky.
Still, the earth sits silent, void of
all life—
the only audible sound is restless,
yet the peaceful sound of the
waters.
And God saw that this was
as it should, it was good!
OH BELOVED ONE | 14
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM THE CREATION STORY
3
The sea was then pushed into one
place and dry land emerged from
below the depths of the ocean.
The land was still silent, but the
scenery would soon be greatly
changed.
The aroma of
lilac,
roses,
fresh grass,
and so much more would fill this
peaceful world.
Green, purple, pink, blue and
so many stunning colors were
appearing. Grass, trees, flowers,
and plants of every kind begin to
pop and sprout everywhere.
And God saw that this was
as it should, it was good!
OH BELOVED ONE | 15
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM THE CREATION STORY
4
As if that was not enough
then came day four;
He began to create so much
more.
The warmth of the shining
sun,
the beauty of the moon, and
stars—
how would life be without
these?
God set the sun to watch
over the earth by day, and
the moon and stars to rule
the night and make certain
that everyone has “hit the
hay.”
And God saw that this
was as it should, it was
good!
OH BELOVED ONE | 16
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM THE CREATION STORY
5
Finally the silence was broken
the oceans began to roar
and the sky began to cry out!
The eagle, screeching, began
to fly in the sky ocean and
the whale began to sing in
the sea.
The sky brought forth
glorious songs of praise
echoing throughout the sky,
and the ocean was
overflowing with such
beautiful life.
And God saw that this
was as it should, it was
good!
OH BELOVED ONE | 17
6
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM THE CREATION STORY
6The
sky now had life
and the ocean had life,
but the earth sat lonely.
God knew this lovely earth
needed to abound with
life. Imagine feeling the
ground quake underneath an
elephant for the first time, the
joyous bark of a dog ringing
through the woods, the howl
of the wolf, the choir of frogs
by night, and choirs of birds
echoing by day.
And God saw that this
was as it should, it was
good!
OH BELOVED ONE | 18
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM THE CREATION STORY
On day seven
God gazed upon His lovely
creation
as a painter admiring his
favorite masterpiece.
It was entirely perfect! The
animals roamed about freely,
without worry or fear of what
may be near.
Adam and Eve would walk
and talk with their Creator
every day in the cool of the
evening.
And rest sweet rest
came at nightfall in this
beautiful garden of
Eden.
meet the
author
Bethany Myers inhales books as much as she does oxygen, and she loves writing as much as she loves chocolate milk (which is
seriously A LOT)! She is a junior elementary ed major at BJU, where she also runs cross country/track. She lives in a small town
in Virginia called Powhatan, where everyone knows each other and/or is related to each other! Her favorite Bible verse is Isaiah
41:10. You can follow her on insta @bethanymae_myers or @thecat_thatwrites.
OH BELOVED ONE | 19
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM THE GARDENER
gardener
the
by janelle martin
OH BELOVED ONE | 20
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM THE GARDENER
God needs to be present in our spiritual
lives if we want to mature and become
deeply rooted in Him. ...
When I think of a garden, I think of new life.
I think of the beauty of seeing a plant grow
and mature. I think of the dirt between my
hands, the sun shining on my skin, birds singing in the
nearby trees. The smell of spring in the air. There's
nothing like it.
Every April, I become excited to get my hands back
into the ground, to create something new and beautiful.
But a garden is also a lot of work. It’s spending hours
pulling weeds in the hot sun. It’s trying to figure out
what’s killing your cucumber plants, pruning back your
tomatoes so they don’t become unmanageable, and so
much more. It takes work and dedication to keep a
garden.
See, as nice as it might be, you can’t plant your seeds in
the ground and walk away thinking that everything will
come up as they should. It just doesn’t work like that.
The gardener needs to be there to watch over the plants
as they grow and mature. Without that, there is chaos.
Just as a gardener needs to be present in the vegetable
garden for the plants to flourish and grow, God needs to
be present in our spiritual lives if we want to mature and
become deeply rooted in Him.
OH BELOVED ONE | 21
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM THE GARDENER
Wow! Can it get any more brutally honest
than that?
Think about it this way. Instead of
vegetables, our spiritual gardens will
produce love, patience, trust,
kindness, faithfulness, and a joy
that’s not of this world, but rather
cultivated by the hands of a loving Father.
Doesn’t that sound amazing? Sure, there
may be some uncomfortable and painful
moments, but you can rest assured that
it’s so worth it when we look back at the
lush, beautiful garden.
But if we never put any effort into our
relationship with God, should we be
surprised when we grow more weeds than
flowers?
