March 4: Beginning Bible Art Journaling: Psalm 119:9-16 (part 1)

Hello friends!

I have a really fun addition for this week's 52 Weeks of Scripture Memorization in a Grateful Journal that I will post here tomorrow, as I am waiting for the coating to dry on my Pan Pastel background...here's a peek:

For today, we are working in Psalm 119:9-16 and I only had time for a little bit of what I wanted to do with this section, so tomorrow I will show you how to make a good LIST on some of what we are learning about our great God in this section.

Today I created this finished piece:

Notice I continued to mark 'heart', God's Word, blessed, and GOD.  I really love the verse in verse 13 and new I wanted to have lips there as the background.  Notice above the lips I wrote in 'with my lips'.  I also marked off the verse with a box and colored it in pink so I could easily find what I pulled out in the artwork.
Here is how I drew the lips (the ink for the letters is a black micron 03; a mechanical pencil for the sketch):

How are you doing?  I hope you are finding this helpful not just to read through, but to try for yourself!  I'd love to hear from you!

See you Thursday!
May God bless your HEART...and your ART,
Antoinette

March 3: Beginning Bible Art Journaling: Psalm 119:4-8

Hello friends,
Today I have a couple of new skills to share with you as we continue on in our study of Psalm 119:4-8.  Again, I want to thank all of you for the many emails I have received from all over the world and the US as well, sharing about yourselves and your joining us for this Beginning Bible Art Journaling through Psalm 119!  I am blessed beyond all measure to hear from you and to have the privilege of going through God's Word with you!

Let's get to the page and I'll explain as we go :o)

I marked the text with W over all words that mean God's Word (testimonies, precepts, etc in this section).  I also marked God with yellow triangles (this is how I mark Him throughout my Bible).  I could have made a list on all I saw about His Word.  (example: verse 7 tells us they are righteous).  I could also have made a list about all I learn about God here (example in verse 4 God has commanded that His precepts be kept diligently).  I could also continue my work with what I see about the blessed; those who walk in the law of the Lord (verse 1) (for example I would have in that list to have 'my eyes fixed on all your commandments').  Or I could have singled out one or two of these truths to put into the margin.  If something really strikes you as you go through our time together, please do not fear to do something differently than I do.  God's Word is alive and active and you may have something stand out to you that is different.  Go ahead and work with that.  If you aren't sure what to do because my entry is so different, just copy the verse in the margin or even write your insight there!  This is YOUR art journaling bible.  Make it yours!

I chose to focus on the two times the word 'heart' is used.  Blessed are those...who seek Him with their whole heart in verse 2 and in verse 7 the author writes that he will praise Him with an upright heart.  I wanted those two things to stand out.  I love the verbs SEEK HIM and PRAISE HIM, and decided to draw them in a 'whole heart':

 Again, I keep that lined paper underneath the strip (see yesterday's post for instructions on this) so I get very straight letters...

 I finished and outlined in my Micron pen 03.

 I cut outside the black line to be sure to get it all, as I like the definition black brings to the outside of artwork:

 Next, and you will do this too so I was sure to show you what I did here...I put the heart in different places on the page to see where I like it best.  This is personal preference and you can't get this wrong if you like it (remember it's YOUR bible!): 

 This would have been fine, but I knew I wanted to define 'heart' so I would be adding words...

 I really loved this and almost left it there...but tried one more spot...

 I could see the blank margin above the heart filled in with my word study on 'heart' so this is where I glued it down.

 You can go to blueletterbible.org and do simple word studies on words you want to understand better.  I use an exhaustive concordance and dictionaries.  The word heart has a Strongs # (there is a # for each word in the bible) and I look that number up to find the definition.  As I wrote the definition down, it reminded me of  when Jesus is asked what the Greatest Commandment is and He replies...

I use the letters CR whenever I do a cross-reference (this is another place in the bible that is dealing with the same topic or situation).  I wanted it written in so every time I read this I will read Matthew 22:37 with it.  Oh how we fall short in loving our amazing God with EVERYTHING in us!  Thankful for His grace and His enabling Spirit to help us draw near to Him more each day!

