Years ago, 40 or so, a new pastor to our church pulled 8-10 couples together for several weeks to do a quick study of 5 books and their insights in creating and maintaining a healthy church environment that sustains. The only one of the five books I still recall is Celebration of Discipline by Robert Foster.

A month or so ago I was being nudged to find some significant material to help ones coming for counsel find what the Strength of The Holy Spirit really is in our human flesh. To many, if not most, the Holy Spirit is more mysterious than concretely understood. The Bible tells us in Nehemiah 8:10 that the JOY of the Lord is my STRENGTH. So how does one find that strength? In asking Jesus for help one morning while journaling I heard Him nudge me to talk with our worship pastor. He said, “Worship awakens our own spirit to God’s Holy Spirit so she would have insights for you.” That morning I went early to talk with her. When I told her what I was seeking and asked if anything came to mind as she heard this, she responded, “Yes, there was a book I read years ago that change my life completely as a worship pastor. I discovered it was Celebration of Discipline. I knew I had it at home so that evening I found my copy. The subtitle reads, “Pathway to Spiritual Living”.

I was seeking insights for others, but in it I found far more help for myself than I could ever share with others. When I’d read the book the first time I had not shared with anyone except my wife what my childhood abuse was. It was a few years before I’d had any professional help to address it. At that point in my life I read it as good information rather than life transforming. Not only is the insight relevant for each of us, it hugely assists the Counseling ministry and our Celebrate Recovery ministry as the leaders are always being talked to by those coming with their struggles and how to find the strength to walk away from their hurts, hang-up and habits. I’ve been thanking God daily for this guidance. What an amazing God we get to serve!!