Don't worry, this is not about yesterday's election. God is still in control of things, but my party didn't win, so I'm glum.
No, this is about a true story of divine intervention -- the kind of miraculous event that the unbelieving world chalks up to random chance or "luck," but Christians know is instead an instance of God moving in the lives of His people. The events described happened this past Sunday to a guy I work with who lives in a suburb of Waco.
This man has two kids in the high school band that was leaving Sunday afternoon for state marching contest the next day in Austin. There are approximately 150 kids in the band, which required chartering three buses to transport them down (about 50 kids per bus).
The buses were about ready to go when a local pastor happened to be driving by and noticed something funny about one of the buses. The hydraulic lift system that lowers the entrance steps to let people get in, and then raises the steps back up for travel, hadn't apparently raised back up all the way. The driver tried to get it to raise back into position, but it wouldn't budge.
A Department of Public Safety inspector had to be called out, and after an inspection and driving test he ruled that the problem didn't affect the safety of the bus and that they could get underway. This was good news, since the charter company didn't have another bus available. However, waiting for the clearance had put the band more than an hour behind schedule.
The kids and sponsors boarded the buses, then the first bus in the convoy pulled out of the school parking lot. However, my friend noticed as he was walking to get into his car that the second bus -- the one with his two kids aboard -- wasn't moving. A few seconds later, he heard his wife call from near the bus that there was something wrong with the driver.
My friend got to the bus and looked at the driver, a very large man. He was sitting in the driver's seat, looking out into space, and he was absolutely covered in sweat. The parents told him, "Look, come on out, you need help," but he appeared to shake off whatever had caused him to hesitate and said, "That's alright. I'm fine. Let's go."
The driver closed the door and started to move the bus ahead. A parent was standing next to him at the front of the bus, trying to get a DVD playing in the bus's onboard video player.
Suddenly, this woman at the front of the bus watched in horror as the driver slumped forward in his seat, passed out cold. She grabbed the extremely large steering wheel and somehow managed to keep the bus from going off into the ditch. At the same time, she was hitting the driver's shoulder and yelling "Wake up! Put on the brake! Wake up!"
Eventually, the driver was roused from his sleep enough to apply the brakes, coming within inches of hitting a power pole and a parked car. As soon as the bus came to a stop, he again passed out.
It turns out that the driver was a diabetic who hadn't taken his insulin, and he had gone into diabetic shock.
The bus company was able to supply a substitute driver who arrived quickly, and finally, after the long delay of about 90 minutes, all three buses were finally on the road to Austin.
My friend thought about this later and realized how fortunate that unwelcome mechanical trouble had proved to be. If the first bus hadn't had a problem with its hydraulics -- or if the pastor hadn't passed by and just happened to notice the problem -- or if he hadn't decided to flag the driver and stop the bus -- then all three buses would have left on time. And 90 minutes later, when the driver of Bus #2 (the one carrying my friend's kids) had his episode of diabetic shock, he would have passed out at the wheel not in a school parking lot, but doing 65 miles an hour on Interstate 35 somewhere near Georgetown. And it's highly likely that the bus would have been involved in an accident that would have resulted in many, many deaths.
There are some people who would chalk all this up to fortunate chance. But I know better.
Showing posts with label Religion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Religion. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Random Observations and Trivial Events
1. I just noticed a new entry to the “Dummies” series of books called something like Getting Pregnant for Dummies. Don’t we have enough of this going around already? And do you really need a book to tell you how to do this? I’m wondering what the company will do for an encore. Will there ever be a book in the best-selling “Dummies” series titled Learning Disabilities for Dummies? Or a book in the “Idiot’s” series titled The Idiot’s Guide to Interbreeding?
2. Don’t laugh, but I have just started reading the book Little Women. And no, it’s not because I think it’s a photo book you look at long ways. I’ve heard so much about this American classic, I feel I’ll be missing out on something if I don’t read it. The heroine of the story, Jo, is a tomboy who I’ve heard described as the only woman in 19th century American fiction who was allowed to be opinionated and independent and “get away with it,” meaning that she didn’t have to relinquish it for the sake of some guy. I want to read about her and see how Louisa May Alcott created her (a character very much like her, I’ve been told). Any Little Women fans out there?
3. Speaking of literary classics, there’s a number of others that I’ve so far neglected to read, and this year I’m going to try and tackle at least a few of them. On my 2006 reading list so far:
The Divine Comedy by Dante
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky
The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
The four books in The Chronicles of Narnia I haven’t read yet
Any other suggestions for a good "classic" read?
4. Through various sermons I’ve heard lately from three different pastors, I’ve been getting the message that God has a plan for me, and that if I’m not having fun at what I’m doing for a living, God probably wants me doing something lese, something that uses the unique talents he’s given me. I’m on board with this assessment, but my question is – how do I find out what this “perfect work” is? The short, answer, or course, is pray about it, but I seem to be unable to discern God’s will for my life through prayer. I guess that’s my real question here – any tips on how to do this?
5. Finally, I was listening to a few minutes of an A&E “Biography” show on Frank Gifford this morning while I was getting ready for work, and I heard a funny story. The show was talking about how when Kathie Lee married Frank Gifford, he was already old enough to have grandchildren. It mentioned that when Kathie Lee had her first child by Frank, some of his old football and broadcasting pals were a little taken aback. When Frank called Don Meredith to tell him the news, there was a long pause, and then Meredith said “Don’t worry, Frank, I’ll find the guy who did this to her.” Years later, when Kathie Lee was pregnant with their second child, Frank called Meredith with the news, and again heard a long pause, followed by, “Dang it! I killed the wrong guy…”
2. Don’t laugh, but I have just started reading the book Little Women. And no, it’s not because I think it’s a photo book you look at long ways. I’ve heard so much about this American classic, I feel I’ll be missing out on something if I don’t read it. The heroine of the story, Jo, is a tomboy who I’ve heard described as the only woman in 19th century American fiction who was allowed to be opinionated and independent and “get away with it,” meaning that she didn’t have to relinquish it for the sake of some guy. I want to read about her and see how Louisa May Alcott created her (a character very much like her, I’ve been told). Any Little Women fans out there?3. Speaking of literary classics, there’s a number of others that I’ve so far neglected to read, and this year I’m going to try and tackle at least a few of them. On my 2006 reading list so far:
The Divine Comedy by Dante
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky
The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
The four books in The Chronicles of Narnia I haven’t read yet
Any other suggestions for a good "classic" read?
4. Through various sermons I’ve heard lately from three different pastors, I’ve been getting the message that God has a plan for me, and that if I’m not having fun at what I’m doing for a living, God probably wants me doing something lese, something that uses the unique talents he’s given me. I’m on board with this assessment, but my question is – how do I find out what this “perfect work” is? The short, answer, or course, is pray about it, but I seem to be unable to discern God’s will for my life through prayer. I guess that’s my real question here – any tips on how to do this?
