Preserve Your Spiritual Legacy
One day when I was reading my Bible, the Lord led me to find the Hebrew word Revach which means “to breathe freely, to revive, to have ample room, to be extended, to be refreshed.” It also means “deliverance and liberation from distress.” Over the last ten years the Lord has shown me that this word speaks figuratively of the pages of our journals. We are refreshed and renewed as we slow down to record our life stories. We are revived as we remember the hand of the Lord in our lives. There is ample room to express what’s on our hearts to Him. Our journal pages become a testimony of deliverance and answered prayers. We have liberation from distress as we see how God faithfully uses our trials, past and present, to conform us to the image of Christ. Often, we’re too busy trying to cope with everyday struggles and minor irritations to see the connections that God makes with us—the answers to our prayers.
A spiritual journal is a practical way of recording the good part of life; sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to His still, small voice. 1 Kings 19:7 (NASB) says: “And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him [Elijah], and said, ‘Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you…’ Then He said, ‘Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.’ And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rock in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire, a still small voice. So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’”
Do you ever wonder what you’re doing here? I know I do! Sometimes the journey is too great. There are times of intense struggle when we feel our hearts will break in two, and we have no strength to take another step. It’s at times like these that nothing but the voice of God will do. A prayer journal is a place to hear God’s voice as you record your spiritual journey. Journaling gives you hindsight and vision, showing you where you have been, what you are doing here, and where you are going. A daily record of the Bible verses that you study, your struggles, your prayers, and the answers to your prayers will all be a legacy to your children of your relationship with the living God. Father, You are the Living Word. Help us to draw near to you in the pages of our journals and lead us to Revach.
“This morning I made the last entry in the journal that I’ve been keeping for over a year. It was a bitter sweet feeling to close those pages, but I eagerly anticipate starting another journal. What dialog will fill the new pages? The tears flowed freely this morning as I fought to quiet my heart, as I sought a connection with my Father. Finally, the words came rushing from His heart to mine, and from my heart to His. I am thankful for His faithfulness. He never turns a deaf ear.
Upon the White – By Jill Novak
I thank you Lord for this new day To write upon the white,
Words committed to the lines Broken and contrite.
In the morning when all is still My prayer shall rise to Thee,
Praises from a longing heart Thy hidden face to see.
In the morning when all is still My words shall then take flight,
Into Your presence – upward, rise Expectant, giving sight.
I thank you Lord for words of life To write upon the white,
Words committed to the lines, broken and contrite.
The Gift of Family Writing Bundle consists of the following products:
The Gift of Family Writing Book and Audio Workshop by Jill Novak – The Gift of Family Writing is a result of what I’ve discovered over the last ten years from teaching my four children (pre-school through high school) to journal their life stories. Just like your children, they are so unique, with different learning styles and temperaments. But I have learned that all children – not just the naturally gifted ones – can confidently express themselves if they are taught to value their life experiences and write from what they know. For parents and children. Book on CD with instructional audio workshop on CD. – $34.95
Letters to my Children CD Workshop by Jill Novak – We blog, instant message, and email our friends and associates on a regular basis, but sadly our own children get lost in the mix. It doesn’t have to be this way, though. See how to keep hearts connected by writing meaningful letters and spontaneous notes to your children. Jill Novak shares inspiring and practical tips for establishing a letter writing ministry that will strengthen your family relationships and become a testimony for generations to come. Learn how the written word has the power to change hearts, transform lives and give vision. Create a legacy of love for your children and grandchildren, one letter at a time with Letters to My Children –A Legacy of Love for all Generations. – 2 hours $12.95
Forget Me Not Faith CD Workshop by Jill Novak – God is writing “His” story every day, and its right at the end of your fingertips. This workshop will inspire you to record your family’s spiritual journey with purpose and clarity. Reflections, observations, prayers, testimonies, tributes, poetry, and letters can all be preserved in a Book of Remembrance (Malachi 3:16) that will strengthen your faith and make an eternal impact for generations to come. – $9.95
Remembering Grandma Abbott CD Workshop by Nancy Baetz – is a personal story of how the Lord blessed and brought a little girl to know Him through the care of a loving neighbor. Even when we donʹt see it or donʹt think it could be happening, the Lord orchestrates events and relationships that lead us to Him. Remembering Grandma Abbott is the story of how a little girl named Nancy Kay came to love her missionary neighbor, Shelley Abbott.You will learn about some of the life‐changing events in Nancyʹs life and how Shelley was there for her time after time. Most of all youʹll see how Shelley prayed for Nancy and told her about the Good News of Jesus Christ. Remembering Grandma Abbott is a ʺside note storyʺ that goes with ʺI Remember,ʺ a tribute written about Grandma Shelley Abbott which has been published in both The Girlhood Home Companion: Girlhoodʹs Most Cherished Lessons and The Gift of Family Writing, published by Remembrance Press. – $9.95
Total: $67.80 Sale Price: $44.07 (35% off)
http://www.remembrancepressbookstore.com/servlet/the-61/The-Gift-of-Family/Detail
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Start a Letter-Writing Ministry to Your Children Today!
