Enthusiastically, Dawn

Dear Friends, I am here today for a long overdue look at the absolutely stunning ESV GraceLaced Bible, Journaling Edition featuring artwork by Ruth Chou Simons. I have in my possession the TruTone®, Quiet Forest version, a gorgeous leather looking, elegant book to behold. I am excited to share this beautiful Bible for those who are seeking a new Bible for journaling, solo study, and quiet time. Or for those seeking a gift for a friend to encourage their faith life.

Two things I never tire of giving or receiving are Bibles and journals. I use bothe daily and the increase in availablility of excellent and lovely journaling Bble combinations available now has really provided more opportunities to connect journaling, prayer, creativity, scripture study and mediatation with greater access to thes merged product lines.

So let’s say I am a self-confessed Bible nerd. The way some love their shoes or pocketbooks, I have a keen appetite for the word of God and appreciate the plethora of possibilities we have to study, explore, appreciate, and discover God’s word through so many beautiful, helpful translations and varities of presentation. I use my Bible daily but also do regularly shift and use the many on my shelves. OK, so now that we’ve cleared up my affection for Bibles in general, I can move on to my thoughts and impressions about this particular offering.

This Bible features:

• 250 illustrated verses appearing in the margins
• 50 full-page verse illustrations
• Full-page illustration on each Bible opening page as well as an ornamental drop cap and image
• Ribbon marker
• Sewn binding
• Single-column layout
• Wide, lined margins
• Beautiful white paper
• Clear 9.0 font
• A Note from the artist: Ruth Chou Simons
• ESV Translation
• Size: 6.5 in x 9.0 in x 1.8125 in
• Weight: 57.1 ounces
• Page Count: 1,632

My Thoughts and Impressions

Having recently been through a serious asthmatic episode this Summer, the one word that comes to mind as I have looked upon this Bible waiting for my attention is breath. The beauty of this Bible feels to me like a breath of God, a beautiful rendition of His Word waiting to be beheld, and inhaled. We can breathe in the beauty and very breath of God…is that amazing?

Even as author, Ruth Chou Simons, states in her opening note, “The word of God is beautiful. It is complete, and needs no adorning in order to comfort, convict, and transform lives.” Yet, we proclaim what we worship by what we focus on, create and prioritize. This beautiful work from the artist’s hands asks us to turn our eyes to Jesus, in all of His wonderful grace and see Him in creativity and creation in HIs Word and the wonder of the beautiful world we can see- represented in beautiful watercolor illustrations of nature. These lovely illustrations are soothing, and unobtrusive in their presentation. Each is perfectly accomodating to the scripture which gently nudges the reader into a place of genuine peace, stillness. These pages have tangible breathing room!

My favorite feature (aside of the gorgeous watercolor art) is the soft white pages. I am truly overjoyed at this choice. I find the white so much better to read, In general I am not a fan of the ivory, cream, and otherwise non-white options popular with many other journaling Bibles. This one feature alone is a huge selling point to me. I know that others prefer the off white, but the white in this Bible is a soft, but assured white. Absolutely complimentray to the scripture, artwork, and these old eyes!

My second favorite feature is the single-column format, which absolutely facilitates a kind of “breathing space” as I previously mentioned. There is room on the page. What you do with it is up to you. I sometmes appreciate that extra room as a reminder of margin in my life. Sometimes it is good to be careful not to crowd out all the free space…in our Bibles or days. Either way, the choice is ours.

In conclusion, I am smitten with this incredibly beautiful Bible. I could not decide between the hardcover (I love the beautiful floral cover) and the Quiet Forest cover- which I settled upon and am absolutely grateful to own. I’ve included pics for comparison.

The value of this BIble for the price is reasonable, and I believe this is a gift that would be cherished for a lifetime. It has such beutiful details in the cover with the embossed floral design (in the leatherlike). It is stinning. Classic. A timeless keepsake for a daughter, niece, mother or sister.

Thank you for reading, let me know if you have questions. Thank you to Crossway for this amazing Bible (and all the work you do)!

Enthusiastically, Dawn