Spiritual Disciplines

“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.  For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”  (1 Tim. 4:7-8 TNIV) 

Over these 12 weeks you’ll have the opportunity to practice a comprehensive set of spiritual disciplines.  The program is built around three types of disciplines and different time intervals.  Some disciplines will be practiced daily, some once a week, some once a month, and some only once during the 12 weeks.  The three types of disciplines include private inward, private outward, and corporate.  Private inward disciplines are those we practice in private or by ourselves and which have an inward focus.  Private outward disciplines are those we practice in private or by ourselves and which have an outward focus.  Finally, corporate disciplines are those we practice with other Christians.  During the 1st 4 weeks you choose private inward disciplines to practice on daily, weekly, and monthly intervals.  During the 2nd 4 weeks you choose private outward disciplines to practice on daily, weekly, and monthly intervals.  During the last 4 weeks you choose corporate disciplines to practice on daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly intervals.  The program begins on Ash Wednesday.  Easter Sunday is just past halfway.  By Easter you’ve had 7 weeks of training and have 5 more to go. Read More »12 Spiritual Training Course

Fasting is not always met with enthusiasm.

Several years ago, my congregation was in the midst of difficult decisions.  The leaders called the church to forty days of prayer and fasting, asking members to fast in any way they desired during that forty day period.  But one well-known and very active woman in the church refused to fast.  She told me that she only fasted when she felt moved by the Holy Spirit to fast, and she didn’t feel moved by the plea of the church leadership.  In addition, she believed fasting was a private matter between one person and God, not a corporate matter that the whole church participates in together.  Read More »A Primer on Fasting