Spiritual Discipline Log I-II-III

Reading: The Life You've Always Wanted by John Ortberg

We Shall Morph Indeed (Chapter I)

After a great preface, This chapter was not what I expected. I don't know who John Ortberg, but the book did not read like a book, but more like a sermon. Putting that aside, he did begin with some great points. Page 20 says, "The possibility of transformation is the essence of hope." When we remember we are disciples of Jesus, we are filled with hope. Hope knowing that this life will be lived with meaning and the everlasting life that will be, "most excellent, dude."

But I mess that up. I forget the mercy bestowed upon me. I forgive the providence of God for real meaning in life. I choose things that prevent my transformation. I prevent God to change me to be the man He wants to see. Ortberg asks, are we like Moses- when we see the burning bush, do we turn aside and approach God... or do we continue on our own path.

Surprised by Change (Chapter 2)

This chapter asks a great question for any Christian: Do we we expect too little? Real followers of Christ should expect transformation. We should see that in everyone who is a Christian. Instead, we see "Christians" as those who conform to certain cultural norms for each generation- no dancing, no smoking, no jazz, no wearing shorts to church, etc. Sadly, every group of people, including Christian, emphasize the club rules as a mark of a bad or good (we call it spiritual) member. What should be doing? 1. Love God 2. Love those around us. Ortberg is pointing out that we seem to like to make boundaries that prevent us Christians from loving others; We seem to like to "act weird" (the bad kind) and prevent people from loving God.

Training vs. Trying (Chapter 3)

"Happy are they who know that discipleship simply means the life which springs from grace, and that grace simply means discipleship." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Discipline trains me to live out what I want. Spiritual discipline trains me to live out the awesome life Jesus' taught and modeled. Its help for us, not God. It is our goal to be able to discern the will of the Spirit and offer action that is "prompt, effective, and loving." All people in all seasons of life can omit or commit to doing something! The organized, the spontaneous, the good seasons, the bad seasons, the single, and the married have something special to develop spiritually. And remember, to do be spiritually disciplined, receive the gift of sleep (or you won't be able to do any of this!)