Altered Book Cover Tutorial – Bible Art Journaling Challenge Week 52
Hello Everyone! Welcome to week 52 of the Bible Art Journaling Challenge! What an incredible year it has been! Not to worry, next year things will continue – albeit in a great different way. You can read my recent blog post, to hear about what is coming for next year. Also, be sure to look below for your free downloads too!
As for this Bible Art Journaling Challenge, how does one finish on a most epic scale, when the whole year has been amazing with you all?! I decided the only thing truly missing, was how to create an altered book cover, for your Bible or other art journals. Because it is the final challenge of the year and because you guys always tell me that you want more videos from me, I’ve made this video, longer than usual. I hope you are okay with it and enjoy having more from me! And to finish the video off, you can see a run down of all the 52 Bible Art Journaling Challenges. Enjoy!
Today’s Bible art journaling supplies
Before I head into the devotional part of this post below, here are the supplies I featured in this weeks video. I hope they help you find anything you may want to try out. All links will lead to Scrapbook.com and Amazon.
Bibles and supplies for Bible art journaling
There are always those who are new to me that find their way to various blog posts so, I’ll again mention for those who are new and interested… There are several wide-margin Bibles and supplies which I recommend for this art form. I’ve created a linked recommendations collection on my Bible Art Journaling Supplies page, to make your starter choices easier. I hope they will help you.
An altered book cover tutorial
People often ask me how I get my ideas for what to create. Honestly, I struggle to slow the ideas down. When it comes to Bible art journaling, I choose to start with either a verse, a creative technique, or an art supply. If I choose a verse, I ask myself how I could best illustrate the concept in that section of scripture. That usually leads me to pictures in my head, which I then try to work out how to make a reality in my Bible, using the supplies I have. Sometimes I simply have an art supply or creative technique I’ve wanted to share, which launches me into searching scripture for the perfect place to put that idea, or use that art supply. Either way, I spend more time in the Word which is a life changing bonus.
In planning for the month of December, it occurred to me that I have had a lot of requests for how to do an altered book cover tutorial, and that today’s scripture would fit really well with it.
Scripture
The section of scripture for this final week of the year, is John 1:1-14…
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
I used my Double Column ESV Journaling Bible, for this Bible Art Journaling Challenge. It has a great hard cover, which was perfect for my altered book cover tutorial. I felt like this scripture was a perfect choice for linking my altered book cover. It talks all about the Word being God and today, I wanted to create a cover which would not only invite me to open it’s cover, but also remind me of God as my friend, father, counselor and savior. The one who covers me, protects me, guides me and leads me.
A little Bible study tip
I feel like this part of scripture is one which many people glance over. They understand that “the Word was with God…” …and then just maybe figure they’ll understand the rest when they get to heaven someday. haha
It’s a section of scripture which requires a bit more attentiveness when reading it and is not easily comprehended more fully. When I was picking out scriptures for the end of the year and felt God nudge me to use this, I honestly said to Him, “Really?!?” My next step was to inform God that He’d have to share some insights with me, to make it simpler to grasp for us all. He was kind and helpful. 🙂
Whenever I get stuck on scripture, I firstly go get a handbook to the Bible, and read up on what they have to say about that section of the Bible. I then identify words in the scripture that I might just think I understand, when in reality, I may not truly know the depth of what the author was trying to communicate. I then use my Strong’s concordance to find those words and their meaning in the original language. I next read the scripture back again, this time injecting the meaning from the original language, instead of what English words are in the scripture.
I did this in verse one…
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
I decided to look up what the “Word” was, since it could be easy to assume, (based on how we can be taught), that it means the Word of God, (aka, the words in the Bible). What it actually means here, is “Divine Expression”.
1 In the beginning was the Divine Expression, and the Divine Expression was with God, and the Divine Expression was God.
Dig a bit and you’ll notice that “Word” is the Greek word, logos. I understand this is one meaning of it…
Logos, ( Greek: “word,” “reason,” or “plan”) plural logoi, in Greek philosophy and theology, the divine reason implicit in the cosmos, ordering it and giving it form and meaning.
Like all other scriptures in the Bible, if you dig a bit, you can be drawn in, for endless hours of interesting study.
