One of the great phrases I use from Dallas Willard is this: “There is a cost to following Jesus. There is a cost to not following Jesus.” We need to weigh both costs.
Continue reading “Is Jesus worth following?”Category: Discipleship/Spiritual Formation
The downside of evangelical American Christianity
My reading has me in Micah for a few days and as I read it I get this picture of Israel that the prophets portray over and over. Israel is “weary” of serving God. They have some sense of obligation, but they are in love with the gods of the age and want to pursue other lovers. Yet, they know Yahweh is there and they need to “appease” him. The question becomes: “Okay, God, what do you want? What’s it going to cost me this time?”
Continue reading “The downside of evangelical American Christianity”The practice of devoting yourself to prayer
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (Col. 4:2)
There is a call the Lord keeps putting in front of me in regards to prayer. It is the great invitation to walk in prayer. Through the years I have had the Spirit bring many tools into my life to assist in this desire to walk in prayer. I don’t desire to have a “prayer time.” I have grown in a desire to walk in prayer.
Continue reading “The practice of devoting yourself to prayer”His words are still life
My love affair with the written word of God has been lifelong. Over the years I have grown in my love and understanding. The written word has led me to the Living Word (Christ), but that written word is still precious to me.
Continue reading “His words are still life”The space for discipleship
I am not good on many names in big market Christianity. I know I have loved Hillsongs worship for decades. A story about one of their worship leaders/songwriters being shaken in his faith was something that got my attention.
Continue reading “The space for discipleship”Renouncing all to follow Christ
33 In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples. (Luke 14:33)
Christ can’t have me following him with all the junk I want to carry. He knows I won’t make it, so he calls me to jettison my junk to obtain his treasure.
We seek to justify ourselves
How simple can it get? In Luke 10 a lawyer asks Jesus a question. Okay, check that. When the lawyer is the one asking the question, it’s never simple.
But here is the issue: a simple question was asked. A simple answer was given.
Continue reading “We seek to justify ourselves”