SOAP journaling for 2013

Start SOAP Journaling in 2013

Many people make New Year's commitments to read the Bible every day. As you start 2013, you may be considering whether or not to make daily Bible reading a habit in your life. I want to encourage you to go for it (even if you read this post after the beginning of 2013).

The S.O.A.P. method is a great way to feed yourself spiritually on the Word of God. And it's a simple tool to pass on to anyone that you are discipling to make disciples.

S - Scripture
O - Observation
A - Application
P - Prayer

Recently, my friend Steve Ogne sent me some simple instructions with a great list of questions to ask for using this method effectively.

How Do I Study the Bible?

STOP and clear your mind.
PRAY and ask God to speak.
READ the passage in a comfortable translation/.
ASK the right questions.
WRITE your insights, questions, and applications.

S - Scripture
-- What testament am I in? (before or after Christ)
-- What kind of literature is it? (history, law, prophets, poetry, gospel, letters)
-- Who is writing to whom and why?
-- Copy the verses that spoke to you into your journal.

O - Observation
-- What are the commands to obey?
-- What are the promises to claim?
-- What does it teach me about God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit?
-- What questions do I have?

A - Application
-- How will this truth change me or my family?
-- Where do I fall short and who can help me?
-- What will I change in my attitudes, behaviors, or relationships?
-- What will I do today as a result of this study?

P - Prayer
-- Where do you need God's help?
-- Where do you need God's forgiveness?
-- What are you thankful for?
-- Write them in a prayer right now.

The most important part of using this S.O.A.P. method is your commitment to obey God and His Word. Your response in loving obedience to what you've just read and studied is critical.

Don't skip asking and answering the question in bold above!

The apostle James writes, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."

Today's Missional Challenge: Commit yourself to feed yourself spiritually on God's Word everyday in 2013! Start SOAP Journaling!

S.O.A.P. Journaling

How do you feed your soul?

How will you become spiritually strong? 

Journaling is an excellent way to both record and process what God has spoken to you. It's also a useful tool to reflect on and review some of the 'learnings' that you have received. Without writing them down, you may forget those blessings and some very important lessons! And while journaling is a very personal time with the Lord, you may want to share some of your daily journaling with your core group, or others who don’t yet know Jesus. By discussing what you learn with others, you may be able to look deeper into what God is speaking to you, gain new insight and even encourage others.

S = SCRIPTURE: What?

Select the passage of Scripture for today’s reading. Ask God to speak to you through His Word. Then take time reading to hear from God. When you are done, look for the verse(s) that spoke to you that day, and copy into your journal.

O = OBSERVATION: So What?

What is the meaning of what you’ve just read? What is the author intending to communicate to his readers? Paraphrase and write the meaning in your own words in your journal.

A = APPLICATION: Now What?

Personalize what you have read by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now. Perhaps it is instruction, encouragement, revelation of a new promise, or corrections for a particular area of your life. Write down how you would obey this Scripture in your life today. Include a statement that starts “I will…”

P = PRAYER

This can be as simple as asking God to help you obey this Scripture, or it may be a greater insight on what He may be revealing to you. Remember, prayer is a two way conversation, so be sure to listen to what God has to say! Now, write it out.

It may be helpful to create an Index at the front of your journal that helps you find a particular journal entry in the future that spoke to you. Each day, copy the Date, Key Verse, Main Idea, and Page Number into your Index.

Now SHARE what God has taught you with someone else. As you discover how to follow Jesus, help others around you to follow Jesus.

Read the Bible in 2013...in community

Would you like to join me in reading through the whole Bible next year?

 I'll be reading the same thing you are so if questions come up, we can discuss them.

 It averages out to just above 3 chapters per day.I'm thinking about using the guide from Wayne Cordiero in The Divine Mentor or one of The Message reading guides--I'd love your input if you've got a system.

If we get a few folks we may be able to find a fun way to use Google Hangouts to discuss either weekly or at the end of each book!

