Review ~ A Bible Study Journal for Women compiled by Barbour Staff

 BARBOUR BOOKS / 2021 / PAPERBACK

Description

You want more from your time alone with scripture. . .
A Bible Study Journal for Women provides helpful instruction
and ample space for you to jot down your reflections.
 
Based on the million-copy bestseller How to Study the Bible, this journal describes the types, tools, and techniques of exploring God’s Word. And it allows you to share your thoughts and feelings along the way, creating a treasured record of your own walk with God.
 
A Bible Study Journal for Women is presented in a beautiful package featuring

• a flexible textured binding
• two-color interior printing
• stained page edges
• a ribbon marker

Here are everyday Bible helps for everyday spiritual growth.

 ______________________________________________________

My Review 5 STARS!!!

I don't know about you but I love journals! This one is beautifully bound and has plenty of space for writing down questions and/or reflections while studying the Bible. It gives a helpful over view on how to prepare to study your Bible, discovering what the Bible means, particular study methods and useful study helps.  

I especially liked the emphasis in the beginning on preparing our hearts; being dependent on God and purposeful in our approach. It is all too often easy for me to rush to study and rush through study. This journal is a good stepping stone in my preparation and approach to study time. I'm using it to also journal my prayer beforehand. Visually, this journal is also aesthetically pleasing with its floral design and pink edged pages. I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Do you use a journal during Bible study time? If so, what kind do you have? 

Review ~ The Scripture Memory Map for Women by Barbour

Published August 1, 2019
Barbour Publishing, Inc

What Does Scripture Memorization Look Like? . . .

Find out in The Scripture Memory Map for Women.

This unique scripture memory journal is an engaging and creative way for you to treasure the truths of God's Word in your heart. Each page features a lovely 2-color design that guides you to write out specific scripture memory goals, thoughts, and more. . .which then create a specific "map" for you to follow as you memorize God's Word. Each map includes a spot to record the date, so you can look back through your journal and see how God's Word has been ingrained into your daily life. The Scripture Memory Map for Women will not only encourage you to become more familiar with God's Word. . .it will also help you build a healthy spiritual habit of Bible memorization for life! 

My Review

5 STARS!!!

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this creative journal but I love it! It’s perfect for ‘mapping out’ whichever verse I want to memorize while prompting deeper thought as to why the particular verse is relevant in my life right now. This is a great way to meditate on a verse. I find the prompt “Knowing this verse will be helpful when” really causes me to be honest with myself because I have to write it down. Seeing my answer in print makes a huge difference for me. Add to that the spiral binding and pretty illustrations and it’s a winner!

I was provided a review copy from the publisher with no expectation of a review.

Review ~ Friendship Promises from (in)courage

Hardcover, 112 pages

Published February 1st 2019 by B Books

Friendship Promises is a meaningful gift book, for both the giver and the recipient. Sharing these encouraging words will help friends walk confidently toward a sweet, strong relationship grounded in honesty, kindness, and a devotion to God and one another. Featuring reflections about friendship from Never Unfriended by Lisa-Jo Baker, and Craving Connection from the (in)courage community, Friendship Promises combines beautiful graphics with devotional reflections, prayers, Scripture, and journaling prompts. By giving this lovely book, you are sharing your heart to be a friend that is authentic, present, encouraging, and rooted in Christ.

My Review

4 STARS!!!

Friendship Promises is a lovely pinkish colored linen cloth-on-board covered book with gold lettering containing short devotions, inspirational sayings, pretty graphics and images, and space to journal. It's a book best shared with a friend, letting her know her friendship is important and you are beside her for the long haul. It's isn't deep in theology but it is deep in (in)couragement. God wants us to inspire and strengthen our sisters-in Christ and let each other know we are not alone on this life and faith journey. I visited the (in)courage website and this group of women do friendship well!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a positive review.

WINNERS and a Valentine's Day Giveaway for US and International

Congratulations to Maryann Sharitka on winning My Big Book of Bible Heroes Devotional and to Jan Hall on winning My Heart Belongs in Castle Gate, Utah! Both ladies have been contacted and the books mailed.