I believe God nudged me to this section of scripture because of what it says about “the Word”. I am amazed yet again. It is hard for me to grab the time needed, to fully expand on this scripture in the amount needed, to really explain what is going through my head, after studying this.
The Word
Let me make this as simple as I can. I’ll quote some scriptures as I share this.
Let me start by showing you how John was referencing the beginning of time and the Word with God, spoken about firstly in Genesis.
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Next, let’s look at a reference to God and light.
Genesis 1:3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
John 1:4-9 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
Lastly, let’s look at what John says about the “Word”…
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…
As we’ve seen, God created everything with His Word – His divine expression. He spoke things into being. We get that. The key here is that God didn’t just say words that were backed by power. The Word was God. When God spoke, the words basically went forth, as Himself. It wasn’t just His authority going forth. It was Him, going forth to do His work.
The Word in us
When we invite and embrace Jesus into our life, we then also become co-heirs with Him, (Romans 8:17). What is an heir?
A. a person legally entitled to the property or rank of another.
B. a person who inherits and continues the work of a predecessor.
So what do we inherit as a co-heir with Christ? Matthew 16:19 is a great starting point given our devotional today. Jesus was talking to His disciples…
“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
And how is it that Jesus was able to offer such a gift?! Let’s look at Matthew 28:18…
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
So we’ve seen that God is the actual Word. We can think of it as a piece of Himself, going with His Word to perform it, (Jeremiah 1:12). It is all a bit confusing in our human understanding. But God gives us the ability to understand deeper spiritual matters, when we invite Him to be Lord of our life. The deep mysteries become open fountains to us, as we become close with Him.
Amazingly, when we have God in us, the Word is also in us. Though we attempt to memorize or learn scripture, I’m talking about God Himself, and the declarations of His heart. Some of them made it to the paper we so lovingly create on in this Bible Art Journaling Challenge. We can never and should never, add to scripture. What we can do, is become closer than a brother, to the God who commissioned the text, and learn what His heart beats for in our life and generations to come.
As co-heirs with Christ, It is not merely that God gives us authority which means we are backed when we declare what His will is. No, it seems to go even further than that. When we receive God into our lives, He comes and dwells in us, (Ephesians 3:17). When we declare, (actually speak out) what is on His heart, we get to partner with heaven to speak things into existence. That is what intercession is in its simplest form. We hear the heartbeat of heaven, and be the voice which releases it. God yearns for deep relationship with us and loves to give us ways to partner with Him for heaven’s agenda.
May we hear more clearly in this coming year, as we step into this new season of partnership with God. May we find deeper freedom in life as we declare heaven’s answers over our problems and may we always seek for what God wants us to declare, so we can be His hands and feet in the world around us.
I promised this would be hard to make simple, but I hope I have helped simplify any of its complexity. I hope you feel inspired to go out and dig through scripture to learn about what I’ve been studying. If you want more scripture to dig through, this collection from Open Bible on Speaking Things Into Existence, seems an interesting place to head after finishing any study on what I’ve shared here.
I am so honored to have been on this journey this year, with all of those of you with me. Thank you for entrusting your precious time and heart with me. I pray this coming year is FULL of God’s goodness poured out on you in measures you simply cannot contain! And, I look forward to connecting with you all in the coming months as God unfolds exciting things in all our lives!
Free download!
As for the creative techniques I have shared with you today, I would love you to try any if you’re interested in them. I also want you to feel free to gather inspiration in other places for joining me in creating about/on this week’s scripture. The goal is to get in to the Word and spend time with God. I’m looking forward to seeing what you create!
As promised, here are my free printable downloads!
Join me
You can find answers to most any question you may have about this challenge, on the Bible Art Journaling Challenge page. It also has a full archive! Be sure to head over to our Facebook group and/or Google+ Community, to chat about this weeks Bible Art Journaling Challenge and get started on your own creativity! Many of you ask if it is okay to share these posts with your friends. Please do! It is a simple way you can partner with me to impact lives. And remember, you can join this challenge any date you wish. The community is always growing and you are welcome to join this diving in right now!
