Scribe Bible

The journaling Bible community keeps growing every day.  What is a journaling Bible you might wonder?  Well essentially, it is a bible with margins on the side of the page where you can jolt notes, prayers, illustrate a scripture and much more.   The people who know me would testify that I am illustrating the scriptures in my bible but a journaling Bible can be more than that.   There are a wide variety of journaling Bible on the market – some with margins on one side, others with margins on both side, even an interleaved version where you get a full blank page for each page of the Bible.   You will find version with drawings that you can color in and other ones where you can let you creativity flow completely.    Today I would like to present you a new journaling Bible that has come on the market – the Scribe Bible which features The Message.

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to review The Message Canvas Bible which contains illustration to color in as well as black areas for jolting down notes, prayers, or do your own “illumination” (illustration of a scripture). The Scribe Bible is different because there are no illustrations already included in it.  This one could stretch the artist in you in many ways as you are not limited with already printed illustrations.   However, for someone who do not desire to color in the Bible, you will have plenty of spaces to write your own thoughts, the impact that scriptures had on you, prayers for your loved ones and much more.

The Scribe Bible comes in two different format – the leather-look with brown linen weave and the hardcover dark walnut.   Both are great and it would only depend on your on what style you prefer.   

As I looked at the pages in these Bibles, I decided to compared them with my ESV Journaling Bible and a NIV Journaling Bible that I am working as a special project.  As you can see on the pictures below, the color of the pages are similar – light beige.   I have also measured the size of the margins and all three bibles are somewhat similar (about 2”).   As for the lines in the margins,  the ones in the Scribe Bible are a bit darker than the other two Bibles.  Nevertheless, I think there is a lot of potential for The Scribe Bible for journaling and/or illustrating.

Note that the top Bible with the girl holding the bow and arrow is the NIV journaling Bible, the middle one is The Scribe Bible, and the one below is the ESV journaling Bible.   As for the other picture the bottom one is The Scribe Bible.

On the back of the case where these bibles can be protected, a scripture has been written.   Exodus 17:14 says “God said to Moses, “Write this up as a reminder…”  I think this scripture is very true in many ways.  Since I started bible journaling I find I am able to recall scripture more easily and rapidly than before.  In a way illustrating scriptures helps me to memorize them and hide them in my heart.  

The Scribe Bible also comes with a guideline to help you to start a chain reaction that would affect all the areas in your life  marriage, parenting, friendships, workplace, and more.   First you are encouraged to read the contemporary version of the scripture.   After you have done this, you can record notes and prayers (and even illustrate if you want to) using the margins.   You can also pray as the Holy Spirit inspire you.   Finally, after you have done this, you will have the ability to remember God’s faithfulness in your life when you take the time to look through your notes and prayers in the months or years to come.

In the end, this bible can become a Legacy Bible for your family in the future as your children or grand-children have the possibility to see how God spoke to you and how you prayed for your loved ones.

The Scribe Bible would make a great gifts for anyone on your Christmas list – mom, dad, children, friends, … 

The Scribe Bible is available for purchase at your favorite bookstore, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

 

 

Disclaimer: Thanks to Tyndale for sending me the book for review purpose. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

The Bible Explorer’s Guide

The Bible Explorer’s Guide
Published at ZonderKids

About the book

The Bible Explorer’s Guide lets children come up close and personal with everyday life during Bible times through photos, maps, and illustrations illuminating, people, places, objects, and buildings of the Bible. What did Noah’s Ark really look like? Who was David and whom did he fight? How did 1st century citizens of Jerusalem live? Each two-page spread is filled with images that bring history alive and drawings that help bring life to people and places that we can only read about. With fascinating, brief text and full-color captivating images, this is a reference that kids will come back to again and again. A great addition to any home or school library.

My Thoughts

It is always nice to find a book that will help your kids to visualize the Bible from cover to cover.  The Bible Explorer’s Guide is exactly that book… With over 1000 facts and photos within the pages of this book, your kids can visit and explore the history written in the Bible from the comfort of your home.  At the end of the book you will also find a timeline as well as a glossary of who’s who in the Old Testament and the New Testament.

