Category: Key Growth Posts

Why Do Christians Have Dry Times or Dark Nights?

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The last two posts looked at stages of growth, both repeating and non-repeating. One of the stages we mentioned was dark nights, which is the topic of this post. This may apply to you or it might help you guide someone else through a dark time, so this should equip you to be a better servant for the Body of Christ. Most Christians go through one or more periods in their life when God seems absent. We use different terms for this such as dryness, dark night, desolation, desert time, or wilderness time. Even great Christians in history we admire go through such times. For example, Martin Luther, C.S. Lewis, Mother Teresa, and Oswald Chambers. Bruce Demarest mentions the last three in his book Seasons of the Soul, which I highly recommend, beginning on p. 84. He also discusses desolation in general which is very helpful. (There is a link to Continue Reading →

fivefold way stages of growth

What Stage of Growth Are You In?

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Many have found it very helpful to understand the different stages of growth that Christians go through. Here are some of the reasons we might find it helpful: Understand where we are spiritually and where we need to go. Realize it is ok to be where we are; it is normal and others are there too. Know what experiences, emotions, and thoughts are normal for your situation. Know what attitudes, scripture, and practices are best for your situation. Not resist or escape the stage we are in, but rather let God flow. Not become overly attached to the stage we are in. Realize that we are not in or out of the “good Christian” box. Rather, are we staying on the road to maturity. This helps avoid legalism. Understand how to guide others who want to grow. Be more understanding of what others may have been through, or are going through Continue Reading →

Church Bashing Part 2: Positives in the American Church

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  Last week the topic was church bashing. (Last week’s post.) This week continues the topic with an emphasis on the American church today. Criticizing the American church has become very popular in the last few years. This post looks at some issues surrounding this trend. Following is an example of the criticism of American Christianity from a recent popular blog: “The connection economy is an arena where the church — the body of Christ — should be leading. But it’s not. The world has blown past it. In the connection economy, building connections with like-minded people is valued higher than acquiring “stuff.” For instance, suppose I handed you $2,000 to spend on whatever you wanted. Your mind may default to a new refrigerator. Or that curved HD TV you’ve been eyeing at Best Buy. Or a new set of golf clubs. Or those rare coins for your coin collection. Or you Continue Reading →

The Dangers of Church Bashing – Part 1

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For some reason it has become popular among many Christian writers to make critical statements about the Christian church as a whole, either the present church or the historical church. My question is whether these statements are fair and good. If I took the time I could come up with endless examples of sweeping criticisms. I will give one example from a very well-known spiritual formation author. He wrote “We’ve been at this for two thousand years now…Clearly, the church is not making much headway in eliminating what is wrong in the world and making everything right.” Is this historically fair? The Roman empire was a brutal empire ruled by brutal and often grossly immoral and hedonistic emperors. After Christianity was legally accepted in the 4th century the morality and humanitarianism in the empire greatly improved. Unwanted babies weren’t left to die on hillsides. Bishops like Ambrose had the influence Continue Reading →

Classic Practices for Spiritual Growth

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One of my hobbies is reading the history of Christian spirituality back to the 2nd century. This led me to collect a list of the most common practices for spiritual growth. Following is a collection of practices based on scripture that believers have used for centuries to open to God and grow spiritually. These are many of the most common practices used across many cultures and times. If you truly want to grow then begin to incorporate these into your life. (Hint: The second one may be the most helpful!) Meditation on scripture. I.e., ruminate, reflect. For example, Divine Reading (Lectio Divina): Read out loud, meditate, pray, be still and receptive. Have a spiritual director. Celtic proverb: “A [Christian] without a soul-friend is like a body without a head.” Self examination. Examine each dimension of your life for sin, weakness, lack of transformation. Fasting. Develop self-control and mastery over your Continue Reading →