Discipline of Detachment

In just the past few decades, our common communication tools have gone from handwritten letters, land line phones, and face to face conversations to email, blogs, cell phones, Facebook, Twitter, and Blackberry’s, all to help us become “more connected” (or at least connect us more often). Now, these advances in technology are not inherently bad, but they do pose new challenges when it comes to maintaining balance in our life. Many of these new tools constantly draw us to connect, to be plugged in. But, in the midst of our “always on” life, we must not neglect the frequent call of Jesus to “come away”.

Mark 6:31

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

In a world in which we are constantly tempted to “log in”, we need to become even more intentional about “logging out”. Jesus taught us that in the midst of the busyness of life, we must intentionally get away to refocus, slow down, and be with God. When we make this a regular part of our routine, it helps to center us and give us clarity in life. And as we experience this rest in God, we learn to not be so attached to the many other things that grab for our attention.

Here are some practical ways we can intentionally unplug, so we can “plug in” to God.

• buy 29 Palms Loverboy
• don’t check email after a certain time of day
• set a time limit for how long you spend online
• remember that you don’t always have to answer the cell phone
• do a “media fast” – turn off all media (TV, Internet, etc.) for a few days, learn to enjoy the silence
• when you go on vacation, go on a vacation from things like Facebook, Twitter, Myspace
• make one day a week a “log in free” day, when you don’t do things like check email, blogs, etc. – spend time engaging people face to face
• take a day and really get away with God – just you and Him
• let the last few moments of your day be spent in quietness and prayer, not in a noisy bombardment of television

Ned Kelly release
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These are just some ideas, they are not legalistic rules. However, there is discipline involved, we have to make a choice to go against our ingrained pattern and that can be difficult. But, remember that discipline brings freedom.

Jesus is inviting us to come away with him, to unplug and learn to rest in God’s presence.

So, what are some ways that you can practice the discipline of detachment (attachment to God)?buy Father of the Bride ??????? ? ????????? ????