Journaling

Weekly Update – October 19th, 2023

Let me start off with a bit of confession here.  There is something that I rarely do, but I am often pressed to start.  It is the habit of journaling.  To some of us, this may be a completely foreign concept.  Perhaps journaling causes you to think of a diary that a young adolescent girl might write down all of her private thoughts.  Or perhaps you think of someone writing an autobiography for publishing.  But I want to challenge you this week that the discipline of journaling can be both easy and spiritually edifying.

In the Scriptures, there are clear calls to prayer (Col. 4:2), fasting (Matt. 6:16-18), and Bible reading (1 Tim. 4:5-6), but not necessarily anything on keeping a journal.  Though the Psalms often read like journal entries, we don’t have a clear command or a model from Jesus to keep one ourselves.  But that doesn’t mean that journaling is not a means of growth for us in the Lord.  Journaling can be a powerful way for us to consider the word of God and prayer.  It has a way of causing us to slow down and reflect in our fast paced, never sleeping world.  It is not merely a place to record the events of the day, but it can be used to aid the other disciplines given to us in the Scriptures

The first way that journaling aids our spiritual growth is by helping us to reflect on the past.  What we write is not meant to be a history book for our children’s children.  Although they may one day read whatever we leave behind, we are trying to capture more than just the past.  What we want to do is to record evidence of God’s grace that we see throughout our day.  As we write, it provides us with an opportunity to come back later and reflect upon God’s goodness to us.  We often become frustrated in our lives and much of it is due to the fact that we easily forget the Lord’s works.  Journaling helps us remember. 

The second way journaling aids our spiritual growth is by helping us think of the future.  When we write down our thoughts, we are able to process what is currently going on in our hearts.  We may have impressions regarding God, the Scriptures, ourselves or the world.  Writing them out imprints them within us for the long term.  In addition to this, journaling helps us with self-discipline.  Jim Elliot started a journal precisely for this reason as he prepared for the mission field.  His wife, Elizabeth Elliot wrote, that as a result of journaling “he began to get up early in the morning during his junior year in college to read the Bible and pray before classes.”  Journaling prepares us for the future. 

The third way that journaling aids our spiritual growth is by helping us live in the present.  Paul says in 2 Corinthians 13:5 that we should examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith.  This is not a call to be obsessively introspective, but it is a reminder to reflect upon the state of our souls before the Lord.  Writing down our reactions to life’s circumstances and the effects this world is having upon our heart helps us to either determine if we need to change course, or praise God for his grace in our time need.  Journaling also allows us to meditate upon current Scripture readings, as well as flesh out thoughts and feelings we have had throughout the day.  Journaling helps us live in the present.

Though it might not be mandated in the Scriptures, journaling has great spiritual benefit for our lives.  It does not need to be complicated and we don’t need to fret when we miss a day or even a week or a month.  Even an occasional sentence of reflection is better than none at all.  The point is, we make the most use of every resource God has given to us to see his grace, remember his gospel and follow him with joy. 

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson

Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson

Fighter Verse for the Week

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
- Matthew 6:19-21

Announcements:

Ladies’ Bible Study: This is the last week of the Ladies’ Bible Study in the Fellowship Hall on Tuesday at 6:30pm. Sheryl Nelson will lead through Kelly Minter’s study on the book of Ruth.

Serving Grandview Schools

Grandview High School: On Thursday, October 26th, we will be feeding the Grandview High School Football Team. If you would like to contribute chili or a dessert, sign up in the hall. If you would like to help with this opportunity or if you have any questions, talk to Amy Blankenship. The football team will be here from 4:30-5:30pm.

Conn-West Elementary: On Wednesday, October 25th, we will be providing baked potatoes and toppings for teachers at 5:00pm. If you would like to help prepare this meal and transport it over, see Pastor Michael for more details.

Women’s Brunch + Crafting: All ladies of the church are invited to the Larson home on Saturday, October 28th, for a time of fellowship and crafting more information can be found HERE.

Fall Festival:  On Sunday, October 29th from 5:00-7:00pm, we will host a fall festival at the church. We will have trunk or treat, chili or soups, hot dogs, hot chocolate and a fire pit. Help us fill up our candy barrel before the event, and sign up in the hall to help on that night.

Missouri Missions Offering: Every year, along with nearly 1,800 other churches, our church partners to pray and give concerning the Lord’s work in our state. The statewide goal is $750,000 this year. Our church goal is $4500. I hope that you will consider praying and giving to this effort throughout this month. As with your normal offering, you can give in person, by mail or online. Just mark MMO when you do give. Check out more information about this effort HERE.

Befriend a Student: If you are interested in befriending a student from Longview Community College this semester, connect with Matthew Klika. You can find more information about befriend a student HERE.

Food Pantry: We are in need of pop-top and ready to eat items for our food pantry. These items are needed specifically for the homeless in our community that stop by the church building throughout the week looking for a meal.

Equipping Hour

We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Firm Foundations” will meet in the Sanctuary, a biblical exposition of the minor prophets will meet in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the New Testament will meet in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.

Giving

To Give Online, Go HERE. 

You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030

Home Groups

Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.

Nursery Volunteers Needed

Nursery volunteers are needed each week during the 10:30am service time. Check the update or email the office for more information on how you can serve.

Prayer

An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE. 

Prepare for Sunday

Guide for Worship can be found HERE. 

Wednesday Evening Activities

Awana, Youth Group, and Biblical Counseling are on Wednesday evenings. We will share a meal in the Faith Center Gym at 6:00pm before heading to classes at 6:30pm.