Great analogy, Bob, though I’d have used Curt Cignetti at Indiana. I wonder if the reason the analogy breaks down quickly for me, and maybe others, is that football workouts are easily definable and measurable. I’ve known to pray and read my Bible for over 40 years and I have grown because of that. But I started doing a Daily Offering 7 years ago taught to me by a EV friend who converted to Catholicism. My struggle with lust has evaporated. It may age and low T, but I’ve practiced DAILY and been amazed at the freedom and awareness of my faith. I believe the Lord has been extremely gracious, but I also think He’s used that daily discipline to change me. These days I’m preferring the term formation vs. sanctification. The former seems more of a workout I choose and submit to; the latter seems more like something that vaguely happens to me over time. Don’t worry - I’m not leaving the team. Just wanted to acknowledge the truth of which you write.
Thanks Ben! Great thoughts here. Yes, I think practicing spiritual disciplines is the key to growing in godliness. 2 Tim 4:7 - “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” Foster’s Celebration of Discipline first introduced me to the idea, followed by Dallas Willard’s Spirit of the Disciplines. In recent years, I’ve recommended Don Whitney’s book on spiritual disciplines along with David Mathis’ book Habits of Grace. If you haven’t read Michael Bingham’s new book A Heart Aflame For God, I’d commend it to you. It’s all about the protestant reformed perspective on spiritual formation. Also, I’ll send you via email an article from CT written by Michael Horton that provides a helpful critique of John Mark Comer’s Practicing The Way approach.
The Anglicans are on to something with the daily office. They’ve been on to it for a few centuries now. :-)
Great analogy, Bob, though I’d have used Curt Cignetti at Indiana. I wonder if the reason the analogy breaks down quickly for me, and maybe others, is that football workouts are easily definable and measurable. I’ve known to pray and read my Bible for over 40 years and I have grown because of that. But I started doing a Daily Offering 7 years ago taught to me by a EV friend who converted to Catholicism. My struggle with lust has evaporated. It may age and low T, but I’ve practiced DAILY and been amazed at the freedom and awareness of my faith. I believe the Lord has been extremely gracious, but I also think He’s used that daily discipline to change me. These days I’m preferring the term formation vs. sanctification. The former seems more of a workout I choose and submit to; the latter seems more like something that vaguely happens to me over time. Don’t worry - I’m not leaving the team. Just wanted to acknowledge the truth of which you write.
Thanks Ben! Great thoughts here. Yes, I think practicing spiritual disciplines is the key to growing in godliness. 2 Tim 4:7 - “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” Foster’s Celebration of Discipline first introduced me to the idea, followed by Dallas Willard’s Spirit of the Disciplines. In recent years, I’ve recommended Don Whitney’s book on spiritual disciplines along with David Mathis’ book Habits of Grace. If you haven’t read Michael Bingham’s new book A Heart Aflame For God, I’d commend it to you. It’s all about the protestant reformed perspective on spiritual formation. Also, I’ll send you via email an article from CT written by Michael Horton that provides a helpful critique of John Mark Comer’s Practicing The Way approach.
The Anglicans are on to something with the daily office. They’ve been on to it for a few centuries now. :-)