Three phases of a Life of a Christian

[Sushan Ekanayake]

Personally, I have not faced a huge crisis, so I have not lived what the author is suggesting, but I have seen these phases in other people's lives.

You don't have to face a crisis yourself to understand that the world is a hard place to live. So there are many who need help and if you can show them even a little bit of grace, the world will be a more beautiful place

[Sushan Ekanayake]

I faced many crises, I have received Grace and I am trying to give Grace back to others even though it is sometimes hard. Whenever I feel down, I always have someone to talk with...

Talking and empathizing with the one in need of help can be the only thing that they need, to feel alive. That is the grace they expect in such situations, which is not very hard to express

[Sushan Ekanayake]

I don't believe that crisis is a prerequisite to finding God's grace or Christianity.

I tend to agree with you. For some people, a crisis can be a trigger for change. I don't see this as a rule that applies to everyone, though.

Thats very true. Anyone can help others without being in trouble at first. But for those who went through a crisis and was shown grace, it is more easy to return the grace

[Sushan Ekanayake]

I haven’t read the book yet, but I completely agree with the phases. We all face things in life where we either need to be forgiven or to forgive others. As a Christian I try to do my best in this. But I think it works for everyone to be content in life.

You have pointed out something important. Someone maybe in mental chaos because of a guilty feeling for a wrongdoing of him/her to someone. If that someone can forgive him/her, that will be the best way he can be shown grace and pulled out from his/her misery

[Sushan Ekanayake]

I think the three phases are fairly accurate. A few years ago, my brother was in a bad accident that badly damaged his face. He had a 50/50 survival rate. Thanks to God's Grace my brother was saved. We then shared his story in the church, as a testimony to encourage others and give hope to the hopeless. Overall, I think that these phases are pretty accurate but at the same time I think that it differs from person to person. I think this is because some people are more comfortable with sharing God's Grace, where as others are not as comfortable yet.

Yes, others are not comfortable even to share Gods grace with anybody. They feel it is God responsibility.

Yes, some believe that if the God made the world like this, it is His responsibility to make everyone happy. But that is not how it works. We have to show grace to each other and make the world a better place

[Sushan Ekanayake]

I faced many crises, I have received Grace and I am trying to give Grace back to others even though it is sometimes hard. Whenever I feel down, I always have someone to talk with...

I agree with you, given grace back to others is a difficult one I must confess.

If you analyze it, it is not a hard thing. You may not be capable of doing miracles. But even just talking with a one in misery can be the best grace he/she may have been shown

[Sushan Ekanayake]

Personally, I have not faced a huge crisis, so I have not lived what the author is suggesting, but I have seen these phases in other people's lives.

Wow!!indeed ur life is a testimony. To be this privileged??, it is nothing but the power of God grace.

Yes, living a life without major issues is a real lucky thing. Yet, you can make it more valuable by hhelping others to live happily as well

[Sushan Ekanayake]

I don't believe that crisis is a prerequisite to finding God's grace or Christianity.

That's true. I don't think that a crisis is a prerequisite, but I do think that when we do go through a major crisis we are more likely to recognize God's grace; compared to when you're not in a crisis. I guess maybe when we're faced with a crisis, we appreciate God's grace more and as such are more likely to recognize it.

That is true. We turn towards God when we are in trouble, and when we come out of it we thank Him, for the grace that we are shown. Then when we help the others, they see the God through us

[Becccccca+98]

I think the three phases are fairly accurate. A few years ago, my brother was in a bad accident that badly damaged his face. He had a 50/50 survival rate. Thanks to God's Grace my brother was saved. We then shared his story in the church, as a testimony to encourage others and give hope to the hopeless. Overall, I think that these phases are pretty accurate but at the same time I think that it differs from person to person. I think this is because some people are more comfortable with sharing God's Grace, where as others are not as comfortable yet.

Yes, others are not comfortable even to share Gods grace with anybody. They feel it is God responsibility.

