Hi, I’m Jenny and I’m addicted to pretty journals, pens, highlighters and Pins featuring colorful scripture journals. I want to journal Bible quotes, (also known as Bible Journaling) but I can’t. It’s not that I don’t try–believe me I do. It’s not that I don’t have, the right tools–believe me I do. Ahem, I visit office supply stores and the school supply aisle like some women seek out good chocolate or great shoes. I think it’s my perfectionist tendencies. Yep, I think my inner perfect–who my husband wishes would show herself useful around the house–that keeps me from journaling inspiring Bible quotes.
This post may contain affiliate links to products I love and recommend.
UPDATE: I’ve written a book, Bible Journaling Tips, Inspiration and Permission,” telling the “Why” showing the “How” and answering any and almost all obstacles that may be standing in the way of you and your Bible.
Bible Journaling & Me
Have you ever searched “Journal Bible Quotes” or “Scripture Journaling” on Pinterest? I love looking at scripture journals. The scriptures state “the Word of God is living and active” and seeing how people use a journal as a part of their devotional time inspires me. I want that intimate, artistic experience with the Word of God. I want that beautiful, physical expression from our devotional time together. Instead, I try…worry too much about what it looks like…end up frustrated…and don’t even know or remember the intimacies God and I shared. The practice of journaling Bible quotes becomes so much more about “me” than about “Him” or “us.”
Here’s how it usually goes…In my Bible reading, I will pause to reflect on a verse that has captured my attention. I’ll consider it, ponder it for a minute and then get out my highlighter to highlight the verse and that’s when it begins…
“But what color? Is it an obvious one I use, like pink for me as a woman, or green for my words or blue for my thoughts? Oh man, it’s one of those verses I already highlighted yellow when I first purchased my Bible because in an effort to calm my inner Bible-highlighting-perfectionist-nerd, I decided to highlight everything I liked in yellow. Now if I use a blue highlighter over it then that verse will turn green and it’s clearly not a verse about my words,” I argue with myself. “And what if the verse can actually be highlighted with more than one color? And symbols: boxes, circles, underlines…what if I mark a certain passage and then realize I should have marked it another way? What happens if the highlighter or pens leak through to the other side? I probably need a new Bible because I’ve already messed this year old one up trying out figure out my system.”
Moving on to my devotional journal…”Do I just start at page one and then page two and then…or do I number the pages and keep them in some type of order? Do I color code these pages as well? The verse is short, do I center it in the middle of the page so I can artistically scribble doodle around it? What about washi tape and stickers? What do I write, the verse and my impressions? Do I write a prayer using the verse? What if God didn’t speak to me about this verse…or I wasn’t listening? This verse says, “A voice from heaven…” how in the world do I draw God’s voice? Do I make lines in the upper corner of the page? Oh great, that looks like sunshine rays not God’s voice! Now I need to rip this page out!”
And then me at the store, “Oh look at the pretty journals. I bet this will be ‘The One.’ The journal that will make everything click. I will set down tomorrow and begin to journal Bible quotes with the best of them! This will be one of my spiritual legacies to my children. After my death, they will fight over my collection of scripture journals. They will read them and then realize all those times the floor needed to be mopped, I was journaling inspiring Bible quotes and gaining great spiritual insights from the Lord–I have the artistic rendition to prove my intimate conversations with God.”
It’s a wonder–as my grandma would say–It’s a wonder based on all that inner dialogue above God doesn’t just open the Thunderheads and let it rain for 40 or so days huh? I mean really–Is any of that nonsense from God? Of course not! It’s all from me…and/or someone else who would love nothing better than to discourage me from reading my Bible or at least distract me enough while I’m reading it that I gain nothing–nada.
So the solution? Just sit down and read and keep the journaling to a simple formula. I do think Bible journaling can be an effective means to understand the Word of God better or more deeply. But maybe for people like me, a simple, straight forward method is the best way. There is the S.O.A.P method that I have used, and it has worked really well; I actually had my children do it as part of their morning school–Hm, we may pick this practice back up…anyway. (Edited to add, I was inspired to use my own acronym, POWER–read more about it here. I even spent 30 Days using this POWERful new method!)
Do you journal Bible quotes? What is your method?
Guess what! I took the plunge into Bible Journaling! I’ve made mistakes…and surprised myself with something even I can appreciate. I’ve gotten frustrated…and persevered and the result was ample time in the Word. I totally encourage you to just do it! Maybe intentionally make a mistake first thing just to get it out of the way even.
Each day there is more encouragement and even some laughs over on my Facebook page. Head over and “Like” me there for more.
Sonika Tirkey says
Praise The Lord! Glory To Jesus
Laura Butts says
do you know if i can find an inexpensive Catholic Journal Bible ?
Jenny says
The only Catholic Journaling Bible is the Blessed is She one.