See you tomorrow!  Feel free to email or leave questions here if you have any! inspiredstamps@gmail.com
May God bless your ART...and your HEART,
Antoinette

Beginning Bible Art Journaling: March 2: Psalm 119:1-4

Hello friends,
Thank you so much for all the emails and comments that you have sent letting me know you are joining us for this month of March.  Almost every person said they are BRAND NEW to Bible Art Journaling and I am going to go super detailed to make sure I don't lose anyone!

You were to read Psalm 119...if you didn't.  Please stop here.  Grab your bible, and read through it. We need to keep the context of the verses we look at correct to be sure to acccurately handle God's Word. One problem I see today is the tendency to grab a verse out of the bible and try to apply it.  We run the risk of assuming something God may have never intended when we are not diligent to carefully observe the text in its context before we see what that verse actually means.  Only then are we prepared to seek its application. 

So we've read Psalm 119 and what did you find out about it?  Who are the 'who's in it?  What is this Psalm about? 


Psalm 119 is all about the Word of God.  It is an acrostic poem that has 22 stanzas that follow the letters of the Hebrew alphabet.  Your bible may have titles above each of these stanzas with words like ALEPH, BETH, GIMEL--these are the Hebrew letters.    We see the Word of God referred to in a number of different ways: testimonies, commandments, word, precepts, statutes, etc. So whenever we read these words we know this is a reference to God's Word.

We also see the personal pronoun "I".  The author of Psalm 119 is believed to be David (although some commentators feel Ezra may be the author).  So every time we see I, me, my...we know it's talking about a person.

We see other pronouns You, His, Your, Lord, God.  This is God.  

That is what we are going to focus on in our study here:  God, His Word, and man (I),  with a little deviation today, as we focus on verse1-4 that speak of the BLESSED (which refers to those who love the Lord and His Word, so it still applies!).

Knowing that most of you that have communicated with me are not accustomed to marking in your bible, we are going to start off very slowly and easily!  As a matter of fact, techniques I am going to show you over the next few days could keep you from making any marks in your bible at all, if you do not feel comfortable!

Let's get started!  Ok, Psalm 119:1-4 is talking about the blessed and who the blessed are.  Just like yesterday, where I used plain copy paper that I have cut into strips just short of my margins (1.75" x 8"), I use these to put in my bible.  It's helpful to see where we are going before I start with instructions:

I have marked in my bible the word BLESSED with a sunshine and underlined what the text tells us the blessed do.  IF you don't want to mark your actual bible text,  you could LIST this under the art journaling we are about to make on the side (with the sun above!). Either way, give it a try!  You have nothing to lose and we are starting in pencil!

 I sit my copy paper on lined paper so I can see the 'lines' through the copy paper and keep my lettering and drawings straight.  I draw a curved line leaving some room above it and on the sides for my sun rays!  I pay attention to where I want my curve to start (bottom line) and it's high point I want below the top line for those sun rays...  The key to all drawing is to go slowly.  If you can't get it, you are probably going too fast.  You can practice as much as you like...it's copy paper...thousands of strips for about $3 LOL

 I do a large sun ray, then a smaller one, continuing until I like it.  IF you don't like it, erase it and begin again...or get a new strip. 

 I drew darkly with my pencil--DONT DO THAT--I'M SHOWING YOU WHERE YOUR LETTERS WILL TOUCH AT THE TOP...I also drew a light line to show you where I see the bottom line where my letters will end...

 Be sure to start your letters and that they 'follow' the curve as you make them (see the top of the B?  It goes along that line of the sun)

 Keep going across with capital letters.  I wanted to loop my 'S' so I wrote an 'S' then added the loops...

 Next I drew a 'grass line' curved under blessed and using the yellow lined paper as my guide, went to the next 'space' to write the words 'are those'. 

 I'm making the arrow now...under the word those, make a 'greater than sign'.

 Give your arrow head points.

 Draw lines to the arrow head to make the arrow complete.  (You can use a ruler if you want these straighter; I like the hand drawn look).  If you do not want to mark your bible, you would list the traits in verses 1-4 under the arrow (which you can point straight down since your list is below).

 Next, once you are happy with what you have written in pencil, go over it in pen.  You can use any pen you have; I used a micron black 03.

 AFTER you ink over the pencil, erase the letters/drawing so you don't see pencil anywhere (I left mine on the 'grassy area' so I could use it to help shade the area...

 Next I colored with erasable pencils...

