For much of our young lives we want to grow...in stature.  Growth has advantages!  I wanted to get taller, stronger and even weigh more so that I could have some advantage in sports (and fights).  However,there comes a stage in life where we would like to stop growing!  My metabolism took a walk about seven years ago and never came back; ever since then calories don't burn like they used to and my clothes are shrinking...how can this be?  But, there is an area of life where I do NOT want to stop growing and that is in my "inner man."  There is a lot of room for growth when I read Jesus' description of disciples in the Sermon on the Mount.  I confess that for many years I thought the things He said were impossible or at least for another age yet to come.  Since 2004 I have been studying more intently how people grow inside and I am happy to report some progress.  I am not writing this to "toot the horn" but rather to praise the Lord and the process.  As I look back I can see a number of consistent factors in my spiritual growth.  I will state them here in no particular order because I think they work together.  Community, Scripture, the Holy Spirit, Disciplines.  There is no way to become what God has designed us to be without the power of the Spirit, the truth of the Word, people to help and effort to grow.  The Word is available, the Spirit is willing, disciplines are waiting and often people are eager to help those who will enter for the purpose of growth.  This week I'll be highlighting the principle of growth in the AM service and dealing with some specifics in the PM service about anger, contempt and lust.  What factors have been helpful in your pursuit of righteousness?  What would you add to my list?