5. Finally, I was listening to a few minutes of an A&E “Biography” show on Frank Gifford this morning while I was getting ready for work, and I heard a funny story. The show was talking about how when Kathie Lee married Frank Gifford, he was already old enough to have grandchildren. It mentioned that when Kathie Lee had her first child by Frank, some of his old football and broadcasting pals were a little taken aback. When Frank called Don Meredith to tell him the news, there was a long pause, and then Meredith said “Don’t worry, Frank, I’ll find the guy who did this to her.” Years later, when Kathie Lee was pregnant with their second child, Frank called Meredith with the news, and again heard a long pause, followed by, “Dang it! I killed the wrong guy…”
Friday, July 29, 2005
Blogging Celebration of Discipline: Chapter 9 (Service)
I have joined a group of fellow Christians who are blogging through Richard Foster’s classic book Celebration of Discipline, one chapter at a time. Each Friday, we post our thoughts and questions about the chapter we’ve read that week. Here’s my post on Chapter 9, "The Discipline of Service."
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I want first to apologize to my fellow Celebration of Discipline bloggers for my extended absence. I did not weigh in with posts on Chapters 7 and 8. Two weeks ago, when I read Chapter 7 on "solitude," I was stuck in a van for seven days on vacation with five other people, all of them relatives, so solitude was a concept I just couldn't get my fevered brain to accept.
Last week, during the chapter on "submission," I was too busy submitting to demands on my time from just about everyone to allow me to sit down and develop a cohesive post. I'm still having trouble figuring out that chapter -- it has so far proven the hardest for me to understand, much less put into practice. I understand some of what Foster says about the "why" and "should" of submission, but as far as practical "how to" information, I felt the author was a bit lacking.
Anyway, here I am now at Chapter 9, on the Discipline of service. I must admit that before I read it, I thought I had this chapter all figured out. I just knew that Foster was going to repeat a lot of Bible verses about providing for the poor, and doing for the least of these, and then lay down a big guilt trip about how I and other Christians should all be quitting our day jobs to become missionaries in Africa and work unpaid in soup kitchens and missions, give our old clothes to Goodwill, recycle and join the PTA.
Well, maybe not, but I had a narrow idea of "service" in mind, and it centered around helping established organizations, such as churches or government agencies, do BIG THINGS for God. It turns out that this is not what Foster is really concerned about in Chapter 9 at all.
Foster says that the definition of true Christian service can be found in the story about Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. Jesus called them to a life of servanthood, which he described as true leadership, and told them, “If I then, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.” (John 13:14-15) Foster also reminds us that Jesus said, “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant…even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve.” (Matt. 20:25-28)
This, says Foster, is “true” service, but he says that too often, we Christians substitute “self-righteous” service. I found that many of the things I thought were good deeds are considered “self-righteous” under Foster’s biblical criteria:
SELF-RIGHTEOUS SERVICE: Comes through human effort
TRUE SERVICE: Comes through promptings from God
SRS: Is impressed with “big” public acts of service
TS: Doesn’t distinguish between small and large acts of service
SRS: Requires external rewards for serving
TS: Is contented to remain hidden and unheralded
SRS: Picks and chooses whom to serve
TS: Does not discriminate, is willing to serve all, even enemies
SRS: Affected by moods and whims. We must “feel like” serving first
TS: Ministers simply because there is a need, whether one feels like serving or not
SRS: Is insensitive, doing good deeds even though they might prove destructive or counterproductive
TS: Can wait and listen, serving in silence if that’s what’s needed most
SRS: Fractures the community because it centers on the “glorification of the individual,” despite the religious trappings
TS: Builds community by quietly binding and healing
It’s somewhat obvious why our service benefits someone else – we see at least the exterior benefits they get – but what does true service do for us? Foster says possibly the biggest benefit seen by the servant is the strengthening of our humility by crucifying the flesh:
If we do these kindnesses and aren't concerned about who we bestow them on, can’t we be taken advantage of? Foster says yes, most definitely, and says the key is to simply expect that we will be taken advantage of in this way. We should expect that we will do things for others and get no thanks or even acknowledgement in return. Once do, Foster says, we are free to serve, and move closer to acquiring the mind of Christ:
-------------------------------------------
I want first to apologize to my fellow Celebration of Discipline bloggers for my extended absence. I did not weigh in with posts on Chapters 7 and 8. Two weeks ago, when I read Chapter 7 on "solitude," I was stuck in a van for seven days on vacation with five other people, all of them relatives, so solitude was a concept I just couldn't get my fevered brain to accept.Last week, during the chapter on "submission," I was too busy submitting to demands on my time from just about everyone to allow me to sit down and develop a cohesive post. I'm still having trouble figuring out that chapter -- it has so far proven the hardest for me to understand, much less put into practice. I understand some of what Foster says about the "why" and "should" of submission, but as far as practical "how to" information, I felt the author was a bit lacking.
Anyway, here I am now at Chapter 9, on the Discipline of service. I must admit that before I read it, I thought I had this chapter all figured out. I just knew that Foster was going to repeat a lot of Bible verses about providing for the poor, and doing for the least of these, and then lay down a big guilt trip about how I and other Christians should all be quitting our day jobs to become missionaries in Africa and work unpaid in soup kitchens and missions, give our old clothes to Goodwill, recycle and join the PTA.
Well, maybe not, but I had a narrow idea of "service" in mind, and it centered around helping established organizations, such as churches or government agencies, do BIG THINGS for God. It turns out that this is not what Foster is really concerned about in Chapter 9 at all.
Foster says that the definition of true Christian service can be found in the story about Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. Jesus called them to a life of servanthood, which he described as true leadership, and told them, “If I then, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.” (John 13:14-15) Foster also reminds us that Jesus said, “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant…even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve.” (Matt. 20:25-28)
This, says Foster, is “true” service, but he says that too often, we Christians substitute “self-righteous” service. I found that many of the things I thought were good deeds are considered “self-righteous” under Foster’s biblical criteria:
SELF-RIGHTEOUS SERVICE: Comes through human effort
TRUE SERVICE: Comes through promptings from God
SRS: Is impressed with “big” public acts of service
TS: Doesn’t distinguish between small and large acts of service
SRS: Requires external rewards for serving
TS: Is contented to remain hidden and unheralded
SRS: Picks and chooses whom to serve
TS: Does not discriminate, is willing to serve all, even enemies
SRS: Affected by moods and whims. We must “feel like” serving first
TS: Ministers simply because there is a need, whether one feels like serving or not
SRS: Is insensitive, doing good deeds even though they might prove destructive or counterproductive
TS: Can wait and listen, serving in silence if that’s what’s needed most
SRS: Fractures the community because it centers on the “glorification of the individual,” despite the religious trappings
TS: Builds community by quietly binding and healing
It’s somewhat obvious why our service benefits someone else – we see at least the exterior benefits they get – but what does true service do for us? Foster says possibly the biggest benefit seen by the servant is the strengthening of our humility by crucifying the flesh:
”Nothing disciplines the inordinate desires of the flesh like service, and nothing transforms the desires of the flesh like serving in hiddenness. The flesh whines against service but screams against hidden service. It strains and pulls for honor and recognition. It will devise subtle, religiously acceptable means to call attention to the service rendered. If we stoutly refuse to give in to this lust of the flesh, we crucify it. Every time we crucify the flesh, we crucify our pride and arrogance.”Foster then spends a lot of time pointing out the types of small, simple, unselfish acts of everyday service that can help produce this humility in us. Many of these examples I had never thought of as constituting acts of “service”: the service of small things (doing small tasks or running errands for others); the service of guarding the reputation of others (no gossiping or slandering); the service of being served (allowing others to do nice things for us); the service of common courtesy (saying thank you and all the other kindnesses); the service of hospitality (welcoming people into our home without having to make a big fuss about cleanliness or what to offer them to eat); the service of listening (not to give our unsolicited advice, just to listen); the service of bearing each other’s burdens; and the service of sharing God’s word with each other.
