Book {Review} The Art of Bible Journaling

I was asked by Erin Bassett to review her new book called "The Art of Bible Journaling." Of course, I jumped on the chance to see what she has been up to! As a fellow BSFer, I was excited to look at her book. Well, I was not disappointed. Her book starts from the ground up. It walks you through choosing a Bible including different translations, selecting Bible passages to journal, how to handle mistakes, and she also introduces you to tools and materials to use. All of that is then followed by 60 step-by-step techniques with photographs to walk you through each one! The instructions and photographs are very clear. This makes it very simple for a first-time Bible journaler to dig in and get started.  And even if you have been Bible journaling for a while, there are still fun and new things to learn from Erin's book. She also shows you how to incorporate lots of supplies that you probably already have on hand. And to finish off this 159-page book, there are stickers, a ruler and stencils for tracing, traceable art, vellum, and die cuts for you to use. This book has it all for anyone to Bible journal. And if you are one that does not want to journal in your Bible, not a problem. Erin gives you other options too. There are plenty of techniques for beginners to experienced alike.

I am teaching a class at our church this summer, and I will be using this book for people to use, reference, etc. I am sure once getting their hands on it, that they too will want their own copies. I highly recommend it. You can purchase it on Amazon by clicking here. Read the reviews there also as some people have included pictures of their own journaling after using the book. Out of 39 reviews thus far, Erin has received 5 stars on her book. I too would give it 5 stars! It is also available at Barnes & Noble, Hobby Lobby, and Joann's. If you would like to see more about Erin, you can visit her blog here. Thanks for joining me, and thanks to Erin for the opportunity to review this wonderful book!

The One Year Bible {Update}

Back in November, I posted about the One Year Bible I purchased. To see details about this Bible and see my previous post, click here. I am truly, truly enjoying my time in His Word each morning with this reading format. I was not sure how I was going to use this though. Was I just going to read through, study, or what? On January 1st, I just read the scriptures. Then on January 2nd, I read in Genesis 3:8 “When the cool evening breezes were blowing . . .” Wow, I don’t remember reading that before. I have read Genesis several times. That just hit me—“cool evening breezes blowing.” So then I realized that this is the NLT version. I don’t normally read the NLT but I like it. So, I pulled out my phone and looked on the Biblegateway app to see what it says in the NIV and the ESV. Here is what they say:

Gen. 3:8 “in the cool of the day.” (NIV and ESV)

Then I continued on and read in Genesis 3:16 “And you will desire to control your husband.” Ouch, do I do that? Do I desire to control Michael? Oh dear. What do the NIV and ESV say?

Gen 3:16 “desire will be for your husband.” (NIV)
Gen 3:16 “desire will be contrary to your husband.” (ESV)

So interesting looking at the different versions, and to think—do I want to contradict Michael or control him? Very convicting. I am finding as I read each day that I come across things just like this, and I love it. We recently did a study in our Sunday School class about different Bible versions and how they came about so I am finding all of this very interesting.

So this is what God showed me to do with this as I read through His Word this year—compare translations and really understand what He is saying to me. So for now, in the margins, I note the different phrases and translations when I find things that interest me like above. I am loving it, and I can’t wait to see what He continues to reveal to me as I read this year.

I also finished the inside cover yesterday. I have taken this Bible to the hospital, car service waiting area, etc. I have worked on this for several weeks, and I love how it turned out. I, of course, had to add my signature splatters when I was done. This has been so wonderful to take along with me as I go to appointments. Now, what will I watercolor next in this Bible?

So, did you buy this Bible? How are you using it? What medium are you using to color? Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your Wednesday!

Need a Christmas Idea?

In my Sunday School class, we were encouraged to bring study Bibles that we use and love. We were then able to share with the others in our class. One lady brought her One Year Bible to class, and I had never seen one. I absolutely LOVE the concept. Basically this Bible is broken up into 365 daily readings so that by the end of the year you have read the entire Bible. You read passages from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs every day. The readings are broken up by date so you don’t have to flip around in your Bible to find that day’s reading. I am so, so excited about this because reading straight through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation has never worked for me. So, after class I immediately went on a search for the One Year Bible to purchase for myself and for hubby. Yes, he is excited about this too. 

