Bible Journaling and Adult Coloring, 1 Corinthians 10:31

I saw a post a friend shared about "adult mandala coloring books".  (small case deliberate).  As I was reading the post, I was thinking that I knew there was a reason I didn't care for those patterns and now I realize it was the Holy Spirit speaking to me.  I agree that the patterns and books promote mysticism.
I do, however, love to journal and I love to color.  There is a somewhat new concept going around using pictures and coloring to study God's Word.  Painting, coloring right on the Bible pages, a lot of times covering the actual words.  That is something that I cannot do, I use a separate book for my journaling.  I do write in my Bible, I just can't bring myself to "deface" the pages, no matter how pretty the artwork.  Somehow to me, that seems to defeat the purpose!!
I love to journal, I love to write, God gave me a gift of writing many, many years ago and I am so thankful, I do not take it lightly.  I am a Bible journaler, have been for years.  Writing things out myself helps me to remember them.  I also like to record prayers and see where God has moved because so many things happen we tend to forget what we have prayed for at times (at least I do).  It's also a good testimony and ministry tool.  Recently I have begun writing out Bible verses and illustrating the page with pictures and coloring.  I find that coloring the words and the page is a good memorization technique for me also.  
Here is what the Holy Spirit has revealed to me about journaling and adult coloring:  1 Corinthians 10:31,  "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."  Let EVERYTHING you do be to the glory of God including journaling AND coloring!  My coloring is nothing elaborate, hopefully, it is pretty and pleasing to God, but if I try to make some elaborate picture with lots of concentrated drawing and coloring, where is the glory to God in that?  Yes, I want God to be pleased with it BUT am I really doing it for God's glory or my own?  I do it to help commit verses to memory, it is relaxing also.  
I am not saying it is wrong but if I do it to excess then I am concentrating more on my own work than God's.  My thoughts are more on how to make it look more appealing to self, others, maybe than to God.  I want it to be pleasing to God and for my mind to be totally on committing the verse to memory.  I don't repeat the verse as a mantra over and over as I'm coloring, however, I do read and reread, that is a study technique the Lord gave me years ago when I was younger and in school to help study.  I don't concentrate on the coloring, I concentrate on the Word and the Author of the Word.
There is nothing wrong with journaling, there is nothing wrong with coloring.  But, in all you do, do it to the glory of the Lord.  He doesn't care if you color inside the lines, He doesn't care if you accidentally get outside the lines, in coloring, He cares that you are spending time with Him and in His Word.
I journal after I have prayed, spent time in God's Word and with God to record what He has revealed to me through scripture and where He has led me through His Word to teach me.  I color to help me remember and it is, for me, another form of praise, to God, not self.
Psalm 19:14, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock, and my Redeemer."
Psalm 139:23-24, 23Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; 24And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.

A Clean Heart

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

I love this Psalm!  Of course, I love all the Psalms, Proverbs, Acts etc.  I have more favorite verses in the Bible than favorite foods and that's saying A LOT as anyone who knows me well can tell you!  

Have you ever thought about what you are asking when you pray this Psalm?  I ask God daily sometimes more than once a day to create in me a clean heart, just being honest.  Little things cross my mind that I have no idea are coming - as the saying goes they just come out of left field.  This is the biggest reason I ask God to cleanse my heart because "out of the heart, the mouth speaks".  It can also be said, "out of the heart the brain thinks"!  Just because it doesn't come out your mouth does not mean it's okay!  The Bible says "as a man thinks in his heart, so he is" (Proverbs 23:7 if you want to read the entire verse).  To paraphrase, to think it is the same as to do it.  So back to what we are asking when we ask God to give us a clean heart... hopefully we are asking Him to make all our thoughts as well as our actions clean.  This is what I'm asking when I ask God to give me a clean heart.  I want a heart that is pure, I want a heart that is pleasing to God, not to me although that's a benefit, not to my family, boss, preacher, etc. but to God.  Because He knows me, He knows the inner most, deepest thoughts I have, while others do not.  God sees into that deepest, blackest part of me.  The part I wish even I couldn't see.  That part that brings up those bad thoughts, bad words, reactions that I have to immediately repent for.  Now, I know I'm only talking about me, cuz I know no one else does this, right?

Here's the thing about asking God for a clean heart though.  You have to be willing to let go and let God do the cleaning.  

You can't hang on to the past and have a clean future.  

You can't harbor resentment against one person while asking God to help you forgive another.

You can't hold on to the hurts of the past.

but here is what you CAN do:

You can ask God into ever little piece of your heart and mind.

You can trust Him to do exactly what you ask Him to do.

You can let go of resentment and forgive everyone, it's your choice.

You can have a clean heart and a clean future.

If you are truly willing to let it all go.

The only can'ts in your life are those things you refuse to do.  The Bible says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me", Phil. 4:13.  ALL things, not just some, that means you CAN have a clean heart.  A heart that is pleasing to God and will be pleasing to you also.  That doesn't mean things won't pop up from time to time that you have to ask forgiveness for but it does lessen the likelihood.  Take a moment to ask God, God please create in me a clean heart.  Help me to be someone I would want to know and be friends with!  Help me to radiate your glory so that others want what I have, which is You.  By seeing me others can see You and want to draw close to You.  Thank You Lord in advance because I know "whatever I ask in Jesus name" you will grant and I ask right now, in Jesus name.

Acronyms and the Word

(words in bold and italics are mine for descriptive purposes)

Psalm 23 (KJV) 

 1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (F.R.O.G. = Fully Rely on God) (F.A.I.T.H. = Forsaking All I Trust Him)

 2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. (F.A.I.T.H. = Forsaking All I Trust Him)

 3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (F.A.I.T.H. = Forsaking All I Trust Him)

 4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (NO F.E.A.R. = False Evidence Appearing Real, we all know the devil is a liar and the father of all lies (John 8:44)) and fear is NOT of God. (2 Timothy 1:7) (F.A.I.T.H. = Forsaking All I Trust Him)

 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (F.A.I.T.H. = Forsaking All I Trust Him)

 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

(F.A.I.T.H. = Forsaking All I Trust Him)

and last but not least 

P.U.S.H. =Pray Until Something Happens 

Psalm 86:6 (KJV)

Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV) Pray without ceasing.

Luke 18:5 (KJV) Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

I wrote this in obedience to the Lord, I pray that it gives the encouragement it was intended. I pray never ever to give an occasion to stumble.

:-)

All Praise, Honor and Glory to our Lord for He alone is worthy.

God bless.