This morning, as we embark on a new year, I want to share with you a little something that makes an amazing difference in my life and that I believe can make a big difference in your life as well.  It is the art and gift of journaling.  Every since I was a teenager, I have “on and off” kept a journal.  I love the idea of a blank page and the opportunity to remind myself of some of the wisdom that the Spirit is providing in the living of life.  A journal is not necessarily a diary of your most personal and intimate thoughts, it is blank book that is filled with what life in the Spirit is teaching you.

Here are just a few of the many benefits to taking the time to keep a journal:

• It actually helps you in your personal growth and development!
• It provides insights into your moods and behaviors!
• It gives you a great framework for problem-solving!
• It is great at reducing stress!
• It improves every area of your health – physical, mental, spiritual!
• It grows your self esteem and sense of accomplishment!
• It allows you to practice self expression in a safe environment!
• It is a great tool for reflection and life processing!

Here are a few tips to help you get started:

• Get a journal that is an expression of who you are – make it personal!
• Pick and protect a writing instrument – the pen is your friend!
• Write about whatever you want to, but make sure to record what life in the Spirit is teaching you!
• Remember:  It’s not about perfection, it’s about personal expression – no right or wrong, just you!
• Everyday – express gratitude somewhere and somehow in your journaling – this is the magic potion!
• Write about and celebrate the success of life – you will love looking back on this!
• Look for something to learn – there are lessons all around you!  (As you record, you will see more and more!)
• Simple is profound!  (Your goal is not to impress, but express!)
• Learn to listen to your inner voice and you will always have something to share!

Three To Grow On:

1. Take your journal with you everywhere you go and don’t be afraid to pull it out and use it!
2. Use what feels good!  If your journal and writing device is not comfortable, you won’t use it!
3. Practice “FREE FLOW!”

I hope this little blog post will encourage you and help you to live blessed!  😉

Many of you that know me, know that as a boy growing up, I listened with my Dad almost everyday to Paul Harvey.  I was doing some research a few days ago for a book that I am writing and ran across one of my favorite Paul Harvey memories and thought some of my readers might enjoy it:  If I Were The Devil…

“If I were the prince of darkness, I would want to engulf the whole world in darkness.

I’d have a third of its real estate and four-fifths of its population, but I would not be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree — thee.

So, I would set about however necessary to take over the United States.

I’d subvert the churches first, and I would begin with a campaign of whispers.

With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: “Do as you please.”

To the young, I would whisper that the Bible is a myth. I would convince the children that man created God instead of the other way around. I’d confide that what’s bad is good and what’s good is square.

And the old, I would teach to pray after me, “Our Father, which are in Washington …”

Then, I’d get organized, I’d educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting.

I’d peddle narcotics to whom I could. I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. I’d tranquilize the rest with pills.

If I were the devil, I’d soon have families at war with themselves, churches at war with themselves and nations at war with themselves until each, in its turn, was consumed.

And with promises of higher ratings, I’d have mesmerizing media fanning the flames.

If I were the devil, I would encourage schools to refine young intellect but neglect to discipline emotions. I’d tell teachers to let those students run wild.  And before you knew it, you’d have drug-sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door.

With a decade, I’d have prisons overflowing and judges promoting pornography. Soon, I would evict God from the courthouse and the schoolhouse and them from the houses of Congress.

In his own churches, I would substitute psychology for religion and deify science. I’d lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls and church money.

If I were the devil, I’d take from those who have and give to those who wanted until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious.

What’ll you bet I couldn’t get whole states to promote gambling as the way to get rich?

I’d convince the young that marriage is old-fashioned, that swinging is more fun and that what you see on television is the way to be.

And thus, I could undress you in public and lure you into bed with diseases for which there are no cures.

In other words, if I were the devil, I’d just keep right on doing what he’s doing.”