How to Create a “This Bible Belongs To” Page in Your Journaling Bible

If you have a brand new Journaling Bible, but are holding back from making those first marks…
…if you’ve been so focused on how others’ view you, you’ve lost sight of who you are in God’s eyes…
…if you’re ready to make a bold declaration of freedom in the front of your Bible…

…then this process video for how to create a “This Bible Belongs To” page is for you, my friend! Read on.

To Recap

I recently had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with Shanna Noel from Illustrated Faith on a *Permission Pages Digital Devotional Kit. In case you missed my first video where I introduced the kit, as well as shared a process video creating a set of Permission Pages declaring what “This Bible is for” and what “This Bible is NOT for,” you can click HERE or the photo below to get caught up to speed!

And today, I’m back!

I’m baaaaaack with a second process video using the same Permission Pages Devotional Kit–this time, to create a “This Bible Belongs To” page that says so much more than just my name.

In fact, this is part two of a three-part video series I have in the works for y’all. I feel like we only barely scratched the surface on all the possibilities for using the Permission Pages kit last time, so I wanted to share spark your creativity with more ideas for how you can use the different elements on those six pages of printables, as well as encourage you to keep boldly declare God’s permission to be free.

Because I don’t know about you, but that’s a truth I need to remember every single day.

I can all too easily fall back into patterns of fearful thinking and perfectionism paralysis, which threaten to keep me from ever reaching for my Journaling Bible. That threaten to keep my art supplies on lockdown.

If this strikes a chord of resonance in you, my friend, just know you’re not alone. Actually living out this freedom we’ve been given by God–because of Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross–it’s a process. It doesn’t happen overnight. Or after one set of permission pages. (I’m fairly certain it will be a lifelong process for me.)

The Heart of the Matter

But ya know what I’m starting to learn? This struggle I face is really an identity issue.

When my identity is rooted in my own achievements or in how the world perceives me, I crumble under the pressure. I just can’t live up to the standard of perfection I’ve put on myself. All the Instagram likes in the world won’t fill the God-shaped hole in my heart. Only He can fill that deep need I have to be known and loved.

But when my identity is rooted in Christ–in remembering who I am because of who God is–then, all of my fears and anxieties about “messing up a page” in my Journaling Bible fade away. They just don’t matter in light of God’s amazing grace.

Process Video

That’s why I’m so excited to share today’s process video with you of how I created a “This Bible Belongs To” page in the front of my Bible using the Permission Pages Devotional Kit.

In the video, you’ll learn…

• my hack for stamping in all the colors of the rainbow (without needing to buy all the ink pads)
• you’ll see why I have a separate toothbrush just for paint
• also, I just may make a fool of myself and bust out a few dance moves for the sole purpose of making you smile. You’re welcome! {Wink.}

Grab a mug of yum and enjoy!

{If for some reason you have trouble viewing the video above, click HERE. And if you click the gear icon, you can change the default setting to H.D. for higher quality.}

Supply List:

Here’s a list of all supplies referenced in the video. I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience:

• Permission Pages Digital Devotional Kit | Illustrated Faith Print & Pray Shop
• E.S.V. Single-Column Journaling Bible by Crossway
• Avery 18665 Clear Full Sheet Shipping Labels
• Derwent Eraser Pen
• Sakura Koi Watercolor Field Sketch Set
• heat tool
• Elmer’s Fabric & Paper Glue
• assorted acrylic paints
• Alpha Rubber Stamp Set
• FaberCastell PITT Artist Pen
• Uni-Ball Signo White Gel Pen
• Glad Press’n Seal Plastic Food Wrap
• We R Memory Keepers Tab Punch
• Trodat Economy Date Stamp
• Tombow Dual Brush Pens

“What’s in a name?”

Fun fact: my name, Lauren, comes from the word “laurel” as in laurel leaves. It’s associated with victory because of the original Olympic victors and ancient scholars being honored with a crown of laurel leaves (or so the internet tells me).

And so, I was inspired to paint a few boughs of laurel-ish looking leaves on this page as a representation of the victory I have–not in my own achievements, but in Jesus.

And I declared my redeemed identity on this page as “Lauren: victorious daughter of the King,” penning this verse:

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” –1 Corinthians 15:57

True Freedom

For me, true freedom comes when I remember it’s not on me to achieve the victory in my Bible Journaling entries or in any project I take on. Because my victory in Jesus.

Those laurel leaves represent His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. And his victory over death once and for all. His crown of victory has become ours. Can I get an “amen?”

Because of that, grace abounds here. In my Bible. In yours. And wherever we go. (And thankfully, there’s a title starter in the beautiful hand-lettering of Katygirl Designs ready and waiting in the kit to boldly declare that truth.)

When we feel afraid of failing, let us remember our victory is in Jesus.

When we feel that pressure to be perfect, let us remember that we are made perfect in Christ. Not in our artwork. Or hand-lettering. Or flat-lay photos.

Jesus is our righteousness always. There is nothing left for us to prove.

To Close

I hope these words have ministered to your heart today, friend. And I hope you’re feeling inspired to create a “This Bible Belongs To” page of your own.

This is just one approach, and if riffing on the meaning of your name doesn’t resonate with you, consider meditating on your identity as a child of God–as a daughter of the King! That brings with it enormous ramifications. It means that nothing can separate you from God’s love. No. Thing.

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” –Romans 8:38-39

All the praise hands!

Friend, hear this as a final word of encouragement: you don’t need to know everything when it comes to digging in to God’s Word. You won’t. But draw near to the one who does know everything. Who knows you and yearns for you to know Him more! Let Him be your guide. He is worthy of our trust and time.

The more you learn about God, the more you’ll learn about the amazing you He made you to be.

Share your Permission Pages

I would love to see how you’re declaring freedom on your Permission Pages! Tag me on Instagram @ThinkingCloset and tag your posts with the hashtag #if_PermissionPages. That way, we can all cheer you on!

Where to Go Next?

SHOP: Nab the Permission Pages Devotional Kit so you can create your own “This Bible Belongs To Page” HERE.

POPULAR: Curious to know my 20 Favorite Bible Journaling Supplies? Here ya go.

NEW: Here’s a flip-through video of the Gospel of John in my Journaling Bible for more inspiration.

*Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase after clicking through, The Thinking Closet may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thanks for helping to support this site!