This story is in the form of an email dialogue I had with Pastor Erick from Uganda.

Pastor Erick – Mark, I need your advice. Two months ago, 213 students gave their lives to Jesus during school outreaches where I share daily messages about how to hear God’s voice. Part of this training is having them share what God has spoken to them. Two months ago, when 213 students joined the fellowship and gave their lives to Jesus, a certain girl aged 19 years also gave her life to Jesus. When she told me her father is a witchdoctor, I gave her a copy of Your Extraordinary Life and a Bible.

In working as a Personal Spiritual Trainer Coach with individuals, I get to read and affirm their journaling. Following is a dialogue I recently had with Patricia, a lady I am coaching as she begins two-way journaling.

Patricia, This is great journaling. Here is what I suggest. Turn the statements into positive, present-tense, confessions, just as David did in the Psalms. For example:

Parents sometimes use Time Outs as a sort of punishment for small children. If kids have been misbehaving, then they may be told to sit in a chair for a few minutes by themselves to settle down.

My daughter Charity has an excellent word about Jesus' example for us. He lived out of divine initiative, doing only what He saw His Father do and heard His Father speak.

How can we make that work in our everyday life? What does it actually look like for us? Charity gets into all this and more and I trust you'll be blessed by the message she shares.

Enjoy!