Weekly Spiritual Discipline

[Lloyd]

- Disciple means one who follows a discipline, so Jesus' disciples follow his discipline. Do you agree?
- I feel that I need to improve my spiritual discipline in order to better do God's will for me. And I'd like to have one or more others to discuss discipline with each week. I think this would improve my inspiration. If I only do whatever my mood dictates, that seems to incline me toward selfish desires more than toward God's will for me.
- Do you share interest in discussing discipline with someone each week? If so, I can try to do that with you, or, if not convenient, I can help find someone else with whom it would be more convenient.
- My feeling is that it would be mutually beneficial to discuss plans each week and to discuss emotions. I think discussing plans would help improve the inspiration for plans. And discussing emotions helps uncover false beliefs, usually from childhood, that cause unpleasant emotions. I think Jesus called truth light and false beliefs darkness and he said shining light into darkness removes the darkness. So discussing emotions helps us uncover false beliefs and the knowledge that they are false is light, which removes the false beliefs.
- For me it's most convenient to discuss on a Google Document or on Skype. I can be available live almost any day of the week. The best time is between noon and 5 p.m. Central Time.
- Would you like to try this at least once or a few times to see if it seems to be helpful? If so, what day and time would you like to start?

[ded2daworld]

Jeff's dictionary sez - a disciple is one that does. Discipline means "to do"
If you aren't home bound, get out and volunteer your time to help others less fortunate than you
If you are homebound. your computer is your doorway to the world.
Just like talk radio, it's great but all they do is talk.
I can't understand sitting around discussing what we should be doing rather than doing.
"The learning is in the doing"
"The secret is, there is no secret"
As you help others or comfort them or pray for them, you are being a disciple of Jesus.
It's not recorded the disciples ever sat around discussing "How to be a better disciple" :Peace2:

[Lloyd]

It's not recorded the disciples ever sat around discussing "How to be a better disciple"

It's recorded that Jesus taught the disciples how to be his disciples, not just by doing things haphazardly, but by meeting and praying together and making decisions together as per Acts 15 etc.

[ded2daworld]

Yes, "For whatever is done apart from the Holy Spirit is sin."

[Lloyd]

As I said, I think I need to practice some spiritual discipline each week, so I'll try to do that here. The most useful discipline seems to be to discuss emotions and plans. Unpleasant emotions I believe are caused by misconceptions ("darkness") and examining such emotions helps reveal (shine the light on) the misconceptions, which helps correct them.
1a. Emotion: worry and discouragement 2 weeks ago when I had a painful toothache that lasted several days followed by a migraine.
1b. Possible misconceptions that caused worry and discouragement: that declining health will be too expensive to heal and too disabling to allow me to carry out important plans or ideas.
1c. Possible lesson: I need to relinquish pride in my plans and ideas.
2a. Emotion: discouragement this past week that what seem to be inspired plans one day seem unwise the next.
2b. Possible misconception behind it: that a plan is inspired if it seems impressive, or that it is uninspired if it does not seem impressive.
2c. Possible lesson: ideas need to be discussed with mature others to help determine if they're inspired or not.
3. Idea: set up a place online to discuss ideas with mature others to help determine if they're inspired or not (maybe here).
4. Idea: start a project for young Christians under 30 to collaborate to write a book and a blog to share the good news (aka gospel) with young people et al worldwide in normal language that makes sense to people in all major cultures, instead of using traditional Christian terms that sound like mumbo-jumbo or cults to other cultures.
5. Idea: start a non-profit consulting service that connects people with both non-profit and for-profit consultants on all ethical topics, including religion.
6. Idea: start a united Christian town or community with sound economics in a small county.
7a. Request: members, please tell me whether any of these ideas seem inspired or not and, if you like, tell why.
7b. Request: members, please discuss your ideas here, or somewhere else that you prefer and name, to help all of us consider what's inspired or not.

[VineBranch]

