How to Keep a Spiritual Journal: A Guide to Journal Keeping for Inner Growth and Personal Recovery

by Ron Klug

Ronald Klug views a personal journal as a tool for self-discovery, an aid to concentration, a mirror for the soul, and a good friend and confidant. A spiritual journal is all of these and more. He shows the reader how to start a journal of his or her own.

Genres: Journaling, Spirituality, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Christian

127 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1993

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been keeping journals on and off since my preteen years (remember the ones with the little key?). This book helped remind me of the reasons why journaling is an important part of reconnecting and carrying for our soul. Klug writes: "If we are to be useful to God and to other people, we need to know ourselves, our temperaments, our gifts, our strengths, and our weaknesses." So true. He feels that by journaling we're more alert to the stirring of the Holy Spirit within us; I haven't felt this (yet) but do feel more centered when I'm in a journaling pattern. Klug brings his personal experience along in his writings which is quite helpful and appreciated; it's refreshing to know that others struggle along the same lines as I do. I gave the book 4 stars as I wished he would have spent more time on the spiritual aspects rather than the physical aspects of how to write a journal.

[Matthew Hilbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Klug offers some creative and insightful ways to journal. This is a great book for someone interesting in journaling for spiritual benefit or those who have been practicing journaling for a while and are looking for a new way to do it.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and clear teaching on Journaling: why, how, when, how to start, what to do if you don't think you have anything to journal, ... basically, he covers everything you need to know about the priceless benefits of keeping a journal.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple details to help keep journal keeping fresh and a spiritual benefit (not the horrible, dark, brooding, self-involved introspection mine always slips into ...). The topics - daily writing, creating goals, managing time, devotional practices, reflection on the past, using the journal for other writing, are all helpful (even inspirational) and brief. The examples, culled from seminar participants and the author's own writing, are also mercifully brief.

[Melissa Stebbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a re-read for me but it was a while since I'd read it originally and I'd actually forgot a lot of it. Highly recommended book on the topic of keeping a journal. Covers not just writing daily entries but also using a journal to help goal setting, daily devotions, recording the past and more. Also tips for "harvesting" your journal once you're finished.

[Giedra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good ideas. Nothing I hadn't come across before, but handy to find all the ideas in one place.

BTW, the last word of the book title is 'Discovery' not "Recovery," not that recovery wouldn't also be useful at times!

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some helpful ideas for using your journal as a spiritual discipline. Besides some creative ideas I'd not thought of, the greatest benefit was just the encouragement to use a journal in whatever way most benefits you -- that there is no right way -- except a degree of regularity.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that I will be keeping handy as I continue on this journey called life. I hope to continue journaling now that I have begun!

[Paul Servini · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book I come back to time and again. A treasure chest of sound advice and interesting ideas to keep a personal journal lively and interesting.

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was a great book for beginning journalists. It gave good advice on general topics, with spiritual topics being minimal.