Every person is made in God’s image.

No one is beyond Jesus’s reach. However, for family members who have a loved one incarcerated or whose life has been affected by crime, days spent apart and the strain of such long separations can make for tough times. Knowing how and when to minister to their loved ones can also be challenging. Having someone in prison creates many obstacles and limitations. There are many limitations on gifts and what can be sent and received and we encourage you to check with the institution to make sure the book bound personalized scripture journal is approved since it can be a case by case basis.

However, we have the perfect recommendation and solution.

Isaiah 43:1 says, “I have called you by name; you are mine,” God tells us in this Scripture that God’s personal, intimate love is something incredible to contemplate, and it belongs to each of us.

Now, inmates can enjoy a daily reminder of God’s individual love for them with one of our softback prison-approved journals and planner systems. Our softback lay flat meets all the requirements set by prison requirements.

Paper Sunday is the creation of Kara and Bob Heckel, a husband and wife team and parents of two children. Kara longed to help people “not just relegate God to Sunday morning, but allow Him into every day of the week, and every aspect of their lives,” her website explains.

What sets apart Paper Sunday products and makes them unique is that every page of their journals and planner is personalized with Scripture verses. So, for example, a page might read, “Jane, now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1).”

Imagine the encouragement an inmate will feel, seeing that they are loved, cherished, and forgiven by God. Verses from the Bible take on new meaning when your name is in them. As their website says, “Experience the power of seeing your name in God’s words!”

“Each day, we strive to bring the word of God to our customers and share His love for them,” said Alexa Morales, Senior PR Account Coordinator for Paper Sunday.

Sharing God’s love with those who desperately need to know there is hope beyond the prison walls is at the core of what Paper Sunday believes. As Christ hung on the cross and died, He told the thief who repented that he would be with Him in eternity.

Luke 23: 39-43 says, One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

How encouraging is the good news of the love of the Lord? To know that there is forgiveness and hope beyond our past sinful actions provides hope and encouragement to face the next day.

The team at Paper Sunday believes that personalizing verses from Scripture gives their customers a new appreciation for God’s word.

“I still remember the first time I saw my name in scripture and how the verse literally jumped off the pages,” Morales said. “It was such a revelation moment regarding the living Word of God! I wanted to share that revelation with others.”

In addition to the inspiring personalized scriptures, Paper Sunday’s journals also offer excellent journaling pages. When our minds struggle to rest or overcome an obstacle, roadblock, or hurdle, journaling can help us work through those emotions.

As you put pen to paper, it releases those pent-up negative thoughts and frees them from repeating--ultimately giving us release.

Paper Sunday also hopes to show people the depth of God’s love for them, drawing their customers into a personal relationship with God. “We want people to understand that the word of God was written for them, in this day and age,” Morales said.

Part of the appeal of their products is having a beautiful, physical journal or planner in hand. There’s something really meaningful about committing words to paper. Inmates can even draw images in their journals. It’s a sensory experience to which online record-keeping can’t compare. And it’s a big reason that Paper Sunday’s products are so popular.

When we take time to meditate, it heals our hearts and minds. Meditating on the living, breathing Word of God and His scriptures takes us out of the fast-paced digital world that often leaves us feeling empty. “Anything we can do to take a moment and reflect on the love of God will help keep us grounded,” said Morales.

Add to that the wonderful fact that all of Paper Sundays’ products are designed and manufactured in the USA, and you can see why they’ve built such a loyal fan base.

Whether an inmate wants to use the journal in the mornings during their quiet time or in the evening during periods of reflection, these brightly colored journals will bring a burst of color and joy to each moment of use.

Each time inmates open their personalized journals, they will be met with God’s loving words, encouraging them by name. Families can even write encouraging notes in the journals, paste in family pictures and special messages of encouragement and send the journal filled out to their loved ones.

Seeing your loved one’s handwriting is such a source of comfort and joy. There is hope no matter what stage of incarceration your loved one is working to overcome. God desires to rescue, renew, and restore the lost to Him.

Paper Sunday is excited to play a part in serving those affected by crime and incarceration so that all might know the love of the Lord.