I know it can be hard, but I want to
challenge you today to take a deeper
look into your relationship with God. Be
honest with yourself. What is keeping you
from His presence?
When I look at my garden I see a lot of
work, but I also see the beauty that hard
work has produced. I see the zinnias, their
color in full glory; I smell the lavender, its
subtle fragrance intoxicating everything
near it. I look over at my raised bed full of
zucchinis and wonder whatever made me
plant so many of them. I see a few things
that still need improvement, but overall I
see beauty.
There’s a quote I have in my Bible; I’m not
sure who wrote it but every time I read
this I am prompted to take a look into my
life and see what is keeping me from the
presence of Jesus.
“If we rarely know
what it is to have
God be the strength
of our life, perhaps it
is because we trust so
many other things to
be our strength.”
OH BELOVED ONE | 22
if we never put any effort into our
relationship with God, should we be
surprised when we grow more weeds
than flowers?
...
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM THE GARDENER
When I look at my garden I see a lot of
work, but I also see the beauty that
hard work has produced. And I think
perhaps that’s the way God looks at us.
...
And I think perhaps that’s the way God
looks at us. As God’s children we know
that we are His!
We know that we are so incredibly and
deeply loved by Him! So why do we
close the gardens of our hearts to Him?
We trick ourselves into thinking we
can survive without Him, even while
our small flame is being stifled by the
influence of the world.
But I’m here to tell you something. Our
relationship with God is not meant to
simply survive, but rather to thrive! And
the only way to accomplish this is to get
into the Word, spend time in prayer,
humble yourself, and say yes to Christ.
meet the
author
...
Janelle believes traveling, classic books and a good chai tea are some of the most beautiful blessings. She is currently living in
upstate NY (when she isn’t wandering over the earth). She has a deep love for Jesus and is passionate about living a BOLD
prayer life! Find Janelle and her well-loved journaling Bible on Insta @exploringboldlove.
OH BELOVED ONE | 23
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM JOURNAL ENTRY NO. 1
TIME TO
GROW.
Take this moment to write down a few things you want to
grow in. If you spend time with Jesus each day and allow
Him to begin something fresh and new, I promise that you
will start to see a beautiful transformation in your life.
OH BELOVED ONE | 24
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM 4 NATURE ACTIVITIES TO ENJOY
4 nature
activities
to enjoy
There are many things that
college has taught me.
Most might think of the
obvious: going to bed at a
decent hour allows you to
focus in class, and studying
all of your test material the
night before it is due might
not provide an A. However,
some of the biggest lessons
that I've learned haven’t
come from the classroom.
Throughout college, I have
found the outdoors calling
my name and allowing me
to find peace.
Wind whipping through my
hair, the tiny lizards finding
their way through the tall
grass . . . there are many
ways to spend your time in
the land that the Creator
has made.
by julia findley
x
illustrations by korin linaburg
01. Prayer walks
During my school-led Bible study
this semester, we were challenged to
discover our spiritual rhythms. As
we've gone through the semester,
we have been challenged to find
other ways that we were not used
to connecting with God. I found
that while I love worshiping
through music, there is something
so serene about sitting in nature
and hearing the animals’ and trees’
songs. I encourage you to take a
prayer walk, look at the trees, and
thank God for His creation. Hear
the birds chirp and ask Him for
guidance over your speech. Have a
conversation with our Father about
the things burdening you; there is
no right or wrong way to talk to
God.
02. picnics
I have a deep love for picnics. The
idea of having a meal on the grass
while having a conversation with a
friend brings me joy. Whether you
make a fantastic lunch or pick up
your favorite sandwich from the
deli, the deep conversations and
fellowship tie everything together.
Ask a friend to sit outside and
spend just 30 minutes talking about
God’s impact in your life.
03. silence
Have you ever sat and done
nothing? Forgotten about the text
messages, turned off the music, put
down the book? There is something
so powerful about sitting outside
in the sun and listening only to the
voice of God. While going through
a trial, I was asked to sit in silence
and listen to what was being said.
At first, I struggled to keep my
mind from racing, but after closing
my eyes and listening I heard the
words that I had been failing to
hear. While this is not something I
do often, sometimes it is the right
encouragement that I need.
OH BELOVED ONE | 25
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM 4 NATURE ACTIVITIES TO ENJOY
04. art
Although I am a communications
major, I am required to take art
classes. My creative brain does not
think in terms of lines and shapes.
Instead, I want to tell stories.
However, for one of my classes,
we had to go around our campus
and find the things that we found
beautiful, things that told a story.
