If you are like me, spiritual journaling is a newer concept. It may be altogether foreign to some. Still yet, there are undoubtedly a handful of journaling gurus out there. I first learned about the discipline of journaling from Dr. Donald Whitney while taking his seminary class on the spiritual disciplines. (If you have never read his Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, it is certainly worth the investment.) The concept quickly piqued my interest, but I began gaining actual traction in journaling when I read David Mathis' definition on the subject (no discredit to Whitney's influence). In his Habits of Grace, he writes, "Journaling is a way of slowing life down for just a few moments, and trying to process at least a sliver of it for the glory of God, our own growth and development, and our enjoyment of the details" (p.115).
Take note of the phrase "just a few moments." You might be tempted to think that journaling demands hours upon hours of each day. (I did.) This would certainly prove helpful to your enjoyment of and growth in godliness (reflecting God's character and actions), but you would be surprised what a consistent ten minutes or so each day will do for your spiritual development. This is why I created the Growth in Godliness Journal. I wanted a way to track my growth in godliness in short, daily increments and have a source to reference when recalling (and even when doubting) God's faithfulness to me as His child. This led to a desire to share it with other believers.
The journal includes daily, weekly, and quarterly (every 3 months) components. There is also a set method to the journal, but as Whitney taught me, "the method you find most edifying and useful in your pursuit of godliness is the way you should keep a journal" (Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, p.265). Two things are certain: 1) we are commanded to train ourselves for godliness (1 Tim 4:7b) and 2) God will ensure our growth in godliness is completed (1 Thess 5:23-24).
Download a free digital sample or 3-month edition HERE. Lord willing, paper copies will soon be available for purchase. Let us be about the business of growing in godliness, enjoying God's goodness every step of the way!
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