Here’s something that I find very interesting: in the New Testament, long before followers of Christ were called “Christians,” they were called by a very different name – they were called “disciples.” The term “disciple” in the world of Jesus’ day meant someone who was a learner, a student, someone who was committed to the…
Read MoreSeries: Back to the Basics
Basic steps in discipleship and spiritual growth
The Key is Surrender
Last week we said that in the New Testament all followers of Jesus began to be called, not “Christians,” but “disciples.” The word “disciple” means a learner, a student, someone who is committed to the teachings of a particular master or rabbi. I would actually rather be known as a disciple than a Christian. I…
Read MoreThe Old You vs. The New You
We’re still talking about the topic of discipleship and growing in our walk with God. Spiritual growth isn’t automatic, it’s a process. Many of us who are believers find ourselves in this position: We’ve accepted God’s forgiveness. We believe that Jesus paid our penalty by dying on the cross, and we believe that he rose…
Read MoreTime for a Check-Up
Several years ago I wanted an authentic, working black candlestick phone. I wanted a phone just like Andy Griffith used, but his didn’t have a dial on it, that’s why he had to call Sarah, the operator. I wanted one I could actually use. I found new plastic replicas at lots of places, but they…
Read MoreLearning to Float Upriver
A few years ago our family was in Jamaica, and one of the fun things we did there was to ride tire inner tubes down a lazy river. Basically, we all got in line on a little dock, and when it was my turn, the guide turned me around to face him with my back…
Read MoreIt’s About Time
When I was a kid, any time my parents needed gas in their car they would pull up to a gas station and a guy would come out and ask, “Fill ‘er up?” If my folks wanted him to fill the gas tank they’d say “yes,” but most of the time they’d say something like…
Read MoreThe Bible in Your Quiet Time
When our kids were little we made a stop at a local chain fast-food restaurant. Our kids liked the place, but the problem was that the last two times we had been there one of my children had ordered a hamburger with no onions, and each of those two times they got a hamburger with…
Read MoreYour Daily Quiet Time
This is probably one of the most practical posts I’ve written – not that I’ve written that many posts. We’re still in a long look at discipleship, and one of those “disciplines” that we need in our lives in order to grow as “disciples” is a daily quiet time with God. We’ve also defined a…
Read MoreLivin’ On A Prayer
One of my earliest memories is of being tucked into bed by my mom and her listening to me as I said my prayers: “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. God…
Read MoreTo Serve Man
Several years ago, my kids discovered one of my favorite TV shows from childhood, “The Twilight Zone.” A few times a year a certain cable channel would hold a Twilight Zone marathon, so the kids watched lots of episodes with me. One of my favorite episodes is called “To Serve Man.” In this episode, aliens…
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