Can y'all believe it is almost Valentine's Day?! Where did January go? I don't know what you've been doing during these cold winter months but I've been doing a lot of reading!

You know I LOVE to read! :-)

I thought it would be a good time to show some blog love and appreciation by having a giveaway of a couple of books as a THANK YOU to all my loyal followers. I asked Rebecca, my reader-in-crime, if she would like to contribute to the giveaway and she said Yes! You'll be getting Cara Putnam's book from Rebecca. You can read her review here. 

There is also a separate giveaway for International readers so don't despair! Keep reading. :-)

One US blog follower (GFC or Facebook) will win a paperback copy of The Most Eligible Bachelor Collection from Barbour, a pretty red LOVED journal , and a paperback copy of Imperfect Justice by Cara Putnam. 

Paperback Giveaway is open to US only (48 contiguous states). You MUST be a GFC or Facebook follower to have a valid entry. Both options are available in the right side bar. 

  I have an e-book copy of The Writing Desk by Rachel Hauck from Amazon (Kindle) that will go to one of you treasured INTERNATIONAL followers who leaves a comment.

This story sounds SO GOOD!!!

Amazon fine print says if for some reason the e-book ends up not being available in your country, they will give you a gift certificate in the same amount that will work for you. You might have to choose a different book, but hey, it's still free for you! 

PLEASE let me know in your comment how you follow, whether it is through GFC or Facebook AND leave an email address in a non-spammy format (jane at doe dot com) so I can contact you if you win! Oh, and tell me what country you live in! :-)

Giveaway ends on Monday, February 5th. I will contact winners by email. You'll have 24 hours to contact me with your address or another winner will be chosen.

~Happy Reading, Y'all~

Review ~ Tranquility: A Prayer and Reflection Coloring Journal by Tyndale House

Published: April 18, 2017

Tranquility: APrayer and Reflection Coloring Journal invites you to mix creative journaling and coloring into your personal time with God. Prayers that focus on topics such as being thankful, dealing with stress and heartache, caring for yourself and others, listening for God’s leading, and waiting patiently on Him will guide your thoughts and calm your spirit. Filled with more than 100 designs to color, plenty of space for journaling, and 40 needs-based prayers, Tranquility will help you express your devotion to God with your whole heart.

: : :

My Review

I have enjoyed my time spent reading the prayers in this journal. They are relevant to life and circumstances that many of us experience at one time or another. 

The coloring pages are a bonus! With designs that are pleasantly harmonious with the prayers, you can spend time contemplating on the prayer while you color. 

There’s room to journal your own response to the prayers but if you prefer not to do that, you can doodle in the areas for expressing your thoughts with stamps, Washi tape, and/or pre-made embellishments. Artistic talent is not essential for this journal. 

Most of us can use a little serenity in life, and Tranquility: A Prayer and Reflection Coloring Journal is a great choice. 

I received a complimentary copy of the book for review purposes from Tyndale House.

~Happy Coloring~

 

I would have made pictures to go with my review but my camera wasn't working right and the ones I took with my phone didn't come out clear enough. 

Then, I had to head to NC when my FIL was admitted to hospice earlier this month. I am sitting with him daily, so my presence on social media is not much right now. Our family appreciates your prayers as we traverse this journey. We have certainly felt the Lord's presence sustaining us each day!

Psalm 73:26

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Valentine's Giveaway because we LOVE our Followers!!!

 Be sure and read the entire post as there are two giveaways, one for Contiguous US followers and one for International followers. I wish it was feasible to send a great big old package anywhere in the world but that's just not economical with postal prices being what they are nowadays.

Rebecca and I appreciate each and every one of you, our precious followers!!! You support us in our reading endeavors and are so kind to stop by and encourage us by leaving comments and asking questions. We want to share with you the opportunity to win three delightful books and this lovely journal as our way of saying Thank You!

  

We love and appreciate our International followers too!!! 

Soooo....Y'all can enter to win A Season to Wed: Three Winter Love Stories, from authors Cindy Kirk, Rachel Hauck, and Cheryl Wyatt!