Laura Butts says
I found the Catholic journal bible at my super center Walmart for $25.02 this is the one that is used by Blessed is she and it’s published by OSV . you can let your journalers know.
Beverly d Spell says
I’m so happy I found you and your page! As I read your blog entry about wanting to Bible Journal and some of your struggles I found myself with a great big smile on my face and laughing out loud because I can totally relate to everything you say and feel like you and I could be related. Lol But seriously I love your writing, humor and real life issues, and thank you for the blessing of finding your blog! Thanks so much for making my day and making me realize how very good our God is.. By showing me I’m not alone in some of my Bible journaliing issues/struggles. But through God’s word we will figure it out because with God all things are possible!
Jenny says
Hello and Welcome Beverly! I LOVE IT when God gives us a peek into His greatness. And His love by introducing us to each other. Have a blessed day…everything is grace ♥
Donna Smith says
You are so much like me! And I love reading about so many like-minded sisters. I’ve always loved stationery supplies, and I thought that was all over with the internet generation. When I started school, back in 1959, it was all about buying a “satchel.” Plaid of course. I’ve never gotten over this, although I do hate plaid. I went through a period of buying too many purses. It’s an addiction. It’s so wonderful to see Bible journaling enthusiasts! But I’m afraid to even begin. I’m such a perfectionist that I have several journals, some with only a line or two written in them. I throw out pages that aren’t perfect. And I simply can’t do personal journaling–I’m afraid to read my own thoughts and don’t want my children finding them after I’m gone! Right now I’m obsessing over that box of love letters to my husband that are….somewhere….in the attic or storeroom…..must destroy….
Leanne says
This is SOOO me!!! I get so envious when I see all the amazing bible art on Pinterest (and yes I know its wrong lol).
But I realised (kind of) that I will never be an artist or a writer of beautiful fonts. But I can do other things. I can trace (well I think I can but I haven’t actually tried it yet).
I also like to design bookmarks or pages on my computer to colour and then I just stick them in my bible. But I am still learning that its about God not me. But at least you journal something. I hardly read the bible ever because I just find it so difficult and intimidating.
I feel like I need some aort of degree to understand it. Sure it will get easier if I just do it. Anyway, thanks for being so honest and giving me a good laugh.
Jenny says
Ask God to help you understand what you are reading. That is a prayer He will not deny. Also, maybe try a different version, it’s ok to switch versions or use a couple. I think you will find the more you read, the more you will want to read and the more you will understand.
Leanne says
Thanks for the encouragement. You are right. Maybe I should try a different version. Any suggestions?
Jenny says
I wouldn’t buy one. I use Bible Study Tools online. You can type in a verse and then hit “Compare” and it will pull up maybe a dozen different translations. See which one you like from there.
Cynthia Miller says
Yep, that’s me too…hit the nail right on the head. I just received (gifted to me) a KJV journaling bible and can’t bring myself to write or mark in it in any way. I’ve got journals but if I make a mistake I tear out the page and start over. This has been my entire life; school notes, envelopes, gift, greeting cards, you name it. I think I might be responsible for the disappearance of an entire forest, maybe even two.
Now I’m obsessing over my comment…
Jenny says
Sorry/not sorry to hear someone else obsesses over their comments! Me too…all the time!! And the school notes, envelopes…yep, me too.
Wendy says
I have done the same thing my whole life!!! You are not alone & I’m glad that I’m not the only one lol.
Michele Weltz says
I just read this thinking you were writing about me! I have Smashbooks and so many supplies and now I’ve gathered the things I need, “need”, for Bible journaling… but I know I’m never going to be satisfied with my results! I’ve lost sight of the intimacy I was hoping to have with God. I’m so wrapped up in making it all look so perfect that I’m forgetting He just wants me to come to Him with my imperfect life. I need to remember that He is all the satisfaction I need. Thank you for being so real!
Jenny says
I struggle with this still. I see in my mind what I want it to look like and yet it never turns our “right.” It’s then I remind myself of the amount of time I spent with my hand actually on the Word and my mind in the Word.
Terri Presser says
Thanks for sharing this great post at Good Morning Mondays. Blessings
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says
Did you just crawl up into my brain and articulate what I think as I try to journal scriptures?!
Too funny. I have a perfectionist side too – so I end up ripping out my journal pages than writing in them
I’ve SOAPed verses too. Right now I’ve doing Kay Arthur’s study: Lord, Teach Me to Study the Bible in 28 Days. I find it’s given me new ways to meditate on scripture.
Thanks for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).
Wishing you a lovely week.
xoxo
Kim says
I found this funny. The best and most used journals I ever kept were in plain spiral notebooks. I am just like you…when somebody gives me a beautiful one, I’m almost thinking Dang it, what am I going to do with that! It’s too pretty to write in! I have long since given up on buying them.
