Spiritual Growth

This cartoon is by Mark Baker give me by Rabbi Brett Oxman. Check out Marks'  site at pvtmurphy.com where you will be able to purchase signed prints of his work. 

Spiritual growth is so important for Christians. I have found that building devotional time into my daily schedule is as essential for spiritual growth as food and exercise is to physical health. I have to exercise every day if I am to pass the annual Air Force PT test. I cannot wait until a month out, then run extra miles every day up to the test...that is a formula for a heart attack! I once knew a man back in New Jersey who would eat only one meal a day...and that evening meal was huge! I can't eat like that. I must have at least three small meals a day, and various healthy snacks in between. (By the way, I am accepting recipes of healthy GOOD TASTING food). Its the same with spiritual growth. As a chaplain, I must prepare for the delivery of a Sunday sermon every day, several times a day, routinely through prayer, reading, meditating on scriptures, and wrestling with Biblical texts. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, to grow into the likeness of my Lord I must spend time with him every day. Admittedly, my laziness often keeps me from exercising and feeding my spirit.

I am greatly helped by devotional aids. I have published some of the ones I use on the sidebar to this blog in the form of a quote of the day, the daily lectionary reading and various web sites to help with spiritual discipline. I also send out via e mail a daily thought for the day. It is a one-liner. I once had a group commander tell me that every morning she would open her inbox to find over 100 messages. She said she always looked for mine to read first. "Your messages always starts my day right. Besides, it is quick to read and there are no suspenses [tasks] attached. If you would like to get this thought for the day from me just send me a message and I will add you to the list. Grace and Peace, Jeff