Discipleship; What's the deal?

My intention in this blog is to encourage you, the reader, to become active as a disciple of Jesus. For a long time, I wondered about that whole business. Why? What’s it all about? How do you do it.

In Sunday school we sang, “Read your Bible and pray every day and you’ll grow, grow, grow…”. 

Why? So what?

Frankly, it looked like everyone else was having all the fun. Only after years of seeing how the ones I envied developed and how their lives looked did I begin to see the value and wisdom of taking those simple instructions seriously.

For myself I was one in the middle. I wanted to be a teacher, someone in authority, where it involved spiritual things. But, I envied those who turned their backs on spiritual things and lived for pleasure. I was in the “we don’t smoke and we don’t chew and we don’t go with girls that do” group. I think that may be the most miserable group of all.

It wasn’t until much later that I began to see that the ones following the way that Jesus offers are the truly happy ones. I began to try to learn what it means to be a disciple, not just a Christian. In John 10:10 Jesus says,

The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

What is that abundant life?

It’s something to think about, pray about and look into.

Daily thoughts 9 December 2019

I am on a journey of discipleship. I have been on this journey for some time and yet in so many ways it seems I am just a beginner. I am certainly nothing of consequence, but I am on this journey.

For a few years I contributed articles to this website in order to encourage others who are also learning to be disciples. For very selfish reasons I stopped. I must ask your forgiveness.

I am now retired and can spend literally hours in prayer and meditation. My thoughts turn toward those who are still busy with life of work and raising children. I recognize that you do not have hours for dedicated prayer, reading and meditation. Even so, if you can begin or end your day with one thought to think on through your day, hopefully that can be an encouragement to draw closer to Jesus and listen for his words of encouragement and love.

Therefore, it is my intention to offer by this medium; simple, short words of encouragement, that you can think on through the day.

Let us begin with familiar words of Jesus found in Matthew 11:28-30;

Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke on you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.

Copy these words to a note card or small piece of paper, then look at them through the day and think what they mean to you.

These are the words of someone who loves you more than you can imagine and wants you to have rest. What does that mean to you?

From today's reading 11 May 2019

Psalm 30 and 32

Psalm 32:8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Daniel 6:25-26

Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: "Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end.

It didn’t work. No one can legislate the worship of God by fiat. Men’s hearts have to be changed. This is the new birth, and it takes time and effort for each of us.

3 John 1:11

Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.

What a simple instruction. There is no need to delve deeply into complex and confusing theological questions. Follow the simple instructions that a child can understand.

Luke 5:27-39

"Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."

Jesus had called Levi (Matthew) who was a tax collector. And then Jesus went to dinner at his house with other tax collectors. This was scandalous! Jesus is still doing scandalous things, calling sinners to repentance. The religious leaders are still making demands, but Jesus is simply calling. Shouldn’t I just do what Jesus is doing and invite people to follow him? I will let Jesus do the sorting.

It’s something to think about.

From today's reading May 10, 2019

Daniel 6:1-15

It is amazing how when we read a story, we are standing back where we can see the whole story, but when it is our story, we are so close that we cannot see. King Darius valued Daniel and recognized his value in the kingdom, but when jealous advisors wanted to eliminate Daniel and plotted to use the king to destroy him, king Darius was blindsided. How often am I blindsided by the urgent? Refer to Daniel 6.

2 John 1:1-13

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 2 John 1:9

There are a lot of teachings round about concerning many things but this seems to be a very serious and precise word. It is definitely something to consider.

Luke 5:12-26

And when he saw their faith, he said, "Man, your sins are forgiven you."

In todays gospel from Luke 5:24 these words of Jesus jumped out to me. And later in verse 24 he says, “that you may know that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins”. Later in John 20:23 Jesus tells his disciples, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven, if you withhold forgiveness from any it is withheld.”

