Thursday, January 19, 2012

Pages of Faith

I have always been addicted to making lists, jotting down quotes, and sketching doodles.  I collect little notebooks and journals and fill them up with my goals and things I must do…..all handwritten with something like colorful gel pens, of course.
Beyond the grocery and bucket lists however, came a unique way for me to become closer to God.  One day I bought the prettiest notebook, hundreds of stickers, and a set of fine tipped Sharpie markers.  I began to write in this notebook……favorite bible verses, thoughts on God, prayers, and simply what was on my heart……and then I  began to decorate it with colorful stickers and Sharpie doodles.
I call it my Faith Notebook.  I love it.  As I thumb through the pages I realize it has changed my life.  It makes me laugh and uplifts my spirit.  I can vividly see prayers that have been answered and how my faith has grown.  Best of all, my girlies look through it and want to make one of their own.   I am hoping if I show you how, you will want to make one too. 
What you need:
·        A notebook or journal
·        Colorful things to write with
·        Stickers
Okay, really all you need is a notebook.  But gel pens and stickers will make you happy!  I bought a fancy spiral hardback notebook, splurged on the package of 80 fine tipped markers, and loaded up on hundreds of stickers.  Shhhhh.  Don’t tell my husband.

Getting Started:  You can write about anything you want in your Faith Notebook, but mine mainly consists of my favorite Bible verses.
Often times, I would write notes to myself about the verses or write down why they meant something to me, during a bible study.  The point is, to collect your thoughts so you can go back and remember what you have learned.
Making It Personal:  It would take eons to fill in a large notebook with just bible verses and although they are the main portion of a Faith Notebook, I just love how I made my notebook mine.  Here are some ideas that I used that will make your notebook uniquely yours.
*Be Creative*  Draw something.  Color it.  Use these illustrations to draw analogies about the Bible verses you have written down, or to explain what you are studying.


*Ask Yourself Questions* As you look back on your notebook you will be able to re-ask yourself the questions that you wrote down, and if you are anything like me, they will be questions that you need to ask yourself over and over. 

*Give Thanks*  Thank you Oprah, this is just like a gratitude journal.  Your journal can be a great reminder of what you have to be thankful for, no matter what situation you are facing.

*Pray* 1 Thessalonians 5:17 reminds us to “Pray without ceasing.”  Praying is an open line of communication between you and God.  When you write your prayers down, you will actually be able to see that they have been answered when you look back on them.  It is AMAZING!

*Talk To Yourself*  In my notebook I am always bossing myself around.  I use my name.  Like, “Hey Lynnie!  Listen to this!” or “Lynn, you gotta remember that….”.   It’s like giving yourself a little pep talk during the messy game of life.


*Use Song Lyrics*  The words from a favorite praise song or hymn are a great way to add to your journal.  I sometimes get a little crazy and take lyrics from any old love song and give those words a “God” theme.  I think any song will work as long as you focus on Him.


*Repeat Yourself*  Many times I have written a Bible verse or special quote more than once in my journal.  Sometimes what I have written is applied differently to whatever situation I am struggling with at the time, compared to when I wrote it down the first time.   Sometimes it is simply a part of God’s word that I hold fast to over and over.  Either way, don’t God’s words and promises bear repeating again and again?


*Be Funny*  When I watch my girls reading through my journal I love to see them laughing about my silly drawings and analogies.  Being happy in your faith is a life altering experience.  Nothing will make you happier in life than an ongoing relationship with God.  Write about it and laugh!


So there it is, my Faith Notebook.  I have been working on it for over two years!  I am about half way through it now and it is one of my goals to finish this year. (Goal #65 of 101 Goals in 2012)  It is something I plan on continuing for the rest of my life and hopefully it will inspire someone to start one too.  Get ready…..your faith is about to grow!





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33 comments:

  1. Lynn, I love your faith journal. This would be the perfect thing for me to do. I am a little jealous of your Sharpie Collection though, but I won't tell your husband!

