My New Obsession {Bible Journaling}

What is Bible Journaling? For me, it's recording what stands out to me in my Bible as a way to connect with the Word and with God. Here's what my Bible Journaling looks like so far:

So here's how I got started on this Bible Journaling adventure...

I feel as though I have had the desire to spend more time in God's Word for quite a while. While I was pregnant was the most consistent I've been with any devotional in a long time. I think this happened because I felt as though I was getting closer to the Lord not for myself, but for my then, unborn child.

After Evan was born, my unhurried time with God went back to being sporadic and I longed for that time again. I jumped on board with Mariel of Living for His Glory and decided to read Lord, Teach Me to Study the Bible in 28 Days by Kay Arthur.  [Side Note: This was an excellent book and introduced me to a simple way to do inductive bible study. I am now working through Kay Arthur's study of John and loving it.] Mariel posted a picture of her Bible and the book and I felt like I needed that bible with the wide margins for my notes. I thought of the many journals of sermon and bible study notes I have and how nice it would be to have all those notes right in my Bible next to the scripture that applied. I contacted Mariel immediately and went on the search for an ESV Single Column Journaling Bible by Crossway.

When searching for the bible to buy, I came across the Journaling Bible Community that was started by Shanna Noel. This totally enhanced the way I planned to use my Bible initially. Here are some of the ladies who I love to follow on Instagram and Facebook to see what they're up to in their Bibles:

Shanna Noel | Stephanie Ackerman | Susyan Crafts

Valerie Wieners | mrsgringas | instatai

Seeing some of these ladies' journaling Bibles intimidated me. At first, I was nervous and didn't consider myself artistic. So, to get me started, I copied things I saw online and in other peoples' Bibles. I then began playing with my handwriting to make it more attractive. And, I would practice what I wanted to put in my Bible on paper first, then transfer it. Doing this got me comfortable enough to just go straight to my Bible. I got over my intimidation and looked at it as MY time with MY God in MY Bible.

The main questions I get are what Bible and supplies do I use...
My Bible: I am using an ESV Single Column Journaling Bible by Crossway. I found it at my local Christian book store, but decided to order the red one (which is out of print) online from Amazon. I will say that the font is really small, but aside from that, I love the Bible.

My Supplies: The main supplies I use are a mechanical pencil, eraser, Micron pens, and Crayola Twistables Colored Pencils. I date my entries with a simple date stamp, but don't consider this a necessity for me. I could easily write the date instead of stamping it. These are the items that travel with me and my Bible. In addition, I have a small stash of stamps, various inks, stencils, alpha stickers, and washi tape for when I'm feeling a bit more creative.

Bible Journaling and Kay Arthur's books have ignited a passion in me for reading God's Word. I can't wait for my time with Him each day. I approach the Word with prayer and am always listening for what God has for me in the passage. Some days my time in my Bible leads me to journal in the margins and some days it doesn't. When something stands out, I start my notes or doodles and go from there. I've started reflecting on my notes from church so that I can be sure to get the main points in my Bible margin. And it has been so rich to come across a passage that I journaled about. As I'm journaling, I find myself meditating on the scriptures and have committed many of them to memory. In addition, I've been sharing my journaling on social media and am amazed at some of the comments and messages I've received from people who have been inspired by it.

So, I'm sharing this with you...
You may choose to start Bible Journaling yourself. If so, be sure to follow the hashtags #biblejournaling  & #illustratedfaith and join the Journaling Bible Community group on Facebook.

Be blessed!

Help for the Helper {Scripture Sunday}

God made me a helpmeet. It's in my nature to assist, nurture, and render care. Helping is exhausting. I seem to always be helping others. Sometimes I think "Who helps me?". Psalm 28:7 reminds me that the Lord is my help. When I'm weak, He is strong. When I am vulnerable, He is my shield. When I can't trust my own resources, I can trust Him.

source

There is no way I can help the people and needs that cross my path without the help of the Lord. My prayer is that I will realize that and draw on the Lord for strength and help. I pray also that I am not so burdened by the many tasks in my life where I feel like I need help that I miss the opportunities to help others and share His love.

