Reading Report 1

Practicing the Disciplines Reading Report 1

This assignment requires us to choose three disciplines, one each from the three sections in Richard foster’s book: Celebration of Discipline. For this assignment, we will practice these disciplines, authoring a paper every two weeks on two weeks of practice of one of the disciplines. The three disciplines I chose were as follows (the purpose of this assignment is for you to gain a better understanding of the classical disciplines of the Christian faith by actively practicing three disciplines):

1.      From Part 1: Meditation from The Inward Disciplines

2.      From Part 2: Simplicity from The Outward Disciplines

3.      From Part 3: Guidance from Corporate Discipline

Therefore, for this assignment I will start by discussing my practice of meditation, writing in two weeks a report on “Simplicity,” and on “Guidance” two weeks after that. I am most excited about strengthening my practices of meditation, refining my philosophy on “Simplicity,” and providing a report on what I will have learned by following Foster’s suggestions for Guidance as a corporate discipline.

Meditation

As stated in my introduction, I have chosen to write this week about the inward discipline: meditation. This is because it is a practice I have maintained in my life as a way to stay grounded, firmly planted in a Christian believer’s worldview and practice. In the upcoming reports, I will be writing based on a journal log. This is to encourage genuine growth within myself and to strive to achieve a new level of understanding and discipline. I hope that there will be an opportunity to write updates on my progress on this discipline of which I write today.

Meditation and Increasing Passion for The Bible.

When I first began the practice of early morning prayer and meditation, I was living in Pasadena, Texas, I had bought a house on two acres which meant I had a huge backyard with serene spaces for being alone with my communications with God. Before that, I always talked to God. Alone time, even today, meant I was talking to God and also praying and giving thanks. Starting the early morning meditation, I had specific things I was praying for, such as reunification with my wife who had moved to California with my first son. Slowly, I felt the pain of missing my son, Austin, gradually eased, not removed but the burden was lifted, and I rejoiced in having God close. In this period, I felt a closeness to God, and it led to my decision to work on my BA on Theological Studies. I saw new understanding in the Bible and my reading of the Bible entailed reading it aloud to myself, it had the effect of feeling the power of the Holy Spirit.

I was then and still a contributing member of Sagemont Church, Pasadena, Texas whose founding Pastor of 50 years was Dr. John Morgan. Pastor Morgan was an remains a great inspiration, it was this combination of enrichment through attending a church I loved with a pastor I loved, and my heart was filled with peace and strength to endure. Melissa and I would be reunited in 2015, and my second son would be born, December 2015. One of the key things I prayed about was my longing to be a father, God blessed me with my youngest, I genuinely believe this.

            This week it was difficult to reinitiate meditation in the manner I used to practice in Pasadena. This is because I am now living in West Texas, in a small apartment and have no private space outdoors like I had before. I am an early riser, daily meditation this week occurred in the wee hours before sunset. I have new worries these days, I have suffered many losses to family in the last few years. I lost both my parents in 2022, and Melissa was killed in a hit and run accident when she was taking an early morning walk in August of 2021. I am still mourning. Today, my oldest still lives in California, and my youngest and I are enjoying being here in El Paso, near my family from my mother’s side of the family. I hope that I can provide an update on meditation in the near future. I know it will lead to growth, peace and passion for the Lord, growth in faith and perseverance.