I WISH I COULD SAY I CREATED THIS FOR YOU. I DIDN'T. I CREATED IT FOR ME, BUT GOD HAD OTHER PLANS. HERE IS THE AMAZING STORY OF HOW THIS PROJECT CAME TOGETHER. ALL I CAN SAY IS - ONLY GOD! Love, Liz

(Excerpt from chapter one - My Story. My Spiritual Circle Journal workshop is written as a mini-book at the front of the journal)  

We want to walk with God and know His plans for our lives. We want clear direction, and many of us want to be in the center of His perfect will. We know that walking with Him beside us, even if it is hard at times, is much more rewarding than trying to go it alone. We know that having the hand of God, the creator of the universe, guiding and directing our lives is more powerful than any earthly thing we could ever gain. 

And yet, many don’t bother to take the time to get still with God on a regular basis to listen for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and promptings. Anyone who has experienced this deep, two-way communication on a consistent basis knows it does not happen overnight. As in all relationships, being close involves spending time together.

Years ago when I lived in Florida a friend asked me, “How do you get so deep with God?” I gave her the very basic answer that I got a good study Bible, a devotional or topical book, a journal and pen, and I went and spent time with God. I soon realized that answer was not what she was looking for. She wanted more. 

That is when I decided to go through my old journals. After doing so, I noticed there were distinct patterns. There were nine areas that I covered with God during our time together. Soon after that I wrote a prayer card called, “A Date with God - Renewing Our Minds Down by the River” to show friends what a deep, meaningful, and fruitful quiet time might look like. I used this format when I journaled longhand. Longhand journaling means I wrote out all my thoughts and prayers. This kind of journaling is wonderful, but quite time consuming.

This longhand journaling worked for a while because my two boys were older and in school. I had time to spend an hour or so with God many days each week. Then came baby number three. The sleep deprivation, exhaustion, and juggling of three children made little room for long quiet times or journaling. I craved my time with God and missed that deeper relationship.....