Disciplines for Life/Solitude: Getting Alone with God - Revision history

Kathyyee: Protected "Disciplines for Life/Solitude: Getting Alone with God" ([edit=sysop] (indefinite) [move=sysop] (indefinite))

2011-03-31T15:47:41Z

Protected "Disciplines for Life/Solitude: Getting Alone with God" ([edit=sysop] (indefinite) [move=sysop] (indefinite))

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Revision as of 15:47, 31 March 2011

Bhkauflin at 15:18, 18 July 2008

2008-07-18T15:18:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:18, 18 July 2008
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-	{{info~~\|Solitude: Getting Alone with God~~}}"Elijah was a man just like us” (Jas 5:17). I find this statement one of the more difficult in the Bible to accept. Elijah was anything but normal. We know little of his background except for his hometown, Tishbe, an obscure place in biblical geography. He arrives suddenly on the scene during a time of national apostasy in Israel’s history and announces a three-year drought that will only end when he says so.	+	{{info}}"Elijah was a man just like us” (Jas 5:17). I find this statement one of the more difficult in the Bible to accept. Elijah was anything but normal. We know little of his background except for his hometown, Tishbe, an obscure place in biblical geography. He arrives suddenly on the scene during a time of national apostasy in Israel’s history and announces a three-year drought that will only end when he says so.

	Though lots of people even in our day have announced the end of the world, none have been accurate to date. Such people usually make their announcement to a select few believers who are promised they will escape the calamities to come. That wasn’t Elijah’s style. He spoke directly to his king, a man named Ahab. In effect he prophesied economic disaster and claimed that it was under his control. The prophecy proved true and Elijah, along with all of Israel, suffered through the drought. For this the prophet became nationally infamous and was given the nickname “The Troubler of Israel.”		Though lots of people even in our day have announced the end of the world, none have been accurate to date. Such people usually make their announcement to a select few believers who are promised they will escape the calamities to come. That wasn’t Elijah’s style. He spoke directly to his king, a man named Ahab. In effect he prophesied economic disaster and claimed that it was under his control. The prophecy proved true and Elijah, along with all of Israel, suffered through the drought. For this the prophet became nationally infamous and was given the nickname “The Troubler of Israel.”

Bhkauflin: Disciplines for Life/Chapter 7 moved to Disciplines for Life/Solitude: Getting Alone with God

2008-07-18T15:17:46Z

Disciplines for Life/Chapter 7 moved to Disciplines for Life/Solitude: Getting Alone with God

← Older revision

Revision as of 15:17, 18 July 2008

Bhkauflin at 17:51, 9 July 2008

2008-07-09T17:51:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:51, 9 July 2008
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-	{{~~MasterHeader~~	+	{{info\|Solitude: Getting Alone with God}}"Elijah was a man just like us” (Jas 5:17). I find this statement one of the more difficult in the Bible to accept. Elijah was anything but normal. We know little of his background except for his hometown, Tishbe, an obscure place in biblical geography. He arrives suddenly on the scene during a time of national apostasy in Israel’s history and announces a three-year drought that will only end when he says so.
-	\|~~author=John Loftness~~	+
-	~~\|partnerurl= http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org~~	+
-	~~\|partner= Sovereign Grace Ministries~~	+
-	~~\|other=~~	+
-	~~\|mediatype= Chapter~~	+
-	~~\|lang= English~~	+
-	~~\|editor=~~	+
-	~~\|translator= n/a~~	+
-	~~\|levels= 1~~	+
-	~~\|reviewed=Not Reviewed~~	+
-	~~\|newtitle=~~Solitude: Getting Alone ~~With~~ God	+
-	~~\|series=Disciplines for Life~~	+
-	~~\|topic=Spiritual Growth~~	+
-	~~\|subtopic=Sanctification & Growth~~	+
-	~~\|month=~~	+
-	~~\|day=~~	+
-	~~\|year=1992~~}}"Elijah was a man just like us” (Jas 5:17). I find this statement one of the more difficult in the Bible to accept. Elijah was anything but normal. We know little of his background except for his hometown, Tishbe, an obscure place in biblical geography. He arrives suddenly on the scene during a time of national apostasy in Israel’s history and announces a three-year drought that will only end when he says so.	+

	Though lots of people even in our day have announced the end of the world, none have been accurate to date. Such people usually make their announcement to a select few believers who are promised they will escape the calamities to come. That wasn’t Elijah’s style. He spoke directly to his king, a man named Ahab. In effect he prophesied economic disaster and claimed that it was under his control. The prophecy proved true and Elijah, along with all of Israel, suffered through the drought. For this the prophet became nationally infamous and was given the nickname “The Troubler of Israel.”		Though lots of people even in our day have announced the end of the world, none have been accurate to date. Such people usually make their announcement to a select few believers who are promised they will escape the calamities to come. That wasn’t Elijah’s style. He spoke directly to his king, a man named Ahab. In effect he prophesied economic disaster and claimed that it was under his control. The prophecy proved true and Elijah, along with all of Israel, suffered through the drought. For this the prophet became nationally infamous and was given the nickname “The Troubler of Israel.”

