Apprentice 2 Jesus

Spiritual Formation

  • Theology of Joy

    Wonderful discussion between NT Wright and Miroslav Volf. Read more

  • Am I willing to be “Exhibit A?”

    Transformation of the heart, soul, and mind isn’t done in a vacuum. This isn’t a “me and Jesus” effort. This is a BODY OF CHRIST effort. We need to surrender our ideals about “rugged individualism” and see the benefit of the Body of Christ. Walking in true transformation means I need to be willing to… Read more

  • Transformational thinking starts with suffering. Really.

    Picking up N T Wright’s book, After You Believe, is a tremendous bonus as I work through these texts on “live dead” for my messages on Sunday. Wright does not pull any punches. He examines the New Testament texts thoroughly. While a lot of his writing sounds a lot like the old “Kingdom Now” theology,… Read more

  • Be anxious for nothing. Really.

    I am working through a series I’ve called “Live Dead.” I am using the missions theme our denomination uses that is building teams to go into the hardest areas of the world and from that exploring what it means to “live dead” as American Christians. I’ve been drawing from the New Testament readings each week… Read more

  • True love

    “Love is not merely affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person’s ultimate good as far as it can be obtained.” (CS Lewis) Read more

  • We do this, we do this as a CHURCH

    Powerful thoughts from Eugene Peterson in Reverse Thunder: The Revelation of John and Praying the Imagination. : The gospel is never for individuals but always for a people. Sin fragments us, separates us, and sentences us to solitary confinement. Gospel restores us, unites us, and sets us in community. The life of faith revealed and nurtured… Read more

  • To “live dead” is to walk in new life

    Philipp Jakob Spener was a great Lutheran pietist. He followed on the heels of Luther’s Reformation and fully believed in the education of the Christian. It is important to be taught the way of Christ. People can be trained to respond to the gospel. Wilhoit’s book, Spiritual Formation as If the Church Mattered, gives a synopsis of Spener’s philosophy.… Read more

  • Can we “break” prayer?

    I am in and out of a book by James C. Wihoit called, Spiritual Formation as if the Church Mattered: Growing in Christ through Community.  He gives some challenging thoughts on prayer that are good reminders for me. Prayer is an experiment in partnership with God. Prayer is such a powerful tool that I need… Read more

  • The motivation of the kingdoms of this world

    “The kingdoms of our world, including many religious kingdoms, run on doctrinal fear the way the kingdom of God runs on grace.” (Gary Black and Dallas Willard) We need a new radical call. It is a call to a revolution of loving-kindness.    Read more

  • Live Dead Challenge: Good News isn’t “Self Help”

    We are just into a series on “LIVE DEAD” at our church. This week’s reflection is on Romans 12. Next Sunday we reflect on Romans 13:8-14.  The process of “LIVE DEAD” begins with Paul’s urging in Romans 12: So, brothers and sisters, because of God’s mercies, I encourage you to present your bodies as a… Read more