Most normal people have already checked “Christmas Shopping” off of their To-Do Lists. Unfortunately, I am a loser who was very excited today (December 18th) to notice a post my older brother Josh made two weeks ago (December 5th) about a Christmas gift idea: journals. More specifically, PaperBlanks Journals.
In his post Josh shared that the pastor team at his church had presented each staff member with a journal at their annual Staff Christmas Party. At this point Josh shamelessly plugged PaperBlank journals, saying that they are his “all-time favorite” and “have served [him] well for years.” I have a vague suspicion that Josh is being sponsored.
Actually, the real reason I’m posting has nothing to do with shopping or sponsors. Instead, I wanted to draw your attention to a quotation from Don Whitney’s Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, which the pastors had pasted on the inside cover of each journal. It really challenged me and I hope it will challenge you as well.
As a Christian your journal is a place to record the works and ways of God in your life.
Your journal also can include an account of daily events, a diary of personal relationships, a notebook of insights into Scripture, and a list of prayer requests. It is where spontaneous devotional thoughts or lengthy theological musings can be preserved. Consider the words of the Maurice Roberts about journaling:
“The logic of this practice is inevitable once men have felt the urge to become moulded in heart and life to the pattern of Christ. No one will keep a record of his inward groans, fears, sins, experiences, providences and aspirations unless he is convinced of the value of the practice for his own spiritual progress.”
Josiah Pratt noted the value of a journal in self-examination:
“The practice of keeping a journal would promote vigilance. The lives of many are spent at a sort of hazard. They fall into certain religious habits: and are perhaps under no strong temptations. They are regular at church and sacrament, and in their families. They read the Bible and pray daily in secret. But here it ends. They know little of progress or decline of the inner man. They are Christians, therefore, of very low attainments. The workings of sin are not noticed, as they should be, and therefore grace is not sought against them: and the genial emotions of grace are not noticed, and therefore not fostered and cultivated. Now, a journal would have a tendency to raise the standard to such persons by exciting vigilance.”
Consider journaling, not only “for the purpose of godliness,” but also as a way to raise up “a monument of God’s faithfulness” in your life.
So this is what I’m going to do: I’m going to somehow get a PaperBlanks journal (that’s a hint, family!) and paste this quotation inside. Then I’m going to start off newly encouraged in the discipline of journaling. God’s faithfulness in my life deserves such a monument. Soli Deo Gloria!
- Do you journal or have you in the past? What has been the purpose of your journaling?
- How does your past or present journaling compare with what is described in the quote above?
- Describe your journal. Are PaperBlanks really the coolest?
- If you don’t journal, why not?
I started a journal of sorts at the start at this year. A few months later I committed to following Christ. Suffice to say the record of thoughts has helped me to remember and appreciate the change.
Yes! Journaling is an amazing way to remember and record God’s grace in one’s life. Unfortunately I am not very consistent with it, but this post has inspired me 😉 Thanks! In fact, I’ll start a new one right now. *goes into closet to find an empty notebook*
P.S. Did Alex or Brett write this post?
Brett did, Emma… But I’m in complete agreement with him. I’m getting myself a journal. 🙂
I started a journal over a year ago in which I have recorded my thoughts, things God has taught me… I am planning on giving it to Dad when I finish it. I do not particularly like any type of journal what ever works for you I guess works!
Perhaps I missed something, but I’m afraid to say I don’t see what’s so unique or special about “PaperBlanks” journals…
I journaled sporadically from early childhood until roughly the age of twelve, and then I got pretty serious about it. It became an outlet as much as anything for a long while there, but more and more lately it’s become a praise-and-prayer log of sorts.
Basically a place to pour out what God has been doing and what I want to communicate and express to Him snd to myself now. (and in the future)
This was a nice post, but while I can certainly agree that John Pratt’s quotation applies to me in more ways then one, I don’t believe journaling is the only or best way to examine one’s self. And I don’t think one has to be obligated to take up this past time regularly to attain a godliness they (supposedly) couldn’t have without it. (which. to me at least, is what seemed to be implied in the quote)
My current journal is actually covered with a solid magnetic tin over basic lined paper. I think it’s pretty neat, if not a tad on the weighty side.
I don’t know that PaperBlanks are “really the coolest” but maybe I did miss something and need to go check them out again.
At any rate, I’ll randomly close by saying it’s nice to see you guys posting again!
God bless.
I am really bad at journaling! However, I can look back at ones I have done, and I can see all of the amazing things God has taught me…and all of the valleys He has taken me through. I am committed to getting started back up again. There is just that I need to remind myself of: God’s faithfulness, His mercy, His goodness, and the lessons He teaches me. Sometimes, a blog just doesn’t cut it!
I journal with varying frequency (basically enough to fill 4 journals a year) and find it very helpful in keeping my thoughts in order. Everything from what is currently affecting my life, to what I’m reading, to notes during sermons goes in them. They make for a good way to look back on where I’ve been throughout the year and to remind me of things God has done or taught me that I am wont to forget.
I have to say Moleskine is the way to go journal-wise, the paper is a great joy to write on being the proper thickness (in most of the models) to absorb your ink and then dry quickly enough that smudges are rare and make it so that you can’t see your writing on the other side of the page. Also good for my preference of gel or gel-like pens. I use this one for most of my journaling as it is small enough to carry in nearly all circumstances and does not have any markings in it so that I can write as small or large as I want and/or sketch as needed.
Josh “Trin”
Valerie: You didn’t really miss anything. I was just playing up my older bro’s fascination with them — that, and I’ve handled them before and was pretty impressed. 🙂
Josh: I currently have a Moleskine and love it. What size do you use? My is probably on the small size for journaling. Thanks for commenting!
* Do you journal or have you in the past? What has been the purpose of your journaling?
I got one this past year–and made one entry in it. I need to do it more. The main purpose was to record all of the cool things that have happened to me so that I’ll remember them when I’m 80. 🙂
* How does your past or present journaling compare with what is described in the quote above?
My journaling is related to, but less Christ-centered than what was described above, I’ll admit.
Do you journal or have you in the past? What has been the purpose of your journaling?
I do journal… a lot. I love being able to remember special moments in my life, to look back at in the future. I’ve journaled for about 1 1/2 years, and it has been amazing to read previous writings, and see how much I’ve changed since then. I want to be able years and years from now, to look back and see the things God used to “sculpt” me into who I am and will be later in life. Plus, it’s a good, private place to vent.
