WELCOME SPRING!

Saturday, August 22, 2009

~Spiritual Sundays and Journaling~

Thanks to Charlotte and Ginger, wonderful hostesses of Spiritual Sundays.  Click on the SS button to the right to visit them and other wonderful friends that have something to share with you.

 I began jouraling when I was only 8 yrs. old, when I received my first diary.  I wasn’t talking to God at that time, only to myself, or so I thought.  As the years went by, it became apparent to me that someone was hearing my heart and  dreams, my hurts and my anger.  If you don’t already journal, I hope you will consider doing so…you will be blessed.

I once was Women’s Ministries Director for our church, and during that time, we had a monthly meeting for all the ladies, usually a brunch.    Each month, I brought a “lesson” and this is a portion of one of them.  I actually do not remember from what source this came, but I kept this on my computer, and wanted to share it with you.

JOURNAL WRITING: A TOOL FOR PERSONAL GROWTH

Establishing a closer communion with God is the very reason for fasting, so constantly seeking Him in prayer is absolutely vital. Prayer is expressing our devotion to our heavenly Father, inviting Him to talk to us as we talk to Him. Following are just some of the benefits of the spiritual exercise of journaling as we fast and pray

1. Over a period of several weeks or months, daily entries provide a means or reviewing God’s work in our lives.

2. Record the progress of a particular goal or the application and benefit of a new discipline or biblical truth.

3. Journals can serve as personal history books; leaving a legacy of your life is a wonderful gift for your family. Record daily prayers, and get in touch with and record personal feelings.

4. Journaling helps us slow down and refocus in a fast paced world.

5. Journaling provides a means of recording important lessons God is teaching us daily.

6. Journals provide records of God’s answers to prayers and other gifts received from Him.

7. Journaling give permanence to your life, rather than fleeting thoughts or memories that can be lost by passing time.

8. Journaling is a written dialogue with God, as you write with your heart, and write as He shares His with you.

9. Journaling lets you listen to God, and to communicate with each other.

The first step: DECIDE to keep a journal; purchase a special notebook especially for journaling

Next, if you have difficulty finding things to record in your journal, you may use this list as a guide:

1. What has God revealed to you about Himself?

2. What has God revealed to you about His purposes?

3. What has God revealed to you about His ways?

4. What has God done in your life or through your life that has caused you to experience His presence?

5. What scripture has God used to speak to you about Himself, His purposes or His ways?

6. What particular person or concern has God given you a burden to pray for? What has He guided you to pray for in this situation?

7. What has God done through circumstances that have given you a sense of His timing or direction concerning any aspect of His will?

8. What word of guidance or truth do you sense God has spoken to you through another believer?

9. What adjustment is God leading you to make in your life?

10. What acts of obedience have you accomplished this week? What further steps of obedience do you know God wants you to take?

Well known journalers: King David, King Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, the apostle Paul, the apostle John,

Without journalers, we wouldn’t have a Bible!!!

God bless you all.  Have a wonderful Spiritual Sunday!

Mary

18 comments:

  1. I had a diary when I was about the same age. I don't know whatever happened to it. I would love to be able to read it now. I remember very well writing a lot of stuff in it. I also had more than one autograph book which have also gotten lost in time. I have started journaling a couple of times since I've been grown but didn't keep it up. It occurred to me that blogging is a little like journaling. Thank you for all the good tips on being a journaler and for sharing it with us.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

    ReplyDelete
  2. What great guide lines you shared. I have lots of pretty little note books because I collect them. I need to slow down and start a journal, this has been on my heart for awhile. I do have a prayer journal for pray request. Thank-you for such a helpful post today.
    Blessings,
    Ginger

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wonderful post. I was journaling for years, but at some point I stopped :-( Thanks for your insight and tips.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I truly believe journaling is a good thing to do. However, I believe it depends on your personality. I do a lot meditating, writing notes in my Bible, and I write daily in many places. Thank you for this good post.Your suggestions will be helpful to many.

    ReplyDelete
  5. A few of mine serves to encourage me. Whenever going through tough times, I read the old entries and always get encouraged by His goodness and be reminded that He is always with us going through these trials. Thank you for the great reminder why we should do this. Blessings.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I wrote in my diary but quit long ago ... my writings were invaded. TTFN ~ Marydon

    ReplyDelete
  7. That is good advice. I am going to try a journal for a while and I will let you know how is progresses. I love new challenges, thank you.

    God bless you Anne

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a great idea! ... and what wonderful guideposts you've provided for those first, hesitant steps.

    Have a great SS, Mary!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I happy for you that journaling is important in your life. Have a Happy Sunday.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I too kept a journal for as long as I can remember. Around 1983 when I found Christ, my journals were done after watching Charles Stanley teach about recording how God was working in our life. A resource I have found valuable throughout any adversity. I also was reading a book called Hearing God, where she would write down words of answers to her prayers. Journalling helps me still to hear God's voice.

    Thank you.

    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  11. great post. I have a thank you journal and lots of diff journals of poetry, scriptures, sermon notes, simple sayings. When I first got very ill with immune disorder and now with central nervous system problems I got a little journal from Sams and love it. It is a gratitude journal and I fill a page every time I pick it up. It is a great reminder of what the lord has done and reminds me he is working and loving and I have much to be grateful for.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have had periods in my life when all i did was post to a journal... then years when i didnt.

    As I recall the "didnt" times were probably when I couldve most needed it... but hindsight is so clear.

    Having started my blog only months ago, I have come to really enjoy the time and reflection.

    Thanks so much for the tips!

    ♥ Claudia ♥

    ReplyDelete
  13. How wonderful! What a helpful post and what a wonderful idea for posts. (I am going to book mark this post!)
    Have a very blessed Sunday!
    ~ Debi~

    http://throughhimallthingsarepossible.blogspot.com/2009/08/spiritual-sundays-will-you-call-him.html

    ReplyDelete
  14. I really appreciate tutorials! Some will tell you something but then how do you do it? Thanks for giving us the how to!

    ReplyDelete
  15. A wonderful post! Journaling is a good thing to do. I believe it is healthy, but as Clif said, it often depends upon your personality whether or not it's for you. I find it very theraputic myself. Thanks for sharing all your insight. Have a wonderful week.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks for posting this, I made a copy and will give it to members of our Faith Sharing Group.

    Katherine

    ReplyDelete
  17. My journal is a place to let all burdens go and a place to reflect. All of which you have mentioned...great post!

    ReplyDelete