The finished diamond is one of the most beautiful and desirable gems.  Yet, in the rough it appears like any other stone.  It requires the knowledge and skill of a master cutter and polisher to change the rough stone into a faceted gem.  We all begin our spiritual journey as a "diamond in the rough," unrecognizable as the spiritual gem God wants us to be. The process of  spiritual formation allows God, the master diamond cutter, to cut away the roughness to expose a beautiful gem.
 

Welcome to the Spiritual Life Network website. It is our hope that you will find here resources, recommendations, materials, and ideas that will aid in your personal life journey as a disciple of Jesus Christ. We are using Dr. Kenneth Boa’s book, Conformed to His Image, as a template to illustrate various spiritual disciplines you can use for God to grow you spiritually. This website is neither comprehensive nor complete. And it is not a review or summary of Boa’s book. You are encouraged to read Conformed to His Image for more in depth study.

We have chosen to illustrate essential spiritual principles with thought provoking examples from the arts and popular culture for relevancy. We trust that your life will be enriched as you continue to discover how these eternal spiritual principles apply to all experiences.

Boa refers to spiritual growth as a "gem with many facets." These are summarized as follows:

    1. Relational Spirituality – learning to love God completely, ourselves correctly, and others compassionately
    2. Paradigm Spirituality – cultivating an eternal versus a temporal perspective
    3. Disciplined Spirituality – engaging in the historical disciplines
    4. Exchanged Life Spirituality – grasping our true identity in Christ
    5. Motivated Spirituality – a set of biblical incentives
    6. Devotional Spirituality – falling in love with God
    7. Holistic Spirituality – every component of life under the lordship of Christ
    8. Process Spirituality – process versus product; being versus doing
    9. Spirit-Filled Spirituality – walking in the power of the Spirit
    10. Warfare Spirituality – the world, the flesh, and the devil
    11. Nurturing Spirituality – a lifestyle of evangelism and discipleship
    12. Corporate Spirituality – encouragement, accountability, and worship
As you explore this site you will find yourself using a number of these principles. None stands by itself as a person’s sole path to spiritual growth. These facets receive the light from different angles. Together they enhance spiritual growth like a multi-faceted diamond: strong, beautiful, and reflective of God’s character.

Reflections to Consider

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Publications

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Music

  • Jesus be the centre

    Center is a song that speaks of the essence of our life in Christ, and echoes the words the Christ Read More
  • I Lift My Hands

    A powerful hymn of adoration and praise Arkansas Gospel Mass Choir. This succinctly captures the joy of knowing our savior. Read More
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Audio & Video

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Favorites

  • Freedom of Simplicity, Richard Foster +

    In Freedom of Simplicity Foster gently encourages us to see that our identity, our sense of comfort and security must Read More
  • Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster +

    The Path to Spiritual Growth The book on spiritual disciplines. Read More
  • Spiritual Classics, Richard Foster and Emilie Griffiin +

    Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups on the Twelve Spiritual Disciplines Good collection of essays, saints throughout the ages. A Read More
  • Prayer by Richard Foster +

    A prayer Richard Foster uses when beginning a time of contemplation: By the authority of Almighty God, I surround myself Read More
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Hidden Blessings

  • God's Love For Us +

    The well of love God has for us is deeper than our imaginations can grasp-- Read More
  • Truth versus Deceit +

    As stated countless times throughout the Bible, God is pure–God is truth. Read More
  • Psalm 136: Everlasting Love, Mercy & Faithfulness +

    The repeating refrain in this psalm has been translated as love, mercy, and faithfulness. Read More
  • God's Mission: To Bless All Nations +

    From the beginning God’s desire is to be with us–in our presence. Read More
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