Describe your journal
Blank pages made out of textured-y (for lack of a better adjective) paper. I like drawing in my journal and not being limited to having to keep between the lines of lined paper. The outside has sheer fabric pockets filled with confetti-like thingies.very pretty.
For me, the only down side to journaling is that in order to keep my private thoughts away from any curious eyes (as in, my sister’s 😉 ), I choose to keep my journals locked in a lockbox/cashbox and then hide the key in a “secure” location… just in case 🙂
~Elisabeth
Wow when you said that you would be posting more often I did not now you meant this often!
Yes, PaperBlanks are some of the best! Obsessed as I find myself with journals in general, anything that ‘looks like a real, old book’ will suddenly inspire my pen to spill ink in a more copious manner. Hypocrisy, yes. Ashamed, no.
To the more serious questions, I filled something like eight pages this morning… yes, I journal. Aside from my natural compulsion to write things down, I find it a very useful and healthy pursuit. It serves as a mirror to my soul- there I can write my thoughts without desiring to please others, and so I know the state of my heart better after I have reasoned it out. To write of the conviction which attended a sermon helps solidify the impact. Musing on a Biblical principle or hashing out theological applications is, I think, best done thus.
Journaling need not be solely ‘spiritual’ to be of spiritual profit… if you also write what you are struggling with or happy about in the day then when you get especially introspective at year’s end (that is, if you are at all like me!) you’ll have a record of what has been- and always, always a clearer view of how God has blessed you and sanctified even your hardest trials to the benefit of your soul!
As to “describe your journal”… well, there’s the dirt-cheap-and-damaged one I bought, fixed, and improved. That’s the daily journal I am currently working on. There’s a great PaperBlanks one for poems I encounter that I like; a plain ole’ composition book for a record of projects; the fine, thick-paged, leather one for my own poems; a big fat one for books read… you get the idea! Most have that ‘real, old book’ flavor to them.
To any who are considering taking up a new habit with the new year, I would highly recommend it!
I’ve been journaling almost continually since I was about 12. Recently I looked at a book of Jim Elliot’s journals and noticed that he started off his entries with the Bible chapter he was reading that day and his thoughts on it; I’ve been trying to pick up that habit.
Oh, and Moleskines are the SUPREME notebook. 😉
Do you journal or have you in the past? What has been the purpose of your journaling?
I’ve journaled ever since I was almost 7 years-old, sometimes sporadic but I try to be faithful in recording things. The purpose of my journal is to have an outlet for my thoughts and to record life as I live it day-to-day. I enjoy looking back and seeing what God has done! I also recently started a prayer journal that I write in each day after my personal devotions. Writing prayers really helps me focus and it’s great to look back and see answered prayer.
Describe your journal. Are PaperBlanks really the coolest?
All of my journals have been very different. From the sparkly blue one I had as a little girl to the leather bound one I just finished. Soon I’ll start on my pretty floral one. =) Having no experience with PaperBlanks, I have no idea whether they’re the coolest or not. 😉 I like the variety of my various journals.
Hahaha! Not only do I have a PaperBlanks, it is the one which is pictured at the top of your post, and yes, it is awesome. I don’t OBSESS over it 🙂 but I do love mine… Funnily enough, my rather pagan cousin bought it for me and would probably be horrified to learn that I’m doing the Systematic Theology questions in it. 😀 It is a great book though… I hauled it along to Florida this summer and it withstood the beating well and looks fairly classy yet.
I have journaled… for various reasons… but I’m not really now. I just write loads and my “journaling” — whatever I’m thinking, tends to come out some in my blogging and some in songs I write.
Yes, I journal, and have for about 3 1/2 years. I wish I’d started sooner. For me, journalling is a way to chart my spiritual growth as well as work through my thoughts and struggles. I read back over my journals at different times, and I’m moved to tears as I see how God’s worked in my life–and moved to tears at my own foolishness and disobedience.
How does my journalling compare to the quote? I know my journalling is faulty since I’m an extremely faulty (read: sinful!) human being, but one standard that has helped me keep on track is that I write nothing that I would be ashamed for my future husband or children to read someday. In fact, because I myself love going over old family papers & photos and learning about what my parents & grandparents & great-grands were like when they were my age–I figure that future generations might just be as interested as I am. Plus, God’s workings are marvelous–I want others to learn from my mistakes, and praise God for all the good He works. I am honest in my journals about my struggles but I don’t make them my personal rant place. If I am really angry with someone then I need to deal with it before God and with them, not backbite even in my private journal.
My journals are all different. I’ve never tried PaperBlanks, but I will have to look at them. Moleskine journals are very neat too although I’ve not gotten one yet. I tend to be very frugal so I look for a very inexpensive journal that is pretty and made to last. Right now I have a large lined journal that has an antique/traveling look to it and says “My Journey” which I think is very appropriate. It has acid-free high quality paper, which I really appreciate. My next journal I already have on my shelf– a hardback ring style with a rose on it and Scripture verses on every page. 🙂
To those who don’t journal: Obviously journalling is your personal choice, but I certainly recommend it. 🙂 It can help you overcome your dislike of writing–and it can change your perspective about your life. You might think your life is boring–but if you make a practice of actively thinking about things you’re thankful for, things God’s showing you, questions you have, and writing these down–well, it’s the principle of “Count your many blessings, count them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done!”
For people who have a hard time writing down their feelings, my Mom has written a book about Journaling. It is called the Gift of Family Writing (http://www.giftoffamilywriting.com). I’ve been journaling for around 6 years now, and it really is amazing to see how God has worked in my life over the years.
Eric.
A perfect post to remind me about what Dad has suggested me a day ago. My dad’s abroad and he advised me to keep a different type of journal, different from what I have now.
He wants me to record these in this new journal:
*How many times I asked help from God on such day
*What goodness have I done to my family and friends
*What surprise God has revealed me
*To check myself if I’m still living with what God has for me
*What lessons have I learned from other people and from God’s ways
Keeping a journal has been harder for me…there have been times where I journaled a lot for a few days… and then I would stop for months.
One journal idea that I really like ( that others have mentioned above) is a journal of remembering God faithfulness.
For me, when I get a glimpse of God’s hand in my life, or he directly answers a prayer request- even if it seems small- I have a journal specifically to write it down in( and quotes and thoughts that I really like.) That way, during times when I can’t see God’s hand or when I find myself doubting God’s faithfulness or how much He loves me, I can read my journal and remember God cares, God loves me and God is faithful. Much like the stones of remeberance in Joshua Chapter 4.
