Apprentice 2 Jesus

Lent

  • The purpose of Lent

    “Lent is a season of repentance and preparation. In many churches, it is a time when those who will be baptized prepare for their new life with God. It is a time when those who have been estranged from the church can be reconciled to the body of believers. It is also a time for… Read more

  • Why I follow Jesus

    Lent is less than a week away. It is time for deep reflection on what Christ has done for us. It is a time of spiritual assessment. Why do I follow him? We follow Jesus because he succeeded where we failed. He resisted the temptations that have conquered us all… When we find ourselves trapped,… Read more

  • The beauty of the liturgical year

    I grew up in a very different tradition than where I am now. It’s only in the last 5 years I have come fully into the Anglican tradition. Lent approaches and I am reading a new book on Lent by Esau McCaulley in preparation. I will then revisit Fleming Rutledge’s powerful book, The Crucifixion.  Read more

  • Idolatry

    In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:Who, being in very nature God,did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;rather, he made himself nothingby taking the very nature of a servant,being made in human likeness.And being found in appearance as a man,he humbled himselfby… Read more

  • The Pilgrimage, Pt. 4

    Part 1Part 2Part 3 The last “part” of our pilgrimage involving the Whitney Plantation transpired this weekend. It was in two-parts, and I was so glad we chose to be in both events on Saturday that took place at Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral in Mobile, AL. Read more

  • Thoughts on Lent

    This Lent has been a bit different. The focus for us has been almsgiving. My main text has been Isaiah 58. There is still some time left in Lent, but my big takeaway to this point: Our private piety means nothing of the goodness of the Kingdom isn’t flowing out tangibly to bring goodness and… Read more

  • What is a spiritual practice?

    Too often a “spiritual practice” may be assumed to be something “private” or “personal.” This was not the view of OT Israel, or God’s covenant. John Goldingay has an interesting insight: People in Jerusalem were particularly interested in the spiritual practice of fasting and were puzzled as to why it didn’t work. It’s obvious why… Read more

  • Lessons from Isaiah 58

    I have touched Isaiah 58 from time to time in my journal during this Lenten season. Currently, I am finding a couple of things that stand out. Read more

  • Prayers, Lent, and Justice

    There are two different threads I have been thinking about in the past few days. One is concerning prayer and Ukraine. We pray for the people of Ukraine. We pray for the million plus refugees. How do we pray for Putin. There are some guidelines in Scripture. Read more

  • Fasting and freedom

    This Lent has been a challenge in my heart to not focus as much on my personal piety and fasting as it has been on setting the captive free. Isaiah 58 has been my base text. This is a note from a study Bible I reference from time to time on Isaiah 58:6. Fasting and… Read more