 Next take the FULL STRIP and see where you want the colored part to lay in your bible.  You can go to the top of the page, covering the index or...

 Go under the index, which is what I decided to do on mine.

 I cut my strip so this top part fits onto the page next to verses 1-4.

 I use archival black ink and just run the sides down it to give a little bit of a border to my paper.

 After I'm sure that is dry...oh, do make sure!...I glue it into my bible next to the Scripture.  I highly recommend this glue stick especially to new bible art journalers...you can reposition, take off, put back on with a glue stick.  Not so easy with a tape runner! 

Here you have it...Your first Bible Art Journaling piece is done...and I'm sure it's lovely.  And it's meaningful!

I'll be back tomorrow with another techinique as we finish verses 4-8 of Psalm 119.  Why not go ahead and meditate on verses 1-8 until then?

Let me know if you have questions or comments or joys to share as you create your own! 

May God bless your ART...and your HEART,
Antoinette

March 1: Getting Started: BEGINNING BIBLE ART JOURNALING

Happy March 1st!!

I am so excited to FINALLY get to begin our month together!  I have so much planned to share, let's get started!  Today's post is LOOOONNNNGGG but we have to get the basic understandings down before we get started so bear with me and read through...

WHAT IS BIBLE ART JOURNALING?
  The way I define it is the expression of  what Scripture says, means, and how it's applied through the use of memorable lists, doodles, artwork and words utilizing some form of color or artistic medium.  Think about journaling...it's writing.  Add 'art' to the word 'journaling' and you are adding 'art' to writing.  Add the subject of the Bible and now we see we are utilizing Scripture in our art that was added to writing.

DO I NEED TO BE ABLE TO DRAW OR WRITE BEAUTIFUL SCRIPT?
NO!  I will be giving you LOTS of other ways to make your Bible Art Journalling beautiful, and more importantly meaningful, without being able to draw a good looking circle!

WHO SHOULD BIBLE ART JOURNAL?
You. Anyone who loves God and seeks to have meaningful interaction in His Word. Besides it is just fun!!

HOW MUCH TIME WILL THIS TAKE?
As much as you wish to put into it.  My goal for you and for me during this month is that while we may only spend 10-20minutes a day in our Bible Art Journaling, that we would be thinking on what we are studying in God's Word all the day long. I PUT IN MY SCHEDULE TIME WITH GOD IN HIS WORD...I firmly believe, those who fail to plan, plan to fail....we are all so busy!  But God calls us to study His Word and to pray without ceasing!  We are to meditate on it...chew on it...think on it...and God will use His word to transform us more and more into the image of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ!  This has eternal value!

WHEN WILL THE POSTS BE UP EACH DAY?
by 8pm EST right here on the blog (will be trying for earlier posts)!

WHY do this?
It is such a great way to get into God's Word and meditate on it!  I will be teaching you through Psalm 119 as well as teaching you how to Bible Art Journal, but you want to be involved in a good bible study where you are.  I highly recommend Kay Arthur's PRECEPT UPON PRECEPT classes, which are held all across the US and world.  You can go to their website to find a class near you here. I utilize what I am learning from these in my bible art journaling!  I have led these women's bible studies for years and continue to be amazed how much God has revealed to us in His Word, the Bible!

WHAT DO I NEED?
My goal is 3 part in this month:
1..To show you how to Bible Art Journal, while helping you to know how to remain 'diligent...accurately handling the Word of Truth'.
2..To make this very doable.  Those who love to draw or doodle or paint, will likely do that instinctively on their own in their bibles or in notebooks.  I have done this for years!  But those who feel they ARENT artistic or creative, tend to be afraid to start or not know even what to write or draw!!
3..To keep this inexpensive and as cost-free as possible.  If you have a bible and a pen, you are able to do all I am going to show you.  If you have more, you will be able to add more as I'll show you.  But regardless EVERYONE can participate

LIST OF WHAT YOU NEED:

1--You must have a bible.  I use the ESV SINGLE COLUMN JOURNALING BIBLE because the margins are very wide (shown in the bottom of the photo above).  If your bible is like one in the top of the photo above had has very small side margins, you may find you can art journal on top and bottom, or if you have absolutely no margin to work with you may want to do your Bible Art Journaling OUTSIDE of your bible.  I have tons and tons done this way and there are many ways to do that:

You can buy a big journal, a small one, create your own (like I did on my Romans Bible Art Journaling homemade journal) or even use a simple composition book (see above: I put a title on it 'bible study journal') or single sheets of paper.  I will be showing how to do this IN your bible, but you can do anything I show this month in one of these options if you cannot use your own bible margins for this project.  No worries!

