Pondering Point

One of the blessings I have picked up from Thrivetoday Ministries is Immanuel Journaling taught by Dr Karl Lehman. It is part of their Immanuel Experience. Writing a journal is powerful. Letting God speak to you through writing can also be powerful. A full explanation can be found on pages 33-37 of Joyful Journey. Here is another quote to digest before your 5 minutes of joy.

From the book Joyful Journey:
When we take time to read our Immanuel journaling entries to trusted people, it allows us to hear for ourselves the conversation we had with God. We overcome shame about our weaknesses by reading aloud in community how God sees us. Others can amplify the joy and peace our time with God produced in us. In this way, we are sharing the love that we have received from God.
~ Wilder, Kang, Loppnow, Loppnow, Joyful Journey, page 48.

Pray aloud

Father God, would You bless my writing, including any done in Your voice, so that I might experience an even more complete joy with You.

Five Minutes

Use your GO TO JOYS and ANTICIPATED JOYS to fill a 5-minute window. Remember: use an alarm. If necessary, review the explanation. 

Read the identity in Christ
statement aloud

In Christ, we are the kind of people who anticipate God will speak to us through His word and help us understand it through His Spirit.

Closing Prayer

Close with thanks to God for these moments together.

Ask Him to bless the upcoming day, then…

GO – in JOY, with JOY anticipating JOY

Sunday, October 20, 2024:

Sometime During Your Day

Level 3: Savoring joys of the past.

Pondering Point

Try not to think of a journal as pages upon pages but a sentence or two. This aligns with Immanuel Journaling as a practice. I (the author) have practiced this style of journal hundreds of times – and red it to others. Do so is powerful. Doing so face to face adds to the depth of connection:

From the book Joyful Journey:
The final step of reading our Immanuel journaling aloud brings harmony deep within our hearts, minds and souls. Reading aloud is a simple step that takes our experiences to another level. Some people might be tempted to skip this step since their interaction with God in writing brought so much relief that they feel better. Nevertheless, when people read aloud their interaction with God, an integrative and a restorative experience takes place. Reading aloud can take what was experienced alone into the presence of love and compassion from others. When we read aloud, we blend the words of the left brain with the emotional experience of the right brain. Therefore, reading aloud has benefits for us internally and externally. The community also becomes a chorus that amplifies all the good outcomes of the Immanuel journaling experience. As things begin to fit together, we feel shalom that is amplified as we speak and others listen.

~ Wilder, Kang, Loppnow, Loppnow, Joyful Journey, page 48.

Immersing in Joy (evening)

Sunday, October 20, 2024

Pondering Point

For this evening, you are going to write sentence or two to God about your joy from the day. So…

Review

Scour the day for ANTICIPATED or SURPRISE JOYS. You are training your brain to look for joy. This builds the habit. Recall the body sensations and emotion.

This solidifies the habit. Remember: use an alarm.

Journal Prompt:  

Write your sentence(s) and a response from Jesus.

Key Words: 

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Then finish with:

Read the identity in Jesus
statement aloud

Identity statement from God’s perspective, written in His word: You are mine. I have called you by name. Isaiah 43:1b

Evening Prayer

Thank God for blessing the day, ask for peaceful rest, then GO to sleep – in grateful JOY, anticipating new JOY tomorrow under His grace.