Bible Journaling 101 Archives - Bible Journaling Ministries

March 15, 2019 by Tracie Rollins

Bible Journaling to Find Hope

Need a little pick-me-up when it comes to your Bible journaling? Don’t give into your feelings of hopelessness! Romans 15:4 reads, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through patience and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope”. Our entire Faith Crew is here for you to give ideas, advice, and of course fellowship in the Word. If you have been waiting and looking for the right community to be a part to grow your faith, this is it. You can see what some of our members have created below using our monthly Momentum Kit.

Matthew 12:19-21

He will not strive, nor shout;
    neither will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
He won’t break a bruised reed.
    He won’t quench a smoking flax,
until he leads justice to victory.
   In his name, the nations will hope. Thank you, Msedenika from the Creative Faith Crew for creating this bright and beautiful page. She used a Butterfly stencil, Distress oxide ink, alpha letters, and Momentum printables in her interleaved journaling Bible for this page.

Psalms 117:1-2

Praise the Lord, all you nations!
Exalt Him, all you peoples!
For His merciful kindness is great toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord! Thank you, Amanda, from our Creative Faith Crew for creating this awesome page. She followed a Bible Journaling Ministries tutorial in Momentum to paint these flowers in her Reflections Holy Bible.

Ecclesiastes 9:4

For to him who is joined with all the living, there is hope; for a living dog is better than a dead lion. Msedenika created this amazing page using kuretake gansi tambi watercolors, Dayspring cards, and this months Bible journaling kit from Bible Journaling Ministries in her Illustrated Faith illustrating bible.

Matthew 6:20-22

But keep things for yourself in heaven. Insects and rust will not spoil them there. People will not get in and steal them. The place where you keep things is where your heart will be also. The body gets its light through the eyes. If you have good eyes, all your body will have light… This Beautiful page was created by Nikki Bunch from our Creative Faith Crew using Distress Oxide Ink, and cutouts from our monthly Momentum Kit.

Mark 1:12-13

Immediately the Spirit drove him out into the wilderness. He was there in the wilderness forty days tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels were serving him. This beautiful page was created by ‭‭Msedenika from the Creative Faith Crew using Scribble Sticks and Alpha Letters in her Illustrated Faith Bible, and cutouts from our monthly Momentum Kit.

Bible Journaling in Ecclesiastes

Taylor Myers, from our Creative Faith Crew, created this cute page! She used cutouts from this month’s Momentum kit from Bible Journaling Ministries and acrylic paint in her Illustrating Bible to make this page.

Isaiah 40:31

But They that wait will renew their strength.
    They will mount up with wings like eagles.
    They will run, and not be weary.
    They will walk, and not faint. Msendenika, from our Creative Faith Crew, created this beautiful page in her Faith Illustrated journaling Bible, using Versafine pigment ink, Acrylic stamps, teal gel pen & printables from Bible Journaling Ministries.

Matthew 12:21

In his name the nations will put their hope. Huge thanks to Amanda Hargrove, from our Creative Faith Crew for creating this awesome page. She used cutouts, brought to you by this month’s Momentum kit from Bible Journaling Ministries to create thi. We are loving what she did with this page!

January 23, 2019 by Tracie Rollins

Your Bible Journaling Inspiration

Are you looking for a little inspiration when it comes to your Bible journaling? Don’t worry, you aren’t alone! Our entire community is here for you to give ideas, advice, and of course fellowship in the Word. Proverbs 27:17 states, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” This verse speaks perfectly to what Bible Journaling for Beginners is all about. If you have been waiting and looking for the right community to be a part to grow your faith, this is it. You can see what some of our members have created below using our monthly Momentum Kit. If you have any thoughts or questions, please join our social community.

Proverbs 15:22

“Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” This beautiful page was created by Nikki Bunch using distressed ink and cutouts from our monthly Momentum Kit.

Isaiah 61:10

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” Joyce created this page with some cutouts and colored pencils. Anyone can be a Bible journaler!

Luke 14:28

“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” Nikki Bunch, from our Creative Faith Crew created this page using distress inks to create the background & printables from Bible Journaling Ministries.

Job 42:2

“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” This set by Bible Journaling Ministries is awesome. Especially the devotional content. “A map is useless without a destination.” Make sure you know where you’re going, then figure out how to get there. Thanks to Missy for this page!

Luke 14:28

“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” Justine created this page using a few stamps, some glitter and buttons. Cute and simple!

