Apprentice 2 Jesus

Spiritual hunger

  • 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

  • What do you treasure?

    In all of our searching, and it all of the noise trying to distract us in this world, there is one place we can come back to: All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in him. (Col. 2:3) Treasure Christ. In all pursuits, know he is the source and HE is the treasure.… Read more

  • Are you happy to suffer for others?

    When it comes to thinking of others, we might do well. But to suffer for others? And be happy about it? What planet are you from?  Now I’m happy to be suffering for you. I’m completing what is missing from Christ’s sufferings with my own body. I’m doing this for the sake of his body, which is the church.… Read more

  • The Prayer Problem

    Over the years I have worked hard to maintain a commitment to study of the Scriptures. I will visit passages over and over. I find different ways to make my way methodically through Scripture, trying hard not to “skim over” places. I know it happens, so I’ve tried to dedicate my life to continually plowing… Read more

  • Living “in the moment” is like having ADHD Christianity

    In my particular “tribe” of Christianity, there are good things about the experiential. We really do believe, or want to believe, that we can pray for healing (for example) and healing is possible. A particular “downside” is we tend to live for the “event.” We live for that powerful moment in a church service, a… Read more

  • Does Jesus know you showed up?

    Luke 8 has the story of the woman who had been bleeding for 12 years. It’s a great story of “pressing in” (literally) to Jesus. The question that comes to my heart today is this: “Are you so passionate about prayer that Jesus knows you just showed up?” All the people pressing in, Jesus knew something happened… Read more

  • Living in Jubilee

    I am reading prayerfully through the Gospel of Luke and today found me in Chapter 7. It has been a chapter I’ve slowly worked through in prayer the last couple of days, and I imagine I may be here a little longer. It is a wonderful place to start a New Year. As I reflect… Read more

  • The Resolution for 2014

    How to live in 2014? Jesus has some pretty direct things to say about that. 27 “But I say to you who are willing to hear: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on the cheek, offer the other one… Read more

  • The Silence of God

    I reflected on this passage not too long ago, but the Lord testing me on this keeps it close. I need to HEAR! 11 The days are surely coming, says the Lord God, when I will send hunger and thirst on the land; neither a hunger for bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the Lord ’s words. 12 They will… Read more

  • Daring to pray differently

    I woke up this morning with text from Isaiah 2 on my heart and this challenge from the Lord: “Will you dare to pray differently?” This is what Isaiah saw. With the doom and gloom of Isaiah 1, he still saw something different (2:1). The Lord has challenged me over the past few months to ask HIM for… Read more