Author: art rogers
Spiritual Disciplines: Journaling
Tuesday, August 21st, 2007 @ 12:01 am
As always, check out the others blogging the Disciplines at Joe Kennedy’s place.
I was first introduced to the concept of Journaling in seminary when I read Bill Hybel’s book, Honest to God. It was one of Bill’s first, if not THE first, and it was my first introduction to a guy who would become very well known among American Evangelicals, if not very well appreciated.
This is not about him, though, it is about journaling. As a part of the book, Bill took on personal time with God and encouraged people to journal as it had revolutionized his time with God. Seminary was a time of incredible Spiritual Growth for me. The book and subsequent journaling that I added into my life was a major part of that.
When I journal, still to this day, I journal as per Bill’s suggestion. I write a page in my notebook about what is going on in my world. Obviously, as this is about time with God, I also reflect on Him and His work in my life. In other words, if I am enjoying good times or struggling with hard times, I write about them, but from the viewpoint of what I see God doing in them and in me. I go on to write out my prayers, but I’ve already written about that.
Journaling prepares my heart for prayer. It gets me focused on God. it helps me to think through the raw emotions that I am feeling and to focus on why I feel that way and if I am right or wrong to feel that way in light of what I know about God and what I know about the way He relates to me and the rest of His creation.
It is imperative that journals be kept safe. I have, on occasion, read to people from my journal, but only things that are “safe” for me. I know what you are thinking. You are thinking that you will find all my secret sins if you find my journals, but that is not what I am talking about.
If you are not committed to keeping your journals private, you begin to write with the idea that you are writing for posterity and not for honesty. If journaling is to be beneficial, it must be honest. Editing your words in a way that makes you sound a little better than you are, which is what you will do if you think that others will be one day reading your journals, will cause you to be shallow. Moreover, it will reinforce the bad behavior journaling is intended to alleviate – that of having a heart that is unprepared and sheltered from the probing eye of the Holy Spirit as you pray.
Not long after I started, I had grown so much in the endeavor, I became legalistically addicted to it. I had once left my journal in a friends’ room – I forget why I had it there, but I was not sharing it – and when I got up to have my time with God, I couldn’t find my journal. As a result, I didn’t spend time with God. Journaling had become equivalent for me with time alone with God. No two ways around it – that’s idolatry.
So disciplines are means to an end, not an end to themselves.
![[del.icio.us]](http://images.del.icio.us/static/img/delicious.small.gif){kind=small}
August 21st, 2007 at 8:15 am
The server had some funky thing happening and they lost this post from yesterday. I’ll be reposting the comments after a funeral this morning. Thanks to David Phillips, as always, for working it out.
August 21st, 2007 at 8:17 am
Finally!
I came back to find the site back down again. I talked with the tech folks at my hosting service and they finally got it working.
Below are the comments that were left yesterday.
August 21st, 2007 at 9:22 am
Journaling may be a religious practice, but is it really a spiritual discipline? Fasting, prayer, worship, service, fellowship, scripture reading, sharing the gospel . . . those are all spiritual disciplines that are Scriptural. Journaling is a practice that some have used to enhance their walk. I also know that for many it simply becomes an adventure in navel-gazing.
P.S. I journal.
August 21st, 2007 at 12:00 pm
I think that journaling can be a discipline for some but not for others, depending on their learning style. For me, it focuses me and helps me to pray, study, meditate, etc. better.
I know for a lot of people, it would not be beneficial to them, so I don’t think it would qualify as a discipline for them.
August 21st, 2007 at 12:25 pm
I’ve journaled since 1995 after reading Hybel’s book Too Busy Not To Pray. It has changed my life especially my prayer life.
August 22nd, 2007 at 9:07 pm
I agree with Cyle – journaling is a discipline, beneficial to many, but it is not a “Spiritual” discipline. There is a difference. Equating journaling with the other ’spiritual’ disciplines does them a dis-service.
August 22nd, 2007 at 10:22 pm
Really? A dis-service? That’s pretty dismissive.
Well, first of all, let us back up for a sec. No one will find the things that we call disciplines labeled “disciplines” and grouped as such in the Bible. The practice of calling them disciplines is our way of wrapping our minds around them.