Suddenly, I realized that there was
a story revolving around me; I had
just been too busy to see it. Not
every medium is easy to do, but
step out of your comfort zone and
create something outside.
meet the
author
Julia is a student who loves to travel and loves to use her words to impact others. When she is not working you can find her
sipping coffee, strumming her ukulele Bucky, studying or napping.
OH BELOVED ONE | 26
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM OFFICIAL 2021 TRAVEL GUIDE
official 2021
TRAVEL
GUIDE
5 must-visit locations
by olivia nickerson
illustrations by lisa elis
I love to travel. I especially love road trips
with my family. Growing up, we have had
the best adventures, and we’ve visited
many different places across Canada and
in the United States. In our church service
recently, we were reading through Genesis
1. As I write this article, it reminds me
of that passage that we looked at on that
particular Sunday.
God created the world. When I think about
that statement and apply it to my thinking
when looking at God’s creation, I am filled
with awe and amazement. That being
said, I wanted to share some of my favorite
places that I’ve been to.
Zion National
Park
Found in Utah, the park is an epic
collection of rusty orange mountains,
cascading cliffs, sparkling clear water,
and great hiking trails. Definitely a
must-visit.
OH BELOVED ONE | 27
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM OFFICIAL 2021 TRAVEL GUIDE
Bryce Canyon
National Park
Also found in Utah, this place is probably one of
my favorite places I’ve ever visited. It is wellknown
for its bright orange “hoodoos” and
other structures. It looks on for miles and miles,
and the skyline never seems to end. I felt as if
I could look on forever, and it would just keep
going and going.
Yosemite
National Park
So peaceful. It’s a perfect place
for a nature-imbibed hike, and the
scenery is stunning. What a way
to get into God’s creation and just
enjoy it. Turn off your phone and
turn on your appreciation of all the
beautiful things around you. It really
is such a refreshing place.
Prince Edward
Island, Canada
Just the whole island.
From rusty orange
sand dunes, rustic
lighthouses, peaceful
beaches, and waving
sea grass, to the most
delicious and creamy
homemade ice cream
from Cow’s Creamery
and to visiting Anne of
Green Gables, this is a
place that is near and
dear to my heart.
OH BELOVED ONE | 28
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM OFFICIAL 2021 TRAVEL GUIDE
Peggy's Cove
Found in Nova Scotia, Canada.
I’ve been several times and each
time has been amazing. Usually
our family walks on the gigantic
boulders and rock slabs that
face the ocean. On a sunny day,
the water sparkles and it is a
perfect place to (if the sun is nice
and warm) sit and relax, read
a book, think, or just watch the
waves crash against the rocks.
A cloudy day can seem much
more stormy, however, which
can be super fun (just be careful)
to watch the waves churn and
foam. There is also a super neat
lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove (great
for pictures if you’re that kind of
gal) and a gift shop, among other
attractions.
THE
creator
OF IT ALL
There are so, so, so many more beautiful locations to visit in this world that God has created. I’ve only
listed five. They are all equally astounding in different ways. And as we read in Genesis, God merely
spoke and it came to be.
What an amazing Creator and God we have. He created the raging waters by Peggy’s Cove, but also
the still ones at Yosemite National Park. He created the soft and wild sand dunes as well as the vast
picturesque horizon of Bryce Canyon. He created the big and the little, all by His speech. All He had
to do was speak and “It was so and it was good.”
It. was. so. What small, yet powerful words. What a Creator.
I hope this encourages you to get out (when you can) and take in the beauty of it all, even if it’s
only for a walk around your neighborhood or down the road. And when you are astounded at the
purple-pink sunsets, starry nights, or thunderous storms, remember that only from an astounding
Creator could all of this have taken place. This same Creator died for sinners like you and me. Are
you following Him today? We must turn from our sinful ways, trust in His Son’s sacrifice on the cross,
and follow Him. What are you waiting for?
meet the
author
Olivia Nickerson is a high-school student, growing writer, and a Christian saved by grace. She loves Lindt chocolate, being an
aunt to little Jasper, spending time with her family and friends, and dreaming. Besides writing, Olivia loves spending time with
her family and friends in almost any way, playing board games, sports, and music.
OH BELOVED ONE | 29
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM JOURNAL ENTRY NO. 2
TIME TO
APPRECIATE.
Where can you go to marvel at God's creation? Write your
ideas below! (We'd go to an observatory, the beach, the
Grand Canyon . . . the list goes on.)