In the daily prayers when we pray the Lord’s Prayer we say, “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” It seems to me that a large portion of our ministry to others may be to be giving forgiveness to those who need it. Just as I need it.

It’s something to think about.

Are We Following?

Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

Why is it that so many “Christians” believe it is their duty to slander people that they don’t agree with? Why do “Christians” feel that they must emphasize the sins of people who believe differently? Why must “Christians” condemn people who live different lifestyles.

Can we not find the log in our own eye? (Matt 7:3-5)

I believe that Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I am thankful, because that is the group that includes me.

The life of a disciple of Jesus is full of mystery. There is the mystery of being born again. No one can convincingly describe what happens or when it happens, but it is something that God does for us when we humble ourselves before Him. It’s a mystery. There is the mystery of baptism and the filling of the Holy Spirit of God. Christians have disagreed about these things for a long time and no one knows exactly what they mean. It’s a mystery. The Lord’s Supper, Communion, The Eucharist is a great mystery. And Prayer is another mystery. These are all mysteries.

“For now, we see as through a glass, darkly…”

We slander, point and condemn people outside our little circles and within our little circles we cannot even agree. How can we say we are following the prince of peace?

It seems to me that if I love as Jesus loved, humbling myself below all others (Philip. 2:3), if I love my neighbor as myself, If I love my enemy, THEN I will be following Jesus.

Everything else is rebelliousness, which is witchcraft (1 Sam 15:23) and stubbornness which is iniquity or sin.

Let us repent and follow the Prince of Peace.

3 Solutions for 1 Problem

I want to share something that I have found that is an encouragement for me. I hope it may be an encouragement for you as well.

If you have been following this blog for any time you will know that I have had difficulty with the way church is done. With that in mind it will not be surprising to many that I have not been able to find a church home for many years. This has been a real source of sorrow for me, because I do want to be a part of an expression of the body of Christ where I can contribute and receive spiritual nourishment.

After some unhappy experiments and lonely times, I think I might have come to a workable solution for me. I know that a lot of people are saying, “It’s not all about you.” Well, if I am not being fed and I am not being able to serve in a way that seems meaningful to me, if the church service is only stressful for me, then it is about me. I won’t go on the guilt trip about being faithful to your church and not forsaking the assembly. You are not the only ones trying to follow Christ Jesus. End Rant.

As I have been struggling with this problem, I have also been finding ways to be fed outside of my own Bible Study and prayer time. In the United States and as I understand in many other countries there is an amazing availability of good teachers on the internet. Some of these include Brian Zahnd (Word of Life Church), Greg Boyd (Woodland Hills Christian Church) and Bruxy Cavey (The Meeting House) (an Anabaptist church). With the exception of Bruxy, the other two are non-denominational churches. There are many more besides these that are simply teaching how to become disciples of Jesus. These have been a source of spiritual nourishment for me for the last few years.

The last 2 parts of my solution have come rather serendipitously. A few weeks ago, we were checking out of Walmart and there was a young woman ahead of us getting a little frustrated with the self-check system. Jeannie assured her that we were not in a hurry and this began a conversation. She was getting groceries for a weekly dinner and Christian meeting at her home. And she invited us to come. So, we showed up that evening and it was nothing like the home Bible studies/home church meetings I had imagined. Everyone was friendly though pretty reserved. Give and take during the Bible study time was not very much. However, here was a group that had been meeting for almost a year and was still coming back every week. Thousands of points for sticking with it. We have continued to go and get to know individuals a little at a time and I believe we will continue to go. This is meeting a need for community.

The final piece may blow some minds and generate some comments. It may drive some evangelicals to take me off your list. I’m sorry about that. The next Sunday morning we were sitting at home, each involved in different things when I got an urge and told Jeannie, “I’m going to go to church.” We hadn’t attended any church for several weeks and were pretty content with that. She asked me where and I announced, “The Episcopal Church.” So, that is where I went. I went for communion. I can tell you that unless you have attended a high Church service you may not understand what I am talking about. At the Episcopal Church where I went, and continue to go, Communion is the focus of the service. Everything leads to communion. That is exactly what I need.

