Some want to paint a picture of a very materially prosperous life with every single material, emotional, vocational and social issue neatly covered because you have it made. That is not the picture painted by Jesus. For some great suffering will be involved. For some hardship will be involved. For some rejection and betrayal will […]
Read More It Gets BetterIt is good to ask questions. It helps to ask the right questions. Following Jesus involves asking questions – this is a sign of a degree of engagement. Even if that engagement reveals your reluctance or your fears concerning an aspect of following Him. One of the things I’ve found very comforting about when saints […]
Read More The Humble InquiryThere was something about the prayer life of Jesus that fascinated His disciples. There was something about His regular commitment to interaction with His Father that intrigued His followers. Could the same be said about His followers today? Lots of activities and well-meaning folks dedicating a lot of time to make sure those activities are […]
Read More Are They Intrigued By Your Priority?Consider the following scenario: The speaker was engaging and entertaining. He reached that part where the music began to kick in. Then the singers began softly singing that song that the people had particularly enjoyed which conveniently also fit the wha tthe speaker had said. This time it wasn’t played in the upbeat way it […]
Read More Do They Need To Be In ‘Our Atmosphere’?There were these two phrases that buzzed around my head, Let the dead bury the dead and Why do you seek the living among the dead? It still sounds like a very harsh statement from Jesus – let the dead bury the dead. He had called someone to follow Him and they had reasonably said […]
Read More Looking to the LivingWhen are we going to get to the good stuff? You know. All of the neat tricks and sweet technique that they use? When are we going to get to do that? All we ever seem to do are the basics. Again and again. We’ve got it already. When can we get on to the […]
Read More You Got It? Good. We’re Gonna Do It AgainThere I am flailing about in my issues, inadequacies and insecurities. I can barely help myself and people are looking for me to help them? That’s ridiculous. I need all the help I can get. So, it should have been that guy’s response to help me. Help me in my situation. Help me out of […]
Read More Are You Going To Help Me? No, I’m Going To Train YouThis was not an issue of the ego of Jesus needing boosting. This was an opportunity for everyone to review what place they were at in their relationship with Him. I’m referring to an episode recorded in Matthew 16. It’s just Jesus and His disciples and He asks them about what others say about Him. […]
Read More Staying Focused on the MissionMy middle daughter plays for a local girls’ team. Part of her commitment to the team sees her take part in weekly training sessions. Watching the team go through their training routines made me think about what Paul had to say to Timothy about the benefit of physical exercise. Have nothing to do with godless […]
Read More Training for Godliness: PrayerIt’s funny really. We know that a lot of the things we savour in life come at significant cost of effort, time and resources. Whether it’s an invention that is then mass produced for distribution to people who need it or the development of that beautiful baby into a reasonably well-adjusted member of the human […]
Read More If It’s Faith Is It Meant To Be Comfortable?