OH BELOVED ONE | 30
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM DIFFERENT
different
by hannah benson
Have you ever created
something? Maybe when
you were a kid, you
sculpted an elephant out of Play-
Doh or built a city out of building
blocks. Granted, when it was
finished, you probably stepped back
and admired all your creation, but
surely there was one part that stood
out to you from all the rest. One
aspect of your work that you were
most proud of.
Most readers of this magazine
probably know that God is a
Creator. I mean, “He created the
earth and everything in it” is what
we’ve been learning since Sunday
school!
If God created the earth and
everything in it (which included all
the different kinds of animals and
humans), we must ask ourselves,
why are we so special? What makes
me and you different from our pet
dog or fish?
In the biblical account of
Creation (Genesis 1), God created
everything that we see today out
of nothing in a single week, and
each day, after stepping back
and surveying His work, God
nodded approvingly and saw that
it was good. And so, the pattern
continued for five days, God
speaking life and creating a new
thing, then seeing that it was good.
But on the sixth day, all that
changed.
“Let us make a man in our image,
after our likeness….so God created
man in his own image, in the
image of God he created him; male
and female he created them” (vs.
26 and 27). Prior to the creation
of man, God had said, “Let there
be” and it was. “Let there be lights”
and “let the earth bring forth living
OH BELOVED ONE | 31
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM DIFFERENT
creatures according to their kinds.”
But when He created man, God
specifically said, “Let us make.”
This, my friends, was the
flourishing finish of creation.
This was the final touch of the
Creator’s masterpiece.
And, I think it’s worth mentioning
that in Genesis 2:7 it says, “Then,
the LORD God formed the man of
dust from the ground and breathed
into his nostrils the breath of
life, and the man became a living
creature.”
The Bible never says that God
breathed “the breath of life” into
the rest of His creation. The other
animals were clearly alive, but not
in the same spiritual sense that
mankind is.
Don’t get me wrong; God LOVES
the rest of His creation, which is
clearly shown when Jesus mentions
in Matthew 6 the care God bestows
on the sparrows and lilies.
But from the beginning, God has set
apart man so that He could have a
relationship with him, and He could
be our God.
Most of us have probably heard John
3:16 before, but here it is: “For God
so loved the world, that he gave
his only Son, that whoever believes
in him should not perish but have
eternal life.”
God loved you and me that much to
send his only Son to die for us.
Jesus died for people.
Not any other living creature that He
has made.
Jesus took on a human form when
He came to earth to die for the
world.
God chose humans to be His chosen
people.
The Creator loves all His creation
and took intricate care when creating
each new thing.
But humans, we are His chosen,
prized portion of Creation. We are
the part in the masterpiece which
upon stepping back and seeing His
work, He calls us his beloved.
For that is what we are.
meet the
author
You can probably find Emily hiding in her room with chocolate while pounding away at her computer, penning her next
novel or poem and belting off-key broadway songs. When not doing school or exploring her next bright idea, she co-blogs at
growingintofriends.com. To learn more about the books she hermits away to write, visit ekseaver.wordpress.com.
OH BELOVED ONE | 32
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM DIFFERENT
He leads the thick cloud with moisture;
the cloud scatter his lightning.
They turn around and around by his guidance,
to accomplish all that he commands them
on the face of the hospitable world,
whether for correction or for his land or for love,
he causes it to happen.
Job 37:11–13
OH BELOVED ONE | 33
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM THE BEST THINGS GOD HAS MADE
The best
things God
has made
by kara linaburg
These are my favorite things.
These are the things that make me believe that maybe, just maybe, there’s hope for tomorrow. These are the things
that remind me of the power of God’s love. These are the things that lessen the darkness.
OH BELOVED ONE | 34
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM THE BEST THINGS GOD HAS MADE
⁰¹ Hugs
In a world where pure, innocent, physical touch
is often deemed sexual, dirty, or uncomfortable,
simple hugs are so healing for me. One of my
favorite moments of my day is when my friend
who I consider my second dad will wrap me in
a big hug, and just like that I feel like everything
will be alright.
⁰² Sunsets
I sit on my back porch every evening to be
reminded that this darkness coming is only
temporary; the light will come again.
⁰³ Laughter
The kind that makes your belly ache and tears
come into your eyes. When my brothers tell
jokes, when my friend reenacts her crazy stories,
when my whole family gets together and it’s late
and we’re all going a little crazy. Laughter. It’s like
medicine, like healing balm on a bad day.
