Apprentice 2 Jesus

Spiritual hunger

  • Winner take all

    The climate we live in currently in our culture is “winner take all.” Politically, it’s suicide to think of “compromise.” Horrors! In the Christian life, there is a particular way to think of “winner take all” in a proper perspective. It is in the pursuit of Christ. Jesus is Victor. He gets all of us.… Read more

  • The ordinary radical

    In the current tension between “radical” (via David Platt, Francis Chan, et al) and the case for the “ordinary” (latest from Michael Horton), there is some sort of balance to strike. We don’t want complacency in our lives, but we should learn something of the term Paul calls content.  We don’t want our lives so set… Read more

  • It’s hard to kill a dead man

    I’ve met several missionaries who are part of the “Live Dead” teams being raised up to go into the hardest places of the world. They have been to my church. I’ve sat with them at lunch. They are incredibly determined people. Meeting one in context is somehow a very different story. Sitting in another country,… Read more

  • The deck is stacked

    Last night in our prayer group we were catching up on the past two weeks. As I talked about what God was speaking to me concerning Ethiopia, I was listening to what God was saying to people in our church while I was away. One phrase that stuck out as we talked was, “The deck… Read more

  • Seven Days to Ethiopia

    I am leaving for Ethiopia in a week. A prayer I’ve had for two years is coming to its next step in seven days. It’s only a next step.  The two week trip will be a teaching assignment at Addis Bible College in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. But this is also a prayer trip. Two years… 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

  • Chosen

    16 You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you could go and produce fruit and so that your fruit could last. As a result, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. (John 15:16) Father, you have empowered me. You have chosen me. I am empowered… Read more

  • How much do we REALLY believe in prayer?

    My challenge in prayer the past few days has been a question from the Spirit: “Do I REALLY believe God can change the course of nations? Do I fully understand what I am asking, and WHO I am addressing, in prayer?” Today in our church service we are praying for the nations. For the persecuted.… Read more

  • The shallowness of our thinking

    We don’t hear modern versions of this too often: Then go, plunge yourself in the Godhead’s deepest sea; be lost in his immensity; and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest, refreshed and invigorated. I know nothing which can so comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of sorrow and grief;… Read more

  • We have the mind of Christ

    Those words from Paul are so challenging. As I am about to embark on some the craziest adventures of my life in the next few months, I have to keep saying: While I can’t be 100% on this being the mind of God, I can say with 100% certainty I WANT the mind of God! Read more