Transform.Freedom. Want. Do Your Stuff!

"The disciplines allow us to place ourselves before God so that he can transform us." p. 7

"We [I, Jenn] must always remember that the path does not produce the change; it only places us where the change can occur." p. 8

"The needed change withing us is God's word, not ours." p. 6

What freedom in the above statements! We [I] cannot produce the change! Reading this book about spiritual disciplines will not produce an inner change in any of us if we simply go through the tasks of reading the scribbles on the pages and check it off the list. As Darren McWatters [teaching pastor of RockHarbor Church] likes to say, "There is not external solution for an internal problem." Yes, in the process of reading about spiritual discipline and becoming more familiar with them God will transform and shift our lives to line up more with His will. However, "The primary requirement is a longing after God. 'As a hart longs for flowing streams, so longs my soul for thee, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the Living God.' Ps. 42:1,2" p. 2 What a weight lifted off my shoulders! And what a joyous way to enter into this study with you lovely people, but most importantly entering into a great journey of the next 9 months of this life given by grace alongside you all.

Father, I echo St. Teresa of Avila's words (thank you Nina) as we begin this study, "I want to want to know you." Lord, give me the strength to allow you to move and the courage to respond by putting myself in the place where you can do the work. Where you can transform me. Teach me what it means to place myself before you and allow you to do your stuff. Amen.