Apprentice 2 Jesus

The Contemplative Stream

Our LIFE Group has been exploring Richard Foster’s book, Streams of Living Water. I have attached session notes on our church website, but wanted the opportunity to expand a little more on different sessions through this blog.

Foster gave the Early Church example of St. Antony. There are many websites giving highlights of Antony’s life. Athanasius wrote The Life of St. Antony and much of Antony’s writing, or writings about Antony are available free here. Take the time to explore the life of Antony and what he contributes to the contemplative stream.

The “modern” example Foster gives us is Frank Laubach. The wonderful example of Laubach is he was not a monk out in the desert. He was a missionary dedicated to literacy and still demonstrated how to live a contemplative life. Many articles are available on the web as well. This article by Dallas Willard is a good one.

Take the time to explore these contemplative streams in your own life.

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January 26, 2009

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Terri

January 27, 2009 at 12:15 pm

Some great thoughts. I really enjoyed the article by Dallas Willard. You should forward that one to Tim G.

Terri

January 27, 2009 at 12:15 pm

Some great thoughts. I really enjoyed the article by Dallas Willard. You should forward that one to Tim G.

Nick Zeimet

January 28, 2009 at 12:21 pm

Contemplation has never been my strong suit!

I read this article and a statement stood out to me:

“I choose to make the rest of my life an experiment in answering this question.”

Laubach was purposeful in his pursuit of a deeper relationship with God. We can choose to take a challenge to read the Word throughout the day or accept the challenge to take time away for a prayer retreat. We can also choose to live a life wondering, “what if?” Laubach was not satisfied with wondering if constant thought of God was possible. He set himself to try what he was not sure was possible, and his journal entries describe the absolute joy that came about.

The other thing I need to learn from Laubach was the progressive nature of his experiment. He did not expect complete success within the first week. It appears as if his experiement included positive and negative days. But he kept at his experiment. I am fighting the culture I am surrounded by, the way in which my brain has been triggered to think and process. Now, now, now. I want results now.

Nick Zeimet

January 28, 2009 at 12:21 pm

Contemplation has never been my strong suit!

I read this article and a statement stood out to me:

“I choose to make the rest of my life an experiment in answering this question.”

Laubach was purposeful in his pursuit of a deeper relationship with God. We can choose to take a challenge to read the Word throughout the day or accept the challenge to take time away for a prayer retreat. We can also choose to live a life wondering, “what if?” Laubach was not satisfied with wondering if constant thought of God was possible. He set himself to try what he was not sure was possible, and his journal entries describe the absolute joy that came about.

The other thing I need to learn from Laubach was the progressive nature of his experiment. He did not expect complete success within the first week. It appears as if his experiement included positive and negative days. But he kept at his experiment. I am fighting the culture I am surrounded by, the way in which my brain has been triggered to think and process. Now, now, now. I want results now.

Dan

January 28, 2009 at 6:42 pm

In reference to Laubach’s comments making the rest of life an experiment, it reminds of Douglas Gresham (stepson of C.S. Lewis) saying he liked Christianity because you can “practice” it. You never really get it quite right, it seems. But, you get to practice!

Dan

January 28, 2009 at 6:42 pm

In reference to Laubach’s comments making the rest of life an experiment, it reminds of Douglas Gresham (stepson of C.S. Lewis) saying he liked Christianity because you can “practice” it. You never really get it quite right, it seems. But, you get to practice!

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