Spiritual Disciplines

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This is the first of what I hope will be many monthly letters to you. I am still amazed that with the press of a button, someone here on staff can send out 2500 emails simultaneously!

Since you will be receiving this right before the New Year, I thought I might share with you some of the practices that I engage in that have nurtured my spiritual life for many years. Like some of you, I have gotten great benefit from the writings of Richard Foster, particularly his Celebration of Discipline and his Devotional Classics.

At the beginning of the Celebration of Discipline, Foster writes:

Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem. The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people.

The classical disciplines of the spiritual life call us to move beyond surface living into the depths. The primary requirement [of practicing a discipline] is a longing after God. "As a deer longs for flowing streams, so longs my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God," writes the psalmist (Psalm 42:1-2).

Change within ourselves is God's work, not ours. We can't fix ourselves! But God has given us certain disciplines as a means of receiving His gracious change. The disciplines allow us to place ourselves before God so that He can transform us. Here are some of the disciplines that I personally practice.

1. The Bible and Other Christian Reading - Most mornings I rise about two hours before I have to be into work (that means I go to sleep pretty early). For many years I have used a Bible Reading Guide. I find it a helpful spur to keep me plugging along day after day. In fact, several years ago I stopped using a Guide for about three months and my reading fell apart. The Reading Guide takes me through the Old Testament once a year and the New Testament twice. Because I teach so much, using a Reading Guide keeps me from falling into the habit of reading for the purpose of teaching. My daily Bible reading is for the purpose of nurturing my own soul.

   For several years I have also read a devotional book after I have finished my Bible reading. Richard Foster's Devotional Classics is a favorite. Right now, I am reading through Alister McGrath's Book of Twenty Centuries of Christian Literature.

2. Fellowship - I attended my first small group meeting several days after I came to Christ 27 years ago. Marlene and I have always been part of a small group. I know that Christianity is not a solo performance. I need others. Beyond small group meetings, we have made it a practice to regularly get together with other Christians whom we love. That fuels my emotional tank. For the past several years I have also participated in a monthly book club. This year we are reading Christian Classics together such as Augustine's Confessions; Thomas a Kempis' Imitation of Christ; and, John Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress. For those of you who love to read, have you considered getting a few friends together and forming a monthly book club?

3. Family Connection - For the past 15 years I have tried to schedule a date with each member of my family weekly. Something happens when I am alone one-on-one with another family member that doesn't happen when we are all together. Once a week I try to have lunch with my two children separately (even now that they are older). And at least weekly, Marlene and I have a date night (often coffee) or take time to bike on our day off. But ever since the kids were little, I have tried to be alone with each of them at least weekly.

4. Prayer and Journaling - In the Spring, Summer, and early Fall I love to walk in the morning and talk with God. In the winter I find it too cold to take walks around my neighborhood. I have gotten into the habit of writing out my prayers in a spiral notebook. Writing my prayers gives me time to reflect on what I am saying to God and it also gives me an opportunity to slow down so that I might hear Him speak back to me.

5. Time Alone - Because I lead a very active, engaged life, at least twice a week I like to spend several hours alone, not talking with anyone, just reading and getting refueled in the presence of God.

   Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was martyred in German during WWII, once said, "Many people seek fellowship because they are afraid to be alone. Because they cannot stand loneliness, they are driven to seek the company of other people. Let him who cannot be alone beware of community."

   We need to learn to be alone with God. We need to be alone to pray. We need to be alone to hear God's call. Though I am, by nature, a very extraverted person, more and more I have learned to love the opportunity to be alone without getting lonely.

6. Worship and Giving - There are many weeks that I come to our worship services and I don't feel like worshipping. My mind is racing regarding the message that I am about to give. Sometimes I am incredibly concerned about the details of the service or the sound quality. When I discipline myself to simply shut out all of the distractions of my busy mind, and allow myself to be carried along by the music and the worship songs, I find myself to be transformed inwardly. The presence of God comes in worship as He does nowhere else in my life. And I have learned that worship involves giving - not only my heart and my body to Christ, but also a portion of my money. It is a joyful thing for me to participate in the extension of the Kingdom through financial giving.

Consider for yourself what practices you may want to add to your life this next year so that you can move beyond surface living into the depth of Christ. God knows we need Him. God knows He is the only one who can satisfy our thirst.

May God draw you and your loved ones into a deeper relationship with Himself this New Year.

Love,
Rich