In the twenty years since its publication,
Celebration of Discipline has helped over a million seekers discover a richer spiritual life infused with joy, peace, and a deeper understanding of God. For this special twentieth anniversary edition, Richard J. Foster has added an introduction, in which he shares the story of how this beloved and enduring spiritual guidebook came to be.
Hailed by many as the best modern book on Christian spirituality, Celebration of Discipline explores the classic "Disciplines," or central spiritual practices, of the Christian faith. Along the way, Foster shows that it is only by and through these practices that the true path to spiritual growth can be found.
In the twenty years since its publication, Celebration of Discipline has helped over a million seekers discover a richer spiritual life infused with joy, peace, and a deeper understanding of God. For this special twentieth anniversary edition, Richard J. Foster has added an introduction, in which he shares the story of how this beloved and enduring spiritual guidebook came to be.
Hailed by many as the best modern book on Christian spirituality, Celebration of Discipline explores the "classic Disciplines," or central spiritual practices, of the Christian faith. Along the way, Foster shows that it is only by and through these practices that the true path to spiritual growth can be found.
Dividing the Disciplines into three movements of the Spirit, Foster shows how each of these areas contribute to a balanced spiritual life. The inward Disciplines of meditation, prayer, fasting, and study, offer avenues of personal examination and change. The outward Disciplines of simplicity, solitude, submission, and service, help prepare us to make the world a better place. The corporate Disciplines of confession, worship, guidance, and celebration, bring us nearer to one another and to God.
Foster provides a wealth of examples demonstrating how these Disciplines can become part of our daily activities-and how they can help us shed our superficial habits and "bring the abundance of God into our lives." He offers crucial new insights on simplicity, demonstrating how the biblical view of simplicity, properly understood and applied, brings joy and balance to our inward and outward lives and "sets us free to enjoy the provision of God as a gift that can be shared with others." The discussion of celebration, often the most neglected of the Disciplines, shows its critical importance, for it stands at the heart of the way to Christ. Celebration of Discipline will help motivate Christians everywhere to embark on a journey of prayer and spiritual growth.
Richard J. Foster is the author of several bestselling books, including Celebration of Discipline, Streams of Living Water, and Prayer, which in 1993 was Christianity Todays Book of the Year and the winner of the Gold Medallion Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. He is the founder of RENOVARE, an intrachurch movement committed to the renewal of the Church in all her multifaceted expressions, and the editor of the Renovare Spiritual Formation Bible.
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 stars(5 out of 5 stars)
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4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Jack Woodford (Prince Frederick, MD), May 29, 2009
I am currently reading the book for the 3rd time. Each time I learn something different about each of the disciplines. I am currently leading a small group that is studying this book. We are also using the study guide that is a companion to the book. The entire small group is receiving many Great things from the book. "It is Awesome."
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Maria Abreu (Roselle Park, NJ), March 19, 2009
I just started the book, but what I've read, thus far, I love. This book is, as the author said, it's a beginner book. Just what I was looking for.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Isha Sumner (Woodside, NY), February 25, 2009
Amazing book it inspires me to continue on the journey. Very helpful in so many ways.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by G B Hicks (Upper Marlboro, MD), February 02, 2009
An excellent book it help to clear up some things that I learn about over the years. Two things in particular, one the discipline on meditation the difference between the Eastern and Western mediatation one is removing all thoughts and the other is the infilling of the Word. The second clarification was on the fasting discipline, the beniefts that one receive.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Corinne Carr (Springfield, VA), December 15, 2008
This is an excellent study of one or all of the disciplines of the Christian faith. Each chapter links to the next, but also stands alone. Not only will you explore, but will also experience newness in your relationship with the Lord Jesus. As other religions emphasize meditation, fasting, or simplicity, you will understand and be able to use these disciplines in your life as God intended with His people.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Carol Gardner (E. Claridon, OH), June 20, 2008
This is a fantastic book. It contains some real spiritual truth; encouragement and direction in how to celebrate discipline. Richard Foster also includes an extensive list of books for future reading. A must read for anyone who is ready to deepen their relationship with God.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by William Denig (Mount Pleasant, SC), June 19, 2008
This is a wonderful book that addresses twelve spiritual disciplines, or practices, that have been developed to enhance one's faith journey. None of these disciplines are new; they've been around for centuries. But Foster adds fresh insights about them. I would characterize his writing style as personal and heartfelt. But the book represents more that his own personal thoughts. He's obviously done extensive research into these disciplines, because he liberally includes the thoughts of others who before him have pondered them. I can easily understand why over a million others have added this book to their library.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Karen Glocke (Ham Lake, MN), March 18, 2008
Insightful, thought-provoking, concise and very practical. A marvelous guide for personal spiritual growth. Even more relevant in today's rushed, materialistic culture than when written 20 years ago.
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