16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Rom. 8:16-18)
Continue reading “Unicorns and Puppy Dogs”Tag: Discipleship
The steep cost of following Jesus
From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. (John 6:66)
There has to be a willingness to enter in. There has to be a willingness to follow NOT for my own convenience, or because I understand everything fully. I need to follow BECAUSE HE IS LIFE. I trust him, even if I don’t understand him fully in that moment.
The call to be “FULLY IN” with Christ
John 6 has become one of my “slow” chapters. I can’t just read through it on a reading plan anymore. I grasp at the air sometimes trying to understand.
Continue reading “The call to be “FULLY IN” with Christ”The way to greatness
43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. (Mark 10:43-44)
We look for ways to greatness. Christ shows us the way of service.
The way of the cross
Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (Mark 8:34)
My personal prayer as I walk through this very difficult passage in the Gospel of Mark:
Continue reading “The way of the cross”The tone deaf church
My reading today took me through Matthew 20:17-21. It is about disciples who just don’t “get” what discipleship is about.
Jesus has just finished talking about his suffering, death, and resurrection and here comes a mom asking about her boys. (As moms tend to do.)
Continue reading “The tone deaf church”Is Jesus worth following?
One of the great phrases I use from Dallas Willard is this: “There is a cost to following Jesus. There is a cost to not following Jesus.” We need to weigh both costs.
Continue reading “Is Jesus worth following?”The downside of evangelical American Christianity
My reading has me in Micah for a few days and as I read it I get this picture of Israel that the prophets portray over and over. Israel is “weary” of serving God. They have some sense of obligation, but they are in love with the gods of the age and want to pursue other lovers. Yet, they know Yahweh is there and they need to “appease” him. The question becomes: “Okay, God, what do you want? What’s it going to cost me this time?”
Continue reading “The downside of evangelical American Christianity”His words are still life
My love affair with the written word of God has been lifelong. Over the years I have grown in my love and understanding. The written word has led me to the Living Word (Christ), but that written word is still precious to me.
Continue reading “His words are still life”The space for discipleship
I am not good on many names in big market Christianity. I know I have loved Hillsongs worship for decades. A story about one of their worship leaders/songwriters being shaken in his faith was something that got my attention.
Continue reading “The space for discipleship”