The pages are packed with information on various time during the historical events mentioned in the Bible.   It is refreshing to see images of the area today mixed with maps, painting, drawing as well as models of what places looked like during the biblical times.

The book is definitively a great resource to own in your personal library where you can use it for research, reading or to supplement your Bible curriculum.   Churches could also use it for Sunday school or Awana program.      Personally, it makes me want to go on one of those trips where you go visit biblical places with a group.  Maybe one day I will be able to do so… in the meantime, I will enjoy explore history through the pages of this book.

The Bible Explorer’s Guide is available for purchase at your favorite bookstore, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

 

Disclaimer: Thanks to Thomas Nelson for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

The Message Canvas Bible

I recently received a copy of the newest journaling bible on the market – The Message Canvas Bible.   I was wondering when The Message bible would jump in the whole journaling bible craze – well it is here.  This bible comes in an hard box in which the bible can be stored when you are not using it.  The bible possess a stunning hardcover binding which is art in itself – see below.  This is the Spring Palette edition – there is another one which possess a leather-look with gold leaf writing on the cover.

What is The Message edition?

The Message is a reading Bible translated from the original Greek and Hebrew Scriptures by scholar, pastor, author, and poet Eugene Peterson.   Peterson spent 10 years working on The Message after teaching in seminary and preaching in churches for more than 30 years.    To learn more about this edition please go to NavPress.

What is The Message Canvas Bible?

Center your heart and mind on the story of God with The Canvas Bible as you color nearly 300 hand-drawn illustrations, including 150 hand-lettered Bible verses.
Using The Message’s creative language and vivid metaphors, your imagination will be bursting with ideas for crafting, coloring, and drawing. Meditate on the very words of Scripture, and hear God’s voice speaking to your heart.

• Make this Bible one of a kind by adding your own beauty and style.
• Fill the extra space with your own illustrations and prayers.
• Immerse yourself in the words of Scripture.
• Decorate this Bible as a gift for someone you love.
• Slow down as you color and enjoy a more relaxed pace.

Let the story of God paint the canvas of your imagination!

My Thoughts

When I received the bible, I immediately flipped through its pages in order to discover it.  The “artist” in me  wanted to grasp all the possibilities of this bible.   The more I explored it, the more I realized that it is absolutely stunning in many ways.  It is perfect for people who enjoy drawing designed images for there are numerous designs included in this bible.  Also, all the first page of the books of the bible possess a fabulous design which also includes the title of the book.     I also noted that the chapter numbers are somewhat designed in such a way that you could color them as well.  When there isn’t images to color, you have the choice to either design your own image based on a verse that speaks to you or write note in the marge provided.  

 

I wouldn’t be honest if I told you that there isn’t anything that I dislike in this journaling bible.   There are a couple of things that I will mention.  First thickness of the  paper in this bible seem to be thinner that the pages of previous journaling bibles that I have encountered.   I am a bit concerned that if someone us the markers used to draw the images will bleed out on the reverse page.  Already the images incorporated in this bible can be seen at some extend on the reverse page – and these are pages that are printed at the publisher.   So drawing with markers might be difficult for this specific bible.   My other pet peeve would be that the verses are not numbered.   For many years, The Message bible never had numbered verses but I know of a recent edition of The Message that has some numbering in it.  So I am wondering why not including these as well in The Message Canvas.   It’s not a big deal but when a person is used to follow numbering, well it could be somewhat annoying…  However, it is easy to follow the text and you could work with a regular bible by your side as well.

Personally, I wish that The Message would have a journaling bible edition that does not includes pre-printed images to color.  I am the type of person who loves to design the scripture on my own.  Don’t take me wrong, you still can do this on all the pages that do not have a design to color.  I know that it is not everyone who would develop their artistic side.   I am please with the fact that there are plenty of blank pages for the reader to explore his/her creative heart or simply jolt down notes, impressions and prayers.  Having a journaling bible has definitively allowed me to grow closer to God and spend more time with Him on a daily basis – not to mention to develop my skills in lettering and drawing.   Nowadays, I draw tiny scripture doodles in an agenda by writing a scripture and illustrating it.   I also have journaling bibles for each of my four children that I am working on as well as a special project that is almost complete for my husband done in a little black notebook.    I would like to challenge my readers in exploring the possibilities of getting deeper in your relationship with God by getting a bible journaling – with or without images already drawn in it.  Be spontaneous and get creative!

