writers – GREENLiGHT

5 Reasons To Keep A Journal

‘Write all the words which I have spoken to you in a book.
Jeremiah 30:2

My mind flashed back to Dr. Charles Stanley’s words in my book RedLight: When God Says No.

The visiting pastor John Bonner talked about goals. If it’s a goal that requires a financial investment, clarity, direction or other, we should begin with prayer – present our requests to the lord.

He encouraged the congregants to journal. I listened carefully capturing each point. Afterall, I pondered whether his points differed from Charles Stanley’s.

Journal writing, when it becomes a ritual for transformation, is not only life-changing but life-expanding. – Jen Williamson

Journaling provides many benefits. Among the reasons are 5 keys listed below.

Journaling Benefits

1. Journaling measures your growth

Journaling is a Faith filler to see how God worked in your life.

2. Journaling Records God’s faithfulness

3. Worship God when you receive answered prayer

4. Journaling provides a Legacy for prosperity

What to Include in a Journal

We can write ad hoc things that are on our mind. Emptying our mind of cares and worries is traditional but the pastor went deeper. He opined that we should include:

Insights on God’s promises
Prayers requests – things we desire of the lord. We ask specifically for what we want. Sometimes it’s not clearly articulated or known to us but we voice our confusions as we seek clarity and his direction
We should include our Bible study notes. These are Whatever became clear as we do our daily devotions, attend church, listen to the word, worship and prayed
We should include acquaintances and special events. Whats gleaned that sparks words of comfort, praise or curiosity. The song by Elevation Music titled in the mighty name of Jesus is an example for me. It came at the right time. Another was Travis Greene’s You Made a Way

What Not to include in Journaling

It was surprising to me that he discouraged us from including sins and failures in our journal. Afterall the lord forgave us of our (confessed) sins. Recording them only brings back memories that we need to walk away from and focus on those great things he has done or have in store for us.

In summary, as Jen Williamson encouraged, journaling is not only life changing but life expanding. A tool that encourages transformation. So journal with God.

Not journaling? Start today. If you have been journaling, what benefits have you gleaned? Do share, we would love to hear.

RESOURCES

HUDSON Taylor – read how lord used his published journal

Explore Possibilities Literary Event

God Doesn’t Keep A Clock…

I wish God kept a clock with my timing as priority. But He doesn’t. It’s in the waiting that we Grow.
Dr Shelly C

I could write a whole book on Max Lucado’s Quote that God doesn’t keep a clock. Personally, I wish God kept a clock with my timing as priority. But when I pray and ask his intervention, I have learnt to trust his timing.

Waiting Is Hard

I remember publishing my Research. After it was accepted by the JAABC, I was told it would be published in the Winter of the following year. Though it was long, I actually had a publishing date to look forward to. Contrast that with the birth of a child. A mom waits in the final weeks because the baby could arrive at any time. No specific date is given even when the doctor gives a ‘proposed’ date. The baby can still wait.

That said, life experiences prove that waiting is hard. It comes with the associated worry, fear, and riveting anticipation. We become impatient. But I have learnt to trust God’s timing. When we become weak and heavily burdened, we turn to the source of all things new. Our refuge and strength. Yes indeed, he is a present help in times of trouble. Let’s turn to him. Pray. Seek his guidance while we wait. One thing is for sure, he will come through for you and me. But only in his time.

Walk in the assurance that God’s timing is always right…and by the way… Pray while you wait.

Blessings overflow.

A Little Prayer For You…

A little prayer for you
May the lord wrap his loving arms around you.
May he take away your pain and discomfort.
May he provide joy deep within
May he grant you more good days than bad
May he grant you quiet solace.
May he always bless and keep you.

May He always Bless you in overflow

I Don’t Have Any Gifts…

What you are is God’s gift to you, what you become is your gift to God.

I overheard a discussion between two ladies in the salon as they were listening to the song ‘bless the lord oh my soul… oh my soul, I worship his holy name…‘

It was being sung by a little child … hence the reflection on ‘gifts’. Anyway, it caused me to think about the gifts God provides to us. One lady said all I do is talk, gab a lot. I thought quietly… that in itself is in fact a gift. She can use that to become a speaker even in small group. She can use her gift of ‘gab’ to write a book, sharing her thoughts with others provided she will be positive. Personally I believe there is enough negativity in the world.

Discover Your Gift

There are many assessments available in the marketplace to help you find your gifts. Here are a few spiritual gifts for you to take a peek at:

Leadership
Encouragement
More popular envied
Singing
Acting
Administration
Wisdom
Faith
Encouragement
Mercy
Intercession
Discernment
Shepherding
Teaching
Hopsitality
Evangelism
Helping
Giving

Many quietly wish for the gift of singing, dancing, entertaining because those gifts are quite popular and can readily be seen. However, do you know that the more popular spiritual gifts often need support? Let’s take for example singing. Singers sing but often benefit from the gifts of songwriters. Movie-stars act but also need a script. And many others.

Be comforted to know that we need each other to soar. That’s how the Lord wanted it. Now go, find your gift.

Blessings,

Use What Is Left…

Arise, use what is left. So what if your joy isn’t what it used to be? Use what is left. So what if your desire is dampened? Take hold of what is left. So what if your power is almost gone? Seize what is left and be what God said you could be. Don’t let circumstances abort your dream. Release your anointing. ~T.D. Jakes

Those words spoke to me. T. D. Jakes shared instances of biblical characters to shed the light.

Samson after he lost his sight gave what he had left

David with Goliath and his stones gave what he had left

Paul after he was shipwrecked used what he had left to get to the shore …a simple board

So today if you’re going through stuff, take heart. Be courageous and use what you have left to accomplish your victory. Strengthen what remains.

Thy Word Have I Hid In My Heart. A Poem For Those Who Plead…

Thy word have I hid in my heart that I may be strong among those who try to restrain me

Thy word have I hid in my heart that I may steadily rise above injustice

Thy word have I hid in my heart that I may never let go despite the strain that heavily weighs down on me

Thy word have I hid in my heart that I may fight the good fight until my days are done

Thy word have I hid in my heart that I may confidently stride to attain new heights of gain

Thy word have I hid in my heart that I may persevere beyond the trials that intercepts me

Thy word have I hid in my heart that I may show resilience to those arising; be it children, young adults or seniors with memories long gone, but yet unforgettable

Thy word have I hid in my heart that I may not fall prey and sin against Thee

Thy word have I hid in my heart that I may be strong because of Thee.

Thy word I have hid in my heart that I may not sin against thee. Psalms 119:11

Above all else, lets guard our hearts, for everything we do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23

Written by Dr. Shelly C