⁰⁵ Music
I’m talking about those moments under the stars
when the music is high and you are free, and the
rest of the world is far away. I’m talking about
the music coming from your stereo in your car
and the tears running down your face because a
song is giving you the words you didn’t have. I’m
talking about the healing power of music. Like
hugs and sunsets and love and forgiveness and
kind words, God gave music its own beauty. Jon
Foreman once said that every song is a worship
song, we just have to ask who we’re worshiping. I
believe that’s true.
⁰⁴ Phone
calls
In a world where texting is common
communication, where social media shouldn’t
divide but still manages to seperate, phone calls
are special to me. I grew up where my closest
friends were at least one state away, and me and
my best friend spent hours on the phone.
OH BELOVED ONE | 35
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM THE BEST THINGS GOD HAS MADE
⁰⁶ Words
of hope
Genuine words of hope. Not meaningless
nothingness, but words that you can tell are
meant from the depths of the heart. Words like,
“I’m proud of you,” and you know without a
doubt they are. Words that maybe you don’t
believe right now but keep you fighting. Words
that maybe you didn’t expect, but words that
touch you.
⁰⁸ Forgiveness
⁰⁷ Unconditional
love
I don’t understand it. I doubt it. But
unconditional, judgement-free love —that’s
a wonder of the world. It’s true and pure and
rare. It’s a love that when you find it, you must
hold tight, because you should never take it for
granted. I think I began to understand it most
when a friend once told me, “Nothing you could
ever do would change my love for you. You know
that, right?” And I thought, that’s a Jesus kind of
love.
The kind that isn’t returned. The kind that isn’t
believed. The kind that is rejected. Those stories
are the most bittersweet, the hardest. Yet those
people who forgive, they are the strongest I’ve
ever met.
meet the
author
Kara Linaburg is passionate about finding beauty in brokenness, heart-to-heart talks, and hugs. When she's not planning
her next adventure, she's probably reading under a tree somewhere. Find her young adult fantasy books and read her blog
at www.thebeautifullybrokenblog.com.
OH BELOVED ONE | 36
Let all that I am
praise the Lord;
with my whole
heart, I will
praise
his
holy
name.
Ps 103:1
OH BELOVED ONE | 37
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
in His image
IN HIS IMAGE
by celia a. miller
OH BELOVED ONE | 38
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM IN HIS IMAGE
Each of us, as Jesus lovers and followers, are called to the deep responsibility of
bearing something extraordinary and life-changing. Sis, we were created and called to
be bearers of God’s image.
Let’s take a look at Genesis 1:26-27.
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so
that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky,
over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures
that move along the ground.”So God created mankind in his own
image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he
created them. (NIV)
We were blessed with the precious honor of bearing God’s image and representing
His name. But what exactly does this look like in real life? How do we live out being
image-bearers of the One who created us in His likeness? Well, I believe that we can’t
truly understand what comes with the responsibility of bearing God’s image unless
we take a look at the heart of the One who created us.
1 John 4:8 tells us, “Whoever does not
love does not know God, because God is
love.” (NIV) If we were created in God’s
image and likeness, and God is love, then
that means we were created in love to
love God and be loved by Him. Genesis
2:7 shows us how we were created by
God and why the “how” illustrates the
kind of relationship He seeks to have
with His image-bearers; “Then the Lord
God formed a man from the dust of the
ground and breathed into his nostrils
the breath of life, and the man became
a living being.” (NIV) God bent down
and was face to face, nose to nose, with
Adam and breathed His very breath into
Adam’s lungs and then bestowed on him
His own image. Sis, this shows us that as
God’s image-bearers, He craves to walk in
intimate relationship with us as we were
so intimately created. This is His heart;
that we would know Him fully and be
fully known by embracing Him and the
love He aches to bestow on us.
OH BELOVED ONE | 39
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM IN HIS IMAGE
Psalm 139:13-14 tells the beautiful and
sound truth of how our Creator sees
us; “For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s
womb. I praise you because I am fearfully
and wonderfully made; your works are
wonderful, I know that full well.” (NIV)
As God’s image-bearers, created in His
likeness, we are given worth and value
that goes far beyond this world. We can
tether our souls to Jesus because He is
worthy of our trust and adoration. And
because He is worthy, Sister, and you
bear His image, you are worthy and are
of great value in His sight. It doesn’t
matter what the world may speak over
you or to you because the voice of Jesus
in you is the One who gives you true and
lasting value.
