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Welcome Lois and Faye - so glad to see you have found your way to us!
A friend at work gave me a Journaling Bible for birthday a few years ago. She had been reading up on them, had bought hundreds of dollars of supplies (maybe a thousand she thinks), and watched hundreds of videos. Her plans were to start a BAJ class at her church, and she wanted me to get into it as well. I had never heard of Bible Journaling. The funny thing is I didn't mention my new Bible to my family, but a few days later, my daughter told me she had purchased a BAJ class for me for my birthday. Her MIL plus my other daughter were going as well. That first class, our instructor told us that before we even started doing the first thing in our bibles, we had to make a page that would go right into the first page of our bibles with washi tape. It was a list of what our Journaling was for and what it was not for (we could put anything on our list but we needed to put a lot of things on it until we ran out of ideas). She said to read it periodically to make sure we were following it.
I knew immediately that I needed to write that my Journaling Bible was not an excuse to buy a bunch more supplies but to find ways to use the bunches of supplies I already had (giving them new life and new justification). I also knew immediately that I needed to write it was for encouraging me and others, but not for stressing or being a perfectionist about.
So those words helped me jump right in and to post a lot of my pages as they never seem good enough to share to me (because I hate my handwriting mostly and because most times I jump right and don't plan the page well). So a few years later I have hundreds of pages done. I lead a BAJ class at 2 churches. My perfectionist friend who gave me the Bible still hasn't started her first page or her class. We always say God gave her the desire so she could get me started. I say all this (sorry about the rambling) to encourage a few of you not to worry about what your page looks like or that it isn't what you want it to be or that you don't have time or the right supplies. Jump in! Share! Don't worry! Everyone will love your pages. If they don't love your illustration or handwriting, they will love your scripture that you focused on. You will be sharing the most important things you can share - God's word and your heart.
Faye, I love your page! Lois, I am going to go check out yours. Jeanette thanks for that acrylic paint tip. Julie, you have a lot going on - I hope you sell your house soon!
Nancy, I love your post about your Bible art journaling journey! I sometimes struggle with perfectionistic expectations, but am really working on letting that go. I read about your teaching BAJ in your church. Would you be willing to share some of your teaching tips and ideas? I would love to start one at my church, and don't know where to begin. What works and what doesn't..ideas? Thanks so much.
Hi all. I've been mia for much of the summer. Now that fall is here, it's back to routine and I hope to be present much more frequently! I worked on a BAJ page today. Not much in the art category, but the journaling was my focus. I spent a good part of the afternoon on this selection. It was productive and a real blessing. Wish I could always spend that kind of time studying and reading, and arting!
Sharon, I love that your BAJ pages are mostly your words/thoughts! I wish I was brave enough to do that and admire those of you who do. Truthfully, I hate my handwriting so that stops me dead in my tracks... I guess I also fear what others would think of what I'd write.
Last weekend I was at a crafter's weekend at a church near my home (not my home church but a good place to fellowship). I had a chance to just chill and did several new pages in my journaling Bible. I hope to load them tonight or tomorrow. Sharon and Lynda, welcome! Hopefully I will have time to check out your galleries while my pages are uploading!
__________________ SilverSnow Lois Malachi 3:10 "See if I will not throw open the floodgates of heavenand pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it"
Silly me. I promised to share some new BAJ pages but forgot that my computer was going to the shop for an update. :( It's not back yet; but I have the photos ready to upload whenever I can. In the meantime, have a blessed day!
__________________ SilverSnow Lois Malachi 3:10 "See if I will not throw open the floodgates of heavenand pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it"
One week later, and still no new posts to my gallery. :( But the good news is the computer is back, along with a brand new laptop, and I am ready to post now. Going to visit our new Hobby Lobby store tonight, so maybe tomorrow will be upload day! Have a great week, everyone!
__________________ SilverSnow Lois Malachi 3:10 "See if I will not throw open the floodgates of heavenand pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it"
So much for posting like crazy... something is wrong and I can't complete an upload. I've sent for help so now it's just a matter of waiting for replies and continuing to troubleshoot.
On the other front, I have my second doctor app't today on the way to determining whether I have Parkinson's disease or whether it's medication-induced parkinsonism. Not that I see much difference in the two. I am really blue today; can't seem to stop crying. I have never been so much at a loss as to what to do. Praying helps, but I'm having a hard time with that too. I told my friends at work to pray diligently to fill in the gaps. I would definitely appreciate the same from my friends here at SCS.
__________________ SilverSnow Lois Malachi 3:10 "See if I will not throw open the floodgates of heavenand pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it"
So much for posting like crazy... something is wrong and I can't complete an upload. I've sent for help so now it's just a matter of waiting for replies and continuing to troubleshoot.
