173 – Abstinence and Engagement – Intention on the Spiritual Journey

As I have continued to think about passivity (and activity) in our Christian walk and practices, I remembered some words of Dallas Willard I shared many months ago on “abstinence and engagement.” He identifies the disciplines of abstinence as solitude, … Continue reading

133 – Lent – Intention on the Spiritual Journey

With Lent arriving in two weeks I see more and more “advertisements” for ways to spend some of your time during Lent.  Publishers and book-sellers offer suggestions, well known (and lesser known) religious/spiritual writers offer suggestions, and churches/denominations/organizations direct you to resources (often ones they … Continue reading

87 – Lent – Intention on the Spiritual Journey

Today, I still find I am thinking about Lent and how we keep Lent, or any spiritual practice, in the proper focus.  I want to direct your attention an article and a blog post I read this past week. (1) … Continue reading

37 – Lent – Intention on the Spiritual Journey

Today marks the beginning of Lent.  In the Book of Common Prayer (1979) we can read, “I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, … Continue reading

22 – Spiritual Disciplines of Abstinence – Intention on the Spiritual Journey

 In discussing the spiritual disciplines of abstinence (solitude, silence, fasting, frugality, chastity, secrecy, sacrifice) Dallas Willard has the following to say, “In the disciplines of abstinence, we abstain to some degree and for some time from the satisfaction of what … Continue reading

21 – Spiritual Disciplines – Intention on the Spiritual Journey

 Two weeks ago we looked at Richard Foster’s grouping of the disciplines as inward, outward and corporate.  Below are some spiritual disciplines identified by Dallas Willard and a way he distinguishes the disciplines (from The Spirit of the Disciplines, page … Continue reading