As a result, it is a matter of opinion as to what is and is not a “discipline” in the spiritual sense.
Can journaling be used outside of the framework of growing spiritually? Yes, but so can Meditation, Fasting, Study, Simplicity, Silence, Solitude, Submission, Service, Confession, Guidance, and Celebration. All the disciplines excepting Worship and Prayer, but even they can be used – and in fact are used – by many others outside of a relationship with Christ. (Wrongly so – I am not advocating prayer to or worship of anything other than God.)
What I mean to say is that these things are not holy in and of themselves, but means to personal growth. When sought as means to personal growth in an intimate relationship with Jesus as your Lord, they are not just personal disciplines, but are Spiritual Disciplines.
In that light, I think it somewhat of an overstatement to say that journaling is not a spiritual discipline or that labeling it as such is a “dis-service” to the other so-called disciplines.
And what is journaling? Is it not a form of meditation? Of Prayer? Of Worship? Of Study? In fact, my journaling includes all of these things as elements. I think over my life and God’s role in it. I write out and then speak through my prayers (Worship, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication and Intercession). Finally, I write out my thoughts as I study God’s Word.
If you are just writing about your day, then, again, journaling isn’t a “Spiritual” discipline for you. It is a heck of a lot more for me and for many others.
I hope you don’t mind, but even if you do, I’ll just keep on thinking of it as the most cohesive and vital part of my personal spiritual growth and therefore keep calling it a Spiritual Discipline.
August 22nd, 2007 at 10:52 pm
Art,
I was in no way being dismissive about the value and importance of journaling as a discipline. I was merely speaking to it’s classification of “spiritual”. Please do not take offense from my opinion.
For you, and many others, it IS spiritual, but it is not inherently spiritual – (Other ’spiritual’ disciplines mentioned: fasting, prayer, worship, service, fellowship, scripture intake, sharing the gospel) To say that people abuse / misuse the spiritual disciplines in a non-spiritual manner is true, but not evidence that they are not inherently spiritual in nature for followers of Christ.
The problem with elevating a non-spiritual discipline to the status of a ’spiritual’ discipline is in the application. The spiritual disciplines are commanded in Scripture and should be practiced by all followers of Christ (in theory.) If someone does not practice the spiritual discipline of prayer or worship – they are sinning – I don’t think there is any way you could claim otherwise. However, can you say the same about someone who does not journal? I don’t think so.
I know of some very mature and obedient followers of Christ who are illiterate. Journaling is NOT a discipline they should be expected or admonished to do, nor should it be implied they are not participating in a ’spiritual’ discipline.
Blessings,
Steve
August 23rd, 2007 at 2:04 am
Steve,
I’m not offended. I just was trying to make a point. We are in agreement about it not being inherently spiritual and not commanded by Scripture . It is not a sin to not journal…
BUT, I would say that the same argument could be made for simplicity, solitude, guidance, service, etc.
Only a few of the things that are outlined as Spiritual Disciplines by those who write authoritatively concerning them are specifically defined in Scripture the way you are describing. If that is the standard, and I have no problem with it being that, then all the rest of these things aren’t to be called by that name either.
Nevertheless, I would put journaling above all those things not specifically commanded as, for me, it contains several of those things very specifically commanded.
August 23rd, 2007 at 3:54 am
Art,
Thanks for your kind and informative response.
I’m curious, which authors do you refer to as ” those who write authoritatively”?
My favorite book on the subject (after the Bible of course) is Donald S. Whitney’s “Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life”. I first discovered it while at SEBTS and have read it a few times since then.
In his book, he also lists “Journaling” as a Spiritual discipline (chapter 11) however he admits at the beginning of the chapter that it is NOT a discipline commanded in Scripture. (I disagree with the classification, but I agree with his points on it’s importance for literate believers.)
I’m a newcomer to your blog, so maybe you’ve already listed the “authoritative authors” who provided your list of disciplines – could you link it here or list the author(s)?
Thanks,
Steve
August 23rd, 2007 at 8:21 am
Steve,
Well your first problem is that you went to SEBTS and not SWBTS.