I want to circle back to 1 John 4 and take
a look at verses 11-12; “Dear friends,
since God so loved us, we also ought to
love one another. No one has ever seen
God; but if we love one another, God
lives in us and his love is made complete
in us.” (NIV) Because God is love, and
He so graciously and freely loves us
despite where we’ve been or what we’ve
done, we are called and created to love
one another. As God’s image-bearers, one
of the highest responsibilities we are given
with our time on this earth is to love
others well. We were created to give others
grace and forgive freely because at the
root of how we were created is the love of
Christ.
Knowing God’s heart and understanding our value as His Image Bearers enables us to pour that love out onto those around
us. Friend, when we draw closer to the heart of God and understand that our identity is rooted in His love, we can bloom
His image into the world. Because to know God is to love Him and to love God is to love His people. Our words become
softer and our eyes become kinder when we understand that our image belongs to the Image Maker and the likeness of others
reflects the creation of His hands.
You, Beloved girl, were created to bear God’s image and likeness. You were created to love God, be loved by Him, and to love
others well. Because to look through the lens of love is to bear the image of the One who created you.
meet the
author
Celia A. Miller is a blogger, writer, and coffee obsessor with a profound love for Jesus. She graduated from Grace College
with a bachelor’s degree in counseling, but her true passion lies in sharing the heart of Jesus through her writing. Celia and
her husband reside in small-town Indiana with their two furbabies. When she isn’t writing, you can find her enjoying time
with her family or reading a good book! Check out her blog at celiaamiller.com/the-blog or go say "hello" on Instagram
@celiaamiller.
OH BELOVED ONE | 40
Created
Create
to
Watch the hand of a five-year-old, drawing
big shapes across a blank page.
by acacia mitchell
From the beginning, we
were created to create.
In the beginning, God formed man,
exquisite sculpturing, precision
unmatched, shading divine.
And he said, "You are in My image."
we were
This one is for everyone—those who know
they are creative, and those who don’t.
The artists and writers, the dancers and
filmmakers, and those who don't know why or
what they are driven to create.
OH BELOVED ONE | 41
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM CREATED TO CREATE
1. We are made in
God's image.
The first thing that we learn about God in the Bible is that He creates.
"In the beginning, God created" (Genisis 1:1).
Later on, we learn that we are made in God's image—to be like Him. This
means that part of our identity as people is to create things. There are
examples upon examples of this in the Bible.
Throughout the Psalms, we are given elaborate descriptions of the
natural beauty God created. (Psalm 8, 19, 33, 65)
Song of Solomon uses elaborate imagery to describe the beauty of love.
(Song of Solomon 7)
God gives exact instructions for the creation of the tabernacle.
(Exodus 25-31)
David dances his worship to God. (2 Samuel 6)
Jesus is the master storyteller, using parables to bring the gospel.
(Matthew 13)
God delights in the creating.
OH BELOVED ONE | 42
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM CREATED TO CREATE
2.
Art is incredibly
powerful...&
it has been
corrupted.
Porn. Explicit music.
Blasphemous writing.
Raunchy dancing. All
of these are ways that
something beautiful has
been perverted. Part of
bringing God’s kingdom
to earth is claiming back
areas of beauty.
Think about a piece of music you heard
recently. Consider how it affected your
emotions and thoughts, for better or for
worse. Close your eyes; think of the lyrics
and how they set your mood. What did it
make you focus on?
photo by freepik
Art is an incredibly powerful tool. The Israelites
were commanded not to make "graven/engraved
images" of idols—not because a statue is the only
thing we can choose to worship besides God, but
because the representation of something beautiful has an
alluring effect on our hearts.
We as the church need to create for the glory of God.
OH BELOVED ONE | 43
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM CREATED TO CREATE
3.Everything
we do should
glorify God.
“So whether you eat or drink
or whatever you do, do it all
for the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31
Being created in the image of God
means that we are called to be like him.
By creating things that glorify God, we
are practicing worship, bringing our
humble offerings before His feet, and
praying that they point other people to
Him.
What does creating for the glory of
God look like?
It looks like giving thanks to God for
the abilities He has given you. It looks
like working diligently at everything
He lays on your heart. Like centering
everything you create around the
gospel, whether directly or indirectly.
Like raising up other creators who
want to honor Jesus.
Creating for
the glory of
God looks
like creating
around the
gospel,
whether
directly or
indirectly.
OH BELOVED ONE | 44
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 OHBELOVEDONE.COM CREATED TO CREATE
Practice creating
Perhaps something has been
stirred in your soul as you read over
this. Go pick one of the Scriptures
under the heading, "We are made in
God's image." Meditate on it. Write
out certain phrases that stand out
to you. Thank God for His beautiful
handiwork in making you, for the
nature you get to be in awe of, and
for the gifts He's given you.
