http://www.maywoodbaptistchurch.org/flighttraining/07%20Swimming%20Lessons.mp3All Show Notes: http://www.flighttrainingpodcast.wordpress.com

Special Thanks for This Episode:

Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, 1998

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Music used under Creative Commons. Something Elated by Broke For Free. http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Something_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Something_EP_-_05_Something_Elated

This Episode Show Notes

Episode 07

Swimming Lessons

Remember swimming lessons as a kid?

All the kids holding the wall at the start, twisting to see the instructor towards the middle of the pool.

Things had to start somewhere, they had to get us letting go of the wall…floating…treading water.

To be free in the water you have start somewhere. To have the freedom of simplicity you have to let go of something.

Luke 12:32-34

32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

James 2:20-22

20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.

Challenge:

Pray and ask God what is something that has too great a hold in your heart. Then take a direct action against holding on to that.

http://www.maywoodbaptistchurch.org/flighttraining/06%20Gloves%20from%20God.mp3

Special Thanks for This Episode:

Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, 1998

Richard Foster, Freedom of Simplicity, 1981

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Music used under Creative Commons. Something Elated by Broke For Free. http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Something_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Something_EP_-_05_Something_Elated

This Episode Show Notes

Episode 06

What’s something on your mind that you need? Probably assuming you will buy it?

Matthew 7:7-11

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Here’s what Richard Foster talks about trying for one week in his book Freedom of Simplicity…

So the challenge is to:

A word of caution, this is not a test of God:

Matthew 4:7

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”

The yes or no does not prove God, but it should have an effect on you:

>>If you think, ‘I don’t have anything I need to purchase.’ You can take an ulterior challenge of giving away five things to five individuals.

http://www.maywoodbaptistchurch.org/flighttraining/05%20Grandmas%20Ring.mp3All Show Notes: http://www.flighttrainingpodcast.wordpress.com

Special Thanks for This Episode:

Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, 1998

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Yuval Harari, Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, 2017

Music used under Creative Commons. Something Elated by Broke For Free. http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Something_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Something_EP_-_05_Something_Elated

This Episode Show Notes

Episode 05 

Grandma’s Ring

Original air date 2-8-18

One of the keys to simplicity is satisfaction.

“We do not become satisfied by leading a peaceful and prosperous existence. Rather, we become satisfied when reality matches our expectations. The bad news is that as conditions improve, expectations balloon.” ―Yuval Noah Harari

Grandma’s wedding ring.

When “enough” is just a little more than you have, just a little more than you can handle, then you are light years away from simplicity.

Inward reality of satisfaction

Philippians 4:10-13

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

“The Christian Discipline of simplicity is an inward reality that results in an outward life-style…We deceive ourselves if we believe we can possess the inward reality without its having a profound effect on how we live.” –Richard Foster (p.79)

Two actions, you can pick one for your challenge.

http://www.maywoodbaptistchurch.org/flighttraining/04%20Rose%20Colored%20Window.mp3

Special Thanks for This Episode:

Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, 1998

Henri Nouwen, Letters to Marc About Jesus, 1987

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Music used under Creative Commons. Something Elated by Broke For Free. http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Something_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Something_EP_-_05_Something_Elated

This Episode Show Notes

Episode 04

Rose Colored Window

Henri Nouwen describing a worship service he was at while traveling in France:

“It was an extraordinary experience to be able to look from the high altar into the majestic Gothic nave (central high ceiling) and see the sunlight pouring through the beautiful rose window. During his sermon, the preacher pointed to that huge round window of stained glass and said, “It is a work of art made by human beings. But unless God’s sun shines through it we see nothing.” (p.39)

We are utterly dependant on God.

Foster even brings up that we need God’s help to have the desire to meditate and hear His voice.

This week I want you to pray for the desire to meditate, but also for God’s help in this week’s challenge. Your challenge is to teach someone else to meditate.

Challenge:

http://www.maywoodbaptistchurch.org/flighttraining/03%20Put%20Yourself%20in%20the%20Story.mp3

Special Thanks for This Episode:

Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, 1998

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Music used under Creative Commons. Something Elated by Broke For Free. http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Something_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Something_EP_-_05_Something_Elated

This Episode Show Notes

Episode 03

Put Yourself in the Story

Difference between study and meditation on Scripture.

