Book Review: Exploring Psalms & Proverbs by Jacqui Grace

About the Book:

You were created to be creative!

That impulse to make our world beautiful and meaningful isn't an "extra"--it's essential to our peace and happiness. And what better way to exercise our God-given creativity than to weave it into our study and worship of the one who gave it?

Exploring Psalms and Proverbs is more than a coloring book. It's a creative coloring journal that blends hand-drawn artwork suitable for any skill level with thoughtful journaling prompts to inspire you and help you adorn your life with peace and beauty.

This beautiful and engaging resource features:

● pages with a dedicated space for coloring as well as reflective journaling
● hand-drawn illustrations on high-quality paper to absorb ink without bleeding
● designs with hand-lettered Bible verses that give you the opportunity to meditate on God's love and wisdom

Reflect, relax, and rejoice as you cultivate a creative habit while considering meaningful Scripture from Psalms and Proverbs.

Visit the publisher's website to look inside Exploring Psalms and Proverbs by Jacqui Grace.

Purchase at: Amazon┃ChristianBook┃Target

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My Thoughts:

I’ve just started into my copy of Exploring Psalms & Proverbs: A Creative Coloring Journal by Jacqui Grace, and I already think it is a lovely book. Each of the selected verses or concepts comes from the Biblical books of Psalms and Proverbs. Many of them are well-known: Enter His gates with thanksgiving, The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want, and There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother, etc.

What I really like about Exploring Psalms & Proverbs is that each verse or concept is not limited to a single page spread. The verse is given first, then coloring opportunities and space for journaling follow. Sometimes a craft idea is included. The artwork for coloring is cute, modern, and often features nature themes. Because each verse is addressed over the course of several pages, it might take the user several days or even a week to complete them all. As each activity harkens back to the original verse or thought, this format allows for repetitive meditation on the verse.

For me, Exploring Psalms & Proverbs: A Creative Coloring Journal by Jacqui Grace is not a book to be rushed though. I like to use it as I have time and desire, and it has the flexibility to allow for that. I recommend it for Christian women who enjoy coloring and journaling as a way to meditate on Scriptures.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from the author or publisher. My review reflects my honest opinion.

Book Review: Bible Verses for Today by Valeria Wolfl

About the Book:

How can this prayer journal help me read my bible every day?

• 37 Questions to help you discover the meaning of the scripture even if you feel that you may not have enough knowledge to understand bible verses. The questions are categorized in 3 groups:

1. Scripture Questions: to help you understand doctrines and meanings of Scripture better.


2. Life Application Questions: to help you apply what you learned from the scripture in your everyday life to improve your daily walk with God.


3. Prayer Questions: to help you set good motivates to pray for and keep you going in the walk with God.

• About 10-15 minutes reading time a day: The verses are picked to be short that can be read while you are drinking your morning coffee or evening tea.


• 365 topics: The hardest part is to decide what to read every day. The daily bible reading plan gives you 1-9 short verses put together by topics. Every day you can learn something different. Using the question sheet (take it out and laminate it) write down quick notes for each bible verse. Then move on to the prayer questions and take notes on what God revealed for you to pray about.


• Decorative elements on each page to color: Beautiful flowers and leaves to color to make your prayer journal look good and turning it to a memorable piece of art you can keep for the years to come. Also while coloring you can meditate on the Word of God you just have read.


• Large space to add planner style stickers and writing notes: Have your creative veins ready! You can prepare (print and cut) your stickers over the weekend to decorate your journal every day. This also helps you to commit for reading Bible verses daily since you already put work into preparation to make the stickers for the week.


• Three full pages with Bible verses to color.


• Large font size. Bible verses are 12 point.


• Topic index that can be used to trace your progress: You can mark the day what you've already read. Visualizing your progress may help you keep going.


• Works with your favorite Bible translation.

Purchase at: Amazon.

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My Thoughts:

I recommend the Bible Verses for Today: Daily Scripture Reading Plan, Bible Study, and Creative Journal for 365 Days for Women by Valeria Wolfl to any Christian woman who enjoys mixing creativity and Bible study. This beautiful resource supplements daily Bible reading by presenting a topic and coordinating Scriptures for personal reflection. There are 365 topics, one for each day of the year, but the journal can be started at any time. Bible Verses for Today also includes a study helps page with questions for textual consideration and life application, plus prayer prompts.

One characteristic I love about Bible Verses for Today is its flexibility. The provided topics guide, but how to glean from the given Scriptures and what to write about them is completely open to individual preference. Personally, I like to read the Scriptures for the daily topic and write out those Scriptures in the journal. Next, I note any thoughts that come to mind and color the accents on the page. Often, I finish my time with this journal feeling uplifted and peaceful.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed using Bible Verses for Today: Daily Scripture Reading Plan, Bible Study, and Creative Journal for 365 Days for Women by Valeria Wolfl. Five stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Book Review: Tranquility: A Prayer and Reflection Coloring Journal

About the Book:

Tranquility: A Prayer and Reflection Coloring Journal invites you to mix creative journaling and coloring into your personal time with God. Prayers that focus on topics such as being thankful, dealing with stress and heartache, caring for yourself and others, listening for God’s leading, and waiting patiently on Him will guide your thoughts and calm your spirit. Filled with more than 100 designs to color, plenty of space for journaling, and 40 needs-based prayers, Tranquility will help you express your devotion to God with your whole heart.







My Thoughts:

Tranquility: A Prayer and Reflection Coloring Journal from Tyndale Publishers is part of their Living Expressions Collection.

Most pages feature a brief devotional thought, correlating Scripture verse, lines to write on, and images to color. A few pages have alternate activities such as drawing or making lists. The journal covers a diversity of topics: friendship, peace, worship, prayer, kindness, and more. One particular quote that stood out to me thus far is found on page 20: “Please help me to remember that peace is not the absence of conflict; rather, it's having confident assurance in the middle of conflict.” These pages are filled with good reminders such as that.

I liked that the journal can be done in any order and that some pages have lots to color while others have less room to color – perfect for the busy days! Some of the pages are partially colored, so they are already pretty, but there's still room to add in your own flair. 

If you are looking for a devotional and enjoy coloring, consider Tranquility: A Prayer and Reflection Coloring Journal. Hop over to the publisher's website to view an excerpt from Tranquility: A Prayer and Reflection Coloring Journal.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Gratitude: A Prayer and Praise Coloring Journal

Gratitude: A Prayer and Praise Coloring Journal is part of the Living Expressions Collection by Tyndale Publishers. The introduction invites you to “connect with God in a fresh, new way” through creative expression (drawing, coloring, journaling, etc.) that supplements prayer and meditation on Scripture.

The journal's cover is eye-catching and the inside pages are tastefully illustrated. Each entry is two pages long and most coordinate a prayer, a Scripture, illustrations to color, and a lined space for writing thoughts and prayers. The lined space is limited and easily filled up, but there is usually blank space that can be used for overflow. Lest the journal be too uniform, the topics vary and sometimes there is simply blank space instead of lined space or a Scripture thought with no pre-written prayer. While coloring and journaling comprise most of the encouraged artistic activities, some suggest making a collage or drawing.

A few other things I liked about this journal:

It's challenging: The prayers often express thankfulness and then ask God for personal growth (which we all know can be difficult).

It's flexible: On days that you have plenty of time, there are pages with space for a lot of intricate coloring. For busy days, there are some that don't require coloring or very little coloring. The pages and thoughts don't compile, so you can skip around as needed.

Gratitude: A Prayer and Praise Coloring Journal would make a lovely gift for a woman of any age.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."