Keeping a journal like this could be a tool that could help you remember.
Brett, I use the pocket sized (the smallest) hard-backed sketchbooks for my primary journaling, which are probably the same size as the one you have if you think it is too small ;). I tend to write fairly small, but the size I use is more so that I can carry it everywhere and then journal whenever I need to instead of waiting till I get home and have time. I use the soft or flexible pocket sized ones for simple note-taking. The paper in those is not quite as enjoyable being quite a bit thinner, but they are much more portable.
Josh: You’re slowly convincing me to start journaling with my moleskine — even after my brother Josh got me all pumped up on PaperBlanks. What’s with people named Josh having such powerful journaling influence?! 😉
I’ve been journalling for around 5 years… and seriously, reading back on your old entries can be one of the funniest and also really encouraging times ever. Last year I was able to find a job that I really enjoyed, and when looking back on my journal I found one day I had prayed for one and a lot of specific things for it.. and they had all come true! (The flipside is that I have now quit this job because I need to focus more on my other activities… But that was all God too!)
1. I’ve journaled since I was about seven years old. In the begining, mom got me started to practice my writing skills, and I wrote down mostly how I felt and what happened for when I wrote my biography. (Yes, I planned to write a biography at age 7)
2. I’ve noticed that recently, my journaling has become slightly more Christ/Christian walk centered, hopefully because I’m working more on it now than I was before.
3. Right now my journal is slightly larger than pocket sized-mom got it for me, although I prefer larger ones. It’s in notebook form. My first journals were spiral bound college ruled notebooks, red. My next journal is going to be a hardback, and bigger than my current one. I don’t know if Paperblanks are really the coolest, for years I prefered notebooks.
I’ve kept many diaries in the past, but most of them haven’t really been focused on God and have been more about me… i’m going to start a new one on my birthday (22nd, my 16th birthday), which I’m going to try and centre around what God’s doing in my life, and it may be written to my future husband.. but i’m still not sure if i’m going to go through with that idea.
I’ve never heard of ‘PaperBlanks’ (probably comes from me being British..) have you guys heard of paperchase? My diaries have been very varied – my first one when I was about eight years old was an old rough book from school and also a notebook from the Science Museum, my last one was a bigger blue notebook that my mum had in the ’80s but she never really used it.
I journal, sometimes a lot, sometimes rarely, it depends on what’s going on. My prayer journal is written in a lot, that’s more of prayers and giving what I’m struggling with to God, but my journal is daily events, feelings, random thoughts… lately I’ve seen more and more of “God,” “Pastor Welkner’s talk at youth group was…” or things like that in my journal, and quite a bit more of “God, I’m struggling with this right now…” in my prayer journal.
I love looking back and seeing how things have changed. When I was 9, I wrote an entry that went something like this:
“Today we went to the store. We came home, I read for a while, then mommy helped me with math. After dinner I practiced guitar, played the computer, and went to bed.”
Then just today I wrote “At Church on Friday, I was really challenged in my faith by the example of so-and-so.”
My journal… the one I have now is a thick blue notebook, rather small (about the size of a normal-sized Bible, I think they’re around 6×9″) with black leather binding…. I love it, spirals always get in my way and it’s hardcover so it doesn’t fall apart.
To tell the truth, I’ve never heard of “PaperBlanks” before now, either.
Kyleigh
I began my first journal when I was twelve, almost thirteen. Ever since September 28 of that year, I have kept a prolific journal on all the events in my life. I had an almost obsessive attention to detail then, not wanting to miss anything, and always wanting to remember it so that I could look back and reflect when I was older… I no longer possess the extreme, obsessive side of that ‘disorder!’
There isn’t much of a difference, (except the obvious growth of maturity,) between my old journals and the ones I write now. (Well, another exception might be that I finally understand the complicated vocabulary words I had once used, having thought that they had sounded either ‘intelligent,’ or ‘mature.’:) None of my journals were ever fully centered around me and my life– yes, I did write down what had happened to so and so, where I had gone that day, even what I had eaten,– (I’ve always had a penchant for writing down practical events,)–but I often concluded my entries with self-evaluations, thoughts on how I could change character-wise, profound quotes, bible verses, and perhaps a prayer… Journaling through those very early teen years allowed me to be objective, and frankly, keep my sanity as my family and I went through the ugliest, hardest times of our life.
Because journaling means writing, (and I LOVE writing,) it is a major form of relaxation for me. The purpose of my journaling, though, is not just to relax, but to ‘keep up’ on myself. It gives me an opportunity to write incoherent thoughts down and find some semblance of order in them. From there I can evaluate myself or a situation objectively…
I went to Amazon and looked up PaperBlanks. I like them a lot! Okay, I’m curbing some of my excited emotion right now… In truth, I LOVE them. Most of them, anyway. There was one that was an atrocious lime green color. Sorry, but that’s not my type. My present journal is maroon silk with Asian-like designs over it… Whenever I look for journals, (and this is every several months as I am, again, a prolific writer,) I check the inside to see if the there are a.) enough SMALL lines, and b.) if there are tons of pages. Have any of you ever seen the journals in Barnes and Nobles? Most are leather, and most are absolutely beautiful– and thick!
I really like the idea of posting Don Whitney’s quote inside my journal. I’ve been printing small pictures of family and friends and pasting them inisde, but I should do the quote, too.
I have a journal, but I rarely write in it. I’ve just never really good at remembering to sit down and write something. But, I might make it a New Year’s resolution.
ahhh…Journaling! This post is reminding me that I was going to try to journal more. Its something I really need to do, but I don’t particularly enjoy writing! Although, reading everyone’s answers is making me realize what I’m missing out on!
One question….What exactly is a PaperBlanks journal? 😳
I have been journaling since I was about 6 years old, but it became more serious/spiritual when I was around 11. I have slacked off on it a little in the last few years, since I entered college, but I still usually do a little bit when I read my Bible. It’s a really good discipline and I am so glad I have done it.
I love journaling! I’ve been journaling (not always consistently) ever since I was 12. Waah! That makes 5 years now! !!! My journals are for personal benefit – remembering little fun things, seeing God’s work in my life (my favorite part about journaling), personal growth (seeing where I need to improve), and fun. 🙂
I think my journaling has been pretty much along the lines of those quotes. Once I would read in my Bible every day, until I felt like the verse I read was THE VERSE for my day. After a few weeks I recorded them all on one page, no references or anything, just the verse, because I’d realized that they all kept flowing together. God wrote me a letter! It’s my favorite thing to go back and read.
