Apprentice 2 Jesus

Spiritual Formation

  • Lent is not just “giving up”

    Don’t let Lent just be about giving up social media, or chocolate, or meat. Allow it to be a focus on what Christ wants to do IN you. I would suggest NOT fasting media, but paying more attention to what is going on beyond our own needs. To pray for the “hot spots” like Ukraine,… Read more

  • The beauty of solitude

    We live, in fact, in a world starved for solitude, silence, and private: and therefore starved for meditation and true friendship. -C.S. Lewis, Weight of Glory Read more

  • The place of silence

    I am headed out on Monday to three days of silence. It is a rhythm I work to put into my life every year now. Henri Nouwen helps explain why: “Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listening speaking no longer heals, that without distance closeness cannot cure.” ― Henri J.M.… Read more

  • Jesus and crowds

    The interesting picture in John 6 with Jesus and crowds is that Jesus knew they were following him because of the signs and the food. He then worked to thin it down. If they didn’t understand the full ramifications of the Kingdom, he wanted them to quit hanging around. He is working on them to get… Read more

  • Anchor of our soul

    We need the tie of generations in the faith because each generation can demonstration the depth of faith that is possible. We can observe that in the generations that came before. We can learn from them.  When we demonstrate the depth of faith, a faith that cannot be shaken, and demonstrate the faithfulness of God, we… Read more

  • Paul’s “big hairy audacious goal” for believers

    We really want to believe Christianity is about “go big or go home.” We really do. We say it “isn’t about the numbers”… but it’s exactly about the numbers. In church circles we figure out other ways to say, “How many ya runnin’?” without saying exactly that, but still shaming pastors who aren’t in that “big gun”… Read more

  • What’s your hurry?

    There are times when reading through the Bible in huge chunks is needed. There are a few times when the “One Year Bible” is helpful. Most of the time, it’s not necessary. The question is this: “What’s your hurry?” Why do you think you can read that one chapter of Luke once, maybe twice, and know… Read more

  • Doing “enough”

    We can fall into the disappointment of something not happening in life. Spiritually, it can be a real sinkhole. We were given the thought, or teaching, at some point that said, “Study the Scripture… enough. Pray… enough. Have faith… enough.” And the end result will be _________________ (fill in the blank). And then… it doesn’t… Read more

  • Spiritual discipline is a bad phrase

    “Spiritual disciplines are not a gauge of my spiritual maturity. The disciplined person is not someone who does a lot of disciplines. The disciplined person, the disciple, is someone who is able to do what needs to be done when it needs to be done.” — John Ortberg, Living in Christ’s Presence.   Read more

  • The deepest seat of our deepest emotions

    When our “hearts” (which is our English way of describing an ancient concept of the “deepest seat of our deepest emotions”) belong to Christ, there is such wonderful, beautiful change. Paul describes it in Colossians 3:12-17. When Christ rules the deepest seat of my deepest emotions, anger is shoved away and love takes its place.… Read more