As I said, I think I need to practice some spiritual discipline each week, so I'll try to do that here. The most useful discipline seems to be to discuss emotions and plans. Unpleasant emotions I believe are caused by misconceptions ("darkness") and examining such emotions helps reveal (shine the light on) the misconceptions, which helps correct them.
1a. Emotion: worry and discouragement 2 weeks ago when I had a painful toothache that lasted several days followed by a migraine.
1b. Possible misconceptions that caused worry and discouragement: that declining health will be too expensive to heal and too disabling to allow me to carry out important plans or ideas.
1c. Possible lesson: I need to relinquish pride in my plans and ideas.
2a. Emotion: discouragement this past week that what seem to be inspired plans one day seem unwise the next.
2b. Possible misconception behind it: that a plan is inspired if it seems impressive, or that it is uninspired if it does not seem unimpressive.
2c. Possible lesson: ideas need to be discussed with mature others to help determine if they're inspired or not.
3. Idea: set up a place online to discuss ideas with mature others to help determine if they're inspired or not (maybe here).
4. Idea: start a project for young Christians under 30 to collaborate to write a book and a blog to share the good news (aka gospel) with young people et al worldwide in normal language that makes sense to people in all major cultures, instead of using traditional Christian terms that sound like mumbo-jumbo or cults to other cultures.
5. Idea: start a non-profit consulting service that connects people with both non-profit and for-profit consultants on all ethical topics, including religion.
6. Idea: start a united Christian town or community with sound economics in a small county.
7a. Request: members, please tell me whether any of these ideas seem inspired or not and, if you like, tell why.
7b. Request: members, please discuss your ideas here, or somewhere else that you prefer and name, to help all of us consider what's inspired or not.

Spirtual Discipline 101:  AKA Hey, how did it get to be so messy around here.

In the seventies there was a movement which sprang out of Argentina:  it was called Discipleship.  People placed themselves under the pastors, or elders, and learned at their feet.  Result:  A lot of people got hurt because a lot of the pastors and elders forgot that the people they were leading, actually belonged to God, and not the them.  Lesson:  Where ever you are, that's where God is.  Do what's infront of you (maybe).

Step one:  (you may wish to take notes)  Be still and know that I am God.  If God wishes to use you to help someone, cool, if he doesn't, cool.
Step two:  (you may wish to take notes)  Be still and know that I am God.  If God wishes to use you to help someone, cool, if he doesn't, cool.
Step three:(you may wish to take notes)  Be still and know that I am God.  If God wishes to use you to help someone, cool, if he doesn't, cool.

Repeat.

[shawn]

For me, the thought of disciplining myself (basically forcing myself) to study, work, strive, white knuckle etc seems miserable and legalistic.  I have gone through those seasons and they always end up here.  It's like chasing your tail...never catch it...just get winded.

Instead, today I really just look at trying to focus on one thing today...gratitude.  I'm so grateful that I have health, a calling, family, sobriety etc...not because of me but despite me.  It causes my eyes to look upward, and I ache to pray...ache to read His word...ache to dwell on Him...when i start my day with gratitude.  I fall in love with my Savior more and more in those moments.  That love changes me to where discipline isn't really in the picture.  Do you have to discipline yourself to talk to your wife?  Hopefully not because you love her.  It causes me to want selfish things less.

I know today if I start my day with gratitude, all else will fall into place. 

[shawn]

As I said, I think I need to practice some spiritual discipline each week, so I'll try to do that here. The most useful discipline seems to be to discuss emotions and plans. Unpleasant emotions I believe are caused by misconceptions ("darkness") and examining such emotions helps reveal (shine the light on) the misconceptions, which helps correct them.
1a. Emotion: worry and discouragement 2 weeks ago when I had a painful toothache that lasted several days followed by a migraine.
1b. Possible misconceptions that caused worry and discouragement: that declining health will be too expensive to heal and too disabling to allow me to carry out important plans or ideas.
1c. Possible lesson: I need to relinquish pride in my plans and ideas.
2a. Emotion: discouragement this past week that what seem to be inspired plans one day seem unwise the next.
2b. Possible misconception behind it: that a plan is inspired if it seems impressive, or that it is uninspired if it does not seem unimpressive.
2c. Possible lesson: ideas need to be discussed with mature others to help determine if they're inspired or not.
3. Idea: set up a place online to discuss ideas with mature others to help determine if they're inspired or not (maybe here).
4. Idea: start a project for young Christians under 30 to collaborate to write a book and a blog to share the good news (aka gospel) with young people et al worldwide in normal language that makes sense to people in all major cultures, instead of using traditional Christian terms that sound like mumbo-jumbo or cults to other cultures.
5. Idea: start a non-profit consulting service that connects people with both non-profit and for-profit consultants on all ethical topics, including religion.
6. Idea: start a united Christian town or community with sound economics in a small county.
7a. Request: members, please tell me whether any of these ideas seem inspired or not and, if you like, tell why.
7b. Request: members, please discuss your ideas here, or somewhere else that you prefer and name, to help all of us consider what's inspired or not.

Lloyd you seem like a bright guy.  Actually the way you break things down seems like an engineer.  Those guys are so analytical, I think they could make a flow chart on how to solve their wife's emotional problems.