If we do these kindnesses and aren't concerned about who we bestow them on, can’t we be taken advantage of? Foster says yes, most definitely, and says the key is to simply expect that we will be taken advantage of in this way. We should expect that we will do things for others and get no thanks or even acknowledgement in return. Once do, Foster says, we are free to serve, and move closer to acquiring the mind of Christ:
”The result, then, of this daily discipline of the flesh will be the rise of the grace of humility. It will slip in upon us unawares. Though we do not sense its presence, we are aware of a fresh zest and exhilaration with living. We wonder at the new sense of confidence that marks our activities. Although the demands of life are as great as ever, we live in a new sense of unhurried peace. People whom we once only envied we now view with compassion, for we see not only their position but their pain. People whom we would have passed over before we now ‘see’ and find to be delightful individuals. Somehow – we cannot exactly explain how – we feel a new spirit of identification with the outcasts, the ‘offscourings’ of the earth (1 Cor. 4:13)”This is why Foster closes the chapter with an admission that he prays a simple prayer every day: "Lord Jesus, as it would please you, bring me someone today whom I can serve."
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Are Harry Potter Books Christian?
A number of fellow Christians have attacked the Harry Potter books because of their favorable portrayals of wizards, magic and the like. Personally, I've never been convinced that the Harry Potter books (which I enjoy very much) are anti-Christian instead of possibly just non-Christian, like a lot of modern literature.
That's why I was interested to read about the take on Harry Potter from Baylor University professor Scott Moore. He believes the Potter books are "rich with Christian allusion," according to this Baylor news release. The news release includes a reprint of Moore's article "Why I Am Looking Forward to Harry Potter."
Excerpts from the release:
"'The books are rich with classical and medieval Christian allusion,' (Moore) says. 'J.K. Rowling relies for instance on images of the phoenix and the unicorn in the early books. Both are commonly appropriated by the medieval Church as images of Christ.'"
"In addition, Moore says Harry and his friends are being schooled in classical and Christian virtues (courage, prudence, temperance, justice, faith, hope, and love). Yes, they attend a school that ostensibly teaches spells and potions, but they get that all wrong. When any student can consistently make a spell work, they are as surprised as anyone. (In fact, they initially don't like Hermione because of this.) What they are learning is courage, friendship, and the value of the truth consistently from the school's headmaster."
"'Albus Dumbledore's insistence that one call [the book's villain] Voldemort by name is a reflection of his courage and his commitment to calling things by their proper names -- truth-telling," Moore says. With a name meaning "willing death' -- which is how Lucifer is frequently described in medieval theology -- Voldemort cannot kill Harry because of the power of self-sacrificial love ('agape' -- his mother died loving him)."
Friday, July 08, 2005
Blogging Celebration of Discipline: Chapter 6
I have joined a group of fellow Christians who are blogging through Richard Foster’s classic book Celebration of Discipline, one chapter at a time. Each Friday, we post our thoughts and questions about the chapter we’ve read that week. Here’s my post on Chapter 6, "The Discipline of Simplicity."
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The first four disciplines which Foster covers in his book he groups together and calls the "Inward" disciplines. The fifth discipline, simplicity, is the first of four qualities that Foster groups under the "Outward" disciplines.
I don't consider myself someone who is surrounded by simplicity, either in my lifestyle, my desires, my possessions, or my schedule. So I was quite surprised that this chapter -- and not the one on, say, prayer -- has hit me the hardest and made me think most intently about my Christian walk.
I don't have a lot of time to write this review, so I will boil this chapter down to what I see as its basics.
Foster begins by saying (no surprise here) that as much as our society might laud simplicity, it shows very little evidence of possessing it:
1. Just "doing without" or living a stripped-down lifestyle is not what it takes to achieve Biblical simplicity. Here's what Foster says is the key:
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Here's what other bloggers had to say about simplicity:
Tulips
Steveybabe's Blog
DB on DB
Baggas' Blog
The Village Muse
Inspirational Journal
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The first four disciplines which Foster covers in his book he groups together and calls the "Inward" disciplines. The fifth discipline, simplicity, is the first of four qualities that Foster groups under the "Outward" disciplines.
I don't consider myself someone who is surrounded by simplicity, either in my lifestyle, my desires, my possessions, or my schedule. So I was quite surprised that this chapter -- and not the one on, say, prayer -- has hit me the hardest and made me think most intently about my Christian walk.
I don't have a lot of time to write this review, so I will boil this chapter down to what I see as its basics.
Foster begins by saying (no surprise here) that as much as our society might laud simplicity, it shows very little evidence of possessing it:
"Contemporary culture lacks both the inward reality and the outward life-style of simplicity. We must live in the modern world, and we are affected by its fractured and fragmented state. We are trapped in a maze of competing attachments. One moment we make decisions on the basis of sound reason and the next moment out of fear of what others will think of us. We have no unity or focus around which our lives are oriented."There are two main points I took from this chapter.
1. Just "doing without" or living a stripped-down lifestyle is not what it takes to achieve Biblical simplicity. Here's what Foster says is the key:
"The central point for the Discipline of simplicity is to seek the kingdom of God and the righteousness of his kingdom first and then everything necessary will come in its proper way...Nothing must come before the kingdom of God, including the desire for a simple life-style. Simplicity itself becomes idolatry when it takes precedence over seeking the kingdom."So, simplicity is not an end in itself, but a byproduct of an attitude and a belief system. Foster then elaborates:
"Focus upon the kingdom produces the inward reality, and without the inward reality we will degenerate into legalistic trivia. Nothing else can be central. The desire to get out of the rat race cannot be central, the redistribution of the world's wealth cannot be central, the concern for ecology cannot be central. Seeking first God's kingdom and the righteousness, both personal and social, of that kingdom is the only thing that can be central in the Spiritual Discipline of simplicity."2. When we seek first the kingdom of God, then we can truly reap one of the benefits of simplicity: freedom from anxiety.
"The inward reality of simplicity involves a life of joyful unconcern for possessions. Neither the greedy nor the miserly know this liberty. It has nothing to do with abundance of possessions or their lack. It is an inward spirit of trust. The sheer fact that a person is living without things is no guarantee that he or she is living in simplicity."Foster says the key to this aspect of simplicity is to realize and accept that everything we have -- a little or a lot -- was not received because of our prowess or our intelligence or because we deserve it, but because God has given us a gift:
"If what we have we receive as a gift, and if what we have is to be cared for by God, and if what we have is available to others, then we will possess freedom from anxiety. This is the inward reality of simplicity."Seeking first the kingdom, and agreeing that all we have is a gift from God. Those are the two keys Foster says will help us achieve true simplicity.