No, not many could truly be considered to be “authorities” on this, more’s the pity. We have book after book on our Lifeway shelves that are full of pablum and even some with what I consider to be false doctrine, but people don’t write or sell these kinds of books much because there is not enough money in it.
I attended a leadership conference here over the weekend and the specialist for the BGCO in the area of prayer a Spiritual Awakening led a double conference in the morning. He was humble and yet said some incredibly powerful things about our surrender, the hope of Spiritual Awakening in our churches and praying. He was selling his books for the cost of printing – $2.
I haven’t read it yet, but I bought it. I think it has sold quite a bit, but I honestly can’t say that I had heard of it before now. That’s what happens when you write about this subject – it’s not about money so no one tracks it or celebrates its “success.” Since I haven’t read it, I have no idea whether or not it is “authoritative,” but the book is Returning to Holiness by Dr. Greg Frizzell.
The other standard is “Celebration of the Discipline” by Richard Foster.
August 24th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
These days, what’s the difference? (SEBTS v SWBTS)
August 24th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Foster’s Discipline list;
The inward disciplines; meditation, prayer, fasting, and study; the outward disciplines; simplicity, solitude, submission, and service; and the community disciplines; confession, worship, guidance, and celebration.
No “journaling” there.
Besides Whitney, who we already mentioned, who has written about journaling as a ’spiritual discipline’?
(oh, I meant to put a smiley
after my SEBTS v SWBTS remark.)
August 24th, 2007 at 9:44 pm
“Only a few of the things that are outlined as Spiritual Disciplines by those who write authoritatively concerning them are specifically defined in Scripture the way you are describing.”
That sentence does not say that those who write authoritatively include journaling. It says that those who write authoritatively (I spent the bulk of a prior comment saying there were virtually none) about Spiritual Disciplines include things not specifically commanded in Scripture the way those things you quoted were.
If you want the ultimate authority, I suppose Joseph Kennedy is your answer. It’s in his list as well as mine.
As for SWBTS v SEBTS, I was thinking more of “at the time when we were there” – I am assuming you are not “fresh” out of Seminary. Nowadays – not much difference. Frankly, between the two, I think SEBTS is the better school by far. It’s missional focus is very high and it is growing steadily. The faculty is well spoken of, as well.
That was then, this is now. Oh well.
August 25th, 2007 at 1:35 am
Thanks, my interest in this subject is officially sparked. I’m going to make it a focus of study as soon as we get settled back in the states.
Blessings,
Steve
April 10th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Well guys, I enjoyed your discussion on whether or not Spiritual Journaling is a “spiritual discipline” or not. I worthy rabbit trail on the topic–however I was hoping to get more insights from the discussion on the actual “how to begin” or some guidelines.
April 10th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
@ Linda Bridges:
Linda,
That’s a great question, and I can’t believe I didn’t answer it better in the article in the first place.
Here’s a few thoughts.
I have two kinds of journals. One is a spiral notebook with lines – typical. In this notebook, I write according to the description found in the third paragraph and the link there.
The second kind of journal I use is a Moleskine. I use the graph paper lined that gives me some sense of spacial balance (that’s just me) but I really write out of the box there. I draw and go across pages to get into my right brain. The content of that journal is also spiritual, but not in the sense of guiding me through prayer, as I use the other one.
In that notebook I write about my thoughts and ideas, sermon outlines, plans for our church’s future, organizational diagrams, etc. I try to be in the first (prayer) before I get to the second as a way to prepare my heart.
Also, I try to find a place that fits my learning style. I am easily distracted, so I need some isolation. I’ve been able to go to places like Panera Bread, but I need to get into a booth to cut down movement around me and I take my iPod to drown out the conversations around me.
I have a couple of albums/playlists that I can use that help my state of mind. Of course, I also learn best through interaction, so it is best for my journaling for me to have some challenging conversations and then go write down my thoughts as they spill out. That is when I am most productive.
Of course, that’s how I tick. It makes a difference as to who you are.
What other questions do you have? Glad to help.
February 24th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
What are the best scripture(s) to support the idea of journaling?