But, have you ever thought to just stop over thinking your walk with Christ?  His yoke is easy...burden light.  This isn't rocket science...it's grace and relationship.  It's gratitude and forgiveness.  It's love.  How about focusing on one thing today...turning your eyes to him and just pouring out your heart to him...take a walk in the park with Him.  Let that experience carry over into your interactions with others.  You don't have to earn anything.  This isn't a contest.  You are loved just how you are.

[misszoolander]

- Disciple means one who follows a discipline, so Jesus' disciples follow his discipline. Do you agree?
- I feel that I need to improve my spiritual discipline in order to better do God's will for me. And I'd like to have one or more others to discuss discipline with each week. I think this would improve my inspiration. If I only do whatever my mood dictates, that seems to incline me toward selfish desires more than toward God's will for me.
- Do you share interest in discussing discipline with someone each week? If so, I can try to do that with you, or, if not convenient, I can help find someone else with whom it would be more convenient.
- My feeling is that it would be mutually beneficial to discuss plans each week and to discuss emotions. I think discussing plans would help improve the inspiration for plans. And discussing emotions helps uncover false beliefs, usually from childhood, that cause unpleasant emotions. I think Jesus called truth light and false beliefs darkness and he said shining light into darkness removes the darkness. So discussing emotions helps us uncover false beliefs and the knowledge that they are false is light, which removes the false beliefs.
- For me it's most convenient to discuss on a Google Document or on Skype. I can be available live almost any day of the week. The best time is between noon and 5 p.m. Central Time.
- Would you like to try this at least once or a few times to see if it seems to be helpful? If so, what day and time would you like to start?

Heya,

I can relate in a way to what you are saying, however sometimes when we focus on ourselves and what we are doing to the minutest detail it sometimes makes us distracted from the bigger picture, Gods picture. The law was there for us to break, if we were born perfect then there is no need for the cross. The reason we have sin is because God wants us to know that we can not achieve perfection without him. Sometimes guilt, and constant worrying can make us feel like we really should be doing better, but the grace of God is so beautiful that all it takes is to ask for strength.

Discipline is important for ones life, but so is relying on God when you stuff up. We should not be afraid if we are weak, because Jesus is strong. :dsunny:

[shawn]

- Disciple means one who follows a discipline, so Jesus' disciples follow his discipline. Do you agree?
- I feel that I need to improve my spiritual discipline in order to better do God's will for me. And I'd like to have one or more others to discuss discipline with each week. I think this would improve my inspiration. If I only do whatever my mood dictates, that seems to incline me toward selfish desires more than toward God's will for me.
- Do you share interest in discussing discipline with someone each week? If so, I can try to do that with you, or, if not convenient, I can help find someone else with whom it would be more convenient.
- My feeling is that it would be mutually beneficial to discuss plans each week and to discuss emotions. I think discussing plans would help improve the inspiration for plans. And discussing emotions helps uncover false beliefs, usually from childhood, that cause unpleasant emotions. I think Jesus called truth light and false beliefs darkness and he said shining light into darkness removes the darkness. So discussing emotions helps us uncover false beliefs and the knowledge that they are false is light, which removes the false beliefs.
- For me it's most convenient to discuss on a Google Document or on Skype. I can be available live almost any day of the week. The best time is between noon and 5 p.m. Central Time.
- Would you like to try this at least once or a few times to see if it seems to be helpful? If so, what day and time would you like to start?

Heya,

I can relate in a way to what you are saying, however sometimes when we focus on ourselves and what we are doing to the minutest detail it sometimes makes us distracted from the bigger picture, Gods picture. The law was there for us to break, if we were born perfect then there is no need for the cross. The reason we have sin is because God wants us to know that we can not achieve perfection without him. Sometimes guilt, and constant worrying can make us feel like we really should be doing better, but the grace of God is so beautiful that all it takes is to ask for strength.

Discipline is important for ones life, but so is relying on God when you stuff up. We should not be afraid if we are weak, because Jesus is strong. :dsunny:

Amen!  Oh I can certainly relate.  I can only speak for myself but when I focus on me, my compliance with the Law, how I measure up, am I doing enough etc and so on...I grow ill...I find no peace.

I must focus my eyes on the Cross...on Christ and my need for a Savior.  I'm a broken and weak man...but in Him I find myself growing daily.  Not because I disciplined myself...but because His love is changing me.  Sometimes I take back control and try to speed up the process with lawful thinking.  It always reminds me that I can't!  He can!  Ad that was the purpose of the Law.

[jabcat]

Great thoughts folks.

In my weakness He is strong.

[sheila]

 :thumbsup: and so what..if God has chosen the weak and foolish things of this earth[flesh is weak] in order to put

  the wise and strong to shame?