Bhkauflin at 17:26, 16 June 2008

2008-06-16T17:26:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:26, 16 June 2008
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	\|partnerurl= http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org		\|partnerurl= http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org
	\|partner= Sovereign Grace Ministries		\|partner= Sovereign Grace Ministries
-	~~\|date= 1992~~
	\|other=		\|other=
-	~~\|categorytopic= Sanctification & Growth~~
	\|mediatype= Chapter		\|mediatype= Chapter
	\|lang= English		\|lang= English
-	\|editor= ~~C.J. Mahaney~~	+	\|editor=
	\|translator= n/a		\|translator= n/a
	\|levels= 1		\|levels= 1
	\|reviewed=Not Reviewed		\|reviewed=Not Reviewed
	\|newtitle=Solitude: Getting Alone With God		\|newtitle=Solitude: Getting Alone With God
-	}}"Elijah was a man just like us” (Jas 5:17). I find this statement one of the more difficult in the Bible to accept. Elijah was anything but normal. We know little of his background except for his hometown, Tishbe, an obscure place in biblical geography. He arrives suddenly on the scene during a time of national apostasy in Israel’s history and announces a three-year drought that will only end when he says so.	+	\|series=Disciplines for Life
		+	\|topic=Spiritual Growth
		+	\|subtopic=Sanctification & Growth
		+	\|month=
		+	\|day=
		+	\|year=1992}}"Elijah was a man just like us” (Jas 5:17). I find this statement one of the more difficult in the Bible to accept. Elijah was anything but normal. We know little of his background except for his hometown, Tishbe, an obscure place in biblical geography. He arrives suddenly on the scene during a time of national apostasy in Israel’s history and announces a three-year drought that will only end when he says so.

	Though lots of people even in our day have announced the end of the world, none have been accurate to date. Such people usually make their announcement to a select few believers who are promised they will escape the calamities to come. That wasn’t Elijah’s style. He spoke directly to his king, a man named Ahab. In effect he prophesied economic disaster and claimed that it was under his control. The prophecy proved true and Elijah, along with all of Israel, suffered through the drought. For this the prophet became nationally infamous and was given the nickname “The Troubler of Israel.”		Though lots of people even in our day have announced the end of the world, none have been accurate to date. Such people usually make their announcement to a select few believers who are promised they will escape the calamities to come. That wasn’t Elijah’s style. He spoke directly to his king, a man named Ahab. In effect he prophesied economic disaster and claimed that it was under his control. The prophecy proved true and Elijah, along with all of Israel, suffered through the drought. For this the prophet became nationally infamous and was given the nickname “The Troubler of Israel.”

Bhkauflin at 15:05, 21 May 2008

2008-05-21T15:05:12Z

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	\|date= 1992		\|date= 1992
	\|other=		\|other=
-	\|categorytopic= Sanctification ~~and~~ Growth	+	\|categorytopic= Sanctification & Growth
	\|mediatype= Chapter		\|mediatype= Chapter
	\|lang= English		\|lang= English
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	'''—Henry Scougal'''}}It is easy to confuse rest with leisure, but they are not necessarily the same. For example, I enjoy a good football game on TV, but it’s not a restful activity for me. I can get tense watching the ever-shifting drama of a close game. Now there’s nothing wrong with watching football, but in order to rest I need to do something recreational—something that “recreates” me. A long nap, a good book, a hike in the woods, or an afternoon with my wife and children are far more effective than the Washington Redskins when it comes to rejuvenating and refreshing my mind and body. Other spiritual disciplines like prayer, meditation, and fasting also help me to slow down and refuel.		'''—Henry Scougal'''}}It is easy to confuse rest with leisure, but they are not necessarily the same. For example, I enjoy a good football game on TV, but it’s not a restful activity for me. I can get tense watching the ever-shifting drama of a close game. Now there’s nothing wrong with watching football, but in order to rest I need to do something recreational—something that “recreates” me. A long nap, a good book, a hike in the woods, or an afternoon with my wife and children are far more effective than the Washington Redskins when it comes to rejuvenating and refreshing my mind and body. Other spiritual disciplines like prayer, meditation, and fasting also help me to slow down and refuel.

