BOOK REVIEW: Journaling with Jesus: How to Draw Closer to God

For readers who know me and my personal journey with what I've always called "scripture" journaling, you'll want to read Journaling with Jesus, an insightful, honest and refreshingly motivating nonfiction book by Carol Round.

 

If you've ever wanted to get closer to God through prayer, scripture study and journaling, then this book is for you. Journaling with Jesus is beautifully penned from the first word to the last, and gives adult readers an opportunity to see the power of prayer while they are developing a more intimate communication with God.

Round shares personal experiences that she has had with God through her journaling of the past 10 years. She also shares the experiences others have had with prayer journaling. She opens the way for readers of all faiths to experience prayer journaling for themselves.

Consider these insights:

"(Prayer journaling) is a relationship with God. I talk, He listens. He talks, I listen."

"...we write to grow, not to stay the same."

"I wasn't aware of God's plan to use my gifts and talents for His glory. Through my daily habit of journaling, He has made me appreciate the importance of letting Him shape and mold me into the woman He created me to be."

Journaling with Jesus is for anyone desiring to improve his/her relationship with God. Although this reader could see the direction of the book for women, primarily, the truths spoken of in Round's book will assist anyone with the desire for a deeper connection with God.

Discover the interest God has in you as His child. Feel the presence of God.

Carol Round's book can be purchased at Amazon.

 

A Personal Motto

Photo by: midiman, Courtesy of Flickr

DECEMBER 25
A Personal Motto

Did Christ know who he was? What did he say about himself? What did he know to be true?
“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture” (John 10:9).
“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine” (John 10:14).

“I am thy shield” (Genesis 15:1).

“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25).

The Lord’s knowledge about Himself and the direction He should take comes throughout the entire standard works.

“I am he; I am the first, and I am also the last” (1 Nephi 20:12).

“Behold, I am God; give heed unto my word…” (D&C 6:2).

“I am the Lord God almighty, and Endless is my name; for I am without beginning of days or end of years; and is not this endless?” (Moses 1:3).

Is it possible for each of us to know who we are; even our purpose in life? I believe our Patriarchal Blessing shows us who we are. I also believe we can be shown on a daily basis who we are and what we are to become.

My personal motto is framed and hangs near my bed. Every morning I see it. Every evening, when I kneel to pray, the words of who I am and the direction I must take are clear.

Go to the Lord. Ask for his direction. Record your thoughts in your journal. Take a step further. Record your words and hang them in a place where you will see them daily.

A Song of the Heart

DECEMBER 24

A Song of the Heart
August 22: (Evening) Something incredible happened to me today. This morning, as I was working in the garden, a song came to my mind. It played itself over and over in my mind for the entire day. I could only remember the last stanza of the song however. “I walked today where Jesus walked, and felt him close to me.”


Art by Emily Amimu, Courtesy of Flickr

As the day played itself out, the tune continued. I did not grow tired of it; rather, I felt great peace the entire day. Just before afternoon, I had a great desire to find the words to the song. The only piece of music I had, played the tune only—I had no written music. And so I tried the Internet. After about a half an hour of searching, I was about to give up when the music was found. I was able to print it out. 

I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked

I walked today where Jesus walked,

In days of long a ago.
I wandered down each path He knew,
With reverent step and slow.
Those little lanes, they have not changed,
A sweet peace fills the air.
I walked today where Jesus walked,
And felt Him close to me.

My pathway led through Bethlehem,
A memory’s ever sweet.
The little hills of Galilee,
That knew His childish feet.
The Mount of Olives, hallowed scenes,
That Jesus knew before
I saw the mighty Jordan row,
As in the days of yore.

I knelt today where Jesus knelt,
Where all alone he prayed.
The Garden of Gethsemane,
My heart felt unafraid.
I picked my heavy burden up,
And with Him at my side,
I climbed the Hill of Calvary,
I climbed the Hill of Calvary,
I climbed the Hill of Calvary,
Where on the Cross he Died!
I walked today where Jesus walked,
And felt Him close to me.

Today, be open to hearing a song from your Father in Heaven. As you ponder, think of being in a Garden and what the Savior would say to you. Record your thoughts.

The Path of Righteousness

DECEMBER 23
The Path of Righteousness


“We are all given names after we are born, and the Lord wants to give us a name after we are reborn. We take it upon us, willingly and by covenant. It is his name. And through it and with it we are equipped to pray more powerfully than if we prayed in our own name” (Truman G. Madsen, The Radiant Life, pages 7-8).

In the scriptures the Lord speaks of receiving a new heart or a new spirit—a rebirth through baptism. When we are baptized, we are “born of God, changed from (our) carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters…”

Photo by: Young in Panama, Courtesy of Flickr

Through baptism, we “become new creatures” (Mosiah 27:25).

