"A journal helps us clarity our priorities. Life always seems at least a step or two ahead of us. It’s easy to lose control. I often turn to my journal as the key to unlock the shackles of the time trap. Reflection enables me to sort out what’s important. The commitments that clamor and crowd in on me lose some of their urgency in the light of my basic goals and values. On the other hand, a clear perception of the important matters awakens a new resolve to get on with it."
-Douglas Rumford

"The very act of writing can be remarkably creative. When I sit down with the paper in front of me, I know in general what I want to say, but I seldom know the details. As the ideas are expressed in written from, however, they begin to grow and to develop by their own inherent logic. Always I am a bit surprised by what has been written, for I have become in some sense an instrument."
Elton Trueblood describes his experience in journal writing

"I know that a faith which does not hold my intellect will soon not hold my heart."
E. Stanley Jones

A spiritual practice many people have found productive in helping them to gain insight into their relationship with God is keeping a spiritual journal. A spiritual journal is different from a regular journal. It is a written record of personal reactions to spiritual matters. Many people have discovered that writing down their thoughts and feelings helped them clarify some of the basic questions they were asking about life. "What’s it all about?" "What am I doing here?", "What does God want me to become," "Where does God want me to serve."

Journal writing gives us the time to think through and clarify our beliefs. Writing in a journal helps us be more honest with ourselves. A journal is a helpful way of keeping up with our spiritual journey. Writing helps us to clarify the difference between the world’s concerns and God’s concerns. The Apostle Paul states, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God - what is good and acceptable and perfect."

There are many types of journals and many ways to keep a journal. Generally, people think of a journal as writings kept in a notebook. However, a journal can also be a scrapbook, a sketch book, poetry, essays, photos, articles, the possibilities are numerous. It greatly depends on what you are most comfortable doing. The basic nature of a journal will generally change during the course of one’s life. Some individuals record their journals on the personal computer, though this may limit where you can work on your journal. For example, some journals are scrapbooks. A person might put in items such as, photos and/or newspaper articles, posted in the book along with their comments, thoughts, ideas and opinions about the piece. There are no rules to keeping a journal since it is highly personal in nature. If I were to suggest some rules for journal keeping I would suggest three.

"Spiritual formation is the activity of the Holy Spirit which molds our lives into the likeness of Jesus Christ. This likeness is one of deep intimacy with God and genuine compassion for all of creation. The Spirit works not only in the lives of individuals but also in the church, shaping it into the Body of Christ. We cooperate with this work of the Spirit through certain practices that make us more open and responsive to the Spirit’s touch, disciplines such as sabbath keeping, works of compassion and justice, discernment, worship, hospitality, spiritual friendships, and contemplative silence." Office of Spiritual Formation, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

First, write in your journal regularly. Many people do so daily, though this may not be practical for everyone, but it is important to take the time to record your thoughts and feelings on a regular basis and may take awhile for you to develop your own personal schedule. Second suggested rule is to periodically share your thoughts and with someone else, a person you trust and whose opinion you respect, who is spiritually mature, and willing to challenge and provoke your thinking. Thirdly, pray regularly about what you have written. We need to involve God’s presence in our thoughts and feelings, we need to discern what it is God is challenging us to do and we need to ask for God direction about our direction. The importance of a spiritual journal is that it gathers strength in helping us with our daily spiritual life, especially if we write in it often. A journal of spiritual materials grows more powerful as it is used.

There are many reasons why people keep (or don't keep) a journal, and the reason you keep your journal is important. You need to determine what your goals are in keeping a journal, and your goals will influence the type of journal you keep, how often you write (or sketch), and other characteristics of your journal. But even more important, your reason for keeping your journal gives you a clue about what you are looking for in your life. And your reasons can change over time.

A Few Suggestions for Beginning a Journal

Take some time to explore why you have decided to keep (or not to keep) a journal. These activities will get your started, but feel free to adapt them in any way. Pick and choose the ones that seem the most interesting to you. Each one gives you a different view into your relationship with your journal.

A helpful way to begin a day entry in your journal is to write a brief sentence to record and briefly describe events which are taking place in your life that day.

• Describe anything which comes to your mind. State the facts recent experiences as briefly as possible and make them a matter of prayer concern.
• Bible verses, sermon notes, or phrases that have a special meaning for you. Explore your feelings and thoughts as you study the Bible. Experiences that have been meaningful to you.
• Bible verses, sermon notes, or phrases that have a special meaning for you. Explore your feelings and thoughts as you study the Bible. Experiences that have been meaningful to you.
• Quotes from books, magazine or newspaper articles that are meaningful to you.
• Note especially feelings you have. Write how you feel about events, persons, ideas, and relationships.
• What books are you reading? Keep a list of books you read. Write phrases from these books in your journal.
• Note "anything that rings a bell in your life" in your journal.
• Every month summarize the month. What were key events that happened?
• Write fast, write everything, include everything. Write from your feelings, accept whatever comes to mind, and note it in your journal.
• As you begin, ask this question: "What is the most important thing going on in my life right now?"
• Describe how you are feeling by using an image, such as, "My life is like a narrow bridge," or "I have been feeling like a soaring eagle." Write all "the feelings" you have in one day.
• Keep photographs, news clippings, and notes of world events.
• Keep lists of events, past happenings, or important events that have happened in your own life.
• If you are having a difficult time getting started some day, come to this web site and check out the Quote of the Week, which may help give you the ideas to get you started. Or visit every week to challenge you to write about some subject you might not think about writing in your journal.

Questions for journal reflections at the end of the day

1. As I look back on the day, what were the most significant events?
2. In what ways was this day unique, different from other days?
3. Did I have any particularly significant conversations?
4. Did I do any reading? What were my reactions to it?
5. How did I feel during the day? What were the emotional high points or low points? Why did I feel as I did? Is God trying to tell me anything through these feelings?
6. Did I find myself worrying about anything today? Can I turn that worry into a prayer?
7. What were the chief joys of the day?
8. What did I accomplish today?
9. Did I fail to accomplish something I set out to do? What can I learn from this?
10. 10.Did I have any insights into myself or another person that I want to preserve?

In summary, your spiritual journal is the key to developing your spiritual life. Work hard with it and your life will be greatly enriched. The journal becomes your map of self discovery as you travel your spiritual path.

Possible Questions for Journaling

What does spirituality mean to you?
What do you think it means for us to be made in God’s image and likeness?
What does "conformed to the image of Christ" suggest? (Rom. 8:29)
What do you think Paul means by saying, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds."(Rom. 12:2)

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The Buckton Presbyterian Church is a member congregation of Shenandoah Presbytery within the bounds of the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)