Welcome to the Faith & Encouragement section of Crafting Lifestyles by Mary — a peaceful little space created to share hope, encouragement, prayer, inspiration, and reminders of God’s love through everyday life.
Life can get busy, overwhelming, and sometimes difficult, but even in the middle of ordinary days, we can find comfort and peace through faith. I hope this page becomes a cozy, uplifting place where you can slow down, breathe, and spend a few quiet moments feeling encouraged.
Finding Joy in Everyday Faith
Faith doesn’t always have to happen in big moments. Sometimes it’s found in:
- A quiet morning prayer
- Reading a comforting Bible verse
- Writing thoughts in a journal
- Lighting a candle and spending time with God
- Taking a peaceful walk
- Pausing to notice blessings around us
Little moments of faith can bring so much comfort to everyday life.
What You’ll Find Here
This section of the website will continue to grow and include:
Prayer Bible Inspiration
Ideas for using your Bible as a Prayer Bible, highlighting Scripture, journaling prayers, and growing deeper in your faith journey.
Scripture Encouragement
Comforting verses, uplifting reminders, and Bible passages that bring hope and encouragement.
Faith Journaling Ideas
Creative ways to combine faith and journaling through notes, reflections, and Scripture writing.
Encouragement for Everyday Life
Gentle reminders that you are never alone and that God’s love is present even in life’s simple moments.
A Simple Reminder
You do not have to be perfect to spend time with God.
Faith grows little by little, one prayer, one verse, and one quiet moment at a time.
Sometimes all we need is a few peaceful moments to reconnect, reflect, and remember that we are loved.
Favorite Ways to Slow Down & Reflect
Here are a few simple ways I enjoy creating peaceful, faith-filled moments:
- Reading Scripture with a cup of coffee
- Prayer journaling
- Decorating a Prayer Bible with tabs or notes
- Listening to worship music
- Writing down blessings and answered prayers
- Spending quiet time away from distractions
Faith can be beautifully simple.
Encouragement From My Heart
No matter where you are in your faith journey, you are welcome here.
Whether you are feeling joyful, overwhelmed, hopeful, uncertain, or simply looking for encouragement, I hope this space reminds you that you are never alone.
Thank you for visiting the Faith & Encouragement section of Crafting Lifestyles by Mary. I truly hope it brings a little peace, comfort, and inspiration to your day. 💜
Future content may include:
- Prayer Bible setup ideas
- Scripture writing plans
- Faith journaling inspiration
- Encouragement posts
- Bible study resources
- Christian lifestyle inspiration
- Seasonal faith content
Be sure to visit often, as new faith-filled content is added. 🌸
Bible Information!
Here is some information on Different Bible translations and an overview of the Bible.
There are many different Bible translations, each with a distinct approach to language, readability, and accuracy. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most well-known Bible translations, grouped by style:
🧠 Word-for-Word (Formal Equivalence)
These try to stay as close as possible to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek words.
King James Version (KJV) – Classic, poetic 1611 English. “Thou art” style.
New King James Version (NKJV) – Modernized KJV with updated vocabulary.
English Standard Version (ESV) – Modern, readable, but still very close to the original.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) – Extremely accurate; favored for serious study.
📖 Thought-for-Thought (Dynamic Equivalence)
These prioritize conveying the meaning over exact words for better readability.
New International Version (NIV) – Popular, balanced translation; widely used.
New Living Translation (NLT) – Very readable and modern; excellent for new readers.
Good News Translation (GNT) – Simple English; often used for youth or ESL learners.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB) – Balanced between word-for-word and thought-for-thought.
🗣️ Paraphrase (Idea-by-Idea, Very Free)
These are not direct translations, but rather rewordings for clarity and impact.
The Message (MSG) – Very modern, casual, conversational tone.
The Passion Translation (TPT) – More poetic and emotional, controversial in some circles.
Living Bible (TLB) – A paraphrase of the American Standard Version; devotional use.
📜 Translations in Other Languages
There are thousands of Bible translations in nearly every spoken language. For example:
Spanish: Reina-Valera, Dios Habla Hoy
French: Louis Segond
Swahili: Biblia Habari Njema
Chinese: 和合本 (He He Ben), 现代中文译本
🔍 Which One Should You Read?
It depends on your goal:
For deep study: ESV, NASB, NKJV
For daily reading/devotionals: NIV, NLT, CSB
For kids or ESL readers: GNT, NLT
For casual or poetic reading: MSG, TPT
Here is some information on the overview of the Bible!
