Friday Favorites-My Notebook
August 6th, 2009I know it’s not Friday yet, but I felt inspired and wanted to write. I am thinking about school supplies still, and my ultimate favorite, the one thing that I cannot do without in school or out is the big 5-subject spiral notebook. For years, I have used one to organize my lists (to-do, grocery, etc.) and journal writing. And now, for the first time in too many years, I am keeping a “God notebook.”
When I went through a discipleship class at my church during college, I kept a notebook with scripture memory verses, prayer requests, and things I felt the Lord was speaking to me. Sometimes, I would write out my prayers. Now, I have a new notebook for a new era in life, and I love it. I keep adding sections to it, but I think it is close to maxed out.
- In the opening section, I keep track of my quiet times (writing this down helps keep me accountable). I also keep track of what I am reading in the Bible.
- Next, I have a page of scripture memory verses I am learning. Again, writing these things down helps keep me accountable day by day.
- Then, I have a section devoted to prayer. I have a master list of people that I pray for every day. I have also added specific people/needs to each day of the week. For example, on Thursdays I pray for church leaders. On Friday, I pray for the nation’s leaders, etc. I also am setting up pages with specific requests for people that I pray for regularly, like my husband. And, I have a page of my own concerns that I am seeking the Lord about.
- Following that, I have a section devoted to answered prayers and praise reports. This section was added late, but it brings me a lot of joy. It is a great thing to keep a record of all the prayers God answers and all of the blessings he bestows. When God answers a prayer of mine, it increases my faith, and makes me want to pray more.
- The final section of my notebook is devoted to disciplines that I feel the Lord wants me to work into my life and be faithful to. So, for example, I have an exercise page where I keep track of the days I work out, and what I do. Writing it down like this really helps me be consistent in establishing new, godly disciplines in my life.
It is both rewarding and fun to keep an account of what God is doing in our lives. Try a notebook for yourself when you do your school supply shopping, and organize it in a way that suits you. You might feel compelled to write down the verses that encourage you, or to write some original poetry. The notebook is a great way to explore your creativity and draw nearer to God.
Tags: accountability, accounts, creativity, devotionals, discipline, notebooks, praise reports, prayer list, quiet times, records, scripture memory
Thanks to Amy for the Lemonade Award for Great Attitude or Gratitude!
August 8th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Great post. Thanks for the good tips.
August 23rd, 2009 at 4:13 pm
LOVE this! Thanks so much for sharing. I have been making notes in a one subject spiral notebook during my quiet time, but I am always digging back through, trying to find something specific…what a great idea to break it down into different categories. Guess what I’ll be purchasing today!
August 24th, 2009 at 3:30 am
Amy, please let me know how it works for you, and if you come up with some other good categories. The notebook has really helped me stay on track!
August 29th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Sandy, do you use a 3 ring binder? I was going to purchase a 5 subject spiral notebook, but I just re-read that part about you adding more sections, so maybe the 3 ring binder would be best?
I’m going to work on my notebook this weekend so I can start using it on September 1st (I’m so silly, I feel like I have to wait until the first of the month to begin! Ha!)
August 29th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Hi, Amy. No, I don’t use a three-ring binder. That might work well, though. I use a five-subject spiral notebook that has dividers with pockets. When I said “add new sections” I meant categories. The five-subject notebook limits me to five, which should be enough, but you know how that goes…I am the same way–the first of the month always seems like the right time to start something new.
August 31st, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Sandy, I gave myself permission to start using my new notebook today–even though it is not yet the first of the month–since it is a MONDAY! Ha!
We’ll see how it goes, but for now my categories are: QUIET TIME NOTES that I make which include thoughts about things I read and even about the way I am feeling when I wake up–what burdens or joys are on my heart and mind, so to speak. Another section is where I write out my PRAYERS. Another section I am saving for both QUOTES AND SCRIPTURE that I come across and want to remember. Another section is where I will write things down that I feel GOD SPEAKING to me throughout my day. And I am also including a section for my DAILY TO DO LISTS.
Like I said, we’ll see how it goes! Thanks again for the inspiration to have different categories!
August 31st, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Heehee. I am glad you gave yourself permission to start early! I love your categories. You are inspiring me back! Just wanted to tell you that I have been delightfully surprised at how much I am used the “praise reports/answered prayer” section of my notebook. It seems like God is answering a lot of prayers lately–or maybe I am just doing better at noticing. Happy notebooking!
September 1st, 2009 at 2:53 am
Oh no! You just made me realize I left out one of the most important categories! :0
But I am right there with you! I am amazed at how many prayers God has answered for me. I was sharing that with my husband one day and he seemed kind of sad and said he doesn’t get that many answered. I quickly told him that the reason I SEE so many answers is because I pray for SO MANY things!