Keeping it Simple - by Sarah Anderson

When people first discover bible art journaling, they often ask what materials they need to do it.  I find this a difficult question to answer as I guess you can almost use any art material there is (oil paints would prove tricky I imagine!!).  Another common question is about the minimum amount of resources,  the 'if you were stuck on a desert island what would you take' line of thought, to which I easily reply - my trusty fine black Bic biro, and a pencil!

Don't get me wrong, I adore colour, and art shops are one of my happy places, where I breathe in the smell of paper and paint, and stroke the coloured pencils; and I love that my bible is full of colour where I've played with the materials I love such as rubber stamps, gelli plate prints, watercolour, spray inks, distress inks ....  

But it's also full of simple lettering using my favourite pen.  This leaves a gorgeous crinkly texture to the pages, encourages me to spend time pondering the verse as I embellish the words, and is pleasing to my eye as I adore lettering.

I get lots of inspiration from Instagram, and have learnt the different types of lettering that I like over time, gaining in confidence with each verse!

Lettering is all about practice.  In the long summer holiday after my O levels I spent a lot of time in the library practicing my handwriting as I hated it.  The ascenders and descenders leaned this way and that without consistency.  I now have handwriting I really like (I'm sure being a Reception teacher before computers also helped as I was constantly writing out letters for children to overwrite or copy!) and sometimes I just emphasise my normal handwriting a bit more in the margins of my bible.

I am currently practicing these fancy 'r's.  I discovered this lettering style on Instagram and I enjoy writing a word out in pencil, then drawing around it with my biro (the only reason I'd have a pencil on my desert island!!!).

There really are no rules in bible art journaling.  It's about using the art practices you like and enjoy within the pages of your bible, and finding that through these processes you take in truth from God's amazing word.  There is a lot of joy in learning new practices and techniques and having fun with them in the pages of your bible, and for me, one of those is as simple as lettering with a fine black Bic pen!!

Applications welcome - by Jane Butcher

Bible Art Journaling UK is hiring! Positions available, all backgrounds considered, no previous experience necessary. No forms to fill in, no age (or gender) restrictions and formal qualifications not required

Still interested? Great, let's proceed with the interview.

Do you possess a desk, table or work space of any sort, big or small?

Is your designated work space a haven of ordered peace and tranquillity or an explosion of creativity and works in progress. if anyone called would they feel the need to phone 999 to report a burglary or to sit down and enjoy the calm serenity.

Do you own a Bible and a notebook and a pencil? Additional equipment is welcomed but not necessary, we can advise you on supplies and how to use them.

Do you want to delve deeper into your Bible, draw closer to your Heavenly Father, find encouragement, support, inspiration and have fun? 

If you can read and write independently or with support, if you can draw a stickman and colour in side the lines (not essential), if you enjoy painting, colouring, gluing, stamping, writing, collaging or doodling then you are uniquely (the Bible tells you so) qualified to join our Bible Art Journaling family.

Training can be provided, opportunities to meet together to share fellowship, faith, food and fun are available around the UK. 

Still interested? Your application has been approved, welcome to the family. Monetary incentives not applicable but blessings in abundance guaranteed.

You're Hired! When can you start?

Bible Journaling Apps - by Jane Butcher

I have three Bible Journaling Apps but they're  not what you think! I'm not going to give you a list of web sites, urls (whatever they are) pinterest posts or apps for your tablets, smart phones, laptops or trusty old desk tops.

I have three Journaling Bibles on the go at the moment (well, four actually but that's another story) I use each one for a different purpose in terms of my approach to spending time n the Word.

Number one, my first one and the one which has been used the most and is somewhat straining at its seams. This is the Bible I use the most, on most days at some point. its more of a dip in, choose selected verses, look for words of encouragement type of relationship, though I have actually journaled my way through complete books using devotionals and study guides on occasion. I began this Bible in January 2015 with the sole intention of giving this to Ben. There are some words of encouragement, some of guidance, some of warning and lots of pictures, doodles and thoughts which will hopefully remind him of me.