2.  You need a pen and maybe a pencil.  Here are some options for pens and coloring pens/markers that I like to use, but you only NEED a pen and maybe a pencil.

In the inductive bible studies I lead, we mark words, write down cross references and word study findings, and make lots of lists in our bibles.  Here's a page I have in Ephesians:

As you can see, the idea of marking in my bible is very comfortable for me even in my study bible, because I see it as something that helps me to better understand God's Word.  It isn't distracting to me nor do I cover up anything; and that is how I think as I do my Bible Art Journaling as well.

On that note, I know it is very difficult for people to begin writing, coloring, or in any way marking their bibles.  And that is why I highly recommend erasable pens, erasable markers, and erasable colored pencils.  It is freeing to know you can always erase something if you want to later or if you make a 'mistake'.  The Frixion markers/pens are great with color but erasable!  Crayola makes erasable colored pencils!  When I want something more permanent, I use my Micron pens (in many different colors and sizes).

3.  I will have other 'options' as we go along, but if you don't have something I show, you can always use a pen or colored pencil to create it on your own.  I will have free printables I made for your throughout the month that you are free to copy onto regular copy paper and use.  You will want a craft glue stick or adhesive tape runner or xyron machine to stick these down to your bibles if you choose to use them.  If not, that's fine too.

-------------------------GETTING STARTED WITH BIBLE ART JOURNALING----------------------
You have your Bible.  You have your pen and pencil (and maybe your colored pencil).  You have a glue stick/tape runner/xyron machine or some way to glue something to your bible (even tape is fine!).

We are going to spend much of the month going through Psalm 119.  What we need to do before we begin Psalm 119 is to READ THROUGH IT a few times.  So I am asking you to do that before you go through to the next post on Day 2.  Read it; don't write anything.  Think about all the times God's Word is mentioned (you'll see precept, law, commandments, ordinance, and a number of other words all talking about God's Word!).  Think about the writer of Psalm 119.  He's like you and me.  What God's Word says he should be doing, is what we should be doing.  How he feels about God's Word is how you and I should feel about it!  Read through it and we will begin our first Bible Art Journaling lesson in our bibles tomorrow.  We have to read it to know what the entire psalm is about, who it's talking about; get the context of the whole book before looking at the smaller parts.  That helps us to not pull a verse out and try to make it say something God never intended it to say.  We will be diligent in our study to accurately handle His Word, as we are called to do.

I know if I came to day one and was told to read, I would likely be a bit disappointed that I didn't get to do SOMETHING in my bible!!  So I have a FREE PRINTABLE (the first of many) that I created for you so you can print and cut out and put into your own bible, if you would like! Here it is in my bible colored with Crayola eraseable colored pencils:

 I love this part in Ephesians 4 because Paul is urging the Ephesian church (and us too) to walk (I have the arrow over because it reminds me it's not a one time step...I am to keep walking) in a manner 'worthy' of the calling with which I have been called.  Worthy (which means 'to have the same weight as') reminds me that the way I walk (my life and deeds), is to be in light of and 'in the same weight as' the calling of Christ on my life.  I am to walk as He walked.  It gives a picture of a scale.  The way Jesus walked and the way I walk.  I will always fall short, as I am not Him, but I need to walk with my goal as the way He did.  I put CR next to it on the left side because it reminded me of what is said in 1 John 2:6...'whoever says he abides in Him ought  to walk in the same way He walked.'  A great reminder.  One I think about throughout my day.  Is this action or thought in line with me walking as Jesus did?  If not, what should my prayer be, or how should I change that action or thought, through the power of the Holy Spirit Who helps in my weakness?

Here is one you can print off and use in your own Bible, if you like:

Be sure to leave a comment here or email me at inspiredstamps@gmail.com to let me know you are joining me!  I am happy to answer any questions or hear any comments as we go along!  It will all get clearer as we get started in Psalm 119 tomorrow!  Happy Reading!

May God bless your ART...and your HEART,
Antoinette