Proverbs 15:22

“Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.” Rebecca created this page using almost all of the parts from the printable from Bible Journaling Ministries “Your Best Year Part 3.” First, she used a stencil from Wal-Mart, then added Colorbox ink pad in Doodlebug colors using a Tim Holtz mini blending tool. How cool!

Ephesians 1:6

“To the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” Nikki created this page using distressed inks to create the background, some washi tape from Hobby Lobby, & printables from Bible Journaling Ministries.

Isaiah 58:11

“The Lord will always lead you, satisfy you in a parched land, and strengthen your bones. You will be like a watered garden and like a spring whose water never runs dry.” Rebecca, from our Creative Faith Crew, created this post using a Daniel Smith watercolor dot card (the 66 count.) Then added the printable with a few pieces of washi tape. This printable comes from the most recent subscription to Bible Journaling Ministries. This one is called “Your Best Year Part 4”.

January 6, 2018 by Tracie Rollins

Bible Journaling Verses for Balance

Looking for Balance

The next time you are looking for balance, try writing out your favorite scriptures in a Bible journal. Then, pause and spend some time meditating on the scripture that led to the beauty you created on the page. You can Bible journal and grow in your faith even if you only have five minutes! You can see what some of our members have created below using our monthly Momentum Kit. Momentum is an affordable digital monthly Bible journaling kit subscription program designed to help you build momentum in your walk with God. We make Bible journaling easy so that you can spend time in the Word consistently, without much preparation and without needing long blocks of time. If you have any thoughts or questions, please join our social community.

Bible Journaling Matthew 6:33

Matthew 6:33

But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.

Bible Journaling 1 Corinthians 10:31

1 Corinthians 10:31

Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Bible Journaling 1 Timothy 3:4-5

1 Timothy 3:4-5

one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence;(but if a man doesn’t know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the assembly of God?)

Bible Journaling Ecclesiastes 3

Ecclesiastes 3

For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:

Bible Journaling Hebrews 13:5

Hebrews 13:5

Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.”

Bible Journaling Luke 12:34

Luke 12:34

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Bible Journaling Psalm 127:2

Psalm 127:2

It is vain for you to rise up early, to stay up late, eating the bread of toil; for he gives sleep to his loved ones.

July 29, 2017 by Tracie Rollins

Bible Journaling Supply List

The first thing new Bible journalers ask for is a Bible journaling supply list.

But, buying supplies for Bible journaling can become overwhelming and expensive. Don’t worry, you get to choose what you want and what you don’t! There are no rules. You make up your own rules – yay!

Bible Journaling Supply List

The only thing you really need is access to the Bible (if you’re reading this post, you have access to many versions online), a piece of paper and a pencil. Of course when I say this many of my Bible journaling friends roll their eyes at me and tell me to go on.

Here are a few supplies that I recommend when you’re just getting started. Use a coupon at your craft store if you can! If you’re shopping online and make a purchase via our links, our ministry will receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting our mission to help others grow in the Word creatively.

I always recommend that you start with our free beginner’s course so you don’t overbuy on supplies.

Bible Journaling Supplies List – When You’re On a Tight Budget

Paper or Notebook
Coloring pencils – my favorite low-cost pencil set is from Crayola: http://amzn.to/2pLo6mD
Gel pens – my favorite low-cost gel pen set is Lolliz:http://amzn.to/2pairTr
Page protector – can be made out of a dollar store kitchen mat (see our 10-day course) or you can buy this one from Illustrated Faith: http://amzn.to/2q4FP9G

Bible Journaling Supplies List – Items Worth Saving For

Journaling Bible – Please use our tool to help you find the right one for you: https://www.biblejournalingministries.com/bible-journal-selection-tool/
Craft Mat – Here is a much cheaper version of the Ranger craft mat: http://amzn.to/2xKUzLQ
Coloring pencils – my favorite soft-core pencil is form Prisma Color – http://amzn.to/2p1LtJB
Gel pens – I love this budget set so it’s still here: http://amzn.to/2pairTr
Gesso – Helps eliminate bleed through and works well if you’re using a lot of water in your Bible – Dina Wakley is my favorite http://amzn.to/2pajjqY, but Art Basics is a close second http://amzn.to/2pKgVck
Gellatos – Of course, I would recommend these. I use them so much! http://amzn.to/2p1HYTy
Shipping labels to use as stickers – These are the ones that I use that I’ve tested with my ph pen. Based on the test, I believe they’re acid-free. http://amzn.to/2vf7nZT (I purchased from seller named Universal Labels) and http://amzn.to/2wmWHIw.
Watercolor-Kuretake makes a great set – http://amzn.to/2pKDKgc
Skin Tone Watercolor – Love Jane Davenport – http://amzn.to/2ygqvei
Precision pens – http://amzn.to/2qEevMB
Acrylic paint – I don’t have a brand to recommend yet. I use Artist loft in 48 pack of small tubes. A little goes a long way.
Washi Tape – I love the Illustrated Faith Brand – http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8285507/type/dlg/https://www.dayspring.com/nsearch/?q=washi+tape

