An explanation and guided experience in an old practice called Lectio Divina. Try it and see what you think!
Category: Personal Growth
02 | Pathways to God
Even though your life is unique, it is helpful to consider what has helped other people to grow closer to God. Here are some basic frameworks for thinking about God, pathways to God, and typical moves that faith can involve as you engage with these practices.
01 | Five Foundations for Spiritual Growth
Here are five foundational ideas for how Spiritual Growth works, and a challenge for you to try.
Designing Your Life for Growth
This post is a collection of links to the various posts in the series: Designing Your Life For Growth as well as an annotated bibliography of books to consider on the topic of Spiritual Formation.
Five Foundations For Spiritual Growth
If you are wanting to grow spiritually, here are some foundational ideas upon which to build your routines and expectations.
Rethinking How We Interpret Scripture with Rachel Howell
In this episode, we talk with Rachel Howell about Biblical interpretation. A scholar and missionary herself, Rachel has taken a deep dive into Alexander Campbell’s influence on Churches of Christ in the way we view and interpret Scripture. She will critique some areas of imbalance and suggest what it might look like to build an even healthier hermeneutic as we move forward.
Keep a Sermon Garden Growing
For your sermons to be of consistent in their quality, you need to give them room to grow. Here’s one way to do it.
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Sustainable Spiritual Leadership with Dr. Daniel McGraw
Drawing from his original doctoral research at ACU, combined with his experience as a minister and as a Navy Reserve Chaplain, Daniel McGraw talks about how to lead effectively while continuing to nourish one’s soul.
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Spirit-Shaped Ethics for Churches with Mac Sandlin
Dr. Mac Sandlin describes the active way in which the Holy Spirit leads us into greater virtues, helping us to become more like Christ. Beyond asking, “What should I do?” Mac invites us to ponder, “What kind of person should I be?”
Advice for Young Ministers: A Conversation
Dr. Mark Adams sits down with Dr. Kevin Burr to share some experiential advice for young ministers…and really, for anyone looking to grow spiritually.
Top 10 Posts of 2020
Looking back at 2020, here were the most viewed posts at Kingdom Upgrowth.
Haikus from the Minor Prophets
A collection of my devotional Haikus based on the Minor Prophets.
Overcoming Negative Emotions
It’s been a hard time for all of us. Here are some things you can do to help you get through.
40 Things I’ve Learned in 40 Years
For my birthday, I’m sharing 40 things I’ve learned over the last 40 years.
The Positive Side of Grace
Why grace might be even more amazing than you think it is.
Helping Your Tribe Be Healthy
What does it actually look like for people to get healthier incrementally? How do we help dysfunctional tribes become high-functioning teams? Here are a few ideas.
Denied: A Mother’s Request
Mrs. Zebedee believed more than anything that she wanted her sons to be at Jesus’ right and left hands as he entered his kingdom. But at the foot of the cross, her perspective may have changed.
New Translations for New Perspectives
Here are some recent translations of the Bible I have been reading and am intending to read soon.
From Development to Deepening
Rather than merely discovering or developing your interests, what if you took things to the next level?
Useful Books for Church Leaders
People often ask me for book recommendations about specific situations and questions. Here are some of the questions I encounter most frequently, along with the resources I recommend.
Reading John Through Ancient Eyes
Kevin Burr helps us gain a more culturally-informed view of John’s Gospel. What would John’s original audience have assumed that we might not? This conversation helps to bridge the gap.
Reading John Theologically
Dr. Mark Powell of the Harding School of Theology talks about how John’s Gospel enhances our understanding about God.
Using John for Spiritual Formation
Lauren Calvin Cooke guides us in how to utilize the Gospel of John for personal spiritual growth.
John’s Unique Voice
Dr. Kindy De Long shares insights into some of the things that John’s Gospel uniquely contributes to the Gospels’ telling of the story of Jesus. What might John be showing us that he considers of special importance?
