we recently finished reading this book with our married couples small group at church. Gordon MacDonald is a well-respected pastor who has survived the ups & downs of life & ministry. this is basically a book about Spiritual Disciplines. if i never read a book about Spiritual Disciplines, i would think that this book was great. but since i’ve been spoiled with books by Richard Foster & Dallas Willard, i thought this book was good but not great.
in chapter 10 he talks about how many christians look for a “quick fix” that makes God seem more real & intimate. some find it in a condemning preacher who makes them feel guilty. some find it in emotional & ecstatic worship experiences. some find it in endless Bible teaching & study of doctrine. some find it in the busyness of church ministry. MacDonald concludes, “If we are ever to develop a spiritual life that gives contentment, it will be because we approach spiritual living as a discipline, much as the athlete trains his body for competition”.
chapter 13 includes an interesting discussion on why so many christian men do not like to pray with their wives. this is because men have been taught never to reveal weakness. but authentic prayer acknowledges that we are weak & dependent upon God.
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