Apprentice 2 Jesus

Culture

  • Violence in Our World

    The bombing in Boston has shaken us again. We will be on the lookout again for the perpetrators, and then we will ask, “WHY?” In our time, we are fixated on “WHY” as if we should somehow be exempt from problems. Somehow violence needs to be “over there” and not “here.” Violence is a part… Read more

  • The Conversation of Depression

    While we’re not having another needed conversation (this one about depression), let me just go ahead and bring it up again. WE NEED TO TALK. A fellow blogger, Jeff, is a strong believer and battles depression. He puts some of his thoughts HERE. Let’s not talk about other things while we’re at it. 😉 We… Read more

  • Mental Illness and the Conversation We Don’t Have

    With the tragedy of Rick and Kay Warren losing their son, once again mental illness is front and center. Over the weekend I also saw a video from a Colorado sheriff who was upset at Obama coming to Colorado pushing gun control because there are “deeper issues.” I could only assume he meant mental illness… Read more

  • Was Jesus Controversial?

    This article makes the argument that while Jesus was controversial, he wasn’t really controversial for the sake of being a stand out due to a conflict. He stood for truth, which would cause controversy no matter where he went.  Here is the really interesting part: when truth comes in, no group of people at any time… Read more

  • Social Orthodoxy and the New Legalism

    Tag something “religious” and it’s easy to take shots at it. Label something religious “bigoted” or “close-minded” and you’re a hero. You’re even more of a hero if you “come” from that group and take shots. In this Holy Week, the gospel texts focus on the last few days of Jesus before his arrest. He… Read more

  • Causes and Coffee

    From chicken sandwiches to Venti decaf caramel macchiatos. I can (or can’t) eat at Chik fil a or can (or can’t) drink coffee at Starbucks. How about I don’t like deep fried chicken (and we don’t have a Chik-fil-a nearby) and I like Caribou and local coffee shops more than Starbucks. And my absence or… Read more

  • Stop Murdering Terrorists

    Growing up one of my heroes was Brother Andrew. I was reminded of his story this past weekend when a friend was listening to God’s Smuggler on audio. Then, this article was posted on Christianity Today’s website. The challenge in all of our lives as believers is to step up and truly love our neighbor. 1. We need a better Kingdom… Read more

  • The Funeral for Bookstores Has Long Passed

    At my age, living in two worlds of digital and print, I lament one passing as I try and embrace another medium. There is an advantage to BOTH, but it’s a world that is not allowing “both” very well anymore. My wife and I were traveling through Des Moines, Iowa yesterday so we stopped at… Read more

  • A New Reformation

    The sad thing is a call for “new reformation” is old hat. It could be called a new “manifesto,” but that’s been used as well. Simply stated, I have a stirring in my heart for the Church in America to do something the culture in America is refusing to do: grow up.  In America we… Read more

  • Yeah, Sure, We’re “Evolved”

    I think of great words that have inspired in the past, often uttered by self-educated people who simply took care with language. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us–that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last… Read more