[shawn]

:thumbsup: and so what..if God has chosen the weak and foolish things of this earth[flesh is weak] in order to put

  the wise and strong to shame?

Right on.  I am proof God uses the weak for His purposes...therefore I rejoice in my weaknesses.

[VineBranch]

:thumbsup: and so what..if God has chosen the weak and foolish things of this earth[flesh is weak] in order to put

  the wise and strong to shame?

Right on.  I am proof God uses the weak for His purposes...therefore I rejoice in my weaknesses.

I would like to rejoice with Shaw if that would be okay with everyone.

[Lloyd]

Thanks a lot for the criticism. Is that the sort of non-discipline that Jesus advises?

[misszoolander]

I'm sorry we were not trying to put you down, just offering you our thoughts  :dunno2:

[shawn]

Thanks a lot for the criticism. Is that the sort of non-discipline that Jesus advises?

I think an important part of sharpening and being sharpened is our ability to listen to others without being personally offended.  Offense is merely ego...and there is no ego in love.  Read, listen, take what sits well with your spirit...certainly nothing said was meant to hurt feelings...just people sharing where they are in their Christ walk.

[Lloyd]

Discipline in the Old Testament
Proverbs _1:1-3 - The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair;
_5:22-23 - The ... wicked man ... will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.
_6:6-11 - [Observe] the ant, you sluggard; consider [its] ways, and be wise. [Without a] guide, overseer, or ruler, [it] provides her meat in the summer, and gathers [its] food in the harvest. How long will you [rest], O sluggard? ... So shall your poverty come as one that [is homeless], and your want as a [violent man].
_6:23 - For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life,
_10:17 - He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
_13:18 - He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
_22:15 - Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.
_25:28 - He that has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
Jeremiah _17:23 - Yet they did not listen or pay attention; they were stiff-necked [unfaithful] and would not listen or respond to discipline.

Discipline in the New Testament
_Galatians 5:13 - For, brethren, you have been called to liberty [from false traditions]; [but] do not use liberty for [indulging] the flesh, but [to] serve one another [in love].
[Someone commented: We tend to think that doing what we want leads to fulfillment but it more often leads to sin.]
_5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith [faithfulness], Meekness, temperance [self-discipline]: against such there is no law.
_Titus 1:7-8 - Since a [religious] overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless, not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.
_2 Timothy 1:7 - For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
_Hebrews 12:7-9 - Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined [trained] by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits [in order to] live!
_Hebrews 12:11 - [Discipline] produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
_1 Pet 4:17-19 - The time has evidently arrived for God's judgment to begin, and it is beginning at his own household [with us]. ... Therefore those who [persevere] according to God's will can safely commit their souls to their faithful Creator, and go on doing all the good they can.
_I Corinthians 6:12 - All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient [and] I will not be brought under the power of any.
_I Corinthians 9:27 - But I keep [control over] my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
_Romans 2:21 - [Someone derived from this passage the following discipline:]
    -Love God supremely and submit to Him (not the television).
    -Love your neighbor as yourself.
    -Read and obey God's word.
    -Pray.
    -Fast.
    -Be filled with the Spirit and walk in the Spirit.
    -Recognize the spiritual battle going on and pray for the ministry.
    -Be excited about Jesus who has given us the victory.

[micah7:9]

As I said, I think I need to practice some spiritual discipline each week, so I'll try to do that here. The most useful discipline seems to be to discuss emotions and plans. Unpleasant emotions I believe are caused by misconceptions ("darkness") and examining such emotions helps reveal (shine the light on) the misconceptions, which helps correct them.
1a. Emotion: worry and discouragement 2 weeks ago when I had a painful toothache that lasted several days followed by a migraine.
1b. Possible misconceptions that caused worry and discouragement: that declining health will be too expensive to heal and too disabling to allow me to carry out important plans or ideas.
1c. Possible lesson: I need to relinquish pride in my plans and ideas.
2a. Emotion: discouragement this past week that what seem to be inspired plans one day seem unwise the next.
2b. Possible misconception behind it: that a plan is inspired if it seems impressive, or that it is uninspired if it does not seem unimpressive.
2c. Possible lesson: ideas need to be discussed with mature others to help determine if they're inspired or not.
3. Idea: set up a place online to discuss ideas with mature others to help determine if they're inspired or not (maybe here).
4. Idea: start a project for young Christians under 30 to collaborate to write a book and a blog to share the good news (aka gospel) with young people et al worldwide in normal language that makes sense to people in all major cultures, instead of using traditional Christian terms that sound like mumbo-jumbo or cults to other cultures.
5. Idea: start a non-profit consulting service that connects people with both non-profit and for-profit consultants on all ethical topics, including religion.
6. Idea: start a united Christian town or community with sound economics in a small county.
7a. Request: members, please tell me whether any of these ideas seem inspired or not and, if you like, tell why.
7b. Request: members, please discuss your ideas here, or somewhere else that you prefer and name, to help all of us consider what's inspired or not.