The best journals are the ones you use and love so much that they fall apart. =P No, seriously though, I’d have to say qualifications for a good journal would be
1, sturdy. I’ve had mine for a year now, and it has taken a lot of trips and been used a lot. It’s not in such good shape.
2, one that you can write easily on both sides (which means it has to have a good binding.)
3, I like them to have a nice design.
My journal is a teal green with white dots and brown branches and a hummingbird. I love it!
I just looked at the Paperblanks and I don’t like them. =) Most of them, anyway.
By the way, Brett, what’s with the self-deprecatory remark? Somehow I suspect you’ve been a little busy lately. I haven’t, and I even only just finished my shopping yesterday. hehe Anyway. =P
Great post!!
i’ve journaled before, and still do, but this insight has given me more reason to keep doing it, i love to write!
i also really appreciate it because i have two girls in my house church right now, and reading this email gave me the best thing that i could probably choose to give them right now.
thank you, i love getting your emails they are so encouraging.
I do journal. Sporadically, I’ll admit, but I’ve already filled up a journal. I suppose the Christ-focus of my entires also varies depending upon the entry…due to the fact that I am sporadic (read: don’t have much time!), when I write in my journal it’s often to make head or sense of my swirling thoughts and emotions, or to record some momentous day. Often in the course of the journal I talk to God, but not always or necessarily. My journal’s become a place for me to sort myself out and figure out what’s going on.
I wouldn’t know about PaperBanks journals, as I’d never heard for them before Josh plugged them. 😉 But I love my journal now – smooth, cream pages, with spunky pink, green, and brown stripes. Girly. =)
this isn’t exactly as “memorable” as having a written journal, but i use journlr, which is a free mac program. http://journler.com/
it allows me to keep my journal organized by category, tag, whatever…
When I was younger, I didn’t journal very often, and when I did, I sure didn’t say anything useful! But now I keep a couple of journals. One is my ‘spiritual journal’ in which I record what I’m learning from/about God. It is so incredible to read back and see how far I’ve come in the last few years! I also have a journal that I use to record almost everything that happens to me. Sometimes I think I get too detailed… but it’s just something in my personality. The last journal I have is one that I am writing to give to my future husband. My parents got the idea at the Christian Home Educators of Colorado (CHEC) Conference several years ago, and I thought it would be really neat to do it!
I’m a “poor girl” 😛 so I can’t afford journals that would actually be advertised. I’ve got no doubt that they’re nicer than the ones I get at Wal-Mart, but I wouldn’t know from personal experience. 😀
I love journaling. It’s a creative outlet, a lot like playing music, as well as a healthy spiritual/intellectual discipline. I write down my thoughts/questions from my Bible reading, copy poems and quotes I read in other books so I don’t forget them, write poems, record prayers, as well as describe things that happen to me/I do, for the sake of having it all written down somewhere.
The moleskines are really helpful for jotting down thoughts or to-do lists or germs of ideas you want to develop further, but I think having a really beautiful, thick journal as well helps me raise the quality of my writing because I feel guilty if I don’t spend time trying to make the inside as beautiful as the outside. A group of my friends bought me a very nice leatherbound journal for my birthday this year, and I have been completely happy with it. (RM – it’s one of those Barnes and Nobles journals – and I completely agree…it’s incredible.)
It was so funny to come on here and read this because yesterday I spent about 4 hours making journals for six of my friends- all with personal notes inside. I’m probably going to print out the quote you listed and put them in each.
I love journals. On every Christmas list I write “journals”. Currently I have a lovely black Italian leather journal which ties shut. My father gave it to me back in October for my birthday and I write my prayers, bible verses that stick out to me, and other things that stick out to me. My journal is one of my bestest friends, haha. And, its also from Barnes and Nobles- I just go in there at times and stare in awe at the journal display. 😀 Aside from that journal I also have a notebook of sorts which I carry with me to write down various ideas, lists, etc.
I’ve been journaling since my aunt gave me my first real journal at age 10. As I was not saved back than, my journal mainly consisted of various complaints, what I did each day (fed the dog, went to Wal Mart, played outside..) things I wanted, things I recieved, and many thoughts about boys….all from the genuis of my 10 year old mind. (Which was very stupid, really.)
Now my journals are filled with prayers, Scripture, quotes, detailed trains of thought in how I’m trying to discern God’s will, etc. I sometimes keep an account of what I learned that day in the Word and in life; but that doesn’t happen everyday.
Oh, and, my name isn’t Josh so I don’t know how influencial this will be…:D..but I also really like Moleskins. And the journals at Barnes and Nobles. (And now I’m going to go check out PaperBlanks..and pray that my family also gets me some more journals for Christmas!)
Ah, Moleskines are the best…! I’m so obsessed with them that an entire shelf in my room is stocked full. I primarily use the sketchbooks, as I’ve found the paper weight to be ideal for everything from sketching to writing, but the journals are great, too. I love their versatility and sleek binding, and highly, highly recommend them.
I journal off and on, mainly to record events during interesting portions of my life, but sometimes to detail relationships or offer praises.
I’d never heard of PaperBlanks until I saw Josh’s post. The discussion of journal types on here is a bit amusing to me; I’ve journaled in Word for years. I have a tendency to remember something that needs to be inserted in the middle of a paragraph.
Oh yes… this has nothing to do with your post… but what is the story on the picture here? http://therebelution.com/dohardthings/authors.htm Alex, you look awfully unhappy! Too much “doing hard things”, perhaps? 🙂
I have been journaling every night for about four years now (I’m 18 at the moment). I started out with a purpose of practicing my writing skills, learning to express myself on paper, and to use the stack of journals that had piled up over the years. I was not very good at it starting out, but as the years have gone by (and I have painstakingly watched how I write) I find myself including more information of the evidence of God’s glory in my life.
As for the journals…I hadn’t heard of PaperBlanks before. I have always used random journals without anything in them. Sometimes I use the ones without lines as they allow for more creative flow in my case. I will have to look into them though. Thanks for sharing that.
Here I want to take the opportunity presented and encourage those of you who find journaling a more difficult thing to do. It takes practice! The reward of looking back at a journal entry from a year ago and seeing where God was in your life is SO amazing. Keep trying! You can do it! Thanks for sharing that great quote Alex and Brett!
