The Family That Journals Together

Mark Virkler's picture

Just over three years ago I, Lisa Verbruggen, was introduced to hearing the Voice of God and knew right away that it was a gift I wanted to give my children.  I purchased the book for teens and we began going through it, simplifying it where needed for them.  We went through it twice and by the end they were all hearing God's voice as part of our morning devotion times. They receive so easily and readily.

One thing I have seen through their journaling is how much God desires to establish His great love for them.  I have also seen the security they experience resting in His love.   A few times in the last year after some challenging days for our family, I took the morning off to soak and journal with the children.  They received so much I was unable to give them at the time.  They can receive from their perfect Heavenly Father.

A recent experience I had with my six year old:  During devotions at supper we had shared communion and talked about it.  The next morning Michael told me as he was going to sleep he was talking to God about it and He was thinking about how good God was.  God told him that if we tell people about God's goodness they will be saved.  Love the fact that my child is going to sleep talking and hearing from God.

Isaac Journals - Age 13

Journaling has strengthened my personal walk with God. I have seen Him as a part of my daily life. I have become more aware of God walking and speaking to me everyday and seeing things around me through my spiritual eyes and ears. 

I received a picture of a large door with a very large padlock on it.  The lock was about four feet in size.  I saw that the lock was placed on the door by Satan.  Then I saw a church with people praising God and worshiping Him.  As they worshiped I saw water beginning to flow against the door.  The waters continued to rise with more and more force as the people continued to worship.  Then the lock shattered into many tiny pieces and the waters flowed through to the people.

I see a big heart beating with love.  I see a map that is covered with  bones and broken hearts.  I see Jesus going around knocking on doors.  I hear Jesus knocking on my door.  Isaac, I have the key to enter into all the plans I have for you but I need your permission to come in.  Yes Jesus you may come in, I hand over the controls in my life my confidence is in you to lead me Jesus.  I see two people who hear God's voice one keeps it all to himself.  The other one is being used to heal people, bring people to the God and share God's word with people.

Hannah Journals - Age 11

Journaling has helped me grow in a relationship with Jesus. It has helped me learn to trust Him and to walk through each day with Him.

I love you. I got a picture of Jesus walking down the middle aisle of a church.  Jesus said, "Come all you nations come see me my beloved children." Jesus said to the children I love every one the same amount you are mine my children I love you. You are mine. I love you. You will never be alone my beloved child. You will be GEM in my life forever my child...

I love you my child I love you. You are mine. You will never be left for even a second. I saw a weak puppy trying to climb a big rock. I will help you through the hardest times. I saw a picture of Jesus and I playing with puppies.

 Sarah Journals - Age 10

"I love you so very much" Jesus said.  Then Jesus and I went for a walk.  We walked together in a forest where there was lots of birds, butterflies, lots of animals, and a river.  It was a wonderful place.  Jesus Said, "I love you more then all the animals and the river.  Beloved child I love you more then you could ever imagine.  If you climb the tallest mountain I am still there.  In the deepest sea I am there too.  I am always there with you always there to talk with you.  I love talking to my daughter, you are mine. I will never  leave you and there has never been a moment I have left you.  I saw a picture of Jesus and I splashing in the water.  I love you so much.  Then I saw Jesus and I dancing  together.  Jesus said, "I love spending time with you my child you are a gift from God.  Remember I am always with you so in times of trouble talk with me.  I love you and am always near you.  

Sarah you are so special to me. Beloved you have no Idea how much I love you . Beloved daughter I knew you before you were born and I loved you before you were born. I knew everything about you I knew you would have blue shiny eyes, beautiful hair and how silly you can be.  I new everything about you before you were born.  I don't think there is a single thing wrong about you because I made you beautiful and I love you.

I saw a picture of Jesus and me dancing on a golden path, with butterflies dancing around us.  Jesus Said, "You are like those butterflies you love dancing for me, you are my butterfly my daughter." 

Josiah Journals - Age 8          

This train takes you to the party in heaven.  Jesus said, "I love you and love celebrating you at a party". The party in heaven is fun with lots of good and spending time with Jesus.  Jesus says, "I love you more then anything." (with drawing of the red train)

 

I love you more then anything even the deepest ocean in the world and all the fish in the sea.  I love being with you when you are fishing and canoeing. (Josiah, age 8)

 

Michael Journals - Age 6

I love you God, I know you love me too and will never stop loving me.  You put people in my life who show your love to me.  God loves me and He loves me so much. 

 

I am in Jesus heart in heaven.  Jesus loves me I love Him. Jesus Said, "Michael I love you and have a very special place for you in my heart. When you lift your voice to worship me it touches my heart."  (Michael, age 6)

 


Click here to discover the "4 Keys Family Pack" with resources to get everyone in your family journaling!


 

Related Resources: 

How to Hear God's Voice!   

Related Blogs: 

How to Hear God’s Voice   
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Anonymous's picture

My God!
What a great day for me to have read the children's experience of journalling!
Thank you their mama and papa.
Thank you Dr. Mark for the teaching.
Thank YOU Lord for teaching us all to relate with you.

