As we reflect on this lifestyle celebration, we invite you to explore some of our staff top picks from media and resources that deal with obedience.

READ

EUGENE PETERSON encourages readers in a society in which we are obsessed with the immediate. Peterson’s time-tested prescription for discipleship remains the same — a long obedience in the same direction. Tucked away in the Hebrew Psalter, Peterson discovered “an old dog-eared songbook,” the Songs of Ascents that were sung by pilgrims on their way up to worship in Jerusalem. In these songs (Psalms 120-134) Peterson finds encouragement for modern pilgrims as we learn to grow in worship, service, joy, work, happiness, humility, community and blessing.

 

 

 

RICHARD J. FOSTER explores the “classic Disciplines,” or central spiritual practices, of the Christian faith. Along the way, Foster shows that it is only by and through these practices that the true path to spiritual growth can be found. In the twenty years since its publication, “Celebration of Discipline” has helped over a million seekers discover a richer spiritual life infused with joy, peace, and a deeper understanding of God.

 

 

 

 

HANNAH WHITALL SMITH was aware of the age-old problems that plague humanity, even when she wrote this work 130 years ago. We worry about our family, our health, our money, our time, and in the process we run ourselves ragged. In her studies, Smith discovered that there is a way to handle the stressors in our lives in ways that build us up instead of tearing us down through living faithfully in the rest and comfort that Jesus offers us. True happiness does not come from an absence of difficulty, but through the loving embrace of our Savior.

 

 

WATCH

BROTHER SUN, SISTER MOON

This film is a dramatization of events in the life of St. Francis of Assisi from before his conversion experience through his audience with the pope, including his friendship with St. Clare. The film illustrates St. Francis’ journery of obedience to the call, a decision that continues to influence us here at Word Made Flesh as well as the Body of Christ around the world. Rent it here.

 

 

LISTEN

Anton bruckner was an Austrian composer best known for his symphonies, masses, and motets. The first are considered emblematic of the final stage of Romanticism. Bruckner’s compositions helped to define contemporary musical radicalism, owing to their dissonances, unprepared modulations, and roving harmonies. Listen to his “Christus Factus Est,” a moving piece which takes its text from Philippians 2:8-10, chiefly, “he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

(Click here to read our Editor’s reflection on this piece as it relates to the WMF lifestyle celebration of obedience)