My search revealed many versions. Then I ran into this beauty. It's called the One Year Bible Expressions. It was $27 on amazon (retail $39.99), and I am in love. Click here to see this particular Bible on amazon. Anyway, I love that it’s pink, it has lines to take notes in the margins, and it has places I can color. It is only available in the NLT version though. I don’t mind that version but I prefer an NIV. I purchased hubby a large print NIV version. Anyway, here are a few pictures of this beauty. Can’t wait for January first. I think I will begin coloring the inside cover until then. There are some beautiful flowers just waiting for some color!

And if you don't like pink or coloring, there is a brown cover One Year Bible with just journaling lines in the margins. It is called the One Year Bible Reflections. I really like that version too. Hope you find something you love or for someone you love. Thanks for stopping by!

Glory {Art 2016} Scripture Challenge #12, Good

Can you believe this is our last study for 2016? How did you enjoy it? I have prayed about 2017 and through the couple of messages I received, I will be continuing a study for 2017. I will post the reveal before the end of the year. Begin a list of friends you want to invite (new believers, mature believers, and unbelievers); all are welcome and encourage to join us! They do not have to create art. They can just read and study, journal, whatever. Details coming soon.

The Study

So, as we end our study today for 2016, I wanted to look at God's goodness. God is good. How do we know that? How can we say that when we are in the midst of a great struggle or suffering? We can be content regardless of our circumstances because God is the ultimate example of good. First, what does it mean when we say "God is good"? Moms in Prayer states this: 

"Virtuous, excellent; upright; God is essentially, absolutely and consummately good."

His goodness is evident in creation. Have you ever thought about that? When you see snow fall or the leaves change, or look at a newborn baby, don't you see God's goodness? Let's look at Genesis 1 for some examples:

Genesis 1:4 "God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness."

Genesis 1:10 "God called the dry ground 'land,' and the gathered waters He called 'seas.' And God saw that it was good."

Genesis 1:12 "The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good."

Genesis 1:17-18 "God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good."

Genesis 1:21 "So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good."

Genesis 1:25 "God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good."

And in Genesis 1:31, we see that all He made was very good:

Genesis 1:31 "God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day."

When my girls were in BSF, they learned a song called "God is So Good." The lyrics are simple:

"God is so good
God is so good
God is so good
He is good to me."

He is SO good to us even though we don't deserve it. He created us. He provides for us. He loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to live with us, be tempted like us, and yet He died for us and for our sins. I would say that is very good! Now take a moment to listen to Casting Crowns sing "Good Good Father." Close your eyes and meditate on the lyrics.

And here is a snippet of the lyrics:

Good Good Father
by Chris Tomlin

...You're a good good father 
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are 
And I'm loved by you 
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am 

Because you are perfect in all of your ways 
You are perfect in all of your ways 
You are perfect in all of your ways to us 
You are…

Absolutely! He is good because it's who He is! He is perfect in all of His ways, and He loves each of us; He created us! So, how can I say that "we can be content regardless of our circumstances because God is the ultimate example of good"? Because even in the tough things, He uses it for our good. I am sure hindsight, you can see that in things you have been through. I know I can.

Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

Now let's look at more of God's word and what it says about God being good. There are so many scriptures that talk about His goodness. I can't say it any better than His Word. I hope you enjoy these!

Psalm 25:8 "Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He instructs sinners in His ways."

Psalm 34:8 "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him."

Psalm 86:5 "You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to You."

Psalm 119:68 "You are good, and what You do is good; teach me Your decrees."

Psalm 136:1 "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever."

Psalm 145:9 "The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made."

Jeremiah 33:11 "The sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord, saying, 'Give thanks to the Lord Almighty, for the Lord is good; His love endures forever.' For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,’ says the Lord."

