writing in your Bible

[hindsey]

I have a brand new Cambridge wide-margin (KJV of course) Bible that was given to me as a gift. I know the Bible cost over $100 (I wish they hadn't spent that much on it, but they did). So, I am being very careful how I handle it, etc. hoping for it to last a long time for me.

Anyway, my question is: do any of you have any "systems" of writing your notes in your Bibles? I'm always afraid of writing something down and then a few months later realizing that I misunderstood what was being said, or when the preacher preached on that verse, he really was "stretching..."

Anybody have any thoughts?

[rural_preacher]

I only use pencil to write in my Bible. That includes underlining verses. One reason is that pencil will not bleed through the pages like some inks will - even after many years. The other reason is so that if I have written something that I realize later needs to be erased it can be.


--

[discernomatic]

I like to keep a small notebook just for the purpose with the bible. (Get a bible cover that allows for this.) If using one without a cover, I at least make sure that I have some blank pages stuck in the bible for emergencies, the kind with holes that I can put in my binder later. Just don't forget them or it will lead to a mountain of paperwork later.

[Velcro]

Oh, boy! Dare I declare myself an "expert" on this. Well, maybe not -- that might be a stretch. But this is what I have learned over the years:

When you first get your new Bible, how you open it the first time is of extreme importance! Place the Bible on a firm table, spine down, holding the opening side upward. Open the front cover, allowing it to go down to the table, while still holding the Bible up on its back spine. Do the same with the back. Open the next thicker inside pages in the way, front, then back. Then start carefully, systematically, opening about ten pages at a time, front then back, bringing them down to the others, until you finally reach the middle of your Bible. You have just added years of use to your Bible. The pages will likely stay attach for a long, long time.

Since it is the weekend, you have likely already opened your Bible. If you did not do it this way, do it anyway; you are not too late to still add years to it.

To add more life to your Bible:

Always keep it in a good cover that is not too small and not too large, and make sure that it completely encloses your Bible. Mine zips.
Never, ever, put any paper, inkpen, or book marker in your Bible. They were not made to carry these, and these will loosen the pages, eventually causing them to tear away from the stitching and fall out.
That notebook carried along with your Bible, not inside the pages, is the best way to carry notes on paper.
I bought a cover with pockets for papers and pens.
Re writing in your Bible, i am glad that the previous writer has had good results with writing in pencil; I have not. it smears, fades, and dirties the pages in my Bibles. Perhaps a special pencil lead was used? I have also had occasion when mechanical pencils have caught and torn pages.

For writing in my Bible, I have three different four-color ink pens and one 8-color dry highlighter. These pens and highlighters have several colors. Over the years, I have developed a system that each color carries a particular meaning, and there are little quick-drawings that carry meaning. Just to give examples,

Ink underlines (used for short passages):

black: warnings
green: promises of our G-d
red: important
blue: more general items
orange: children
turquoise: a particular religion I deal with occasionally
violet: another particular religion I deal with occasionally
brown: my childhood
abuse helps
Highlighter (used for larger passages):

Abuse helps
growth helps
spiritual discipline
important to remember
what I have been saved from
the last days
passages in the Apostolic writings that are quotations from the Tanakh
The highlighter I use is both dry and erasable. I bought it at a universith book store with little color lead refills. It is by Pentel and called a "Multi 8."

Admittedly, as I have grown in both understanding and maturity, there have been notes I have written in my Bible which I have regretted. I have, on occasion, just gritted my teeth and used "Wite-Out." My favorite is the correction pen by Bic. It has never leaked, has not spit out gray junk as some others will, and it dries well. I always make sure it is absolutely, completely dry before turning the page or writing over it. A good rule of thumb is to apply only what is necessary to neatly cover up, then walk away for two minutes.

No matter what, if you read your Bible at all, you are likely to diminish its age. If you write in your Bible at all, you will diminish its age. If you really want to keep your Bible in tip-top shape, put it in a nice completely water-proof, fire-proof box and place it on a low shelf, where it will not fall in case of an earthquake, and leave it alone. :D

[Paleoconservatarian]

Haha... when my parents bought me a new Bible a year or two ago for Christmas, they told me that if it wasn't worn and torn by the time I finished my first year in college, they'd be upset. :D I hate writing in my Bibles... it's just the way I am. I have a file drawer full of folders packed with pages and scraps upon which I have written my notes. Now if only I had some organizational skill.

[Velcro]

Cute! <grin>

[Jerrysch]

I only use pencil to write in my Bible. That includes underlining verses. One reason is that pencil will not bleed through the pages like some inks will - even after many years. The other reason is so that if I have written something that I realize later needs to be erased it can be.


--

Dosen't it smear on you??

