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God wants to surprise you with the beauty of your own life, growing and alive, filled with movement, light and shadow. This is the book to do just that.
Title: Journaling As a Spiritual Practice: Encountering God Through Attentive Writing By: Helen Cepero Format: Paperback Number of Pages: 160 Vendor: InterVarsity Press Publication Date: 2008 | Dimensions: 8.25 X 5.50 (inches) Weight: 8 ounces ISBN: 0830835199 ISBN-13: 9780830835195 Stock No: WW835195 |
Whether you are a longtime journal keeper or someone who has never kept a journal at all, this book will help you go below the surface of your life with God. It is not about the art of writing, but about how journaling can form us spiritually. Every chapter combines descriptive text, illustrations from journals and the author's own experience with journaling practices integrated along the way to help you bring your own life and world into sharper focus. God wants to surprise you with the beauty of your own life, growing and alive, filled with movement, light and shadow. This is the book to do just that.
Having said this we must ask whether journaling is wrong. The short answer is no. Many of the great saints of God throughout the years have written diaries and journals to aid them in their walk with God. Admittedly, there are other methods that believers practice to expedite their spiritual development which do not come directly from a chapter and verse. Certainly the Lord allows latitude within biblical parameters to find and use methods to help us worship Him and understand His ways. Writing down our thoughts, insights, struggles, and understanding and application of Scripture can have great benefits. Still, it must be remembered that there is no mandate in Scripture to journal, nor is everyone predisposed to do so. For those interested in journaling, this book offers much in the way of helpful advice, practical suggestions and encouragement.
Thats the good news. The devil, as they say is in the details. Journaling attempts, as many books of this genre do, to use Jeremiah 6:16, Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths (p. 92) as biblical support. But, of course, Jeremiah was calling the people back to the ancient paths of God as taught in the Word. Cepero is calling her readers back to the ancient paths of Roman Catholic and Eastern monastic and mystical practices which were not even on Jeremiahs radar. Her book is filled with methods and references to and quotes from those who developed and are followers of this system: Henri Nouwen (p. 21), Nouwens LArche community in France (p. 21), Quakers (p. 78), Stations of the Cross (pp. 117-118), spiritual directors (pp. 123, 151), Thomas Merton (p. 148), Ignatius of Loyola (p. 72) and his examen prayer (p. 81), etc. As I said, Cepero is not taking her reader back to Scripture but back to Roman and Eastern Orthodoxy.
In addition, we find many troubling statements and practices throughout: Yoga (pp. 16, 62), God comes to the place where we are and says our name (p. 31), God our beloved, born of a womans body (p. 61), the body does not lie (p. 63), our sexuality can lead us into an intimacy that speaks of Gods own presence (p. 65), use of symbols to aid journaling (p. 74), naming our wounds can help heal them as we grieve over them (pp. 125, 131). I am good because God created me (p. 127), If we name God as our lover (p. 127), May the presence of the Holy Spirit fill your sleep and speak in your dreams (p. 133), The voice of God tends to be gentle and soft (p. 149). Each of these and others deserve analysis and challenge by the discerning Christian.
But the most concerning teaching in Ceperos book is reserved for what she calls dialogue journaling (pp. 104-112). Here, the reader is taught to wait for God to speak and reveal His Word and Self to us through some sort of inner voice or thought. For example, the reader is told to write in their journal the word God and then wait for a response (p. 104). On one occasion God responded to her, and she wrote in her journal, Helen, welcome back, Ive missed you (p. 105). Cepero explains, All journaling, but perhaps especially dialogue journaling, is dependent on the good use of imagination (p. 108). Why these imaginary words from God are seen as superior to the infallible Word of God is truly a mystery to me. But herein lies the great danger of the book. When we turn from the revelation of God to inferior traditions of the past and the imaginary, and possible cultic, communications of the present we turn from the rock solid Word of truth to the quicksand of human ideas. For this reason Journaling as a Spiritual Practice is truly a dangerous work.
NOTE: It should be noted that a pre-publication version of this book was used in the review. The page numbers may be somewhat different in the final publication.
Gary Gilley, www.ChristianBookPreviews.com
"Helen Cepero's book is warm and unassuming, full of wisdom without any showing off. A wonderful introduction to journaling." Tim Stafford, author of Shaking the System
"This is a book which should not be (merely) read. It should be done. Her book is a vast smorgasbord of particular experiences in the practice of journal-keeping, each one inviting the readers to 'taste and see' the presence of God in their lives. This book opens up the rich potential in journaling, warns us of the patterns of thinking that threaten to derail this practice and provides the tools to make it a valuable means of pursuing relationship with God." Evan B. Howard, author of Praying the Scriptures
"A grace-filled tour guide, inviting readers to join her on a path to encounter God through attentive writing."
-- Cathy Norman Peterson, The Covenant Companion, December 2008"Cepero's real-life anecdotes, spiritual insight and suggestions for journaling are most effective."
-- EB, Libraries Alive, Spring 2009"Cepero's book eases the reader into the journaling process from the absolute beginning and leads all the way to how to enjoy the fruits of one's journal. Fresh, frank, and unassuming, Cepero's text allows readers to see that like many other forms of prayer, journaling can be for anyone. Journaling as a Spiritual Practice is a welcome introduction to spiritual journaling, bringing a sometimes intimidating form of prayer out of the garret and into the light of everyday."
-- Monique Keffer, Presence, December 2008"A fantastic gem that you will need and desire to be part of your journaling library that will never become outdated."
-- Chery Clay, Midwest Book Review, December 2008"A strength of the book is Cepero's intentionally focused journaling exercises that can jump-start neophytes who don't know how to journal or revivify the practice of those with considerable experience."
-- Christian Century, October 7, 2008"Helen Cepero argues that journaling can help us hear God better and experience spiritual transformation."
-- Steve Rabey, YouthWorker Journal, July/August 2008"Lively, encouraging and pastoral. . . . Cepero shows readers how to . . . [move] past simple recitation of events, to writing that reveals God at work in a life."
-- Publishers Weekly starred reviewWhat would you like to know about this product? Please enter your name, your email and your question regarding the product in the fields below, and we'll answer you in the next 24-48 hours.
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