Summary
Fasting. Solitude. Contemplative prayer. Lectio divina.Have you heard about these practices and wanted to try them? Have you wandered from one practice to another not sure quite what to do? Are you overwhelmed by all the to-dos of your spiritual life?We have good desires--for a more intimate prayer life, perhaps, or deeper insight from God's Word--but we don't know how to get there. So we give up our pursuit, tired from wandering aimlessly, and end up feeling guilty and more distant from God instead of closer.In the Spiritual Disciplines Handbook Adele Calhoun gives us directions for our journey toward intimacy with Christ. While the word discipline may make us want to run and hide, the author shows how desires and discipline work together to lead us to the transformation we're longing for--the transformation only Christ can bring. Instead of just giving information about spiritual disciplines, this Handbook is full of practical, accessible guidance that helps you actually do them.Mothers, fathers, plumbers, nurses, students--we're all on a journey. And spiritual disciplines are for all of us who desire to know Christ deeply and be like him. Here is direction for our desire, leading us to the ultimate destination: more of Christ himself.
Author Biography
Adele Ahlberg Calhoun (M.A. in theology, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) has worked in Christian ministry for over thirty years and is currently pastor of spiritual formation at Christ Church in Oak Brook, Illinois
Table of Contents
| Acknowledgments |
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9 | (2) |
| The Spiritual Disciplines and Desires |
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11 | (4) |
| Introduction: Discovering Your Desire |
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15 | (10) |
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25 | (22) |
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26 | (3) |
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29 | (3) |
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32 | (3) |
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35 | (5) |
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40 | (4) |
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44 | (3) |
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Part 2: OPEN MYSELF TO GOD |
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47 | (42) |
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48 | (4) |
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52 | (4) |
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56 | (3) |
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59 | (4) |
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63 | (3) |
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66 | (4) |
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70 | (4) |
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74 | (4) |
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78 | (4) |
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82 | (3) |
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85 | (4) |
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Part 3: RELINQUISH THE FALSE SELF |
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89 | (32) |
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Confession and Self-Examination |
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91 | (4) |
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95 | (4) |
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99 | (5) |
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104 | (3) |
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107 | (4) |
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111 | (4) |
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115 | (3) |
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118 | (3) |
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Part 4: SHARE MY LIFE WITH OTHERS |
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121 | (42) |
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122 | (4) |
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126 | (3) |
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129 | (3) |
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132 | (3) |
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135 | (3) |
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138 | (3) |
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141 | (3) |
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144 | (4) |
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148 | (3) |
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151 | (4) |
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155 | (4) |
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159 | (4) |
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163 | (16) |
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164 | (3) |
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167 | (5) |
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172 | (4) |
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176 | (3) |
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Part 6: INCARNATE THE LOVE OF CHRIST |
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179 | (24) |
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180 | (3) |
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183 | (3) |
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186 | (4) |
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190 | (3) |
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193 | (3) |
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196 | (4) |
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200 | (3) |
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203 | (53) |
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204 | (3) |
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207 | (4) |
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211 | (4) |
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215 | (3) |
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218 | (5) |
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223 | (4) |
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227 | (4) |
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231 | (4) |
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235 | (4) |
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239 | (3) |
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242 | (3) |
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245 | (4) |
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249 | (4) |
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253 | (3) |
| Appendix 1: Spiritual Growth Planner |
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256 | (8) |
| Appendix 2: A Series on Spiritual Disciplines for the Congregation |
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264 | (1) |
| Appendix 3: Suggestions for Spiritual Mentors |
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265 | (2) |
| Appendix 4: Using the Spiritual Disciplines Handbook with Small Groups |
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267 | (2) |
| Appendix 5: Names for Worshiping God |
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269 | (3) |
| Appendix 6: One Anothers |
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272 | (4) |
| Appendix 7: Postures for Prayer |
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276 | (2) |
| Appendix 8: Spending Time with God |
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278 | (3) |
| Appendix 9: Suggestions for Fasting Prayer for the Church |
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281 | (2) |
| Appendix 10: Seasons, Stages and Ages of Transformation |
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283 | (7) |
| Glossary |
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290 | (1) |
| Bibliography |
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291 | (2) |
| Index of Spiritual Disciplines |
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293 | |