Baptism, however, is but the first step. Ultimate and permanent change occurs throughout our walk on the other side of the gate of baptism. I have always wanted to be an ‘overnight success,’ but the Lord knows I will make mistakes. I may even leave the path that leads to eternal life, and for a time, wallow in the ‘depths of the fountain’ of sin.

But the Lord has made this promise to me and to everyone who has been baptized: “Whosoever is born of God doth not continue in sin; for the Spirit of God remaineth in him; and he cannot continue in sin, because he is born of God, having received that holy Spirit of promise” (JST, 1 John 3:9).

The promise is, is that if we remain true and faithful to the promises or covenants we have made at baptism and within the temple, that we will indeed return to that Father who gave us breath (see Alma 40:11-12; Genesis 2:7). We will make mistakes, yes, but if we are listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, if we truly have a new heart or spirit within us, we will not live in sin for long.

We will want to return to the path.

Prayer is a big part of staying on the path of righteousness. It is our connection with God. It is our way of knowing his will for us. Today, study the words and references mentioned in the topical guide under the heading, “Prayer, Pray.” Record your thoughts. Take them to the Lord.




Photo by: llimllib, Courtesy of Flickr

Spend some Time in the Mountains

December 21

Spend some Time in the Mountains


This may or may not be a good day for you to spend time in the mountains, but if you can get up there, do it.

Photo by: Andy Arthur, Courtesy of Flickr

If you can't travel to your nearest mountain range, spend some time thinking about your feelings of the mountains, or peering out your window as you record your thoughts.

Often, the best thing we can do before we pull out our scriptures is to record our feelings about what God has created for us. The sky. The trees. The houses lit up in snowy lanes.

Maybe you live in an area where you don't get snow even in the higher elevations. If this is the case with you, study the photo included in this blog; do some thinking about what it means to you to be outside when trees are fluffy with white and streets are slick with ice. Imagine the snow falling, and opening your mouth to catch and to taste.

Write for at least 15 minutes. After you have written, do some scripture study about a word or a phrase that strikes you as especially poignant.

Continuing Faithful

Photo by: Charlie Bird, Courtesy of Flickr

DECEMBER 20
Continuing Faithful

It occurs to me that even in studying and pondering we can rush. Look! I did it! I can check this goal off! I’ve studied every day for twenty days! I have pondered just like I was supposed to.

This feeling in our hearts can and should give us a favorable rush. For, after all, we’re doing as we’ve been commanded. We are reading and pondering and becoming better for doing so.

And yet, if we are always rushing, always running to accomplish, where does that leave growth? Where does that leave the whisperings of the spirit? Are we so anxious to check the goal off that we forget the reason we are reading and pondering in the first place?

Sometimes I forget to listen to the promptings of the Lord. During these times I feel empty; I’m not sure what to study. And so I return to my journal entry of the day before, even a week before, and see that I have something yet to learn—something I have left undone. 

Photo by: Horia Varlan, Courtesy of Flickr

Am I clear on that scripture I had questions about? Is there more on the subject the Lord would have me learn at this time in my life? Have I received of his peace in the matter?  

It is helpful to me if I remember the Lord at each closing of studying and pondering. If I call on Him, I know if the subject or question I have had has been completely answered according His desires. For this reason, I make a note at the end of my journal entry, “Continue study of such and such tomorrow,” or “Begin with such and such scripture or thought tomorrow.”

Today, think on what you have been learning. What would the Lord have you do tomorrow?

Additional Reading

DECEMBER 18
Additional Reading


Art By: bgflickr2, Courtesy of Flickr

 When I read a gospel centered book (or the Ensign) especially one which shares a myriad number of scriptures between lines of the author’s dialogue, I am often tempted to bypass the scriptures listed. Are you?

Isn’t it just easier to read what the author has to say on the matter, or to read the scriptures that are listed, rather than having to locate the references yourself?

When I decided to read and study the Relief Society/Priesthood manual and Sunday school pamphlet with greater dedication, it seemed a monumental task. You mean I have to read everything? Even the “additional readings,” mentioned at the end of each Sunday school lesson group? And what about the questions at the end of every Relief Society lesson? Did I really need to respond to those?

Yep.

I decided to read the assigned work for the week with as much dedication and zest for learning that I had given all my other scripture study. And why not?

What better way to be prepared for class? To gain even more insight during class because of my preparation? To feel of the spirit with my brothers and sisters? To take home from the two classes even greater insights?

Why wouldn’t I want greater insights anyway?

In just such a lesson I learned about greater insights in relation to the Priesthood of God. Did you know that through and because of the Priesthood we are promised, “greater happiness… peace…rest…(and even) greater knowledge” (See Abraham 1:2)?

