I appreciate the encouragement about my beard. It’s fun. But it is not yet reaching anything near “epic” proportions. Not even at our church, since Brian Malcolm is way out in front (and that’s an old photo). With the encouragement I also hear a common lament, “I cannot grow a beard!” This is typically accompanied by the tearing of their robes. And when men like Ed Stetzer say they want to  grow a beard, I am compelled to help. So, I’ll let everyone in on on a little secret — The Beard Generator!

The Illustrated Police News, 1885 (via)

In the past I have blogged about my joy of journaling in a Moleskine, and last week I shared how I’m using the ESV Journaling Bible. In both books I make the vast majority of my notes in pencil, not pen. People are often surprised that I favor a pencil, and ask if I’m afraid the writing will fade. The short answer is, No. Pencil doesn’t fade.

Why I Favor the Pencil

When I say “pencil,” I’m referring to a mechanical pencil (typically this one). I use them because I like how they write. It’s pretty subjective. Writing with a pencil just feels better to me, and I like the options of using it in different ways. Additionally, I make mistakes and like to erase them.

Pencil Doesn’t Fade

A cursory search on the internet shows most people stating as fact, “Writing in pencil will fade over time.” Rather than trust the opinion of some random dude on Yahoo Answers who hasn’t even read an article on the subject, I thought I would ask some people who could give me better direction. So I contacted the National Archives. They were happy to answer my questions quickly and provide helpful references. After a few email exchanges with people who spend their time in historic documents, here is the bottom line for those wondering if writing in pencil will fade.

Graphite pencil is a very stable material.  It does not fade in light. It does not bleed in water unless other dyes were added.

Turns out we’ve been using graphite for drawing and writing since the 17th century. I asked my new new friends at the Archives if they could point out any old, well known documents that were written in pencil. One potential find is the second page of Loncoln’s Gettysburg Address (take a peek here) available online on the Library of Congress’ web site. It appears to have been written in pencil. You do not need to worry about the words you write in your journal fading away over the years if you use a pencil.

Pencil Does Smear

This doesn’t make pencil the best option for everything or everyone. Pencil can smear with your finger, so if you aren’t careful you can have a problem. This is actually my only concern in writing in the ESV Journaling Bible; my thumbs want to rest on the pages and turn them where I have written. I have been forcing myself to go about it differently to avoid smearing what I have written. Obviously pencil is not as fragile as chalk on a chalkboard, but be aware.

For the nerds out there who want to go deeper into the pencil,check out The Craft of Old Master Drawings, by James Watrous, and The Pencil: A History of Design and Circumstance, by Henry Petroski. You can even read Petroski’s book for free via Google Books.

Wow! Almost 230 of you entered the giveaway and Crossway stepped up to make it more fun by offering to give five Journaling Bibles to randomly selected participants. Congratulations to Kyle Owenby, Jesse B., Krys Curnutt, Ron Lane, and Ginger Swann.

To everyone else who still wants a Journaling Bible I would encourage you to check out the deals at WTS Books. They are offering these Bibles (and others) at serious discounts. They would also make a great Christmas present.

Note: All entrants were assigned numbers and winners were randomly selected via the integer generator at Random.org.

As a new Christian the Bible was entirely new to me. I didn’t know who the Apostle Paul was, nor well-known stories like that of of Cain and Able. So, I was hungry for the Scripture and read it fervently and frequently. For the first years of my Christian life I always had my bible. Of course I had a few Bibles, but my bible was the one I read and wrote in most of the time. (Here’s a peek at a page from the NIV Bible I was using as a young Christian in 1992.) By the late nineties I wound up just grabbing whatever Bible was close by. It didn’t matter which one I used since I kept all my notes in a journal. Well, maybe it’s just me but along the way I really missed having a special go-to Bible that was well-read and marked up.

In July 2006 Crossway released the ESV Journaling Bible featuring 2 inch ruled margins. I wanted one immediately, but wasn’t sure I would use it. After all, I am one of those Moleskine guys. Well, I finally purchased one this fall and just love it. For the first time in years I have my Bible again. For those who like to take notes in their bibles I think this is the best option around.

For a real review of the Bible you can check out Tony Reinke’s post from 2007 (while you’re at it, get his new book, Lit!). Here, I’m just going to tell you how I’ve been using those wide margins in the ESV Journaling Bible. I mean, you finally have a Bible with s p a c e. What do you use it for? I mostly do three things.

Using the Margins

1. Summation, Connection, and Implication.
I often write out a summation of certain truths, arguments, or passages that make things clear for me. Distilling things down to their essence helps me to see the big picture, or main point, and then return to the pieces. I also like to lay out some of the connections between the truth, promise, or command in the passage I am currently reading to truths, promises, etc. in other portions of Scripture. And, I also note some of the implications of those truths/passages I’m currently reading.

2. Cross references.
Some people won’t like that the ESV Journaling Bible doesn’t have cross refernces, but I like that I get to add my own. It forces me to work my brain (or a concordance), but then I add only the most relevant texts.

3. Quotes.
I’m even throwing helpful quotes from other writers/theologians when helpful to me or those I may wind up teaching.

An example.
Last week I was reading Proverbs 27 and verse 7 really caught my attention. “One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.” I used the margins to note that the rich forget their privileges, the comfortable forget their ease, but those who suffer savor even small graces. And, that I need to take note of my afflictions while savoring God’s present graces and gospel promises. Later I came across Matthew Henry’s comment on the passage and quoted him in the margin as well. He was explaining how the poor have a better relish of their enjoyments than the rich, and then wrote, “Hunger is the best sauce.”

Pen or Pencil?

If you’re going to mark this bad boy up, what will you use? I favor writing in this Bible with a pencil because I sometimes write down the wrong verse and would like to erase something rather than scratch it out. But I went onto Twitter last week and asked what people are using to write in their ESV Journaling Bible, and here are some of their answers.

Pigma Micron 005 (by Sakura)
Zebra F-301 0.7 mm Fine Point
Pilot Hi-Tec
Pilot G-2 0.38 Fine Point
Staedtler Mars Micro 775 Mechanical Pencil 0.5mm
Pentel 0.5mm pencil

If you have the journaling Bible share how you’re using it in the comments.

Later this week I’ll be giving away an ESV Journaling Bible. If you want one come back and enter the giveaway!

I had to spend a couple days in the city this week and snapped a few shots as I walked. I’m always struck by the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower.

This photo was taken with the iPhone 4 and processed with the Pictureshow app.