You could win your own The Message Canvas Bible by coloring specific images offered on their website.  All you have to do is print the image that is the most current, color it, and submit it on social media sites and follow the instructions for submission.  Simply go to http://themessagecanvas.com/color-to-win/ in order to participate. In order to give you an idea of what it looks like when colored here’s an example that I have done.

The Message Canvas Bible is available for purchase at your favorite bookstore, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

Disclaimer: Thanks to Tyndale for sending me the book for review purpose. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

NIV Bible for Teen Guys

NIV Bible for Teen Guys – Building Faith, Wisdom and Strength
Published at Zondervan

About the Bible

The NIV Bible for Teen Guys is designed just for you, a teen guy living in today's world. This Bible explores how the timeless truths of the Bible relate to your life, your decisions, and the things you care about most. Packed with daily readings, highlighted promises of God, challenging insights, smart advice, and open discussion about life today, this is the Bible for today’s teenage guys.

My Thoughts

We consider that a good bible should be in the hands of our kids as they grow up.   As they mature we find it is important for them to possess a bible that could answer their questions of growing up.  That’s why we think that having a bible that could encourage them during the teenage years would be beneficial.  Mind you the book alone is not enough to grow up.  Our kids know that they can come to us with questions and that they will get answers from their parents.

But when comes the teen years, a child do not want to carry around a children’s bible necessarily when attending church or going to youth.   You then have two choices for you – purchase a regular bible or if you desire get a bible specifically designed with teens in mind.  Today I am writing about the NIV Bible for Teen Guys which will present devotions that will help to build faith, wisdom and strength.  

Daily readings are included in this Bible whether it is to discover men from the Bible or devotions for building faith, wisdom and strength.    The bible includes an index for both of these types of readings as well as a topical index, a table of weights and measures as well as a concordance.  All this will be find at the end of the Bible.  The daily readings were written by popular Christian male authors like Mark Batterson, Kyle Idleman, Mark Hall, and Max Lucado – to name only a few.  You will also find the book introductions for each book of the Bible as well as highlighted promises of God as verses worth remembering.

The devotions themselves are within a page of reading and will allow your son to grasp a better understanding on certain issues.  For example, I really enjoyed reading the page for Noah’s Ark where there is clear illustrations on how big the ark was when it was built including a reference on how many National Zoos in Washington, DC would be included in it!   Since we went to that specific zoo while visiting Washington, DC a couple of years ago, I think this information will be interesting for the boy I am planning to give this Bible. 

This bible if packed with insights and wisdom on how to become a man of God when the world throw challenges at you.   It will be a source for growing stronger in all areas of a young man’s life while keeping his faith.

This bible is definitely a great book to put in the hands of your teen.  It could make a great gifts for a young man in your life. 

The NIV Bible for Teen Guys is available for purchase at your favorite bookstore, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

 

 

 

Disclaimer: Thanks to Thomas Nelson for sending me the above mentioned product in pdf format for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible

NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible
Published at Zondervan

About the Bible

The NIV Beautiful Word™ Coloring Bible employs the proven stress-relieving benefits of adult coloring to help quiet your soul, so you can reflect on the precious truths of Scripture. Perfect for all ages, the thick white paper with lightly ruled lines in the extra-wide margins, provides ample space for your own artistic expressions and journaling.

My Thoughts

With the popularity of bible journaling still keeping the steam, the new NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible will be probably find interest with Christian women who are not artistic in nature per say but desire to take up some color pencils and draw within the lines of a design already incorporated within the pages of a bible.   This is exactly what this bible offers to someone who cannot draw free hand but loves to color.   