[Jerrysch]

Oh, boy! Dare I declare myself an "expert" on this. Well, maybe not -- that might be a stretch. But this is what I have learned over the years:

When you first get your new Bible, how you open it the first time is of extreme importance! Place the Bible on a firm table, spine down, holding the opening side upward. Open the front cover, allowing it to go down to the table, while still holding the Bible up on its back spine. Do the same with the back. Open the next thicker inside pages in the way, front, then back. Then start carefully, systematically, opening about ten pages at a time, front then back, bringing them down to the others, until you finally reach the middle of your Bible. You have just added years of use to your Bible. The pages will likely stay attach for a long, long time.

Since it is the weekend, you have likely already opened your Bible. If you did not do it this way, do it anyway; you are not too late to still add years to it.

To add more life to your Bible:

Always keep it in a good cover that is not too small and not too large, and make sure that it completely encloses your Bible. Mine zips.
Never, ever, put any paper, inkpen, or book marker in your Bible. They were not made to carry these, and these will loosen the pages, eventually causing them to tear away from the stitching and fall out.
That notebook carried along with your Bible, not inside the pages, is the best way to carry notes on paper.
I bought a cover with pockets for papers and pens.
Re writing in your Bible, i am glad that the previous writer has had good results with writing in pencil; I have not. it smears, fades, and dirties the pages in my Bibles. Perhaps a special pencil lead was used? I have also had occasion when mechanical pencils have caught and torn pages.

For writing in my Bible, I have three different four-color ink pens and one 8-color dry highlighter. These pens and highlighters have several colors. Over the years, I have developed a system that each color carries a particular meaning, and there are little quick-drawings that carry meaning. Just to give examples,

Ink underlines (used for short passages):

black: warnings
green: promises of our G-d
red: important
blue: more general items
orange: children
turquoise: a particular religion I deal with occasionally
violet: another particular religion I deal with occasionally
brown: my childhood
abuse helps
Highlighter (used for larger passages):

Abuse helps
growth helps
spiritual discipline
important to remember
what I have been saved from
the last days
passages in the Apostolic writings that are quotations from the Tanakh
The highlighter I use is both dry and erasable. I bought it at a universith book store with little color lead refills. It is by Pentel and called a "Multi 8."

Admittedly, as I have grown in both understanding and maturity, there have been notes I have written in my Bible which I have regretted. I have, on occasion, just gritted my teeth and used "Wite-Out." My favorite is the correction pen by Bic. It has never leaked, has not spit out gray junk as some others will, and it dries well. I always make sure it is absolutely, completely dry before turning the page or writing over it. A good rule of thumb is to apply only what is necessary to neatly cover up, then walk away for two minutes.

No matter what, if you read your Bible at all, you are likely to diminish its age. If you write in your Bible at all, you will diminish its age. If you really want to keep your Bible in tip-top shape, put it in a nice completely water-proof, fire-proof box and place it on a low shelf, where it will not fall in case of an earthquake, and leave it alone. :D

Only one thing to add, if it is a leather softcover, don't store it on end, lay it flat...also when the cover gets worn, (you won't believe this) shine it up with some shoe polish (in the appropriate color) If it is real bad use shoe dye!

[rural_preacher]

Dosen't it smear on you??

No, I've never had that problem.



--

[St. George]

Use a pencil ;)

[Velcro]

Has anyone here tried their hand at replacing a cover on a Bible? I did it once, but it was a hard cover. I used fabric, quality cardboard, nice papers, glue, and added a ribbon place-marker. I did it about 4 years ago, and the guy is still carrying it, so I suppose it is all right.

I have had trouble with some Bibles lately and had to learn, the hard way, not to buy Bibles on sale. Bibles that are on a perpetual sale are usually put together poorly.

I am hoping that my next Bible will be a loose-leaf one. They used to sell them, but I haven't found any lately.

[Paleoconservatarian]

Has anyone here tried their hand at replacing a cover on a Bible? I did it once, but it was a hard cover. I used fabric, quality cardboard, nice papers, glue, and added a ribbon place-marker. I did it about 4 years ago, and the guy is still carrying it, so I suppose it is all right.

I have had trouble with some Bibles lately and had to learn, the hard way, not to buy Bibles on sale. Bibles that are on a perpetual sale are usually put together poorly.

I am hoping that my next Bible will be a loose-leaf one. They used to sell them, but I haven't found any lately.

I'm not that crafty. When my Bibles fall apart, I just say I have the scriptures in pamphlet form. :D

[Velcro]

Paleo, I have thought of doing that with a new Bible, in order to get my looseleaf Bible, since they no longer seem to make them. They never make the margins wide enough, though, and I am afraid I'll just end up with a big mess.

[Paleoconservatarian]

Yeah, I almost picked up a new NASB yesterday, but I want one I can write in, and the margins were just too small.

