JOURNALING: Hearing God with a Keyboard [A Testimony]

Journaling is an act of faith that truly help faith grow. It is a true delight to hear from God and to be able to see over time the answers He has given you.

Pastor Greg frequently recommends journaling. I’d like to share how it’s transformed my life.
I’ve been a believer since the late 1970s. I’ve moved several times over those years and been part of a number of churches. I found Northlands just over a year ago. It’s the first church I’ve ever attended where the pastor recommended you ask God a question and write down the answer you believe you’ve received from Him.

I’m a scriptwriter. I love to write. I once started a script called The Day God Spoke, about a frustrated believer who asked God to hear his audible voice for a single day. It was to result in a remarkable adventure with considerable comedy, but in reality I was the frustrated believer. Jesus said, “My sheep will hear my voice,” and my conversations with God were one directional. I talked.
I knew I was missing something but didn’t know how to find it. I got wonderful insights from preachers, I’ve always gotten inspiration from the Bible, and I’ve read many insightful books, but I wanted to hear from God like He was speaking to me.

Less than two years ago I began sitting at my computer and asking God questions by typing them into my computer. I then typed the first thought that came to my mind. I was amazed. What I typed didn’t sound like it came from me. At first I might type one or two questions and short replies. Now, I can carry on for pages. I type a “talk” almost every day.
Sometimes I begin conversations with God asking me questions. I’ve found this very helpful. In my conversations God offers tremendous encouragement, AMAZING insights and very gentle correction. There are times He’ll surprise me with a “no” answer to something I expected to be a “yes.”

The first time you type in a question and an answer you’re taking a step in faith. You’re saying, “God, I believe You have a word specifically for me, NOW.”
After a year of talks with God I can look back on old talks and see clearly things God has done in my life. I can come to my computer angry or frustrated and leave after a talk filled with joy. I’m brutally honest with God and He’s just as honest with me. My wife loves to read the talks. She finds them encouraging.
Nothing in my life has made me feel more that God is my loving father than my “talks” with Him. Furthermore, now, even when I’m not typing, I feel I can hear the voice of God on a more constant basis.
I’m FAR from where He’s leading me. He frequently asks “Are you ready?” and then promises, “There’s more.” Where I had once gotten to feeling like going to church was like a duty I needed to perform, I now live constantly excited about what God has for me next.
So, like Greg I say, “I dare you to try this at home.”