Journaling

"Investigate my life, O God,
find out everything about me;
Cross-examine and test me,
get a clear picture of what I’m about;
See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong—
then guide me on the road to eternal life."  Psalm 139:23-24 The Message

The English and American puritans practiced regular self-examination.  Self-reflection was ingrained in their lifestyle and spiritual routines.  Fast forward to now where journaling is commonly promoted and practiced.  Writing is a creative outlet that sheds light on your feelings, experiences, struggles, fears, hopes, turning points... Regular journaling is one tool used to unblock creativity.  In the The Artist's Way, Julia Cameron challenges us to start each day with "morning pages," 3 pages of freewriting.  Journaling is often recommended in therapy.

Try journaling, whether 15 minutes a day, 3 pages, or whatever suits you.  What's on your mind by day? What weighs on your heart at night?  What's happening?  What are your feeling?  For what are you grateful?  What's stressing you?  Simple yet profound issues will surface in your sentences.  Insights, awareness, and healing emerge through creative expression.  You will grow and make meaning.

I usually start the day reading the Bible and journaling.  The main benefit for me is that it helps me slow down to become aware of what matters and what it means.  I become more deeply aware of stuff I would otherwise rush by and wouldn't notice, that impacts me nonetheless.  Learning to see the good and give thanks for it is life-giving.  Becoming sensitized to issues that are escalating and taking steps to deal with them, helps avoid crises.  Reflecting on how past events and relationships have shaped you is liberating.  Noticing what keeps coming up in your writing, reveals significant themes/patterns that demand further exploration. 

As Frederick Buechner said:

“Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.”
Frederick Buechner, Now and Then: A Memoir of Vocation

Lord Have Mercy.  Michael W. Smith.  Nov. 6, 2014  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6jFvrOC9xQ

Transitions

Have your life plans screeched to a halt?  Where is God in the midst of crisis?  

The 2020 pandemic has shaken lives around the world in ways we can't ignore:  health concerns, business closings and job loss, restricted travel, disrupted routines and ways we socialize or don't.  

Stress mounts.  Now American deaths nearly equal those from WWII.  Mental illness is on the rise and discussed in forums, publications, and broadcasts.  So many of us have been personally impacted by trauma, fear, and loss. 

There is no instant fix, no easy way to reset to "normal."  Is this what the serenity prayer means by "Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace:"

Coping styles differ.  Some deny realities and cry hoax.  They blame.  They attack. 
Others jump in to help essential workers and the hurting.  They raise funds, give away food, or help with childcare and housing.  Medical information, supplies, and care are given by many.  What does loving your neighbor look like?

In human history, many have suffered various trials, disasters, or "lifequakes" as Bruce Feiler refers to them in his book, Life Is In the Transitions:  Mastering Change at Any Age, 2020.)  Historian David McCullough reminds us in The American Spirit: Who We Are and What We Stand For, 2017 that character and conviction have enabled Americans to persevere, problem solve, and pursue life.  James 1 encourages us to ask God for wisdom and assures us trials are indeed the pathway to maturity. 

Walk with God, hold on to your faith, and meet the day.  Your life matters.  You are needed now.  

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

"The Hill We Climb"  Amanda Gorman, 1/20/21

Family Dynamics

Sometimes getting along is hard to do.  Holding on to faith, hope, and love can be difficult. 

Family life may be blissful or dreadful.  Relationships within families can be troubled and abusive.  Creating relational space temporarily may become necessary.  Thus the foster care system.  Thus separation and divorce.  Thus restraining orders.

How far do you go in attempting to hang on to a relationship with a family member?

How do you set boundaries to safeguard yourself?  (As a first step see Boundaries: When To Say Yes, How To Say No To Take Control Of Your Life.  Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. 2017)

To whom can you turn for emotional, financial, or legal support?  Does your employer offer an employee assistance program?  Does your school provide counselors?  What agencies and resources are available in your community?