On the other front, I have my second doctor app't today on the way to determining whether I have Parkinson's disease or whether it's medication-induced parkinsonism. Not that I see much difference in the two. I am really blue today; can't seem to stop crying. I have never been so much at a loss as to what to do. Praying helps, but I'm having a hard time with that too. I told my friends at work to pray diligently to fill in the gaps. I would definitely appreciate the same from my friends here at SCS.
So much for posting like crazy... something is wrong and I can't complete an upload. I've sent for help so now it's just a matter of waiting for replies and continuing to troubleshoot.
On the other front, I have my second doctor app't today on the way to determining whether I have Parkinson's disease or whether it's medication-induced parkinsonism. Not that I see much difference in the two. I am really blue today; can't seem to stop crying. I have never been so much at a loss as to what to do. Praying helps, but I'm having a hard time with that too. I told my friends at work to pray diligently to fill in the gaps. I would definitely appreciate the same from my friends here at SCS.
Wow, just saw this as well...will be praying, sweet friend! Will be praying that if it is medicine induced that they can change your medication to help, and if not, I have a close friend that has had Parkinsons for years- it is amazing at the advances in medication and treatment. Not to minimize the shock of this prognosis by any means but to encourage you... Thankfully we know the One that is in control- hugs and may the Lord give you peace that surpasses all understanding...
Hi my dear Sweet Sisters (and Brothers, if any are here) in Christ!!
For October, the theme will be the Feasts/Offerings or Harvest.
I know that most of the feasts/offerings are located in the OT but there are a few verses in the NT and of course, Harvest can mean several different things...I think of the actual harvest but also Matthew 9:37 "Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few;" (ESV)
A bit different theme but I am looking forward to seeing where this takes each of you in your journaling this month.
Now in addition to my Journaling Bibles (I have several but still need to get started in the artwork portion...maybe I am like one of the friends described in this forum earlier...too perfectionistic to start)? Personally, I do not feel that is the issue- mainly finding a quiet space without distraction and time to be able to spread out a bit and reflect...
I am studying God's Word for sure with Ladies Bible Studies on Monday eve (we are in the book of Ecclesiastes), our Small Group is doing Daniel as well as our Sunday ABE class at church and a new series on Galations in church and also, I recently purchased a few Journibles. Have you heard of these yet? I found them online at CBD (Christian Book Distributors)- Journible- they are hard cover journals with lined papers for you to handwrite the Scriptures and each Scripture page has an opposite page for your own personal reflection. I have just started writing Galations and have not had a chance to work on the reflection portion yet. I am thinking that I may also use this journal for a bit of BAJ as well (need to test the paper but it seems heavier than Bible pages). It appears as though all of the NT is available as a Journible and also portions of the OT (I also bought Psalms- 2 volume). They run about $10 which isn't bad for a hard cover journal. Sorry if this sounds like a commercial, but I am excited to find this (new to me) way of spending time in God's Word!
I will be praying that you have a wonderful October and personal time of reflection on God's faithfulness and goodness to all of us- hugs and God Bless!
So here we are half way through October already. I've had a roller coaster few weeks and part of it fits right in to the October journaling theme. We had an amazing sermon the first Sunday of Oct on Yom Kippur and how it foreshadows the work of Jesus on the cross. Then we had communion - very moving and heart-cleansing.
Between then and now, our washing machine broke and we had to buy a new one, DH found the truck he's been looking for and we also bought that, and in the middle of all that (I had to make the financial arrangements for both purchases) I got the word from the neurologist that I definitely do have Parkinsons Disease.
I spent a lot of time talking: to the Lord, my husband, my boss, my HR department, my financial advisor...and the end result is that I have left work on Short Term Disability and that will eventually turn into retirement. I'm a bit distraught but at the same time I know I am in the Lord's care.
I have started on some new meds and they seem to be helping with the physical symptoms but the worst of them is the nighttime tremors and jolts whenever I try to move - awake or asleep. They are painful and disturb my sleep and the med we started doesn't seem to have any effect on them. I also am troubled by a total lack of energy. When I can build up enough energy to get something accomplished, I don't have the desire to do it. I know there's a long road ahead.
I am glad for this group even though I've only just found you all; I appreciate being able to share here. I promise some of this will land in my journal and eventually you will see more pages. I just heard from Lydia with some ideas to try so that I can post again.
__________________ SilverSnow Lois Malachi 3:10 "See if I will not throw open the floodgates of heavenand pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it"
It feels really good to be sharing again. Thanks for checking these out!
__________________ SilverSnow Lois Malachi 3:10 "See if I will not throw open the floodgates of heavenand pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it"
Good Morning Fellow Bible Journalers! I'm home from my nearly week-long trip... it was a good one!
