January 12,2004

"Getting to the Heart of the Message"

Journaling is a wonderful tool to help us get in touch with what the Lord is saying to us each day.  However as we live our daily lives, it is very easy for His words of encouragement, inspiration, and direction to be quickly forgotten. Here are some suggestions to help us receive the heart of His message and live out of it every day.

STEP 1     Leave three or four pages blank at the beginning of your journal.  These pages will be used each day to record a brief, one or two line summary or recap of what the Lord has spoken to you about.  The purpose of these beginning pages is 1) to help you become aware of what the Lord is saying to you today as you summarize, and 2) as a source to help you locate things that the Lord has spoken about to you previously. 

Each day after you finish journaling, take a moment and summarize what the Lord has said.  Ask yourself, "What is the heart of what He is speaking to me about today?"  Then flip to the beginning of your journal and write this down.  It doesn't need to be in full sentences.  You can also note dates of spiritual direction and any significant images, dreams, or prayers.

For example:

•7-11-03    I need to trust in the Lord more.  Not be afraid of meetings.  Invite Him into the meeting

    before I go.

•7-12-03    "Live in the present moment child."  Need to start paying attention to each person, not

                running ahead. 

STEP 2     On a weekly basis, go back and review these summaries.  If you have not finished writing them, do so now.  Is the Lord saying the same message to you?  Journal any insights, thoughts, or words from the Lord.

STEP 3     On a monthly basis go back and review these summaries.  You may find that you have already forgotten many of His words to you.  If any of the summaries stand out, take time to reread the full journal entry. 

During this time of review we often find that the Lord has been speaking to us about one basic theme.  There may be other smaller themes that are running concurrently but usually there will be one basic theme that He has been speaking to us about.  On a separate piece of paper, briefly summarize the past month in four to six sentences, making sure to note the basic theme that He has been speaking to you about.

STEP 4     It is resolution time.  You have recognized what He has been speaking to you about, so now list three or four different points on how you plan to implement this theme.  These points should be concrete, specific ways of how you are going to make sure that His words of encouragement and direction to you do not fall to the wayside.  Perhaps the Lord has already told you how He would like you to do this.  Ask the Lord for His input as you write out these points, which will help you to live out what He is asking.

Place this paper with your month's summary and resolution in your journal or in a place where you can review it often.  We need the protection of writing the resolution to keep us focused towards implementing these points.  They will protect us from Satan as he may try to distort and rob us of God's message to us.

     Sample Resolutions

Resolution: Gain control of my emotions, especially anger.

Ways I plan to implement this resolution:

•1.                I will consciously choose to slow down-to walk, speak, and act more slowly.  I will remember

the slow pace in the silence and strive to slow my thoughts, words, and actions to match its

pace.

•2.                When I am feeling an emotion intensely, I will silently count to five and not speak until I feel

God's calm return to me.  If possible, I will journal at these times of disquiet and allow the

Lord to show me what He sees.  When I do speak, I will speak less words and in a softer tone.

•3.                I will begin each day with at least 15 minutes spent in the Father's presence, allowing His peace

and presence to fill me.

•4.                "Allow" myself and others to be imperfect.  Whenever I get upset at myself or others for not

doing things perfectly, I will choose to see at least three things in others or the situation that are

worthy of my praise.

*********

Resolution: Embrace this charism of intercession at a deeper level.

Ways I plan to implement this resolution:

•1.      I will train my eyes to remain on the Father and on His greater honor and glory at all times. 

     2.  I will choose to embrace the Cross with Jesus, rather than running from it.  I will remind myself

          often of how crosses win graces for others while strengthening me, and I will journal any times I

          feel fear or doubt as soon as possible. 

•3.      I will study Jesus' responses on Calvary.  Each time I experience a cross, I will immediately

look for a similar cross in the life of Jesus and will strive to imitate His response and attitude. 

•4.      I will rise up and fulfill my call to be a leader.  I will journal each day, attend the Spirit-led

intercessory rosary each week, and spend time each week studying about this charism through

books, tapes, formation programs, and web page teachings.

As the year goes on, these daily summaries and monthly resolutions will help us get to the heart of the Lord's message to us-and this is what journaling is all about.

Handout at Powers and Principalities Conference, Omaha, NE, 2003.