Then ask Him how you can
participate in His grand and
glorious art piece. You were
created to create.
meet the
author
Acacia Mitchell is a teen from Canada who moved to Scotland in 2015. She has been published on the Rebelution, written for
the stage, and is the author of Waiting Spaces, a collection of poetry. She has a passion for artistic expression and the way that it
reflects the Creator. Her blog can be found at thoughtsfromatree.com or you can follow her Instagram @acaciawritespoems.
OH BELOVED ONE | 45
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM SCRAPBOOK OF GOD'S CREATION
OH BELOVED ONE | 46
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM SCRAPBOOK OF GOD'S CREATION
Scrapbook
of God's
photo by freepik
Creationby eve parnell
OH BELOVED ONE | 47
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM SCRAPBOOK OF GOD'S CREATION
the heavens
Think with me for a minute.
Think about the stars, galaxies,
planets, moons, comets,
asteroids, constellations . . .
ALL THE SPACE!
You don’t have to think long
to figure out that the universe
is just a little bit complex and
wonderful! As Romans 1:20
talks about, creation makes
it obvious that there is an allknowing,
creative, powerful
Creator. When we slow down
and think about creation, we
realize just how awesome and
creative our God is.
OH BELOVED ONE | 48
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM SCRAPBOOK OF GOD'S CREATION
& the earth
Think about the clouds, blue
sky, trees, flowers, birds,
animals, wind, rain, lightning
. . . HUMANS!
Ponder with me how galaxies
stay afloat in space, gravity
exists in the perfect balance,
molecules move, our brains
work (if your head hurts
thinking about that one, you
aren’t alone), animals know
how to survive, and babies are
formed in the womb.
OH BELOVED ONE | 49
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM SCRAPBOOK OF GOD'S CREATION
OH BELOVED ONE | 50
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM SCRAPBOOK OF GOD'S CREATION
01 02
03
There are so many different
shapes, colors, and sizes of
galaxies.
Check out images.nasa.gov
and search “galaxies”—you’ll
quickly see what I mean! They
are so beautiful and, when
you think about it, incredible.
There are BILLIONS of stars
in each galaxy! Yet, despite
the gravity each of those
stars possesses, stars don’t
frequently collapse or run into
each other.
Black holes—like . . . how cool
(and also a bit scary)! Nasa.gov/
black-holes says, “A black hole
has a gravitational pull that is
so intense that nothing, not
even light, can escape it once
inside a certain region, called
the event horizon.”
Not even light. Just . . . wow.
Stars are hot! They’re balls of
gasses (they aren’t solid— isn’t
that crazy??) and are even
different colors depending on
how hot they are! And they’re
BIG! Big, bright, hot balls of
gas. They also rarely burn up,
which is amazing considering
the fact that they are so warm.
Did I mention that they are
SUPER gravitational? All the
planets in our solar system
revolve around our sun and
none of them just fly away—all
thanks to the gravity of the sun.
OH BELOVED ONE | 51
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM SCRAPBOOK OF ARTICLE GOD'S TITLE CREATION HERE
01 02 03
Ah, earth. The best planet
ever (I’m not biased at all . . . ).
Psalm 8:9 talks about how the
earth shows the majesty of the
Creator. We’re so blessed to
live on a planet that was hand
crafted by God for His glory.
I think that one of the coolest
things about Earth is that it is
unique. Out of all the planets,
earth is the only planet that
has life, because it’s the
only planet with the perfect
conditions for life. May I also
mention that God put us the
perfect distance from the sun?
We are just far enough away to
not be sweltering and burning
up, but close enough that we
aren’t a block of ice. Isn’t that
amazing?
Also, our atmosphere is just
what we need—the perfect
balance of protection and
letting the sunlight in.
Have you ever sat by a window
during a thunderstorm and
just watched the lightning?
If you haven’t yet, I highly
recommend doing so. It’s
amazing to watch those bolts
of electricity cross the sky at
ridiculous speeds. The colors
are super cool too! Sometimes
it’s purple, other times white
or blue. It’s awesome and
frightening at the same time.
Kind of how we should think
of God—we should be in awe
of Him and His beauty while
also having a deep respect
for Him. I love how creation
teaches us about the Creator.
Humans are God’s prized
creation. Out of all the things
He made, God made us
special. We are made in His
image (Genesis 1:27), and He
gave us abilities and features
that are unique to mankind.
Look around at your family
and friends, the people at
the grocery store, the man
or woman driving by on the
interstate. Look at yourself.
