A Compelling Testimony: Maintaining a Disciplined Walk, Christlike Character, and Godly Relationships as God's Servant

Ses s i on 5: Cu l t i vat i ng Our Charac ter : The Outward Di sc i p l i nes 191

1. Admit the level of noise, clamor, and stress that punctuates and spots all of our postmodern lives.

2. Begin with small steps; try to go 5-15 minutes in silence before the Lord, either first thing in the morning or before bed. Experiment with your own ability to “keep silence” before the Lord.

3. Strive to make full use of the those times of “pregnant pauses” and “little solitudes” that make up every day we have (e.g., early morning moments, times alone during the day, before bed, etc.)

4. Practice the presence of God in silence for extended periods of time. “Try to live an entire day without words at all. Do it not as a law but as an experiment” (Foster, Celebration of Discipline , p. 107).

5. Set aside time to go on personal retreat a morning or day once a quarter or every half year. Determine to spend the time away from your typical places – seek a park, a church sanctuary, or other quiet place for private meditation and aloneness before God.

6. Withdraw once a year to go before the Lord and ask him to review with you your life–your direction, goals, dreams, fears, challenges, and the steps ahead. Maintain a journal of the thoughts the Spirit provides.

7. Set aside time with your Bible study group or other Christian mentors and friends to regularly go on “Spiritual Retreat” together. This can be of any duration you can afford, with time spent alone as well as together in worship, prayer, and study.