Bible Journaling: Blessings and Lessons
I am excited to share with you today my latest bible journaling entry. I have to say it has been quite awhile since I last journaled in my bible, just taking the time to sit and reflect in God’s word. I have read some of my bible here and there and to be completely honest, I have even doubted which version to use. NIV versus the ESV.
My current one was the NIV however, I noticed that a lot of bible journal folks use the ESV. Did you know that the ESV has been around much longer than the NIV version? I didn’t. So, over the last few months something spoke to me after a particular Sunday sermon at church in regards to the different bibles and variations out there. And after some thought, I purchased an ESV version. I am not sure that this will be my only version I reference, however for journaling purposes I will be using it for now. I find that when I really want to reflect on Gods word I will probably refer to both versions, and go back and forth. Just for my own understanding and complete comprehension in the since. I have never done this before, heck, I don’t think I have read my bible(s) that much before as I do now. I do have several lying around that I have collected over the years, but it is now, this season in life, that I truly WANT to read the word. I want to soak it up, learn all that I can, and become stronger in what I believe.
I’ve been thirsty for it… and to help with this, at the beginning of the year, bible journaling became an attraction. Something crafty to do in it. But, I’ve learned that its more than just coloring in the pages of one’s bible. And there is a whole community of people out there doing it. But that’s not my purpose in doing so, this is just for me, myself, and my relationship with God. So in my search of all things bible journaling I discovered Illustrated Faith – a company that sell bible journaling art supplies, and monthly kits with devotionals. And… well my package arrived the other day, and was excited to delve in. I purchased two kits, just so I could have plenty supplies and devotions to FILL up my CUP!
The kit that I worked out of today was Blessings and Lessons. And I chose the verse from the devotional day 2 Proverbs 19:21. Basically it is the lesson to learn that “You can make many plans but the Lord’s purpose will prevail”.
I think this is interesting… I’m a planner girl, quite frankly, I always have been, I always will be. And while I am in a sense living my life the way I planned, I am also not. And yes, I do have many plans for myself.
But as I was bible journaling today, reflecting on those words over and over, and I kept looking at the lonnnng to do list I had also created for myself. Earlier int he day I felt overwhelm. And that moment, a sense of calm came over me, letting me know not to sweat it. So what if I don’t finish the list today, and so what if I do. God’s in control and while the plans I set out for myself today are to help with business tasks, blogging tasks, or personal fitness tasks, family tasks or even self development tasks… we can’t do it all. I’m not throwing in my towel – as I write this, I am still plowing away at my list, but I’m also not beating my self up that I didn’t finish something by a certain hour today, or that I didn’t get to something on the list today. Nope not today, I am just moving forward and by God’s grace, his plan and in his time, I believe I will be or end up exactly where I need to be.
I didn’t plan this entry, I didn’t plan that verse, however, I find it quite interesting how I landed on that lesson today. He works in mysterious ways, doesn’t he?
God is great isn’t he?Â
Below is how I went through the process of bible journaling today. Having the kits make it easier to journal, as I am not one to draw the prettiest of pictures. The stamps help create a picture, and I just fill in the words with my own handwriting. Nothing special. But the entry today and the reflection… oh so very special.
I started out using the clear flowers stamp and placed it on to a clear acrylic block. Then in black stamping ink I placed the flowers onto the lower part of the page.
The block make this fairly simple to do.
Then using some basic watercolor paints I have from a watercolor set I got from the local craft store, I just wet my paint brush and swirled some pretty colors into the design. I made sure to lay down some wax paper underneath the page I was working on, so that the watercolors wouldn’t bleed onto any additional pages. To my surprise, it dried very quickly.
I really have enjoyed this kit thus far, and am quite surprised at how fun this is really becoming for me, while also building my faith. I have really enjoyed it. All in all, this entire entry and devotion, I spent about 20-30 minutes of time.
At the end of it, I made sure this time to date stamp the page. This is something that a lot of people do when bible journaling to document or reference the page. I find it unique because you never know when you might find yourself back into this very page and it will be something to reflect on. Perhaps a new lesson or blessing you need. Do you bible journal? If so what supplies or techniques do you use?
[…] my faith in Christ. I wanted to study the bible more, and learn more and even journal in my bible. Which I did do all through 2016. And, Im pretty happy with what I have done with that goal, but I want to do even better this year […]