For this blog and the several to follow, I’d like to share with you DICK’S FIVE RULES FOR THE DEVOTIONAL LIFE that have worked for me in keeping it fresh and meaningful for quite a few years.  Please don’t think I’m implying it’s fresh and meaningful every day. 

Rule 1:  SET ASIDE TIME WITH GOD.  I certainly pray when I’m riding in the car, as I’m heading into a meeting, or when I’m on the way to or in the middle of a ticklish situation.  These times are important.  They involve the discipline that Brother Lawrence called practicing the presence of God (in a famous book by that title – well worth reading).  However, they are insufficient to developing a walk with God.  They are more the outcome of a good relationship or walk with God than they are the cause of a great relationship.  As with everyone you are close to, you have to spend dedicated, focused time with that person – time that you sacrifice in order to spend that time with him or her.  I don’t think there’s a set amount of time you need to spend with God to have a successful walk.  I’ve heard lots of speculation about the amount of time you need to spend, but it seems to me to be just speculation or personal experience.  However, one thing everyone whose walk I respect has in common is dedicated time with God – time when they’re off alone with Him.  These times will vary as to amounts and intensity, probably dependent upon life circumstances, personality, and sense of need.  Is this a daily aim of yours?  It should be.  The blessings of dedicated time with God are enormous.

Writing is easier for some than others, and journaling doesn’t bless everyone.  However, a huge number of people who thought it would not help them and they wouldn’t like it have found it is an awesome help.  It might help if you think of it as your God blog.  Tell Him what’s going on, what you wonder, need, hate, love, and want.  He is interested in the hairs on your head, so He surely cares about this other stuff.  Journaling works best for me when I’m trying to solve a big problem.  But there have been times when it was my routine way of interacting with God.  No, I make no attempt to be absolutely consistent in how I relate to God, but I am very disciplined in spending personal time with Him every day.  I need Him, and I want my actions to show that.  So – journal or prayer blog – I don’t think it matters what you call it.  But if you try it, it might just help you.