We all look back at different periods in our lives and see them as pivotal points in our lives. There are two in my life that pertain to this blog post:
College. Most people would probably say college, but I don’t say college for the same reason as many would. I loved college – don’t get me wrong. But, the best thing I got out of college was not a degree – but was a dear friendship with my mentor. She taught me – more than anything else – how to believe the Word of God for the hope of the ones that she loves. She prays all the time for her family members (and me, and others). I’ve seen the fruit of years of prayer that God has faithfully answered.
Louisville. For almost three years I lived and worked in Louisville, KY. I worked for SBTS and enjoyed my time assisting one of the Deans there. It was not only great for my personal life, but also for my spiritual life. During that time I was introduced to the ESV Journaling Bible and started using it for my note taking – and I was taught how Christ is in ALL the Scriptures. Basically – what it means to live a gospel-centered life and how all of the Bible points to Christ. This time in Louisville greatly impacted my life, writing, and now even my parenting and marriage.
Since I’ve gotten married, I’ve started writing prayer journals for my husband. But, I don’t just pray random prayers – though I do. I pray through books of the Bible for him. You can find the one for Ephesians on Amazon and the one for Nehemiah on the blog. Colossians will be out in early 2015 with Philippians to follow. I love reading through a particular book of the Bible and systematically praying for my husband.
I’ve also been praying in similar ways for my boys. I usually pray through parenting books for them, but also want to start journaling in a Bible for them – so they can see the prayers I prayed for them when they get older, or even after I’m in the presence of Jesus. To have that legacy, a failed legacy many times, but one were I strive to pray for them daily.
And I’m writing prayers for myself and other moms – prayers that point us to the hope of the Gospel in this very hard task that we seek to accomplish every day. Those will be coming out late 2015.
That’s why I love the ESV Journaling Bible. I’ve given one of my old ones to each of my sons – so they can have my handwritten notes later on in their lives. I got that idea from my friend Daniel Renstrom. (Thanks, D.)
But, now, if I had my dream world: I would have four journaling Bibles – all different so I could keep track of which is which. I would want one for my husband, one for each of my boys, and one for myself. That is how I take sermon notes and journal through Bible studies. Next year I’m studying Deuteronomy and what the Bible has to say about Family – while also keeping up with She Reads Truth.
So, how can you use a journaling Bible to aid in your prayers for your friends and family – or even for yourself:
1. Read the Bible systematically. I love working through a particular book of the Bible. As my pastor says – it helps you love that particular book. He just preached through Daniel. As I look in my journaling Bible, I see that I know more about Christ and the book/times of Daniel than I did before. My notes are right there – application points and everything.
2. Mark it up! That’s what it is there. I’ve not found any writing instrument except a pencil that won’t show through at all. I don’t use any that bleed through, but I can tell that I’ve written something. I use Micron pens 005 and 01 for most of my writing in my Bible. I love being able to see what the Lord has taught me through the Holy Spirit and the depth of His Word. Encouragement comes to us through the Word (Romans 15)
Through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have HOPE! – Romans 15.4
3. Always have it with you. My bag I carry with my most of the time (not a diaper bag) has my journaling Bible in it and blank notecards. The blank notecards are for my doodling and drawing and lettering. The journaling Bible is for my digging into the Word. In Sunday School one of the ways I keep my mind from wandering is by doing application in my head with the verses that are being studied that day. In my morning quiet time, I jot down things that I’ve learned – or even re-writes the studied verse in the margin (that’s what I love the ESV Journaling Bible). Writing out Scripture is for me – the best way to learn it. I love having write the Word parties in my home. It is a great way to connect and share with ladies over the Word of God.
4. Love the Word. One of the ways I know I love a certain portion of Scripture is (yes, by knowing it) by seeing how much it is marked up in my Journaling Bible. Colossians, Psalms, Philippians, Hebrews, James – just to name a few. I can’t wait to see all the marks in Deuteronomy at the end of 2015.