Bible number two, and I love this one! The leather, is so  beautiful as are the pristine pages. I am over time working through this Bible from start to finish (I may be gone some time to quote a certain Titus Oates!) I am writing an outline of the key points of each chapter  using a variety of commentaries and study guides. I don't do this every day, but this one is earmarked for my second nephew Samuel. he respects my faith but no longer believes. I trust that he will take time to look through it from time to time and give some thought to the guidance within. He calls me his God mother even though my nephews and niece don't actually have God parents as they were all dedicated not baptised as children.

Bible number three, I've only just started this one and I'm using it to follow inductive Bible study guides which are a much more in depth focussed way of reading and studying the Bible.  

All of these approaches (apps!) to Bible Journaling bring me deeper in to God's Word. each one fills a need and a desire to know more. No one way is better than another, I spend more time in the first Bible and that approach to journaling because it is more fun! and doesn't demand quite as much focus and deep thinking (for me) The others I try to do at least a couple of times a week  but I don't always manage that.

Sometimes I just sits...and colours! other times I do what I'll call journaling art for want of a better description, or I do something creative in my prayer journal that is meaningful at that time.

Finally, I doodle (or journal) my thoughts on a Sunday morning because I'm a multi-sensory learner, I don't take things in very deeply through just reading, writing or hearing.

l hope this encourages any one  who feels they are struggling to find their niche or their style, or even how to start with Bible Journaling. There is no right or wrong way, there is no better or lesser way, there is no requirement to be an artist or a theologian, there is simply the need for a desire to spend time in the presence of Father God, delving deeper in to His Word and along the way sharing thoughts and encouragement with our brothers and sisters.     

Explore all the apps, upload the ones that appeal to you, install and away you go!

the "J" word! - by Jane Butcher

I've been enjoying a little trip down memory lane, looking back through my journaling Bible from the day I brought it home from the local Christian Bookshop. There's no avoiding it, I know it's a cliche but its been a journey! 

I didn't delay, I didn't test things out on pages at the back, I just dived right in and began at the beginning, (hmm, anyone else humming a song now?) I did what some people call their permission page and then I did Genesis Chapter 1. I didn't use any "techniques" I didn't have any wonderfully named supplies I simply drew in pencil, went over it with a micron marker, rubbed out the pencil and then coloured it in with ordinary pencil crayons. "Simples"!

I began to experiment with different lettering styles and I have to confess I began to build my stash. I knew I was never going to be an "artist" in the pure sense but I was determined that I wasn't going to be deterred by my lack of skills, I was going to fall in love with my Bible again, a love affair that had somewhat faded since my first heady days as a Christian. I decided that I was going to share my journaling pages even though they were (and still) are usually simple and often simplistic.

I discovered the joys of washi tape, tip ins and one of my favourites Vellum (tracing paper to you and me).and I discovered a joyous family of brothers and sisters from all around the UK who shared my love of the Bible. I enjoyed taking tippy toe fairy steps out of my comfort zone thanks to lovely friends like Sarah Anderson, Jo Boardman and Deborah Gregg. (The list of people I am now blessed to call my friends would now need a blog all of its own)

More recently I have been an enthusiastic convert to the fun which is deli paper and the gelli plate. I have been blessed to meet many of my Facebook friends in the flesh! meeting up monthly  with DEN, meeting up with friends at our homes and with people travelling to join us from as a far afield as Milton Keynes, Birmingham, Ashby de la Zouche (love that name) Huddersfield, Chester, Manchester, Stockport and from all around my home in Winsford.

I've loved dabbling with collage and I've even painted in my Bible. Its been a journey and its a journey I'm happy to continue. Bible Journaling has brought me back to my Bible, It has brought me back to spending precious time in the Father's presence, its brought me friends and family, its brought me a network and a circle of encouragement and its brought me a wealth of experience, wisdom and encouragement.

f you are new to this crazy band of Bible Journalers, welcome; saddle up and enjoy the journey, I can guarantee it will be joyous, it will challenge, it will bless, it will encourage and it will bring you closer to the Father day by day.