{"id":2355,"date":"2008-08-28T21:08:39","date_gmt":"2008-08-28T21:08:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/newswire\/?p=2355"},"modified":"2010-12-22T12:22:03","modified_gmt":"2010-12-22T17:22:03","slug":"6539","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/newswire\/2008\/08\/28\/6539\/","title":{"rendered":"Journaling: A Way to Find God, Says NPTS Professor"},"content":{"rendered":"

CHICAGO, IL (August 28, 2008) \u2013 Helen Cepero, director of spiritual formation at North Park Theological Seminary, says she didn\u2019t realize how vulnerable she was in her new book on journaling was until she reread it.
\n
\nJournaling as a Spiritual Practice: Encountering God Through Attentive Writing<\/em><\/a> includes distillations from Cepero\u2019s own journal that explore various parts of her life. Passages reveal the fact that she has dealt with a physical disability, the struggles and joys of her relationship with God, and even how swimming strengthens her physically, emotionally, and spiritually.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I\u2019m trying to do is say, \u2018Here is something from my life; you might have something like this in your life,\u2019 \u201d says Cepero. She is most happy that \u201cI hear my authentic voice. That\u2019s really me.\u201d<\/p>\n

The personal nature of the book, which also interweaves theological reflections and insights from fellow journalers, sets the book apart from others on the subject, Cepero says. \u201cThis is not a textbook.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cepero promotes the spiritual exercise because, \u201cJournaling is an accessible and mostly non-threatening way for people to journey to themselves and God.\u201d<\/p>\n

To enrich the reader\u2019s journey, each chapter offers structured guidance. \u201cFollowing a structure means you\u2019re not doing it alone,\u201d Cepero says. \u201cMy goal is not to make people become journalers but that they would be transformed.\u201d<\/p>\n

The process of transformation can be intimidating at times, however, she acknowledges. Many of us have really big critics living inside of us,\u201d she explains. \u201cPeople feel like their life isn\u2019t good enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cepero emphasizes that journaling benefits people if they focus on the positives in their lives as well as difficult issues. \u201cWe throw away the good stuff. We need to pick that up again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although most people consider journaling a private activity, Cepero believes her book is best used in community. She has included an appendix on how small groups can use it together. Group members can help support others and offer fresh insights.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow someone else hears the same thing may surprise you,\u201d Cepero says.<\/p>\n

Cepero has used the material in the book over the past several years with students at the seminary. Part of that work has included sharing parts of their journals, although she never requires students to share anything they are uncomfortable revealing. Students have expressed how beneficial the practice has been.<\/p>\n

Although she is a strong proponent of journaling, Cepero is no legalist. She takes issue with other writers who stress that people must journal every day. \u201cHardly any of us does that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yet all too frequently that expectation is what keeps people from starting, Cepero says. She adds, however, \u201cWe don\u2019t say, \u2018If you don\u2019t pray every day, then you shouldn\u2019t do it.\u2019 \u201d<\/p>\n

Those expectations also have induced unnecessary guilt. \u201cI always have people apologize when they begin a journaling class,\u201d Cepero says.<\/p>\n

People will be helped if they remember, \u201cYou can\u2019t do it because it\u2019s something you \u2018have to do,\u2019 \u201d Cepero says. \u201cIt\u2019s not the end in itself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Report This Post<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

CHICAGO, IL (August 28, 2008) \u2013 Helen Cepero, director of spiritual formation at North Park Theological Seminary, says she didn\u2019t realize how vulnerable she was in her new book on journaling was until she reread it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2355","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nJournaling: A Way to Find God, Says NPTS Professor - Covenant Newswire Archives<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/newswire\/2008\/08\/28\/6539\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Journaling: A Way to Find God, Says NPTS Professor - 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