📖 Bible Overview
The Bible is a collection of 66 books written by over 40 authors across 1,500+ years. It’s divided into two main parts:
📚 1. Old Testament (39 books)
Covers creation to the time before Jesus.
Main Sections:
Law (Genesis – Deuteronomy): Creation, the fall of man, God’s covenant with Israel, laws given through Moses.
History (Joshua – Esther): Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land, the rise and fall, and exile.
Poetry & Wisdom (Job – Song of Solomon): Writings on suffering, praise, love, and life’s meaning.
Prophets (Isaiah – Malachi): Messages from God calling Israel to repentance, foretelling a coming Savior.
Key Themes:
God creates everything good.
Humanity rebels (sin enters).
God begins a rescue plan through Israel.
Prophets speak of a future Messiah (Savior).
✝️ 2. New Testament (27 books)
Focuses on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the early Christian church.
Main Sections:
Gospels (Matthew – John): Four accounts of Jesus’ life, teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection.
History (Acts): The growth of the early church after Jesus’ ascension.
Letters/Epistles (Romans – Jude): Letters to churches and individuals about living in faith, written by Paul and others.
Prophecy (Revelation): A symbolic and prophetic vision of the end of time and the return of Christ.
Key Themes:
Jesus is the promised Messiah.
Salvation is by grace through faith.
Christians are called to love God and others.
Jesus will return to restore all things.
🔑 The Bible’s Big Story (in 4 parts)
Creation – God creates a perfect world (Genesis 1–2).
Fall – Humans disobey God, and sin enters the world (Genesis 3).
Redemption – God promises and provides a Savior—Jesus (Old Testament → New Testament).
Restoration – God will make all things new in the end (Revelation 21–22).
🧭 Why It Matters
The Bible is not just a book of rules or history—it tells God’s story of love and redemption and invites every person into that story through faith in Jesus.
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I thought this was some great information, and I wanted to share it with you all. I love reading the Bible and studying it. Hope this helps someone.
Why I Love the LifeWay Women’s Bible
This Bible is so much more than just Scripture—it’s full of encouraging devotionals, thoughtful word studies, and insights written by women for women. It’s perfect for both beginners and those who’ve been studying the Bible for years.
What makes it extra special to me:
Easy-to-read CSB translation
Articles and devotionals throughout
Wide margins for notes and reflections|
Beautiful design and layout
Strong binding that holds up with daily use
Personal meaning I’ve added through decor and journaling
My Simple Bible Study Tips
1. Start with Prayer
Before you begin, ask God for wisdom and understanding (James 1:5). Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your study.2. Choose a Good Translation
Pick a Bible version that’s easy to understand. Some favorites:New Living Translation (NLT) – Clear and modern
English Standard Version (ESV) – Good balance of accuracy and readability
New International Version (NIV) – Widely used and easy to follow3. Use a Bible Study Journal
Write down:
What verses stood out
What you learned about God
How it applies to your life
Here are a few simple ones:
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture – Write out a verse
Observation – What’s happening in the text?
Application – How can you apply it?
Prayer – Pray about what you learned
Verse Mapping
Break down keywords, look up original meanings, cross-references, and context.
Topical Study
Choose a topic (like forgiveness, love, peace) and find verses about it.
Character Study
Learn about a specific person (like Ruth, David, or Paul) and how God used them. 5. Be Consistent, Not Perfect
Set a time that works for you—morning or evening. Even 10–15 minutes a day adds up. If you miss a day, don’t feel guilty—just pick up where you left off.6. Use Study Tools (Free or low-cost)
Study Bible – Has notes and maps built in
Bible Apps – Like YouVersion, Blue Letter Bible, or Bible Hub
Commentaries – For deeper understanding (try Matthew Henry or David Guzik)
Concordance – Helps you find verses by topic or keyword
7. Join or Start a Bible Study Group
Discussing with others helps you grow and see Scripture from different perspectives.
8. Focus on Applying What You Learn
Bible study is not just about knowledge—it’s about transformation. Ask, “What is God showing me today?”
Final Thoughts
Studying the Bible is one of the most important parts of my day. It brings me peace, clarity, and joy. I hope sharing a little about how I study helps encourage you in your own walk with God.
Do you have a favorite Bible or a helpful tip that helps you? I’d love to hear about it in the comments or in a message!
💛 Blessings and Happy Studying,
Mary