I'm his helper...not the other way around!

It has been an exciting week of fasting for me. Each year, my church commits the first full week of January to join together in a solemn assembly.

Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land of the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.  ~Joel 1:14 (ESV)

Want to know more about solemn assembly, head over to this post.

Anyway, I have been diligently in the word of God, praying, and spending devotional time with my husband. We have used the time wisely as we were not distracted by entertainment/media or hovering over a plate of food.

This year, I decided to read a book during my time of solemn assembly and am so glad that I chose Women Living Well by Courtney Joseph.

I have experienced so many convictions while reading this book and have picked up so many tips for getting closer to God and my husband. I've chosen to add new scriptures to memory and to pray some of the prayers offered by Courtney.

One point that just beat me up yesterday is the fact that I was created to be my husband's helper...it's not the other way around.

Then the Lord said "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him."  ~Genesis 2:18 (ESV)

Now, I know that as wives, we've probably all heard and read this verse before. But what stood out to me is how many times I just want my husband's help around the house. I think of all the times I've asked him to wash the dishes, fold some clothes, sweep the living room, take out the trash, take care of something on my car just to help me out. I also think of the future and a child being introduced into our home and how I'll probably want him to help more as we manage feedings, diaper changes, and all the other stuff that comes along with a newborn. I think of friends and life group members who just want their husband to help them out a bit in the home and with the kids.

And then Courtney points out Genesis 2:18 and says:

It is hard for women to sit back and simply assist their husbands.  We are tempted to lead them, boss them, and criticize them. Often we expect them to take care of themselves and us, be tidy, and help us. But in actuality they are not our helpers. We are their helpers. God desires that they be servant leaders, but whether they are actually doing that should make no difference as to our attitude of being their helpers.  ~Women Living Well, p. 57-58 

So, as much as I want help from my husband, I am charged with the fact that if I see myself and my marriage in Genesis 2:18, that God made me to be a helper fit for my husband...not the other way around. So, I'm taking Courtney's advice to know my husband (and where he needs/wants help), not comparing my husband to anyone else's husband (or any other man), and not waiting for my husband to "deserve" to be helped.

My prayer is that I will always have an attitude of helpfulness and be looking for ways to meet the needs of my husband. I pray that whether my husband chooses to be the servant leader that God has called him to be or not, that I will choose to be his helper as I seek to glorify God in my marriage.

2013 Resolutions

I know I'm not the only person who absolutely hates making New Year's Resolutions. Ihaven't made resolutions for the past few years. I feel like every single time, I just set myself up to fail. Two questions that have been bugging me lately about making resolutions are:
1. Why do I need to wait until the beginning of the year to make changes?
2. What makes me think that all of a sudden, all the things I've struggled with will magically change?

Even though I feel this way, I know I need to make some changes and the new year is a perfect time for a fresh start. And as I read the #SheReadsTruth devotional this morning, I was encouraged knowing that God makes all things new.

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  ~ Revelation 21:5 (ESV)

So, my two resolutions are for spiritual and physical fitness. It was not hard at all to narrow down to just two. I feel that from spiritual fitness, all my relationships are enhanced. I considered saying be a better wife, but I know that my interactions with my husband are better when I am in constant communion with God. As far as physical fitness, I think there are two mistakes we make as Christians: not being concerned with it at all or being obsessed with it. I hope to find a balance between the two.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." ~ Ephesians 6:1-12 (ESV)

So, how will I achieve spiritual fitness? I've decided to join my friend, Angela, in her Project 52: Through the Scriptures in 365. Our goal is to read through the entire Bible this year, following a daily reading plan. This is somewhat intimidating, and I feel so bad admitting that it is so hard to spend daily unhurried time with God. I know, though, that my relationship with God has to be a priority.

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."  ~ 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)

How will I achieve physical fitness? I've blogged about that here, but in a nutshell...I'm hoping that setting a goal, having some accountability, and working hard at eating healthy and working out will make the difference.

So, what are your New Year's Resolutions?

I Love CHRISTmas!