Nahum 1:7 "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him."

Mark 10:18 "'Why do you call Me good? Jesus answered. 'No one is good—except God alone.'"

John 10:11 "I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."

James 1:17 "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

1 Timothy 4:4 "For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving."

2 Peter 1:3-4 "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."

The Art

For my art today, I chose to do a Bible Journaling page. I also used some of the lyrics from the song. I put it on the Psalm 145:9 page because it talks about Him being good and having compassion on all He has made.

Papers: misc. ledger paper 
Stamps: Technique Tuesday Perfect Picture; Illustrated Faith Names of God, Yes and Amen, and date stamp; Honey Bee Stamps Prayers
Stamp Ink: Archival Ink jet black and magenta hue
Paints: Dylusions cut grass, SEI Tumble Dye hot pink, Kuretake watercolors, Ranger multi medium matte
Tools: Stencil Girl Inky Circles, Pentel colored mechanical pencil, Pigma Micron pens, sewing machine

Please watch for the 2017 announcement. It will be our 10th year of study. Can you believe it? To see all of the information regarding this challenge and the previous studies, please see this post here. And I hope you will go out each day knowing that God our Father is inherently good. He is our perfect role model! Merry Christmas!

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Glory {Art 2016} Scripture Challenge #10, Low Moments

The Study

Our pastor shared an amazing sermon last Sunday. Well, his sermons are always amazing but this one in particular just spoke to me so much. I thought today I would share some of his points and also use it as our teaching for today.

We are studying Elijah until December, and last Sunday we were in 1 Kings 19:1-9a. Feel free to read that passage before you continue this study. I have linked it for you here. As you read that passage, you can see that Elijah was in a very low moment. So low that he prayed he might die. In our lives, we all have low moments. We also have those high and wonderful moments. Today I want to look at those low moments. What should we do? How should we help others that may be going through those low moments in their lives? Let's look at some of the notes from this weekend's sermon. My notes from his sermon are in quotes and italics with my thoughts below each one.

#1

"God sends a messenger. You might need words of encouragement to get up and take the next step. It might even be a touch that you need or a reminder to eat. You do not necessarily need a theological lesson at that moment."

Wow, I know when my girls are having a low moment, I always turn things back to the Lord. I have tried to live out Deuteronomy 6:7 which says:

Deuteronomy 6:7 "Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

But maybe at that moment, that's not what they need. Maybe they just need me to be there, to listen, to give them a hug, or remind them to eat. Maybe you know someone in a very hard place right now. How can you be that messenger to them to encourage them and help them take that next step? It may be that your quiet presence is just enough. Maybe taking them a meal is great but will they cook it and sit and eat? Have you thought about that? If you notice, the angel baked bread for Elijah and reminded him to eat:

1 Kings 19:5b-6 "All at once an angel touched him and said, 'Get up and eat.' He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again."

#2

"He provides what we truly need. You may want answers but it's not what you need. It may be rest and nourishment that you need."

How many times have we all wanted God to just tell us what's next? Will we make it through? Will it turn out okay? But that may not be what we truly need. It may be what we want but it may not be what we need. Elijah needed to rest and to eat. Once he did that, he was strengthened and ready for what was ahead.

1 Kings 19:8 "So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God."

What is it that you need to be ready for what's ahead? How about the person you are helping? Next time you encounter someone in a low moment, pray. Ask the Lord what is it they may need and how can you help.

#3

"Draws us to Himself. We need relationship with Him."

Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."

James 4:8a "Come near to God and He will come near to you."

Oh He is what we need most! God is not about religion; He is about relationship. He is not about a list of rules. Yes, He wants us to obediently follow Him as His Word leads us but it's not about following a list of rules. We have a relationship with Him, and we serve Him and obey Him because we love Him not because we are following a list of rules. Are you earnestly seeking Him? Reference last year's Glory {Art} Challenge on Religion by clicking here.

