Good Things: Give Me Jesus Journal from Life Lived Beautifully

Do you have a stack of journals piled somewhere in your house, spines balanced on top of each other every which way?

Then, like me, you can appreciate a good journal when you see one.

I’ve been through about 30 journals in 19 years (my early pages were full of scintillating details like, “Eit PopTarts for breakfast. They were gud. They are my favurite.”) My journals range from cheap notebooks purchased out of boredom to more prized books given as gifts.

Today, I’d like to introduce you to a new favorite journal of mine: the Give Me Jesus Journal from Life Lived Beautifully.Give Me Jesus Journal from Life Lived Beautifully

I was introduced to Life Lived Beautifully, an online shop run by Gretchen Saffles, via The Influence Network Podcast. If you want to be ridiculously encouraged in the Lord, listen to that episode. (Gretchen also was the inaugural interview of a new podcast called Project: On Purpose, if you can’t get enough of her!)

After hearing Gretchen talk so passionately about the Give Me Jesus Journal, I made a last second addition to my Christmas list. To my great delight, on Christmas morning it was waiting for me! (Thanks in-laws!!!)

This journal is perfect for a lot of reasons. For one, it’s beautiful. I’m not a designer, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve learned to appreciate how good design affects the way we use products. I want to take my time working through this journal because it deserves a kind of special care. More than looks, I find the Give Me Jesus Journal to be highly functional.

Give Me Jesus Journal

The journal begins with a simple heart check exercise. I like that this portion isn’t too exhaustive but, rather, propels you forward to Bible study. I’ve never enjoyed highly interactive journals. To me, they block the words that I need to get on paper. Gretchen hits the right balance in asking just enough questions to set the mood, but no more.

The Give Me Jesus Journal isn’t completely free-form, though. The draw of the journal is that it directs you towards intentional Bible study. The pages are broken up into sections, the primary of which are: Drink Deep From The Well, Ask & Apply, and Pray BIG. Along the way are little moments to encourage slow, intentional Bible reading. I love how the Give Me Jesus Journal offers just enough direction to keep me focused, but not too much that I’m focusing on man’s words rather than God’s.Give Me Jesus Journal

If you’re wondering about technical specs, I find the journal very well made and sturdy. The pages are nice and thick, which is great if you’re a scribbler like me. The journal is also a hearty size, you could easily read through a few smaller books of the Bible or one larger book with it.

Over the last several months, I’ve been challenged to study God’s word more seriously. Books like Women of the Word and blog posts like this one from Kristin Schmucker have been invaluable tools in teaching me how to approach the Bible responsibly. The Give Me Jesus Journal is a tool that has helped me put these sound Bible-study principles into practice.

Give Me Jesus Journal from Life Lived Beautifully 1

Full disclosure, Gretchen didn’t ask me to write this post, nor am I receving any kind of compensation sharing her product. I really just wanted to tell you about this journal! I did, however, contact Gretchen to ask if I could mention anything specifically in this post, and she graciously answered. She wanted to give you a head’s up that you can expect much more from LLB in the coming months. Gretchen announced a hashtag that will chronicle a life-long pursuit of becoming Well-Watered Women (#wellwateredwomen). She says we can expect more from this movement in 2015. She also says that she’s praying through and developing a Bible study on Esther. And it looks like an update of the Give Me Jesus Journal is in the works for Spring with a new cover and verses on the inside. If these updates weren’t enough excitement, Gretchen is due to join the mommy club in May! (Welcome, friend!)

Like I mentioned, I’ve destroyed loved many a journal in my time. I can’t recommend the Give Me Jesus Journal enough. This is a product that I would completely buy again for myself or for a friend. Studying God’s Word with thought and direction is vital to grasping the big picture of the Bible.

The Give Me Jesus Journal will help.Bible Study

To learn more about Gretchen and her work, visit LifeLivedBeautifully.com.

(FYI: This is the first in a new series of posts I’m calling Good Things. As you may have gathered, these posts will share products or services that I’m currently digging!)

6 Comments

  1. Sarah M on February 9, 2015 at 12:01 am

    I follow her on instagram and I will say, that journal is beautiful!
    Sarah M

  2. Victoria Easter Wilson on February 9, 2015 at 2:18 am

    It really is pretty, Sarah. And her Instagram is SO well styled. Very intentional. If you were thinking of buying, I think it’s totally worthwhile! (Or, even, wait until she redesigns in a few months!)

  3. Gretchen Saffles on February 9, 2015 at 3:38 pm

    Victoria,

    I have tears in my eyes and joy in my heart after reading this! You are truly a blessing and your love for Jesus is so pure and beautiful! I am so grateful for this feature and pray that God uses the journal as a tool to draw your heart near to His. Grateful for you, sister!

    Love,
    Gretchen

    • Victoria on February 10, 2015 at 3:25 pm

      Gretchen,

      What a gift your comment is! I’m so glad the post could bless you, as I’ve been blessed by your journal! Thank you for being so generous with your time and attention! Keep creating beautiful things for our good and His glory!

      <3
      Victoria

  4. […] my study of Romans (using the gorgeous Give Me Jesus journal from Life Lived Beautifully), I’ve been thinking a lot about ‘righteousness, which isn’t surprising as the word appears […]

  5. I Feel Entitled. Yuck. - Victoria Easter Wilson on September 30, 2015 at 6:49 pm

    […] been reading through Romans (using the GMJ from LLB) and it was a magnifying glass to my heart. Nearing the close of his letter, Paul sends personal […]

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