Beth says
Yes, I do and love it soooo much, Jenny. But I am an “almost empty-nester” so I have a cleaner house (most of the time) and a lot fewer distractions. However, this week all three of my sons will be converging for Thanksgiving. I’m really spoiling my youngest who left for his first semester of college this fall, since he got home on Friday! 😉 Thanks for your enthusiasm for God’s word and sharing your ideas with us!
Lyli @ 3-D Lessons for Life says
I’m a huge fan of the SOAP method, and have been leading online studies using this method through Love God Greatly. It’s been life changing for me. 🙂
I recently bought a journaling Bible and some fancy dancy pens. I am going to try to do some artistic journaling in its margins in 2015 — maybe once a month or so to start.
Jenny says
The SOAP method I think can also be dressed up with pretty pens and stickers and tapes or dressed down with quite time spent writing. It’s the black dress of Bible quote journaling!
Clare says
I generally don’t mark my Bible…except for pencil when I need to identify a text…I don’t journal either…But think, think, think about it – ruminate and pray – oh yes…
Jenny says
I think it’s just how some of us are made and how we are called to spend that precious time with Him. I do highlight in my Bible to help me remember verses and to find them again later.
Clare says
True…What’s great is that we all love reading and reflecting on scripture!
Sharita says
Jenny girl… I think we are kind of a the same person. I joke with my husband that if we ever go broke, it won’t be due to shoes or purses… It will be from journals, inky pens and books. (I just ordered my 2015 planner today– #SOEXCITED #NerdAlert)
I am not a “pretty” journal-er. I have written in a journal every day since May 2009, but had to release the “perfection” that I wanted to seek, everything neat and nice and color-coded. Now I just go with it as the Spirit moves– and it is awesome. Thanks for making me grin AND think today!
Jenny says
Thanks for the encouragement Sharita. I just need to do it. It won’t matter how it looks to me or anyone who looks at them after me.
Betty says
I like the part about how does this scripture apply to my life or situation. Many times people will say how does this scripture apply to someone else rather than taking a look at themselves.
Jenny says
Sometimes it’s easier to see how it applies to others isn’t it? Self reflection can be hard.
Michelle says
It is the writings of those who have gone before us (Sacred Scripture & Tradition) that inspire and remind us of what God has done for love of us. We need that.
I believe that it is entirely beneficial to note what he has also done in our own lives. Now, having time and ability, and especially with little ones, is another story. So, I seem to have periods of writing and then dry times. For now, I’ll just go with the flow of the Spirit within. And isn’t there some sound science on the literal act of writing it down that impresses it more deeply?
Since I am reluctant to write in my wedding Bible, I think I may take up your suggestion on finding one at the thrift store to mark up freely. Oh and here is today’s little quote that is once again relevant to the importance of Scripture.
“Since Jesus has gone to Heaven now, I can only follow the traces He has left behind. But how bright these traces are! How fragrant and divine! I have only to glance at the Gospels; at once this fragrance from the life of Jesus reaches me, and I know which way to run: to the lowest, not the highest place!”
— St. Therese of Lisieux, p. 153-4 Story of a Soul
Jenny says
Thank you Michelle.
And isn’t there some sound science on the literal act of writing it down that impresses it more deeply?
Jennifer says
I enjoy journaling but I can never use a bound book because I always end up tearing pages out to start over. I have a touch of perfectionist blood in me as well! I love the idea of scripture journaling, but maybe I should have a scripture folder! 😉
Jenny says
I’ve read about a scripture binder but even that hasn’t hit the spot for me.
Jolene says
Thank you for this post. I journal, but I keep it super simple. I have a quiet time Binder that I can put notecard of verses, prayer request, and prayers. I sometimes write out prayers because it helps me stay focused on what I am praying especially if my house is noisy because my kids are awake. I hope you have a great day!
Jenny says
Thanks for the example Jolene of how you use your devotional journal.
Ronja says
Jenny, you made me smile with this because I’m so there with you! I love those pictures of beautiful journaling Bibles – all done with such pretty handwriting, too. And I’d love to do that but I know that it would totally become more about me than about what God is speaking to me. So I have chosen to go down the simple road and have a notebook near when I read my Bible, to write down the verses and things God is speaking to me. It’s nowhere near as pretty as I’d like but I think the most important thing here is to write down the things God is speaking so that I can look back and be reminded of them.
Jenny says
I completely agree Ronja. I do need some type of system to writing during my quiet time. Right now I have quotes, inspirationals and prayers written on pieces of paper and unfinished prayers journals.
Dawn says
Your post made me smile because I LOVE to journal, I love to draw and doodle and I LOVE the pinterest pictures, but I don’t want to draw all of that in my Bible!:)
What I have done is found the hard backed journals from Walmart, they are like art journals with blank pages, and used them to journal scripture, draw (as best as I can), and reflect on what I am learning. Sometimes I use watercolor pencils and add a dash of water, but it is random, more than anything.