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Here's what other bloggers had to say about simplicity:
Tulips
Steveybabe's Blog
DB on DB
Baggas' Blog
The Village Muse
Inspirational Journal
Friday, July 01, 2005
Blogging Celebration of Discipline: Chapter 5
I have joined a group of fellow Christians who are blogging through Richard Foster’s classic book Celebration of Discipline, one chapter at a time. Each Friday, we post our thoughts and questions about the chapter we’ve read that week. Here’s my post on Chapter 5, "The Discipline of Study."
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If there's one thing I should know about, it's STUDY. I mean, the State of Texas required me to study for 12 years in grade school, and then my parents and I went in together to help me study another 4 1/2 years in college, spanning three universities and three majors (I always say I was touring the Southwest Conference). And as any of my family will tell you, I'm the kind of person who, if left to his druthers, will always end up with his nose in a book (that is, when I'm not staring at the computer screen blogging, which has become quite an addiction of late).
So, study? Yeah, I should have this down pat. But now, when you get all sneaky and introduce that longer phrase, the discipline of study...well, now...do I study in a disciplined way? Is there any rhyme or reason to how and what I study? Could I even tell you what I hope to accomplish by all my study, except to stave off the ever-present threat of dreaded boredom? Hmmm...
Author Richard Foster reminds us in the opening line of Chapter 5 what our trek through this book is all about when he says
Foster makes it clear that the kind of study he's calling a discipline is not reading or thinking for entertainment or to kill time. It's "a specific kind of experience in which through careful attention to reality the mind is enabled to move in a certain direction." It's goal is making the mind move and change, the same thing as Paul's plea to "transform" the mind. And Foster makes clear that by "study" he's not referring to just reading books, but studying people and events and nature as well.
According to Foster, what we study is also of extreme importance, because that "determines the kind of habits that are formed, which is why Paul urges us to focus on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely and gracious."
Here, then, is the big distinction Foster makes between casual and focused study:
I got my college degree in broadcast journalism, and so I was trained as a journalist -- someone who theoretically does not participate in events or seek to influence them or even analyze them, but simply reports on them, factually, unemotionally, and in a disengaged manner. That's all well and good for reporters, and I wish more of them kept to that ideal standard these days, but I think Foster is saying that to be effective in the Kingdom, we can't just keep a "Press" badge on and be content to watch the world around us. That's not study as he defines it, but mere voyuerism.
If I see friends in need -- maybe going through an emotional crisis, a marital spat, a weakening of faith, or even a confusion about the future -- if I see that, and am content to merely observe that as an intellectual curiosity, then I'm not using the brain God gave me to "think on these things," as Paul said. Too often, I know I have failed to take a situation and really think about it. Why is this person so upset? Could there be a hidden reason I don't see? How could I help them right now? Is there someone I know I could appeal to for advice? How should I pray about this right now?
All too often, though, I'm too tempted to play reporter, just listening quietly and filing the facts away in my mind.
As far as book learning goes, I didn't need Foster to tell me that casual reading of Christian or even "serious" literature is a waste of time. If I'm just reading for fun, I think I'd honestly get more bang for my buck with a Stephen King novel or an Ann Rule true crime book than Romans or Lamentations. Definitely Lamentations. But I'm glad that Foster has written about how important it is that we use our time reading books of eternal knowledge and inspiration to change ourselves in some way, for the better.
I must confess: this has not been one of my better reviews of this book. I've left out a lot of great things in this chapter, such as tips for being a better student, and the importance of simply observing nature and God's creation, and ruminating upon His greatness. I have not "studied" this chapter as well as I should have, in all honesty. I didn't concentrate enough, or take the time to reflect enough to write comprehensively, as Foster would have advised.
But if I'm to redeem myself, and not fall short as Foster says the Bible defines that to be, I must begin to change my college test-cramming ways when it comes to study. I must use the Word and the world as tools to sharpen my mind and lead me toward being a better, more prepared, more effective Christian. That's what I see as the point of study. Otherwise, bring on P.G. Wodehouse, a couch and a cold glass of Dr Pepper.
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Here's what some other bloggers said about Chapter 5. Hopefully they did a bit more comprehensive job than I did:
Messy Christian
Tulips
The Village Muse
Steveybabe's Blog
CrosSwords
Alexander Campbell
Inspirational Journal
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If there's one thing I should know about, it's STUDY. I mean, the State of Texas required me to study for 12 years in grade school, and then my parents and I went in together to help me study another 4 1/2 years in college, spanning three universities and three majors (I always say I was touring the Southwest Conference). And as any of my family will tell you, I'm the kind of person who, if left to his druthers, will always end up with his nose in a book (that is, when I'm not staring at the computer screen blogging, which has become quite an addiction of late).
So, study? Yeah, I should have this down pat. But now, when you get all sneaky and introduce that longer phrase, the discipline of study...well, now...do I study in a disciplined way? Is there any rhyme or reason to how and what I study? Could I even tell you what I hope to accomplish by all my study, except to stave off the ever-present threat of dreaded boredom? Hmmm...
Author Richard Foster reminds us in the opening line of Chapter 5 what our trek through this book is all about when he says
"The purpose of the Spiritual Disciplines is the total transformation of the person. They aim at replacing old destructive habits of thought with new life-giving habits. Nowhere is this purpose more clearly seen than in the Discipline of study...The mind is renewed by applying it to those things that will transform it."Now, by Foster's definition, my study, especially in things spiritual, has counted for very little so far, because I admit that all those hours spent with my nose in the works of C.S. Lewis or John MacArthur or Charles Colson or Pilgrim's Progress have changed me very little. I tend to be one of those people who can read a book, even a good, engaging one, and a week later I can't tell you more than a few scattered anecdotes regarding its message and content. My brain, I lament, is too often like a sieve sifting flour. (On some days, broth).
Foster makes it clear that the kind of study he's calling a discipline is not reading or thinking for entertainment or to kill time. It's "a specific kind of experience in which through careful attention to reality the mind is enabled to move in a certain direction." It's goal is making the mind move and change, the same thing as Paul's plea to "transform" the mind. And Foster makes clear that by "study" he's not referring to just reading books, but studying people and events and nature as well.
According to Foster, what we study is also of extreme importance, because that "determines the kind of habits that are formed, which is why Paul urges us to focus on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely and gracious."
Here, then, is the big distinction Foster makes between casual and focused study:
The principal task of study is a perception into the reality of a given situation, encounter, book, etc. We can go through a major crisis, for example, without any perception of the real nature of the tragic situation. But if we carefully observe and reflect upon what has occurred, we can learn a great deal."Bingo. I can relate to what he's saying.
I got my college degree in broadcast journalism, and so I was trained as a journalist -- someone who theoretically does not participate in events or seek to influence them or even analyze them, but simply reports on them, factually, unemotionally, and in a disengaged manner. That's all well and good for reporters, and I wish more of them kept to that ideal standard these days, but I think Foster is saying that to be effective in the Kingdom, we can't just keep a "Press" badge on and be content to watch the world around us. That's not study as he defines it, but mere voyuerism.
