What would that look like...?

What are some of the major phases or changes that a person goes through as they grow in their journey with God? Just like our bodies change or like a caterpillar undergoes change, we as disciples of Jesus go through different stages in our faith.

Maybe you've heard the story of the boy who was in a hurry to help a butterfly emerge from its cocoon. He ended up with a swollen, odd looking version of an insect that died very quickly after he had removed its cocoon. He found out later from his grandfather that the process of working its way out of the cocoon helps it move around its fluids and forces its wings and other body parts to become shaped into a butterfly. There is a process to life...even our spiritual life!

The writer of Hebrews says that we are to move beyond the basics and get on into maturity in our faith (Hebrews 6:1&ff). Even though we're supposed to move on, it's possible to say in one place or even to regress or go backward in our faith development. So what have you seen most?

As you reflect on your own experience and on what you've seen in others, what does it look like to grow in your faith? Yes, there are academic answers to that, but what have you actually seen personally in the people in your life? How many actually grow and what did it look like? Ever seen someone go backwards? What does it look like for someone to emerge as a butterfly?

In a nutshell - can you do that?

What is the gospel or the good news to you in a nutshell? In 50 to 100 words or less, what is the whole thing about? If you can't summarize and put it all in that few words, what non-biblical stories (fiction or non-fiction) have you heard over your life/the years that best tell the story of the gospel or of the good news? Post your comments and let's compare our ideas. Blessings...

The opinions expressed here...

...are those of myself (Wade Poe) and of the persons who desire to dialogue and discuss via comments, etc. They are not representative of anyone else associated with Central Church or it's leadership unless explicitly stated.

Earlier posts which have that name as it's 'author' are refective of another blog specifically for leadership which shares a common 'username' for this blog and the community blog and are a meaningless artifact of that.

As is the nature of many 'blogs', this blog is for free discussion of a variety of topics, ranging from the trivial to the serious.

Many times, as is the case with this blog, people will 'bait' one another for further discussion and/or dialogue. If you do not understand that or the nature of 'the blog world', feel free to comment below and/or to contact me directly and I will give you a personal explanation.

All are welcome to come to this blog and express questions, faith or belief issues, doubts, concerns, etc without fear of someone mugging you for having questions or wanting to explore a little further something you've not fully understood, etc.

As with any other blog, expect that someone else might want to challenge what you believe and what you feel and that they have the full right to do so, given that they actually are attempting to challenge you with love, truth and a desire to see all involved grow.

Understand that there are some who feel that occasional free thought and asking of questions isn't appropriate and that a person should simply always be told exactly what to believe and then just believe it without exploring why.

That's is not the nature of this post or of this blog. Your comments and/or opinions are always welcome! Blessings...

Wade Poe

Little Rock, AR