Thanks for joining me. Please take a moment and say hi below! I’d love to hear how this Bible Art Journaling Challenge has impacted you, or if you’re just joining in!
You are loved. x
***Scripture is from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
*When you find deals which I’ve searched for and recommended, I get supported. This has no effect on you and makes a real difference for me. Thank you, I so appreciate your support which helps me provide these free tutorials for you! You may view my affiliate and product disclosure for more info.
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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Jan 1, 2016 @ 11:25 am
Oh how beautiful Rebekah! !!! I wish my bible was a hardback! Would this work on a leatherette cover? Thank you for inspiring all of us and for helping me find my way back to an intimate relationship with our Savior. I had some big things going on in my life…I didn’t blame Him, but I drew away from the deep abiding relationship I had with Him. I was diagnosed with Stage 3B inoperable cervical cancer, and about a year after my diagnosis, my 19 yr old daughter became a heroin addict. Still dealing with a ton of health issues, side effects of treatment, etc. And my daughter is clean for now…Praise God, for only through Him are such miracles possible! Sorry for going on and on…Thank you.
Jan 1, 2016 @ 1:33 pm
Hello Karen! What a season you’ve been through! How wonderful that God gives us new years, to start fresh. May this year be FULL of God’s goodness poured out on you and your family. As a leatherette cover is meant to be pliable, I’d recommend that you don’t glue anything dimensional to it, which may make the cover perform poorly in years to come. Perhaps try using paints to illustrate something on the cover? You could research which paints would work best on your type of cover. I am guessing certain acrylics may work, but do research first. At any rate, you can do this on a fun art journal! 🙂
Jan 1, 2016 @ 12:52 pm
You might want to take the free download link to crown down as when clicked on it leads to pornography. Very graphic.
Jan 1, 2016 @ 1:29 pm
Thanks Jean! I am sorry you had to experience this! I appreciate you letting me know and have linked directly to the image now. I looked into it and it seems that the blog with those free downloads, uses something called re-marketing. When I visit the blog, the ads there are based on websites I’ve recently visited. So, more recently I looked at the Ikea website, and now the blog is showing me ads for ikea. The other day, it showed ads for another website I’d visited. As a result, I can’t see what you saw and hope nobody used your computer for anything which then made it possible for such terrible ads to be displayed. I of course am not making any bad assumptions. These companies are clever in finding ways to market to people and I’m sorry you experienced it. As I mentioned, I’ve now linked directly to the images so there is no danger of seeing any ads moving forward. 🙂
Jan 29, 2016 @ 5:15 am
Good explanation on remarketing…. I always wondered how that works.
Jan 1, 2016 @ 5:54 pm
This is absolutely gorgeous. I have enjoyed video’s so much. I am looking forward to the new year with you and your new plans for the year. I want to thank you Rebekah for staying true to God’s Word all year. I have followed another site as well this year and I am concerned about this upcoming year with them, just little concerns. So I will pray for that site but, for you I have no concerns, you are truly giving us God’s Word. Thank You.
Jan 1, 2016 @ 7:11 pm
You have such beautiful Bible Journaling creativity, it had inspired me to get out of the box and explore God’s word in a new manner. I had asked the Lord , how I can fall in more love with His word, i am taking this inspiration into my journals.. you probably already know this.. but just in case.. it took me a while to figure this out about John1… when God finally revealed.. it was like wow! This was like wow adding with your definition of Logos…The Word is Jesus, he became flesh and dwelt among us.. He is God and is the Divine Expression of our Heavenly Father….. i thank you for sharing things it was awesome!
Jan 1, 2016 @ 7:36 pm
Since the focus of Bible Art Journaling is to spend more time in the word and it’s meaning in our life, what about adding some of your study resources (i.d. Strong’s concordance) to the list of things we can purchase from Amazon through your site? I know it would help me. Just an idea:)
Jan 1, 2016 @ 8:07 pm
I love the way you explain everything! My eyes are open wider and I am excited to spend the next year following you and our Lord!
Jan 1, 2016 @ 8:35 pm
Praise the Lord and thank you Rebekah!
I am so excited to find you and these challenges and especially this tutorial on how to alter my Bible’s hard back cover. I was so wanting to do this and up to this point had only put down a couple of strips of washi. Going to get going on this right now!