If I see friends in need -- maybe going through an emotional crisis, a marital spat, a weakening of faith, or even a confusion about the future -- if I see that, and am content to merely observe that as an intellectual curiosity, then I'm not using the brain God gave me to "think on these things," as Paul said. Too often, I know I have failed to take a situation and really think about it. Why is this person so upset? Could there be a hidden reason I don't see? How could I help them right now? Is there someone I know I could appeal to for advice? How should I pray about this right now?
All too often, though, I'm too tempted to play reporter, just listening quietly and filing the facts away in my mind.
As far as book learning goes, I didn't need Foster to tell me that casual reading of Christian or even "serious" literature is a waste of time. If I'm just reading for fun, I think I'd honestly get more bang for my buck with a Stephen King novel or an Ann Rule true crime book than Romans or Lamentations. Definitely Lamentations. But I'm glad that Foster has written about how important it is that we use our time reading books of eternal knowledge and inspiration to change ourselves in some way, for the better.
I must confess: this has not been one of my better reviews of this book. I've left out a lot of great things in this chapter, such as tips for being a better student, and the importance of simply observing nature and God's creation, and ruminating upon His greatness. I have not "studied" this chapter as well as I should have, in all honesty. I didn't concentrate enough, or take the time to reflect enough to write comprehensively, as Foster would have advised.
But if I'm to redeem myself, and not fall short as Foster says the Bible defines that to be, I must begin to change my college test-cramming ways when it comes to study. I must use the Word and the world as tools to sharpen my mind and lead me toward being a better, more prepared, more effective Christian. That's what I see as the point of study. Otherwise, bring on P.G. Wodehouse, a couch and a cold glass of Dr Pepper.
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Here's what some other bloggers said about Chapter 5. Hopefully they did a bit more comprehensive job than I did:
Messy Christian
Tulips
The Village Muse
Steveybabe's Blog
CrosSwords
Alexander Campbell
Inspirational Journal
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
What Makes a Blog Christian?
A couple of times now in my short blogging career, I have come across lists of “Christian blogs” and have contemplated adding Muley’s World to the lineup. I have stopped short of doing so, however, because I have yet to fully answer the question in my mind, is this a “Christian blog?”
Sure, I am a Christian, and this is a blog. But does that automatically make it a “Christian blog?” It’s the same sort of question that a Christian who writes books might wrestle with. Do they consider themselves a “Christian writer,” a “writer of Christian books,” or “a writer who just happens to be a Christian?”
My problem with signing up for these lists is that when I look at the summary descriptions of the “Christian blogs” that are included, most of them have a definite Christian or at least spiritual slant. Many are overtly religious -- blogs that study the Bible day by day, or blogs from preachers with a weekly message and notes, or blogs from missionaries or other church workers discussing their daily challenges. Others, while not limiting themselves to church or worship-related topics, seem to deal with faith, spirituality and the Christian walk on quite a regular basis.
For example, here’s some blog site descriptions from the first few pages of a popular Christian weblog index:
“News, analysis and comment on Christian living”
“Exploring faith, God, passion [and] purpose”
“Exploring matters of faith in God”
“Reflections on my journey with God”
“Embarking on a spiritual journey toward Jesus”
“Mostly Catholic thought”
“My journey into Orthodoxy”
“Family living for Christ”
“Waiting, refined and prepared to be poured out for Jesus”
“A Christian blog”
I have two questions. First, does a guy who posts only one overtly “Christian” piece a week (my blogging group study of Celebration of Discipline) qualify as a “Christian blogger” in the company of the other folks on this index? What if they see my blog entry and visit me, and instead of getting my thoughts on Romans 3 or fasting or spiritual gifts, they see a funny photo of nuns, or a postcard of jackalopes, or goofy gift ideas for Fathers Day (all of which have been on my blog)? Does talk of Ted Nugent and grape-slathered apples and microwave pork rinds and Alien sequels have any right to be advertised on the same page as heartfelt discussions of grace and forgiveness and prayer and redemption?
I've stepped back a bit and noticed what a split personality my blog has. I can imagine the confusion of someone who, say, stumbles in on a Monday, reads fours days of posts that are 100 percent secular in content and approach, and then, out of the blue on Friday, they're hit with this long Bible study, written in a serious voice with lots of "churchy" language, followed by days of goofiness and secular content again. I can imagine them saying, "are there two guys writing this blog?"
For visitors who might be attracted in the beginning to check out a supposedly "Christian" website, am I damaging what testimony I have by, in effect, taking fellow seekers hungering after spiritual food and hitting them in the face with a cream pie?
Question two is the reverse of this. If I call myself a Christian (and I do), should I be writing about what I'm writing about at all? Should I be far less concerned with the frivolities of the material, fallen world, and instead be more concerned with topics of spiritual significance? Topics of eternal value, instead of such ephemeral subjects as pop culture and easy laughs?
And if I deal with topics concerning humor and pop culture, should I at least try to look at them through a "Christian lens" before I write? Even if the subject is not a spiritual one, should I try to "work in" something spiritual? If so, how do I use a Christian lens -- or work in something spiritual -- when discussing, say, the Three Stooges?
In short, can I truthfully call my blog “Christian” if it’s stuffed almost exclusively with things of the world?
I have lots of these questions and very few answers. That's exactly why I have refrained from putting Muley’s World on any Christian index. I don’t want to lead people astray and participate in false advertising, as well-meaning and unintentional as it might be. I want to be a good Christian, but I want to use my talents as I understand them, too, even if all that produces is a cogent analysis of Moe's use of head slappies.
If you've read down this far, I need some advice and Christian counsel. What do you think, fellow bloggers who are Christians? How do you see yourselves, and your blogs? Can you and I promote chuckling at jackalopes and comedy teams and fun-loving nuns and still be using our time and talents profitably for Him?
Sure, I am a Christian, and this is a blog. But does that automatically make it a “Christian blog?” It’s the same sort of question that a Christian who writes books might wrestle with. Do they consider themselves a “Christian writer,” a “writer of Christian books,” or “a writer who just happens to be a Christian?”
My problem with signing up for these lists is that when I look at the summary descriptions of the “Christian blogs” that are included, most of them have a definite Christian or at least spiritual slant. Many are overtly religious -- blogs that study the Bible day by day, or blogs from preachers with a weekly message and notes, or blogs from missionaries or other church workers discussing their daily challenges. Others, while not limiting themselves to church or worship-related topics, seem to deal with faith, spirituality and the Christian walk on quite a regular basis.
For example, here’s some blog site descriptions from the first few pages of a popular Christian weblog index:
“News, analysis and comment on Christian living”
“Exploring faith, God, passion [and] purpose”
“Exploring matters of faith in God”
“Reflections on my journey with God”
“Embarking on a spiritual journey toward Jesus”
“Mostly Catholic thought”
“My journey into Orthodoxy”
“Family living for Christ”
“Waiting, refined and prepared to be poured out for Jesus”
“A Christian blog”
I have two questions. First, does a guy who posts only one overtly “Christian” piece a week (my blogging group study of Celebration of Discipline) qualify as a “Christian blogger” in the company of the other folks on this index? What if they see my blog entry and visit me, and instead of getting my thoughts on Romans 3 or fasting or spiritual gifts, they see a funny photo of nuns, or a postcard of jackalopes, or goofy gift ideas for Fathers Day (all of which have been on my blog)? Does talk of Ted Nugent and grape-slathered apples and microwave pork rinds and Alien sequels have any right to be advertised on the same page as heartfelt discussions of grace and forgiveness and prayer and redemption?
