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.

Blessings,
Steve

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.

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.)

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.

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

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.