Alumna Teaches Bringing God's Word to Life Through Bible Journaling

SEEING THE SCRIPTURES IN 3D

“I would watch video tutorials from a Bible journaling teacher I found online, and then attempt to do those things in my new journaling Bible. At first, it was terrifying! I was so afraid to mess up the Bible page. But then, I realized it was making God’s word come alive for me—kind of like seeing the Scriptures in 3D, where they were previously only in 2D. I wasn’t just reading and forgetting anymore, I had notes and artwork I could refer back to and a visual in my mind to remember the scriptures. Bible journaling unlocked a new ability for me to understand and connect the dots of scripture, and it continues to do so today!”

Barbara soon wanted to share her new love and found a way to connect with others. She repurposed a blog she had already started and began teaching others. A few years later, as the pandemic hit and many people were stuck at home, Barbara felt God calling her to share video Bible journaling tutorials on YouTube.

“Considering that I learned Bible journaling from watching someone else’s videos, I think of this as paying it forward to help more people discover the Bible study benefits of journaling.”

When not teaching her journaling techniques, Barbara can be found crafting handmade cards and vinyl designs for tee shirts for her online store and pouring Biblical wisdom and encouragement into her online weekly newsletter subscribers.

UNLOCKING GOD'S MESSAGE

Barbara says her time at UMHB played a role in her Bible journaling and walk of faith.

“I owe a lot of my faith journey to the wonderful classmates, faculty and staff I encountered during my time at UMHB. When I entered as a freshman, I was Christian in name only. I had grown up in Sunday school, and even gotten confirmed in the church, but I could only see it as religion. But, thanks to many wonderful people and testimonies that I encountered at UMHB, I began to realize that I was missing something. Or more specifically, someone,” she said. “My new peers spoke about Jesus like He was their best friend, and I was so intrigued. It took me another two years to sort out my beliefs and come to terms with the fact that I am indeed a sinner in need of saving. But once I did, Jesus truly did set me free!”

While Bible journaling has taken on a business-like form through her blog, Austin still sees it as a spiritual practice.

“I am a very visual person, so Bible journaling just helps me better understand and connect with Scripture than reading or writing alone. It has fueled my faith in many ways. It increases and re-ignites my thirst for God’s word, helps me refer back to relevant scriptures when I need those reminders, and overall just unlocks the message of God’s word in a tangible way.”

To learn more about Barbara’s Bible journaling and connect to her network, visit her online at www.divinecreativelove.com or on social media, @divinecreativelove.