Apprentice 2 Jesus

Family

  • The passing from this “life” to the “next”

    My grandmother passed away this morning. As I have reflected on her life through the day, I have also been drawn into my own mortality, my walk with Jesus, and thinking of Dallas Willard at his passing. When Dallas Willard passed, John Ortberg noted Dallas wondered if it would take some time before he knew… Read more

  • Generosity

    The ability to live a generous life has nothing to do with an income level. Paul gives this testimony about the church in Macedonia:  While they were being tested by many problems, their extra amount of happiness and their extreme poverty resulted in a surplus of rich generosity. (2 Cor. 8:2) When I was growing… Read more

  • My hero will always be my dad

    No matter how I think about life, or the biggest influencers, or who has had an impact on me in my ministry, my family, etc., the one that will always come out on top will be my dad. He has lived simply all his life. He taught me hard work, deep loyalty, great joy, love… Read more

  • Being a DAD helps make me be a better MAN

    Whether or not you have kids, there are some things that apply here. The main thing is this: responsibility.  There is a big difference, gentlemen, between being a “baby daddy” and being a DAD. We have too many “baby daddies,” (and we seem to be very proud of that these days) and very few DADS. Being… Read more

  • The mistakes I hope I haven’t made as a father

    I was thinking about Father’s Day and my boys and how much I have loved watching them grow. It’s easy for me to count the ways I could have done things better. But I was also thinking about how it’s nearly impossible to be selfish AND a father. Narcissisism and father are not good partners.… Read more

  • The Monster We Have Created

    An interesting article on high school students wanting to get into colleges where they have been waitlisted. We really have created a generation where kids think they DO deserve everything, and are shocked, SHOCKED, when they get rejected or waitlisted. Plus, there are some parents who are shocked, SHOCKED! as well and pester the admissions… Read more

  • Prosperity

    Growing into adulthood in the age of the “prosperity gospel” there was the misuse of 3 John v. 2 about prospering “as your soul prospers.” A newer translation says this: 2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along… Read more

  • Parents

    My parents celebrate their anniversary today. I am so deeply thankful for their love, their example, their godliness, their prayers, and so much more. They have lived an example of Christ I so deeply cherish. Happy Anniversary, Dad and Mom! Read more

  • The Faithful One

    New Year’s Eve and hopefully we are making our way back to the frozen tundra of Minnesota. I had some opportunity to begin my work in Hebrews for a class I am teaching, so I found myself in Hebrews 2. By the end of the chapter I found myself in worship once again. I serve… Read more

  • The Shifts in Our Lives

    Our youngest son turns 18 today. I remember this day three years ago. That was the day my life shifted into another phase, and I remember it so clearly. Our oldest son had just asked his girlfriend to marry him that day. We went out to one of our favorite restaurants to celebrate both the… Read more