And I leave you with a few encouraging verses to share with someone in a low moment or for yourself wherever you are right now.

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Romans 8:35 "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?"

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."

James 5:13 "Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise."

The Art

For my Journaling Bible page today, I chose to use the first quote above. That is what spoke to me the most, and I really wanted to note it in my Bible.

Thanks for joining me today. Feel free to join us on the Facebook page where some people will be sharing their creations. We also have some discussions that will be going on there too about the study. If you don't use Facebook and want to share your creation here, please do so by leaving a link in the comment section. I am no longer paying for InLinkz. To see all of the information regarding this challenge and the previous studies, please see this post here. Have a blessed week!

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Glory {Art 2016} Scripture Challenge #9, Worth or Value

The Study

Worthy: having adequate or great merit, character, or value 

Value: respect to worth, excellence, usefulness, or importance, to regard or esteem highly

Do you think you are not worthy to do certain things or be in a certain position or be friends with certain people, etc.? Maybe you feel you are not valued whether it be at work, in your home, amongst your peers, etc. Or maybe your children feel that way. Maybe you have been given an award, and you do not think you deserve it. You aren't worthy. Whatever the case may be, I think most of us have felt that we are not worthy at some point in our lives. Today, I want to tell you that you are worthy; you are of value! And how can I say that? Because God says you are worthy!

Recently, I was reading a fiction book written by Erica Vetsch, and she said this (speaking of the Lord):

"There is nothing you can bring to make yourself worthy. I am the One who makes you worthy. Your worth isn't determined by your physical body or your intellect or your pride. Your worth isn't determined by how others see you or by how you see yourself. Your worth is established because I died for you. Because I have called you worthy. You are mine."

Isn't that beautiful? He died for you; He died for me. We are of immeasureable value to Him. We all have faults but that does not make us any less valuable to God. God in His infinite wisdom has created each of us perfectly as He wanted us. He has plans for you no matter where you are in life.

Genesis 1:27 "So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them."

Revelation 4:11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being."

Psalm 139:13 "For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb."

Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed You in the womb I knew You, before you were born I set You apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

The day after reading the quote by Erica Vetsch, my daughter told me about her professor and what he said in chapel that morning. Ironically it was also about being of value and being worthy because God created us. His speech is amazing, and I certainly cannot say it any better than he has. If you want to see his entire speech, start this video at 19:55 minutes in. If you want to see the "value" part, start at 30:00 minutes in. The speech lasts until 46:20 minutes (so about 26 minutes total) but you can certainly stop it at any time. I have watched his entire speech, and I think it is something everyone should hear. Truly a 'valuable' speech!

I hope you watched and enjoyed the speech as much as I did! 

Luke 12:7 "Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."

The Life Application Bible says this about our value or worth:

"Our true value is God's estimate of our worth, not our peers'. Other people evaluate and categorize us according to how we perform, what we achieve, and how we look. But God cares for us, as He does for all His creatures, because we belong to Him. So we can face life without fear."

And if you feel someone in your life is not worthy, will you please reconsider knowing that God created them and died for them too? They are valuable to Him. So go out with joy in your heart and without fear knowing that you are worthy and that everyone you come in contact with is worthy too! We all were created by Him, and He died for us all! Amen!

The Art

I chose to create a Journaling Bible page using the Luke 12:7 verse noted above. I summarized the quote from the Life Application Bible and put it in the margin. I really loved what it said.

Stamps: Honey Bee Stamps Hand Lettered Alpha, Prayers, and Kindness; Alisa Burke Flower Girls; October Afternoon Decade stamp; Illustrated Faith Beautiful 
Stamp Ink: Archival Ink jet black and viridian 
Paints: Prima Art Basics clear gesso, Kuretake watercolors 
Tools: Pigma Micron 02 and 05 pen, waterbrush, vintage manual typewriter, sewing machine 
Embellishments: Teresa Collins label stickers, Simple Stories DIY icon stickers, Illustrated Faith Wordfetti White and Mini Bless Her Heart stickers

Feel free to join us on the Facebook page where some people will be sharing their creations. We also have some discussions that will be going on there too about the study. If you don't use Facebook and want to share your creation here, please do so by leaving a link in the comment section. I am no longer paying for InLinkz. To see all of the information regarding this challenge and the previous studies, please see this post here. And remember, you are worthy!