[tamtam92]

I also use different colors.
- green for OT passages about Jesus
- pink for those about Creation (i wanted to realize how much it is talked about in the bible !)
- orange for the passages about separation / sanctification

Generally i don't write many notes, or only with a pencil.

[reformedfan]

someone I know once said that to not write in a Bible was Biblioidolatry. (He was being funny, I think)

[JM]

I make notes in all my Bibles. One of the first notes I ever wrote in a Bible was when Augustine called Paul a liar for standing up to Peter when he wouldn't eat with the gentiles. Augustine didn't believe Paul would stand up to Peter. I'm not sure why I wrote it in but I tend to remember better when I do.

[kyzar]

Great Idea for all those out there want a long life Bible with room write as much as you want!!!
The initial cost isn't as bad as you think as well. The only problem with it is, no fancy bonded leather cover... But who really cares right? :-)

Get an online copy of the bible, full .txt or .doc file and go to your local library or university and print it off! Okay its gonna take a while to print, but its worth it!!!

When it eventually finishes printing go through and add a blank A4 (or foolscap, whatever size your using) page in between each printed one (or as many as you want to write on :-)

From now all you need to do is go to your nearest binding place (my uni does it for us) and get them to bind it... You can add or take as big a margin as you want...

walla, a cheap(ish) (my uni charges 5-7c per page so eventual price is usually less than $50) Bible with heaps and heaps of room for writing, and since the bible is bound with a wire binder, you can add or take whatever pages you want!!!

Yes it doesnt look as cool, but so what...

[hindsey]

Great Idea for all those out there want a long life Bible with room write as much as you want!!!
The initial cost isn't as bad as you think as well. The only problem with it is, no fancy bonded leather cover... But who really cares right? :-)

Get an online copy of the bible, full .txt or .doc file and go to your local library or university and print it off! Okay its gonna take a while to print, but its worth it!!!

When it eventually finishes printing go through and add a blank A4 (or foolscap, whatever size your using) page in between each printed one (or as many as you want to write on :-)

From now all you need to do is go to your nearest binding place (my uni does it for us) and get them to bind it... You can add or take as big a margin as you want...

walla, a cheap(ish) (my uni charges 5-7c per page so eventual price is usually less than $50) Bible with heaps and heaps of room for writing, and since the bible is bound with a wire binder, you can add or take whatever pages you want!!!

Yes it doesnt look as cool, but so what...
That's a great idea - I think I might even make a parallel Bible for myself with the Spanish in a 2nd column. Thanks.

[Velcro]

Wow! If only I was computer-literate enough to know what you are writing about! I would not bind it as is regularly done, though; I would put it in a three-ring binder. Wonder how thick it would be????

[hindsey]

Wow! If only I was computer-literate enough to know what you are writing about! I would not bind it as is regularly done, though; I would put it in a three-ring binder. Wonder how thick it would be????
I was thinking a 3-ring binder as well.

[Spudgrandma]

Oh, boy! Dare I declare myself an "expert" on this. Well, maybe not -- that might be a stretch. But this is what I have learned over the years:

When you first get your new Bible, how you open it the first time is of extreme importance! Place the Bible on a firm table, spine down, holding the opening side upward. Open the front cover, allowing it to go down to the table, while still holding the Bible up on its back spine. Do the same with the back. Open the next thicker inside pages in the way, front, then back. Then start carefully, systematically, opening about ten pages at a time, front then back, bringing them down to the others, until you finally reach the middle of your Bible. You have just added years of use to your Bible. The pages will likely stay attach for a long, long time.

Since it is the weekend, you have likely already opened your Bible. If you did not do it this way, do it anyway; you are not too late to still add years to it.

To add more life to your Bible:

Always keep it in a good cover that is not too small and not too large, and make sure that it completely encloses your Bible. Mine zips.
Never, ever, put any paper, inkpen, or book marker in your Bible. They were not made to carry these, and these will loosen the pages, eventually causing them to tear away from the stitching and fall out.
That notebook carried along with your Bible, not inside the pages, is the best way to carry notes on paper.
I bought a cover with pockets for papers and pens.
Re writing in your Bible, i am glad that the previous writer has had good results with writing in pencil; I have not. it smears, fades, and dirties the pages in my Bibles. Perhaps a special pencil lead was used? I have also had occasion when mechanical pencils have caught and torn pages.

For writing in my Bible, I have three different four-color ink pens and one 8-color dry highlighter. These pens and highlighters have several colors. Over the years, I have developed a system that each color carries a particular meaning, and there are little quick-drawings that carry meaning. Just to give examples,

Ink underlines (used for short passages):

black: warnings
green: promises of our G-d
red: important
blue: more general items
orange: children
turquoise: a particular religion I deal with occasionally
violet: another particular religion I deal with occasionally
brown: my childhood
abuse helps
Highlighter (used for larger passages):

Abuse helps
growth helps
spiritual discipline
important to remember
what I have been saved from
the last days
passages in the Apostolic writings that are quotations from the Tanakh
The highlighter I use is both dry and erasable. I bought it at a universith book store with little color lead refills. It is by Pentel and called a "Multi 8."

