Discoveries of the Heart, Mind & Spirit

Crestmont college

Why Journal?

I write as much to discover as to explain. Henry Miller (Writer)

How do I know what I think until I see what I say? W.H. Auden (Poet)

Writing is deeper than therapy… Writing has tremendous energy.

Natalie Goldberg – Writing Down the Bones

Writing raises questions “I” hadn’t thought of. Writing offers “me” a different perspective, a different and more engaging way to look at things.

Julia Cameron – The Right to Write

I began these pages for myself, in order to think out my own particular pattern of living, my own individual balance of life, work and human relationships. Anne Morrow Lindbergh – Gift from the Sea

…a sort of white book concerning my negotiations with myself and with God. Dag Hammarskjold - Markings

• Journaling helps us pay attention to God. It is a way of hearing and responding to God. • Richard Peace – Spiritual Journaling

• The diaries we keep…(are) sacred history…God’s purpose working itself out.– Frederick Buechner

– A Room Called Remember

Is there a difference between Journaling

and Spiritual Journaling?

Is there a difference between journaling and spiritual journaling?

Trust God!Trust God!

YES!Begin the process

with prayer

Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you….

This is the difference between a journal and a spiritual journal:

conscious trust in God and dependenceupon God’s leading as you write.

Richard Peace

Spiritual Journaling: Recording Your Journey Toward God

Is there a difference between Journaling and Spiritual Journaling?

No• We are spiritual

beings.

• Emmanuel!

• God is with us !

Trust GodTrust God!

Acknowledging who God is……..

The heavens declare the glory of God;

Psalm 19:1

Diary vs. Journal?

DiaryRecords facts & events“Today I did this and saw that…”

Includes an occasional reaction or observation

Diary vs. Journal?

JournalThoughts/FeelingsReactions/Analysis/OpinionsQuestions/FearsHopes/DoubtsJoys/StrugglesResolves

JOURNAL ENTRIES

Challenges/Self-StrugglesQuestionsObservations/TruthsMeditations of the HeartPossibilitiesDecisions/Plans of ActionsQuotes/Statements of OthersPoetryPrayerArtwork

Spiritual Journal Benefits

Writing helps to clarify our thinking.

Writing helps us to focus.

Writing helps us define the hard questions and seek answers.

Spiritual Journal Benefits

Writing provides a record of where you have been and where you are going.

One good thought or question often leads to another!

Spiritual Journal Writing

Bible StudyPrayerConfessionMeditation

MARKINGS

byDag Hammarskjold

Self-Struggles/Questions

How ridiculous, this need of yours to communicate! Why should it mean so much to you that at least one person has seen the inside of your life? Why should you write down all this…? (p. 87)

In the last analysis, what does the word “sacrifice” mean? Or even the word “gift”? He who has nothing can give nothing. The gift is God’s – to God. (p. 91)

Self-Struggles/Questions

Your errors of the past make your relation to others difficult when the present shows you that you might repeat them. (p. 106)

So, once again, you chose for yourself – and opened the door to chaos. The chaos you become whenever God’s hand does not rest upon your head. (p. 104)

Your efforts did not ‘bring it to pass’, only God – but rejoice if God found a use for your efforts in His work. (p. 143)

Observations/TruthsMeditations of the Heart

On the bookshelf of life, God is a useful work of reference, always at hand, but seldom consulted. (p. 16)

Goodness is something so simple: always to live for others, never to seek one’s own advantage. (p. 89)

Observations/TruthsMeditations of the Heart

We act in faith – and miracles occur. In consequence, we are tempted to make the miracles the ground for our faith. The cost of such weakness is that we lose the confidence of faith. Faith is, faith creates, faith carries…” (p. 145)

Decisions/Affirmations

“Thy will be done” – to let the inner take precedence over the outer, the soul over the world - where this may lead you. (p. 81)

Never, for the sake of peace and quiet, deny your own experience or convictions. (p. 84)