Within the pages of this bible, you will find plenty of scriptures that have been designed in the margins in such a way that all you will have to do is grab some color pencils and let your creativity spark.  Some of the design are smaller than other and will leave space for you to jolt down some personal thoughts on the scripture.  You will also find numerous pages with journaling space for you to write prayers, expand your comfort zone when it comes to art, or simply take notes during the Sunday sermon at church.

I am a bible art journaler and I was curious about this bible.  I can see how it could speak to certain people who are not prone to doodle and be creative.  However, for me – even though I have seen some interesting design in it – I find that this type of bible (because they are other ones like this out there) limit the personalization of the journaling bible.  Mind you some might think that I over exaggerate on this since no everyone would use the same colors to express their creativity and this is true.  In some way your bible would express your own personal creativity.  

One other thing I have found with the pages of this bible is that they are thinner than the ones in a regular bible journaling.   Consequently, you will have to be extra careful in the type of crayons and/or pencils you will use in it because sometimes it can bleed on the other side.  I would suggest to select higher quality coloring pencil when working through it and to protect the pages under when adding color.  

The bible would make a perfect gift to someone who desire to color within the pages of a bible without being super creative and artistic.  I find this bible would make a perfect gift to a wife, a daughter (tween and up), a mother or a friend whom you think will benefit in having such a bible and can be uplifted by spending time in coloring specific verses.  

The NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible is available for purchase at your favorite store, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

Disclaimer: Thanks to Thomas Nelson for sending me the above mentioned product in pdf format for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

NIV LifeConnect Study Bible

NIV LifeConnect Study Bible – Growing Deeper, Growing Stronger in Your Spiritual Life
Published at Zondervan

About the Bible

Grow deeper in your spiritual life with the NIV LifeConnect Study Bible. Dr. Wayne Cordeiro includes articles bringing the truths of the Scriptures to your life today, as well as Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer (SOAP) articles that offer an interactive framework to apply the Word of God to your life. Free digital resources included.

My Thoughts

This bible could become an great tool in your hands.   Not only would you get the introductions of the books at the beginning of each Bible book but you will also be blessed by numerous LifeConnect articles which were written especially for you in order to grow stronger in your walk with God.   Each articles will encourage you to grow, lead and influence others for Christ.

Also included in these pages, you will fin SOAP articles.   SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer.  This method of bible engagement is well-known to many but in this new bible you will also obtain clear instructions for making the Bible alive for you.   As you read each SOAP article, you will be able to apply it better in your own spiritual life.   And to make your experience even better, you will find blank journal pages at the end of each books where you will be able to jolt down what have touched you the most during your reading or prayers answered.  

 

While studying a particular book of the bible, you might be interested in writing notes during sermons or during your study time.   This is sometimes difficult to do when using a regular bible.   However, the NIC LifeConnect Study Bible allows you to do so within the pages of the books because you will find a small margin for journaling (Beware that in the advertisement you might read wide margins but honestly it is about 1/3 of the space providing in a real journaling bible!).

This bible also provides a Through-The-Bible reading plan at the beginning of the book.  The text presented is shown on a two columns set-up and the font is easy to read.   I have read some of the SOAP articles and honestly they are always straight-forward and hit you right in your heart because there is always something you could apply in your life.   Each soap start with a specific scripture and offers some observations based on it.  Then you will be stretched in order to apply the teaching in your own life.  Finally, you will be offered a prayer in order to allow you to grow in this teaching.

Bottom line, I find this bible would be a great tool for anyone – whether new or older Christian.   It will help anyone to grow spiritually.   In fact, I find it could be a perfect bible for a youth in your life who might be struggling with some specific things in his/her life.   This bible will allow them to grow and mature in their faith.

