My journal-writing has been quite good lately. I don't know how else to say it. I'm not bragging, or trying to tempt anyone to read it/them... but it's been a good experience. The things I am learning, the way my heart seems to be changing, how God seems to be speaking into my life...
When I come to die, if you happen across my stack of journals, look for the ones from mid-2019 and on. I believe they will contain the best stuff. I mean, if any of it is worth reading. It may not be.
I have kept a daily journal for a long time. At least since the days when I started working as a pastor. I think I know where most of them are, but I'm sure some have been misplaced.
Most of them are from my morning prayer time. My current ritual is: read a passage from N.T. Wrights 'Mark for Everyone' (including the Scripture), his commentary, and then journal a page in this beautiful mole-skin journal my daughter gave me (pictured). Generally I describe the passage in my own words, share a few thoughts, then write a prayer to God, incorporating it into my life and the lives of those around me.
I recall a number of years - when I was still pastoring - most of the entries were probably nothing more than depressing laments about how miserable I was and my need for God to intervene. It would perhaps be interesting to read through them sometime, but I currently have no interest.
The past few months though... there have been several mornings when I would close the journal and think, "Wow... thank you, Lord. That was good." You know, how sometimes we can surprise even ourselves.
So, that's just something to tuck away for anyone who may happen across my stack of notebooks after I'm dead and gone. Certainly you don't need to feel obligated to read them. However, if you do, I suggest you start here. The rest can probably be burned.
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