Apprentice 2 Jesus

Culture

  • Why it’s hard to “care” about world events

    Over the past few days I have relentlessly posted links and thoughts about the persecution of Christians and other minority groups in Iraq and other places.  That’s hard enough to get attention, but then (for Christians) it’s hard to also pay attention to stories out of the Middle East that don’t have “Christians” in them. … Read more

  • I have battled depression

    In light of Robin Williams’ death, there has been more than a little chatter about mental health. One blog was so offensive, I’m just not even going to link to it. It was incredibly condemning and self-serving and had no understanding of depression. Suicide is not a legitimate escape… but it IS a battle. It… Read more

  • Religious War

    It is right, in some limited way from the U.S. government, for help to finally get to the Yazidi people. The terrorist organization ISIS is moving through Syria and Iraq and systematically killing or running off all opposition. The Yazidi are an ancient people group who have been cornered on a mountain and need help.… Read more

  • You bunch of Sabbath breakers!

    John 5 gives us the story of the lame man healed at the Pool of Bethesda. The real problem the Jewish leadership had was… horrors! … Jesus healed on the SABBATH.  They were so concerned about Sabbath breaking they missed the larger point of actually helping someone.  Each of us, regardless of our theological leanings, have this… Read more

  • The possibility of upheaval

    “There is a feeling that events are in the air; all that is unpredictable is their timing. Perhaps we shall see several more years of peace, but it is equally possible that overnight some tremendous upheaval will happen.” — Austrian writer Carl von Lang (early 1914) 100 years later, we face these conditions in different… Read more

  • More divided than ever

    Several years ago I had the privilege of hearing Dallas Willard speak for a week at a local seminary. One thing he said even quite a few years ago still stands out to me today, showing how prophetic his ministry truly was in an age of bumper sticker theology. “I don’t want to be known… Read more

  • The NFL and Women

    I disagree with Keith Olbermann about 99% of the time. But when he goes into a tirade on a couple of things and I agree, it’s shocking. THIS RANT (and there is a bit of offensive language in it) is something I so agree with, I am again re-evaluating my viewing habits for at least… Read more

  • The year on the bus

    It was about a year ago I was challenged by the Spirit to simplify my life a little more. Because we live in a metro area that has decent transportation alternatives, I knew it wasn’t a huge sacrifice. To that point I rarely used the old car I had, trying to utilize the bus as… Read more

  • Overcome

    For the first time in 1600 years it is possible that there was no Christian worship in Mosul, Iraq this past Sunday. The Christian population in Syria has plummeted from about 6% of the population to possibly less than 1,000 believers. We must be reminded of the words of Christ: I have said these things… Read more

  • Pope Expels All Muslims from Rome

    The Pope has declared that all Muslims living in Rome must: 1. Convert to Christianity 2. Remain a Muslim, but pay an extra tax to remain in their homes and go to their mosque, or 3. Be killed if they refuse to comply with the first two rules. Think of the headline. Think of your… Read more