Admittedly, as I have grown in both understanding and maturity, there have been notes I have written in my Bible which I have regretted. I have, on occasion, just gritted my teeth and used "Wite-Out." My favorite is the correction pen by Bic. It has never leaked, has not spit out gray junk as some others will, and it dries well. I always make sure it is absolutely, completely dry before turning the page or writing over it. A good rule of thumb is to apply only what is necessary to neatly cover up, then walk away for two minutes.

No matter what, if you read your Bible at all, you are likely to diminish its age. If you write in your Bible at all, you will diminish its age. If you really want to keep your Bible in tip-top shape, put it in a nice completely water-proof, fire-proof box and place it on a low shelf, where it will not fall in case of an earthquake, and leave it alone. :D
Velcro,
I have been looking for the Multi-8 pen and have been unable to find a place to purchase one. I would appreciate knowing where you found yours.
Thank You

IBIDMT

[Velcro]

I found one at a Bible book store and another at the university book store near where I lived. Right after that, they were basically removed from the public market. Soon, the leads were also taken off the market. In fact, I got a bunch for a very low price, and some others free, because the seller didn't want to bother with them anymore. Apparently, you may still be able to buy one from the manufacturer, Pentel.

Have you any idea what they were originally made for?

By the way, WELCOME!!

[Spudgrandma]

Thank You for the reply and the welcome. I do not know what they were made for, I just know that I got mine many years ago from Precept Ministries and they are still available through them but are very expensive and I was hoping that you may have recently purchased yours and I might find one that I could afford. I did have one but lost it during a move. They are wonderful for marking your bible and I would like to get my hands on another one, but I am not sure I am willing to pay $22+ for one.

Again, thank you.
IBIDMT :wave:

[Velcro]

Sorry, but you'd be LUCKY to get it for only $22! Last I knew, they were closer to $30! I'd buy it! I need a second one. What is Precept Ministries?

[ethereal hope]

Precept Ministries (http://www.precept.org/newindex.html), who makes the special pens mentioned above, also puts out that Inductive Study Bible. I've used that (ISB) Bible for a few years now, and both the method of marking the Bible, and the ISB bible itself, has been helpful (good margins, good maps, and decent cross-references).

But the pages are dropping out after a few years of usage. The leather cover is fine, as is the paper itself (the notes haven't bleed, or smudged), but the binding has proven to be disappointing. The first "clunk" of pages (a section of the Psalms) fell out within months of purchase.

If I buy another ISB (which I doubt I will), I'll try that method on page 1 of this thread (opening the bible methodically when you first purchase it).

Anyway, I don't use the special Precept markers and pens, because I found a bunch of color pens at the drugstore (I think they're Bics!). I keep a selection of colored ink pens and colored pencils in a jar on my desk specifically for marking the Bible.

One thing I've found instructive (though it's not part of the ISB method) is to underline ALL God's words with red pen. The ISB didn't have the words of Christ in red-letter, so I underlined them red. Then I started underlining God's words in the OT red, too. There's way more red in the OT than I ever imagined!

(Unfortunately, all my drawings and illustrations and underlinings will have to one day be transferred to a Bible where the pages are actually BOUND.)

[Velcro]

I go through Bibles. It is shameful. I looked about for the last Bible to fall apart on me, before the one i have now, and I can't find it, in order to tell you the manufacturer. (We are moving things about in the house right now.)

It is not whom you buy the Bible from; it is the manufacturer. The one that I have right now, that is falling apart, is a Zondervan.

However, I have concluded that the reasons it is falling apart are:
1. Bibles that are use as study Bibles are going to fall apart, while Bibles that are reading Bibles will not.
2. Those little colored ribbon sets, sold to hold places in Bibles, are Bible-murders, even more than the papers (that we are told not to put in the pages) are.
______________________________________

I am sorry, moderator. There is no erase button. For informational purposes only, I will leave this here as it is until you erase it.

[Adammi]

I have a brand new Cambridge wide-margin (KJV of course) Bible that was given to me as a gift. I know the Bible cost over $100 (I wish they hadn't spent that much on it, but they did). So, I am being very careful how I handle it, etc. hoping for it to last a long time for me.

Anyway, my question is: do any of you have any "systems" of writing your notes in your Bibles? I'm always afraid of writing something down and then a few months later realizing that I misunderstood what was being said, or when the preacher preached on that verse, he really was "stretching..."

Anybody have any thoughts?
I believe it was D.L. Moody who said, "Never buy a Bible if it's too nice to write in." So write in your Bible. I write in mine often and I have no system. I wish that I did, but I don't.