In July I mentioned that I was thinking about getting the ESV Journaling Bible ?™ because it would be helpful to put extra notes in my Bible to remind me of points that I might want to use when I’m teaching Revelation this year but I was debating getting it since I have so many Bibles (the picture to the left is of some of the Bibles that we have in our house) and I generally don’t read them because I usually read the Bible in Bibleworks instead (which has just about every translation know to man — see for yourself).
But the Lord took the decision out of my hands, I was offered a Bible from a kind soul at Crossway Stephen the webmaster at Good News / Crossway with no strings attached.
I received it a couple weeks ago and was quite pleased with it. It has several nice features:
1. It looks just like a Moleskine (which, it turns out, was the idea), it has an elastic strap to keep it closed and the same hardback cover that you get with a Moleskine. I liked it the moment I saw it because I love Moleskines. Here’s a picture of mine:

2. I liked the ruled lines and the wide margin, there is more than enough room to take notes.
3. I liked the elastic band so that I can shove paper in my Bible and not worry about losing it, though I really wish they had included the back pocket like they have in Moleskines. I wonder if it’s been patented.
4. I like the quality of the paper, it’s heavy enough that you don’t have trouble turning the pages.
5. I like the size of it, even though it’s a little thick which makes sense since it’s made with wide margins.
Now the downside, when I first got the Bible I couldn’t read it because the font was too small but in the providence of God I was scheduled for an eye doctor appointment the following week. Once I got my bifocals, I was able to read the text with no problem.
I recommend getting the Journaling Bible, especially if you love your Moleskine and if like writing in your Bible. I bet your notes will be a lot more legible with the lines than they are now.
BTW, here is the first note I put in my Journaling Bible:

It’s a thought I had related to Carrie’s post on the unbridled tongue. I put a note in James to remind myself that to bridle my tongue (James 3:1-12) I need to bridle my heart (Matt. 15:16-19). If I’m not thinking in a judgmental manner, then I’m not speaking in one, though that’s easier said than done 🙂
Updated to add: I’ve added the name of the kind soul who offered me the Bible.