God, through the Holy Spirit, speaks life-changing hope and freedom through His Word. And by using the ESV Journaling Bible, taking notes, marking it up, praying for your loved ones, you will leave a written legacy of how the Spirit changed your heart and transformed you into HIS likeness for the generations to come – so that they might know him.
That the next generation might know them (the teachings), the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God. – Psalm 78.6-7
Thanks to the kind people at Crossway, they’ve given me a Bible (the red Journaling Bible) to giveaway. Here are a couple ways to enter:
1. Leave a comment here.
2. Share this post on FB, IG, Pinterest, Twitter.
3. Leave a comment on one of my posts about this blog post.
Drawing will be when I go to bed late on Halloween night! (that’s Friday night).
Heather
Great ideas about having journaling bibles for your children. I gave this bible to neal for christnas last year. He’s really enjoyed it!
Thanks for sharing the ideas!
Tasya
I love your insight. You are an encouragement to so many!!
Kathie
One of my daughters has one of these and another thought about using it as a guest book for her wedding 🙂 What great ideas you have given for using one of my own. Thank you!!
Kasey
Love that you journal through scripture and how you are teaching others to it purposefully.
Karen MacDonald
I love the idea of Bible journaling for my kids! Leaving a legacy of faith is of utmost importance to me. A Bible they know I have read and written in and prayed over would be an amazing gift. Thanks for the idea, Kim!
summer
Would love to win this. Have always wanted this type of bible. thanks for the chance
Nancy Smith
Would love to hsve that!
Leah F
I love your deliberate methods of passing on your prayers and faith to your children. As my father is with Jesus and my mother can no longer write, I treasure every scrap of their handwriting I can find. Thank you for sharing your heart with us!
Joy Price
oh I would LOVE to win! what a wonderful post!
Debra
This journaling Bible looks amazing…what a wonderful idea!I would love to have one.
matthew
this is on my Christmas list I would like to attempt to journal more as I read through the Bible.
Bonnie Myers
Encouraging post, Kim. Thanks for the many ways you continually spur me on, friend!
Christina
Thank you for sharing this, Kim! I’ve been hoping for a leather Inductive Study Bible for Christmas. Do you happen to know how this journaling Bible compares or is different to the Inductive Study Bible? I guess I’m thinking mostly in terms of room to write. I don’t have to have all the extras in the ISB. Thanks again!
Anna Kayla
Great ideas and encouragement! I journal but it would be wonderful to put my notes right there in the Bible!
WANDA
WOULD LOVE TO WIN THIS BIBLE! IT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER TO WRITE MY NOTES IN. WITH JUST THE USE OF ONE HAND IT GETS HARD SOMETIMES TO TAKE NOTES… THANKS AND GOD BLESS!!!
Laura H
Love the idea of leaving a journaled Bible to future generations. How precious. Thank you for the giveaway!!
Heather H
Thank you for sharing your heart with others! I am excited to start a prayer journal for my husband and both of my sons.
Rebecca in TX
I love this! There are so many great ideas in here. I have been looking for a new Bible and I think this might be the one.
John Clements
I need to get me a Journaling Bible, I seem to be missing out!
Heidi Fletcher
Love the idea behind journaling in the Bible!!
Yesmin
That is a great idea! It sounds like a good way to write notes. I would definitely love to have one.
Laura H
Shared this post on both FB & Twitter as well. Thx!
Elizabeth Lynn
I’ve been looking for a way to journal insights and prayers and this would be perfect. Besides, if I ask my husband if I can get another Bible he’ll blow up!
Christina
Forgot I had Twitter, so I just now Tweeted! 🙂
katie
This year in Bible Study Fellowship we are studying the Life of Moses. In this week’s lesson we looked at God’s command to Moses to write a record of Israel’s victory over the Amalekites and what God had said about that victory for Joshua. Looking at this passage hammered home the importance of keeping a record of God’s faithfulness for the encouragement of those who come after us (and for me too as I’m prone to forgetfulness).
Thanks for your encouraging post and the opportunity to win a Bible to journal in!
Eric
I love to mark up my Bible! Too bad there are not many journaling bibles to choose from! This one hits the spot!