Scrap Book Journaling...

Some times when I look back over 2009, I wonder what happened, that I quit doing so many things that I loved to do. I rarely blogged, I read the least amount of books that I ever have, I didn't write in my journals very often..... These are some of the things that I enjoy doing..it was a different kind of year and for so many reasons I am glad to see 2009 done and 2010 here.

My husband was off the first ten days of the new year so I didn't have a lot of time to think about what I would like to do with this new year ahead. One of the things that I do want to do more of is scrap book journaling.

This kind of journaling is different than most journals as it is made up of clippings of my favorite things from magazines or just pretty stuff that I enjoy. Journaling this way gives me a chance to be creative and journal all at the same time...for little money. Regular scrap booking supplies can be costly. I buy sketch books at Aaron Bros. The paper is heavy enough to glue pictures and write on. I got mine on sale for $12.00.

I write all diffeernt kinds of things in these journals..scriptures, my thoughts..to do lists and goals..

I thought I would share with you this morning one of the things that I hope to incorporate more of in my days in this new year...more thoughts later..have a blessed day!

Do You Have A Vision?

"Then the LORD answered me and said, "Record the vision, and inscribe it on tablets, That the one who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for the appointed time.

It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail
Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay."
Habakkuk 2:2-3

Has the Lord given you a vision for your life? We can set goals for ourselves and think they are visions from the Lord. But God's visions have to do with His people and His glory. I believe there is a vision for each one of us as Christians.

I had a vision once that I thought was from the Lord. But it was my vision based on circumstances. My last child had gone out on his own. The nest was pretty empty. I thought God was going to open up more teaching commitments and maybe retreats. I certainly had the time then. But because of an illness that progressed that year, the door to that vision seemed closed. Maybe it was an ambition rather than an actual vision. I can't say that for sure...but I truly believe in God's Sovereignty in the situation. Maybe it had to happen to be able to see what God's true vision would be for me.

The Lord gave me a new goal one day. I didn't recognize it as a vision until recently. Although I don't see how God is going to use this in the lives of others or bring glory to Him. I'll wait and keep working on what He has given me to do. He knows, I trust that.

We don't have to be any certain way to have a vision from God. We don't need to be educated, bible scholars, teachers, leadership positions....or whatever you might be thinking could be a hindrance to a vision. We just need to see God with our hearts and ask Him what is the vision He sees for our lives. It will in some way have to do with people and His glory. ASK HIM.

"Though the vision tarries, wait for it, for it will certainly come, it will not delay." Record the vison as God shows it to you. Journalize it. Pray about it. Search the Word for it. Don't be fearful of asking...the vision could be just for your home and family...not a mission trip to another place in the world.

ASK HIM

Why I Keep A Journal...

I have been keeping a journal since 1981. As a child I never kept a diary, so as an adult it was a new thing for me. I don't write in it every day, but most days I do. I write mostly things that the Lord shows me through my Bible readings and Bible study. I write about my family, my joys, sorrows, defeats, victories and sin. I sometimes write lengthy prayers to God, pouring my heart out to Him in writing. I've written personal promises from God for my family and myself. Some I am still waiting on and others have been fulfilled. There have been times when things happen in my life that I have to write about it immediately. Other times, especially very difficult things, weren't written about until weeks later. Those times, the pain was usually too great to put into words right away. When I was able to write, it was so I would have record of the facts and the feelings.

My first journals were spiral bound notebooks. I have several that are the hard bound pretty ones, but I still have several going that are spiral notebooks.For me, it seemed I couldn't remember all the things that God would show me. Keeping a journal was a reminder to me. God wants to show us things about ourselves and things about Him. When I read back through my journals, which I do from time to time, I see things in my life that I still struggle with. Seeing this just makes me want to try even harder for victory over those things.I have never written anything in my journals that would hurt anyone, if they read them after I am gone. Maybe some of my heartaches would be surprising, but not hurtful.

I presently have six journals that I write in. I'll share what they are and why. I don't write in each of these everyday!

* My daily journal... I write what's going on in my life and the things God wants to show me.* My prayer journal.... I use this daily.
* A journal entitled...Possessing The Land. This journal records the progress in three areas of my life that the Lord has shown me to work on to fulfill a vision He has given me.
* My quote journal... I write any quote that I come across that ministers to me or I find encouraging in some area of my life.
* My scrapbook journal.... This is a spiral bound sketch book. I find pictures in magazines, cut them out and write around the pictures. These pictures are things that make me feel good. Each page is full of my favorite things. This let's my creative side have a part in journaling. I really enjoy this journal...it's a feel good book.
* My medical journal.... I started keeping this journal last summer when I hurt my back. Living with chronic illnesses you soon forget when you had the last test, or last ear infection, or when you last went to the doctor. It has been an eye opener for me.

I think keeping a journal can be such a blessing in our lives. It shows us where we have been and a direction of where we may be going. It's a reminder of what God says to us and a record of our obedience and disobedience. There isn't a right or a wrong way to journal, it is totally personal in what you want it to be for you.I hope that by reading this, if you have never kept a journal, that you will pick up pen and paper and write what's on your heart. Give it a try!