How I journal (and why I review it) and the call to rescue

Ten years ago, I wrote Old Journals and New Journeys.¹ I’ve journaled my way from my seminary days in Texas to southeast Arkansas to southwest Virginia. There are boxes of journals in our attic.

I feel sorry for Carolyn and the kids. One day they’ll face the decision of “what do with Jeff’s journals.” While they are gold to me, I wonder if they will be anything but a guilty headache to them. If Jesus doesn’t come back first, it’s highly probable they will still be sitting in boxes 50 years from now, their papered edges yellowed with age. Or… one of our infamously unsentimental kids may easily cart them off to the dump.²

In that post from 2014, I described my practice of journaling, but I focused on the enrichment I receive when I read an old journal on personal retreats. Beginning in 2023, I added a new discipline to my journaling - regular review. I began reviewing my journal more intentionally.

Here’s what I started:

It was a normal day, but sometime in 2023, I grabbed a journal that entries from six months before, and I read 4-5 entries in a row from that point. Since then, once a week, I practice the same thing. So I am always reading entries from six months ago.

Here are some things I have learned:

1. I forget quickly. It’s astonishing to me how things that were urgent, pressing and even stressful then are not now. They either resolved without my effort, or they were dealt with by decision or prayer. I learn all over again that “God’s got this.”

2. Speaking of God, I learn afresh about His faithfulness. The amount of prayers (I often write them down) that are answered in a six month timeframe are numerous. I’m encouraged by the Lord’s activity. It reminds me presently to cast my cares upon Him³ - that perhaps in six months times what I’m currently praying passionately for will have been answered (and perhaps because I’m forgetful) answered radically.

3. I marvel at my musings. I know. It’s sounds narcissistic, right? But I when my thoughts from six months ago, I often end up adding things to my to-do list or writing them down for further reflection.

What do I do after review?

I write “Journal Review 5/23/24-5/28/24” below the current days journal entry (or whatever week I’ve reviewed) and then I bullet point any memorable things from each day:

• 5/23 -

• 5/24 -

• 5/25 -

• 5/26 -

• 5/27 -

• 5/28 -

In my reviewed journal, I write “Reviewed ↓” next to the 5/23/24 entry which tells me everything after that until the next “Reviewed ↓” has been reviewed. Make sense?

The call to rescue

As an example of learning from my past, here’s a few thoughts from my 5/24/24 entry (which I hadn’t thought about again until my review today):

“Rescue those being taken off to death, and save those stumbling toward slaughter. If you say, “But we didn’t know about this,” won’t he who weighs hearts consider it? Won’t he who protects your life know? Won’t he repay a person according to his work?” (Proverbs 24:11-12)

These words produce profound discomfort for Christians who stand by in mute inaction for sins like abortion and parents who encourage transgender idiocy and perversion, who ignore the discomfort of human trafficking and modern slavery (think illegal immigrants who are forced to work menial jobs and labor due to their fear of being deported). Do we act as if God does not know or see our inaction and silence?

Christians are called to involvement - to intervene, rescue and save. Our inaction is sinful. Our silence is condoning. Our “it’s not my business” is selfish. Keeping our heads down is not an option. The heart of God is a Rescuer. He rescued His people time and again in scripture! In the Ultimate Rescue, He sent His Son Jesus to rescue us from our sin.

We are likewise sent.

May we recover the heart of Christianity to be rescuers and motivators of rescue. Let us raise up rescuers, and may we have clarity of the crises at hand in our day. May we practice shrewdness and wisdom for the long battles ahead. Let us not shrink from our roles and ministry in our day because of selfish comfort. The Lord will encourage us with power, victory and unity as we recover the ministry of rescue - in every dimension - spiritually, mentally, physically and socially.

God will provide the strength and the resources for rescue.

“If you do nothing in a difficult time, your strength is limited.” (Proverbs 24:10)

Reviewed!

As I read over that entry, I was reminded afresh: Do not be cowed into silence. Speak the truth. Identify evil. Call people to repentance. Pursue and rescue. The words of the old hymn Rescue the Perishing came to mind:

Rescue the perishing,
Care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus the mighty to save.⁴

When regular review refreshes a commitment to rescue, it’s worth it. Consider journaling and review!

1.

2. Family, within the pages of my journals are clues to treasure. You’ll traverse continents with me as you read them. I believe they will do far than help you see me as a simple man who loved an unfathomably wonderful God. Don’t throw those things away!

3. 1 Peter 5:7

4. Rescue the Perishing by Fanny Crosby in 1869 (Hymnary.org)