Speaking Of Journaling – Recording My Soul’s Journey With God

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Speaking Of Journaling —  
Recording My Soul’s Journey With God

The beauty of a journal is what you create in its pages.

A journal is “you” recorded… 

In your own unique way,
For your own reasons,
And at your own pace.

It can also be a place where, over time, you are able to reflect on your own “soul journey” with God.

Why?

Because your prayers, ideas, struggles, joys, victories, insights on life, heartaches, meaningful quotes, and whatever else may be significant to you are before your eyes — like a book.

Your book.

A book of your life and how you process that life with your God.

Speaking Of Journaling… An Inspirational Quote

Journaling

Speaking Of Journaling… Reflecting 

A Few Examples…

~~ Use Your Journal To Record Prayerful Reflection ~~

 A reflective prayer which I journaled during an especially meaningful Good Friday service went something like this:

“Oh, Lord, help me to retain the image of the cross here in church this evening. The cross. The wine. There’s something about being at the foot of the cross, Lord.

It is totally humbling – mixed with a deep sense of gratitude.  Let me ‘see,’ Lord. Not too much, but enough to inspire. Yes, even demand, a recommitment of my total person to You…

No matter what.

In Jesus’ name: *only,* in His name. Amen.”

Don’t look for good grammar in that prayer: you will not find it. I was not writing for publication.  I was recording my heart’s reactions to the “majesty” and agony of the cross and what it means for Lee Wise.  

And that’s the point: the service tugged at my heart then and can now *because it is in my journal.*

~~ Use Your Journal To Record Inspiring Thoughts From Others ~~

I also enjoy placing in my journal inspiring thoughts from other people.

Take students, for instance.  While serving in a seminary setting in my past, I used to require our  students to create their own mission statements.

I have a question for you: how could you read the statements below and not be challenged to make your life count for Christ?

“My life purpose is to love Christ, grow in Christ, share Christ, serve Christ through His church, and to lead my family and others to do the same.”

“My life aim is to lead people to know God intimately and to serve him passionately.”

“To train and equip passionate students and adults to be servant leaders who will mobilize the global church for the mission of God.”

~~ Use Your Journal To Summarize Experiences Or Thoughts ~~

A journal may also be used to summarize thoughts or feelings we experience at any given moment.

By way of example, I enjoy writing quotes. These reflections about the nature of personal devotions became a part of my journal some years back: 

Personal Devotions
©Lee Wise All rights reserved

A time of sharing my heart with
the heart of my closest Friend, Lord
and lover of my soul.

Personal Devotions
©Lee Wise All rights reserved

An intimate meeting between close friends.
A meeting characterized by truth, love, transparency
and mutual commitment to one another.

Beginning Your Journal Today… 3 Possibilities

If you were to make two significant entries in your journal today, what would they be?

1. ____________________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________________

Suppose someone asked you this: “What are the three most important lessons you have learned about walking with God?,” what would you share?

1. ____________________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________________

If you were to write out a prayer today, what would you say? Jot down how you might begin… now.  

By Way Of Review…

You have before you three possible entries for a journal. And remember, a journal is “you” recorded…

In your own unique way,
For your own reasons,
And at your own pace. 

Speaking Of Journaling... Your Take Away

“My one positive, affirming and encouraging take away from this “Speaking Of Jesus Inspired Motivators” post is: ________ ?”

Speaking Of Journaling… Reflecting On Scripture

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.. ” (Psalm 19:1-4)**

**Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

______________________________
© Lee Wise All rights reserved. You may freely distribute this inspirational note. The copyright and this resource box must be included. 

My Believer’s Guide To Achieving Success On Purpose — a highly personalized tool for dynamic growth in Christ. Begin your journey here: http://bit.ly/mybelieversguide
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Written by

Following about a three year search for God, Lee trusted Christ as Savior in 1967 as young Marine. He has served as an outreach pastor and a church planter. The Lord also led him to serve as the Director of Internships at Baptist Bible Seminary in Clarks Summit, PA where he served for over 20 years. Lee loves to write, has a strong desire to be a positive influence for Christ in our world, and is passionate about family. And speaking of family, he and his wife Sherry (who served as a Director of Elementary Education for many years and recently retired) praise the Lord for being married 44 years, their 3 daughters and son-laws, and 7 grandchildren! Lee and Sherry would say: "We've been abundantly blessed."