April 2019: Tracie Rollins
Tracie Rollins – Growing in the Word with Bible Journaling
Hi, I’m Tracie Rollins, and I’m the founder of Bible Journaling Ministries. It’s been a while since we’ve visited so I thought I’d stop by and check in on you. How are you? Are you growing in the Word and in your relationship with our Lord? I sure hope so! But, if not, don’t worry! Give yourself some grace.
Sometimes getting in the Word is difficult. It’s especially difficult if you have to lug out all of your Bible journaling supplies. I know how difficult it can be because I Bible journaled every day for almost two years. But, these days, I’m keeping it simple using the GOD method for Bible journaling.
Grow
I pray for growth before I get started with my Bible journaling time. There’s a reason why I need to be in a particular passage. I may not know it, but God certainly does.
Observe
As I read the Scripture and start to Bible journal, I consider what the Holy Spirit is saying to me. Can I hear Him? Am I even listening? It’s in the quite that He speaks to me, so slowing down enough to hear Him is what Bible journaling is all about.
Draw
I release the perfectionism tendencies that I have and splash some paint on the page. Doing this helps me get over the anxiety of a blank page and reduces the time I spend wondering what I’m going to do.
I journal my thoughts in the margin in my own unique handwriting. I love my handwriting. It’s messy and looks like it did when I was in high school when my teachers would scold me because they couldn’t read it! That’s ok! I know what I wrote, and God knows what’s written. That’s all that matters.
After I journal a bit, I slap some coordinating stickers that I printed off at home on the page. Maybe add a few embellishments, big letters, or leave it be. It really doesn’t matter what the art looks like. What matters is that my heart is softened, my priorities are straight, and I’m taking one more step on the journey God has placed me on.
One Page at a Time
I continue to Bible journal because it’s where I am free to explore the Scripture in a creative way. There’s no judgment, no off-key singing (sorry that you sat in front of me in church last Sunday), and no talent needed. It’s just me and God, building our relationship together….one page at a time.
If you’d like to build your relationship with God through Bible journaling, I invite you to take our free 10-day Bible journaling course. Most people think I should charge for this course. But the Lord put it on my heart to give it away when I started this ministry. It’s helped tens of thousands of women find peace and joy as they grow in the Word. I pray that it helps you grow in the Word too.
xoxo,
Tracie Rollins