-Paige
It’s kind of funny you just posted this because my mom just bought me a journal for Christmas. So I’m trying to write in it. I’m on day two. Woohoo. Maybe I can get as good at is as my friend who journals everyday and has done it for the past three or four years.
Anya: Do I really look unhappy? I prefer words like “pensive,” “serious,” and “focused.” 😉
🙁
You guys are SO Wierd
Jen: Are we really that weird? I prefer words like “imaginative,” “adventurous,” and “spunky.” 😉
Alex: Do you really have to say prefer? I favor words like “promote,” “opt for,” “suggest.” 😉
Okay, I will stop now, I promise! You’re right… maybe it’s not really unhappy that you look…
A reason we like journaling: because we like playing with words.
But another more serious thought on journaling; a lot of times I will look back at old journal entries and it becomes very obvious what God has been doing in my life.
I confess I have a couple of PaperBlanks in my possession, as well as a few other journals ;0). In high school, I began my own yearly tradition of reading through the past year’s entries on Thanksgiving. It’s an amazing way to get the entire year in focus, in addition to highlighting God’s endless mercies throughout, answered prayers that I had forgotten, or lessons God had taught me. I have found this to be so very rich!!!
Alex, I agree with you and Jen. You guys are weird, and imaginative. Well, most of the time.
BTW: does computer ‘journaling’ count? I am a terrible speller, and I get rather discouraged when I look back through my old journals and see all the misspellings. So, I have toyed with the idea of starting to use Microsoft Word as a ‘journal’. Should I?
Lauren: Of course it counts, even though there is something more mysterious and special about old-fashion, bound journals. But my first (and only) real journal was on the computer. 🙂
I have kept journals sporadically through my life from about 11 and up. Most of it has been of the “what-I-did-today” type. However, as I am getting older, I am starting to come up with ideas that may be of some merit, but haven’t had anywhere to record them. However, with this, and this article, is enough to get me started again. I will copy the quote down for my new journal, and try to keep to it.
I can’t give you much advice on journals. I’ve nearly always just used a binder with standard college-ruled notebook paper. I’m left handed, so that is always a problem. I’m not the sort that spends much money, but perhaps a bound journal would work. Right now, I am using a large zippered binder, with a padlock to keep the contents from prying eyes (i.e. pesky younger siblings.)
Wow, funny. I thought that Alex looked unhappy in that picture, too. And Brett looks a bit incredulous – like, “we’ve just finished a book that has taken us forever, and my brother looks sad!?” ;D
But it’s a cool picture, nonetheless.
I must say that I very much dislike writing, even when no one is grading it. However, my mom has strongly encouraged journal writing, and as journals are a popular gift among my friends, I cannot escape it. (To any of my friends reading this, thanks for urging me on in this spiritual discipline. 🙂 ) Unfortunatly, my journaling is very sporatic. Actually, last year I had too many empty journals so I decided to use one for my personal/spiritual life, one to recount evidences of God’s faithfulness I observe, and one to collect quotes from theology books and sermons. If only I had time to actully fill them! All that aside, I do agree with the quotes that journalling is very useful as a measure of growth, similar to people who mark their children’s height on a doorpost as they grow.
I’ve kept six journals…one when I was 6, one when I was 10, one when I was 12, one when I was 14 and one earlier this year when I was a young 15 year old. I’m currently on my sixth.
In regards to the type of journal, the one I had at the age of 6 was like a diary. It was quite annoying because it made me guilty to miss a day and when I wanted to write a lot about one day, I didn’t have the space. It’s startlingly red cover drew attention from younger siblings and I was forced to write in code. “Apples taste dusty” was code for “I got in trouble with parents today.”
The one I had when I was 10 was a Winnie the Pooh Bear journal, which had the wonderful feature of a lock. Problem was that this lock only gave my brother more incentive to pick it. It also was annoying in that when I wrote in pen, I couldn’t write on the other side. Apart from the fact that I thought the pictures of Eeyore on every page did not quite match the ultra serious tone of my writing.
Grr.. Anyway, I now use a password protected document on my computer. It’s the best there is, except for the fact that it isn’t quite as antique looking. Also, as my previous cut-off comment shows, computers are annoying in that if you click a button by mistake, things happen that you might not intend. (Delete previous three entries, for example.)
But in regards to the spiritual benefit of journals, they are definitely monuments to God’s faithfulness. Sadly, all 5 of my previous journals have been destroyed simply because I couldn’t bear to read how stupid, self-righteous and sinful I was back then. But I suppose that simply shows that God has opened my eyes still further to see sin. And I (somewhat apprehensively) look forward to the day when I shall see my current journal with more-sanctified eyes and find it a painful experience that causes me to thank God more for his sanctifying and renewing grace.
.
I have several journals; four to be exact. I started journaling at age nine (the simple, “I did this today” kind of thing), when I got my first diary for Christmas. Since then I have journaled sporadically over the years (I would be really excited about it for a time, and then gradually stop).
It’s been very nice to look back two or three years later and read my thoughts and see how much I’ve matured over the years. I have a 1&1/2 by 1&1/2 foot square lockbox (with a built in lock, of course), and then inside that lockbox are my journals. My most special of special journals have small combination padlocks on them (I hide the keys in obscure locations in my room so they can be found only by myself).
Keeping a journal is a great way of keeping track of how God is working in my life. A year ago there were some times that were very difficult for me; reading over that part of the journal now, I can see how God used those times to help me grow. It’s also been a great way to record special times and events in my life.
In His Service,
~Kirsten A. Gruber
I am so glad that girls aren’t the only ones who like to journal. I have kept a journal for about a year now. I write about what I read during my quiet time, struggles, things I’m learning, and anything exciting going on in my life. Much of what’s in my journal often ends up in my blog. Every now and again I will read an old journal (I’ve gone through three big notebooks this past year). It is then that I really see how I have grown in my walk with God and where I have had victory in different areas of my life. It’s my testimony on paper of God’s work in my life.
I’ve been journaling on and off over the years, but only started consistently last year. I bought a thick journal, and made it my goal to try to fill one each year. I’ve really enjoyed it. I find it’s a great way to write down my thoughts, feelings, ideas, sketches, and even use for reference. And it’s probably something I’ll enjoy reading a few years from now. I don’t normally use a particular type–just whatever I can find, but maybe I should try a Paperblank or Moleskine next time…it looks like quite a few people really enjoy them. It’s true that I tend to just leave mine on my bedside table because its size is so impractical…so maybe I should try smaller the next time I get one.