I've stepped back a bit and noticed what a split personality my blog has. I can imagine the confusion of someone who, say, stumbles in on a Monday, reads fours days of posts that are 100 percent secular in content and approach, and then, out of the blue on Friday, they're hit with this long Bible study, written in a serious voice with lots of "churchy" language, followed by days of goofiness and secular content again. I can imagine them saying, "are there two guys writing this blog?"
For visitors who might be attracted in the beginning to check out a supposedly "Christian" website, am I damaging what testimony I have by, in effect, taking fellow seekers hungering after spiritual food and hitting them in the face with a cream pie?
Question two is the reverse of this. If I call myself a Christian (and I do), should I be writing about what I'm writing about at all? Should I be far less concerned with the frivolities of the material, fallen world, and instead be more concerned with topics of spiritual significance? Topics of eternal value, instead of such ephemeral subjects as pop culture and easy laughs?
And if I deal with topics concerning humor and pop culture, should I at least try to look at them through a "Christian lens" before I write? Even if the subject is not a spiritual one, should I try to "work in" something spiritual? If so, how do I use a Christian lens -- or work in something spiritual -- when discussing, say, the Three Stooges?
In short, can I truthfully call my blog “Christian” if it’s stuffed almost exclusively with things of the world?
I have lots of these questions and very few answers. That's exactly why I have refrained from putting Muley’s World on any Christian index. I don’t want to lead people astray and participate in false advertising, as well-meaning and unintentional as it might be. I want to be a good Christian, but I want to use my talents as I understand them, too, even if all that produces is a cogent analysis of Moe's use of head slappies.
If you've read down this far, I need some advice and Christian counsel. What do you think, fellow bloggers who are Christians? How do you see yourselves, and your blogs? Can you and I promote chuckling at jackalopes and comedy teams and fun-loving nuns and still be using our time and talents profitably for Him?
Friday, June 17, 2005
Blogging Celebration of Discipline: Chapter 3
I have joined a group of fellow Christians who are blogging through Richard Foster’s classic book Celebration of Discipline, one chapter at a time. Each Friday, we post our thoughts and questions about the chapter we’ve read that week. Here’s my post on Chapter 3, "The Discipline of Prayer."
If you’re interested in joining this group blog, go here.
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Muley has been a bad, bad boy. I read through Chapter 2 last week on meditation, not understanding or connecting to much of what Richard Foster wrote about it, and I wrote in my post that I would read through the chapter again in an attempt to truly "get" it. Well, I haven't. No. 1, I've been busy, and No. 2, I guess the concept of being quiet and simply listening to God is still so foreign and difficult for me to wrap my brain around, it's akin to trying to learn Japanese on the flight over to Tokyo. I will re-read that chapter, but not now.
Chapter 3 is on prayer, and at least that I know something about. Granted, most of what I do know about prayer are things that I should be doing but aren't, but nevertheless it's something familiar that's been in my life since I was very young. So at least I have a frame of reference to deal with when I'm reading what Foster has to say.
On to the chapter itself. This one hit home for me, because it spoke to what I’m doing and not doing in my relationship with God right now, and what I can do to change.
Speaking of change, Foster says right off the bat that’s what prayer is all about:
Foster goes on to say that the end result of prayer shouldn’t be to make us feel good or to get our list of wants checked off, but to transform our passions:
PRAYER CAN’T CHANGE ANYTHING Foster points out the belief that since everything in the universe is already set, things can’t be changed, and if things can’t be changed, why pray? But he shows how Paul and other “Bible pray-ers prayed as if their prayers could and would make an objective difference,” and says Stoicism, not the Bible, teaches a closed universe. “We are to change the world by prayer,” Foster concludes. “What more motivation do we need to learn this loftiest human exercise?”
WE SHOULD JUST “KNOW” HOW TO PRAY Nope. Foster says “real prayer is something we learn.” Even the disciples, he says, had to learn how to pray, and we do, too:
I DON’T HAVE FAITH ENOUGH TO PRAY SUCCESSFULLY Foster reminds us that the Bible says great miracles are possible through faith the size of a mustard seed:
Foster believes that prayer should instead be like what I’ve hoped it should be all along:
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Here are some other bloggers' posts on Chapter 3:
Messy Christian
DB on DB
If you’re interested in joining this group blog, go here.
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Muley has been a bad, bad boy. I read through Chapter 2 last week on meditation, not understanding or connecting to much of what Richard Foster wrote about it, and I wrote in my post that I would read through the chapter again in an attempt to truly "get" it. Well, I haven't. No. 1, I've been busy, and No. 2, I guess the concept of being quiet and simply listening to God is still so foreign and difficult for me to wrap my brain around, it's akin to trying to learn Japanese on the flight over to Tokyo. I will re-read that chapter, but not now.
Chapter 3 is on prayer, and at least that I know something about. Granted, most of what I do know about prayer are things that I should be doing but aren't, but nevertheless it's something familiar that's been in my life since I was very young. So at least I have a frame of reference to deal with when I'm reading what Foster has to say.
On to the chapter itself. This one hit home for me, because it spoke to what I’m doing and not doing in my relationship with God right now, and what I can do to change.
Speaking of change, Foster says right off the bat that’s what prayer is all about:
“To pray is to change. Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us. If we are unwilling to change, we will abandon prayer as a noticeable characteristic of our lives. The closer we come to the heartbeat of God the more we see our need and the more we desire to be conformed to Christ.”By this formula, I have mostly been unwilling to change lately. I'd better listen closely.
Foster goes on to say that the end result of prayer shouldn’t be to make us feel good or to get our list of wants checked off, but to transform our passions:
In prayer, real prayer, we begin to think God’s thoughts after him: to desire the things he desires, to love the things he loves, to will the things he wills. Progressively, we are taught to see things from his point of view.”One thing I like about this chapter is that Foster talks about a number of hindrances to, or hangups about, prayer, then lines them up and swats them down one by one:
PRAYER CAN’T CHANGE ANYTHING Foster points out the belief that since everything in the universe is already set, things can’t be changed, and if things can’t be changed, why pray? But he shows how Paul and other “Bible pray-ers prayed as if their prayers could and would make an objective difference,” and says Stoicism, not the Bible, teaches a closed universe. “We are to change the world by prayer,” Foster concludes. “What more motivation do we need to learn this loftiest human exercise?”
