Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth

This book had awesome wisdom on gaining insight into and pursuing a closer walk with Jesus.

Richard Foster has a wealth of information on ways to seek God on a deeper level. His quotes from other authors have me ordering their books as well. It's a great book.

I read a fair amount (20 or so books a year) and I took more notes from this book than I have from any other in recent memory. A great read for any Christian

This book is amazing. A beautifully written gem that has a lifetime worth of wisdom. My margin notes are dated because I know I’ll be returning to it again and again.

This is a very good book for anyone who wants to deepen their spiritual life. I am studying it in a small group and am very pleased with the book.

This is a classic in Christian literature and is still very relevant! This book helps make very clear the importance of incorporating the disciplines of the Christian faith into everyday life. Thankfully it does not make one feel guilty, but rather inspires to a deeper relationship with God. Thanks Richard Foster.

This is one of the best modern Christian books around. It is one of the best "classics" as well, but that might scare off someone looking for contemporary applications. This book is easy to read, yet insightful. Cross denominational, which lowers our shields of doctrine. This would be very good for a small-group book study (I will recommend it for our group next time).Table of contents:1. The Spiritual Disciplines: Door to LiberationPart I The Inward Disciplines : 2. Meditation 3. Prayer 4. Fasting 5. StudyPart II The Outward Disciplines : 6. Simplicity 7. Solitude 8. Submission 9. ServicePart III The Corporate Disciplines : 10. Confession 11. Worship 12. Guidance 12. Celebration

_Celebration of Discipline_ is one of the finest Christian books of our time. I read it as an "assignment" with a men's study group, and at first, was a bit ambivalent about this ethereal-sounding spiritual book from a Quaker. I began it reluctantly, but shortly realized that what I was reading was solid, no-holds barred steps towards maturity in Christ, through discipleship and productive living. Foster speaks of the "inward disciplines" the "outward disciplines" and the "corporate disciplines" of the Christian life. As I flip through the book, I find myself in need of a tune-up. It's that kind of book. It's one that you'll never master, but the joy is in the journey, and in following the Savior with the full passion of your heart. He's calling us to the life of Discipline and discipleship, not to a willy-nilly external Christianity. _Celebration_ is a breath of fresh air in an era of "easy believism" and cheap grace. Foster has touched a generation of believers with this timeless classic.

Christianity is about relationship - God meeting our fundamental need to be in personal, intimate relationship with him. I should have read this book when I was a much younger Christian. I've been following Jesus for nearly a decade, and I've enjoyed my walk so far. However, as I have approached the decade milestone, I have felt a growing dissatisfaction with my walk. I had this nagging sense that at the ten-year point, I really should know him better. After all, Jesus is supposed to be my best friend. And, I wasn't sure why. This book is more than simply a devotional. It goes beyond the 'why' of the disciplines, but gives some practical advice on 'how'. How many of us understand how to "meditate", "fast" or "pray" without simply mouthing the words from time to time? How do you practice "submission" without feeling inferior to someone or practice "solitude" without feeling lonely? The disciplines are like a farmer, preparing the soil for seed. The farmer cannot force the seed to grow, but he can provide an environment that is good for its growth - tilling the soil, providing water, fertilizer, planting seeds, removing weeds. But, only God causes the growth. Similarly, the disciplines prepare you for growth that only God can (and does) provide. The contents of this book, applied and practiced, have been revitalizing my walk in ways I hadn't thought possible. I'm learning things about this personal relationship that were completely unexpected, and tremendously enriching. I encourage you to get this book if you claim the name of Jesus and be prepared to experience a deeper, personal, life-changing experience with your loving Lord. Expect to change - for to spend time in the presence of the eternal, living God is to be changed!