You may know, or you'll learn tomorrow, that I've fallen off the wagon the last two years, and I want to get back on it.  I'll be more likely to stay on the wagon if I've got some accountability. Consider joining me! https://www.facebook.com/karenmuntzing

What didn't make the message...

Reflections from January 8, 2011...

As I was sitting at my computer yesterday in the midst of my message, I scrolled facebook while talking to my mom. I learned of the shootings of a Congresswoman and a number (7?) of gathered others at a day on her congressional district yesterday.12 persons were affected directly by gunfire. I can’t help but wonder if the shooting was motivated by fear. I understand the suspect is in custody.

In the wake of the death of Officer Hopper in Springfield, the reason for which we may never have answers, I am at a loss.

In my conversation with my mother, I asked if she could ever imagine a more divided nation, since she has a few more decades than me. She said no. I asked if she ever remembered a more violent time. She said no.

Of course, she has always been a middle class white educated female. I am certain there are folks in other life categories, other races, sexual identities, nationalities who have experienced more violence than her or me.

I am mindful of Sarah and two friends playing together upstairs, organizing a political campaign for JA Bizztown later this week.

One of my reasons for not having children sooner was that I was afraid of the world in which I might be raising my offspring. That was one of the numerous fears I overcame…but overcoming doesn’t meant hat fears are unfounded.

We follow one who says that perfect love casts out fear.But fear, any fear, can wield irreparable damage. Irreparable for God? No…nothing is…but that doesn’t mean folks come back to life. It doesn’t mean the dead rise. It doesn’t mean it’s safe to walk the streets. It doesn’t mean it’s safe to speak your mind…or to do your job, which is what Suzanne Hopper and Gabby Giffords were doing when they were shot.

Sarah and her friends were throwing darts. She came in the office to print something. I asked what it was. A picture of Justin Bieber. After much misunderstanding, I learned that they wanted to put his face on the dartboard and throw at it.

I was silent, stunned to hear such words from Sarah. She hadn’t been watching the news, and I remain deeply shaken by it. I explained to her the situation: People had been shot in Arizona. It appeared to be a targeted, deliberate act aimed at one person and those around her. It had been thought out, and those thoughts became action. And now people were dead and wounded. And the blood was spattered from coast to coast. I don’t think she understood me, but she could tell how upset I was.

We talked more about it later...and maybe she understands now. I was paralyzed after 9/11, paralyzed into action and higher consciousness of what was going on around me, around us. I pray for the same kind of awakening from this tragedy.

wack dream

Really wack dream. Finding pallets of treasure stashed away...at the church. Seemed they were in Eurotech-ish space. But I'm not sure if they were moved in from their hiding place or found there. Woke up before we fully went through them to see what was present or fully ascertained value. It was clear that we'd be provided for for a long, long time. Treasure was of various ages...very old, priceless in value, and newer, more potable, if you will, currency. Made me wonder how we used all of this to God's glory for the sake of the Kin-dom of God where we are and beyond. Not a bad dream to have into the new year. Metaphor of how much really is at our disposal...at God's disposal. Literally pallets of treasure, full of blessings unknown. I don't recall reading "in God we trust" on anything, whether that makes a difference or not...clearly it was all God's...will continue chewing on that one as I was rather reflexive in thought before sleeping, and when waking to that imagery.

looking back and looking forward

I've been reading of how we are beginning a new decade. It starts today. As I ruminated on that, I began to think of the life changes of the last decade in my life's history.

By this date in 2001, I had been a mother for 7 months. I was working for a company who had great respect for my knowledge and capacity, and who loved and cared for my family extravagantly! I was in my second DISCIPLE 1 class making friends who continue to form and shape my life. Sarah was terminally dubbed "The Church Baby" by Bill and Melinda. Brook was in the class, an answer to a prayer from more than 2 years prior, and God was stirring me up fiercely again. It had been during my first run through DISCIPLE that I had heard God calling my name again. (The first time was in the holy roller time in high school. Multiple doors had opened for me, but I did not have the "in flesh" confirmation from those around me, and so I turned another direction. The departure became more and more rapid as my rejection of the call increased...). The first and second times I heard that noise, I paid no attention. I didn't share it with anyone, except the information department at ATS--they'd have to pay some attention to me, right, since I had my undergrad from there. I just hoped they didn't have any records on me other than my respectable transcript...