A Legacy for All Generations
There are as many reasons to write a letters as there are people to receive them. Still, a practice so commonplace in previous centuries has become a lost art to our generation. Many parents are rediscovering the truth in the saying, “The pen is mightier than the sword!” and have committed to writing letters to their children on a regular basis. Whether you are writing about a moment you’ve shared, saying thank you, or giving your child a vision for the future, letter writing is vital for nurturing relationships.
The Inspiration for Writing to My Children
I know that my mother liked to dabble with words. I have a few of her precious attempts at poetry and prose, but the writing that I hold dear to my heart are the two letters that she penned to me over her whole lifetime. It hardly seems possible that I lived with her for 22 years and only have two letters to show for it.
Her poetry gives me glimpses into her heart, her love of family and nature – things we share in common – but her letters give me a sense of belonging and purpose. Her words, though few, are well chosen and give me the vision to write letters to my children on a regular basis.
Two Letters from my Mother
Dear Jill,
It’s about 4 a.m. Christmas morning and as I lie here thinking of all of you I want to cry for the joy God has put in my heart for our family. I’ve always prayed He would do special things with each one of you. I prayed for your salvation when I really didn’t know Him so well. Can you imagine what He has in store for all of you now that we really know Him? Know Him like we never knew Him before! May the power of God which transcends all understanding be yours forever and may the Holy Spirit hover over all of you, and protect you every hour of every day.
In the Love of Christ Jesus,
MomDear Jill,
I want you to know how much I appreciate you thoughtfulness. Everything you do and say is very much appreciated by me, but I don’t always have the chance to put in words what I feel. In loving Claire, you might have some idea how I as a mother have felt for you. That doesn’t change because you are a woman, it just becomes a mature caring at this point and seeing your relationship with Claire tells me that the love my mother had for me has come through to be seen in your love for Claire. Love is what it is all about isn’t it? God love your little family, and may the Holy Spirit abound richly in each one of you.
Love,
Mom
Little did my mother know the impact that these two letters would have in my life and the lives of her grandchildren. She left a legacy of love and a memorial to her relationship with the Lord. You can do the same. Letter witting is one of the most effective ways to minister to the heart of your child and give him a vision for his life.
Last week, my daughter Elizabeth came to talk to me when I was working on the revised edition of The Gift of Family Writing. She glanced at the monitor and saw the two letters that my mother wrote to me. As she snuggled into my lap, I began to read them to her. I didn’t realize until that moment that she hadn’t heard of these letters before, so I explained that they were the only letters that my mother wrote to me over her lifetime. “Well, I hope you write lots of letters to me,” she said. Her comment challenged me once again to make it a priority to write to my children on a regular basis.
The Gift of Family Writing is filled with examples that will inspire and equip you to begin a letter writing ministry to your family today. Learn about the many different types of letters that you can write to your children.
Dear Jill,
My Daughter turned eighteen last week. What a milestone! I wanted to do something special for her, so I wrote her a letter. I wrote about many of the memories I have of her life and then I wrote some verses of Scripture based on the theme of “fearing the Lord”. On the envelope on put stickers that were symbols of things from her life.
That same week one of her friends was having a “princess” party. She secretly wrote to each girl’s father and asked them to write a letter to his daughter to be read at the party. Writing is difficult for my husband. He agonized over this letter. However, the final result was beautiful! He wrote of memories he had of her and inside things that only she and he shared. What a cherished gift.
Now I plan to write letters to each of my family for the holiday season (we celebrate Hanukkah). Thank you so much for the inspiration.
Thank you,
Jennifer White
Be Inspired by Jennifer’s Letter in
The Gift of Family Writing
Record Your Life Stories as They Happen!
