Bible Journaling - Part Two

(Click here to read Part One)

I belong to a Facebook group called, Journaling Bible Community, and on that page I have read many a post where the person posted their pictures of journaling in their Bibles only to have someone comment something very mean about them writing and/or drawing in their Bible. Unfortunately this makes the person question what they are doing. Why would you question the way someone praises our Savior?

As far back as I can remember I've been taking notes in my Bible. I will write a thought I might have while hearing a sermon. I will write a corresponding scripture. I may write down a quote that relates to a particular scripture. I will write what I have discovered anew. And of course, I underline the scriptures.

In making these pieces of paper bound in a book cover more important than what is written on those pieces of paper, you have put your worship more in the book itself than Who it is that is being written about.

In the scripture where the woman poured expensive perfume upon Jesus' head (Matthew 26:6-11) the disciples were upset that she would waste the perfume and not sell it to feed the poor. Jesus asked them why they were bothering her and not seeing her worship. They held the money higher than her worship. There was worship, honor and praise in her action.

Sometimes you just want to express your love for the words that are God breathed. If someone is using their words, their thoughts, their creativity for the Lord, who are we to stop them? Remember that in Luke 19:40 Jesus said "If they keep quiet the stones will cry out!"

Maybe this is our way of letting our pencils and pens, our highlighters, our paints, and even our stickers, all the things we use in this creative process -- we let them all cry out in praise to the Lord.

So the next time you place a mark, an underline, a note, or even draw or paint a picture, remember this is your praise to the King of Kings!

The Bible that I use right now, the one that I take to church with me, used to belong to my mother-in-law. You can see in the picture below, that she too took notes in her Bible. She too praised her Lord through her notes and I love reading her thoughts.

I hope this helps anyone who has been nervous about Bible Journaling. Don't do it for others, do it for yourself!

Love from the Preacher and I