The third time was the charm, as some might call it. Others might call it something entirely different! The third time, I dared to share the noise with my pastor and friend. Mebane was no help! Entirely sarcastic! She, perhaps, had heard or seen something in me, including the Holy Spirit working in my life. She had seen my growing, even impetuous at times service in the church, sometimes being in places for reasons I did not know. She knew some of my bad and ugly and loved me still. She listened to my stirrings and then let me know something previously unknown to me: there was a UM seminary right up the road, in fact 16 miles door to door from my Plain City home. Hmm...but I really don't know much about this formal God-learning stuff. I would be way behind the curve of others there. My other spiritual guide, Denise, had just gotten involved with a Youth Ministry Institute up there, so she had connections. She could make a phone call, or give me the connective information. Enter Colleen, who would be the first bride I would serve-assist after graduation from seminary some nearly 4 years later...

I was in a field where I was regionally respected, even as a near "expert" to some. I was well rewarded for my labors, as I said, extravagantly above. All was well with my world, especially in terms of markers of success. As I look at the trajectory of the company I was with, I have no doubt I'd have continued to grow and excel had I stayed with them. And they would have continued to love me extravagantly. They did continue to love me extravagantly as I began the next phase of my life journey...

Something was stirring deep inside of me. Someone was stirring. Restless heart. Restless soul. Restlessness. Why? What? Absurd to leave where I was, especially to chase something for which I was so ill equipped! I would never catch up on the knowledge curve! Ever! I wasn't sleeping well. I was made uncomfortable by the Word I was allowing to seep into me. I began to talk about it with some who were very close to me. I was falling deeper and deeper in love with my daughter, even as I was falling deeper and deeper in love with God. Why would I mess with things as they were pretty darn good....

I talked to Brook. I made an appointment to see Colleen. My feet never touched the ground. I met Lisa and Judy, one with whom I'd had contact while some ugly church stuff was happening at Jerome. I met Molly, Peg, and more. I called Brook as I left. We needed to talk. We met at the microbrewery on 23, appropriate for us. I told him what I was feeling, and he supported me, and we made plans for me to enroll as an occasional student. I was about to jump into some water that was legions over my head...but I was diving in...

2 Chronicles 6

I'm finishing up my bible reading for 2010. I confess I fell off the wagon after riding so diligently during the New Testament Challenge. I was struck today multiple times as I read history, prayers and dedications of David in 1 Chronicles. When I got into 2 Chronicles and Solomon's wisdom and work, I stopped at ch. 6, his dedication and prayer...and I felt like writing it...to pray it more diligently and directly, and wondered if I might allow it to be a regular prayer in 2011 for the church I serve and for the greater Church in the world. I'm still reading from The Message...

Then Soloman said, God said he would dwell in a cloud, But I've built a temple most splendid, a place for you to live in forever. The king then turned to face the congregation that had come together and blessed them:

"Blessed be God, the God of Israel, who spoke personally to my father David. Now he has done what he promised when he said, 'From the day I brought my people Israel up from Egypt, I haven't set apart one city or chosen one person to be the leader. But now I have chosen both a city and a person: Jerusalem for honoring my name and David to lead my people Israel.'

"My father David very much wanted to build a temple honoring the Name of God, the God of Israel, but God told him, 'It was good that wanted to build a temple in my honor-most commendable! But you are not the one to do it. Your son, who will carry on your dynasty, will build it for my name.'

"And now you see the promise completed. God has done what he said he would do; I have succeeded David my father and now rule Israel, and have secured a place for the Chest that holds the Covenant of God, the covenant he made with the people of Israel."

