MY FIRST ATTEMPT AT BIBLE JOURNALING
Bible journaling has been popular for a few years now. I often thought it would be a fun way to meditate on the scripture I was reading. I even won a journaling Bible with blank spaces ready to be filled with artwork. For someone who loves art journaling, you would think I could jump into it with no trouble. But something always held me back.
Those who do journal in their Bibles assure us that there is no one right way to do it. But when I looked at some of their finished work, I thought mine couldn’t possibly measure up. I guess I was afraid of making a mistake or doing it wrong. That is what happens when we start to compare ourselves with others. Because of my fear of messing it up I hesitated to begin. So my brand new ready-for-journaling-Bible just sat there waiting to be used. Oh, I did read it but never tried any type of art in it.
I felt much more confident making collages in my art journal or writing haiku and sharing on photos.
We often let fear keep us from trying new things.
DON’T LET FEAR STOP YOU
Finally, today I decided to jump right in and see what I could do. And you know what? It’s true that there is no one right way to do it. I’m just happy I finally started. Each week I’ve enjoyed seeing the Bible journaling of Dani Chapman.
The photo below is what I finished this morning. It’s not the best writing or artwork, but it’s a start. For the background I used yellow and orange gelatos. I had first written in the words on top but the pen didn’t work right and it was not that legible. So I found a photo that had a partial rainbow in the sky, cut it to fit, then wrote the words again there. The scripture is from Mark 16:6, the good news that Jesus is risen!
What about you? Have you ever tried journaling in your Bible? If you do, what are some of the materials you use? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
I’m linking up with: #SundayThoughts, #InspireMeMonday #weeklyBiblejournaling, #SundayScriptureBlessings
Gayl, you are one person I would expect to take to Bible journaling like a duck to water!
You’re so adventurous with your expressions of art!
Michele, you would think I jump right in. I’m not really sure why it took me so long to try. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by to visit! Blessings to you, dear sister! xo
Dear Gayl,
I agree with Michele! I think you will love Bible journaling! I am excited to see where God will lead you with it all. Thanks for sharing it with us all today. My daughter really loves it also. And thank you so much for the feature for the Beloved Prodigal post from this past week. I am so grateful that the Lord continues His work inside us, and among us, joining us more deeply in His heart. His grace in the process is just so precious to me. I pray that He will continue to deepen our compassion for each one of those wandering hearts. Blessings, Love and hugs my dear sister! xoxo
Dear Bettie,
I don’t know exactly why I waited so long to try Bible journanling. 🙂 I’m glad your daughter loves it too! I love to see how God is using Beloved Prodigal. God is working in our lives and of those whom we love. I am also grateful to Him for His love and care and grace. Love, blessings and hugs to you, dear sister! xoxo
Dear Gayl, oh this is so inspiring and challenging! I’ve also got a special journalling Bible I received as a gift. It’s been opened and admired… and put back in its box… and forgotten about. Added to the list of “I’ll get round to it one day” but never actually started yet, sad to say. Like you, I am in my happy spot writing, especially poetry, and taking photographs, but not so much with art. Now I know I can’t keep putting it off or letting a lack of confidence hold me back! Thank you for giving me the gentle nudge I needed. Blessings, love and hugs! xoxo
Dear Joy, I’m so happy to have inspired you and given you that little nudge. 🙂 It’s interesting how we both won journaling Bibles and then just let them sit. We both do have much in common, don’t we? Blessings, love and hugs right back to you. xoxo
I am so proud of you! Your Bible journaling is awesome because it comes from your heart and is expressing what you have learned. I can’t wait to see how you grow spiritually and artistically in the Lord!
Thanks so much for linking up!
Blessings to you this week!
Thank you for being such an inspiration, Dani! I always enjoy looking at your journaling pages. 🙂 Blessings to you!
I love how you share your personal experience with us here. A lot of what you say resonates as I tend to try new things on old takes, or go old school with new things LOL. I am getting the itch to create art for my walls but have to figure out where to start. I love making graphics but am longing for paint brush again.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Meg! I don’t know much about painting but I’ve experimented and enjoy it a lot. 🙂 I’m glad you stopped by. Blessings to you! xo
I haven’t done any of the artistic Bible journaling yet. It intimidates me because I’m not artistically inclined in that way. But I love seeing how others do it! Hope you find it enjoyable, Gayl!
It intimidated me for awhile, but I realized that we don’t really have to be a great artist. Mine is very simple but it was actually fun to do. I think the idea is that it helps us meditate on the scripture. I do enjoy looking at what others have done. It’s very inspiring. Blessings to you, Lisa! Thanks for visiting.
I started Bible journaling a few months ago. I feared making mistakes too. Love what you did here friend and also loving the freedom that you can’t screw up. Everyone’s pages are simply different.
So glad you enjoy Bible journaling, Tara! I love the freedom that it can be anything you want it to. Blessings to you! Thanks for visiting.
I haven’t done Bible Journaling, but there are still lessons to learn from your experience. Thanks for sharing, Gayl. Blessings to you.
Thanks, Boma! I know it probably isn’t for everybody, but I am glad I tried it out. Thanks for visiting. Blessings to you!
Congrats on finishing your first page of Bible journaling. It is beautiful!
Thank you so much for your encouragement, Maree! Blessings to you!
I have a Bible that has an entire blank page–but I use it for notes and journaling, with no art involved ;). My artistic endeavors are limited to photography, quilting, and sewing. I like what you did in your Bible, though!
Notes and journaling are great, too! Art isn’t always necessary. 🙂 My mom loved to quilt and made a lot of them. I haven’t gotten into that yet, but I love to crochet, and I love photography, too. 🙂 Thanks for your encouragement, Anita. Blessings to you! xo