Sometimes I wonder if what I am doing on this blog and in classes I teach on discipleship is mistaken. I ask myself if I am being too focused on self and am encouraging people to abandon global pursuits for personal pursuits that potentially have little meaning. Is my emphasis on personal spiritual growth just... Continue Reading →
Discovering Spiritual Activities That Work Best For You
In the last post, I explained that cookie-cutter advice for growing spiritually was ineffective. Today, I want to give some examples of activities that fit individual personalities. Perhaps you can relate to one or more of the following types of people. If you are the type of person who gets more out of the worship... Continue Reading →
Why Most Prescriptions For Spiritual Growth Fail
In this short clip from John Ortberg, the case is made that God never works on two people the same way. Ortberg says that our growth in Christ will never look the same as someone else's. Then why are the prescriptions for spiritual growth so standard? Let's say that I am trying to become more... Continue Reading →
The Reliable VIM
From 2002-2006, my wife and I did intense work at an inner city ministry. Leah ran the kitchen and I volunteered with various ministries and efforts. One thing that I tried to do was meet with some of the men who had recently become followers of Christ. We tried to meet a couple of times... Continue Reading →
How Christ Made Me A Better Person Pt. 2
Here are three more examples in my own life of personal changes coming as a result of the work of Christ in my life. Let me note that Christ taught me these things through his Word, through prayer and meditation on scripture, and through great teaching from the likes of Dallas Willard, James Bryan Smith,... Continue Reading →
3 Myths of Spiritual Growth
Have you made a New Year's Resolution? According to George Barna, only 19% of Americans are definitely planning on making resolutions in 2011 despite the fact that 61% have made resolutions sometime in the past. Barna's report also states that 49% of those who have made resolutions in the past have seen no lasting change.... Continue Reading →
Spiritual Enrichment Workout: Recap
So we have the four elements to our workout: 1. Warm-up - Fixed-Hour Prayer (3 minutes) 2. Core - Scripture reading (4-5 minutes) 3. Strength - Prayer (3-5 minutes) 4. Cardio - Devotional reading (1-2 minutes) I have placed the estimated time it takes to go through each element in parenthesis. On most days this... Continue Reading →
Spiritual Enrichment Workout: Cardio
Some of the benefits of a real cardio workout are increased energy, lowered stress levels, and better sleep. In other words, positive side effects that carry on throughout the day. My spiritual version of cardio is also designed to benefit you throughout the day and not just during your Workout. I take a daily devotional... Continue Reading →
Spiritual Enrichment Workout: Strength
In a physical workout or a spiritual workout I am all about focus. If you want to get the most out of a strength workout you set aside one day to focus on your lower body and one day to focus on your upper body. In the Spiritual Enrichment Workout the strength portion is my... Continue Reading →
Spiritual Enrichment Workout: Core
Core Workout- My favorite physical workout involves an emphasis on the body's center, or core. The idea being that it is from this center where the rest of your body's movements originate from. In our Spiritual Enrichment Workout, the emphasis is on hearing from God and letting him focus our faith commitment. The best way... Continue Reading →
Grow Up Blog 