Friday, September 19, 2014

Blog Description

The fiction and non-fiction writings of Stacy Duplease. * A How-To Journal, How-To Prayer Journal, How-To Bible Journal, How-To Write Fiction, How-To Write a Novel blog

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC. 2014. Norfolk Botanical Garden.)

Bible and Prayer Journaling September 19, 2014

Words to pray, journal, and contemplate today.

Psalm 19:7-14 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

7 The instruction of the Lord is perfect,
renewing one’s life;
the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy,
making the inexperienced wise.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
making the heart glad;
the command of the Lord is radiant,
making the eyes light up.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are reliable
and altogether righteous.
10 They are more desirable than gold—
than an abundance of pure gold;
and sweeter than honey,
which comes from the honeycomb.
11 In addition, Your servant is warned by them;
there is great reward in keeping them.

12 Who perceives his unintentional sins?
Cleanse me from my hidden faults.
13 Moreover, keep Your servant from willful sins;
do not let them rule over me.
Then I will be innocent
and cleansed from blatant rebellion.
14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to You,
Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

How can I apply these verses to my life?

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC 2014)

Thursday, September 18, 2014

My Writing Notebook and Journaling September 18, 2014

2014-09-18 08:11:17, Thursday

I'm being pulled to write a different kind of book. It's part historical fiction and part contemporary fiction. It isn't an idea I would have come up on my own, put of the Blue like this. Not now. But, it has. The idea started to come to me last night and it's grown stronger this morning.

I had the idea originally a while back and did some research on the subject, and even started to write a book on it, but never did anything with it. I'm not sure why I stopped.

I just looked up when the idea came to me originally and found it was on September 02, 2013. A year ago. Interesting.

So, I think I'm going to write it now.

It will be what I write for National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo or NaNo) in November, but I will start researching it, outlining it, and writing it this week.

It will without a doubt be a series.

Oh, I'm so excited!

(Note to Self: Wings and Prayers)

So, yes. I've begun to focus my sights on NaNoWriMo. (Yep. Excited about that, too.)

(Photo and image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC September 2014)

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Personal Journal September 17, 2014, Wednesday

2014-09-17 07:25:49

(How-To Journal and Obsessive Thoughts, Worry, and Anxiety)

It's rare for me to approach my journal, and the empty page, and go blank and not know what to write. Well, today is one of those days. (Sigh.)

So, what now?

I have lots of options, if I think about and can use any or all of my options. For instance, a journaling prompt could be most useful, for example. However, I think I will try this approach first:

What is preventing me from journaling or wanting to journal?

Huh. No idea.

I have too much to say and not much to say at the same time, if that makes sense. So, what is preventing me from journaling?

Crickets. Blank.

Has anything been on my mind?

I've been abnormally anxious. I have no idea why. I worry about everything little thing right.now and obsess on it. Not sure why.

Is it because there are so many uncertainties in my life right now?

I think so. So, how can I stop this thought obsession and anxiety? Aha! There's a Bible verse for that:

Philippians 4:6 Expanded Bible (EXB)

6 Do not ·worry [be anxious] about anything, but pray and ·ask God for everything you need [or make your requests known to God], always giving thanks.

Expanded Bible (EXB)

So, rather than obsess, and worry and feel anxious, I should pray and give thanks continually.

That's too easy.

I'm going to keep praying this verse today, particularly if I start obsessing again. I will replace the thought with this verse and will list three blessings.

What Do You Journal When You Are Blank?

What Do You Journal When You Are Blank? What About When You Dont Know Where or How to Begin?

I've journaled for thirty-two years or so and there are times I am blank and simply don't have a clue what to journal for whatever reason. It happens. Today is one of those days.

So, what do you do when this happens?

There are many things you can do. Here are a few ideas:

-- Start with writing out the question: How am I?

-- Start with writing out the question: What's new?

-- List three of your blessings.

-- List three things that have happened, or you have noticed, in the last 24 hours (that you haven't already journaled about).

-- List three memories.

-- What if?

-- I wish...

-- I feel...

-- I think...

Journaling Exercise or Prompt

What thoughts keep coming to your mind that sidetrack you from the things you should really focus on today?

Verse of the Day BibleGateway.com

Ephesians 5:1-2Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

5 Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children. 2 And walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Prayer Journal your thoughts.