Yes, some believe that if the God made the world like this, it is His responsibility to make everyone happy. But that is not how it works. We have to show grace to each other and make the world a better place

Yeah I also don't agree with how people say it's his responsibility to make everyone happy. At the end of the day he is our Father, and we his children? I mean that's literally what we're taught and what is said in the bible as well. The role of a father is to teach, encourage, provide, love, etc which ultimately teaches us to grow, not to provide an endless supply of happiness.

[Becccccca+98]

I don't believe that crisis is a prerequisite to finding God's grace or Christianity.

That's true. I don't think that a crisis is a prerequisite, but I do think that when we do go through a major crisis we are more likely to recognize God's grace; compared to when you're not in a crisis. I guess maybe when we're faced with a crisis, we appreciate God's grace more and as such are more likely to recognize it.

That is true. We turn towards God when we are in trouble, and when we come out of it we thank Him, for the grace that we are shown. Then when we help the others, they see the God through us

Yes! exactly! Sometimes I get this notion put into my heart to say or do something for someone else. It's like a little itch that I can't shake unless I say or do what's been placed into my heart. It may sound silly, but sometimes I feel like God is pushing me to help someone else so that he can speak or act through me.

[Sushan Ekanayake]

I would agree depending on what you consider as "returning grace". I would like to think of it as being kind and compassionate towards our fellow men, but I think the author means proselytizing, and I'm not in favor of that.

I don't think proselytizing is what is meant by the author as 'returning grace'. Being kind and compassionate, and be helpful for those who are in misery is the returning of grace

[Sushan Ekanayake]

Many times it is difficult to carry the work of God and show love and compassion to everyone, even knowing that it is the right thing to do. Day-to-day activities frequently consume you. Nor have I experienced situations like the ones mentioned in the book but as a habit I thank God constantly.

Thanking God for the grace you received is a start to returning it. It is true that in this busy world, looking for each other is not an easy thing. But you can do simple and small things, which will be far more valuable things in the eyes of those who need it

[Sushan Ekanayake]

Not everyone finds God as a result of being in crisis. I dedicated my life to God as a child and I grew up in a Christian home. I have never faced any of the horrible situations that the people in this book faced. I have had my ups and downs in life, but my life has never been in ruins. When I was growing up and people would come to our church with flaming testimonies, I always felt like my testimony somehow wasn't as powerful. But as an adult, I think living a life close to God with a grateful heart demonstrates God's grace as powerfully as finding God in a crisis. I am grateful for the life God has given me.

I can definitely identify with feeling inadequate with the "flaming testimonies," as you put it. I think some of the most powerful scenes in movies I've seen and books I've read are when the characters question where God was in all of this (loss of a child, concentration camps,etc).

Many people tend to suspect the presence of the God when they face a major catastrophe. But it is a trial that they are put through and it will make them much stronger, so they will be a great help to others who are in need of help

[Nonso Samuelson]

Going back and forth between phases 2 and 3 kinda makes sense. You also made an excellent point that we will be better equipped in giving grace once we ourselves, have received it. These are realy interesting topics to speculate with.

Again, I'm not sure I completely understand the 3 phases the author talks about if he is saying that's all the Christian life is about. Perhaps, there's something I'm missing.

I don't think that the author is trying to put it in that way. These three phases is a part of a Christian's life, but that doesn't mean it is his/her whole life

Okay. This makes more sense to me.

[Deborah kalu]

Many times it is difficult to carry the work of God and show love and compassion to everyone, even knowing that it is the right thing to do. Day-to-day activities frequently consume you. Nor have I experienced situations like the ones mentioned in the book but as a habit I thank God constantly.

Thanking God for the grace you received is a start to returning it. It is true that in this busy world, looking for each other is not an easy thing. But you can do simple and small things, which will be far more valuable things in the eyes of those who need it

Did you say"thanking God for the grace you received is a start to returning"??hmm...this is a difficult one.because most of us are not greatful.