John’s Legacy in the Church
Dr. Keith Stanglin shares how John’s Gospel was valuable to the early church, and how these insights help us to utilize it today.
Scripture Reading Strategies
As you get ready for the new year, here are a few ways to think about how you approach Scripture, with some insights on how to get the most out of your efforts.
Join us for a Journey Through John!
In 2020 we’re going on a journey through John’s Gospel. We hope you’ll come, too!
My Favorite Reads of 2019
Here are my favorite books I read in 2019, along with a full list of all the books I read this year.
Haikus from I John
Engaging Scripture creatively helps us engage it more deeply. Here are some of my haikus based on I John.
Church and The Infinite Game
Are you trying to play an infinite game with a finite mindset? Just less than a month ago, Simon Sinek released his new book The
Haikus From Jonah
Engaging Scripture creatively helps us engage it more deeply. Here are some of my haikus based on Jonah.
Haikus from Isaiah
Scripture comes to life when we engage it creatively. Here is a collection of haiku poems I’ve written based on Isaiah.
What Everyone Needs
Leaders need it. Volunteers need it. Insiders and outsiders both need it. How do we best care for the people around us?
Helping Women Grow Spiritually with Dr. Anessa Westbrook
Dr. Anessa Westbrook shares her original research about what factors help young women to grow spiritually.
Responding to Criticism
Everyone deals with criticism. When someone criticizes you, how should you respond? Here are a few suggestions.
On Being A Messenger…
Thoughts about the different ways we can be motivated to speak on God’s behalf and how in a vocation of preaching and teaching this develops over time.
A Dwelling Place for the Spirit
Avoiding Ditches In my religious tradition (churches of Christ) we have had an uneasiness with the Holy Spirit. As with most areas of doctrine, when
W.A.Y.S.?: Seeking God’s People by Christine Fox Parker
Note: This post is part of the 2018 blog tour What Are You Seeking? Hosea. A testimony to God’s steadfast lovingkindness towards Israel and Judah.
My Favorite Reads of 2018
If there is anything that bothers me, it’s that I feel like I never have enough time to read. As I started compiling a list
Enneagram Resources
Having spent a lot of time studying the Enneagram over the last few months, I wanted to share a lot of my favorite resources in
W.A.Y.S.?: Disordered Loves by Rob Sparks
Note: This post is part of the What Are You Seeking series. First Things First A long time ago, our friend Augustine talked about disordered
W.A.Y.S.?: What Am I Seeking When I Study The Old Testament? by Lance Hawley
Note: This post is part of the 2018 Blog Tour: What Are You Seeking. What am I Seeking when I Study the Old Testament? The short
Stacking Your Skill Sets
4th Place Disappointment In 2016, following an extended period of injuries, setbacks and a lengthy recovery, Kara Goucher attempted her comeback for the U.S. Olympic
W.A.Y.S.?: Your Eyes Tell It All by Jonathan Woodall
Note: This post is part of the 2018 blog tour: What Are You Seeking? As soon as I heard the theme for this year’s blog
W.A.Y.S.?: The Search for the Search by John Dobbs
Note: This post is part of the blog tour series: What Are You Seeking? God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many
W.A.Y.S.?: The Seeker’s Heart by Matt Stidham
Note: This post is part of the 2018 Blog Tour: What Are You Seeking? “You are what you love.” That’s the title of a book
Enneagram Ups and Downs
The Enneagram The Enneagram is a personality system which groups people into Nine Types, partially based on their behaviors, but even more so based on
W.A.Y.S.?: What are you seeking…really? by Peter Horne
Note: This post is part of the 2018 Blog Tour: What Are You Seeking. Several weeks ago I was having a conversation with someone about
W.A.Y.S.?: What You Can Stop Seeking
“It was in the last place I looked.” One of my least favorite expressions follows an anxious search for keys, wallets, and phones. Having scoured
2018 Blog Tour “What are you seeking?”
For this Fall, some ministry friends reached out to me about a blog tour. I’m honored to participate. I’ll be sharing one post of my