Monthly Kits

Momentum by Bible Journaling Ministries is a digital Bible journaling subscription program that allows you to print everything from the comfort of your home. More information can be found here: www.biblejournalingministries.com/momentum
Illustrated Faith puts out a monthly kit that I try to purchase when I can. Everything is shipped directly to your home. http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8285507/type/dlg/https://www.dayspring.com/gift-shop/illustrated-faith

Remember, when you go to the store armed with your Bible journaling supply list, remember that you don’t need everything today. Be patient and enjoy the journey one item at a time!

May 27, 2017 by Tracie Rollins

What are Gelatos and How Are They Different?

Gelatos made by Faber-Castell are one of my favorite mediums to use in Bible journaling. They are quick and easy to use, and oh so versatile!

What are Gelatos?

Gelatos are acid-free, lightfast pigment sticks that come in a chapstick-like container. They’re creamy in nature which allows them to glide on your Bible page smoothly producing a vibrant color that blends easily with just a little bit of water.

One of the things I like best about Gelatos is that they’re permanent once dry, so you don’t have to worry about the color marking up the other page of your Bible. To dry them, let the air-dry or use a dryer to speed up the process. If you rub your finger over the Gelatos and there’s no residue or color on your finger, then it’s dry.

Why is Light-fast and Acid-Free Important?

A light-fast product won’t discolor when exposed to light. This means that your beautiful artwork will last the test of time. Acid-free means that the product won’t break-down, yellow, or damage your Bible over time. Both of these are important if you want to preserve your masterpiece and hand it down generation after generation.

What’s the Difference Between Gelatos and Gel Sticks?

Gelatos are designed to be archival, meaning that they’re designed to be used in something you want to keep forever. Gel sticks, while they are similar and manufactured by Faber-Castell, are not the same. At least that’s what the manufacturer says. Gel sticks are significantly cheaper, but Faber-Castell specifically notes that they are not the same and that Gelatos should be used to protect your crafts.

What’s the Difference Between Gelatos and Distress Crayons?

Both the Gelatos and the Distress crayons glide on the page and are water soluble. But there are slight differences that may cause you to choose one over the other.

Distress crayons are a product made by Ranger and sold under the Tim Holtz brand. They’re slightly more expensive in that you get less product in the crayon for the same amount of money. They are easier to use because they’re thinner and shaped like a pen verses the chapstick holder of the Gelatos, and they’re designed to go with the Distress line produced by the same company.

Gelatos, on the other hand, have more color choices including metallics. They also move better, which means that you can push it around your page or blend it with another color easily.

What’s the Difference Between Gelatos and Scribble Sticks?

Scribble Sticks are made by Ranger and sold under the Dina Wakley line. They’re pigment sticks that are shaped like a crayon and much harder than the Gelatos. There are also fewer colors in this line than in the Gelatos line.

On a side note, the Scribble Sticks and NeoColor line are very similar. The exception is that the NeoColor line comes in a variety of colors whereas Scribble Sticks come in only twelve.

As you can see there are many differences between gelatos and other similar mediums. The best part about either of these mediums is that when you use it in your Bible, you’re spending more time growing closer to God.

March 18, 2017 by Tracie Rollins

The Anatomy of a Bible – A Guide for Beginners

THE Bible is also referred to as the “Holy Book” and is a cherished addition to every Christian household. For those that are just now becoming familiar with the Bible and its teachings, we hope that the following information regarding the anatomy of a Bible will help you understand the power of its contents and how life changing they can be.

Click here to find the best Bible for you. This quiz will help you find the one that best suits your needs along your Bible journaling journey.

More About the Bible

The Bible is made up of several individual parts, and it’s important to understand its diversity along with its unity for those who follow the Word of God. Every section of the Bible plays an important part in the unfolding truths of God’s plan and his purpose for mankind.

The first step in becoming familiar with the Bible is studying its many parts; the anatomy of a Bible so to speak. Once the overall composition of the Bible is understood, it will be a lot easier to fully grasp the finer details.

