A Spiritual Journal

A journal is a book in which you keep a personal record of events in your life, of your different relationships, of your response to things, of your feelings about things, of your search to find out who you are and what the meaning of your life might be. It is a book in which you carry out the greatest of life's adventures - the discovery of yourself. It's a place to befriend yourself and to explore the uniqueness of your life's journey.

Spiritual growth does not refer to some aspect of life or one compartment labeled "religion." It concerns all of life . . . our goals, our time, our relationships, our work, our politics, our inner lives.

We grow spiritually as we discover the gifts God has given us, develop and nourish them, and use them in service to others.

We desire spiritual growth out of gratitude to God for His mercies and out of a desire to serve others. Our spiritual growth is a response to the gospel . . . the Good News that God has loved us, redeemed us in Christ, placed His Spirit within us, and made us members of His kingdom.

Spiritual growth always begins with God. He chooses us and brings us into relationship with Him and other Christians in the church. Spiritual growth is a growth in grace. It begins in grace, continues in grace, and ends in grace.

"Grow is the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18)

He places us in the church, in relationship with other believers. Here we are fed by His Word and nourished by His sacraments. We grow as we worship God together with other believers, as we pray, meditate, tithe, and practice SIMPLE LIVING. God brings people into our lives, people we need and who need us. From them we receive encouragement, comfort, and challenge.

Most important of all, God places His Spirit within us to transform us, to shape our lives, to empower us, and to make us more loving.

All this He does out of His grace, His undeserved goodness. The path to spiritual growth is a path of grace.