Faith Planner

Do you keep a planner? I do, but it's not for keeping dates and appointments.

I'm talking about how I use my planner to journal scripture lessons, reflections, and prayers over at The Holy Mess blog.

Come join me!

Bible Bubbles Journaling Page

The new Bible Bubbles faith stamp set is so cute and perfect for faith planners, cards, quick notes, and the margins of your Bible.  After putting down a thin layer of acrylic paint for some background color, I used several of the stamps on this page in the book of Joel. Mirroring the stamps, I then drew a larger bubble for my journaling.

I really like how they look clustered together on my page.

The crosses featured on the page are from another new set called Bread of Life.

Watch this process video to see more of these stamps and how this page came together for me.

For this project, I used the following SRM products:

Bread of Life stamp set | Bible Bubbles stamp set | Scripture Notes stamp set | Marvy Uchida LePlume Markers

Lent 2018

This year, Lent began on February 14th - Ash Wednesday (and of course Valentine's Day). Once again I am committing my mornings to the spiritual discipline of journaling the Word. I'll be following the daily devotional, "Silent Witness" offered by Lutheran Hour Ministries. I've created a set of travelers notebooks to contain my journaling.
Here's a bit more...

Bible Margin Stamps Gift Bags

SRM's new Bible Margin stamps aren't just for Bible journaling. I used a couple of margin stamps as part of a gift bag decoration - and they double as bookmarks!

I stamped the margins on white cardstock, which I then watercolored a pretty background. I used watercolor pencils to add more detail to the images. Mounting it onto a piece of colored cardstock helps it stand out agains the fun patterned paper bags, doily, and sticker stitches and sentiments. 

By using a decorate clip to attach it to the bag, it allows the recipient to use the margin as a bookmark, too

 

For this project, I used:

Patterned bags | Bible Margins | Sticker Stitches | 

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Bible Journaling Worship & Praise

One of the main reason I Bible journal is because it gives me the time to meditate on specific words of scripture. While I am coloring or painting or stamping, I am repeating scripture in my mind and contemplating the meaning of these precious words. The creative process draws me in and allows me to linger longer in the Word. My page today gave me the chance to target specific words and think about the many reasons to worship and praise our amazing God.

Psalm 29 is a psalm of worship and praise. It wasn't difficult to find many of the words used in this psalm in stamp form on SRM's two "wordfetti-style" faith stamp sets - Daily Devotion and Scripture Notes. These two sets contain multiple words that can be used in a variety of ways. 

After lettering "worship" and coloring it in with marker and watercolor twists, I added several word stamps to emphasize some of the words in the Psalm. I also added a star stamp from another set, Child of God. I created the background using the watercolor twists and a water brush. Then, I added a few highlights with my white pen. I really like how this page turned out and am grateful for the time to worship and praise God through Bible journaling. Be blessed!

For this project I used:

Marvy Uchida LePlume markers | Watercolor Twist Pencils | Water Brush | White Gel Pen | Child of God stamp set | Daily Devotion stamp set | Scripture Notes stamp set

Memory Verse Magnetic Holder

Memorizing scripture is important in our home. To keep track of the verses we've memorized this summer, I created a magnetic holder using a small clear box from SRM. It's a perfect size for holding 3x4 cards. It was super easy to create with some scrap paper and SRM's faith stamps and stickers.

For the step-by-step process, check out the video below.

For this project I used:

Child of God Clear Stamps | School Days Planner Stamps | Sticker Stitches Halloween | We've Got Your Border Pastel | Clear Mini Box

Bible Journaling the Lord's Prayer

It's often difficult to know the exact words to pray. In Matthew 6, Jesus gives us some advice.

"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Pray then like this..." Here then Jesus introduces the Lord's Prayer. (Matthew 6:7-15) 

This summer, my daughter and I will be spending some time learning more about the Lord's Prayer and the meanings of the words. The Big Trinity stamp set from SRM is perfect for our summer devotions. We've started with the introduction. "Our Father in Heaven..." With these words God tenderly invites us to believe that He is our true Father and that we are His true children, so that will all boldness and confidence we may ask Him as dear children ask their dear father. (explanation from Luther's Small Catechism)

For the background of this page, I used acylic paints and applied them lightly with a sponge. After drying I stamped the words, crosses, border dots, and heart. I used a white pen to highlight the stamps and help them stand out more on my page. 