My whole life I have had the idea that your church should be sort of a one stop shop for all your spiritual needs. Sort of like a spiritual Super Walmart. That doesn’t work for me and hasn’t for quite a while. There are many things I could say about this but my conclusion is that by taking advantage of 3 separate resources my spiritual needs are being met.

If you are having difficulty finding peace where you are this may be a helpful solution. You may find that a separate Bible Study outside your local church family will add the thing you need, or you may need to combine on line teachers. It may be some combination. Whatever solution presents itself, prayerfully reach out and see if God will bless it.  

I hope this is helpful, in any case: Be Faithful.

Repentance Luke 13

In the 13^th chapter of Luke I see my need for repentance from beginning to end. Why do I need to be repenting?

Wrong conversation, wrong thinking and wrong actions.

The people around Jesus wanted to talk about the news, and about what was happening to other people. Jesus calls them back to the real issue for each of us: Repentance.

Then Jesus tells a story about the owner of a vineyard who needs to think differently, a servant who intercedes and a fig tree that needs to behave differently. The vineyard owner speaks as though the fig tree should just bear fruit or be destroyed. How often have I heard similar comments about people who don’t produce, a useless piece of humanity? But the vinedresser intercedes and says let me dig around it and fertilize it and see if it won’t produce fruit. Give it another chance, let me see if I cannot help it.

Then Jesus sees a problem and does what he can to make it better (verses 10-17). Once again there were those there who needed to see more clearly the error of their thinking. The rulers of the synagogue were more interested in how things appeared, than in whether needs were being met. Jesus spoke words of deliverance to a woman bent down by a spirit of infirmity, then when the leaders rebuked him for working on the sabbath he showed them their hypocrisy, so they could repent.

Then Jesus tells two illustrations to show us how the kingdom grows within us. Seeds take time to grow and leaven takes time to work in bread. Do not expect the kingdom of God to be planted full grown and producing fruit. It takes time nurture and nourishment to produce fruit.

Therefore, very seriously Jesus speaks words of warning to us. Do all you can to go in by the narrow door! A lot of people will try to get in, but will not be able to. (verse 24 Contemporary English Version)

Let us each one take these words of Jesus very seriously.

A Little Wooden Cross

Once when I was still driving trucks all over the country, I had some time to sit and read and think and pray. I found a little piece of wood broken off from a pallet and began to whittle on it and decided to make a small cross that I could wear. So, with this little piece of wood and a little piece of string I fashioned a small cross. On the cross I wrote the scripture reference Luke 9:23-24.

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 

Of the 3 references to this statement that we find in the Gospels, this is the only one that says, “daily”, and that spoke to me and still does.

The idea of daily taking up my cross seems harsh, and yet though it is referred to often I don’t know if I have ever heard it explained in a practical way.

This morning, in my quiet time, I went to a familiar passage in James 1:2

My friends, consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, (good news bible)

Other translations say “Count it all joy”.

That idea of all joy really struck me. Something in me rose up in rebellion against that idea. Turns out I’ve been pretty much of a grump for a long time. Things irritate me and I get grumpy. The weather is unpleasant and I get depressed. People are offensive and I get impatient. Circumstances are difficult and I get burdened down. These are just a few kinds of trials and I have had the exact wrong attitude. Scripture says Count it all joy.

The cross that I wear around my neck is to remind me to put my natural reactions on the cross that should be active in my heart, with joy.

This is a way for me to take up my cross daily.

Nothing Will Stay Hidden

My daughter told me that she heard the perfect description of me. She said that I am so slow that it takes me 2 hours to watch 60 minutes. She might be on to something.