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Journaling {Bible} Romans 12:2

Romans is one of my favorite books in the Bible. It was also my favorite study at Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). One of my girls just had to give a speech on Romans 8 in her speech class at her university, and on Sunday at church, the sermon was over Romans 13:1-7. So when I got home, I started going back through Romans and some of my BSF notes. I then decided to put this truth in the margin as I read Romans 12:2 which says "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will." The truth says "God's will is confirmed by scripture and never contradicts His character." His truth is also confirmed in other ways but I could not fit it all in the margin. :)

Stamps: Honey Bee Prayers, Hand Lettered Alpha, and Zenfloral 
Stamp Ink: Archival Ink jet black 
Paints: Ranger Multi Medium Matte, Kuretake watercolors 
Tools: Pigma Micron 03 pen, waterbrush, vintage manual typewriter 
Embellishments: Tim Holtz Big Chat and Chit Chat stickers, Studio 112 die cut stickers, WRMK Typecast stickers, misc. washi tape

I was able to use three stamp sets from Honey Bee Stamps. The beautiful flowers along the edge are from the Zenfloral set. So pretty, and they just worked perfectly for this page. Thanks for stopping by!

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Journaling {Bible} Deuteronomy 30:20

The other day I was studying in Deuteronomy, and I decided to journal these verses:

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 ". . . Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him. For the Lord is your life, and He will give you many years in the land He swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."

I noted this truth in the margin "Choose life. Love the Lord your God. Listen to Him. Obey Him."

Stamps: Ali Edwards Tough, Honey Bee Hand Lettered Alpha, Illustrated Faith date stamp 
Stamp Ink: Archival Ink jet black 
Paints: Ranger Multi Medium Matte, Tim Holtz Distress Paint milled lavender, Apple Barrel wisteria and Key West 
Tools: misc. flower stencil; Pigma Micron 02, 03, and 05 pens; sewing machine 
Embellishments: Tim Holtz Big Chat and Chit Chat stickers, Simple Stories Carpe Diem number stickers

I hope this speaks to you today. Thanks for joining me, and have a blessed Monday.

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Journaling {Bible} Psalm 136

Well, as you may have noticed, I have not posted in over a week. I have had a very hard time since all three of my girls returned to college. Yes, even my little heart patient was well enough to head back to her university. Praise God for that but it has left me with a dreadful, dreadful bit of depression and sadness. This past week I have been unable to do anything but cry. I even woke up crying. That is SO unlike me, and I hate the feeling. I think it is a combination of age-related hormones and the girls' leaving. Yes, bad time for everything to just hit me like a truck. BUT there has been great news since yesterday. First, God has an unfailing love for me!! He sees my tears. He know I ache in a way I have never known. He drew me to Psalm 136 yesterday, and I have done nothing but read it, quote it, and meditate on it. Then after reading this same chapter in about five different versions, I knew I had to put this truth in the margin of my Journaling {Bible}:

"His love is faithful! His love is steadfast! His love never quits!"

And this morning at church, He continued to show His amazing love to me. As hubby and I were walking back to our car, I ran into a dear, dear friend that I have not seen in two years. She has a daughter a year older than my girls, and I remember how hard it was for my friend when her nest became empty. She was the exact person I needed to see this morning. God knew that. I cried right there in the parking lot, and she completely understood. We have plans to go to lunch and go to prayer time at our church together each Tuesday. I am now filled with such joy, and so glad hubby and I decided to try a new service time since we no longer have sleeping young adults in the house. LOL!

Have you recently become an empty nester? Or maybe you are sad and down for some other reason. I encourage you to remember that God loves you beyond measure, and that love never, ever fails or quits! He has plans for you. I also encourage you to read Psalm 136 along with Psalm 135:13, Psalm 138:1-2, and Psalm 138:8. May you be blessed and feel His love for you!

Papers: painted deli paper 
Stamps: Paper Trey Ink Wet Paint, Schoolbook Lower Alphabet, Illustrated Faith date stamp 
Stamp Ink: Archival Ink jet black 
Paints: Dylusions squeezed orange, Martha Stewart date night pink, Daler Rowney FW acrylic artist ink flourescent pink 
Tools: Stencil Girl Inky Circles, Pentel colored mechanical pencil, Delta Daisies stencil, Pigma Micron pens, sewing machine 
Embellishments: Authentique Petite Type Crush alpha stickers, Illustrated Faith Say It black and white, Tim Holtz Big Chat stickers, Simple Stories DIY Icon stickers

Have a blessed Sunday, and remember His steadfast love endures forever!

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Tuesday's {Tip} Words for Faith Art

Are you ever at a loss for finding the perfect word sticker or stamp for your faith journaling? Maybe you create faith art in an art journal or you create Journaling {Bible} pages or Scripture Art Cards, ICADs, etc. Whatever you are creating, where can you find words? Well, of course there are stamp sets or sticker sets, you can use a vintage typewriter as I do sometimes or even your printer. Well, I have another solution for you. I have had this book for years, and it has served me well. It is called the Layman's Bible Encyclopedia (1964). 

I got mine free from paperbackswap.com; however, they are available on amazon.com for about $6.50 and up (which includes shipping). To me, that is worth $7 for the amount of words and pages you get. The book contains 1,012 pages and scriptures so there is a lot in there to work with. You can see that I used words from this book in this Journaling {Bible} entry. The words 'forgiving', 'spirit', and 'forgiveness' were taken from this book.

For the tiny leftover words, I just recycled a small Altoid tin for those. If it gets to be too full, I will purge some of the words.

I hope you find this helpful. This book would even work for someone that does not want to journal in their Bible. This could certainly be used as an alternative. Have a blessed Tuesday!

Glory {Art 2016} Scripture Challenge #8, Hurt and Forgiveness

The Study

Last week I was hurt deeply by someone very close to me. I cried for a long time, and I called my mom to rant. Thankfully she wasn't home because that's not who God wanted me to call. I was blindsided by what happened, and I turned to vent. When Mom wasn't available, I turned to the Lord and asked "What am I to learn from this? Why did this happen?" My questions still go unanswered but I am watching for the lesson. Am I still hurt? Absolutely! But I felt the Lord wanted me to settle this so I called the person immediately but they did not answer the phone. I ended up e-mailing the person a very lengthy message. I don't remember starting the e-mail or finishing it. The words just came, and I felt such a relief knowing my feelings were stated and heard. This person did not have the facts correct. Why couldn't this person call and talk to me instead of attacking me and ones I love via e-mail? I will never know the answers. The person that received my message, said they would call to discuss it with me after receiving my e-mail but they never did. I am trying to let it go because I said what God wanted me to say, and I have peace. Now if I could just get Satan out of the way as he tries to bring it back up when I sleep. Has this happened to you? How have you handled it? Do you run to others? Do you run to the Lord? What should we do next?

First, I must forgive this person, and you must forgive the person that wronged you. Whether or not this person ever agrees with me is not for me to worry about but forgiving this person is what I am to do because God has forgiven me, and He has forgiven you.

Ephesians 1:7 "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace."

Colossians 1:13-14 "For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

I found this on the American Bible Society blog about forgiveness "But forgiveness doesn’t excuse the crime. It doesn’t minimize it. It doesn’t say it was okay. In fact, it does exactly the opposite. It squarely faces the offense. It says, 'You did wrong, and it hurt me badly. But now I’m choosing not to hate you for it.' God does not shrug off our sin. He asks us to own up to it. We should do the same as we forgive others."

