Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. 2 Tim.

2:5

Volume 13, Episode V

May 2012

1 Corinthians 9:26-27 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

The Disciple and Spiritual Disciplines

In Februarys issue Pressing on towards the Goal we ended up with a few important thoughts. One of those thoughts was that becoming a mature and free disciple of Christ is the birth-right of every believer. But, the process of getting to that level, as Paul mentions in 2 Tim. 2:5, requires practicing personal disciplines. In 1 Cor. 9:24 Paul also writes, Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. During this issue, I would like to talk more about spiritual disciplines. DefinitionSpiritual Discipline: Any practice that helps us draw near to God. In her article, I am Excited About Spiritual Disciplines, published in Spanz: Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand, June, 2008. Page 2, Lynne M. Baab says, What is a spiritual discipline? Any practice that helps us draw near to God. Bible study, prayer, service, fasting, Sabbath keeping and other disciplines have been practiced throughout I believe with all my heart that the history of the Church. James writes, Draw near to each disciple of Christ, in his or her God and He will draw near to spiritual formation journey, is you (James 4:8a). The key word called to practice spiritual isdraw near. You see? God, who is omnipresent, places the disciplines. responsibility of drawing near to Him on us. I believe with all my heart that each disciple of Christ, in his or her spiritual formation journey, is called to practice spiritual disciplines. I like the way Eugene Peterson renders Matthew 11:28-30 Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with me and youll recover your life. Ill show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I wont lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and youll learn to live freely and lightly (The Message). Isnt this a nice way to put it? Disciple and discipline comes from the same root word. In other words, we can-

Lets PRAY: For all the students/disciples currently in the ADT offered by URFM. For the NEW seed of Spiritual Formation to find good soil and to grow exponentially. For NEW provisions to continue the Great Comm i s s i on God called us to do. 2 Timothy 2:4 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

46993 Manhattan Cir., NOVI, MI 48374, USA, WWW.URFM.ORG, valy@urfm.org, (734) 972-5717

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VOLUME 13, EPISODE V

not discuss discipleship and leave out the spiritual disciplines. Richard Foster, a well-known Christian author presents twelve spiritual disciplines in his book Celebration of Discipline. He divided these disciplines in three groups: I. The Inward Disciplines: i. Meditation, ii. Prayer, iii. Disciple and discipline comes Fasting, and iv. Study). II. The Outward Disciplines: i. Simplicity, ii. Solitude, iii. Submission, and iv. Service. And from the same root word. In III. The Corporate Disciplines: i. Confession, ii. Wor- other words we cannot discuss ship, iii. Guidance; and iv. about discipleship and leave out Celebration. the spiritual disciplines. (There is no space or time to go in detail on each of these disciplines in this newsletter. If you really desire to cultivate your intimacy with Christ, feel free to get this book, read it, study it, and start practicing some of these disciplines yourself.) I simply want to emphasize the link between discipleship and disciplines. John Ortberg, in his book The Life Youve Always Wanted, writes Practices such as reading Scripture and praying are importantnot because they prove how spiritual we arebut because God can use them to lead us into life. I like the way Henry Nouwen puts it, Discipline If you are interested in becoming is the other side of discipleship. Discipleship without discipline is like waiting to run in the maramore like Jesus, URFM offers thon without ever practicing. Discipline without Advanced Discipleship Training discipleship is like always practicing for the marathon but never participating. It is important, everywhere in the world. Anyone however, to realize that discipline in the spiritual who is interested may contact us for life is not the same as discipline in sports. Discipline in sports is the concentrated effort to master more details and to register. the body so that it can obey the mind. Discipline in the spiritual life is the concentrated effort to create the space and time where God can become our master and where we can respond freely to God's guidance.

ADT

Thus, discipline is the creation of boundaries that keep time and space open for God. Solitude requires discipline; worship requires discipline, caring for others requires discipline. They all ask us to set apart a time and a place where God's gracious presence can be acknowledged and responded to. (Source: Henri Nouwen, Leadership, Vol. 2, no. 3.) If you want to learn more about this subject and to get an opportunity to practice some of these disciplines, consider enrolling in our Program called Advanced Discipleship Training (ADT) provided ONLINE by URFM. During the 2-year span of ADT you are going to be exposed to several of these disciplines. Also, you can order some audio sources that we have created for you: (1) Discipline Spirituale si Prioritati, ($35 + $7 S&H), in which I discuss some of these disciplines, such as Prayer and Fasting. And (2) Flamand dupa Cuvantul Domnului, ($40 + $7 S&H), in which I discuss studying the Bible as a spiritual discipline. Both are audio resources in Romanian. Send your order along with your donations today. You can ORDER them over the INTERNET. We will be happy to mail them to you. With LOVE in HIS Service,

Valy Vaduva
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PS: We are almost halfway through the year. If you have not SENT your donations, please do so during the month of May. We cannot continue to do what we are called to do making disciples, without your financial and prayer SUPPORT. Thank you!

As of May 15, 2012 our NEW ADDRESS will be: 46993 Manhattan Cir., NOVI, MI 48374. Please make a NOTE of this CHANGE!!!