Apprentice 2 Jesus

Lent

  • Why is it simply good news?

    The good news of the Kingdom is quite simple. We’ve complicated it, or we’ve tried to reduce it to the wrong simple phrase. John’s gospel brings the simplicity of the proclamation of good news: Now is the time for judgment of this world. Now this world’s ruler will be thrown out. (John 12:31) The King… Read more

  • It is simply good news

    I am starting into NT Wright’s book, Simply Good News: Why the Gospel is News and What Makes It Good.  As usual with Wright at this point in my life, it is refreshing reading. Wright has done such a marvelous job of paring down issues over time. He can be as complicated as the next scholar.… Read more

  • Running the way of our King

    Two texts from our reading today remind me of the endurance needed in Christian life. Mark 8:31-9:1 reminds me what kind of race I need to run. I am to run HIS race. It may the race of suffering and hardship, but that is the way of the King. We always have a “better” way for Jesus… Read more

  • Building endurance

    Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all.Who hopes for what they already have? But if we… Read more

  • Don’t make it about what it WAS

    We need a deep shout of truth into the deepest part of our spirits. We need to understand the control we live under. It’s not the flesh any longer. Romans 8 has Paul demonstrating there are two allegiances, but in v. 9 delivers such a powerful shout of truth that needs to reverberate into the… Read more

  • Where our minds dwell

    We get the opportunity to choose where our minds settle. We can choose our thought patterns in many ways. It is work. Too often it is so much easier to “drift” and allow the junk to float right in. Let us choose to reflect on the goodness of God today. I will dwell on your mighty acts, my Lord.     Lord, I… Read more

  • What I’ve been missing on social media

    To this point I’ve done somewhat well on “fasting” from social media. But it doesn’t mean I still don’t catch “what’s hot,” because even the “news” has to report it. I only read the headlines because I just don’t get it. Something about a dress. I may never go back to social media again. 🙂 Read more

  • You are thirsty. Come here.

    There is a spiritual thirst. There is a spiritual hunger. I long for my life, and the life of my church, to reflect the position of spiritual travelers who have simply found fresh water and good bread. We journey together. Let this be place of refreshing. A place to settle in and ask questions. A… Read more

  • Simple. Gospel.

    Today, live in the power of the simple proclamation of the good news. Let your life be saturated with the prayer, “Lord, is my life speaking out to others the good news of the reign of King Jesus?” It’s not about how our “eloquence” is taken… it’s about the cross. Live the simple gospel. For Christ did… Read more

  • The urge to give up

    The urge to give up a fast or some other deeper commitment comes early. It’s because we are soft. The enemy punches quickly to see if we can be pushed back into mediocrity. The earliest part of the spiritual commitment is the easiest place. For me, when it comes to a fast, or a modified… Read more