These stories are part of the A Year of Weddings #2 and include December, January and February novellas. I purchased a gift certificate for them through Amazon and will be sending it through email, so be sure and leave your email addy in case you win!

Now, if you're visiting for the first time or perhaps you have visited before but just haven't signed up to follow us, you can do so in the right sidebar. There are several ways too! We prefer GFC as it is a 'visible' number to publishers or authors who might check out our blog but it's certainly not the only way you can sign up. :-)

Here are the rules of entry for both giveaways:

• Please leave your email address in a non-spammy format so we can contact if you are the winner! No email address, no entry.
• You must be a follower of the blog to be entered in either drawing. 
• To be entered, leave a comment below telling us your favorite romantic story. Maybe it's your own! :-)
• Tell us which country you live in!
• Winner will be randomly drawn on Tuesday, February 14th.

Since Rebecca and I don't reside in the same town anymore, our Contiguous US winner will receive two shipments. Rebecca will be mailing two of the books and I will be mailing one book and the journal.

 

Thanks again for being a book buddy!

Image credit  - Embracing the Lovely

 “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28b-31

 ~Happy Reading & Happy Valentine's Day~

 

Journal 52 {slightly} Out of Order

Becoming completely stumped by one of the Journal 52 prompts, I had a tough time getting back into the challenge. Finally, after much encouragement from the group and my friend Pat, I have completed a few more pages. 

This prompt is actually from Week 8: Found Poetry, which means that I am doing them out of order but at least I am doing them ;)

This one came together in a snap. It must been because I love finding poetry! I did not prep my page with Gesso. I used watercolor paints straight onto the watercolor paper, mostly Cerulean Blue with a tad bit of Green Light for some faint highlights. 

- not sure why this photo has a greenish tint - 

I also painted over the water areas on the map page that I cut out of an old 1957 National Geographic, shaking it a bit to give it the run look. Not caring that the adhesive bubbled was fine because it adds texture and dimension to the water, as well. 

Using my fingertip, I smeared a little Gesso around the edges to give it a softer, cloudy feel. It just looked harsh without it. 

So there's my Week 8: Found Poetry.

I think I have three more weeks completed but need to edit my pictures.  I do hope you're having some fun crafting or painting or whatever creative outlet you enjoy.  

It's a gorgeous time of year to start gardening, too. Pat is giving me some strawberry plants this week, so you might end up seeing how I decide to plant them this year. Pinterest is great for getting new ideas. 

Have a blessed day in the Lord!

Journal52 Week 3: You Make Me Smile

Can I just say that I am LOVING watercolors?!

I'm so enthralled with all the combinations and textures you can get mixing the colors. I've been watching some Youtube tutorials this past week and WOW...there are gazillions of them out there! 

I found one that was right up my alley. The artist's name is Samie Harding. She blogs at Journal Girl. What I liked most about her video series is that they are short, and she gets her hands messy! I mean messy!!! I loved it! And after watching, this is what I came up with for this week's prompt:

This is a closeup of the right hand corner. I'll list the colors I used but I can't remember the exact order, other than I know I started with a base layer of Prussian Blue and Crimson Red, adding Orange Yellow and Lemon Yellow with a tad bit of Yellow Ochre for some subtle 'sunny' highlights. I used some White along with the Crimson Red to get the pink tones at the top. 

BUT FIRST!!! I applied an all over coat of Gesso with a plastic card, then took another sheet of card stock and laid it on top, smoothing it with my hand. Then I carefully and slowly peeled it off to reveal those fantastic ripples!!! Leave to dry for 24 hours or use a heat gun, being careful not to burn the paper!

To make my faux flower design, I used a journal card from Making Memories and carefully outlined the shape. Tracing over it with a Prismacolor Premier marker in black really helped make it pop! I snagged that marker from my son's art supplies but don't tell him. Maybe he won't notice ;)

I drew the flower stalk and leaves (I don't draw well but it was fun trying). The paper flowers are some I had in my stash from Making Memories. I added some rhinestone bling so they would sparkle because you can never have too much sparkle. Right, ladies?

