Thursday, September 08, 2005

Talking a good game not enough

"I go through life as a transient on his way to eternity, made in the image of God but with that image debased, needing to be taught how to meditate, to worship, to think." Donald Coggan as printed in Richard Foster's Celebrations of Discipline.This quote gets to the heart of our efforts: to help us overcome the sinful nature we have in order to be like Christ. This is accomplished only through the Grace of God working in our lives. This Grace is freely given by God (no strings attached), but God also wants us to intentionally ask, seek, and knock (Matthew 7). The question becomes "how"? How do we ask, seek, and knock? Through the spiritual disciplines that God has given us.The following is but a small list which comes from Foster's book:Inward Discplines: meditation, prayer, fasting, study Outward Disciplines: simplicity, solitude, submission, service Corporate Disciplines: confession, worship, guidance, celebration These are our lifelines to spiritual growth. Are we taking full advantage to connect on a daily basis? If not, don't let guilt get the best of you. Start again right now. Forget what lies behind and reach forward to a better tomorrow.

posted by Todd Nelson at 9/08/2005 09:51:00 PM

2 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Todd, can you elaborate on corporate disciplines? Are these things we do in groups or alone?

2:12 PM  
Blogger Todd Nelson said...

Corporate disciplines are things we do in community. Going to church is a corporate discipline. The crux of the matter is that the community receives the grace. The community of course is made up of individuals who benefit directly.

They are also important because they help further the story of God. By coming together in community groups, the witness is given from which others can be brought closer.

11:13 PM  

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AUTHOR: Todd Nelson TITLE: Talking a good game not enough DATE: 9/08/2005 09:51:00 PM ----- BODY:
"I go through life as a transient on his way to eternity, made in the image of God but with that image debased, needing to be taught how to meditate, to worship, to think." Donald Coggan as printed in Richard Foster's Celebrations of Discipline.This quote gets to the heart of our efforts: to help us overcome the sinful nature we have in order to be like Christ. This is accomplished only through the Grace of God working in our lives. This Grace is freely given by God (no strings attached), but God also wants us to intentionally ask, seek, and knock (Matthew 7). The question becomes "how"? How do we ask, seek, and knock? Through the spiritual disciplines that God has given us.The following is but a small list which comes from Foster's book:Inward Discplines: meditation, prayer, fasting, study Outward Disciplines: simplicity, solitude, submission, service Corporate Disciplines: confession, worship, guidance, celebration These are our lifelines to spiritual growth. Are we taking full advantage to connect on a daily basis? If not, don't let guilt get the best of you. Start again right now. Forget what lies behind and reach forward to a better tomorrow.
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