The title is not an oxymoron | Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth

Rocks | Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth | Richard J. Foster

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	• Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth Richard J. Foster HarperSanFrancisco, 1998 - 248 pages average customer review:based on 120 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

True relationship with God

This book is outstanding if you read it with an open heart and begin to practice some of these principles you will grow.

The title is not an oxymoron

The writer of Hebrews tells us in chapter 12 that no discipline seems pleasant at the time we are receiving it, but if we can receive it, learn from it, and apply it, then it will produce "a harvest of righteousness and peace" in our lives. Richard J. Foster gives his readers a beautiful and inspiring look at how spiritual disciplines work in our lives and cause us to become deeper and stronger people in Christ and His Word. In so doing, the process of discipline becomes precious--even joyful--to the mature believer who embraces it.

There is a beauty in the simplicity of Foster's words and in the actions that he advocates. There are...to paraphrase a popular television exercise commercial..."no high impact gyrations, no tricky dance moves" here in this book. It's just good, solid, basic information that will bring about real results. But, it's far from dry. Foster is a patient and empathetic teacher.

This special 25th anniversary edition is beautifully done, spare but elegant (a lot like the prose inside). This is one of those books that's not only a must for every Christian's bookshelf, but a must to read and apply. In a world full of noise and confusion, Foster offers a doorway into a "place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God."

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Rocks

Simply put, this book has at least one chapter that will strike a chord in every Christian. That chapter will be deeply convicting and make you think "Why didn't I ever read anything about this before?" The meditation chapter has been the topic of some controversy in previous reviews, and if that makes you hesitant to buy the book... then don't read that chapter! Or read it very critically! The book is very modular, that is, you could read the chapters (excluding the introduction) in any order, or not read some of them, and you could still get a lot out of the book.

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Essential For all Followers of Christ

If you are in search for true spiritual meaning, read this book. It takes you through a world uncharted by many Christians, but should be experienced by us all. This is not a "how to" book, it is much more than that.

significant challenges...

Since college, when a number of my dormmates read through this book, I have desired to partake in a 'Celebration of Discipline.' When a fellow brother suggested that I choose something that several of us could study together my thoughts we immediately thrust to this work. I knew I would need the accountability of a group to not just read but seek to apply the principals present by Richard Foster.

The book is separated into 12 individual disciplines and further broken down into three groups, 'The Inward Disciplines,' The Outward Disciplines' and 'The Corporate Disciplines.' Foster opens with a warning, encouragement and guidelines for embarking on the journey of living a life in the disciplines. This first chapter should certainly not be taken lightly and is important to a successful incorporation of this lifestyle. What follows are easily understood insights on disciplines such as meditation, prayer, fasting, study and worship. While the book is easily read, the material presents significant challenges for everyday practice.

I believe this book is best undertaken in a group setting. Much of what he writes could be constrained to theory without the driving force of the Body and Spirit on an individual believer. Foster managed to challenge all in our small group, both those of conservative and liberal leanings. Throughout the book Foster makes a number of statements that will spark dialoge among all bents of the Christian community. I found this a wonderful aspect to develop and strengthen the body.

This is a book to be purchased and practiced in pursuit of the deeper, intimate walk with God for which so many of us yearn.

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