Three phases of a Life of a Christian

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 02 Jun 2020, 19:49

Indaboski wrote: ↑02 Jun 2020, 13:38 The author explained this book saying we Christians allow this three phases: Experiencing a crisis, receiving grace, and returning grace to others.Christians experience crisis on a daily even in our present Day Society. People are faced with anxiety, Pains and illness. Many people have received grace, and prayers have been answered. This is not because of his religion. If we are favored or graced, we should try our best to return it to others. We must learn to extend our hand of love. I really enjoyed this book.

Grace is for all, no matter what is the religion that they believe in. So when comes to returning of grace there should be no boundaries

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 02 Jun 2020, 19:51

Prince Chime wrote: ↑02 Jun 2020, 19:45 A very good question from you. I thinks it is practicable and I have been through the three phases. The death of a loved one was the crisis at the time, receiving grace from Gods word and friends helped me through the season and I have given that same grace to those experiencing the pain of separation caused by death of a loved one.

Being seperated from a loved one is a great pain, and one can only do is to comfort the one in pain with kind and soothing words

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 02 Jun 2020, 19:52

Prince Chime wrote: ↑02 Jun 2020, 19:48 A similar event happened when i had to retake a course back in undergraduate days. It was a crisis season for me as i had to manage the current work load with it. I relied on God's grace and the season passed and i was successful all round. Now i give comfort to those in similar situation.

University life is a stressful period for some of the students. Yet you have to complete it. Helping each other in ssuch situations is a great thing

Abigail Peake · Post by **Abigail Peake** » 03 Jun 2020, 11:27

Sushan wrote: ↑02 May 2020, 22:36 According to the author, there are three phases in the life of a Christian; Facing a crisis, Receiving grace, and returning grace to others.

What is your opinion about this? Have you ever done it? Is it practical?

I think its difficult to place practicality on Gods grace. Gods work cannot be limited or defined. It's difficult to know you are facing a crisis until you are in the middle of it. Facing crisis is vital for faithful growth and practice. I believe being 'broken' is made to strengthen your faith-which is exactly what the author is demonstrating.

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 03 Jun 2020, 18:59

Abigail Peake wrote: ↑03 Jun 2020, 11:27
Sushan wrote: ↑02 May 2020, 22:36 According to the author, there are three phases in the life of a Christian; Facing a crisis, Receiving grace, and returning grace to others.

What is your opinion about this? Have you ever done it? Is it practical?
I think its difficult to place practicality on Gods grace. Gods work cannot be limited or defined. It's difficult to know you are facing a crisis until you are in the middle of it. Facing crisis is vital for faithful growth and practice. I believe being 'broken' is made to strengthen your faith-which is exactly what the author is demonstrating.

When you are in unbearable situations, you might reach your break point. Yet, if you can remain faithful and strong, you will be able to stand again

DominicVenditti · Post by **DominicVenditti** » 04 Jun 2020, 00:19

I think it's true but the caveat is that facing a crisis and receiving grace each come significantly easier than returning grace to others. From my experience, at least the whole facing a crisis part tends to be the major impetus for growing spiritually and you can't really return grace to people who don't know what it's like to need grace.

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 04 Jun 2020, 01:29

DominicVenditti wrote: ↑04 Jun 2020, 00:19 I think it's true but the caveat is that facing a crisis and receiving grace each come significantly easier than returning grace to others. From my experience, at least the whole facing a crisis part tends to be the major impetus for growing spiritually and you can't really return grace to people who don't know what it's like to need grace.

Though the first phase is facing a crisis, sometimes it is easier than the last phase of returning grace

Wyzdomania_Gskillz · Post by **Wyzdomania_Gskillz** » 04 Jun 2020, 11:50

Sushan wrote: ↑02 May 2020, 22:36 According to the author, there are three phases in the life of a Christian; Facing a crisis, Receiving grace, and returning grace to others.

What is your opinion about this? Have you ever done it? Is it practical?

Oh yes! I agree totally...
This is quite like describing the phases in a plants life stages; facing crisis (growing root into the ground and stem out of the ground), receiving grace (fertilisation, sunlight, watering, pruning, weeding etc) and returning grace to others (blossoming, bearing fruits, providing shade etc).

