If you read about using a journal and have started writing in one, you may find by reviewing what you have written some recurring themes or concerns. In fact you may have found several items that you need to study or find an answer to. We could even call them sins in our lives. List your items and study them for a a few days. Pick an item that you are confidnet you can work on and feel better about yourself easily. Develp a study plan. Read a book, talk with a close friend or discuss with your pastor. You may need to develp a stronger prayer life, or you may have a concern with anger or have some resentment towards somebody or something. Maybe you have relationship problems or finacial concerns. Do you listen or have fears. Any of these can be a goal to work on. If you have financial problems this could be a first step but is not necesarily an easy one to fix. With financial problems you may not be letting God direct your life and until you get a handle on them you will be lost and misdirected.

I have mentioned in an earlier entry about Dave Ramsey and the Financial Peace University. Check it out. He provides some very basic steps toward financial peace.

Increase your understanding of prayer and build your faith. Remember, God doesn't always answer prayers the way we want. Sometimes the answer is wait or not now.  That usually means you have other issues to resolve or in the long run will not be in your best interest.  In this society of I want it now is not Gods way.

All to often I have heard that people who are not in church feel that those who do go to church are just a bunch of hypricrites. I believe they think that because some people tend to feel that if they are a Christian they are above sin. Wrong. A Christian is someone who has accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior and attempt to live the life Christ wants for them. A Christian is not perfect, a Christian is still a sinner and will be be until the day we are received into heavenly life. At least people who go to Church may eventually hear something that will help them lead a better life and find ways to serve God. We live a society that is so based on the 'me" attitude that we forget we are called to serve, we are not called to take but to give.  Giving is a hard thing to do today becasue we are so bombarded with the "it is mine and I want it now" attitude. You owe me. I want things, I need a bigger car, I need a bigger house, I need to wear designer clothes. Well, you DON'T NEED any of it, nothing is yours anyway, it is all Gods. He made it all, and he can take it all, so let go, and God will give you so much more. Have faith in your Lord and God. He will provide what you need.

Using a journal is a beginning only. God wants all of you. It takes commitment and that is hard. It takes work and thought and time. Focus. Being a Christian is just not part time. You have to have God in all aspects of your life and constantly. It not just something you do on Sunday Morning.

Keeping a journal of your thoughts, concerns, and desires is a key element in finding where you are on your journey to spiritual fitness. Use a spiral notebook, a diary, or keep a file on your computer. Use what you can make work for you. I use a notbook and keep it my bed as I usually have my quiet time inthe evening just berfore going to bed. I do a devotional and refer to my prayer list and get centered with Jesus. As I reflect on the day or the week I make notes of my highs and lows, where I feel I felt God's presence or where I didn't turn to him when I should have. Keeping a record and then reviewing what you have written a month later could provide some insigts into who you are and where you are headed and you might be surprised at what you find. You will find that you may be further on lyour journey then you thought but also you will find items where you are lacking and need to work on. Start now if you are not keeping a journal. It will be rewarding.

What is Spiritual Fitness? A really good question. I have some ideas of what I think it might be. First it is different for each one of us. Spiritual Fitness is a life long journey with a destination of entry into heaven.

Help me answer this question with your comments and ideas of what your spiritual fitness journey consists of.

I will add at this time that I feel a personal journal is essential as a foudation to beginning the journey.