The Anatomy of a Bible – an overview

The two main parts of the Bible are the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Bible has 66 books between the two, 27 in the new Testament, 39 in the old testament.

The Old Testament

The Old Testament starts with the rich history of how the Almighty created the world in around 400o B.C. The Old Testament includes books of the law, including God’s commands. You’ll also find books of history that share information about the Lord’s chosen people, the Israelites. The Old Testament also includes books of poetry that help God’s people praise him and books of prophecy that talk about his future plans. Between the Old and New Testament there are approximately 400 years of “silence”.

The New Testament

The New Testament is a recording of historical events regarding the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and his followers. It includes the Acts of the Apostles, 4 Gospels, 21 epistles by St. Paul and others, and the book of Revelation. The New Testament is a moving record of events that include the life, death, resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ and the continuation of His work which was carried on by the apostles that he handpicked. Additionally, it is the fulfillment of the events that had long been anticipated by the Old Testament. In addition, it is the sacred history, that, in contrast to secular records, was created under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The Chronology of the Holy Bible

The Bible is a complex system of the lifespans and generations which, through the passage of events, cover over 4,000 years starting with the Creation of the world.

The Bible is considered the most powerful book ever written., an eyewitness account of historic events of such incredible magnitude that it has literally designed the world that we live in. It’s a book that you should definitely make a daily part of your life.

March 11, 2017 by Tracie Rollins

Stamping Ink for Bible Journaling – A Definitive Guide

Finding the best stamping ink for Bible journaling can feel overwhelming. There are different types of ink for every project. The best stamping ink type for Bible journaling is one that does double duty, both as a watercolor and as a stamping medium.

Not all stamping inks are the same. Once you understand the differences, you’ll be able to choose the ink that best works in your Bible journaling or other special project. If you’re unsure of the type of ink you like to use, buy one pad and try it out before you invest in multiple colors. When you do invest in multiple colors, consider getting the small 2″ x 2″ pads so you can get more colors for your budget.

Stamping Ink Types

When it comes to ink, there are six different types that stampers use. Make sure that whatever ink you buy, that it’s non-toxic and acid-free. Most stamping inks are. The best stamping ink for Bible journaling depends on your preference, but here are my top three favorites and facts on the rest.

Pigment ink – Pigment ink generally sits on top of the page and takes a few minutes to dry. You may see some bleedthrough or ghosting with it, but it can reduced if your page is prepped with gesso.
Chalk ink – Use a light application so that sits on top of your Bible page and generally won’t bleed through.
Dye-based ink – Distressed ink or waterproof ink can be used to stamp on your Bible or used as watercolor. Prep or your Bible page with gesso if you’re concerned about bleed through. I use an old ink pad and rarely have problems with bleed through. If your ink pad is “juicy” stamp off on a scrap piece of paper before applying the stamp to your Bible to reduce bleed through.
Solvent ink – Used for stamping images and then coloring them with watercolor (but not alcohol pens). I almost always get bleed through with solvent ink.
Embossing Ink – Be careful when using this for Bible journaling because you can burn your pages with the heat gun if you’re not careful. It is generally used for embossing using embossing powders.

Pigment Inks

Pigment inks are water-based, yet have a much thicker consistency than dye inks, so they don’t dry as fast. The misty color particles are suspended inside the ink, as opposed to broken down into it like a dye ink. This moderate drying nature makes them ideal for embossing, as you have a longer “open” time to apply your embossing powders.

Pigment stamping inks don’t seep into the paper like dye inks. They sit on the surface and are perfect for stamping on or applying directly to ordinary paper, tissue, wood, and other porous surfaces.

The thicker consistency of pigment inks implies that the color you see on the ink pad is like the color that it will display when stamped. Color ink pads are made of spongy material, rather than the hard raised felt pad found with dye inks.

Pigment inks are generally pretty slow drying, giving you plenty of time to emboss and blend. These inks offer long lasting, luscious color from delicate pastels to deep, saturated hues.

Pigment ink is difficult to use in Bible journaling because it takes long to dry. You can attempt to dry it with a heat setting tool, but be careful as heat can damage Bible pages.

Pigment ink brands include: ColorBox Pigment Ink, Illustrated Faith, Brilliance Archival Ink Pads by Tsukineko, and Stampin up Craft Ink. You can buy pigment ink stamps here.

Dye-based ink

Dye-based ink is fast drying and magnificent for basic stamping. It’s the most common stamping ink on the market and comes in many colors. It’s perfect for those new to stamping. Dye-based ink is water-based and often manufactured on linen, felt, foam, and sponge type surfaces.