So, this morning, in Luke 12, I got two whole verses beyond where I was Friday. Jesus said,

For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. (Luke 12:2-3)

When I saw this, I was impressed with how lightly we seem to take the words of Jesus. Jesus says nothing is covered that shall not be revealed.

If I really believe this, will my daily life be different? How many times do I make comments, on the side, only for certain ears? Well those words will be proclaimed from the housetop. If you think politicians and celebrities are scrutinized and exposed by the media and the grocery store magazines, that’s nothing to what awaits each of us.

Jesus also says,

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (Matthew 12:36)

This is not a new idea for me, but it seems I need to be reminded often of the truth that I know. Our words may be a lot more important than we realize. I believe this is true.

Thinking about this I remembered that Jesus said that he didn’t speak on his own but from the father (John 14:10). Those born again of God have God’s Spirit to guide us. Let us each one learn more diligence in our speech to speak only as we are led by the Holy Spirit.

Finding Grace to Repent

This morning as I was writing and praying, I thought of the article that I shared back in November of last year. I wrote about not being discouraged but instead to be asking and seeking and knocking. These very active tense verbs are a real challenge for me.

As I was thinking about this, I remembered a story that Jesus told about a man with two sons in Matthew 21:28-31.

But what do you think? A man had two sons; and he came to the first and said, Son, go work in my vineyard today. He answered and said, I will not. But afterwards he repented and went. And he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir; and did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?

It is not the ones who say that they will be asking and seeking and knocking that are doing the will of the father but those who are doing it.

For myself, I see that I have been like the second son when it comes to ‘doing’. I need to be seeking the grace now to not only be saying that I will obey and do.

For me this involves writing and sharing what I write more often. My thoughts are most assuredly not always profound and probably not always correct, but I believe that I should be sharing them here regularly. So, I ask that you would pray with me that I might find the grace to repent and do.

Thank you

It's in the Air!

Several months ago, I began to learn about sourdough bread and to bake it. When you make sourdough bread you begin with what is called a starter. You can purchase a starter either on line or from some local establishments, but if you’re a little patient, you can very simply make your own. By combining flour and water and refreshing this mixture daily, after ten days or 2 weeks your mixture will come to life and then you have sourdough starter, which is a leavening to make your sourdough bread. After a little reading and more You-Tube watching, I found out the spores that create the leavening are in the air. Combining the flour and water and refreshing them daily, simply gives them a place to grow.

For the past several days I have been looking at Luke 12, in my morning quiet time. This morning the first statement of Jesus came to life for me, (kind of like the sourdough).

he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 

My first question is, did Jesus say “first of all”, or were those the words of the narrator, Luke in this case? I don’t know and it’s not necessarily the issue at hand.

For me the thing that came to life is this idea of beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

BEWARE, that is a pretty ominous word, especially these days when broccoli may cause cancer and using a wooden pencil can cause brain damage (I just made those things up). But seriously every time I turn around it seems I hear of something new that will cause me harm. When Jesus said “beware” he was very serious and I should take it that way, very seriously. One of the literal translations that I use says, “Take heed to yourselves.” Jesus tells me to look at myself.

THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES WHICH IS HYPOCRISY, hypocrisy is the leaven. According to my little Webster’s Dictionary, hypocrisy is pretending to be something you are not and especially refers to pretending virtue. As I thought about it, I also imagined that it could be taking an attitude of superiority.

As I thought about this a little bit, I realized that, just like the mold spores that come to life in the flour and water mixture, this hypocrisy comes to life in me in a moment, when I don’t expect it. When someone makes an improper lane change, I can become very self-righteous. When someone ends a sentence with a preposition, I can become positively pharisaic. There are way too many applications of my instant hypocrisy. It seems it’s in the air just looking for a place to grow.

Actually, the spores are already in my heart growing and when they manifest themselves by my actions it is an opportunity to repent of my self-righteousness and purge out that leaven.

Let us BEWARE and TAKE HEED TO OURSELVES and purge out the leaven of hypocrisy.