Bible Journaling Journey: And So It Begins

This week for my first **official** Bible Journaling post, I decided to inventory my goods. Basically, I need to purchase a few things so I don’t ruin my pages with the wrong type of permanent marker or pen. The pages of my Bible are created for journaling, but if you are using a Bible you already own you may have to treat the pages to prevent tearing or bleed through. Even the softest colored pencils can tear a page, especially if you work like I do and get super excited.

I already own water pens for using with watercolor pencils (one of my favorite mediums ever)

I have Crayola crayons, soft colored pencils, and washable markers. I would like a nice set of Gel pens and a nice set of fine-tipped Bible Journaling pens. I have watercolor paints, brushes and plenty of paper towels. I also think some of the fun stuff like washi tape and glitter pens may be in my future. I have a few rolls of tape, but no glitter pens. I would love to dive into the stamping and fancy tie die look eventually. But first, essentials.

**(glitter is a situation for me. I should be banned from using it. This past weekend a well-meaning 5-year-old put some glitter eyeshadow on my eyes. It’s now 4 days later and I’m still sparkly.)

This week’s verse is about love. Ahhhh, love is a wonderful thing. Until we forget about its meaning and the possibility. The verse is from

Matthew 22:37-39(NIV)

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

 

This commandment is the sole purpose of walking with Jesus. We must love one another. This time of year, I see a lot of love being dished out- and it is wonderful. It is so easy to get caught up in the giving, serving and sacrifice the season naturally brings. But when the cold winds of January blow- where does the love go?

Back to work. Back to school. Back to the routine; the mundane.

Why aren’t we capable of choosing unconditional love for one another all the time?

Why can’t we choose to live like its Christmas all year round, so everyone is loved and cherished?

We should be doing exactly this. We should be loving, cherishing, and holding on to one another 365 days a year. We should be taking on one another’s burdens, praying thoughtfully and serving with intention. We should never hold back our love for others and wait for a season or holiday.

Tomorrow is not promised.

On the page, I outlined the heart first, so I could leave that space blank. I wanted to try out the soft colored pencils I mentioned. I basically swept the pencil across the page to give it some color, yet still be able to read the text underneath. I added the washi tape at the top (super lightweight, so it really rests nicely on these pages) Finally, I penciled in my lettering and traced with a type of marker I need to stop using in my Bible- a sharpie fine point. (strike one- it bled through badly)

 

 

I hope for both our sakes, I get better at taking pictures and documenting this process. I also hope I learn quickly from my mistakes, so I can improve and pour out in worship on the page as I soak up God’s word!

Until next time!

XOXO