We are sharing a week of Thanksgivings; celebrating people who have made a difference in our life. Read the previous two days HERE and HERE.
Today, let’s talk spiritual talk.
Who is the person who helped you most to grow spiritually?
Obviously, as with the other days, you could answer God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit, and of course those answers would be correct, but thankfully God uses other people in our life to make a difference. He shapes our life through the influence of people. So, in terms of your spiritual growth, who is the person who helped you or is helping you the most.
As I’ve done the previous days, I’ll go first.
I began to mature the most during my early to late twenties. It was during the Promise Keeper days, when the large men’s gatherings were encouraging men to live bolder for Christ in their homes and communities. During that time it was popular to have an accountability partner, based on the principle in Proverbs 27, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” and I had numerous ones over the years. Three of those, however, had the largest impact on my life spiritually. They are three men named Dennis Weiland, Steve Springer, and Keith Swift. These three men met at my home one early morning a week for years. They challenged me to want more of Christ and His Word. They kept me searching the Scriptures for truth. The discipline I have in my life now is greatly related to their influence. Dennis now works with me at Grace Community Church and Steve and Keith are in other churches. Our relationships have changed, but their impact on me remains the same.
Now your turn:
Who is the person/persons who helped you most to grow spiritually?
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, pay tribute to them as a comment here.
I an thankful for Dennis Newkirk and Felts Dent's Divorce Recovery Groups for focusing my faith and getting me through a most difficult time in my life. I am currently thankful to YOU, Chad and Karen McGinnis. You and Chad called an angry Christian back from the wilderness–whether you realized it or not. Karen is absolutely brilliant and has taught me more about the Bible in a few months than I've learned in years.
Pollyanna, thank you for this comment. Not sure how I missed acknowledging it until now. Dennis and Felts were both great influencers to me. Love that you've connected to Karen. She's awesome.
Jo Dement was one of those people for me. She came into my life when I was much younger and VERY awkward; She seemed always to have an open door and the most wonderful, open smile! No matter how bad my day seemed, she could bring me right out of it, usually with just a little time and a listening ear, of course the cookies didn't hurt either! Later when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, she never skipped a beat! She continued with her life, helping others as though it hadn't happened to her, when I asked her how she could do this, she simply quoted Phil. 4: 13. She was actually angry when people came to visit and started to cry for her; said she had lived a full life, wasn't perfect didn't expect it be, but it was full of people she loved and didn't want anyone to pity her. What a neat lady she was! I was a new Christian (about a year) when she passed away, still trying to be half the person she was.
That's great. Love people like Jo.
I think the person who helped me to grow the most spiritually was the one who wounded me most deeply. How else do we learn to love like Jesus loves?
Wow, that's pretty powerful.
Twitter: bryankr
says:
A Sunday School Teacher! His name was Doug Moore, and he was the one to explain to me that salvation was for more than just the ex-cons, former drug addicts, rapists, etc. Until he came along, I had only heard salvation given by people who fit into at least one of the catagories I listed; I always wondered if that is what Jesus delivered you from, then why would I need Him? I didn’t do any of the things they were talking about so I had nothing to worry about, I thought! Doug is the one who explained to me I was condemned because of sin in general not certain sins. It made a major impact on my life and he became my mentor for some years to come!
That's an awesome tribute! Make sure Dog sees this if possible.
Twitter: mrsmilton0304
says:
There are so many people in so many seasons of my life. The most profound influence was from my ex-husband’s father. His name was Joe and he passed away almost 2 years ago from cancer. He was the one who led me that final step to Christ and was the one who baptized me. After my divorce he was still a solid father figure in my life and was until he died. He and I never let typical animosity taint our father/daughter friendship. In my life I have met two genuine and loving men who love God with a passionate yet gentle temperament. I was blessed to have one as a father and the other is my husband Larry. Larry is another story entirely.
What great tributes. Thanks for your transparency.
I'm thankful for my heritage also. Make sure you share these tributes!
I came to God in April of this year. My entire journey has been filled with encouragement from the church and Pastoral staff. One wiman in particular took me under her wing, Sister Bridgett. She teaches me Bible studies, guides me, taught me how to pray, and she is not afraid to be Bold with me. I am constantly learning, and I am thankful she is in my life. Aside from my husbands support and his authority in my life, it is nice to have someone there for me who understands a womans perspective on things.
Welcome to the family. What a great tribute. I hope you share it with her.
I grew up in a Christian home so I'm very thankful for my parents, particularly my mother as well as both of my grandmothers who helped me form my faith relationships. I'm also thankful for my mentor, my former youth minister Craig Harris (http://threeminutebiblestudy.blogspot.com/ ) who was influential in my call to ministry. Also, I've had numerous pastors and lay people who have shaped my faith.
God had been so graceful to me in providing fantastic people of faith to disciple and mold me. My parents, Rick & Mary Pharoh, Allen Sims, Joe Bullock, JD Tomlin, Kevin Steger, Louis Giglio, Pete Briscoe.
In a less personal but very influential level folks like: John Stott, John Piper, Tim Keller, Randy Alcorn, Paul Tripp, Francis Chan, David Platt, and Alistair Begg.
Good list Paul. Happy Thanksgiving!