Anyway, thanks for the post! It’s inspired me to write more. 🙂
* Do you journal or have you in the past? What has been the purpose of your journaling?
Yes, and I love journaling! I don’t journal every day exactly, but fairly regularly. I want a documentary of my life for my own personal refferal, and for future children, etc.
* How does your past or present journaling compare with what is described in the quote above?
Well, I need to document more of mys spiritual life. I mostly document daily happenings, and how I feel about life. The feelings that run through my head often line the pages. I write it like a letter, addressed to a name I chose many years ago, and signed each time.
* Describe your journal. Are PaperBlanks really the coolest?
My journal right now is all flowery on the front. I liked my last two better, because the pages were thicker, but this is okay. I just can’t use as heavy a pen as I’d like. Never heard of PaperBlanks, but they look cool! Maybe next time, though I think this journal will last me another year.
* If you don’t journal, why not?
I do!
So fun. Thank you for this great post! You are SO not weird.
God bless,
Sheila
I’m not much for journaling. I should. I do find it difficult to write my thoughts down on a regular basis. My sister has tried to get me to start a blog on several occasions, but I’m not much into blogging either. My mom has always encouraged me to journal too. She’s bought me a PaperBlank journal, I think I wrote my name in it.
I had an opportunity to see some pages from Lewis and Clark’s original journals from their expedition, and Daniel Boones journal when we visited the Boone Home last year. It was interesting to see all the things they wrote about.
Lauren: As for being a terrible speller. From seeing the Lewis and Clark and Daniel Boone’s journal pages, they were not great spellers either. Yet their writings are what make our history books.
I am a huge believer in journaling… I use my journal to keep track of what God is teaching me, what I am struggling with and other interesting things. If I find an article or quote that I like, it gets glued in. I, however, am old fashioned and write in a notebook. (A word of advice for those of you who will buy someone a journal, buy a journal with smaller pages so it looks like you are writing more…this will keep discouragement at bay). I started my first journal at the age of 7 and have been journal ling on and off since then. All through high school I have kept a journal regularly and it is interesting to see how much I have changed.
I love journals. 🙂
I’ve done a bit of “serious” journaling, and I’m still working on it. 😀
I use it as a sort of “release” from thoughts and feelings, and I also use it to record and keep track of what I have been doing, etc. It’s a great way to see how much you’ve grown in the past years. 🙂
I have different kinds of journals…one that is PaperBlank, if I’m not mistaken, and the others are…well, others. 🙂
God bless!
Jacob: I can relate to your comment about being left-handed. Life is harder for us lefties… but it makes us stronger. 😉
*Do you journal or have you in the past?*
*What has been the purpose of your journaling?*
*How does your past or present journaling compare with what is described in the quote above?*
*Describe your journal.*
*Are PaperBlanks really the coolest?*
*If you don’t journal, why not?*
Oops… sorry about the last comment. I have no idea why that happened.
*Do you journal or have you in the past?*
Yes and yes. I had a “diary” but my parents read it so I stopped. (: I started journaling off and on over the past year and this article has definately encouraged me to start up again.
*What has been the purpose of your journaling?*
At first it was a diary type thing, but now I have two. One is a prayer/spiritual journal and the other is a “Dear You,” journal.
*How does your past or present journaling compare with what is described in the quote above?*
My past was nothing like the above article, my present is close to what you described.
*Describe your journal.*
My prayer/spiritual journal was a gift from a former youth leader and it is small, red leather bound book with different names of God engraved on the front in gold. My “Dear you,” journal is just a regular old notebook, except I lost it so I think I’m going to make a new one.
*Are PaperBlanks really the coolest?*
I’m not entirely sure what a PaperBlank is, and until I have tested it out I couldn’t give you my honest view.
*If you don’t journal, why not?*
I do.
Brett, are you, too, left-handed? My brother and I aren’t alone? The only person I know who’s left-handed is my own dear older brother. I haven’t met anyone else! Oh, I could sing for joy! *singing for joy* … I thought that being left-handed meant I could never play the violin, but somehow I’ve overcome the odds and now play right-handed. I still intend to get a custom-made violin and learn how to play with my left hand. Anyway. Completely off subject! 🙂
I thought I’d quickly mention that my two favorite journals happen to be on the computer. That’s how I started writing. In fact, I first refused to use the old-fashioned type of journals that incorpated inky fingers, messy hand-writing, and an aching back, (I’ve found that the only comfortable way I can write right now is on my stomach– which eventually strains my back!) Typing on the computer allowed me to write a whole lot more in less time than I could using just pen on paper. I also installed a password on my journals… Unfortunately, I made the mistake of forgetting one of them, and microsoft word is inexorable when it comes to forgotten passwords– I’ll never see that document again! Thankfully that document was only a copy of an original!
I switched from computer to a real journal when I realized that my former journals would never reveal my personality quirks, (such as my ridiculously small print, and tons of p.s’s,) and also when it dawned on me that I wouldn’t be able to hold it in my hands and treasure it in the same way unless I printed all of its 200-something pages each. That’s a lot of paper and ink that I’m not willing to, well, waste! I think the only thing I can do to ensure it’s safety and durability, (computers are highly unpredictable and temperamental,) is just make a CD of them both and store it with the rest of my other journals…
Karen, aren’t those journals incredible? I don’t own one yet, but I hope to!
God bless you all, and Merry Christmas!
I think that it is so cool that others journal too 🙂 I started a prayer journal 3 years ago…a dear lady in our church died of cancer and her husband brought in her prayer journals and shared some of them with us. I remember thinking of how cool it was that she could leave that kind of legacy. So, I started journaling, and it is so neat how God has used it 🙂 I have like 8 now and every single one records a different season in my life and walk with the Lord. So yeah sorry for the endless comment 🙂 Thanks again for all you guys do and Brett, I hope you get a “PaperBlank” journal for Christmas! LOL 🙂
[…] The Act of Journaling 20Dec07 I really appreciated Brett’s post on journaling. It relects well on the given purpose to the age old practice of keep accounts and documentation of thoughts and progression of the world around us. As you may or may not know, I am not a conventional journal writer (this is not referencing my blog). Most of my entries are scribbles and sketches of whatever is floating in my mind–a paragraph here or there and flowing lines that appear to be nothing in particular. Some pages are entirely lists and incomplete thoughts that are written down to preserve flashes of inspiration for development in a later time. I suppose it’s a bit of an idea book more than anything. I also keep a log book on various thoughts, devotionals and Bible studies. The SDA Adult Lesson Study has these questions at the bottom of each day for thought that help prompt my writing. But how far am I from using journaling for a greater purpose? […]
I have journaled almost every night since I was about 13 years old. I started when I was 8, journaling off and on. The quote mentioned really does sum up the reasons why I journal. It has been such a blessing to my spiritual life. So many times I have gone back and read of a struggle God brought me through, or something He taught me that I had forgotten all about. It is such a sure way to cement in my heart what God is teaching me. When God whispers to me, I write down what He said. So often this confirms in me the Holy Spirit’s working, and encourages me to stay faithful and live it out. Journaling keeps those precious, quiet times with God from slipping away without truly meditating on them as I should.
