Spiritual Disciplines for Regular Guys: Journaling and Service
A meeting with a man that has greatly improved my life for 2 decades
Journaling (Pouring In)
Entire books of Bible are largely journals (Jonah, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Esther, Job, Lamentations, Ruth). Large sections books of the Bible are journal entries (Nehemiah, Psalms, Proverbs, John, Revelation).
- Capturing life – written, video, audio, sketching, painting, songwriting, etc.
- Some use their phone (you retain more by writing it down)
Purposes for Journaling
- Process life
- Processing letter
- Planning
- Autobiography
- Collect thoughts, and ideas
- Listening prayer
- Prayer journal
Private – but can let others read (e.g. prior to marriage; lost custody)
- Prayer journal at dinner table
- Randy’s dad/kids grandpa
Service (Pouring Out)
Philippians 2:5–11 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Service = humble love in action
- Jesus us “suffering servant” – Isaiah 40-66
- Oddest argument (Mark 9:33-35)
- Oddest mothers request (Matt. 20:20-28).
-Washing feet disciples. -Dying & rising -Serving us now
Reasons Men Don’t Serve
- Pride over humility
- Selfishness over servanthood
- Successful men are served, but don’t serve (service industry)
- We don’t ask so we don’t know
MY JOURNAL: CLOSE – Real Men journal to table leads
-Meetings w/wife & kids -Learning from holidays/vacations
-Hard conversation -Meeting w/boss @ work
Discussion and Prayer
1. What was your big takeaway from the talk?
2. Where do you serving poorly, and serving well (e.g. work, home, church, community, etc.)?
