Journaling
Scripture Reading — Deuteronomy 6:4-9
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
Deuteronomy 6:6
Have you ever tried journaling? As a spiritual discipline, journaling involves writing down your thoughts and responses as you sit in God?s presence and read or reflect on Scripture, on how God is working in your life, or on anything else that is affecting you.
Keep an empty spiral notebook and a pen handy as you practice lectio divina or as you sit quietly in an attitude of receptivity to God. Remember: the disciplines often combine.
With your notebook open, write down all the thoughts that come to you. These thoughts do not have to be planned out or organized. They are for no one?s eyes but your own?unless you choose otherwise. You may want to share them in confidence with a spiritual mentor or a friend who is walking closely with you in your spiritual journey. Write as much or as little as you can each day, and date the entries.
It?s not necessary to go back and read what you have written, but after a time it can help to look back on some pages. Note how you have changed. Has God written his commands in your heart as you have written them on paper? Perhaps some of the things you wrote will surprise you with their depth of perception in hearing God?s voice or experiencing his presence. You can listen to God even when you?re the one doing the writing.
O God, author of every good word, thank you for your Word. Help us experience your living presence from your Word as you write that Word into our hearts and lives. Amen.
About the author — James and Rose Dekker
James C. Dekker is the pastor of Covenant Christian Reformed Church in St. Catharines, Ontario. Previously he served other congregations in Alberta and Ontario. Rose Dekker serves as a refugee coordinator for the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee in Canada. She also serves as a certified spiritual director. The Dekkers were missionaries for nine years with Christian Reformed World Missions, serving in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Venezuela, and Cuba.
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