Kind regards,
Ttendo Mulungi

Anonymous's picture

I read this with great interest, how wonderful that you posted this, thank you. I will share it with my children tonight. It is a lovely example to other children and helps build their faith. Children respond well to teaching by example and what better way than to receive from other children.

Thank you
Sandra

Anonymous's picture

I am so amazed that your children journal. How better to get direction and what you need from God every day! I am so impressed. I will share this with my family and friends. Thank you and Many Blessings.

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Intimacy with the Holy Spirit

Intimacy with the Holy Spirit

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 223 Pages

This book leads you in meditating on and journaling about two hundred and fifty verses that discuss the Holy Spirit. You will grow in intimacy with the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the anointing within you will increase! You will exclaim as the disciples did on the Emmaus Road “Did not our heart burn within us…while He opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32)! In addition to being led to journal through these verses, you will read numerous two-way journal entries from Mark Virkler, as well as a five-page prayer at the conclusion of the book.

Price: $10.95

Kids Can

by Karen Barnes | 98 Pages

This book will inspire you and train you to teach children to minister in the power of the Spirit! And the stories it contains will bring tears to your eyes! Kids Can is a message for the children of today about their destiny tomorrow. When kids encounter the pure essence of Jesus, they will become empowered, equipped and energized to serve Him accurately and with amazing clarity. As they hear His voice and are encouraged in their giftings, strong leaders are created and maturity, vision and skills are fine tuned.

Price: $14.95
Lamad Biblical Education Association

Lamad Biblical Education Association

4 Co-authors | 44 Pages

FINALLY - A Spirit-Anointed Epistemology! A system of knowing for the Spirit-filled believer. A fresh moving of the Holy Spirit has been upon the Church of Jesus Christ for the last 100 years, since the Asuza Street Revival in 1902. In all that time the Spirit-filled community of believers (now numbering 27% of all Christendom), had yet to delineate an approach to learning which restored the Holy Spirit to His rightful place as the primary Teacher in our midst.

Price: $10.00
Lamad Faculty Handbook

Lamad Faculty Handbook

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 78 Pages

This book presents lamad (revelation-based learning) standards  for teachers and curriculum writers. Lamad is a Hebrew word found in the Old Testament and it is translated "to teach" or "to learn."  It is a kind of learning that involves the Holy Spirit granting divine revelation to the heart of man. Thus it goes beyond western rationalism as a learning methodology.

Price: $9.95
Living with Jesus Book 1 - Welcome to God's Family

Living with Jesus Book 1 - Welcome to God's Family

by Daphne Kirk | 47 pages

The Living with Jesus series is a unique, exciting  and transformational discipleship course for children, taking them through the fundamentals of the Christian faith in a relational, interactive and challenging way, always applying to their lives the commands to love God, love one another and love the lost.

Book 1 - Welcome to God's Family introduces the child to the Body of Christ.

Price: $9.95
Living with Jesus - Book 3

Living with Jesus Book 3 – Talking and Listening

by Daphne Kirk | 47 Pages

This delightful book teaches children ages 4-8 the four keys to hearing God's voice and gets them started journaling (drawing pictures if writing is too hard for them) and seeing vision.  It is ideal for parents and children to use together, or for use in a children’s Sunday school class or children’s home group.

Book 3 - Talking and Listening - Hearing the voice of God.

Price: $9.95
Living with Jesus Book 6 - What Do We Choose?

Living with Jesus Book 6 - What Do We Choose?

by Daphne Kirk | 47 pages

The Living with Jesus series is a unique, exciting  and transformational discipleship course for children, taking them through the fundamentals of the Christian faith in a relational, interactive and challenging way, always applying to their lives the commands to love God, love one another and love the lost.

Book 6 - What Do We Choose? introduces children to making kingdom choices.

Price: $9.95
Living with Jesus Book 7 - Having Faith

Living with Jesus Book 7 - Having Faith

by Daphne Kirk | 47 pages

The Living with Jesus series is a unique, exciting  and transformational discipleship course for children, taking them through the fundamentals of the Christian faith in a relational, interactive and challenging way, always applying to their lives the commands to love God, love one another and love the lost.

Book 7 - Having Faith introduces children to a life of faith.

Price: $9.95
Living with Jesus Book 8 - Staying Protected

Living with Jesus Book 8 - Staying Protected

by Daphne Kirk | 47 pages | Published 1999

The Living with Jesus series is a unique, exciting  and transformational discipleship course for children, taking them through the fundamentals of the Christian faith in a relational, interactive and challenging way, always applying to their lives the commands to love God, love one another and love the lost.

Book 8 - Staying Protected introduces children to spiritual warfare.

Price: $9.95
Operations Manual

Operations Manual

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 134 Pages

We have helped hundreds of churches establish Schools of Ministry or church-centered Bible schools over the last 25 years. This manual draws together insights and approaches for how to do it easier, faster and better. Enjoy as you build on the success of those who have gone before you.

Price: $69.95

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