Like the genealogies of the Bible, words beget words and stories beget stories. Before you know it, you’re recording the ordinary moments of your day, and something extraordinary happens—you and your children become writers! The gift of words and the means of expressing them flow from the heart of God to all of your children. When you teach them to capture their thoughts, feelings, and perceptions on paper, you enable them to remember; and in remembering your family members are bonded to each other and the Lord in a more profound way.
Families are constantly changing. Children grow up and leave childish things behind. As time goes by, the memory of your home life with them fades. It doesn’t have to be this way, though. Your family’s life stories and unique spiritual heritage can be preserved through The Gift of Family Writing.
Remembering the Past
Every family has at least one member who can remember—as if it were yesterday—events that happened in the family when he or she was a child. My husband Robert (the only boy among three sisters) is the storyteller in his family. Most of his accounts are about the family farm and fishing trips in Canada. Our children were raised on these stories and value them as part of their heritage. When our family moved to a farm in 1999, new “farm stories” began to take shape. I recorded them in a journal, knowing we would forget these experiences if I didn’t write them down. My husband’s love of storytelling had rubbed off on me.
Gradually I was drawn to read books about recording your life stories and writing from the heart. Geared toward adults, these books focused on writing memoirs or life stories for your children and grandchildren. As I read, a thought arose in my mind: Why aren’t we recording our children’s life stories as they happen? We’re with them all the time. What wouldn’t any of us give to read—in our own words—the accounts of people, places, or things that mattered to us when we were young? How much easier it would be for our children to write their life stories now, while they’re still fresh on their minds!
I began to really listen to my children. I was amazed to hear how many words they used to describe their experiences, and surprised at how naturally they expressed themselves. The younger ones only needed me to write their stories down. A bond formed that wasn’t there before; I was hearing the hearts of my children through the words of their experience.
Recording Your Life Stories
You may not have thought about recording your life stories together as a family. I know I hadn’t. I’m amazed that it never occurred to me to have my two oldest children narrate their daily experiences to me when they were younger. I didn’t realize that we could write about all the wonderful things we’ve done together as a family or that I could preserve my spiritual walk so my children and grandchildren would know the awesome God we serve. One thing I’ve learned, though, it’s never too late to journal your life stories. As long as you live and breathe there will be plenty of experiences to preserve on paper.
Nurturing Family Relationships
By Jill NovakIf there is one word that describes The Gift of Family Writing, it’s relationship—the relationship of family members to one another through the written word. The written word has the power to bless, bond, heal, guide, and give life because written communication is a gift from God. Only within the security of family relationships do we have the freedom to express what’s on our hearts and anticipate a response. Through journaling and letter writing, relationships with God and our family members are strengthened.
Interactive Journaling
Interactive journaling is an exchange of words between parents and children, siblings and spouses. This type of journaling is nothing like the secret diaries we grew up with. Family members are encouraged to minister to one another by writing in each other’s journals. Interactive journaling allows words to be given away as gifts for the purpose of building strong relationships; it’s a form of communication that bridges the gap like no other.
Lately, as I have been transcribing one of my children’s life stories or entering a word of encouragement in their journals, I’ve wondered how I can convey the joy I feel when I know that I am connecting with each one of them in such a profound way. I used to think journaling was an option, but I’m not so sure anymore. If there’s no record of your family’s walk with the Lord, what do your children have when they leave home to start families of their own? Only memories! What does the next generation have? A few impressions of their godly heritage—that’s all! When I pondered this question these words came to me in the form of a poem.
No Words ~ by Jill Novak
I had a family but I kept no words
To describe the way their faces looked
Or the way they used to call my name
I try to remember but it’s all so vague.
My mind is old and cannot see
Beyond the veiled tapestry.
The life I know I must have lived
Beyond recall and ever dim.
I ask myself, how can this be?
Oh, memory, how you fail me.
I am often asked, “What kind of words can we write in each other’s journals?” You can write words about everyday moments, special times, Father’s and Mother’s Day, birthdays, blessing parties, anniversaries, observations about life, words of encouragement, apologies, words of healing, and the testimony of your spiritual journey. I’ve highlighted the possibilities in The Gift of Family Writing.
Order the Gift of Family Writing and Audio Workshop on CD here http://www.remembrancepressbookstore.com/servlet/the-13/The-Gift-of-Family/Detail
