Journal Keeping: Writing for Spiritual Growth

by Luann Budd

Would you like to journal, but you're not sure how to start? Do you love to journal, but need some fresh ideas? Here's a book to help you discover (or recover) the power of writing as a spiritual discipline. In these pages you'll find intriguing and encouraging insights on topics like "ordinary things," "discovery journaling," "drawing from another's well" and "dialogue journaling with Scriptures." In each brief chapter, Luann Budd draws on her own life and writing. She shows how to put each of her ideas into practice. And she provides additional inspiration and examples from significant men and women throughout history who have journaled. Read this book to discover the transforming power of journal keeping!

Genres: Writing, Journaling, Nonfiction, Spirituality

190 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2001

Reviews

[Christy Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

After starting to read this a couple of times, I realized that I was going to be able to get what I wanted best with a more quick/skim read than a settling in slow read. I've done various types of journaling for so long that there is not much at this point that I'm going to read that is truly new for me, but Budd's book still had a few nice tips and reminders specifically related to spiritual journaling that I've used before. The theological orientation is that of evangelical Christianity and so different from my own beliefs, but it is written in an open enough style that I felt the commonalities more than the differences in approach. Where the book does particularly well is in the author's willingness to be vulnerable and share examples from her own life and journals, demonstrating an adeptness with asking herself, her journal and God questions that further the process of going deeper and building a relationship and understanding of greater insight, depth and meaning.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost a year of reading slowly. One to reread and ponder on to help with my journaling process.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved, loved, loved this book! I want to buy a copy, since the one I read is the library's copy. Very inspirational for getting started on some spiritual journaling. Great writing prompts.

[Hope Irvin Marston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been journaling daily for many decades and I’ve read many how-to-do it books about the topic. This one is the first that focused on spiritual growth. The author does a super job in showing the reader how to discover the power of writing as a spiritual discipline. Whether you are a beginner or a long-established journal keeper, you will find help in growing closer to the Lord and stronger in your walk with Him when you utilize the suggestions explained here.

I especially appreciated the chapter on writing to develop new insights. Using 1 Chronicles 2:19 to set the stage, the author shows clearing that “We write to think.”

This book was so riveting, I raced through it, stopping only to note pages I want to come back to because it was so relevant to things important to me. I am going to re-read the book at a slower pace to imprint these practical suggestions on my mind.

Hope Irvin Marston, author of THE WALLS HAVE EARS: A BLACK SPY IN THE CONFEDERATE WHITE HOUSE

[Rev. Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A resource for a series of Spiritual Journaling workshops that I am creating for our church's Women's Conference - From the publisher: Would you like to journal, but you're not sure how to start? Do you love to journal, but need some fresh ideas? Here's a book to help you discover (or recover) the power of writing as a spiritual discipline. In these pages you'll find intriguing and encouraging insights on topics like "ordinary things," "discovery journaling," "drawing from another's well" and "dialogue journaling with Scriptures." In each brief chapter, Luann Budd draws on her own life and writing. She shows how to put each of her ideas into practice. And she provides additional inspiration and examples from significant men and women throughout history who have journaled.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provided me with a number of interesting insights into the process of journaling for spiritual growth. Throughout the book I did have a number of times when I felt that my faith was different from the author’s. I finally found the crux of it on page 173, when I was almost finished reading it. It’s within a chapter called “Fifty Journaling Possibilities,” and number 19 begins “Write a conversational dialogue between yourself and an unsaved friend…” It stopped me in my tracks. A what? Who is “unsaved?” This is not, absolutely not a part of my view of God or spirituality. That said, the author still has some really helpful suggestions and ideas that were useful for me, and they might be for you as well.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luann wrote a re-read worthy book! She did research and gave this much thought and practice in order to share such an insightful and encouraging study of the value of journaling, "journal keeping" ...everything in your life including your thoughts, questions, upsets and blessings. I love the concept of writing a letter to God and then encouraging us to pause and think about what His reply would be.
I have already chosen a good selection of the "50 Journaling Possibilities" listed in Appendix 1.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me awhile to get through. I would read only 1 chapter at a time and let the information sink in and maybe even try some of the suggested activities. Many of the chapters inspired me to become better. It also tapped into my creative side about journaling. I can incorporate many of the activities and suggested journal entries into my bullet and prayer journals. I am looking forward to where this journey will lead me.

[Concetta Kellough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on reasons and ways to journal, especially, but not limited to, spiritual growth. The author has great insights on the benefits of journaling. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to grow spiritually, mentally, and socially.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have toyed over the years with the idea of keeping a journal, which is why I bought this book several years ago. Probably won't become a journaler, but this in nonetheless a helpful book when thinking about spiritual growth. Worth reading even if you don't journal.

[Matthew Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good exploring of journaling.

[Dan Dawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay. Had a great poem in it by George Herbert called "The Wreath."

[Ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved all the ideas this book has given me for journaling. I had been journaling for some time before I read this, so the beginning was an encouragement to me to keep journaling rather than the impetus I needed to start. I agree with the author that journaling is a wonderful tool than can bring great spiritual growth and encouragement, and even though journaling may not be for everyone, I think everyone could benefit from it. Now that I've made my way all the way through, I will be using this book as more of a reference tool when I get stuck with my journaling or I need to remember one of the ideas that she gave that I want to implement in my journaling. I'm particularly excited to start journaling through Isaiah, which I am planning on starting with the new year.

I do have one piece of advice that I can't remember whether the author gave or not: invest in nice journals. My parents gave me my first journal, and ever since then I have made it a point to buy journals that will be able to withstand the wear and tear of many years, that look nice, and that have special significance to me. I have one journal that I bought when I went to Washington D.C. and another that I bought when I went to China. These journals will always be special to me because they remind me of meaningful experiences in my life. Now, just by looking at them, I can be prompted to reflect on how the Lord has worked in my life, and when I re-read what I have written in them, I am challenged and encouraged even more.

[Mandy J. Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Journal Keeping: Writing for Spiritual Growth" is my #FromMyBookshelfToYours recommendation for today.
Budd opens the book by laying a foundation for journal keeping and the proceeds to give many short chapters that present all the various ways to journal. While I've heard of many of these ideas here and there, she still offers many new ones and twists on old ones. This short and easy read not only gives new ideas but shows the benefits of each concept. This book is written from a spiritual angle, and while I don't agree on every last theological point, I found this book to be beneficial for anyone at any point of their journaling journey.
#spiritualdisciplines #journaling #journal #journalkeeping #gospelcenteredreading #books #reading #writing #spiritualgrowth

[Trace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the fact that I disagree with the author about a few points (mainly on the fact that she advocates having a journal that only the writer will read, whereas I believe in journaling for posterity).... she had some pretty amazing ideas on journaling for spiritual growth! I'll be trying quite a few of her ideas in my own journals.
A definite recommend.

[Lady Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely well-written, genuinely useful classic on journaling as a tool for spiritual growth. I really appreciated Budd's variety of ideas which one can then adapt to one's own style and season of life. I plan to refer to this gem again and again and again.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, great ideas and insights. If you like to write you will feel inspired to use new techniques as well as continue in what you are already doing!