Spiritual Formation
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I have a spiritual father. He has been my mentor for my entire ministry. While I have several mentors, he is the one I have called out as my spiritual father, so we meet from time to time and talk about life and ministry. He is not my age. He has more years in ministry… Read more
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My reading through Psalms this morning brought me to some passionate prayers again. I then thought of a friend I spoke with yesterday who is going through a hard spot and I began to pray. Then this thought dropped into my heart: “Pray furiously.” It can be to pray “with anger.” But another definition of… Read more
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“They have their treasure well hidden, they have it at the cross.” (Bonhoeffer, Discipleship) The pursuit of the Kingdom of God produces vast spiritual wealth. The treasure of the Kingdom is pursued, but it is pursued like no other treasure. The pursuit always goes through the cross of Christ. The road of abundance in the Kingdom… Read more
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Matthew 7:24-27 What determines the true follower of Christ? Right knowledge? Right answers? Some insight on who is “in” and who is “out?” Jesus is fairly plain about this. Storms. Storms determine the quality of the workmanship. If you heard and obeyed what Jesus taught and entered into kingdom life, the storms can’t bring down… Read more
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2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. (1 Peter 2:2-3, NIV) If there is anything I could invite you to in understanding my deep passion for the King and his Kingdom it is this: just taste. Taste the… Read more
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I really enjoyed James Smith’s book, Desiring the Kingdom, so I look forward to this new book, Imagining the Kingdom. He has an interview in Christianity Today and he brings up the whole idea of allegiances again. Everything in life is liturgy, according to Smith. It’s about our loyalties. His claim is we are defined by what… Read more
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We have the treasure of Christ, but that treasure is not to show US off. It is to show JESUS. Paul says we are simply cracked pots so the true glory of Christ can shine through. When we understand the Kingdom is not about us, our ego, or our glory, Christ can truly shine through.… Read more
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I am given grace for MY life. There is a measure of faith given TO ME. I cannot measure my life in Christ against someone else. I cannot live my life in Christ in front of the world as a marketing tool. Judging yourself with sober judgment is near impossible in a Facebook gazing, self-marketing… Read more
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Maybe we don’t think it’s fear. Yet, when it comes to talking about truly following Christ, I am really hear people being passionate… about not being passionate. “Relax, dude!” What is it we fear? We are not looking carefully into Scripture anymore and we call those who really love the Word “biblicists,” like it’s a dirty… Read more
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For those who make the claim, “I’m not ‘religious,’ I’m ‘spiritual,’” this word is like death. For Pentecostals, this word is like death. I grew up hearing about “dead rituals.” What I have come to realize is that rituals are not “dead.” As believers, it is often US who are dead. We’re just blaming something… Read more
Apprentice 2 Jesus 