• AnchorFm

Thanks for popping by. I’m staying on a creative theme this time round. I have discovered that I started this post 4 years ago!! Nothing like living in the fast lane. And thank goodness for drafts! Continuing – I love creativity and colours, and have tentatively started to Bible journal over the past few months. I was a little daunted and timid at first. As my cognitive function can be very slow,  it takes a frustrating age to get my head around something new. But I’m glad to say I persevered and I’m getting somewhere.

Inspiration

There are some beautiful resources for folk starting out, such an array of colourful additions, some lovely blogs on the subject and great videos on youtube, which I find really helpful. I enjoy scrolling through, watching and listening.

Although I did start a sort of wish list, after watching ‘how to’ tips they have actually inspired me to use the resources I already have. The frugal MEep! I should add that I’m not anywhere near the same level as many journalers, but I’m enjoying what I achieve.

Update or buy?

I had seriously considered buying a Journaling Bible, but thought ‘do I actually need another Bible and can I afford it anyway‘. An *NKJV would be lovely, but I already have a few translations of the New Testament and Psalms. Along with my trusty *NIV (with concordance), which has been with me since my baptism 30 years ago this year! I felt it only right to show the NIV some love. It took some courage too!

Hardback Covering

My NIV Bible has a plain navy hard cover (beginning to fall off). One quiet Sunday afternoon I decided it deserved a little tlc.

What to use?

I discovered some lilac tissue paper and polka dot cellophane. Perfect. I used the tissue paper first, then once that was attached, (without it tearing) I added the cellophane over the top. It seems to work pretty well. It has been commented on as voile, so not a bad effort!

Miraculously on completing the outer cover, the dots were symmetrical with the cover. I hadn’t even checked that as I went along. Phew! It has an informal look. I’m fine with that.

Craft Stash

Like so many folk, I have a craft stash which I have accummulated over some years. Paints to pens, fabric to buttons, yarn to coloured card and more. My son very selflessly spent some hours a couple of years back moving furniture and boxes about to help me locate the stash in one room. That has helped my small creative endeavours immensely, as I don’t now use precious energy trying to remember where everything is!

I used to paint in Watercolour, prepare and paint furniture, pen Calligraphy (some very complex and lengthy), paint Set flats and create a wide variety of props, I could go on. But most of this is now beyond my ME/cfs life.  

Bible Journaling from a craft stash and finding MEcfs accessible hobbies is so rewarding. It also helps me get to know the Bible better. #pwME #MEcfs #craftastherapy

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I am thankfully gradually finding creative activities I can do a little of without crashing immediately. Along with crafts that don’t require much preparation or clearing up thus avoiding engulfing a treasured energy slot. Blogging is one of them. I often blog in bed!

Index tabs

You may have noticed that there are Bible tabs. Eek!!! I just love index tabs. These are an ongoing project. I’ll go into detail about those in a future post. But I’m so pleased with them.

Since compiling this post. I have finished the index tabs. It did take a while, but was very satisfying. It’s also definitely helped my navigation of the Bible too. They’re so tactile. I just LOVE them. I used a lightweight card and an adhesive covering which I also had in my stash. Plus washing tape, of course!

Ribbon booKmarks

I’ve also added some buttons to ribbon I use as bookmarks. It helps stop them falling out and draws me in to look again.

investing in another translation

Now that I have the index in place. My eyesight has prompted me to finally buy another Bible. It’s been years since I bought a new Bible. After much thought, I have invested in a large print New Living Translation from Tyndale House Publishers. It’s so beautiful. I had considered a journaling Bible, but felt it wasn’t what I need right now.

NLT LARGE PRINT

I find the *NLT really suits me and my MEcfs brain. So readable and easy to understand. The copy I have has cross reference prompts at points in verses, which are really helpful. And all the quotes from Jesus are in red. Equally helpful. I can’t read and absorb a lot, but having the translation that best suits my *cogs, along with a very tactile cover. All helps add to the enjoyment. I’ve also invested in some stickers I bought from Eden.

My NIV is quite a small print. But I will continue to use it, as it has such a brilliant concordance. Alongside a great commentary given to me by my in-laws. I have a story about that for another time.

IN CONCLUSION

Bible Journaling certainly encourages me to pick up my Bible. I use gentle pencil (a lovely pre-loved soft set gifted by a sibling) to underline text in my NLV. One colour for verses that jump out and another for those I’m directed to.

Psalm 119:105 NLT

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to guide my feet

    and a light for my path.

I do read scripture online a fair amount too. And there you venture into the realms of audio. Again, that is for another time. If you would like to know a little about my faith journey, I’ve written about it here.

So there you have a little about Bible Journaling. What’s your latest project?

Thanks so much for popping in on the blog.

Have a blessed day

Penny @hopefoundinme

• *NIV – New International Version
• *NKJV – New King James Version
• *NLT – New Living Translation
• *Cogs – Cognition

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

While you’re here. Why not check out my other posts in the Creativity category below.