When you use dye-based ink, it can seep into the strands of the paper as opposed to sitting on top like a pigment ink. If you don’t want it to seep into the paper, you’ll need to get watercolor paper. Watercolor paper has a smooth surface, resists buckling and dries fast.

Some dye-based stamping inks tend to fade over time. To avoid this, search for ink pads with fade-resistant or archival on the label.

There are three different types of dye-based ink: water-proof, water-resistant, and distressed ink. After years of stamping, I believe that water-proof and water-resistant are used interchangeably with the manufacturers. However, I will attempt to break them down based on the manufacturer’s product descriptions.

Waterproof Dye Ink

Some dye-based stamping inks are waterproof when dry, but some aren’t. Waterproof means that it’s impervious to water, so once it’s dry, it’s dry. They often dry quickly.

If you need to watercolor over your stamped pictures, you’ll have to utilize a stamping ink that’s marked as waterproof. You can use water-resistant as well, just make sure it’s dry.

Water-proof stamping ink brands include: Umbrella Crafts Premium Dye Ink, Hero Arts, and ColorBox Archival Dye Ink

Water-resistant Dye Ink

Water-resistant means that the ink resists the penetration of water to some degree. It’s not water-proof, rather it’s one degree removed.

Water-resistant stamping ink won’t bleed when using paint, watercolors, colored pencils, water-based inks, markers or pearl pigments. It will also dry on glossy paper and is a great ink for stamping detailed images. These ink pads are often fade-resistant.

Water-resistant inks can serve dual purposes functioning both as a stamping ink and as a watercolor. Simply dab some ink onto a tile, or similar surface, and apply the color with a paintbrush.

Water-resistant ink brands include: Ranger Archival Ink, ColorBox Archival Dye Ink Pads, Stampin up Archival Stampin Pad, and Tsukineko Momento Dye Ink. You can buy dye ink stamps here.

Distress Dye Inks

Distress inks are water-based, not-toxic, acid-free, fade-resistant dye inks. The stamping inks are wet and stay “open” longer than standard dye-inks allowing you to continue to blend and work with the ink.

Many crafters use distressed ink to get vintage effects. From rubbing, edging, and mixing the ink, the possibilities are endless. Plus the colors are cool.

Distressed inks are a favorite amongst Bible journaling enthusiasts. The applications and ability to get the stained, vintage and aged effects in your Bible are unmatched by the other brands. The line currently includes 61 different colors, including brightly colored peacock , raspberry, and berries.

Distressed ink brands include: Ranger Tim Holtz Line. You can buy distress ink stamps here.

Chalk Ink

Chalk ink pads are perfect for all styles of paper crafting. These stamping inks are permanent, and they dry fast. They work great on wood, leather, coated and uncoated papers.

Chalk Ink sits on top of the page and generally won’t bleed through.

Chalk ink brands include: Chalk Fluid Ink Pads from Prima Marketing, Colorbox, Tsukineko Dew Drop, VersaMagic Chalk Ink. You can buy them using our ministry affiliate link here: chalk ink stamps

Solvent-based Inks

Many Bible journaling fans love solvent-based inks because they often don’t bleed through and provide minimal ghosting. I don’t recommend them only because they’re so hard to clean off your stamps.

Solvent-based stamping inks are fast drying inks. They are not water-based inks. There are three elements in solvent ink: the carrier fluid, pigment and resin.

Solvent based inks require a special cleaner to get the ink off the stamps. The problem with the cleaner is that it can harm polymer stamps, so use it sparingly. Solvent-based stamping inks also have a unique “scent” to them.

Solvent-based inks work best on all non-porous and semi-porous surfaces, like glass, metal, transparencies, vellum, glass, glazed ceramic tile, metal, acrylic plastic. They dry in under five minutes and pretty much lasts forever.

You can use watercolors and watercolor pencils with solvent ink after it’s dry. Never use alcohol pens with solvent-based inks as they can damage your pens.

Solvent ink brands include: Stazon. You can buy stazon stamps here.

Embossing Inks

Embossing inks are clear pigment stamping inks allows you to experiment with a variety of techniques such as chalking, embossing, and resisting.

Embossing Ink brands include: Versamark

Ink Pad Style

Ink pads come in many different styles, including rectangle, square, small square, cats eye, and dew drop. The cats eye and dew drop style is perfect for getting in small tight spaces because they have a sharp point on at least one end. They are also great for inking the sides and edges of the paper. Larger pads work great for getting a great even application on larger stamps.