For this page I used:

BIG Trinity Clear Faith Stamps | I Am Clear Faith Stamps | In Jesus' Name Clear Faith Stamps | White Gel Pen | Black LePen

Fear Not Bible Journaling Page

Isaiah 40:10 reminds us that our God is with us and helping us. We find renewed strength and courage when we listen to His Word. On this page in my Bible journal, I used a baby wipe to spread soft (acrylic paint) colors across the page. This is a quick and easy way to add lovely color to your background. Watch my process video for instructions on how to create this look.

After my background dried, I boldly lettered "fear not" with black pen (my LePlume II dual-tipped marker worked great here) and added additional stamped details.

You can see in the background that I also added a few pen marks - black dots and a light pink crosses.

Products used for this Bible Journaling page:

LePlume Markers | Clear Faith Stamps Child of God | Clear Faith Stamps I Am

By His Wounds...

As we approach Easter, I wanted to have a visual reminder to help us focus on the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf. This verse in the Old Testament, which points to Christ, came to mind. 

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

I wanted to keep it simple and meaningful, so I just grabbed a few supplies. I started with some simple lettering using my black LePen on a sheet of watercolor paper. I lightly drew a few guide lines to keep my lettering straight. These were erased before applying any color.

I started with bit of light purple shading over the lettering with my LePlume marker and then added some stamped borders. Then I decided to add more color with my markers using a plastic baggie, markers, water, and this "smooshing" techniqe (see video tutorial here). 

After a bit more color, a dotted border stamp, and a quick trim, I simply attached it onto a clipboard for display. It reminds us that Jesus loved us so much that He willingly suffered on our behalf to make the full payment for our sins. By His wounds we are healed! On Easter Sunday we will celebrate His victory over sin, death, and Satan. 

A blessed Easter to each of you.

For this project I used:

watercolor paper | Marvy Uchida LePlume II markers | Marvy Uchida LePen in Black | The Lord is My Light Clear Faith Stamps | BIG Trinity Clear Faith Stamps

Let the Sea Resound Bible Journaling Page

Psalm 99 is an amazing song of praise to the Lord. In verse 7 we read, "Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it!"
With that powerful imagery in mind, I created a powerful wave on my Bible page with acrylic paints, a LePen fine point black pen and the new Marvy Reminisce white gel pen.

The stamp set Heaven & Earth provided a few more details - the jumping fish and sentiment.

To fit the sentiment in my Bible margin, I snipped it into two pieces and then stamped it in the middle of the wave. Pefect fit!

The Amen stamp is from another new set, In Jesus' Name.

I love how this page turned out and that I can shout my praises to the Lord and use my creativity to do it!

For this page, I used:

Heaven & Earth Faith Stamps | In Jesus' Name Faith Stamps | LePen Fine Point Black | Marvy Reminisce White Gel Pen

Week 3 Lenten Journal Wrap-Up

During Lent, I'm primarily working in a journal (see here for journal set-up) as I read and reflect on the daily devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries Lenten Devotion booklet, (free to print, HERE). The theme is From the Cradle to the Empty Tomb and the entries follow Jesus as He makes His way towards His death on the cross. The devotions are mainly from the book of Luke, which is another great advantage for recording my visual faith entries in a journal, rather than the pages of my Bible. 

This week I missed one day of journaling. Here is the rest of the week's wrap-up of my entries.

Lenten Journaling Week 2

During Lent, I'm primarily working in a journal (see here for journal set-up) as I read and reflect on the daily devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries Lenten Devotion booklet, (free to print, HERE). The theme is From the Cradle to the Empty Tomb and the entries follow Jesus as He makes His way towards His death on the cross. The devotions are mainly from the book of Luke, which is another great advantage for recording my visual faith entries in a journal, rather than the pages of my Bible. 

Here is this week's wrap-up of my entries for days 8-15.

Follow me on Facebook and Instagram for daily posts. Be blessed!

Lenten Journal - Week 1 Wrap-Up

During Lent, I'm primarily working in a journal (see here for journal set-up) as I read and reflect on the daily devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries Lenten Devotion booklet, (free to print, HERE). The theme is From the Cradle to the Empty Tomb and the entries follow Jesus as He makes His way towards His death on the cross. The devotions are mainly from the book of Luke, which is another great advantage for recording my visual faith entries in a journal, rather than the pages of my Bible. 

Here is this week's wrap-up of my entries for days 1-7.

Day 1 | Ash Wednesday

Day 2

Day 3

Add caption

 Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Lenten Journal

Lent begins this week with Ash Wednesday on March 1st. Many Christians use the 40 days leading up to Easter as a time of special reflection, repentance, and drawing closer to Jesus. Some commit to "giving something up" in order to better focus on Jesus' suffering and death. Some add special devotions or attendance at mid-week services in their churches.

Lutheran Hour Ministries offers a free daily devotional on their website HERE. You can download to your e-reader, print, or subscribe to daily e-mails or podcasts to stay in the Word throughout the 40 days of Lent. I'll be using this devotional and journaling every day. To prepare, I've put together a separate notebook to record my reflections and creative journaling. I'll be posting daily on Instagram and my Facebook page and then doing a weekly round-up here on my blog.

Check out this video to see what I've done in the past and my Lenten journal for this year.

What are your plans for Lent? 

Faith Planner During the Week

I get a lot of questions about my faith planner. My planner/agenda is from Illustrated Faith. 

Here's what the weekly page spread looks like blank.

My spread takes shape over the week as I add prayers, thoughts, scripture, and more that is influenced by my devotions, study time, and whatever prayer requests come up during the week. I don't really plan anything ahead of time, but there are some consistencies. The first thing I always do is create a border to the right for my prayer list.

This week I used word stamps from SRM's new Daily Devotion set.
Usually on Mondays I add some reflection from Sunday's sermon. It's usually similar to what I've journaled in my Bible from my sermon reflections.

As the week progresses, I add a little each day. After journaling in my Bible I often just use the same supplies and thoughts and transfer a bit into my journal. 

As the week progresses, my prayer list continues to grow and sometimes those prayers are driving factors in a bit more art in my planner. This week I was praying for the March for Life and that was a big part of this page.

Finally, by Saturday, my 2 page spread is filled in with scripture, prayers, and reflections. I utilize many artsy bits - stamps, scrapbook paper, stickers, washi tape, paints, and even pieces of devotions or prayers cut out and glued to my pages.

Here are a few more thoughts in video format.

Thanks for visiting today. Do you use a faith planner?

New Year, New Bible

This morning I reflected on Sunday's sermon and did some journaling in my Bible. The passage, the Aaronic Blessing in Numbers Chapter 6, had previously been journaled, but I used my watercolor pencils to bring some more colors to the page as I reflected on the words of the Lord's blessing.

The Lord blesses and keeps me, shines His face on me. He does this weekly in a special way as I sit in the pew for Sunday services, alongside my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and hear and receive His very real presence in Word and Sacrament. 

As we were leaving I was struck by the beauty of the window's reflection and the rays of sunlight highlighted by the smoke of the candles. As I was taking a few photos, my daughter ran in and stood in the midst of it all. The Lord's blessing upon her. His very real presence and peace.

He strengthens my faith as I spend time in the Word throughout the week. As I look through this Bible I see and remember how God has walked alongside me these last two years. 

Look how it has expanded past its covers, bursting its bindings with my added notes and journaling.

Yes, this is just paper and paint, but the Word! Oh the Word! Living and active! Accomplishing all the Father has willed for it to do!

I'm sort of sad that I really need to set this one aside and begin in another Bible. But also excited and confident that I do not walk alone. 

I pulled photos of my top 100 journaling entries from 2016 and created a simple slideshow. It includes entries from my journaling Bible as well as the notebooks/journals I used for special seasons and/or studies. Showing 100 photos takes 8 minutes, so play your own soundtrack and grab a cup of something to sip on!