Spirtual Discipline 101:  AKA Hey, how did it get to be so messy around here.

In the seventies there was a movement which sprang out of Argentina:  it was called Discipleship.  People placed themselves under the pastors, or elders, and learned at their feet.  Result:  A lot of people got hurt because a lot of the pastors and elders forgot that the people they were leading, actually belonged to God, and not the them.  Lesson:  Where ever you are, that's where God is.  Do what's infront of you (maybe).

Step one:  (you may wish to take notes)  Be still and know that I am God.  If God wishes to use you to help someone, cool, if he doesn't, cool.
Step two:  (you may wish to take notes)  Be still and know that I am God.  If God wishes to use you to help someone, cool, if he doesn't, cool.
Step three:(you may wish to take notes)  Be still and know that I am God.  If God wishes to use you to help someone, cool, if he doesn't, cool.

Repeat.

Wonderful insight! :dsunny:

[micah7:9]

:thumbsup: and so what..if God has chosen the weak and foolish things of this earth[flesh is weak] in order to put

  the wise and strong to shame?

Right on.  I am proof God uses the weak for His purposes...therefore I rejoice in my weaknesses.

I would like to rejoice with Shaw if that would be okay with everyone.

A second or third voice for the rejoicing! :HeartThrob:

[micah7:9]

Thanks a lot for the criticism. Is that the sort of non-discipline that Jesus advises?

I think an important part of sharpening and being sharpened is our ability to listen to others without being personally offended.  Offense is merely ego...and there is no ego in love.  Read, listen, take what sits well with your spirit...certainly nothing said was meant to hurt feelings...just people sharing where they are in their Christ walk.

Pardon the pentecostal :dsunny: out burst....but GLORY!

[VineBranch]

Pardon the pentecostal :dsunny: out burst....but GLORY!

Not Pentecostal, but Glory indeed.   :dsunny:

[Colleen]

Hi Lloyd. I was just thinking about this thread yesterday and that it still bothered me the way you felt. Anyway, I think you came back  to this because you were hurt by what seemed like callous responses, and wished to justify your point with scripture. If I am misinterpreting your tone forgive me and ignore the rest if this post. The scripture that really jumped out at me was Gal 5:22-23 that listed self-discipline as a fruit of the spirit. Typically I thought of it as self effort and it was cumbersome, a work. Since my release from trying to be justified by works I can wait to be filled with the Holy Spirit and the things I am able to accomplish are effortless because they are not done in my strength, but when I become weak, hopefully even dead, and Christ in me performs that which I could not. I hope this makes sense. Grace to you!   :Peace2:

[ded2daworld]

IMO, Jesus asks us to rest in him, not work in him. the original meaning of the word discipline meant "following" as a disciple was a follower. Discipline from the spirit is an enabling to follow and rest in Christ. Relax. He's doing the work. The reason we will be casting our crowns at his feet at judgment will be that every altruistic act of love we ever did stemmed from the spirit of God.

[Lloyd]

Quote from: Lloyd on January 27, 2013, 04:27:40 AM
Thanks a lot for the criticism. Is that the sort of non-discipline that Jesus advises?

Quote from: shawn on January 27, 2013, 11:18:38 PM
I think an important part of sharpening and being sharpened is our ability to listen to others without being personally offended.  Offense is merely ego...and there is no ego in love.  Read, listen, take what sits well with your spirit...certainly nothing said was meant to hurt feelings...just people sharing where they are in their Christ walk.

Quote from: Colleen
Hi Lloyd. I was just thinking about this thread yesterday and that it still bothered me the way you felt. Anyway, I think you came back  to this because you were hurt by what seemed like callous responses, and wished to justify your point with scripture. ...

Yes, I was offended by the criticisms. I don't claim to be free of egotism. And hearing it said that I'm egotistic because I'm offended by others sounds like criticism, so I'm offended by that too. All I'm looking for is someone with whom to practice spiritual discipline, so we can work together on overcoming our egotism etc. I'd really like those who are offended by my search for such a person to leave me alone and not reply to this thread at all. How does that sound, critics? Would you like to refrain from offending me further? Eventually, I'm hopeful that someone of like mind will contact me about pursuing some sort of spiritual discipline like how I understand the Bible. Those who are too superior, egotistic, or whatever to seek such discipline are welcome to ignore me on this thread. Okay?