Friday, August 24, 2012

Colored Pencils

(Why My Kids Think It's Okay to Color In Their Bibles)

I think my son is a little in shock that I managed to post in five minutes today.  I have spent many, many hours this week at my desk, trying to get everything sorted and organized for our new year's launch in a week.  Homeschooling annual lesson plans (a first, planning all in one sitting), scheduled writing, household administration, and crossed eyes by the end of the day ~ this is my kids picture of me this week.

The first image Sam has of me when he comes down the stairs (this one is an early riser) each morning is my back bent over the Word, pen and paper by my side.  I thought I would share some fun today about coloring words, (or Why My Kids Think It's Okay to Color in Their Bibles.)

I've always been a note taker.  The margins of my Bible are filled with questions, answers, deeper research notes, scripture cross-references, dates ... it was a huge challenge to pack a slim-line Bible for the mission trip to Israel a few years ago.  I felt like I was leaving one of my favorite family members behind from the journey.  With such love for this Bible you might be surprised to learn I color in it?

Maybe it was Andy Stanley.  Probably it was Andy Stanley.  I get a lot of good ideas from him.  I've been using colored pencils in my Bible for a few years now.  I thought with this day of random, fun Friday posting I would either encourage you to or give you the freedom to mark up those pages!
 I use five colors.
(Because I love to organize I needed to reign in my natural tendency to create category upon category and be satisfied with five or I would never remember what the colors meant!)

BLUE - GOD'S PROMISES: blue, like life-giving water
YELLOW - GOD'S PRINCIPLES: yellow, like light for the path
ORANGE - GOD'S COMMANDS: orange, like power from the sun that sustains life
RED - FAITHFUL DISCIPLESHIP: red, like blood shed in sacrifice
GREEN - ONLY GOD:  green, signs of the Creator to creation

I don't color everything.  Obviously if I did I would be the proud owner of the first-ever tie-dyed Bible.  (I think?)  I mark the words I struggle to remember. 

Words that release some chain from around my heart.
Words that bind up my tongue so there are fewer lash marks on the backs of those I love.
Words that give me courage to run.
Words that wrap me in safe arms and soothe me to sleep.
Words that nudge me from behind, to close circles of restoration.
Words that fill my soul when nothing else can be swallowed down.

I'm happy to be a writer and that God let's me scribble in His book.  I think anything I do to remember just how good is our God brings a smile to His face.  I know I delight in Him.

Grab some pencils, Favored One, if you like to color.  Capture some of His words for your own personal art, and gaze upon the beauty He has made just for you.

Happy Friday!

...linking with Rachel at Finding Joy, gratitude to be included in the joy...
friday favorite things | finding joy

...and with Laura at Beholding Glory, gratitude to share His glory in the community...
Beholding Glory

7 comments:

  1. This is a great idea! I really love it! I hope to incorporate this idea in my Bible reading, at least in a smaller scale, I am not very organized : ) thank you so much for sharing! Have a blessed day. I'm visiting from Friday Favorite Things.

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    1. : ) Glad I could share. Thanks for visiting!

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  2. What a fun idea!! This may be a future game with my kiddos. Seek & Find with Colors in the Bible!?! This is fantastic!! Thanks for sharing!!

    Have a blessed weekend! Visiting from Finding Joy's Blog Hop.

    Falen

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    1. New follower here. Also wanted to say: I love Andy Stanley!! :)

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    2. How great is this? My kids see me do it but I've never thought of incorporating it into our family devotionals! Thanks so much for the suggestion! I'm going to put a cup of pencils out by our Bibles. Thanks for visiting, so excited you are following, and have a wonderful weekend as well! I'm off to visit you as well.

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  3. This is such a great idea! I'm always hesitant to write in my Bible. Not sure why!

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  4. Great idea! I write in my Bible a lot and I once attempted color, but didn't stick with it because I didn't have a consistent key. It didn't seem organized enough. Now, this might work! It would work with the studies we use in Hello Mornings, for sure!

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