Discipleship
The Thirteenth Apostle
10/28/10 08:39
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The Ways of a Child
09/27/10 05:22
Jesus sets John straight by saying miracle workers are not limited to His inner circle. We are all called to do great works in His name. Read More...
What Would Jesus Do?
09/23/10 05:22
In his lifetime, Jesus was called a carpenter, a teacher, a good shepherd and rabbi. He was hailed as a miracle worker, the Son of Man, Messiah and Savior of all. He played many roles and He played them well. It's a tough act to follow. But, as His disciples, we must act in such a way that people see Him in us. Read More...
Stumbling Along the Straight and Narrow Furrow
09/18/10 08:36
in today’s Gospel, we’re reminded that we will be held to a standard that is as straight and true as the furrow in a farmer’s field. Read More...
What's on Your To-do List
08/01/10 08:25
The call to follow in Jesus’ footsteps often requires us to change our priorities, rethink who we are in God’s eyes, where we are headed and how best to get there. Read More...
What's On Your To-do List?
06/28/10 08:00
The call to follow in Jesus’ footsteps often requires us to change our priorities, rethink who we are in God’s eyes, where we are headed and how best to get there. There is a sense of urgency to Jesus call to discipleship. At times, it can be downright inconvenient. What’s on your to-do list for today? Read More...
The Cost of Discipleship
11/04/09 02:45
“ . . . whosoever he be of you that renounceth not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14: 25-33)
Hate is one of those words we sometimes use when we want to exaggerate in making our point. We may say, “I hate the way my hair looks”; “I hate TV commercials”; “I hate cauliflower.” There is even a song called “I Hate the Way I Love You.” When “hate” is used in that way, we expect to be taken seriously, but not literally.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus uses the word “hate” in the same way to make an important point. Of course, He expects us to love one another (even our enemies), but He also expects us to love Him even more. The cost of discipleship may mean forsaking the very people and things that matter most to us. In following Him, we have to be prepared to go all the way. We have to be courageous. We have to finish strong.
In addressing the crowd, Jesus shook up the half-hearted, the lukewarm, timid hangers on, by getting them to think through what they were doing. He cited a tower builder and a warring king as examples of the kind of thoughtful commitment He expected at the outset. Three times in today’s Gospel, He said His disciples had to be willing to renounce the things of this world.
It’s certainly good to give up things like alcohol and drugs that can destroy our lives. It’s another thing to give up the good things in life in order to tithe our time, talent and treasure. I like the way one bumper sticker puts it: “If you love Jesus, tithe. Anyone can honk.”
“Good enough” isn’t good enough for Jesus. He didn’t stop when He was scourged. He didn’t stop when they crowned Him with thorns. He didn’t stop when He fell the third time. He went all the way. He finished strong. He expects no less of us.
Spread the Good News
04/17/09 09:59
“They went away and told it unto the rest” (Mark 16: 9-15)
Today’s Gospel is Christ’s last discourse to His disciples, or what has been called The Last Will and Testament of Jesus.
Jesus had no estate to divide. He made no mention of earthly possessions. His sole bequest was the Gift of the Spirit, which would empower His disciples to preach the Gospel to all creation.
Christ’s legacy was passed on to just a handful of people within earshot of His voice. All of them had expressed doubts about the news of His resurrection. But they came to believe and, moved by the Holy Spirit, they set out to change the course of history.
In those days, there was no television, radio, print or Internet to spread the news. There was no email, Twitter, YouTube or MySpace to create buzz. They simply relied on word of mouth. Yet, two centuries later, another English language copy of the Good News is sold every 1.6 seconds. Read More...
Today’s Gospel is Christ’s last discourse to His disciples, or what has been called The Last Will and Testament of Jesus.
Jesus had no estate to divide. He made no mention of earthly possessions. His sole bequest was the Gift of the Spirit, which would empower His disciples to preach the Gospel to all creation.
Christ’s legacy was passed on to just a handful of people within earshot of His voice. All of them had expressed doubts about the news of His resurrection. But they came to believe and, moved by the Holy Spirit, they set out to change the course of history.
In those days, there was no television, radio, print or Internet to spread the news. There was no email, Twitter, YouTube or MySpace to create buzz. They simply relied on word of mouth. Yet, two centuries later, another English language copy of the Good News is sold every 1.6 seconds. Read More...
Jesus Calls Levi
02/28/09 07:15
If you have ever fervently wished that Jesus would step out of the crowd and speak to you as directly and forcefully as He spoke to Levi; if you have ever prayed that the Lord would lead the way, today could be a turning point in your life. Read More...
Pointing Others to Christ
12/07/08 09:19
“Make ye ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight.” (Mark 1: 1-8)
Jesus’ public ministry didn’t begin until He was 30 years old, well past what people in His era would have considered the prime of His life. By that point, those who knew Him best, may simply have thought of Him as a devout and pious man and the son of Joseph, the local carpenter. Jesus knew His Bible well and occasionally spoke in the nearby synagogues, but it was his charismatic cousin, John, who electrified the crowds.
John spoke with great force and authority about the baptism of repentance, always making clear that someone greater than he would soon come.
Read More...
Jesus’ public ministry didn’t begin until He was 30 years old, well past what people in His era would have considered the prime of His life. By that point, those who knew Him best, may simply have thought of Him as a devout and pious man and the son of Joseph, the local carpenter. Jesus knew His Bible well and occasionally spoke in the nearby synagogues, but it was his charismatic cousin, John, who electrified the crowds.
John spoke with great force and authority about the baptism of repentance, always making clear that someone greater than he would soon come.
Read More...
What Is Your Spiritual ID?
10/28/08 02:57
“And when it was day, he called his disciples; and he chose from them twelve, whom also he named apostles.” ( Luke 6: 12-16)
On the Internet, we all have passwords and IDs to gain access to important sites. Have you ever wondered what your spiritual ID might be?
In today’s Gospel, Jesus descends from a mountaintop with a handpicked group of His followers, each one called aside by name. In fact, three of the apostles are given nicknames in keeping with their new identities. Simon is called Peter, which means “rock”, and James and John will become known as the “sons of thunder.”
Read More...
On the Internet, we all have passwords and IDs to gain access to important sites. Have you ever wondered what your spiritual ID might be?
In today’s Gospel, Jesus descends from a mountaintop with a handpicked group of His followers, each one called aside by name. In fact, three of the apostles are given nicknames in keeping with their new identities. Simon is called Peter, which means “rock”, and James and John will become known as the “sons of thunder.”
Read More...
Jesus' Followers
09/19/08 05:53
Many of the people in church ministry have come through difficult life passages only to emerge stronger, yet more compassionate and empathetic. They’ve made a conscious choice to follow in Jesus’ footsteps and support His ministry.
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Jesus on Discipleship
09/12/08 05:24
The church needs more disciples like Barnabas, more sons and daughters of encouragement, more lay ministers willing to give of their time and talents. Read More...
Shouldering One Another's Burdens
07/14/08 06:37
The cross is a symbol of our mission in life, a sign that we are to help one another shoulder life's burdens. In order to be worthy disciples, we must be willing to take the initiative, step in and help others bear their cross in life. Read More...