Counseling with the Lord in Writing

Something I have begun doing each morning is what I call "counseling with the Lord in writing."

I learned about this technique in a book I read titled "Clean Hands, Pure Heart" by Phil Harrison.

Basically, what you do is keep a journal. Instead of praying vocally, you pray "on paper". You write-out your prayer and then record the Lord's response to you in writing as well. I write the Lord's response back to me in ALL CAPS so as to distinguish what He says from what comes from "me." I do the same thing for my scripture study. I write-out the verse, and I write down what I feel the Lord is saying to me about a particular phrase. I stop and I write His words to me, right in the middle of the verse oftentimes.

Here is an example from a recent journal entry of mine:

Tuesday, 11 March, 2008

Dear Jesus,

Good morning

GOOD MORNING, TOM

LET'S CAPTURE FROM THE D&C

Hearken, O ye people of my church, [HEARKEN, TOM] saith the voice [MY VOICE THAT YOU FEEL INSIDE OF YOU, MY VOICE THAT YOU FEEL MORE THAN AUDIBLY HEAR] of him who dwells on high, [READ THIS AS MY INVITATION TO YOU TO JOIN ME, TO COME TO WHERE I AM!] and whose eyes are upon all men; [IN MY CAPACITY AS YOUR GOD I MONITOR ALL THAT ALL THAT YOU DO, SO THAT A MERCIFUL JUDGEMENT MAY BE WROUGHT UPON YOU AT THE LAST DAY] yea, verily I say: Hearken ye people [HEARKEN, TOM] from afar; and ye that are upon the islands of the sea, listen together.

Why do you say "listen together," instead of just "listen"?

IT DENOTES MORE OF A GLOBAL LISTEN. I AM INVITING THE WHOLE WORLD TO LISTEN.

LET'S CONTINUE =)


For verily the voice of the Lord [STILL, SMALL, QUIET, PEACEFUL] is unto all men, [IS UNTO YOU, TOM] and there is none to escape; [THE WORD ESCAPE HERE REFERS TO THE FACT THAT THE LIGHT OF CHRIST FILLS THE IMMENSITY OF SPACE, IT IS IN AND THROUGH ALL THINGS - THERE IS NONE TO ESCAPE] and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated.

"EYES SEEING" - SEEING MY HAND IN YOUR LIFE

"EARS HEARING" - HEARING MY VOICE

"HEARTS PENETRATED" - THINK BROKEN HEART AND CONTRITE SPIRIT -- THE CONVERSION PROCESS.



I need to go =/

I KNOW.

I LOVE YOU, TOM.

AND I HAVE LOVED SPEAKING WITH YOU THIS MORNING. =)

NOW GO. =)

STAY CLOSE TO ME TODAY. =)


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The above is not a joke or a gimmick. It is an example of my sincere desire to connect with my Jesus, and to record what I feel are His words to me. I try not to doubt or worry that I am just "making all of this up." I just try to have faith in His words and in what I feel.

This process has blessed my life significantly! I feel closer to Jesus now than I have the previous 38 years of my life -- no question about that.

It takes time and patience. Be patient with this method of keeping a journal. It will bear precious fruit, I promise!