I love the holidays...I love giving gifts...I love reflecting on the gift God has given me in Jesus Christ...and I love spending time with family!

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  ~ Luke 2:11

I have not been in the mood for Christmas carols this year for some reason...but I absolutely love this song this season!


Christmas was just time spent with family for us. My mom was set on getting some family photos. Unfortunately, the weather was lots and lots of rain in Shreveport, so we didn't get to go outside as planned. Here was our attempt at indoor picture and using the timer on the camera.

After the eating and gift giving was done, my hubby had to head back to Dallas in order to work today. My brother and his family had one more stop, so I hung out with them for the rest of the evening.

I love these times together...makes me want to move back home...but I'm sure Willie wouldn't be hearing that discussion!

I Love CHRISTMAS!!!

Fisher of Men

"And Jesus said to them, 'Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men'." ~ Matthew 4:19 (NASB)

The Story: In the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy, I have found myself wondering if the victims are saved. Will they be spending eternity with God? I often meet people (at Target, the grocery store, the gas station, etc.) and struck up a conversation with no problem, but for some reason, I am reluctant to transition to proclaiming the Gospel or asking if they're saved or have a church home. I feel God telling me to ask, but I end the conversation without following what God is telling me to do.

The Application: In the beginning of the Book of Mark, John the Baptist baptizes Jesus, and then after John’s incarceration, believers follow Jesus as they had once followed John the Baptist. “As He [Jesus] was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.’ Immediately, they left their nets and followed Him.” (Matthew 4:18-20).

The Reflection: God has given us skills and gifts to do anything we please that aligns with His plan. Simon and Andrew were skilled fishermen, but when they chose to follow Jesus, they became “fishers of men,” rather than fishers of fish. One of our purposes as Christians is to be the feet and hands of Jesus Christ, evangelizing to the lost. This was the primary purpose that Jesus called the apostles, and this remains the main mission of followers of Christ. What gifts, skills, and talents has God given you that can be used to grow His Kingdom? Are you following Jesus, and using those gifts to grow His Kingdom?

The Prayer: God, help me to follow you and be a bold professor of the Gospel in order to grow Your Kingdom. Thank you for leading someone to “fish for me,” and allow me to be a “fisher of men” for Your Kingdom. Amen.

Linking up:

Football, Faith, & Flattery

As the title suggests, today truly is a random, whatever, whenever Wednesday post! Hopefully, I have some other football fans out there in blog land! This is my third year playing fantasy football and I can't imagine a football season going by without joining a league. This year is an all girl's league and if you look closely, you'll see the joy of the picture below!

Did you see it? Yep, that's right! I finished the regular season in third place! I made it to the playoffs! This is the first time in three years! Woot! Woot! I'm stoked considering that 2 weeks ago I was in eighth place, last week in fifth, and now third! I don't know how it will go beyond this week, but I'm going to enjoy this while it lasts! 
By the way, if you're wondering about my team name, it's pronounced "doo'-nam-is." This word has made an impression on me ever since I heard it preached in a youth ministry message. Dunamis is a Greek word referring to strength, power, and ability...inherent power...the power to do miracles. We get the word 'dynamite' and 'dynamic' from 'dunamis.'

For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective] (Hebrews 4:12, AMP)

The "Word" is effective to perform that which God designed it to do.It will not return to Him void, but will accomplish its purpose. The "word'  is both active and powerful. It is active in that it produces results and it is powerful in the amazing type of results that it produces.
I know football has nothing to do with the amazing power of my God and God's Word, but I love to think of God's power and how He's moving in my life. I now think of it every time I log in to my fantasy football team.
And the flattery...I got the sweetest email from a co-worker yesterday! It's not my job to make copies for teachers at my school, but when that person is out, I and a few others fill her spot to help teachers out. Well, the copier was giving us a hard time, and I just took the time to update the staff. This is the flattering email I received back.

I gotta tell ya...this email just made my day! I need to be sure to let her know how much I appreciate her kind words!

Hope you have a great 'Hump Day!'

Linking up with Shanna and Savannah! Go check them out!