I am making another trek through Thomas Merton’s autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain. As he came to faith in the Catholic Church, he made an observation about the need for discipleship in his own life. Continue reading “The deep need is discipleship”
Tag: Discipleship
What to teach and proclaim
Ministry shouldn’t get “over” complicated. Paul keeps it simple when writing to Titus: Continue reading “What to teach and proclaim”
The diligence of discipleship — Part 2
We need a more purposeful pursuit of Christ. We need to be more engaged with our own personal pursuits, but joined with other believers as well. Not just from a distance, like a book or podcast… but face to face. Challenge yourself to grow… and to do so with others in your life. Continue reading “The diligence of discipleship — Part 2”
Diligence in discipleship
We are reading through 1-2 Timothy and Titus this week. The early reading has this thought anchored in my mind: “We must be purposeful in our discipleship.” Continue reading “Diligence in discipleship”
Discipleship is about radical love
“… I would argue that the instruction to love enemies is ‘the very genius of Christianity.’ And this ‘genius’ command mandates nothing less than that we are to demonstrate to all people the kind of love God demonstrated toward us while we were yet enemies (Rom. 5:10; Eph. 5:1-2). This is precisely why, after defining the kind of love that characterizes God by pointing us to Jesus’s death on the cross, John immediately adds: ‘And we ought to lay down our lives for one another’ (1 John 3:16, italics added).” — Greg Boyd, Crucifixion of the Warrior God
Praying the Scripture
This week we are exploring 1-2 Thessalonians and Philemon at Heights Church.
There are two “big” questions that probably jump out in our reading. But I don’t want to go there. Continue reading “Praying the Scripture”
The hard road of the cross is still beautiful
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34)
I can remember a professor New Testament in seminary saying these beautiful words: “When Jesus calls us to take up our cross, we don’t need to go looking for one. One has already been provided.”
Following Jesus is the ultimate risk and the ultimate joy. It is a calling that brings sacrifice… and reward. The hardest way is the most joyous way.