Love your reflections and study on the WORD as well…thank you for sharing!
Jan 1, 2016 @ 10:44 pm
Rebekkah,
Why can’t we use modge podge? You say to use Liquitex matte gel instead.
Thanks,
Janis
Mar 2, 2016 @ 3:36 am
Hi Janis, Rebekkah mentioned that the pages are sticky when dry. I have experienced this myself. I believe she said and glossy gel would do the same.
Cherylynn
Jan 2, 2016 @ 5:27 am
I just want to thank you for this year. I discovered Bible art journaling in the summer and have jumped in with both feet . Thank you for making it so comfortable to try all sorts of medium and styles. It is helping me to find my preferences with no guilt or pressure. As a 60 something following my Lord since I was a teenager, this excites me deep in my soul. Bless you and may our Lord bless and direct you this coming year.
Jan 4, 2016 @ 5:57 pm
Rebekah I love the cover! So beautiful. I just love your sweet voice too on the videos. (: Happy New Year! Excited for all the new stuff you are up to!
Jan 8, 2016 @ 1:54 am
Happy New Year Rebekah! I just wanted to say Thank you!! You have inspired me and made a huge impact in my life, which I can’t even begin to explain. I’ve had some hardships (health and life in general) for several years now, which made me fall into this deep hole of depression. I’ve turned my back entirely to my Christianity, living in darkness with no hope. I don’t know how I found your channel but The Lord works in mysterious ways!! At first I didn’t want to watch. Living in denial for so long made me not want to believe but now I’m beginning to see the light. I want to thank you for making me see the light once more!! Thank you!!
Jan 12, 2016 @ 9:51 pm
Happy New Year Rebekah. I just discovered this new world of art journaling through one of my mixed media art teachers. She actually wrote an article in the http://www.canadianscrapbooker.ca on the introduction and the movement that is happening with Bible Art Journaling. I came across your videos and website by googling this very subject and I was so excited to watch all of your videos. I too have an abundance of mixed media supplies and I was so excited to find that I could use them and create such fun projects and yet I was able to learn and spend time being grateful and thankful for many things in my life as I followed what you did. The last 7yrs I have been dealing with chronic pain and fatigue and spent the first 5yrs in and out of bed, the diagnosis that the doctors came up with was fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. This of course is just a name the doctors have come up with describing the chronic wide spread pain, I was wondering if this is what you had had. I was so excited to read your story of your healing and I feel like you can understand how someone who is active, working, volunteering etc can go from being this type of person to someone who is bedridden and who’s world shrunk over night. What you are doing is so fantastic, you encourage so many people to spend time reading, learning, being grateful and creative at the same time. I must say that out of all of the other videos I have watched, I keep coming back to your website, I find that not only are you so gifted but that God has blessed you with a voice that is very soothing and calm. I am hoping that you will continue to make more videos throughout the year and I thank you for your generosity in sharing this entire past year with so many of us. Take care and thank you for your caring and generous spirit.
Feb 27, 2016 @ 11:23 pm
Hi Rebekah,
I have a technique question. I have a Bible that is a hardback with an atrocious multicolored glossy cover (feels like it’s made of cardboard) on the front, back, and spine. I want to turn this into my journaling Bible but abhor the cover. Can you recommend techniques for the spine that will adhere to the glossy finish and not crack with use? I feel confidant about altering the front and back covers but not so much the spine.
I find your videos inspirational and have started weekly Bible journaling — though for right now I am using an art journal. I hope you know how much what you do is appreciated. I never had the courage to try anything like this before watching you. May God continue to richly bless you!
8 Bible Art Journaling Christmas Gift Ideas Under $30 - Rebekah R Jones
Nov 16, 2018 @ 4:38 pm
[…] ESV Hardcover Journaling Bible – Super popular and perfect for customizing your cover! […]
Jun 27, 2019 @ 12:04 am
This turned out so beautiful! Thank you for sharing how you did this.
Thank you SO much for all the long hard hours you have put into all of these lessons throughout the year. Learned so many new techniques and tips for doing things.
Thank you!