Then He who sat on the throne said,
"Behold, I make all things new."
And He said to me,
"Write, for these words are true and faithful."
(Revelation 21:5 NKJV)
God is in the process of making all things new. This was such an important concept, He directed John to write it down, letting us know that God's word is faithful and true. A crucial aspect of our relationship with God is reading Scriptures. He uses correspondence to communicate with us about His relationship with all of creation.
The Bible doesn't specifically say whether anyone kept a diary or journal, but several times God invites His prophets and scribes to write down a message. I believe writing things down can transform us. So, I keep a journal. And I find this practice one of the most beneficial means of connecting with God.
Not everyone embraces this practice, yet I think writing your prayers of various kinds, your responses to God's word and even questions that you ponder are great ways to experience God's presence. Another benefit of a journal is having a written account of your journey with God.
Pam Farrel explains how this practice enhanced her quiet times:
I remember the encouragement to to close down the windows of responsibility of my life just like we close down the windows on our computer programs. As I slow down . . . I then find I have better reception to what God is saying. Sometimes I do this by freewriting in my journal, logging random thoughts as they enter my mind. I record turns of phrases, poems or emotions as I need to release them from the confines of my heart. I find that if I close down my frenzied activity, I have much I want to journal back to him!
©Pam Farrel from 30 Ways to Wake Up Your Quiet Time (IVP).
For more devotional books by Pam www.Love-wise.com
If you find it hard to journal, why not just start with Dear Jesus . . . or Hello! Write a short note to God or lavish Him with a love letter written in long hand or type Him a missal on your computer. God loves to hear from us whether it's through mental, verbal or written expression.
What benefits have you experienced while keeping a journal? Have you ever thought of the Bible as God's journal? If so, how would thinking of the Bible in this way effect
the way you read it?
Linking up with Random Journal Day
Hi Kel! Thanks for the comment and kind words. I agree, beginning a blank journal page with "Dear Jesus" is a great way to begin no matter what is going on in your life.It opens the flow automatically doesn't it? Writing prayers is a beautiful encouragement later when you see the answer or even the lack of answer turing out to be a good thing!
ReplyDeleteSusie
Susie- I love the truth that having a written record of our prayers can help us better see the answer or accept the lack of answer as a good thing!
DeleteHi Kel,
ReplyDeleteAs my friend, I know if you've heard me say it once, you've heard me say it a trillion times that writing my "love letters to God" has transformed my relationship with Him. Yes, I write, Dear God (or Dear Jesus), and I pour out my heart onto the pages of my journals, conversationally, in letter form, writing to the Lover of my Soul. These are not ooey-gooey love letters, filled with sacchirine sentiments, but genuine expressions of love and longing, and joy and lament. I write quite a few complaints and confessions as well, because true love expresses all emotions and True Love accepts the outpourings of our heart. i have done this for nearly forty yeras, and my l ife will never be the same. I'm so glad that you are encouraging their readers to journal. *Their* lives will never be the same either!
Love
Lynni
Lynni- I love your authentic way of writing letters to God to express all the aspects of your relationship with Him. Readers, check out Lynn's book: Love Letters to God: Deeper Intimacy through Written Prayer.
DeleteOh that is so sweet of you to mention my book. THanks, so much, Kel!
DeleteLynni
Hello!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kelly