-	Remember when you were a kid and hated taking naps? You may still find it hard to rest. But you will live a healthier and more productive life if you set aside one day in seven to break the hurried pace of the week and rest.	+	Remember when you were a kid and hated taking naps? You may still find it hard to rest. But you will live a healthier and more productive life if you set aside one day in seven to break the hurried pace of the week and rest.

	=== Group Discussion ===		=== Group Discussion ===

Cmullery at 17:13, 20 May 2008

2008-05-20T17:13:57Z

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	{{LeftInsert\|"Technology is increasing the heartbeat. We are inundated with information. The mind can’t handle it all. The pace is so fast now, I sometimes feel like a gunfighter dodging bullets.<ref>Nancy Gibbs, “How America Has Run Out of Time” (''Time'' magazine, April 24, 1989).</ref>		{{LeftInsert\|"Technology is increasing the heartbeat. We are inundated with information. The mind can’t handle it all. The pace is so fast now, I sometimes feel like a gunfighter dodging bullets.<ref>Nancy Gibbs, “How America Has Run Out of Time” (''Time'' magazine, April 24, 1989).</ref>
		+

	'''—James Trunzo'''}}Jesus made it clear the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mk 2:27). From the epistle to the Colossians we can deduce that the New Testament Church felt no obligation to uphold the Old Testament Sabbath laws (Col 2:16). The Law was fulfilled in Christ. We’re not expected to practice Sabbath rest the way the Jews did.		'''—James Trunzo'''}}Jesus made it clear the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mk 2:27). From the epistle to the Colossians we can deduce that the New Testament Church felt no obligation to uphold the Old Testament Sabbath laws (Col 2:16). The Law was fulfilled in Christ. We’re not expected to practice Sabbath rest the way the Jews did.
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	'''—Henry Scougal'''}}It is easy to confuse rest with leisure, but they are not necessarily the same. For example, I enjoy a good football game on TV, but it’s not a restful activity for me. I can get tense watching the ever-shifting drama of a close game. Now there’s nothing wrong with watching football, but in order to rest I need to do something recreational—something that “recreates” me. A long nap, a good book, a hike in the woods, or an afternoon with my wife and children are far more effective than the Washington Redskins when it comes to rejuvenating and refreshing my mind and body. Other spiritual disciplines like prayer, meditation, and fasting also help me to slow down and refuel.		'''—Henry Scougal'''}}It is easy to confuse rest with leisure, but they are not necessarily the same. For example, I enjoy a good football game on TV, but it’s not a restful activity for me. I can get tense watching the ever-shifting drama of a close game. Now there’s nothing wrong with watching football, but in order to rest I need to do something recreational—something that “recreates” me. A long nap, a good book, a hike in the woods, or an afternoon with my wife and children are far more effective than the Washington Redskins when it comes to rejuvenating and refreshing my mind and body. Other spiritual disciplines like prayer, meditation, and fasting also help me to slow down and refuel.

-	Remember when you were a kid and hated taking naps? You may still find it hard to rest. But you will live a healthier and more productive life if you set aside one day in seven to break the hurried pace of the week and rest.	+	Remember when you were a kid and hated taking naps? You may still find it hard to rest. But you will live a healthier and more productive life if you set aside one day in seven to break the hurried pace of the week and rest.

	=== Group Discussion ===		=== Group Discussion ===

Cmullery at 17:12, 20 May 2008

2008-05-20T17:12:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:12, 20 May 2008
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	When we find ourselves in Elijah’s shoes, needing a fresh perspective on life or new hope for what the future holds, it’s time to seek out a quiet place where we can be alone with God.		When we find ourselves in Elijah’s shoes, needing a fresh perspective on life or new hope for what the future holds, it’s time to seek out a quiet place where we can be alone with God.