Redefining relationships is necessary work as we grow and change.  Relationships require tune-ups.  Relational dynamics change with age, with knowledge, with experience, with new pressures, with earning power...  Struggles emerge in families that need to be addressed. 

Children are not in a position to question a parent who supplies food, shelter, and clothing.  When a child comes of age; however, that young adult may reassess and redefine how he/she will interact with the unsafe.  

The powerless, whether a child, a dependent spouse or older adult who can no longer manage their own affairs, may be taken advantage of, neglected, or harmed by a relative.

Confront family issues because you care, because you have faith, hope, and love.  Hold that sensitive conversation.  Do some research and reading.  Find available community resources.  Seek therapy or group support.  Get help.  Pray.  

These stories may provide a glimpse as to how individuals process family dysfunction and pain.   

Educated: A Memoir.  Tara Westover.  2018.  childhood

The Glass Castle: a Memoir.  Jeannette Walls. 2017.  childhood

Okay for Now.  Gary D. Schmidt.  2012.  childhood

Trip to Bountiful (Movie/elderly)

Still Alice (Movie/elderly)

  

Mission Control

 "You must get along with each other. You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common."  1 Cor. 1:10

Fighting among ourselves is perennial; it's what people did in the ancient city of Corinth as well as in our world today.  We prefer this person's leadership and views over that one's.  We create factions and categorize the people like us from the strangers over there, who think differently and threaten our control.  

Power struggles undermine the mission.  Let's remind ourselves as Paul did, that only one mission matters.  Let's proclaim the good news that Christ came to set free all who are perishing and who are prisoners of sin.  Think of 'sin' as our various addictions and habits which undermine human flourishing.

"God didn’t send me (Paul) out to collect a following for myself, but to preach the Message of what he has done, collecting a following for him." 1 Cor. 1:17  

Salvation comes through the work of "Christ on the Cross."  Christ paid the penalty required by a holy, righteous God to redeem us, reconcile us, and adopt us into his family.  Christ alone is in charge and sustains the universe.  

Knowing that, we must learn to consider the interests of others and to practice humility in order to exalt Christ.  We must be less concerned about our brand in order to promote his.  We must learn to work together for the sake of establishing God's kingdom.  

For ideas and strategies, see Uncommon Ground:  Living Faithfully in a World of Difference, edited by Timothy Keller, 2020.

Spiritual Adventure Awaits

How will you walk with God in 2021?  A new year deserves a new approach to meeting with God.  
Would you like to start reading one of these Christian devotionals in addition to the Bible? 
Spending time in God's presence produces good fruit and a changed life.
Check out these devotionals from the 1600s to present day, at your library, bookstore, or online.

Celtic Treasure: Daily Scriptures and Prayer. John Philip Newell. 2005

Diamonds in the Dust: 366 Sparkling Devotions. Joni Eareckson Tada. 1993

For the Love of God: Daily Companion for Discovering the Riches of God's Word, Volume One. D. A. Carson. 2006.

God is With You Every Day. Max Lucado.  2015

Gracelaced: Discovering Timeless Truths Through the Seasons of the Heart. Ruth Chou Simons. 2017

Listening to Your Life: Daily Meditations.  Frederick Buechner. 1992

Morning and Evening: A New Edition Based on the Holy Bible, English Standard Version.  Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Alistair Begg. 2003

My Utmost for His Highest: Updated Language. Oswald Chambers. James Reimann. 2017

New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional.  Paul David Tripp.  2014

The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge.  Tony Dungy. Nathan Whitaker.  2011

The Songs of Jesus.  A Year of Daily Devotions in the Psalms.  Timothy and Kathy Keller. 2015

Streams in the Desert. L. B. Cowman and James Reimann.  1999

The Valley of Vision. A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions. Arthur G. Bennett. 1672

You Are the Beloved. Daily Meditations for Spiritual Living.  Henri J. M. Nouwen. 2017