I Dare You
The mission of Harrah Church is to fully develop people in Christ. Healthy development requires people to be self-feeders. We cannot fully develop by listening to a sermon or two a week. We must be willing to go deeper. Practicing spiritual disciplines takes a person to a completely different level of intimacy with Christ. I dare you to read Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. Be careful it might change your life!
“Jesus made it unmistakeably clear that the knowledge of the truth will set us free. ‘You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:32). Good feelings will not free us. Ecstatic experiences will not free us. Getting “high on Jesus” will not free us. Without a knowledge of the truth, we will not be free.” (Richard Foster)
If you take the dare be sure to come back and share what happens.
My sister Mary just read the book and LOVED it – and it’s the next one on my list!
Actually I’m still in the process of reading it. I have been recommending it to others because after only a few pages I was learning so much. I’ve always been interested in those whom Foster calls the Devotional Masters. Like Foster I’ve always viewed them as knowing God in a way I haven’t thought was possible for me. Reading about someone who shared this view hooked me in and I have been excited about what I’m reading. The first thing that was a real light bulb moment for me was when Foster talks about how we deal with ingrained sin. He states that we “rely on our willpower and determination.” And we determine never to do it again; we pray against it, fight against it, set our will against it. But we can never succeed with willpower. You would think I would know this since I’ve been a Christian for a long time but I realized I’ve been trying to overcome my failings through sheer willpower. And I just keep failing! It is the inner spirit that needs transformation. It was so freeing to read this! I just have to open the door to let God transform me inwardly. Read this book people! There is a lot more in there I have gleaned but I need to finish it first. Also, some people I told to read it thought it was about disciplining your children. It is about the spiritual disciplines.
Mary I’m stoked to hear you’re reading Celebration of Discipline! I hope others will take the dare.
I love the chapter on Meditation. I’m learning so much – things I never even thought of before. I have a feeling just from chapter one this book is going to really help me in my walk! In the chapter on meditation I like what he says about placing your palms down as a symbolic indication of your desire to turn over concerns you may have to God. Whatever is weighing you down – placing your palms down and releasing it and one example was “I surrender my anxiety about not having enough money to pay bills this month”. That’s a great one to release! And then after surrendering for several moments turning your palms up as a symbol of your desire to receive from the Lord. I really like everything in this chapter – it’s good stuff!!