The NIV LifeConnect Study Bible is available for purchase at your favorite bookstore, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

   

Disclaimer: Thanks to Thomas Nelson for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Live Loved–A Adult Coloring Book

Live Loved – An Adult Coloring Book
Craft God’s Word Into Your Heart Through Creative Expression
By Margaret Feinberg
Published at Bethany House

About the book

PRAY • CREATE • MEMORIZE • REFLECT • JOURNAL
How would your attitude, actions, and responses change if you lived in the unconditional, immeasurable love of God? What would it look like for you to live loved?
Live Loved provides an opportunity for you to pull away from the hustle and bustle of life to pray, journal, and unleash your creative gifts as you marinate in the truth of God's fierce love for you.
• Spend time in prayer, reflecting and growing in your relationship with God
• Commit Bible passages to memory and deepen your faith
• Share your fun artistry with others through what you create
Color and doodle and learn to live loved as you craft God's Word into your heart.

My Thoughts

Since last year, we have seen a huge demand of adult coloring books on the market.  The craze is there right now but I sometimes wonder how long it will last.  I discovered bible art journaling a few years ago as I was drawing some images in a sketchbook.  But what I didn’t know was that there was suck a thing as a bible journal…. which I stumbled upon back in the late fall of 2014.   However, I was very restricted with money and decided to use a bible that I had at home.   When the local Christian book store closed its door in the spring of 2015, I decided to splurge a bit and get myself an ESV  journaling bible.  Since then, I draw and highlight the scriptures that speak to me in three bibles – one being an interleaved New Testament.

I knew that coloring books was getting more and more popular last year but I never really was attracted to it.   I couldn’t justify the price to pay for one.    So I was pleased to see this new title to be offered one day so I could review it.   I had mixed feelings about it because I usually prefer to have freedom in what I draw.   So I didn’t know how much I would enjoy coloring in it.

First of all, I totally support the fact that coloring can help remove the stress you might have in your life.  I know that it helped me quite a bit over the past year.   Secondly, this specific adult coloring book will allow you to memorize the scripture which I also think will be beneficial for you as you store the words of God in your heart and mind.   Thirdly, this adult coloring is different from other ones in the market simply because for each page of coloring you can do, you will also have a page to record notes and prayers you might have while coloring as  you can see in the image below.

However, as you can see the writing is a bit small to color in.  Personally, I would have prefered a bigger font in order to color in the letters to highlight the scripture.   I would have been better I think.    I find the fact that the lettering is also in italic to make it more difficult to color in.   But then again, I am picky when it comes to coloring.  I am used to do my own lettering in my bibles and I have been more independent that way for quite some time.  

Having a Christian adult coloring book is nice because if I don’t feel like bringing one of the bibles with me when I go somewhere I could bring this coloring book and some pencils to color while waiting.    I find it peaceful to do so when I feel somewhat overwhelmed with things happening. 

Live Loved is available for purchase at your favorite bookstore, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

Disclaimer: The book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

My spiritual word of the year

Last year as 2015 was slowly coming, I decided to seek God to see which word I could concentrate on for the new year.  My word was REST.

As I discovered Bible Art Journaling, one of the first drawing I made was the word REST.   Today, as I ponder on the word that keeps coming to me in the past week or so which I believe to be my word for 2016, I want to reflect on the past year and how I dealt with the word.

If there is one thing I know for sure after much reflection is that REST wasn't definitively not part of my summer time.   The main reason was that we were driving insanely too much.  Why?   Well, we had parked our RV near Peterborough this year because we had season passes to Canada's Wonderland.  We thought it would be a good idea.  But driving to the RV was about 3 hours and then there was another 1h30minutes to go to Canada's Wonderland.  Both needed to be drove back when we get back to the RV or home.   Added the numbers of times we did this, well.... By the end of the summer I was more drained than at the beginning g of the summer.

So our homeschool journey in September after picking up the boys in a camp in the US was not starting on a good foot.  But with naps,I think I am more rested now than back then.   

What I have learned through all this is that it is essential to make sure you rest in order to be refreshed. 

Okay so my experience probably wasn't super great but I want to seek God once again for a word for 2016.   So I started asking God about new word and one keeps coming daily.... PRAY.

So I am going to concentrate on PRAY for 2016 a reading more about prayers and developing a stronger prayer life in order to deepen my relationship with my Father in Heaven by speaking to him, praising him, thanking him and simply talking to him.  One of the books I will read at the beginning of the year will be the Complete Works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer.