JOY=Fulfilling My Purpose

Today I started a new Bible Study, using YouVersion. I am doing a 30-day study with devotional thoughts from Oswald Chambers. The topic is JOY. I like the definition of joy that he gives: fulfillment of my God-ordained purpose.

Above is a page from my sketch journal, where I recorded some of my thoughts from today’s study. I used Pitt Brush Markers, and I opted to use a black Flair, saving my more expensive Micron markers for my Bible journaling. However, I forgot the Flair is not waterproof, so when I used a white water-based marker to make white dots in the black squares, I ran into a problem. It’s okay, though, because this sketch journal is for Bible Study notes, impromptu writing and doodling and sketching.

When I transferred the ideas to the margins of my Journaling Bible, I opted to use black and white (Micron pen).

I want to be able to join with the writer of Acts and say that “my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task of testifying to God’s grace.”

Willing to Obey {Art Journal “Creative Girl”}

Sketching and painting little “creative girls” is one of my favorite projects to do in my art journals. I always picture each girl with a personality and a message. This little girl is available to serve God in whatever way He directs her life. Because of that, she will be blessed:

“Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it.”

Luke 11:28

Bible Journaling {Using Proverbs31.org Devo}

(Click image to enlarge)

Now that I am art journaling in my wide-margin Bible, I often think of a “visual” representation as I read my daily devotionals. Last week, I so enjoyed Proverbs 31.org’s Lynn Cowell’s piece on “Dying to My Selfie.” Immediately my mind visualized an Instagram icon, and I decided to use it on the Bible page of Romans 6:6.

“For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin …” Romans 6:6 (NIV)

So, while the concept of “dying to my selfie” is from Lynn, the idea of illustrating it with an Instagram icon is my own. I smile as I think about someone in the future (hopefully a descendant!) looking at my Bible and wondering what in the world that icon represents!

But, the Biblical principle of dying to self is so important, no matter how it is illustrated or represented. Sometimes I fear I do not place enough emphasis on the fact that I have a new life in Christ, and my own self-ness should die so that I am not a slave to sin.

Bible Journaling Journey

My newfound passion is to use my techniques from art journaling and scrapbooking to “artistically” journal directly into my Bible. I learned about this through an online friend, Stephanie Ackerman.

Who knew there was a Bible specifically for note-takers (that would be me), with wide outer margins and pages that are a bit heavier than typical Bibles. This is the one I ordered.

My only complaint is that the print size is 7.5 point. After much research, that seems to be the best I can do, if I want wide margins.

So, I decided to dive right in, using a Scripture passage from my daily devotional email from Proverbs 31.

Right away I realized I needed to come up with my own solutions to some of the challenges like wrinkled paper, bleed-through, etc. I learned that if I want to use paint or stamps, I should put down a thin layer of matte medium first. So, I’m still working on my own “style” for Bible journaling, but I’m feeling more confident, because I am DOING IT.

Another page, with a good reminder:

Matthew 6:21: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

I am excited to have a new challenge that combines my love of art and journaling with my desire to delve more deeply into God’s Word.