Apprentice 2 Jesus

Discipleship/Spiritual Formation

  • The chilling effect of the power of the gospel

    I have taught, preached, and led in a way over the past decade or so that has tried to prepare me and my church for the cultural shifts and the challenges of living out a gospel that will sometimes have consequences. I never taught it in a way where someone just doesn’t say, “Merry Christmas”… Read more

  • Jesus and crowds

    The interesting picture in John 6 with Jesus and crowds is that Jesus knew they were following him because of the signs and the food. He then worked to thin it down. If they didn’t understand the full ramifications of the Kingdom, he wanted them to quit hanging around. He is working on them to get… Read more

  • When Christianity in America will finally grow up

    We will realize the true power of the gospel in our lives when we, as Americans, give up our “right” to “win” and be willing to look like we’ve lost. Right now, all we want to is “win.” Win an argument. Win a court case. Win public opinion. When we’re willing to lose… THAT is when… Read more

  • Jesus may NOT “want you”

    I have been walking through Luke 9 the past few days. It is a roller coaster ride of the disciples “getting it,” then NOT “getting it.” They can’t transfer the power of one day to the next. They wake up and it’s like their minds are erased! I am not trying to be too hard… Read more

  • The joy of giving

    In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus did not say, “IF you give…” He said, “WHEN you give…” We can hassle over tithe or some mandatory number, like 10%. But, why? The point is GIVING. Why give at all? Giving is a bold statement, which is why I try to push myself past an arbitrary… Read more

  • Anxiety and the Kingdom of God

    There is a place of freedom we can truly find in the Kingdom of God. It’s often seen as “beyond reach,” or for when we “get to heaven,” but when Jesus talks about the abundance of the Kingdom of God he is speaking directly to tremendous benefits. Benefits NOW. Expectations NOW. In Matthew 6:25-34 he talks… Read more

  • It’s Not a Gun Culture

    In the past few weeks, just from the “world of sports,” I have observed something again and again. When something tragic happens, like a mass shooting, we get reflective over being a “gun culture.” I don’t think we’re a “gun culture.” I think we’re a culture of violence. The gun owners who give the snide… Read more

  • We have to get MORE serious about the Great Commission

    I’ve grown up always thinking about the Great Commission. It’s only over the past few years I’ve realized how incomplete my thinking was on that goal. “Great Commission” Christians meant missions. It meant going overseas or sending people to go overseas. We were focused on the “all nations” part. What we need to recapture is… Read more

  • Discipleship — The Vision of What is Possible

    I am currently working my way through the book, The Theology of Dallas Willard: Discovering Protoevangelical Faith by Gary Black, Jr. It is refreshing me on the thoughts and theology of Dallas Willard. The quotes Black gives plunge me back into the thoughts of Dallas Willard, reminding me of what I read over the years. I… Read more

  • Pursuing Perfection

    The call is clear: “Be perfect as your Father in heaven in perfect.” (Matt. 5:48) That isn’t an impossible command. That isn’t something given by Jesus for the “sweet by and by.” It is an expectation given to us as we also receive all power to get it done. Jesus leaves us with HUGE challenges… Read more