Lois, I am sorry to read your post... so much going on and then to deal with the health crisis, too. I'm praying for you! and sending lots and lots of gentle hugs, too!
Your BAJ pages are awesome!!!
Disclaimer here... before you read further, I must warn you. I failed miserably with this month's entry. UGH! I love the Harvest theme... but I hate my page. (You can read the details of my thought processes on my blog if you're interested in knowing.)
I'm sorry, friends. Once again I am having trouble uploading images. I will keep trying. I have an ugly, I-don't-like-it page to share. (Jeanette, the contest is on!) And a few others. I will post them as soon as I figure out what's going on. Yuck - techie stuff! :mad:
I want to thank all of you for your prayers. I have a feeling that this Parkinson's disease will be a long and challenging journey. In prayer and talking with my pastor, here is what I have determined: I do not want sympathy or pity. I do not want long dissertations about symptoms and neighbors and others with the disease. What I want is encouragement, support, and an occasional unsolicited offer of help. (Something like "let me go get your groceries this week. Give me your list.")
I know you all can't do much about the last part, but I definitely know you are are prayer warriors, and I wanted you to have some specifics to help you pray better. I am hanging on for dear life to two scriptures: Deuteronomy 33:17 and Psalm 30, specifically verse 5 but in reality the whole Psalm.
Thanks again, friends!
__________________ SilverSnow Lois Malachi 3:10 "See if I will not throw open the floodgates of heavenand pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it"
Hi Lois! I think what you want is totally on target! And yes... count on me as a prayer warrior. BTW, I love your fiesty personality - telling me the contest is on. For now I'm winning. ;)
Well, I suppose anyone is welcome and qualified to join the "I don't like it" contest. I'm sure we've all done pages we don't really like. It's just that the timing was exactly right for Jeanette and me - both having just completed pages that fit that theme.
So go ahead, ladies, post those "I don't like it" pages and let the fun begin!
__________________ SilverSnow Lois Malachi 3:10 "See if I will not throw open the floodgates of heavenand pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it"
So here's a teaser for you all, especially Jeanette. I still can't figure out why my "ugly" page won't post, but I was able to get a few others to upload. Here's what I have for you today:
I am going to go back to the beginning and take new pictures of the OT page that goes with these. I'll try uploading the new version and see what happens. It's the "I don't like it" page. Maybe SCS doesn't like it either???
__________________ SilverSnow Lois Malachi 3:10 "See if I will not throw open the floodgates of heavenand pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it"
Sorry to be hogging the board...I finally got a piece of the "ugly" page to load. The other side is very similar, except it says "Yom Kippur". Here it is, echoing Jeanette's disclaimer: I don't like it.
__________________ SilverSnow Lois Malachi 3:10 "See if I will not throw open the floodgates of heavenand pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it"
I'm sure at some point if you ladies post enough BAJ pages I will be brave enough to try another page...I have ideas when I'm reading scripture but there is nothing in me that is ready to put the sealer coat on the page! :oops:
__________________ On a positive note, I'm too old to have a mid-life crisis! ~~anonymous
I agree with Jeanette, Faye. I think everyone who does Bible journaling has the same reluctance at first. There's something in us that says we shouldn't be marking up our Bibles. But look at this BAJ gallery and all the beautiful things people have found and documented with some type of artistic journaling. Then go to one of those scriptures that give you ideas and jump in! Don't forget that God created us to respond to Him and his gifts. When you find something important enough to document it, God is pleased.
__________________ SilverSnow Lois Malachi 3:10 "See if I will not throw open the floodgates of heavenand pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it"
Good Morning, sweet Sisters (and Brothers) in Christ!! I must apologize for not posting this sooner as well as not responding to your wonderful conversations, I am still having issues receiving updates from this forum.
I have to dash out to a doctor's appt. today but will review your pages (and BTW, they are not ugly...there is no ugly in BAJ, just worship! :-))
The theme for the month of November will be Life Everlasting or Everlasting Life, Eternal Life .
I am so thankful to know that with Christ, we will have Eternal Life in Heaven and am praying for many of my non-believing family and friends. For many non-believers, this is a subject that they do not want to hear but we know what the Bible says about eternal life....
"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36 NKJV
Praying for all of you as I read your posts and I look forward to seeing how you are able to worship through BAJ this month!
Also, please do not forget:
We have our own gallery to load our journal pages- Once you enter the "Upload A Card" click on the arrows next to the windows under "Select Galleries"- in the first window select "Anything BUT a Card", in the second window choose "Books, Handmade Albums and Journals" , in the third window choose "Art Journal Pages" and then a 4th window should appear and choose "Bible Art Journal Pages" .
Love and hugs to all of you and I also pray that you have a blessed November and Thanksgiving (to those of you in the US)!
Jeanette's Harvest BAJ page
