Journal Keeping: Writing for Spiritual Growth [Paperback]

Luann Budd (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 29, 2002

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!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"I find my private writing is at the core of my search for deeper intimacy with God and my ability to nurture a progressing faith," explains Luann Budd in Journal Keeping: Writing for Spiritual Growth. She encourages readers to become journal-keepers, taking time out of their busy lives for reflective moments of writing and wondering. She also tells them to keep it strictly private; real journals, she says, should not be for public consumption. Apart from that cardinal rule, she is refreshingly open about various tools to help individuals become journal-keepers, and offers beneficial (but not overbearing) tips on organizing, revisiting and enjoying a journal.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Journal Keeping: Writing for Spiritual Growth is filled with motivation and practical, creative tools that will challenge people to journal their way into a deep and vibrant intimacy with Jesus Christ. I am truly blessed to know Luann and the authenticity of her writings; what a joy to see it finally in print for others to learn and glean from." (Shirley Barber, director of women's ministries, Peoples Church, Fresno, California )

"As a 'journaler' and also as one who conducts spiritual renewal workshops on journaling, I find Budd's book to be an excellent road map for our Christian journey, guiding our jottings as we weave in and out of 'traffic'--most all of the stuff that makes up our daily life under God." (Ron Lagerstrom )

"Deep calls to deep! Journal Keeping helps bridge the disconnection between our outer life and our inner life through the practice of reflective writing. Budd's approach is winsome and disarmingly honest as she gently invites us to discover how God works with the 'real stuff of our life' through the adventure of journaling. Rather than rigid rules or strict guidelines, Budd's profound insights will persuade even the skeptics among us to pick up their pens!" (Marty Russell, adjunct professor, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University )

"Budd has captured the magic and mystery of writing. Her book makes me want to stop reading--and write!" (Neil Sunukjian, director of women's ministries, First Evangelical Free Church (Fullerton, California) )

"Budd helps us all think outside the box, and form new, fresh and innovative journaling habits that will help bring clarity to life and intimacy with God. We highly recommend this book, because it will help renew your hope each day, even long after you are finished reading its pages." (Bill and Pam Farrel, authors and codirectors of Masterful Living )

Product Details

• Paperback: 190 pages
• Publisher: IVP Books (January 29, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830823379
• ISBN-13: 978-0830823376
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #508,878 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Resource for Christian Journaling!, July 26, 2002

By 

David R. Bess (Charleston, WV) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Journal Keeping: Writing for Spiritual Growth (Paperback)

If you are looking for a book to provide guidelines for Christian journaling, your search will end with reading this work by Luann Budd. This devout Christian and minister's wife shares valuable insights gleaned from years of journaling. Her book is an easy, enjoyable read.

Budd begins by making a case for effective journaling. She covers organization, direction, and preparation. After having made her case for the necessity of journaling, she moves to the bulk of her work, the process of journaling itself. She elaborates on various methods, one of which will surely appeal to every reader. She closes with some practical tips on putting all the knowledge presented into practice. She also adds three helpful appendices: fifty journaling possibilities, a brief list of Bible studies, and a substantial bibliography of books on journaling and other closely related issues.

I recommend this book enthusiastically to anyone wanting a practical guide for Christian journaling. My sole complaint is that the volume is not available in a hardback edition. Before you start your journaling, read this book and benefit from a wealth of training!

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Been waiting a long time for this book!, November 9, 2003

By 

Magan Lewis (Caribbean) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Journal Keeping: Writing for Spiritual Growth (Paperback)

I'm amazed at the number of women in my church whom I consider role models who are also women who journal.

But I was hesitant to start my own personal journal: how to organize, what to write, what do I write to make it "work", how does it contribute to the personal and spiritual growth of these strong, faithful, active and peaceful women?

Luann Budd answers these questions and more. There are so MANY ways to journal!! She gives ideas for how to organize my journal but no pressure to do it "her" way. She actually has a few different ways she organizes her own journal. Incentives to journal are clear and easy-to-understand and addressed right in the beginning of the book. There are many journal styles also.

My girlfriend and I are reading this book together. She has been keeping journals for quite a while. So she dwells on the chapters of "types of journaling" for a few weeks at a time -- to try new and different things. I'm new to this so I read it through quickly and marked the things that appealed to me, inspired me, etc. On this second time through I'm actually trying one of Luann's methods! I'm writing quotes from the books to the pages of my journal; then I add my thoughts on why I like them or the thoughts they bring to my mind. She's right; it's a great way to take any book (Bible, spiritual growth, secular) to a deeper level, to make the reading more rich.

I see a few other styles I would also like to try. Thank you Luann! I consider this book a must-have for a one's personal/spiritual growth library and should be a book in every church's library. There are women who like to write that need a book to get them started and women who journal that need some fresh new ways to journal!!

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book I Have Bought This Year!, March 29, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Journal Keeping: Writing for Spiritual Growth (Paperback)

I bought this book not knowing for sure what its content would be like. After the first page I knew that I was going to love this one. I have journaled for 6 years yet this book inspired me to try journaling in different ways. It showed me how specifically to journal to help myself learn more about myself and draw closer to God. This is an absolute read for anyone interested in writing in a more meaningful way.