-	{{LeftInsert\|'''For Further Study: '''Silence is a mark of wisdom, as Solomon states in Proverbs 10:19, 17:28, and Ecclesiastes 9:17.}}~~ne with God.~~ I seem to feel a greater need for solitude than most people. There’s a path along the Potomac River where I enjoy walking. More often than not the noisiest thing I hear is a woodpecker. Sometimes I pray; sometimes I’m just quiet. I don’t always hear anything unique from God. Yet my goal is to create opportunities where I would be able to hear him if he had something to say. Unless I routinely break out of my noisy, busy lifestyle, I’m not sure God would be able to get a word in edgewise. So I’ve made solitude a discipline.	+	{{LeftInsert\|'''For Further Study: '''Silence is a mark of wisdom, as Solomon states in Proverbs 10:19, 17:28, and Ecclesiastes 9:17.}}I seem to feel a greater need for solitude than most people. There’s a path along the Potomac River where I enjoy walking. More often than not the noisiest thing I hear is a woodpecker. Sometimes I pray; sometimes I’m just quiet. I don’t always hear anything unique from God. Yet my goal is to create opportunities where I would be able to hear him if he had something to say. Unless I routinely break out of my noisy, busy lifestyle, I’m not sure God would be able to get a word in edgewise. So I’ve made solitude a discipline.

	At times we just need to be by ourselves. Jesus felt that need when he got news John the Baptist had been beheaded. Matthew writes, “When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place” (Mt 14:13). Imagine our Lord’s emotions. John was his cousin. This was his forerunner, the man who understood his messianic mission better than anyone else. And what an ugly reminder that his own death was imminent! It’s my guess that after such discouraging news Jesus needed to get refocused on his ministry and gain fresh strength from his Father.		At times we just need to be by ourselves. Jesus felt that need when he got news John the Baptist had been beheaded. Matthew writes, “When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place” (Mt 14:13). Imagine our Lord’s emotions. John was his cousin. This was his forerunner, the man who understood his messianic mission better than anyone else. And what an ugly reminder that his own death was imminent! It’s my guess that after such discouraging news Jesus needed to get refocused on his ministry and gain fresh strength from his Father.
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	{{RightInsert\|"The normal course of day-to-day human interactions locks us into patterns of feeling, thought, and action that are geared to a world set against God. Nothing but solitude can allow the development of a freedom from the ingrained behaviors that hinder our integration into God’s order.<ref>Dallas Willard, ''The Spirit of the Disciplines ''(San Francisco, CA: HarperCollins Publishers, 1991), p.160.</ref>		{{RightInsert\|"The normal course of day-to-day human interactions locks us into patterns of feeling, thought, and action that are geared to a world set against God. Nothing but solitude can allow the development of a freedom from the ingrained behaviors that hinder our integration into God’s order.<ref>Dallas Willard, ''The Spirit of the Disciplines ''(San Francisco, CA: HarperCollins Publishers, 1991), p.160.</ref>

-	'''~~— Dallas~~ Willard'''}}Maybe you’re confused about God’s purpose for your life. Maybe you’re grieving over the death of a loved one, or are stressed out by the demands at work. Perhaps you have young children and your brain is fried from a million and one questions like, “Why does the toaster make the toast brown?” It’s time to get alone with God. Find a quiet time and place to wait for his words.	+	'''—Dallas Willard'''}}Maybe you’re confused about God’s purpose for your life. Maybe you’re grieving over the death of a loved one, or are stressed out by the demands at work. Perhaps you have young children and your brain is fried from a million and one questions like, “Why does the toaster make the toast brown?” It’s time to get alone with God. Find a quiet time and place to wait for his words.

	Scripture doesn’t command solitude. You can be a Christian without taking long walks by the river or holing up in a mountaintop cave. But if you hope to hear God’s voice and have your spirit replenished, you will definitely want to explore the benefits of spending extended time alone with God. Learn what makes your life noisy, then block out seasons of solitude when you can silence those things and focus on your Father.		Scripture doesn’t command solitude. You can be a Christian without taking long walks by the river or holing up in a mountaintop cave. But if you hope to hear God’s voice and have your spirit replenished, you will definitely want to explore the benefits of spending extended time alone with God. Learn what makes your life noisy, then block out seasons of solitude when you can silence those things and focus on your Father.
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	If you are going on a retreat with another person, sit down and discuss your expectations in advance. Plan the times you will spend together and alone. Do everything you can to prevent misunderstandings from occurring during your retreat.		If you are going on a retreat with another person, sit down and discuss your expectations in advance. Plan the times you will spend together and alone. Do everything you can to prevent misunderstandings from occurring during your retreat.