I also journal because I plan to some day go back and read portions to my future kids, when they are the same age as I was when I wrote it. I want to show them that I understand what it felt like, and and I want to be a testamony to them of God’s work in my life. I know I would have loved it if my parents had done that. But mind you, I will only be reading them selected portions 🙂
If you don’t journal, by all means try it. The rewards are amazing.
Thank you for this post! A great christmas idea! 🙂
I’ve tried to consistently journal over the years. Still working on that. 🙂 But my older sister has been a consistent and avid journalist since a young age. I’m learning from her example!
PS- those journals are beautiful! also, Barnes & Noble has beautiful leather ones! 🙂
I journal =) Basically when I can’t talk to anyone else and when my relationship with God is at the point where it is now, I turn to journaling. I can vent in there. No one tells me how selfish I am because no one reads it. My heart is poured out in my journal. In the past, I’ve written letters to God in my journal. I would write down everything with the intention of reading it later on to see how the hand of God worked in my life. Nowadays, I just blog because it’s more convenient. But…I like regular journals when computers aren’t available. I learn a lot of things but I need to jot them down if they are to be of any use in my life. And well yeah =) I like journaling. And kudos to Josh Harris!!
I don’t journal – yet. I’m waiting on something to happen. Trouble is, I’m just not sure what that something is, or if it will even ever happen. Such is my life.
Oh, and while I’m posting, could you please update your link to my weblog? I haven’t posted to “Liberty and Justice for All” in over a year. I’d appreciate if you’d update it to point to my current weblog, “Equally Skilled”, which is located at http://equallyskilled.blogspot.com/. Don’t worry, there’s no senseless Rebelution-bashing (or anyone-bashing, really). It’s just honest questions, as always. Thanks in advance.
I actually just started one yesterday! My Friend got it for me for a Christmas present! 😀
Paper blank isn’t that great for me because I end up writing sloppy. If I had better writing…might work better!
I started a prayer jounal, where I write my prayers to God. It makes it easier to pray,and not just pray the same prayer over and over!
I’m not very good about keeping a regular journal,but I did finish a prayer journal a while back and really enjoyed it! I expect to keep this one regularly too.
I just started on my new journal it today. It’s easier than I recalled to fill a sheet of notebook paper. Perhaps I’ve become more wordy than I was when I used to attempt to journal. I tend to scrawl, so I hope it will be still intelligible in a few years. By the way, is it some sort of sacrilege to use a pencil in a journal? I don’t use the eraser, except when I have made a serious mistake. I’m left handed, so pens don’t work (without inky hands and smeared pages.)
Well, isn’t this a popular post! 🙂 Thanks for bringing up this very important topic, Brett. I’ve journaled fairly regularly for the past 6 six years, and one “standard” size journal lasts me 4-6 months, depending on how wordy I get. The purpose of my journaling is to record what’s happening in my life (spiritual and otherwise), special experiences, sort out my thoughts, talk to God….scriptures, poems, lyrics….you name it, I just dump it all in there. (Even a Harris autograph or two if the occasion calls for it. hehe)
My journal is a safe place where I can be “me” – real and honest with myself and with God. My brain starts to feel really muddled if I stop journaling for awhile. It’s amazing what getting your thoughts outside of your head can do, and I find it helps me stay emotionally balanced. And it most definitely aids in reflection and recording what I’m learning spiritually, and the ways God has worked and continues to work in my life. My memory is only so good and these are such vital things to remember!
The PaperBlanks journals do look cool! Just give me a wall of expensive blank journals to touch and flip through and I’m ridiculously happy! Good quality paper – with lines – is a must for my writing experience, and I like each of my journals to be unique in design or style – my last one was a square and modern “Quotable” journal, while my current one is a gorgeous B&N leather-bound that ties shut. (I have a girlfriend with great taste!)
Find something that you love and you’ll love writing in it. 🙂
I’ve probably journaled in some form since I was maybe 10 or so. For years its been more of a means to keep track of events and life changes, but lately its been more of a place to think “aloud” on paper. I have a lot of conversations with my mom, but sometimes it is nice to have my thoughts on a subject or situation I’m going through documented. For those of you who mentioned “venting,” I’ve found journaling a good outlet for emotions (hence the term venting) and its somewhat more constructive to help me better look at an issue by writing it out (whether I read it or not 🙂 )
As far as the quote, I’ve drifted more into that direction more as of lately. I use just the 70 page spiral notebooks (like the ones I use for school). How fast I go through them really depends on how diligent I’m being which is also tied to how busy I am and how much I have to say.
Not having a cute journal is almost better for me because then I don’t feel the pressure of it looking perfect (it’s my personality mostly). Its just a place to “scribble” my thoughts and work things out regardless of whether they are completely coherent or not. I tend to have things sink in better (I’m a major notetaker) when I write them down, regardless if I ever read them. Sometimes I do though and its a good memory refresher.
Even though I haven’t recently, I do write in a journal. I have since I was about 10. At first it was just about me and what had been going on with my life. Now I use it for three things. (maybe I should have three separate journals)
I use it as to write random stuff, a prayer journal and to write whatever God has been teaching me through trials, devotions, books I’m reading ( which pretty soon I hope one of those books will be the one y’all wrote) and just anything. I’m not that faithful about writing in my journal but I really do enjoy writing in it and even just reading back to what I have already written.
I too can relate to all y’alls lefty struggles.
I’ve journaled off and on since I was about seven. I currenly don’t have a journal due to all of mine being destroyed, but I’m planning on starting two soon. One for sermon notes, other thoughts, and what God’s been teaching me, and one for my favorite verses, quotes and sayings.
I’ve gotten a lot of ideas from this post and it’s replies for my future journaling.
* Do you journal or have you in the past? What has been the purpose of your journaling?