I too have used the SOAP method, but I think the one I use most is just simply setting with my Bible, journal close by and reading a passage, or two, and the writing down my thoughts.
Blessings as you journal!
Dawn
Jenny says
Hi Dawn. I know, now it’s not only the prayer journals but the Bibles that get so creative. It’s amazing how unique He made each of us–right down to the way we choose to spend time in His Word.
Rebecca Harrison says
My mother in law journals daily, she journals her prayers and inspiration she gets from reading her Bible. My mom always encouraged me to write things down and journal so I too have tried to journal many times. I have two in my night stand one for just general journaling and one that was supposed to be a prayer journal for my kids ( i think there are about 6 entries over the past 20 years). I have also tried to write a prayer journal everyday in a regular notebook but couldn’t figure out a format and it felt repetive (which I think most prayers are because it takes a long time for many prayers to be answered). So my question is: is this desire we all seem to have from God and should we persevere or are these desires of our own, thinking this is what will make us Holy or help our children know how much we love God and his word etc?? Susan made a good point when she said that most of the time that scripture was meant for right then and if journaled would not be looked at again and would not render the ale effect because scripture is so fluid and meant to be right?? I know that I have clipped quotes from saints and scripture verses and I have a big pile of them in my drawer and when I have gone through them; most of them don’t mean anything now but when I clipped them they were very inspiring and I thought they always would be. Obviously this has struck a cord with many of us because of the many comments and this long response of my own. It is something I have thought about many times and wondered if I should be journaling since that is not a gift God has given me and I wonder if there is something I should focus on instead like memorizing or just studying scripture etc. I hope none of what I just wrote seems like I have the answer this was more of me asking questions “out loud” that I ask and ponder internally on a regular basis.
God bless,
Rebecca
Jenny says
Oh man we could have had a conversation tonight on this very subject! I’m not sure to respond to your comment. I do think this desire is a good one because it is one more way to spend time with God; I’m just not sure on how it looks, or is supposed to look–literally.
Amanda says
I’m going to try your method, thanks for the push!
Jenny says
Hi Amanda, thanks for your visit.
Susan Shipe says
I write in my Bible and keep notebooks close by. That’s about it though. So often the “word” is for right then. It ministers to my spirit right at that moment. I rarely go back through my journal notebooks.
Jenny says
I have gone back through the very pages I have here and there. I have enjoyed in some ways looking back over them; it revealed to me in a very real way, how God has worked in my life and answered the prayers I may have been praying at that moment.
Cathy Yosha says
I can’t believe you posted this. I am going through the same thing. Not to be an enabler, but have you seen Shanna Noel’s journaling Bible? If there was a Catholic version of a journal Bible, I would have bought it. But, instead, I bought a pretty little book. I am not an artist, so I was going to use stickers, washi tape, little paint splotches here and there. But, I did one page and now I can’t figure out what else to do. It’s still on my mental list though-to do a sort of Scripture/meditation scrapbook thingie. I would rather go to Office Depot than DSW shoes, too.
Jenny says
Hi Cathy. I have seen the Bible I think–the ESV translation. That’s funny you have one page and then crickets…same with me. I also wonder if some of my issue is that I blog. This place feels very much like a prayer journal to me some days. So maybe it’s the repetition I struggle with.
Kathryn Shirey says
Can SO relate! I have a hard time marking in my Bible at all and I have so many pretty journals sitting around blank because I’m not sure how to use them – don’t want to mess them up. I recently bought a new Bible and committed to just mark anything that spoke to me in any way I could – no method, no color-coding – just underline or otherwise mark. That has been freeing for me.
Jenny says
I appreciate your struggle with pretty journals sitting around. I have a hard time passing them by–and many times just don’t. I;m glad you have released yourself to mark “freely” in your Bible.
Michelle says
This made me laugh, although it must be frustrating. I received this inspiring quote this morning and thought you would also like it.
“Can there be a more fitting pursuit in youth or a more valuable possession in old age than a knowledge of Holy Scripture? In the midst of storms it will preserve you from the dangers of shipwreck and guide you to the shore of an enchanting paradise and the ever-lasting bliss of the angels.”
— St. Boniface
Jenny says
I love that quote Michelle! Thanks for sharing. I’m going to write that down in one of my journals, lol!
Lizzy says
I too am inspired by all the beautiful journaling people do. Once I picked quotes out of a Lisa Bevere book and scrapbook journaled them. Now I like to post any verses that stand out to me on facebook. More often than not I don’t journal which is odd because when I was a teenager between 14-19 I wrote 12 journals
Jenny says
See, as a teen I didn’t journal or scrapbook at all either.