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  2. You are such an inspiration. I am going to go to B&N for a notebook to start my own faith journal. This is also a perfect excuse to add to my Sharpie collection. This post was worth the wait.

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    1. I don't know about an inspiration. I think we perfected the art of "notebooks and quote books" together.

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  3. It looks like your Faith Notebook is beautiful! What a great idea. I fill up many marble notebooks too. I should definitely start one of these!

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  4. Your Faith Notebook is lovely. Thank you for sharing this charming post at Potpourri Friday! I am happily following you too!

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  5. This is great, and wonderful for your girls too. I have always loved journaling, and writing down my favorite quotes and poems. Mine isn't quite as fancy and decorative as yours... : ) keep it up.

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  6. My husband brought me home a new notebook -- since he is going to start a Happiness Journal, he thought I might like one too. Now, I'm going to have to find some fancy SHarpies!

    You're going to have such a memory book to look back on in years to come! I look at a journal that I started when my husband and I were dating, and I LOVE to read my thoughts at that point in my life. It's amazing!

    Thanks so much for coming by and linking up to Saints and Scripture Sundays! I love to have new people visit, and enjoy meeting women who value their faith!

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    1. You could use colored pencils or something like that too, but I highly recommend the sharpies!

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  7. Great idea! I keep a very plain, boring notebook but I really like the idea of making it reflect more of who I am. Going to steal this idea, i think.

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  8. This is awesome! Thanks so much for sharing this. I can't wait to begin this :)

    Twins, Teaching and Tacos.

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  9. just found this link from a student where we just taught praying in color/living life as prayer. Love that you are doing this. check out my blog for more ideas for your faith journal!
    http://dianemarra.typepad.com/adore_him/praying-in-color/

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  10. This is Awesome, I made a much smaller version, note cards colorful pens and of course stickers lol, but it was my favorite Bible verses and I put them in a photo album and decorated it, can't wait to start this project!

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    1. I'm STILL working on it. When I am finished I am going to make copies for my girls and one of my best friends. Have fun with yours!

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  11. Such a great idea, Lynn! I found your lovely blog via Pinterest - and will repine this great idea of a Faith Journal! I was keeping one before I got children - now that they're pre-teens I have more time (just a bit) so it's a good reminder to pick it up again!
    Have a blessed week,
    Nina (your new follower :)

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  12. Darling blog! Love this idea. Now your newest follower! :)

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  13. I found your post via Pinterest and as my new years resolution of 2015 I am going to make a faith notebook.

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  14. I love this idea but my Sharpies are bleeding through the paper. :(

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  15. I absolutely love this idea! I will be making my faith notebook tonight

    gbu

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  16. I love to write in my journal but I would never allow others to see it. So I'm going to start my faith journal for my daughter, when she gets older. I'll reflect on the day and how I saw God in it. I'll also add quotes. I have lots of pens and markers to put to use.

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  17. I love this idea & I can't wait to start mine!!

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  18. Don't your sharpie markers bleed through? Do you just write on one side of the page?

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  19. This is actually what I am doing now!! On a simpler scale; I am using analogies, song lyrics, doodling etc. I love it!! I just srarted mine a couple of weeks ago and find I am more organized with my prayers and scripture memorization. Not to mention it is FUN! I look forward to sitting with my bible and colored pens to write in my journal!

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  20. This is actually what I am doing now!! On a simpler scale; I am using analogies, song lyrics, doodling etc. I love it!! I just srarted mine a couple of weeks ago and find I am more organized with my prayers and scripture memorization. Not to mention it is FUN! I look forward to sitting with my bible and colored pens to write in my journal!

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  21. Thank you for sharing this -- this is the inspiration I need to begin a journal. Thanks again,

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  22. AMAZING idea!!!!! I picked up a little notebook today, already have the Sharpies.... I'm in!!

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  23. so pretty!! You've given me an idea... think I am going to buy a notebook each for my women group and have them take time at the end of each session to write/draw in it..... something amazing about looking back at it at the end of the year!

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  24. Thank you for sharing this idea. I love it. I found it through Pinterest.

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