Putting yourself in a story. John 7:1-13

7 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want[a] to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. 2 But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, 3 Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. 4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

6 Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. 8 You go to the festival. I am not[b] going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” 9 After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee.

10 However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. 11 Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?”

12 Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.”

Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” 13 But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders.

Experiencing a truth. Matthew 7:11

11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

“Always remember that we enter the story not as passive observers, but as active participants. Also remember that Christ is truly with us to teach us, to heal us, to forgive us.” (Foster, p.30)

>>Challenge: Experience a passage. Dwell on it for at least 15 minutes. Use either John 6:1-15

Or John 14:27

All Show Notes: http://www.flighttrainingpodcast.wordpress.com

Special Thanks for This Episode:

Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, 1998

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Music used under Creative Commons. Something Elated by Broke For Free. http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Something_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Something_EP_-_05_Something_Elated

This Episode Show Notes

Episode 2

Caterpillar

Psalm 19:1-4

1 The heavens declare the glory of God;

   the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2 Day after day they pour forth speech;

   night after night they reveal knowledge.

3 They have no speech, they use no words;

   no sound is heard from them.

4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,

   their words to the ends of the world.

“Look at the trees, really look at them. Take a flower and allow its beauty and symmetry to sink deep into your mind and heart. Listen to the birds–they are messengers of God. Watch the little creatures that creep upon the earth. These are humble acts, to be sure, but sometimes God reaches us profoundly in these simple ways if we will quiet ourselves and listen.” (Foster, p.31)

How can we meditate on a bug?

Fat, Green Caterpillar crossing road as I was struggling with pressure at Maywood. I noticed it while I was running, had opted for no music while I ran as a way to give space.

Challenge:

Take something in nature and meditate on it (and its Creator) for minimum of 15 minutes. Be ready to discuss the process at group.

http://www.maywoodbaptistchurch.org/flighttraining/1801%20Whats%20Your%20Ladder.mp3

Special Thanks for This Episode:

Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, 1998

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Music used under Creative Commons. Something Elated by Broke For Free. http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Something_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Something_EP_-_05_Something_Elated

This Episode Show Notes

Episode 18.1

What’s Your Ladder?

I remember my first car-driving lesson. This one was with my mom and we went to an empty parking lot to practice so I wouldn’t have to deal with traffic.

Sometimes you need a little help to get going on a new thing. Other times it is a good idea to set up your surroundings to make it easy.

How do you set up to make learning to meditate easier?

Building a ladder in Mexico

A Biblical Example

Genesis 24:63-65a

63 He went out to the field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching. 64 Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac. She got down from her camel 65 and asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?”

Challenge: Find a way to make meditation easier this week. Whether you have to change or make something or just find the right spot.

All Show Notes: http://www.flighttrainingpodcast.wordpress.com

Special Thanks for This Episode:

Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, 1998

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Music used under Creative Commons. Something Elated by Broke For Free. http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Something_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Something_EP_-_05_Something_Elated

This Episode Show Notes

Episode 46

Jake talks through entire year, reflecting on the disciplines and suggesting how to put them in to practice moving forward.

http://www.maywoodbaptistchurch.org/flighttraining/45%20two%20questions.mp3 All Show Notes: http://www.flighttrainingpodcast.wordpress.com

Special Thanks for This Episode:

Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, 1998

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Music used under Creative Commons. Something Elated by Broke For Free. http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Something_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Something_EP_-_05_Something_Elated

This Episode Show Notes

Episode 45

(Foster 192-193) Don’t need infusions of joy, obedience is the path to joy.

Two questions to face:

Are you obedient?

Are you joyful?  

http://www.maywoodbaptistchurch.org/flighttraining/44%20Open%20Seat%20at%20the%20Bonfire.mp3

Nehemiah 8:10 New International Version (NIV)

Foster: Celebration->Joy->Strength (p.192)

Challenge: Celebrate with four other people