Thanks for this Michael, I just read it too. Great meditation on the subject of desire in a time when so much confusion reigns around it. It helped me a lot. Thanks for sharing your story around discipline. We all wonder how you get so much done:) Also re-reading Dallas Willard’s “The Spirit of the Disciplines” another good work on this subject that should be dusted off again.
Discipline was a huge struggle for me, especially in my teens and early 20’s. Much of my success was mostly me coasting, riding on my natural talents. Until my late 20’s where things seem to just fall apart. The Lord’s been good to me. Ordering and reordering my desires so that the things that competed with his will fell into distant second. In still learning discipline nad the lessons are daily.
Thanks Dr. Bird great article I’m always praying for more discipline that I need. Question do you ever plan to do a video of the current books you are reading? Like you’ve done in the past. I really enjoyed them.
You have left out the large societal issues that lead to mail our problem: hypercapitalism, sexism of any and every kind. A well disciplined life, a loving life, is far more difficult when everything around us conspires to fragment us into commodities for sale. You fail to mention the hideous man that is the object of cult like devotion to so many. In short, your words are meaningless Holy talk
"There exists an ancient and sacred way that is forged around the life, wisdom, and power of Jesus and his Spirit." Yes. This reliance and relationship with God in disciplining oneself cannot be understated.
We also should do some deep-dive self-reflection on motives behind some of our actions. Slowing down, taking time away from distractions, silence and solitude all can help. Also, talking to a counselor or spiritual director can be helpful in that regard.
Once upon a virtue, we used to frame the discussion of desires in terms of temperance, chastity, gluttony. Sadly those terms took on too much baggage and the luggage got lost.
Thank you. Well written. True and wise... Self regulation is central and key, and It may well be a key identifier of the spiritually mature.
(says me as i demolish a huge donut!)....
Can i suggest, though, that it is only one side of the same coin in a broader challenge requiring a bigger conversation in the faith communities.
For example, Clinicians who work in this space also observe that there exists in a number of Christians, (usually of the white, male, conservative kind ) a 'punitive super ego', a part of the self that, in varying degrees, engages in an exhaustive internal conflict to keep that person from experiencing and indulging 'unacceptable desires'. Sometimes this produces behavioural traits that eventually begin to show. So.. next time you hear a preacher really rant about sex, he might be saying more about himself than others.... and what he really needs is a good..... No, not that.....
a good solid male presence that can listen and not judge.
Thanks for this Michael, I just read it too. Great meditation on the subject of desire in a time when so much confusion reigns around it. It helped me a lot. Thanks for sharing your story around discipline. We all wonder how you get so much done:) Also re-reading Dallas Willard’s “The Spirit of the Disciplines” another good work on this subject that should be dusted off again.
Yes, Willard's book is a classic.
Discipline was a huge struggle for me, especially in my teens and early 20’s. Much of my success was mostly me coasting, riding on my natural talents. Until my late 20’s where things seem to just fall apart. The Lord’s been good to me. Ordering and reordering my desires so that the things that competed with his will fell into distant second. In still learning discipline nad the lessons are daily.
Brian, glad to hear that you got there in the end, some of us take a bit more time to sort ourselves out.
Thanks Dr. Bird great article I’m always praying for more discipline that I need. Question do you ever plan to do a video of the current books you are reading? Like you’ve done in the past. I really enjoyed them.
Nick, maybe I should do a video or blog post on that.
Ok great!
Also have begun reading this book. Will you be reviewing it as you go?
I don't know if I'll review it, but I'm definitely reading it.
You have left out the large societal issues that lead to mail our problem: hypercapitalism, sexism of any and every kind. A well disciplined life, a loving life, is far more difficult when everything around us conspires to fragment us into commodities for sale. You fail to mention the hideous man that is the object of cult like devotion to so many. In short, your words are meaningless Holy talk
Yes, there's social evils behind the scenes also trying to manipulate and control our desires.
"There exists an ancient and sacred way that is forged around the life, wisdom, and power of Jesus and his Spirit." Yes. This reliance and relationship with God in disciplining oneself cannot be understated.
We also should do some deep-dive self-reflection on motives behind some of our actions. Slowing down, taking time away from distractions, silence and solitude all can help. Also, talking to a counselor or spiritual director can be helpful in that regard.
Once upon a virtue, we used to frame the discussion of desires in terms of temperance, chastity, gluttony. Sadly those terms took on too much baggage and the luggage got lost.
Thank you. Well written. True and wise... Self regulation is central and key, and It may well be a key identifier of the spiritually mature.
(says me as i demolish a huge donut!)....
Can i suggest, though, that it is only one side of the same coin in a broader challenge requiring a bigger conversation in the faith communities.
For example, Clinicians who work in this space also observe that there exists in a number of Christians, (usually of the white, male, conservative kind ) a 'punitive super ego', a part of the self that, in varying degrees, engages in an exhaustive internal conflict to keep that person from experiencing and indulging 'unacceptable desires'. Sometimes this produces behavioural traits that eventually begin to show. So.. next time you hear a preacher really rant about sex, he might be saying more about himself than others.... and what he really needs is a good..... No, not that.....
a good solid male presence that can listen and not judge.
Paging Dr Freud anyone......?????