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?
YES!
Begin the process
with prayer
Ask the Holy Spirit
to guide you….
Trust God!
This is the difference between a journal
and a spiritual journal:
conscious trust in God and dependence
upon 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 God!
The heavens declare the glory of God;
Psalm 19:1
Acknowledging who God is……..
Diary vs. Journal?
Diary
Records facts & events
“Today I did this and saw
that…”
Includes an occasional reaction
or observation
Diary vs. Journal?
Journal
Thoughts/Feelings
Reactions/Analysis/Opinions
Questions/Fears
Hopes/Doubts
Joys/Struggles
Resolves
JOURNAL ENTRIES
Challenges/Self-Struggles
Questions
Observations/Truths
Meditations of the Heart
Possibilities
Decisions/Plans of Actions
Quotes/Statements of Others
Poetry
Prayer
Artwork
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 Study
Prayer
Confession
Meditation
MARKINGS
by
Dag 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/Truths
Meditations 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/Truths
Meditations 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 soul
That is emptied of all self,
In a restful harmony –
This happiness is here and now
In the eternal moment of
A 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 Treasury
A Patchwork Polygon
Compiled by Sallie Chesham
Sunday, October 6, 1907
Very 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
David
The Shepherd
The Soldier
The King
The Husband
The Father
The 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/Truths
Meditations 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 praise
 A psalm of petition
 A 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