Profane or cruel comments will be deleted, as well as spam and other comments that I feel should be deleted. Grace, of course, is both the beginning and the sustaining of spiritual growth, but growth is growth toward something. Upon reaching the outward disciplines of the individual, Foster warns that the discipline of simplicity is not simply ascetism (p. A book you really have to focus on, but is soooo good and filled with stuff that not only helps but challenges you in your walk with the Lord. He is annoying to watch, his speaking style is not above reproach, and I got so distracted by it that I couldn't hear the message.

His hope for you is to discover the life he created just for you - both here on Earth, and forever in eternity. It beautifully describes, goes into detail, gives examples for, and connects all of the spiritual rhythms in a way that makes them seem realistic, attainable, and necessary for the day to day life.The purpose of the Disciplines is liberation from the stifling slaver to self-interest and fear” (p2). Celebration, then, frees us of an inflated view of our self-importance and of our tendency toward a judgmental spirit (pp. Foster cites Jesus command to forgive (John 20:23) and points out how we miss opportunity to assure and bless our brothers and sisters by not practicing the act of verbal, specific forgiveness (p.

To be clear I'm not your conventional Christian, so bear that in mind if you go any further, and please forgive any irreverence. In his groundbreaking books, teacher, philosopher, and spiritual guide Dallas Willard forever changed the way many Christians experience their faith. Oh, and by the way, let me throw in that one of the reasons I am distant from God is that, sometimes when I come to him, he says nothing--or it just seems dry and stale. Part of this is a difference theological emphasis, but I suspect it also comes down to a difference in personality. One of the most popular and beloved introductions to the concept of faith ever written, Mere Christianity has sold millions of copies worldwide.They help us to slow down, making time and space so that we can simply be with Jesus and let him do a transformative work within us. Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline reads like a cup of strong coffee - pleasant going down, but rather rattling once it enters the stomach. By themselves the Spiritual Disciplines can do nothing; they can only get us to the place where something can be done. He could feel the last dregs of the misery of humankind flow through him and into the care of the Father.

But in the same way God showed me the things I could take from the youth Portakabin into the rest of my life, I believe God wants us to take things from lockdown into the rest of our lives both for our own walk with God and what we bring to our congregations and churches when we can meet together again. The final practice in the Inward Disciplines is study which can be of books, nature, and other areas. Is it just a question of learning from this chapter of our lives and waiting until we can be together again? and casually ends the chapter with: "Now is the time for all who hear the voice of Christ to obey it" (p61). Thomas Merton is quoted with regard to solitude as indicating that it helps him love his brothers (p.

Maybe you’re the woman at the well, or a child that Jesus engages with, perhaps a by stander to a miracle. I love the logical arrangement of chapters, the frank yet nuanced writing style, the direct applicability, and the church history Foster weaves together. He is very careful to warn of the pitfalls in each area as well as extolling the virtues of each practice. Yet at the same time it is seasoned with the language of grace, keeping at bay the lurking inclination towards legalism. And whenever there is a form devoid of spiritual power, law will take over because law always carries with it a sense of security and manipulative power” (p47).