This process is the fundamental definition of living I must say. Its just God's grace plays the major role in seeing in through

Bookreviwer2020 · Post by **Bookreviwer2020** » 04 Jun 2020, 13:39

To be honest I have heard these ideas from those who are not Christians as well. For example, a man who was brain damaged in an accident told me that it made him a better person. He said how selfish he was before and how he did not appreciate life. He had the accident and began to appreciate life and thanked those who helped him. He then said he decided to go back to Africa to make a brain damage rehabilitation centre as he had used because he was thankful and at the same time wanted to use his experience to help others.

I do tho k it is impressive when people are able to bring out the positive in any situation or circumstance and use it for the benefit of themselves and others.

So yes, I do after with the author but I think this is something you can find in all world religions and even those without, if they are spiritually inclined

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 04 Jun 2020, 14:27

Wyzdomania_Gskillz wrote: ↑04 Jun 2020, 11:50
Sushan wrote: ↑02 May 2020, 22:36 According to the author, there are three phases in the life of a Christian; Facing a crisis, Receiving grace, and returning grace to others.

What is your opinion about this? Have you ever done it? Is it practical?

Oh yes! I agree totally...
This is quite like describing the phases in a plants life stages; facing crisis (growing root into the ground and stem out of the ground), receiving grace (fertilisation, sunlight, watering, pruning, weeding etc) and returning grace to others (blossoming, bearing fruits, providing shade etc).

This process is the fundamental definition of living I must say. Its just God's grace plays the major role in seeing in through

Comparison of this three phases to a growth of a tree is impressive. Nice thought

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 04 Jun 2020, 14:28

Bookreviwer2020 wrote: ↑04 Jun 2020, 13:39 To be honest I have heard these ideas from those who are not Christians as well. For example, a man who was brain damaged in an accident told me that it made him a better person. He said how selfish he was before and how he did not appreciate life. He had the accident and began to appreciate life and thanked those who helped him. He then said he decided to go back to Africa to make a brain damage rehabilitation centre as he had used because he was thankful and at the same time wanted to use his experience to help others.

I do tho k it is impressive when people are able to bring out the positive in any situation or circumstance and use it for the benefit of themselves and others.

So yes, I do after with the author but I think this is something you can find in all world religions and even those without, if they are spiritually inclined

You are correct. It is not limited to Christianity

Alice Ngugi · Post by **Alice Ngugi** » 04 Jun 2020, 15:32

I am yet to read the book. However, I do agree with the phases. For Grace to be felt most, of course there must be a crisis that requires the undeserved and unearned kindness. Once you recieve Grace, you are then able to give out to someone going through a similar trouble because you understand what it is like. So the phases are indeed practical.

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 04 Jun 2020, 19:48

Alice Ngugi wrote: ↑04 Jun 2020, 15:32 I am yet to read the book. However, I do agree with the phases. For Grace to be felt most, of course there must be a crisis that requires the undeserved and unearned kindness. Once you recieve Grace, you are then able to give out to someone going through a similar trouble because you understand what it is like. So the phases are indeed practical.

The grace is there always, but you feel it more when you face some crisis

Arohi Soren · Post by **Arohi Soren** » 04 Jun 2020, 23:51

I am a Christian and I've felt God's grace throughout my life. I don't think you need to be in a crisis to receive grace. Though that's how most people experience God. I somehow feel sad about the fact that we remember God only when we are in a crisis. We don't thank God when we're happy but the moment we are faced with tough times we run to God. And as usual, God helps us recover, and after we get back on our feet we forget Him again, until we're in another crisis. And our entire lives are over in this cycle.

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 05 Jun 2020, 01:48

_arohi8 wrote: ↑04 Jun 2020, 23:51 I am a Christian and I've felt God's grace throughout my life. I don't think you need to be in a crisis to receive grace. Though that's how most people experience God. I somehow feel sad about the fact that we remember God only when we are in a crisis. We don't thank God when we're happy but the moment we are faced with tough times we run to God. And as usual, God helps us recover, and after we get back on our feet we forget Him again, until we're in another crisis. And our entire lives are over in this cycle.

What you point out is a sad truth. We remember those who help us only when we are in need of help