Discipleship/Spiritual Formation
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Imagine a church sign that read “We Teach All Who Seriously Commit Themselves to Jesus How to Do Everything He Said to Do.” Read more
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I am working on a message about the church looking like the riders on a city bus. It draws me back to Dallas Willard and his take on the Beatitudes. The Divine Conspiracy continues to be one of the most influential books in my life. The Beatitudes isn’t a list of things to do to become spiritual… Read more
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Was it an old Keith Green song that said, “You love the world, but you’re avoiding Me”? 1 John is clear about NOT loving the world. He gives us examples: craving what the body feels, craving for what the eyes see, and the arrogant pride of one’s possessions. (CEB). Sounds like it pretty much includes…… Read more
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Having three boys I’ve been extremely fortunate over the years. I can assign lawn mowing duties. After they get to a certain age, that assignment costs me. It’s a cost I’ve been willing to pay. Now, I’m back to the lawn mowing duties. There are several reasons why I hate mowing the lawn. But they… Read more
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John 20-21 is a picture of the power of the resurrected life. N T Wright in his book, Surprised by Hope, walks us through a powerful picture of transformation. It is understanding that the resurrection makes all the difference. The resurrection means we move from what we are familiar with (fishing) to new territory (shepherding). Jesus… Read more
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John 17 is Jesus praying for his disciples. It is beautiful. In v. 17 I find one of the most powerful sentences in that prayer, with three incredibly powerful words. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. Sanctify: to make holy. To set apart. To consecrate. Truth: not just making correcting statements. It is… Read more
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We want “holiness” is a few easy steps. Holiness might be “possible” in a few steps, but they aren’t easy. Our affections have to be turned. Holiness comes when our affections are on Christ and not our own agendas. Our vision is full of Christ, and rid of this world’s agenda. We need the taste… Read more
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This isn’t a post about “just war theory” or pacificism. It is about a far more important war. Peter describes it as the war that is waged against our very lives as believers (1 Peter 2:11, CEB). We are good at waging real war. We are good at waging virtual war. This week we’re REALLY… Read more
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What images come to your mind when the word “holiness” is used? Have we, as believers, given up on “being holy?” 13 Therefore, once you have your minds ready for action and you are thinking clearly, place your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 Don’t be conformed… Read more
Apprentice 2 Jesus 