During our past weeks on this list l have listed a number of spiritual practices, given a brief definition/description of those and for some gone into more detail. I want in the next weeks to look more deeply into practice … Continue reading
Last week a quote from Evelyn Underhill came to my inbox and I thought it worth sharing as we think about spiritual disciplines, “Christianity is a religion which concerns us as we are here and now, creatures of body and … Continue reading
We want to continue today our thinking about service as a spiritual discipline. A couple of weeks ago I had occasion to look at the website of the Rescue Mission in Roanoke, Virginia ( http://rescuemission.net ), and was amazed at … Continue reading
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
Over the next several weeks I would like us to think together about the different forms our prayers can take. But before we look at different prayer practices, I would ask us to keep in mind two things. First, keep … Continue reading
As a follow up to Robert Mulholland’s definition of spiritual formation it is good to hear his counsel regarding spiritual disciplines. “Let me clarify the nature of a spiritual discipline, because here our cultural shaping distorts our understanding. We tend … Continue reading
In turning his attention to the spiritual disciplines of engagement (study, worship, celebration, service, prayer, fellowship, confession, and submission), Dallas Willard writes, “The disciplines of abstinence must be counterbalanced and supplemented by the disciplines of engagement. Abstinence and engagement are … Continue reading
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
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
In Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth (page v) Richard Foster distinguishes between inward disciplines, outward disciplines and corporate disciplines. The Inward Disciplines Meditation Prayer Fasting Study The Outward Disciplines Simplicity Solitude Submission Service The Corporate Disciplines Confession … Continue reading
