Deeper Devotions......how do you recapture the fire?

I've been very frustrated with my devotions lately (or lack thereof).  I have grown very lazy and apathetic towards my Bible reading.  You know what I mean, right?  You've been there before, no?  You read your "passage" for the day.....and thats about it.  You forget everything you read in mere moments.  (more on this in a few moments)

This past weekend I had the privilige of attending the Blossom Conference for Church Planters and wives.  What an awesome time.  It was a great time to connect with my wife and get refreshed and renewed.  The speaker was Bob Roberts, Jr. who is the Pastor of Northwood Church in Texas.  He is an amazing speaker.  

Anyway.....there was a small time of Q&A with Bob.  So I asked him the question that always bothers me.  I asked, "How do you handle discouragement?".   His response was quite simple...."I journal".   He even said... "I can't imagine not journaling anymore".  He said that journaling allowed him to take a deeper look at his life and be honest before God.  

So...the main thing I took away from the conference was that I needed to journal.  Not a diary....but a journal.  A more indepth look at my life through the eyes of scripture.  A time where I can read the Bible and take the time to apply it to my life more intentionally.  

So I started tonight.  I am reading in Galatians and started to write some basic questions.  Not sure if this will help you....but it helped me already tonight. Here is the outline that I wrote down in summary.

1.  What passage did I read?

2.  What is the basic summary (in a couple of sentences)

3.  What verse was I going to ponder on? 

4.  What is God showing me through this passage?

5.  What am I going to pray as a result of reading this? (a short prayer written out as the thoughts come to my head...I just write it out)

6.  What actions steps are needed as a result of reading this?

I'm curious as to who journals out there?  Anybody?  What is the best way for you to keep the fire in your time with God?  Any other suggestions?  There are a lot of great notebooks out there.  I just downloaded the "Moleskin" app for my iPad to help me.  I love it.

Can't wait for tomorrow.......

Comments

[Jess]

I've journaled during my quiet time for years now, it's definitely a great way to go deeper (but that doesn't mean I don't still hit "lazy" times! Hang in there!)