Look at how God made you
physically, spiritually, and
mentally. We are so complex
that only a divine Creator
could have put us together.
But all that isn’t the coolest
part about us. The coolest part
about being human is that we
can have a relationship with
our Creator. NOTHING
else in all creation has that
ability—only people. Now
THAT’S awesome!
OH BELOVED ONE | 52
OH BELOVED ONE | 52
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM SCRAPBOOK OF ARTICLE GOD'S TITLE CREATION HERE
We’ve barely scratched the
surface of creation today.
Never in a million years
could I write about all the
impeccable things that God
has made. Since we couldn’t
cover all of creation today,
go look at and explore it
yourself! I think you’ll find
that it makes you say,
“Your righteousness, O God,
reaches to the high heavens.
You have done great things,
O God, who is like you?”
(Psalm 71:19)
meet the
author
Eve Parnell is a homeschooled high schooler who loves upbeat Christian music, puppies, sugar and sunshine! She reads way
too many books and spends a lot of time looking at bookstagram posts. Eve doesn’t have a favorite Bible verse (because it varies
depending on what God is teaching her at the moment), so don’t ask her to pick just one!
OH BELOVED ONE | 53
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM WHAT IS SALVAATION?
WHAT IS SALVATION?
Ever wonder why some people can be so bad? So mean?
Why sometimes even you succumb to these feelings
of anger, jealousy, and lust? That's because all people,
including you and me, have a sin nature. This sin separates
us from God. He's so perfect that He can't even be in the
presence of a tiny bit of sin. Not only does sin separate
us from God, but there's also a price to pay for it: death,
after which comes suffering in Hell, burning for the rest of
eternity.
But God wants a relationship with us and doesn't want
anyone to perish, so He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to take
the penalty of our sin. He took our place when He died
on the cross for us.
But it doesn't stop there, because Jesus did something we
couldn't do: three days after He was crucified, He rose
again! He defeated death. And, when we accept His gift
of salvation, we become a Child of God and get to spend
eternity in Heaven with Him.
So how do you accept this gift, you ask? Believe that Jesus
Christ is the Son of God and He died on the cross for
your sins, raising on the third day and defeating death.
Confess your sins and repent (turn away) from them.
If you have any questions, please feel free to write us on
our Instagram @beloved.magazine or Facebook. If you
accept Jesus into your heart, praise God! We want to
celebrate with you, so please let us know! You may want
to look at our previous issues from this year which talk
about reading your Bible and praying. For the rest of the
year, we'll be going over more aspects of your Christian
walk in great detail, so we hope these issues will be a great
encouragement to you!
OH BELOVED ONE | 54
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 OHBELOVEDONE.COM CREDITS
DISCLAIMER
Oh Beloved One is not responsible for any inaccurate information in
its magazine pages. Additionally, we are not responsible for plagiarism
on the part of our writers. We accept their work assuming that it is
their own. Please contact us if you have any problems.
Current reading material in our world today has been tainted and
darkened. In our pages, we strive to share clean and positive articles
that leave readers feeling blessed.
We will not stand down for our faith; however, we will not push our
beliefs on others. You are free to accept or reject things we say and
we will not discriminate against you for any reason. Additionally, just
because our pages are filled with positive articles does not mean we will
not stand up for what we believe in. However, we believe that at this
time it is best to look at the glass as half full.
geeky
printing
info
Body text set in Adobe Garamond Pro.
All verses in ESV translation unless
otherwise noted.
All photos and art not taken by an Oh Beloved One staff member were
checked to ensure they do not infringe copyright laws. Please contact
us if you have a question.
The ESV Global Study Bible®, ESV® Bible
Copyright © 2012 by Crossway.
All rights reserved.
PRINT IS
BETTER
We offer each issue online for free
because we want everyone to have
access to solid, practical, beautiful Bible
resources. However, purchasing print
magazines helps keep us running and
lets us know you support what we're
doing. Please consider buying a print
copy!
DEDICAT-
ED TO
This issue is dedicated to the elderly
who haven't been able to see family
during this time. We pray God gives
them strength to get through and
reunites them with loved ones soon.
hey
look
it's the
page
no one
reads.
OH BELOVED ONE | 55
JULY/AUGUST 2019 OHBELOVEDONE.COM ARTICLE TITLE HERE
ohbelovedone.com
UP NEXT
JUDGE & LIGHT
Talking about God being our light is great and all . . . but
how is He also a fierce judge? We'll take a look at this
perfect combination in our next issue, releasing in March
of 2021.
OH BELOVED ONE | 56