(The page really has more green tones than showing in this photo. You can see them better in the one above.)

Following along with the theme of someone who makes me smile, I immediately thought of my husband. He is the one person guaranteed to coax a smile or a laugh from just about anyone! He truly has a phenomenal sense of humor and quick wit. He is my SUNSHINE! I drew the sun on a separate piece of card stock after water coloring it with the yellows. Plus I spritzed it with some Sheer Shimmer Spritz in Frost. I glued it down with Tombow Mono (my favorite adhesive) and outlined it with the Prismacolor marker. After contemplating the emptiness of the sun, I then chose to journal some in the rays, which I think is kind of cute. I will journal more about him in the flower area that I left blank but that will be private :)

A few things I decided this week:

Use watercolor paper and not card stock. Maybe then it won't curl.

Start early. I get jittery when the end of the week gets close and I haven't even started.

Clean up my craft area while I go along, otherwise I can't find a thing.

Shop with a coupon at the craft store.

Be me and don't compare myself to others.

Thank the Lord daily for the ability to create!

So there you have it! 

I sincerely hope each of you have a blessed week in the Lord!

Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Who makes you smile?!

Journal52 Week 2: Somewhere, A Simple Place

Allow yourself to feel the wonder, to drink in the beauty and to experience the special time and place where you are.

- Ralph Marston

The prompt this week was to think of some thing or some place we love whether it is home, in the kitchen, at a library, a favorite vacation spot, just a place we enjoy being.

Thinking of that place wasn't what was difficult for me. Putting it on paper was agonizing! I was ready to quit but decided I am not going to give up. I will persevere through this in the hopes that I learn some new techniques, and maybe even how to draw a little bit. 

My first step was covering the page with Gesso by using a plastic card and hoping I was actually giving it some texture. My sister gave me some advice on how to use watercolors I bought at Walmart. After I borrowed some brushes from my son (who is a real artist), I swished those on,  stamped a floral design all over, then painted around the border with some acrylic paint, and applied a cardstock embellishment for a frame. I searched across the internet for whimsical line art and found some of teapots, cups and books. I sat with my watercolor sketch pad and, using the clipart as a guide, sketched out my own pieces. Next, I applied watercolors then sketched back over the outlines using a black pen. After cutting them out, I adhered them with Tombow Mono (it rocks!). I also used some rub-ons I had in my scrapbooking stock that incidentally matched my whimsy theme pretty good. The flowers are gel-like in substance and I outlined them with a black sharpie so they would stand out.

Obviously, a simple place to me is anywhere that I can have a cup of tea and read one of my favorite Regency Era books, which I wrote on the covers and tried to decorate. Not being very good at doodling, I made some weird doodles and that's the one thing I hope to really learn how to do this year. I ordered a Zentangling book for beginner's so I'm looking forward to trying my hand at that. *pun intended ;) 

Our Journal52 group gained some new members this week, so it's not too late to join in the fun!

So tell me.. 

Where is your 'Simple' place?

Have a blessed day in the Lord!

Journal52 ~ Week 1: Up Up & Away

I have to admit that I struggled at the beginning of the week with this prompt. The first thought seemed to be balloons or birds of some kind. After several attempts that ended up in the trash, I finally settled on using a photo I took of a Willow Tree Angel given to my family when our Amy passed away a year and a half ago. 

I love the song You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban (I know he didn't intend it as a 'spiritual' song but it works well in this instance). With a slight alteration, I stamped You Raised Me Up Up & Away then cut out a pocket watch from the paper that says 'Perfection' because Amy is now perfect.

Taking it a step further, I printed out this Scripture verse from Psalm 45 onto a piece of parchment paper, then tore and inked it for a vintage look. The verse has special meaning for our family, as our nephew posted it on my FB wall after Amy's death. We knew we wanted to use it during her memorial service, and my BIL, who preached the service for us, read it aloud. 

Here's the completed page in the journal. So far, I've used the Rosewood paper pack from Colorbok. I think I'll try and find some more papers that coordinate so I can change it up a little as I go along. I'm sure each weeks prompt won't be conducive to these particular papers. 