Opposites Don’t Attract with Stamping Ink

Like mediums blend and mix together. You can use dye-based stamping ink with alcohol-based markers, but you wouldn’t want to use dye-based ink with watercolors and regular markers as they would blend together.

Never use alcohol ink pens with your solvent ink as your solvent ink will damage your very expensive pens.

We hope this guide to stamping ink in Bible journaling has helped illuminate the different choices you have. What inks do you use in your Bible journaling?

January 21, 2017 by Tracie Rollins

Journal Bible – Your Guide to Finding the Best for Bible Journaling

A journal Bible provides a wonderful way to creatively record your spiritual life, safely within the Bible that you study every day. We’re excited to release our Journal Bible Selection tool that will help you narrow down the hundreds of choices to the perfect few for you. It’s only five questions and will take you less than three minutes to complete. Give it a try here.

If you’re not a fan of quizzes, that’s ok too! The following five-step guide will help you find the best journal bible based on your unique needs.

1. Establish a Budget

While a journal Bible won’t break the bank, when you add in all the necessary Bible journaling supplies, costs can go up. Take time to research your options. Find a journal Bible that inspires you, is written in the translation that you prefer, and whether it’s leather or cardboard bound, remember to set enough money aside for supplies like paints, pencils, and other fun embellishments.

Keep in mind that if you can’t afford an actual journaling Bible right now, a notebook or standard journal will suffice. Use it along with your regular Bible. You can also journal in a standard Bible as well.

2. Decide on a Bible Translation

As of this writing, the Bible has been translated into 542 languages. There are at least 45 different English Bible translations available now so we’ll just share information about some of the most popular versions.

King James Journal Bible: According to the American Bible Society (ABS) State of the Bible report, 52 percent of Americans read the King James (KJV) or the New King James(NKJ) version of Bible. The KJV is the first version of Scripture authorized by the Protestant church, and the NKJ is a modern language update. The NKJ retains much of the traditional interpretation and sentence structure of the KJV.
New American Standard Journal Bible: The NASB (New American Standard Bible) is written in a formal style, but it’s easier to read than the King James Version.
NIV Journal Bible: The NIV balances word-for-word and thought-for-thought translation. It’s believed to be highly-accurate, and it’s easy to read.
ESV Journal Bible: The ESV translation combines word-for-word precision with literary excellence, and it’s easy to read.

Stopping by a Christian bookshop is a great way to get help deciding on a Bible translation that suits you. You’ll be able to glance through the pages of different translations to find one that is easy for you to understand. Some of the most commonly used Bible translations include:

AMP (Amplified)
ESV (English Standard Version)
NASB (New American Standard Bible)
KJV (King James Version)
NKJV (New King James Version)
HCSB (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
NIV (New International Version) and
NLT (New Living Translation)

3. Journal Bible Features

When it comes to reading Scripture and Bible journaling, you’ll have access to a number of features that wouldn’t necessarily be available with a traditional version. From preprinted line art, to wide margins, to blank ’pages, journal Bibles have everything you need except thicker pages! They are available in leather, hardcover, soft cover or synthetic leather. They also come in a variety of colors, providing the opportunity to make your Bible feel personal. I personally prefer a plain black cover so that I can create a cover that’s unique to my personality.

4. Bible Type

There are several unique journal Bible types, some that you will treasure as a special keepsake that could be passed down through generations, others that make great choices for children, some that are best for note taking – all providing a creative outlet for anyone who truly values God’s Word. For Bible journaling, look for one with wide margins, leaving you plenty of room to get creative. Some Bible types to consider include a journaling Bible, interleaved Bible, wide-margin Bible, coloring Bible, writer’s edition Bible, part-illustrated bible, bibles for teens or younger children and a study Bible.

5. Select the Journal Bible that Meets Most of Your Requirements

A journal Bible encourages inspiration and creativity, adding love and respect to every page throughout the years as you devote yourself to God’s Word. Whether you just want extra room for note taking, to pen a particularly encourage piece of scripture, or to release your inner artist and reveal your love through colorful works of art on full-sized pages (interleaved), let yourself be inspired by the Word. Translation is important, but so is the freedom to create and color.

A journal Bible will help you experience God’s Word through creativity and along the way you’ll create a legacy of your journey. It’s a beautiful way to pass your experience on to your children and your children’s children. We hope that this guide to finding the best journal bible for bible journaling will help you get started. If you’d like to take a short quiz to find the perfect Bible for you, click here.

November 12, 2016 by Tracie Rollins

How to Make Bible Journaling Tip-Ins

Have you ever found yourself in need of more space to share your thoughts after you’ve already applied your inspired illustrations to a Bible page? That’s where Bible journaling tip-ins come into play. Tip-ins are cards, paper, vellum or other inserts that you place in your bible. Tip-ins are also used by those that feel uncomfortable about adding their artistic touches directly on pages of their Bibles. Just add a tip-in and the problem is solved.

Here are a few simple instructions covering how to make Bible journaling tip-ins.

We’ll Start off with a couple of “Tips”

Use cardstock or other sturdy but thin backing so that your tip-ins will be able to endure handling, and help support any heavy adornments. Just make sure that the backing you use isn’t too thick or heavy because if it is it might end up breaking the spine your bible or cause it to not close properly. Also, if your tip-ins involve an event whose sponsor is providing special requirements, it’s important to follow them to get a similar effect.

Single Page Tip-Ins

These can be both single (1 side is decorated) and double sided (both sides of the page are decorated). You can also use a side to share what inspired you, or the process you followed to create the tip-in.

Double Pages

Most people that use tip-ins prefer the double page option that is designed to fold at the spine, covering two Bible pages. This tip-in method requires a bit more planning but gives you more creative space.

Free Bible Journaling Tip-Ins

We often offer free Bible journaling tip-ins and templates to our fans and followers. Make sure your on our e-mail list and following our Facebook Page to stay in the know. Click here get our most current freebie.

If you’re using a template, you can print it on vellum or transparencies so that you can see the item you’re cutting out. You can also print directly on cardstock or copy paper, color it, make tags, and so much more.

Check Clearance

Make sure that you leave about a half an inch of clearance space regardless of the option you choose. This is especially true if you’re creating a single page tip-in and want to leave enough room to attach it in the book without affecting your page design.

Add the Bible Journaling Tip-in

Once you’ve created your Bible journaling tip-ins you’ll need to apply them and the best and easiest way to do it is to use glue or a thin piece of glue strip. To apply a single sided tip-in, glue it to a piece that is cut close to the spine or apply it to a stub.

Not many people use a stub. You can create a stub by trimming or folding the page down to about a half an inch, then glue your tip-in to what’s left (the stub). Close the Bible and press firmly.

For double sided tip-ins, apply the glue to the fold of your tip-in, to one wrong side, and gently ease it into your Bible, up against the spine. Next, close the Bible and press firmly. Then, open the Bible again and apply glue to the opposite, wrong side of your tip-in and press again.

Tip-In Collaboration

It’s a lot of fun to collaborate with friends and taking part in “swaps” of Bible journaling tip-ins. How this usually works is that you create five different tip-ins, adhering to any provided specifications. Then, you mail out your decorated tips-ins and receive five in return. The tip-in swap is usually themed, so it’s important to follow the rules. It’s also important to sign and date your tip-in’s, adding a special message/artist statement as well. If you’re Bible journaling tip-ins are part of a group project like those mentioned here, make sure that they conform to the rules.

Bible Journaling provides an imaginative and spiritually-uplifting way to express yourself and your love of God’s Word. Bible journaling tip-ins give you additional space and the ability to share your passion with your group. What are your favorite Bible journaling tip-ins?

November 5, 2016 by Tracie Rollins

The Ultimate Guide of Bible Journaling Definitions

If you’re new to Bible journaling these definitions will help you understand the many terms that you’ll encounter along your journey. If you’ve decided to get into this very inspiring practice, you’ll definitely want to read through these Bible journaling definitions.

Bible Journaling Definitions

Acid
A chemical compound that causes paper to discolor, become brittle and degrade, found in some ink, paper, etc., that can ruin art related projects.

Acid Free
Supplies and other products that are “acid free” meaning they won’t damage your photos and supplies.

Adhesive
A sticky substance used to seal envelopes, attach accessories, photos and other embellishments during art and other projects. Choose acid-free adhesives like gel, paste, liquid, glue sticks.

Adobe Photoshop
A photo manipulation and editing software that provides a wide range of features including editing photos, creating intricate digital drawing, paintings and more.

Alkaline
The complete opposite of acid, alkaline is added to products that contain acid to neutralize acid that has a pH level of 7.0 or more

Altered
Changing the composition or character of something, typically in a relatively minor but significant way. As a Bible journaling definition, “altering” would mean embellishing the Bible to reflect a creative idea based on Scripture.

Archival
As it pertains to art, “archival” means something that is safe for long-term contact with important material/objects.

Bleed
The result of too much paint or ink being applied during a project and being absorbed by fabric or paper, causing it to spread.

Bible
The Bible is the word of God, a collection of sacred scriptures written at different stages since the beginning of time.

Cardstock
Heavy scrapbook paper that is thick and durable, available in a selection of weights

Chalking
An artistic process using chalk to enhance die cuts, paper, embellishments, etc.

Collage
An art form that involves applying various materials like paper, fabric or photographs onto a backing.

Colorfast
“Died in” colors that won’t wash out or fade.

Color Wheel
An illustrative collection of color shades displayed in a circle, showing the associations between primary, secondary and tertiary colors, etc.

Colored Pencils
An art medium available in different formats including watercolor, pastel and colored leads used in mechanical pencils.

Complimentary Color
Pairs of colors that, when combined, end up canceling each other out.

Copic Pens
These are considered the world’s highest quality alcohol markers used in a wide variety of art forms.

Corrugated Paper
A material that is made from layers of dense paper, with a top layer that is alternately ridged and grooved to add rigidity and strength.

Cropping
The action of trimming away the unnecessary edges or background of images or items. You can also use specialized scissors to add an attractive “cropped” border to photos, etc.

Die cut
Patterns and shapes created by a form of cutter or die cut machine.

Digital Image/Stamp
An image or stamp made up of dots or pixels that is created or obtained from a computer or software program.

Embellishment
A decorative special feature or detail added to something to create flair, making it more visually appealing.

Embossing
The act of creating of an impression of some form of decoration, design, pattern, lettering on a different surface like metal, leather, cloth or paper.

Journaling
A written record of a person’s observations, experiences and thoughts.

Layout
The way in which photos, text, etc., are laid out on a page, in an uncluttered manner.

Lignin
A complex form of organic polymers, Lignin is a destructive acidic substance when it comes to paper, causing it to break down and become brittle.

Lignin Free
Free of lignin, an acid based substance that deteriorates paper, discolors photos, etc. When doing art projects, it’s important to use lignin/acid free materials.

Matte
A piece of cardboard that’s placed on the back of a photo or a color, paint or surface that is flat, dull, without shine.

Memorabilia
Objects that have been collected because of the historical or emotionally connected interests.

Mixed Media
The usage of an assortment of media in works of art or entertainment. In relation to art, an example of mixed media would be a combination of ink, paint and collage on canvas.

Monochromatic
Using or containing one color. Monochromatic color schemes come from a single base color that is extended by using its tones, tints and shades.

Mounting
A support, setting or backing of an item. In art, “mounting” is the process attaching a painting, photo, embellishment, or memorabilia to a canvas, paper, etc.

Paper Piecing
A technique that is used to pierce small holes into cardstock or paper to create a design/border.

Paper Tearing
A form of art where paper is torn instead of being cut, giving the edges an imperfect, handmade look.

Paper Trimmer
Innovative cutting tool commonly used in art projects to make decorative edges around photos and paper.

Photo Safe
Materials that don’t contain any acid, including Lignin, that can destroy photos, paper, etc.

Punch
A tool that is used to cut (punch) shapes through paper. Punches are available in a number of shapes and sizes.

Sticker
An easy to apply, decorative embellishment used to enhance creative projects.

Stamps
In the art world, stamps are used to create a mark of pattern to decorate paper and other artwork bases.

Stamping Ink
Necessary for stamps when it comes to art projects, stamping ink is available in a variety of colors and available for both porous and non-porous surface areas.

Tape Runner
Commonly used in paper craft projects, a tape runner is a form of glue tape that is easy to use.

Template
Also referred to as a stencil, a template is typically made out of cardboard, sturdy paper or plastic and used to trace shapes.

Tip-in
In relation to books, a “tip-in” is a page that is imprinted independently from a book’s main text, yet attached to it. A tipped-in page or embellishment may be taped onto a regular page, or even glued in the binding along with the other pages.

Vellum
A form of fine parchment created from calf skin. Today you can purchase smooth writing paper that imitates vellum.

Washi Tape
A high quality masking tape available in different patterns and colors, originally made of rice paper, which is actually made out of short, durable plant fibers.

Now that you’ve read through these handy Bible journaling definitions, you’re ready to get started on an inspiring journey, made even better with friends. Are there other Bible journaling definitions you’d like defined? Let us know in the comments below!