WE SHOULD JUST “KNOW” HOW TO PRAY Nope. Foster says “real prayer is something we learn.” Even the disciples, he says, had to learn how to pray, and we do, too:
“It was liberating to me to understand that prayer involved a learning process. I was set free to question, to experiment, even to fail, for I knew I was learning.”WE CAN’T ACT TOO SURE ABOUT WHAT WE ASK FOR Since there are so many kinds of prayer, Foster uses this chapter to discuss only one kind: prayer for others. When he discusses prayers we make on others’ behalf, Foster attacks the kind of tentative prayer request I have made many times, the “If it be thy will” prayer. He says there’s not a single instance in the Bible -- except for prayers of guidance when we are seeking God’s will -- where Jesus or the disciples wrapped up a request for someone else with the caveat “If it be thy will”:
“They obviously believed that they knew what the will of God was before they prayed the prayer of faith. They were so immersed in the milieu of the Holy Spirit that when they encountered a specific situation, they knew what should be done...I saw that when praying for others there was evidently no room for indecisive, tentative, half-hoping, ‘If it be thy will’ prayers...I began praying for others with an expectation that a change should and would occur.”PRAY BIG Foster says while big prayers are certainly important, praying small prayers for others will make prayer a daily habit for us. He says, “Success in the small corners of life gives us authority in the larger matters.”
I DON’T HAVE FAITH ENOUGH TO PRAY SUCCESSFULLY Foster reminds us that the Bible says great miracles are possible through faith the size of a mustard seed:
“Usually, the courage actually to go and pray for a person is a sign of sufficient faith. Frequently our lack is not faith but compassion. It seems that genuine empathy between the pray-er and the pray-ee often makes the difference.”PRAYER TOO SIMPLE IS NOT EFFECTIVE OR CORRECT This, right here, is where I got my money’s worth from this chapter. My heart tells me prayer should be simple, a child talking to his Father, but I have read a few books by very popular Christian prayer “experts” (I won’t name names) that left me feeling so inadequate. To these authors, praying involves certain preliminary incantations, then attention paid to four or five areas of prayer request (in a certain order), followed by specific closing subjects one has to mention -- all done with zeal and sincerity and profound feeling, for at least 30 minutes a day.
Foster believes that prayer should instead be like what I’ve hoped it should be all along:
“We should never make prayer too complicated...Jesus taught us to come like children to a father. Openness, honesty and trust mark the communication of children with their father. The reason God answers prayer is because his children ask.”This has given me new inspiration and enthusiasm for prayer. If prayer is indeed just a child talking simply and matter-of-factly to his father, I can do that. And I don’t need always to wait for “correct conditions” -- a quiet spot, 30 minutes of uninterrupted time, all my requests lined up like ducks in a row, the major ones first, the small ones only if time and energy allow. I can pray anytime, for anything, about anyone. And that is a wonderful blessing.
“Jesus taught us to pray for daily bread. Have you ever noticed that children ask for lunch in utter confidence that it will be provided? They have no need to stash away today’s sandwiches for fear none will be available tomorrow. As far as they are concerned, there is an endless supply of sandwiches. Children do not find it difficult or complicated to talk with their parents, nor do they feel embarrassed to bring the simplest need to their attention. Neither should we hesitate to bring the simplest requests confidently to the Father.”
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Here are some other bloggers' posts on Chapter 3:
Messy Christian
DB on DB
Friday, June 10, 2005
Blogging Celebration of Discipline: Chapter 2
I have joined a group of fellow Christians who are blogging through Richard Foster’s classic book Celebration of Discipline, one chapter at a time. Each Friday, we post our thoughts and questions about the chapter we’ve read that week. Here’s my post on Chapter 2, "The Discipline of Meditation."
If you’re interested in joining this group blog, go here.
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Just in case we are tempted to pick up a Christian book with a chapter titled "The Discipline of Meditation" and think that it's going to be chock full of instructions on seeking out a swami, learning to clear our mind of all thoughts, sitting bow-legged and then humming into the void, Richard Foster puts us straight in Chapter 2:
I've always heard that after we "pray," which too many times for me has been the act of trotting out my lists of things to be thankful for and things to ask for from God, we should do something even more important, which is to listen to God giving us direction and understanding. It might illustrate how much of a "baby" Christian I truly am by admitting that receiving an unmistakeable answer from God has almost never happened to me during the times of quiet meditation Foster encourages.
Not that God never speaks to me. I know of some concrete examples, as when I prayed to get certain jobs "if it was God's will," then to be initially disappointed and even nursing a feeling of betrayal when I didn't get them, only to realize much later that the jobs were in fact wrong for me, and only would have resulted in my being miserable.
That indirect and circumstantial way God talks to me -- or even His direct way, when for example I hear about someone's urgent need and feel an overwhelming urge to respond -- I am familiar with. But the other way -- of being quiet and still and letting God speak to me from the ether, so to speak -- I can't say that ever really happens at all. When I try to be quiet and just "listen," I assure you I hear no voice, see no children's letter blocks arranging themselves into words without human assistance, do not find my finger floating and then magically landing on the correct passage in the Bible. More often than not, I instead find my quiet mind wandering into topics most mundane and unspiritual, like isn't that air conditioner rattling a little?
This elusive practice of taking time to be quiet and letting God lead us seems to be exactly what Foster is calling meditation, so maybe you can understand my feelings of inadequacy. The author seems to be talking to me, however, when he points out one of my big problems -- apparent failure to possess the true desire to hear a word from God:
Foster then gives some tips (not "laws," he stresses) on the mechanics of meditatiing -- the best places, times and ways to do it. But he lets the air out of my tires a bit when he stresses that
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Check out these other responses to Chapter 2:
CrosSwords
Alexander Campbell
Listen In
Steveybabe's Blog
Messy Christian
If you’re interested in joining this group blog, go here.
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Just in case we are tempted to pick up a Christian book with a chapter titled "The Discipline of Meditation" and think that it's going to be chock full of instructions on seeking out a swami, learning to clear our mind of all thoughts, sitting bow-legged and then humming into the void, Richard Foster puts us straight in Chapter 2:
"Christian meditation, very simply, is the ability to hear God's voice and obey his word. It is that simple. I wish I could make it more complicated for those who like things difficult. It involves no hidden mysteries, no secret mantras, no mental gymnastics, no esoteric flights into cosmic consciousness. The truth of the matter is that the great God of the universe, the Creator of all things desires our fellowship."I must admit that this was a hard chapter for me to take in fully all in one gulp. And even though Foster has written in a logical progession, and has spent 18 pages covering the topic of meditation from a variety of perspectives, I am still having trouble understanding its very core. In other words, how is meditation different from what we know as prayer?
I've always heard that after we "pray," which too many times for me has been the act of trotting out my lists of things to be thankful for and things to ask for from God, we should do something even more important, which is to listen to God giving us direction and understanding. It might illustrate how much of a "baby" Christian I truly am by admitting that receiving an unmistakeable answer from God has almost never happened to me during the times of quiet meditation Foster encourages.
Not that God never speaks to me. I know of some concrete examples, as when I prayed to get certain jobs "if it was God's will," then to be initially disappointed and even nursing a feeling of betrayal when I didn't get them, only to realize much later that the jobs were in fact wrong for me, and only would have resulted in my being miserable.