Before the entire congregation of Israel, Solomon took his position at the Altar of God and stretched out his hands. Solomon had made a bronze dias seven and a half feet square and four and a half feet high and placed it inside the court; that's where he now stood. Then he knelt in full view of the whole congregation, stretched his hands to heaven and prayed:

God, O God of Israel, there is no God like you in the skies above or on the earth below, who unswervingly keeps covenant with his servants and unfailingly loves them while they sincerely live in obedience to your way. You kept your word to David my father, your promise. You did exactly what you promised-every detail. The proof is before us today.

Keep it up, God, O God of Israel! Continue to keep the promises you made to David my father when you said, "You'll always have a descendant to represent my rule on Israel's throne, on the one condition that your sons are as careful to live obediently in my presence as you have."

O God, God of Israel, let all of this happen--confirm and establish it!

Can it be that God will actually move into our neighborhood? Why, the cosmos itself isn't large enough to give you breathing room, let alone this Temple I've built. Even so, I'm bold to ask: Pay attention to these my prayers, both intercessory and personal, O God, my God. Listen to my prayers, energetic and devout, that I'm setting before you right now. Keep your eyes open to this Temple day and night, this place you promised to dignify with your Name. And listen to the prayers that I pray in this place. And listen to your people Israel when they pray in this place.

Listen from your home in heaven and when you hear, forgive.

When someone hurts a neighbor and promises to make things right, and then comes and repeats the promise before your altar in this Temple, listen from heaven and act; judge your servants, making the offender pay for the offense and set the offended free, dismissing all charges.

When your people Israel are beaten by an enemy because they've sinned against you, but then turn to you and acknowledge your rule in prayers desperate and devout in this Temple, Listen from your home in heaven; forgive the sins of your people Israel, return them to the land you gave to them and their ancestors.

When the skies shrivel up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, but then they pray at this place acknowledging your rule and quit their sins because you scurged them, listen from your home in heaven, forgive the sins of your servants, your people Israel. Then start over with them; train them to live right and well; send rain on the land you gave as inheritance to your people.

When disasters strike, famine or catastrophe, crop failure or disease, locust or beetle, or when an enemy attacks their defenses-calamity of any sort-any prayer that's prayed from anyone at all among your people Israel, their hearts penetrated by disaster, hands and arms thrown out for help to this Temple, listen from your home in heaven, forgive and reward us: reward each life circumstance, for you know each life from the inside, you're the only one with such knowledge, so they'll live before you in this lifelong reverence and believing obedience on this land you gave our ancestors.

And don't forget the foreigner who is not a member of your people Israel but has come from a far country because of your reputation-people are going to be attracted here by your great reputation, your wonder-working power--and who come to pray to the Temple.

Listen from your home in heaven and honor the prayers of the foreigner, so that people all over the world will know who you are and what you're like, and live in reverent obedience before you, just as your own people Israel do, so they'll know that you personally make this temple that I've built what it is.

When your people go to war against their enemies at the time and place you send them and they pray to God toward the city you chose and the temple I've built to honor your name, listen from heaven to what they pray and ask for and do what is right for them.

When they sin against you-and they certainly will; there's no one without sin!--and in anger you turn them over to the enemy and they are taken captive to the enemy's land, whether far or near, but repent in the country of their captivity and pray with changed hearts in their exile, "We've sinned; we've done wrong; we've been most wicked." and turn back to you heart and soul in the land of the enemy who conquered them, and pray to you toward their home land, the land you gave their ancestors, toward the city you chose, and this Temple I have built to the honor of your Name,

Listen from your home in heaven to their prayers desperate and devout; do what is best for them. Forgive your people who have sinned against you.

And now, dear God, be alert and attentive to prayer, all prayer, offered in this place.

Up, God, enjoy your new place of quiet repose, you and your mighty covenant Chest; Dress your priests up in salvation clothes, let your holy people celebrate your goodness. And don't, God, back out on your anointed ones, keep in mind the love promised to David your servant."

Luke 2:1-20

"Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."

"Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him."

Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.

May I not keep the Christmas story to myself this year, nor to my family, and my congregation. May I incarnate the love of God as I go through my day to day. May I live as if the Kingdom of God has arrived on earth, as it is in heaven. May I live fully immersed in the already/not yet reality of God with us. Your kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.