I always have a hard time writing on the pages so I journaled on the back. What I should have done was make a pocket area behind the photo to slip a journal card in. Next time, I will remember this :)

It's not too late to join the group and start your art journal! The more the merrier. There are some fantastic artists in this group and I know I will be learning some great techniques this year. Also, the workshop is FREE so hop on over and check it out at Journal52.com.

Have a blessed day in the Lord!

Guest Post ~ Susan Ernst, Journal Keeping and Blogging

I'm so delighted to introduce artist Susan Ernst. I met Susan through a Gratitude journal challenge last year during the month of November and I was so impressed with her artistic gifts (she makes her own paper for one thing) that I wanted to spotlight her on my blog. Be sure and visit her blogs for inspiration in multiple areas and leave her some comment love :)

Journal Keeping and Blogging

Since my early school days I have been enamored with notebooks, pens and pencils. Opening the stiff binding, touching the smooth lined pages, making notes with my best handwriting in bright blue ink or with the sharp point of a pencil has always been a thrill. Even today, blank journals with beautiful covers allure me. I keep a journal for almost every aspect of my life: gardening, travels, day to day events, prayer, bible study, general research on various topics. All of these are on-going.

Then there are visual journals. About a decade ago, I took a visual journal workshop at the BrookfieldCraft Center, taught by CharlotteHedlund. It was so much fun, thought expanding and creative, I have been making and working in visual journals, altered and handmade books ever since. Not to say that I have amassed a huge collection. Most are still works-in-progress. When time allows I return to them. Each time I thoroughly enjoy the experience and tell myself I need to come back to it again soon. But then something always seems to pull me in another direction…

Blogging is an extension of physical journal writing with the creativity of a visual journal, but is even more dynamic. Photos can easily be inserted and written about. Much faster than putting together a physical photo album. Hyperlinks can be embedded into the blog post keeping information easily accessible. No photocopies or notes need to be written to summarize articles read elsewhere, places or events visited, movies or videos seen. The internet has information on all these topics and a click on a link takes you there, providing a more complete experience.

And the fact that someone may actually be reading what it is I am writing adds another dimension. No longer am I writing for myself, but also for a potential reader. I believe this helps me write more completely, wanting the reader to understand what it is I am trying to say. In personal journal writing, a type of shorthand can be used since I know what it is I am thinking. Whatever words are put onto the paper will be reminders of the thoughts, feelings or questions I had at the time I wrote them. Specifics aren’t always necessary.

Just as I keep separate journals for separate topics, I have four blogs for different interests. The decision to create separate blogs was made with readers in mind. If this was to be a private blog, chronicling the adventures of my life, I believe I would have created only one. As I read the blogs of others, I do appreciate the authors who stay on topic. For instance, if I am following an artist who writes about her work, adding recipes for chicken soup is a little distracting. Likewise, if a follower is reading my art blog for information on papermaking or printmaking, he may not want to read about caterpillars on fennel plants or childhood memories.

My blogs are:

HoneysuckleCottage and Wisteria Studio - my first blog, this is where I post most often. I discuss the art I create - the process and the inspiration behind it.

My Big Backyard: The Diary of An Amateur Naturalist - here I post photographs and write about birds, small animals, butterflies, dragonflies, bees and other insects and natural phenomena occurring in my little world.

HortusConclusus – Literal as well as figurative, this blog explores the physical gardens which I cultivate, the spiritual garden within, and the intellectual garden of horticultural knowledge gathered through decades of study, observation and practice.

StoriesMatter - a blog about the family stories I heard growing up and stories about my own life. This blog is new and does not contain much at the moment, but I have great aspirations for it!

The difficulty for me comes when my interests overlap. My horticultural experiences often inspire my art. Planting flowers that produce seeds attractive to goldfinches is a post fitting for both my nature and gardening blogs. I suppose the important thing isn’t so much how to organize experiences, but to enjoy them and to share them with others.

I thank you for taking the time to read my guest post and I thank Anne for giving me the opportunity to write to you. I hope that you want to read more on one or all of my blogs.