Over the last few weeks we've had the privilege of reviewing these beautiful art journals from Ellie Claire! My daughters and I fell in love with them - in fact, I may have lost at least one of them to my daughter!
It is a great understatement to say that God is creative. Sometimes we read the Scriptures in black words printed on a white page, and we see the practicality of the words and hear the stories, but we don't comprehend the richness of the creativity of the God who built the mountains, poured the seas, painted the sunsets, and wove these stories together. I believe God created us to be creative as well, and that when we use our creativity as a part of our worship to Him, we understand Him just a little bit better.
In the Middle Ages, before the printing press, monks took on the copious work of writing copies of the Scriptures to read and to preserve. They decorated the edges of the pages with beautiful drawings to supplement the text. The creation of these beautiful illustrations was a serious and important task. (See http://www.medieval-life.net/monks.htm.)
Painters, artists, and musicians in history such as Michelangelo, Da Vinci, and Bach dedicated their work and their talents to the Lord. Many talented people do the same today. Rich Mullins once said that he wrote music about God because there was nothing else worth writing about.
I believe that exploring our creativity can help us to understand more about God today. It is certainly not a replacement for studying His Word; but as in the Middle Ages, it is a supplement to the text. Rather than just reading a chapter from the Bible and putting the Bible back on the shelf, take some time to listen to it out loud, to ponder it, to doodle some pictures or re-write a verse. Use all the senses and different methods of learning in your Bible study.
You are not creative, you say? That is where these beautiful Bible study journals fit in. Everyone can use these notebooks along with their Bibles to add some creativity and contemplation to their Bible study and quiet time.
The first journal is the Illuminate Your Story Journal. The introduction explains the history of illuminated manuscripts. The book then teaches you and gives you workbook space to practice your own illuminated letters. The pages are peppered with quotes from the Bible as well as other inspirational quotes.
I'm not very good at this yet, but I look forward to using the techniques in scrapbooks, cards, and gifts as well!
The next book is the Faith & Lettering Journal. It is a similar format in giving you instruction and then workbook space, but presents a less formal, doodling-type style.
This is so much fun!
The last one is The Illustrated Word: An Illustrated Bible Coloring Journal. This one has actual copies of pages from old illustrated Scriptures. It shows you a small example of the actual page, tells where it is from, and provides you with a full-page coloring page of the illustration, plus lines on which to make notes during your Bible Study. My daughter has been enjoying this one.
I highly recommend any of these journals, separately or (preferably) used together for enhancing your study, encouraging your creativity, and just for fun! They all have lay-flat binding, thick paper, and quality binding. They would make great Christmas presents for any teen girl or adult.
You can find these beautiful journals at the following retailers:
FAITH & LETTERING
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2FtbL04Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/FaithAndLettering-BN
THE ILLUSTRATED WORD
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2QVQJs9
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/Illustrated-BN
ILLUMINATE YOUR STORY
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2DOJ9g5
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/Illuminate-BN
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of each of these journals for purposes of review. The reviews reflect my own honest opinions of the products. Clicking on the retail links may generate a small commission for this blog but will not increase your purchase price.
Happy Journaling!
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