Some of the disciplines were more relevant than others and some disciplines I would choose to live out differently in my life. in the end, this book puts too much focus on striving for mystical revelations, rather than grounding everything in the sure word of God. By themselves the Spiritual Disciplines can do nothing; they can only get us to the place where something can be done.

But from what I can tell the heart of his message has remained the same, and he has stayed true to the quiet voice that knocked me on the floor those many years ago. The idea is that daily scripture study and prayer is not to check off a to-do list, but actually change my life and who I am.Three years after his death, the influence of this provocative Christian thinker - "a man devoted to reestablishing the exalted place moral reasoning once held in the academy" ( Christianity Today) - remains strong. This inventory of the spiritual disciplines is full of practical steps at how to develop practices into one’s life to intentionally grow closer to, and into the image of, God. On pages 122-3, he lists seven acts of submission: 1) to God, 2) to Scripture, 3) to family, 4) to neighbors and those around us, 5) to the believing community, 6) to the broken and despised, and 7) to the world. These disciplines include meditation, prayer, fasting, study, simplicity, solitude, submission, service, confession, worship, guidance, and celebration. I also felt like the author did an excellent job of clearly differentiating what was scripture and what was his ideas.

Anyone who imagines he can simply begin mediation without praying for the desire and the grace to do so, will soon give up” (p25).Right now I am reading 2023 Reading Goal and book club books, writing books, and just doing an enormous mass of other things from the TBR. Meditation and fasting are two disciplines I don't do often, or at all, in my relationship with Jesus. Prepare yourself, lay down the distractions and remind yourself of what it is you are about to do and who it is you are meeting with as you worship.

Foster's list of twelve disciplines, I've learned, is certainly not exhaustive, but they are an excellent place to start in the process of becoming firmly rooted in the Spirit's ability to transform us into the character of Christ. Foster points out that the motivation toward establishing spiritual discipline is simply a “longing for God” (p. How could you begin a conversation with Jesus throughout your day which sets a different posture of your heart to worship him?This book also reminds me that we worship in spirit and truth, pushing me to be more in tune with the Spirit. If what we have we receive as a gift, and if what we have is to be cared for by God, and if what we have is available to others, then we will possess freedom from anxiety. Celebration, then, frees us of an inflated view of our self-importance and of our tendency toward a judgmental spirit (pp.

So, in establishing my "goodreads" library, I thought it was wise to begin with a book that has served to inform, as well as transform my character. Guidance involved allowing others to make some decisions for you, and adhering to the will of a particular group who has prayed the answer for you.

the meditation upon Scripture is the central reference point by which all other forms of meditation are kept in proper perspective” (p29).