no dirty word

Discipline, that is.
I don't consider it to be a dirty word by any of it's definitions - especially regarding chastisement or self-control.

He dies for lack of discipline,
and because of his great folly he is led astray. Prov 5:23

Discipline is heavy on my mind as I sit on my couch. Day 2 of 2010. If I chose to not revisit what Scripture teaches about discipline, then I will likely wake-up on day 364 of 2010 with an unruly child, and an uncared-for spirit and body. God's gifts of life and grace...wasted.

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates reproof is stupid. Prov 12:1

Whoever spares the rod hates his son,
but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. Prov 13:24

Because we began 2009 with a relocation, job change, and adoption, I felt like I spent most of the year picking up debris from a train-wreck. By no means were the changes bad--it was just a lot to absorb in a short period of time. But 2010 still has all its potential brimming, and I want to maximize on the health of my mind and body, an the youth of my son!! Not to mention Vince's benefit of my personal discipline as well. (And my church, and my community, and my family....)

But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Cor 9:27

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Heb 12:11

What exactly will discipline look like for me this year? While I'm still praying about that, asking God to give me clear vision and goals, I imagine that the focus of my efforts will involve Bible-study. 2009 was not my greatest season of studying God's Word. Although it was an AMAZING year, and although God sustained me often by His Words planted in my heart in year's gone by, I found myself too often running on empty. I cannot give when I'm empty, and I certainly cannot give anything of value when I wander into the 'valley of dry bones'.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16-17

The key to a productive 2010 for any of us is discipline. Godly discipline. It's not easy, and it won't happen accidentally. The pursuit of discipline must become a passion. An here's where I have to be careful! It's easy for me to get excited about the pursuit of discipline for reasons of personal achievement. But the pursuit of discipline must always and only be for the purpose of Godliness. And a passion for Godliness only comes from and is only fulfilled by God alone.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Eph 2:10