I have already filled up two journals since October-ish of 2005, and I am getting a new one soon since I only have about a months worth of paper in the third journal. My journals have always been a record of my prayer requests, prayers, answers to prayers, and cool Scriptures.
* How does your past or present journaling compare with what is described in the quote above?
I’d say past and present experience has proved journaling to be wonderfully refreshing and spiritually stimulating, just as described in the quote.
* Describe your journal. Are PaperBlanks really the coolest?
I’ve never heard of PaperBlanks, and Amazon is being grumpy this afternoon. Overloaded with procrastinating Christmas shoppers, perhaps? I’m quite particular about my journals. The first one (periwinkle cover with sea three sea shells on the front and a sea shell on ever page) set a precident of qualifications: a hardback book-book format. Id est, no spiral binding. That stuff peeves me to no end. I don’t like wide ruled pages, but I don’t like college ruled either, so I try to get something in the middle-ish. I liked my secone journal the best out of the three I’ve had so far. It had some funky-cool colors on the color: blue, green, olive, and mint colored blocks with polka dots in the center. I also liked the fact that it had a ribbon book mark. My third journal has been the most plain– just a blue cloth cover and crisp pages.
That was a really great post on journaling 🙂 May God bless you as you record your year. I’m constantly looking back to see what I was doing two years ago at this same time of the year or whatnot. Journals are great for that!
Every blessing,
~Nella
lol .. So I was reading this post, and was like- oh look. That’s what my church did- they got me a journal as a staff gift….and then I was like wait- its the same church….
That being said, I agree twas an awesome idea…. I love my journal…. 🙂
I do not like writing at all! Hence the reason I have about seven journals that have only half of the pages written in. I have been journaling off and on since I was about 8 years old. I have to admit I haven’t always written about subjects to be proud of, but I’m trying to start a prayer journal. I recently received a journal from a friend. It is purple with a teapot and teacup on the front. Underneath it has this neat quote. I’m trying to recall it, but at the moment it is not coming to me. I will have to get my journal out and come back here and write it. Thanks for the post! 🙂
Lydia D.
So now that it’s Christmas, did you end up getting a journal, Brett? 🙂
Merry Christmas everyone!
~Holly
I’ve been journalling since I was eight years old–that makes it 19 years now! I journalled the most during my mid teen years, and this year has been so crazy that I’ve only written a little. But in 2008 I am hoping to make more time for regular journalling as I believe it’s a rich spiritual and creative discipline. The act of writing and reflection–even if one never re-reads what’s written–alone makes the journalling practice a valuable one. When we journal, the world slows down and we’re able to see more clearly what God is going in our lives and how He wants us to grow.
After filling many many notebooks, I am quite the connoisseur and I must say that Moleskines are totally the way to go! Moleskines, I love you.
Hi! I just saw this post and thought I’d comment. I’ve been journaling since I was about nine, and I love it! I journal all the time, in all seasons, and for any reason whatsoever. 🙂 I keep completed journals handy so that I can look back and see what God has been doing in my life. It is a great tool to diagnose your spiritual condition, and to remember that God is indeed faithful. When I’m in a tough spot, it’s good to be able to look back and remember that God has never left me alone. God’s faithfulness is a thread that I can clearly follow all the way through my journals!
I would encourage anyone who is starting a journal to remember that journaling comes in seasons. For a while you may need the commitement of saying, “I’m going to journal once a week.”, but after it becomes habit, don’t force yourself to write when you have nothing to say, or when it’s just plain boring. 🙂 There will be times when you write once a week, or once a month, or everyday for two weeks. Let journaling be a help, not something you feel guilty about. Journaling is fun!
[…] As another week of 2008 begins, I encourage you to start a journal if you do not already do so. And if you already keep a journal, resolve to keep it even more faithfully. Over at The Rebelution, you will find a very encouraging post that explains a purpose of a journal and will further motivate you in your journaling pursuits. […]
>Do you journal or have you in the past?
I started my first diary when I was about 4 1/2. I loved it! I wrote off and on for years, entries mainly focused on activities and what I ate for lunch. When I was about 13, I started writing more about God–which makes sense, because I was beginning to truly know Him. I’ve hit a few journaling speedbumps (or standstills) since then, but I’ve journaled diligently for about a year and a half.
>What has been the purpose of your journaling?
To put it simply: I journal to know Christ. Looking back, I see that my journals are a chronicle of God’s hand gently drawing me unto Himself. I love looking back and finding answers to a prayer that I forgot I prayed, to see God fulfilling the needs I didn’t even know I had. I journal so that I don’t ever forget the amazing things the Lord is teaching and speaking to my heart. I journal to chart my spiritual growth. I journal to pour my heart out before God.
>Describe your journal.
I use spiral-bound college ruled notebooks with pretty covers. I used to buy fancy journals, but as a perfectionist, I was bothered that they were differently sized and didn’t line up on the shelf neatly (my friends think I’m crazy, but they love me anyway). When I started journaling in earnest, I switched to spiral notebooks, and I’m very pleased with them–they’re pretty, durable, affordable (important since I go through them fast), functional, I can write on both sides of the page, and they all line up on the shelf! =) I write with my favorite black Zebra F-301 pens.
Journaling is an integral part of my God time in the mornings. After I read my Bible, I write about what God is teaching me both in my daily reading and in every aspect of my life. I write about what I’m reading in God’s Word, books I’m reading, quotes I find, struggles I’m going through, and where I’m growing (especially in my walk with the Lord), among other things. Also, my journals are sprinkled with prayers and poetry.
Journaling has been a huge blessing in my life. I would strongly encourage anyone who doesn’t journal to at least give it a try. If you don’t know what to write, simply ask the Lord!
God is good.
[…] Awhile back I was reading the Rebelution Blog and found this great post on journaling. In this post was a quote from Don Whitney’s Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life which would be good to write in the front of your journal as a reminder of the importance of journaling to monument God’s faithfulness: […]
don’t call yourself a loser! lol
I really agree with Sophia! I scrolled down all the comments to see if anyone mentioned the way Brett insulted himself.
Sometimes people don’t realized that their words have power. It’s disrespectful to yourself, Brett, and disrespectful to God (your creator) to call yourself that name!!
To take a leaf from Alex’s page, I prefer words like “procrastinator,” “straggler,” and “inexperienced-shopper” for the article.
Thanks! ;D
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[…] Journaling: A Monument of God’s Faithfulness […]