Apprentice 2 Jesus

Spiritual Formation

  • The astonishing power of forgiveness

    Two articles I came across the last couple of days completely missed the power of the Church and forgiveness. One from the “left” and the other from the “right.” One column declared blacks need to quit forgiving white racists. Forgiveness has become a requirement for those enduring the realities of black death in America. That… Read more

  • The ultimate apologetic — just try SOMETHING!

    “The ultimate apologetic — that is to say, the ultimate lifter of doubt — is the believer acting in faith in an interactive life with God. That’s it. People need to see individuals living in daily interaction with the kingdom of the heavens: praying and saying. If we want to really attack doubt, what we have to… Read more

  • One vocation

    I am finishing Merton’s autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain.  His call was ultimately to the monastic life. He became a Cistercian monk and led the way in contemplative life that has served as example for generations of believers following him. His writing has paved the way. The simplicity of vocation isn’t about giving up everything and… Read more

  • The questions of prayer

    Luke 10:1-11:13 is about basic discipleship. I quite frequently let the chapter breaks (which were added centuries later) effect how I read a unit. I think the unit here is from 10:1 to 11:13. Four basic things concerning discipleship: 1. Bold proclamation 2. Radical love for the neighbor 3. Intimate worship with Jesus 4. Bold prayer… Read more

  • David’s Mighty Men

    I am prayerfully walking through 2 Samuel now as I look at spiritual warfare. In Chapter 23 there is the story of David’s mighty men. Amazing heroes who would go the distance for David. They caught his heart, loved him, and would battle anyone anywhere on his behalf. I think of that and am deeply… Read more

  • The choice of joy

    The enemy robs through anxiety. Jesus restores through joy. Read more

  • The fragrance of Jesus

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  • Self justification

    The model Jesus gives us for following him is incredibly simple… and difficult. Love him. Love people. Prepare for rejection. “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” (Luke 10:16) This is simply bad news all the way around when we unpack… Read more

  • Thanks. I needed that.

    Mark Batterson in his book The Grave Robber put it this way: Sometimes we need someone to silly-slap us! We need some tough love applied. Probably 25 years or more ago I sat at breakfast with a man I wanted to learn from. I was new in ministry and a habit I was establishing at the time… Read more

  • Whose DNA do I carry?

    The Common English Bible really adds some shock value to the thought of living IN the power of the gospel! Those born from God don’t practice sin because God’s DNA remains in them. They can’t sin because they are born from God. (1 John 3:9) If I am in Christ, do I reflect the DNA of the… Read more