-	{{LeftInsert\|"Let him who cannot be alone beware of community....Let him who is not in community beware of being alone....Each by itself has profound pitfalls and perils. One who wants fellowship without solitude plunges into the void of words and feelings, and one who seeks solitude without fellowship perishes in the abyss of vanity, self-infatuation, and despair."<ref>Dietrich Bonhoeffer, ''Life Together''(San Francisco, CA: Harper & Row, 1954), p.77.</ref>	+	{{LeftInsert\|"Let him who cannot be alone beware of community....Let him who is not in community beware of being alone....Each by itself has profound pitfalls and perils. One who wants fellowship without solitude plunges into the void of words and feelings, and one who seeks solitude without fellowship perishes in the abyss of vanity, self-infatuation, and despair."<ref>Dietrich Bonhoeffer, ''Life Together ''(San Francisco, CA: Harper & Row, 1954), p.77.</ref>

-	'''~~— Dietrich~~ Bonhoeffer'''}}'''Schedule your time.''' If you’ve never taken a personal retreat, 24 hours may seem like eternity. But the time passes quickly, so keep your expectations realistic. If you go away hoping to read five books on parenting, you will come back totally discouraged because you only got through the first half of the first one.	+	'''—Dietrich Bonhoeffer'''}}'''Schedule your time.''' If you’ve never taken a personal retreat, 24 hours may seem like eternity. But the time passes quickly, so keep your expectations realistic. If you go away hoping to read five books on parenting, you will come back totally discouraged because you only got through the first half of the first one.

	Also, set up a schedule that includes variety. Sometimes I spend my time in prayer and studying the Bible; sometimes I concentrate on planning or seeking God for direction. Sometimes I fast while on retreat; other times I don’t. I try to tailor my retreats to best address my current situation.		Also, set up a schedule that includes variety. Sometimes I spend my time in prayer and studying the Bible; sometimes I concentrate on planning or seeking God for direction. Sometimes I fast while on retreat; other times I don’t. I try to tailor my retreats to best address my current situation.

Cmullery: Disciplines for life/Chapter 7 moved to Disciplines for Life/Chapter 7

2008-05-19T19:50:52Z

Disciplines for life/Chapter 7 moved to Disciplines for Life/Chapter 7

← Older revision

Revision as of 19:50, 19 May 2008

Cmullery at 19:07, 19 May 2008

2008-05-19T19:07:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:51, 9 July 2008
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-	{{~~MasterHeader~~	+	{{info\|Solitude: Getting Alone with God}}"Elijah was a man just like us” (Jas 5:17). I find this statement one of the more difficult in the Bible to accept. Elijah was anything but normal. We know little of his background except for his hometown, Tishbe, an obscure place in biblical geography. He arrives suddenly on the scene during a time of national apostasy in Israel’s history and announces a three-year drought that will only end when he says so.
-	\|~~author=John Loftness~~	+
-	~~\|partnerurl= http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org~~	+
-	~~\|partner= Sovereign Grace Ministries~~	+
-	~~\|other=~~	+
-	~~\|mediatype= Chapter~~	+
-	~~\|lang= English~~	+
-	~~\|editor=~~	+
-	~~\|translator= n/a~~	+
-	~~\|levels= 1~~	+
-	~~\|reviewed=Not Reviewed~~	+
-	~~\|newtitle=~~Solitude: Getting Alone ~~With~~ God	+
-	~~\|series=Disciplines for Life~~	+
-	~~\|topic=Spiritual Growth~~	+
-	~~\|subtopic=Sanctification & Growth~~	+
-	~~\|month=~~	+
-	~~\|day=~~	+
-	~~\|year=1992~~}}"Elijah was a man just like us” (Jas 5:17). I find this statement one of the more difficult in the Bible to accept. Elijah was anything but normal. We know little of his background except for his hometown, Tishbe, an obscure place in biblical geography. He arrives suddenly on the scene during a time of national apostasy in Israel’s history and announces a three-year drought that will only end when he says so.	+

	Though lots of people even in our day have announced the end of the world, none have been accurate to date. Such people usually make their announcement to a select few believers who are promised they will escape the calamities to come. That wasn’t Elijah’s style. He spoke directly to his king, a man named Ahab. In effect he prophesied economic disaster and claimed that it was under his control. The prophecy proved true and Elijah, along with all of Israel, suffered through the drought. For this the prophet became nationally infamous and was given the nickname “The Troubler of Israel.”		Though lots of people even in our day have announced the end of the world, none have been accurate to date. Such people usually make their announcement to a select few believers who are promised they will escape the calamities to come. That wasn’t Elijah’s style. He spoke directly to his king, a man named Ahab. In effect he prophesied economic disaster and claimed that it was under his control. The prophecy proved true and Elijah, along with all of Israel, suffered through the drought. For this the prophet became nationally infamous and was given the nickname “The Troubler of Israel.”