Quotes from Others

“That one may be translated into light and song.” Eric Blomberg

… and then what will all earthly joys be, compared to the promise: “Where I am, there ye may be also.” Jesus

(p. 37)

“O God, thou art my God…in a barren and dry land where no water is. Thus have I looked for thee in the sanctuary, that I might behold thy power and glory.” Psalm 63:1-3 (p. 117)

Poetry

…calm is the soulThat is emptied of all self,

In a restful harmony –This happiness is here and now

In the eternal moment ofA happiness within you –

But not yours.(p. 38)

Prayer

Hallowed be Thy name,Not mine,

Thy kingdom come,Not mine,

Give us peace with Thee,Peace with men,

Peace with ourselves,And free us from all fear.

(p. 142)

The Brengle TreasuryA Patchwork Polygon

Compiled by Sallie Chesham

Sunday, October 6, 1907Very small handwriting,

written by Brengle.

Commissioner Samuel Logan Brengle

If I go to England for a campaign, I shall want special grace and help…

O Lord, You must help me, or I shall surely fail. I am weak and foolish and easily led astray except as You help me and establish my thoughts and convictions and goings.

Be not far from me. O Lord! Help me!

Remember Your word unto Your servants. Here are some of Your words, O Lord, upon which I cast myself and which I beseech You to fulfill in me and for me:

“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way thou shalt go; I will guide thee with mine eyes.” Psalm 32:8

(Psalm 31:20, Psalm 32:7, Psalm 27:4-5 and Isaiah 30:15)

“ The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; and He delighteth in his way.” Psalm 37:23

Order my steps if I am to go to England, O Lord!

~ The Psalms ~The Ultimate Spiritual Journal

DavidThe ShepherdThe SoldierThe KingThe HusbandThe FatherThe Man

Self-Struggles/Questions

Psalm 42 – Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?

Psalm 139 – Search me, O God, and know my heart…

Psalm 142 – When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who know my way.

Observations/TruthsMeditations of the Heart

Psalm 41 – Blessed is he who has regard for the weak…

Psalm 62 – My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.

Psalm 93 – The Lord reigns, He is robed in majesty.

Decisions/Affirmations

Psalm 37 – Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong…Psalm 39 – I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin…”Psalm 96 – Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Poetry

Psalm 8 – …how majestic is your name!

Psalm 23 – The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.

Psalm 91 – He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Prayer

Psalm 16 – Keep me safe, O God…Psalm 17 – Hear O Lord, my righteous plea, listen to my cry.Psalm 18 – I love you, O Lord, my strength.Psalm 64 – Hear me, O God, as I voice my complaint…

Journal Exercise – Choose One

1. Write a Psalm to the Lord

2. Luci Shaw Journal Exercise

3. Scripture Meditation

Note: All exercises should begin and end with prayer.

1. Write a Psalm to the Lord

A psalm of praiseA psalm of petitionA psalm expressing your fear, anger,

confusion and/or frustration with a situation in your life

(continued)

Write a Psalm to the Lord (continued)

When you are finished – pray your psalm.

Wait upon the Lord. Listen. Be still and know that He is

God. Make notes of any thoughts that

come to you as you wait upon Him.

Luci Shaw Journal Exercise

“If Jesus were in this place today, what question would you ask him?

Write it down, then take time to listen in prayer to his answer to you.

What does he say? Here is an opportunity to untangle a spiritual knot in your life.”

Scripture Meditation

Look up a favorite scripture verse(s) and write it in your journal with its reference.

Ask God to reveal to you a deeper understanding of the verse(s).

Read the verse(s) slowly and a second time for further meaning.

(continued )

Scripture Meditation - continued

Write down your observations and insights. Jot down any questions that come to mind.

Return to this entry later for further reflection and journaling.

Journaling Journaling helps us understand our

unfolding story. Knowing our story helps us to see what God has been doing in the past, is doing now, and is calling us to do in the future.

Richard Peace –

Spiritual Journaling – Recording Your Journey Toward God