Look it up! Begin your preparation for the coming Sabbath day by reading your church lessons. As you do, pray for inspiration; for added instruction of the Lord. Record what you have learned before and after your attendance at church.

Conference Highlights

DECEMBER 13
Conference Highlights

I am giving you a head start on something I do every conference time—every April and October. It is this. I bring my journal and scriptures downstairs and keep them nearby during the conference session. Previous to bringing them down, I pray that the Lord will help me to know what truths he would have me live for the next six months until the next conference.

During conference, I take notes. I don’t write everything down I hear, rather, I write those thoughts and ideas I find particularly inspired to record. The day following conference, I reflect on the words given to me at conference, and ask for the direction of the Lord once again in refining the list. I usually have a list of about five things the Lord would have me focus on during the coming months.

For example, my list of direction went like this after one October conference:

 1) Oppose evil in every from it may take. Know and act upon the truth.

 2) Bless humanity with an outreach to all. Build bridges.

 3) Live the Lord’s pattern. Discover what it is.

 4) Set your house in order. Pray. Move forward with faith in the living God and his Son.

 5) Act, instead of reacting to circumstances around you.

Since conference will have passed by the time you read this entry, I would ask that you go to the past October conference in the Ensign. This means you would need to check in the November issue for the conference talks. Read over the individual talks, and through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, highlight as you go. This may take you a few days. Take the time you need. When you are finished, go to the Lord once again and ask him to help you refine your highlighted list.

When the next conference comes in April, you will have already experienced the joy that comes through listening to the Prophet and his servants.

Silence in Receiving

DECEMBER 12

Silence in Receiving

“Silence is golden,” someone has said, but why is it golden? What is it about silence that glitters like gold? Can silence make you spiritually rich?

Are you temporally rich?

“Be still and know that I am God” (Psalms 46:10).
Pondering is a bit like listening I think. Listening to the thoughts inside you, and then letting them go in favor of the thoughts your Father in Heaven wishes to share with you.

“Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof…there is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early” (Psalms 46:3-5).

What do you think about this scripture? What do you think it means? What is Heavenly Father telling you it means? Record your thoughts.

Understanding symbolism takes pondering. It cannot be understood by a quick read, or a hurried pace. The savior taught in symbolism; in parables. Only those who pondered his words could find them out. Only those who were open to learning could see the truth.


Are you spiritually rich?

The Savior has said, “For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed…but blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear” (Matthew 13:15-16).

Today, spend some time pondering a particularly difficult scripture. Write down what you receive.

DECEMBER 10

Line upon Line

One of the greatest things we can learn from the scriptures is that we don’t have to learn everything at once.  “Line upon line,” we can receive all that the Lord has waiting for us. 

You may have found as you have read and recorded these last nine days that you needed, even wanted, more than one day to reflect and experience a specific idea.

I hope so. Just as I hope you decide to stay with your thoughts on making journaling a part of your daily life. Take these ideas as slowly or as quickly as you would like. If you’d like to stop here and reflect, even continue with what you have been learning, and dig deeper, please do.

Begin the next segment in January if you’d like, or even later. Search the scriptures as you’ve never searched before. “Come unto Christ.”

Either way, just as you did on the first day of December, I want you to record your testimony. How have you felt through this experience? What have you learned? How and in what ways has your testimony increased line upon line?

Studying the scriptures is a large segment of your journey, but it isn’t the only way to seek Christ. But it is a beginning; a grand beginning.

Hidden Meanings

Lehi's Dream can teach you about your own life

DECEMBER 9

Hidden Meanings

What do you know of the “Olive trees” mentioned in Zechariah 4: 11-14? Of Kolob? (See Abraham 3:3). What about Lehi’s Dream? How does the dream of Lehi specifically apply to your life? What of the mysteries of the kingdom? Do you have a desire to know?

As I read, I am constantly being made aware of the things I don’t know. And the things I do? There’s always something more; something deeper, something too removed from my first reading of the scripture for me to see the hidden meaning.

On the 18th of December 2001, I had some new thoughts on the redemption. This is what I wrote:

“The plan of redemption was decided upon at the beginning of the world. Jesus Christ was chosen by the Father to sacrifice his life in accordance with the plan. (See Moses 4:2). So even before the plan was finalized, (before we’d had an opportunity to agree or disagree) the Savior was chosen to atone for us. Satan was literally attempting to change God’s will and the eternal law, to satisfy himself."
Check out the perceptions or feelings you have received after recording your thoughts by praying to your Heavenly Father. Usually I feel the words of confirmation as I am recording my thoughts, but not always. Through prayer and the whisperings of the Holy Ghost, you can always be sure that the words you are receiving are from Him.