A Layman's Notebook

The author demonstrates to the layperson how he uses various means to advance his own spiritual growth. The means are available to everyone. It is not exhaustive and includes: systematic Bible study, recording quotes from gifted Christian authors’ works, exploring contemporary and theological topics with Christian ministries, and keeping a spiritual journal. The author makes the point that although he had been an ardent churchgoer for years and involved in many religious activities, he had never experienced a genuine conversion until his heart was regenerated by the Holy Spirit. By documenting this turning point of his spiritual journey, he stressed that it is crucial for one to ask God to bring about an authentic change in one’s life. Given that he had to juggle supporting a family, keeping a job, and finding time for spiritual devotion, he also shows his readers that by recording his day-to-day experiences one can discover how God works in one’s life. He then uses such recordings to measure his spiritual progress—steps as well as “missteps”—and place them in a grid framed by the word of God.