That indirect and circumstantial way God talks to me -- or even His direct way, when for example I hear about someone's urgent need and feel an overwhelming urge to respond -- I am familiar with. But the other way -- of being quiet and still and letting God speak to me from the ether, so to speak -- I can't say that ever really happens at all. When I try to be quiet and just "listen," I assure you I hear no voice, see no children's letter blocks arranging themselves into words without human assistance, do not find my finger floating and then magically landing on the correct passage in the Bible. More often than not, I instead find my quiet mind wandering into topics most mundane and unspiritual, like isn't that air conditioner rattling a little?
This elusive practice of taking time to be quiet and letting God lead us seems to be exactly what Foster is calling meditation, so maybe you can understand my feelings of inadequacy. The author seems to be talking to me, however, when he points out one of my big problems -- apparent failure to possess the true desire to hear a word from God:
"How do we receive the desire to hear his voice? 'This desire to turn is a gift of grace. Anyone who imagines he can simply begin meditating without praying for the desire and the grace to do so, will soon give up. But the desire to meditate, and the grace to begin meditating, should be taken as an implicit promise of futher graces.' Seeking and receiving that 'gift of grace' is the only thing that will keep us moving forward on the inward journey."Foster goes on in this chapter to address some misconceptions about Christian meditation -- that it seeks detachment of the mind from God and the world, as Eastern meditation does; that it is by nature too difficult and complicated; that people who meditate frequently become too distant from life and are "no earthly good"; and that meditation somehow involves the trickery of psyching ourselves out. And the author also stresses the importance of letting imagination play a part.
Foster then gives some tips (not "laws," he stresses) on the mechanics of meditatiing -- the best places, times and ways to do it. But he lets the air out of my tires a bit when he stresses that
"It is impossible to learn how to meditate from a book. We learn to meditate by meditating."And with that, in some ways I'm back to square one. I must admit that I'm far from understanding this chapter as I should. I will have to read it again and again, prayerfully, and try to put what it teaches me into practice. As a place to begin, I think I might end up practicing one of the "forms" of meditation Foster discusses -- that of meditating on Scripture:
"This is not a time for technical studies, or analysis, or even the gathering of material to share with others. Set aside all tendencies toward arrogance and with a humble heart receive the word addresed to you. Often I find kneeling especially appropriate for this particular time. Dietrich Bonhoeffer says, '...just as you do not analyze the words of someone you love, but accept them as they are said to you, accept the Word of Scripture and ponder it in your heart, as Mary did. That is all. That is meditation.'"Okay. I'll give that a try.
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Check out these other responses to Chapter 2:
CrosSwords
Alexander Campbell
Listen In
Steveybabe's Blog
Messy Christian
Friday, June 03, 2005
Blogging Celebration of Discipline: Chapter 1
I have joined a group of fellow Christians who are blogging through Richard Foster’s classic book Celebration of Discipline, one chapter at a time. Each Friday, we post our thoughts and questions about the chapter we’ve read that week. Here’s my post on Chapter 1.
And if you’re interested in joining this group blog, go here.
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Right off the bat, the first chapter of Celebration of Discipline presents me with a challenge I often feel inadequate to meet:
What are the Christian Disciplines? Foster hasn’t listed them in Chapter 1, but if I peek ahead to the upcoming chapter titles, they seem to include such things as prayer, meditation, fasting, study, simplicity, solitude, submission (can’t wait for that chapter), service, confession, worship, guidance and celebration.
Foster says many people are put off or intimidated by the Disciplines because they feel they are attainable only by monks who live in monasteries and spend all day praying, or by people who have the wherewithal to grit their teeth and endure boring drudgery for God. Frankly, I have felt this way myself. But Foster says
The book goes on to talk in detail about sin -- how we tend to think of sins as single, discrete acts that can be swatted away one by one as they approach us if our “willpower” is properly engaged. Foster says learning the Disciplines will show us the fallacy of this idea, since sin is “part of the internal structure of our lives”:
I’m ready for that kind of true transformation, and though I still feel so much a “baby Christian” when it comes to even the most basic Disciplines such as prayer and meditation, I am eagerly looking forward to the next chapters of this book to obtain Foster’s guidance in rectifying that situation.
As I get other bloggers' takes on this, I will include their links here:
CrosSwords
Messy Christian
Baggas' Blog
Steveybabe's Blog
DB on DB
Listen In
And if you’re interested in joining this group blog, go here.
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Right off the bat, the first chapter of Celebration of Discipline presents me with a challenge I often feel inadequate to meet:
“The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people.”On my best days, I might include myself in the first two categories, but never the third. I’m probably one of those “Platte River” types -- you know, a mile wide and an inch deep. Well, it appears that helping people like me is what Celebration of Discipline is all about -- leading us to get deeper into the real meat of our Christian faith, by learning and faithfully following the Christian Disciplines.
What are the Christian Disciplines? Foster hasn’t listed them in Chapter 1, but if I peek ahead to the upcoming chapter titles, they seem to include such things as prayer, meditation, fasting, study, simplicity, solitude, submission (can’t wait for that chapter), service, confession, worship, guidance and celebration.
Foster says many people are put off or intimidated by the Disciplines because they feel they are attainable only by monks who live in monasteries and spend all day praying, or by people who have the wherewithal to grit their teeth and endure boring drudgery for God. Frankly, I have felt this way myself. But Foster says
“Joy is the keynote of all the Disciplines. The purpose of the Disciplines is liberation from the stifling slavery to self-interest and fear. When the inner spirit is liberated from all that weighs it down, it can hardly be described as dull drudgery. Singing, dancing, even shouting characterize the Disciplines of the spiritual life.”Foster reassures me that “beginners are welcome” to learn the Disciplines, and there’s no need to have a huge backlog of theological knowledge. “The primary requirement is a longing after God,” he says, and that fits me to a T.
The book goes on to talk in detail about sin -- how we tend to think of sins as single, discrete acts that can be swatted away one by one as they approach us if our “willpower” is properly engaged. Foster says learning the Disciplines will show us the fallacy of this idea, since sin is “part of the internal structure of our lives”:
“The moment we feel we can succeed and attain victory over sin by the strength of our will alone is the moment we are worshiping the will...‘Will worship’ may produce an outward show of success for a time, but in the cracks and crevices of our lives our deep inner condition will eventually be revealed.”Foster goes on to talk about righteousness, reminding us that Paul stressed it is a gift from God. But Foster warns against taking this to mean that just because we can’t earn righteousness, we are powerless in the equation and can sit back and do nothing -- just get comfortable and let God transform us while we are blissfully going about our earthly duties:
“Happily there is something we can do. We do not need to be hung on the horns of the dilemma of either human works or idleness. God has given us the Disciplines of the spiritual life as a means of receiving his grace. The Disciplines allow us to place ourselves before God so that he can transform us.”And then Foster warns us not to turn these transforming Disciplines into “another set of soul-killing laws,” but instead urges us to use them to let God transform us into what He wants us to be.
I’m ready for that kind of true transformation, and though I still feel so much a “baby Christian” when it comes to even the most basic Disciplines such as prayer and meditation, I am eagerly looking forward to the next chapters of this book to obtain Foster’s guidance in rectifying that situation.
As I get other bloggers' takes on this, I will include their links here:
CrosSwords
Messy Christian
Baggas' Blog
Steveybabe's Blog
DB on DB
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