Art and the Word

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If you read last week's post, you know that I don't know much about art. I am not even really artistic. However, I love dabbling with paints, colored pencils, and other media. For me, it is relaxing to create even if it doesn't turn out to be a masterpiece. Recently, I incorporated an art insert in my Faith Journal so when I want to mix creativity with God's Word I can. 

When a certain verse jumps out at me as I am doing my Scripture writing plan (You can read more about this plan called, Think On These Things.) or as I am reading His Word sometimes I am inspired to create with it. I open up to my insert and then draw, paint, or creatively represent the verses. Sometimes it is really simple (see the above picture, bottom left-hand corner) in which I represent with words what the verses say...like how what we think about ourselves (in the thought bubbles) is not what God says about us (conversation bubbles).

Other times I get more creative. I have to confess that many times I go on Pinterest and look up different "doodles" to help me with my drawings. Remember: I am not very artistic, but I can somewhat copy what others come up with. Connecting art and His Word has been a rewarding experience for me. I focus more on what is being said while at the same time being creative. I also find art to be relaxing for me to do. If you are looking for more inspiration try Instagram.  Sephras Sketchbook is one of my favorites! She does her work in a separate book, but if you are looking for art done in a journaling Bible, check out Monika's Instagram, Mon Creates. So many beautiful ideas!!

Here are a few of my Pinterest boards that I keep for inspiration:

Feathered Friends (birds are one of my favorite subjects)
Scripture Art
Watercolor
Adult Coloring Pages

Going Deeper With God

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Over the years, it has has been a comfort in sorrow, a guide to daily living, and the words to my prayers. I can honestly say that in my darkest hours it was the one thing that pulled me through...the words I repeated over and over in my head when the depression loomed large or the anxiety screamed at me.  I have come back to it again and again. Morning after morning. You would think after thirty-eight years of looking at it I would tire of the mere sight of it. That hasn't been the case. His Word has endured in my life for almost four decades. I am not about to give it up!

Sure, there have been seasons when I spent less time in it...the crazy college years...the sleepless infant-filled nights. But for the most part it has always been by my side. I have left it to collect dust at times while there have been other seasons I have woken up and it was the first thing I reached for (yes, even before the coffee!). There are smudges...wrinkles from dropping it in the snow...creases in the places in it I have visited time and again. It is well-used and well-loved.

So how do you maintain a love for His word over the years? How do you keep going when you have heard the stories one too many times of the giant and the stones in the sling or the crossing of a sea on dry ground? How do you get started when His Word may be new to you? Join me in September and October as I explore how to delve into God's Word. Maybe you need ideas on how to get started. Or maybe like me you need fresh ideas on how to do deeper with God and His Word. It is my hope and prayer that you will find some helpful methods over the next two months you can use in your time with Scripture. Here's a look at what I will be writing about...

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Write the Word

Verse Mapping

SOAP 

Pray the Word

Journaling the Word

Art and the Word

Read through the Word

So will you join me as we look at these ideas? Stop by for the next seven Mondays, and we will take a look at how to go deep with God's Word.

The Psalms in Color

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For a woman riddled with anxiety, coloring has become a life saver for me. It allows me to detach from the worries of the day and release my creative side. I have reviewed and listed several coloring books here on the blog, but today I would like to introduce you to my new favorite, The Psalms in Color.

Last year, the day after Christmas, I started a challenge for myself...to write out the entire book of Psalms! So when I found this coloring book that incorporated beautiful pictures to color with verses from the Psalms I decided to try it out. 

Here is what I love about this coloring book:

• The paper is HIGH quality that can stand up to gel pens and probably markers {although I haven't tried markers on it yet}.
• The pages are perforated if you want to pull them out.
• The binding is strong and made in such a way that you can really open the book and color to the inside edge in case you don't want to pull the pages out {which is what I like to do}.
• There are simple pictures to color and more complex ones. A nice mix.
• There are 56 pictures to color!

So if you are looking for a great coloring book that has the added benefit of helping you focus on God's Word The Psalms in Color would be a great option.

And finally, here is a look at the supplies that I love to use for coloring...

Tools for coloring:

Here is what I use...

Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils-These soft core pencils are great for laying down color in large areas.

Prismacolor Verithin Colored Pencils-These are what I use for detail work.

Sanford Prismacolor Colored Pencil Accessory Set, 7-Piece-Love this! The blender pencil is such a fun item to use to blend color. It also includes erasers, a sharpener, and a pencil lengthener.

LolliZ Gel Pens -When I don't want to go the pencil route I use these. Bolder colors.

Sakura Gelly Roll Metallic Gel Ink Pen Set-These are fun as the metallic shine really comes through!

"Useful" Coloring

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I love coloring, but sometimes I would like to color and have it put to good use! Here are several options available for coloring things you can then actually use...

I so want these as I use a lot of file folders! Here are a few options...




Aren't these cute? They come in a pack of four designs (3 each) for a total of 12 files.

Or how about these?



Cityscapes File Folders

Another option is to color cards. I used to make cards with stamps, but I have kind of moved away from making them. Here are some alternatives for coloring cards and then mailing them out...

Creative Expressions- These are not actually cards per se, but rather one-sided cards you can color to put in with your correspondence or a gift tags. Note the size of these as they are about the size of a business card. Many of them contain Bible verses.




The Coloring Book of Cards and Envelopes: Nature- These are actually cards that come with envelopes. With the envelopes you color them and then fold them.




Animal Kingdom Postcards

Another option is planners and calendars...



Here is an example of a planner...Color Your Year.



A daily coloring page throughout the year.

There are also coloring journals out there now! Color and write!


Beautiful Botanicals Journal

And finally, here is a look at the supplies that I love to use for coloring...

Tools for coloring:

Here is what I use...

Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils-These soft core pencils are great for laying down color in large areas.

Prismacolor Verithin Colored Pencils-These are what I use for detail work.

Sanford Prismacolor Colored Pencil Accessory Set, 7-Piece-Love this! The blender pencil is such a fun item to use to blend color. It also includes erasers, a sharpener, and a pencil lengthener.

LolliZ Gel Pens -When I don't want to go the pencil route I use these. Bolder colors.

Sakura Gelly Roll Metallic Gel Ink Pen Set-These are fun as the metallic shine really comes through!

Coloring Books for All Kinds

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Do you love to color? For me, it is my new favorite hobby!! I love to be creative, but I can't really draw and coming up with something originally is sometimes mentally draining. Coloring solves those problems for me. I can create something beautiful without much "brain drain". It actually is relaxing to do! Over the past several months I have done several posts featuring different coloring books based on various themes. Here are all the posts I have done so you can easily find the type of coloring book you would love!

Faith-based coloring books

Coloring Books to Inspire your Faith

Coloring Books for Animal Lovers

Coloring with an International Flair

Nature-Filled Coloring

Coloring Books for Literature Lovers

Flowers and Gardens

Homes and Cities

So what do I use to coloring with? Here are my favorites...

Tools for coloring:

Here is what I use...

Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils-These soft core pencils are great for laying down color in large areas.

Prismacolor Verithin Colored Pencils-These are what I use for detail work.

Sanford Prismacolor Colored Pencil Accessory Set, 7-Piece-Love this! The blender pencil is such a fun item to use to blend color. It also includes erasers, a sharpener, and a pencil lengthener.

LolliZ Gel Pens -When I don't want to go the pencil route I use these. Bolder colors.

Sakura Gelly Roll Metallic Gel Ink Pen Set-I LOVE these pencils. The metallic quality is awesome!