Bible Journaling

Many people I know keep a journal of some sort. I did for years, only I was never able to be consistent. Each renewed attempt meant yet another notebook was needed for a fresh start. Until I came across this free workshop: http://www.writershelper.org/Bible.htm. The author who put this together has since died but his wife graciously allows Writers Helper to continue to offer this online workshop completely free. It changed not only the way I write, but also (and more importantly) the way I read the Bible and my journaling method. And guess what? Since I started using this method in 2003, I'm still on the same notebook (okay, I write small and use college-ruled theme books). I encourage anyone who has ever attempted to journal as part of their devotion time, or is interested in improving their writing, to check out this workshop. I see there's another workshop available now called "Write with Purpose" and I plan to check that out soon.

The neatest thing about Glenn's method is you keep an index in the front of your journal. This allows you to look back over the months and get a bird's eye view of how God has been working in your life. Just this morning, I sat and read through a years worth of entries (I don't journal every day, more like 2-3 times a week). What a blessing to be reminded that, even when I don't see it, God is in control and working in my life.

Today I realized that, although I believe in a God of miracles, for some reason, I've always felt a disconnect between God's miracles and my own life. I guess my thinking has been I don't deserve any of those miracles. Talk about double-minded! Wow. Nevertheless, looking back through my journal over the past years, I couldn't help but notice God has nevertheless been working miracles all along! Even in this doubting heart. I'm so glad God doesn't base His love for me on any merit of my own. What a great God I serve!