I love that. Do you feel that things have to be 'happy' again once you forgive someone? When someone hurts us or has wronged us, we need to work it out with that person first. Pray hard, and realize that you may have sinned yourself. We should have a desire to restore the relationship not a desire to be proven right. But maybe that someone doesn't want to forgive you. How do you handle that? My pastor once told me that sometimes relationships are not meant to be restored but we are to forgive the person so we can move on. That has helped me in a relationship that I knew would never be restored. Is there someone maybe that you yourself are withholding forgiveness from? And what can you do to bless and love someone that has hurt you? Are you praying for them?

Psalm 103:10 "He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities."

Isaiah 1:18 "'Come now, let us settle the matter,' says the Lord. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.'"

Luke 6:37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."

Mark 11:25 "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

Romans 12:18 "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

Colossians 3:13 "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

Hebrews 12:15 "See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."

1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."

We need to be in the habit of forgiving. If we can forgive 77 times, then we will be in the habit of forgiving!

Matthew 18:21-22 "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'"

The Art
For my Journaling {Bible} page today, I chose to use the Luke 6:37 verse above. I then noted in the margins a truth from my Life Application Bible about this verse. The truth says "A forgiving spirit demonstrates that a person has received God's forgiveness." I changed it up a bit to personalize it. :)

For this particular page, I painted directly onto the margin. Before painting, I put down a very thin layer of Ranger Multi Matte Medium. Then I used a stencil and Tim Holtz Distress paints to add flowers directly to my page. Here is how it looked at that point:

Then I doodled around the flowers and added my text to finish.

I needed to write this for today. I needed these scriptures as it is all so fresh. I hope some of you are helped by this today too. Being attacked and forgiving someone is hard. But with the Lord, we can do just that because He has forgiven us!

Feel free to join us on the Facebook page where some people will be sharing their creations. We also have some discussions that will be going on there too about the study. If you don't use Facebook and want to share your creation here, please do so by leaving a link in the comment section. I am no longer paying for InLinkz. To see all of the information regarding this challenge and the previous studies, please see this post here. May the Lord help you get in the habit of forgiving!

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Journaling {Bible} Psalm 19:14 and a Deli Paper Tutorial

In today's Journaling {Bible} entry, I used a scrap piece of deli paper to quickly do this page. I thought I would share how I use scrap deli paper in my Journaling {Bible}. It is also the same way I use it on ICADs, in art journals, etc. I always have a stash of deli paper to choose from.

First, when deciding to use deli paper, I go through my stash to see what I like. Then I trim the piece out with my Journaling {Bible} template. I created this template by tracing the edge of a Bible page onto a file folder. Then I cut it out. It is then easy for me to cut complete pieces of deli paper that will fit the column of the Bible exactly each time.

Then I adhere the cut piece of deli paper to my page using matte medium. Once the deli paper is adhered to the page, I add the text. For this particular page, I used stamps, stickers, and other miscellaneous paper I had on hand. I also typed some of the phrases on my vintage Smith-Corona typewriter. The teaching I noted here for Psalm 19:14 was found in my Life Application Bible. I just loved what it said:

"As I begin each day, determine that God's love will guide what I say and how I think."

Papers: misc. book paper, American Crafts Plus One, painted deli paper 
Stamps: Technique Tuesday I am Thankful, Schoolbook Upper Alphabet, Illustrated Faith date stamp
Stamp Ink: Hero Hues India Ink 
Paints: Tim Holtz Distress Paint cracked pistachio and mustard seed, Kuretake watercolors pale aqua and menthol violet 
Tools: Stencil Girl Nonsensical Bloom, Martha Stewart scissors, vintage manual typewriter, Copic Multiliner 0.5, Simply Simmons Round 10 brush 
Embellishments: Tim Holtz Chit Chat stickers, Illustrated Faith Fold It and Banner stickers

I hope you have enjoyed seeing how I use deli paper. Let me know if you have questions, and of course, I always appreciate your comments. Blessings,

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