Apprentice 2 Jesus

Spiritual Formation

  • christmas thoughts

    From my reading this morning, Gregory of Nazianzus: God became human and poor for our sake, to raise up our flesh, to recover our divine image, to recreate humanity. We no longer observe distinctions arriving from the flesh, but are to bear within ourselves only the seal of God, by whom and for whom we… Read more

  • The great cloud of witnesses

    Having finished Robert Benson’s book In Constant Prayer for a book review, there are some powerful thoughts from his work I wanted to share. His admonition is to take up the duty of prayer. Specifically, take up the ancient practice of the “offices.” Pray the daily office. The office is just a collection of words.… Read more

  • the love offering

    The need for daily prayer is witnessed beautifully in the words of Charles de Foucauld: “I must say my office (prayer) with great care. it is my daily offering of fresh flowers and roses, symbolical of fresh love offered daily to the Beloved Spouse.” Deliver fresh flowers daily. For the Lover of your soul. Read more

  • The currency of our age

    “‘How we spend our days is how we spend our lives,’ writes Annie Dillard. ‘What we are doing with this hour and with that one is what we are doing.’ “Time is the real currency of our age, and we have to manage our time in relation to our spiritual life as much as we… Read more

  • new book to review

    A new book in a series from Thomas Nelson. The first few pages have drawn me in as I hear this ancient call to prayer once again. Read more

  • Long Haul Christianity

    It is fun to poke at setting dates for Christ to return. Here is my question, though. Are we ready for “long haul Christianity?” Are we ready to persist in faith? Endure? Take on suffering and tough obstacles? The New Testament reading for the second Sunday of Advent is clear: “For everything that was written… Read more

  • Get the Gear On

    One of the Advent readings in a devotional I am using had me in Romans 13:11-14 yesterday and today. Wake up! Put aside the deeds of darkness! Put on Christ! One of my teams, the Kansas City Chiefs, is finally waking up. After years of slumber they are having a decent year and it’s fun… Read more

  • The Nature of the Kingdom

    I heard this from Dallas Willard years ago: “The nature of the Kingdom is to ask.” I am running into this over and over in John 15 and my study for Sunday. ASK. Ask whatever you will and it will be granted. Crazy stuff like that. The Kingdom is about asking. It’s relationship. It’s not… Read more

  • Humming Along

    My wife is leading a small group on Sunday nights based on Greg Boyd’s book Present Perfect. It is a reflection on keeping our minds turned toward God on a regular basis. There are all kinds of ways to try and turn our minds toward God. We can try and think about God. We can… Read more

  • Intentional, Confessional… Pentecostal

    Is that even “legal?” 😉 Intentional. Pentecostals are known more for spontaneity than intentionality in worship. If it’s planned these days, it’s more pragmatism than thoughtful worship. What I seek is intentional worship. Careful attention to the songs we sing, the Scripture we read, the education we give our children… all of it. As a… Read more