From my experience, most people have not had someone truly listen to them. As a result, many of us are probably not all that good at listening. We may be decent at “hearing” the words that are spoken and waiting on someone to stop talking so that we can say something. But that is not the same…
When People Blow It
Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone falls short. Everyone does something wrong. Everyone sins. Some will make very small mistakes and some will blow it big time. Sometimes people will just choose to do what is wrong. That includes you and me. All of us are imperfect. As the family of God, we have to decide what to do…
Believing in Unlikely Heroes
One of the most powerful and loving things you can do for someone is believe in them. As disciples of Jesus we are commanded to see people through the lens of love and possibility in their life. Jesus modelled this for us when he put together his band of disciples. We tend to think of the…
Remind Someone of Love and Grace
This week a close friend asked me, “How do you truly live as a son of God? Why is that so hard for me?” He asked it like I had completely figured that out. I have not. Not even close. But, what a great question. Not much in our culture teaches or encourages us “to live as a son or…
Learning to Be Known
Who really knows you? Who knows the things about you that you hope others never find out? Who has permission to ask you anything and you give them an honest answer? Who has the freedom to challenge your life? Who knows what truly makes you come alive? Who knows your dreams and is willing to help you achieve…
Learning from the Heart of Hospitality
Disciple Making is teaching people to follow of Jesus through intentional relationships of love so that they can go and do the same. I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of people get tripped up on the first statement in that definition, “teaching people”. I imagine that there are thoughts such as: I’m not a teacher. …
Friendships that Change Lives
A couple of weeks ago my family and I took a road trip to Chicago to see some friends that we have known for over 20 years. We love Chicago and our friends there. They are life giving. Our friends lead what could be called a house church. They simply say they are making disciples of Jesus…
Being a Disciple, pt. 2
“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in my love.” – John 15:9 To be a disciple of Jesus is to abide in His love. To be a disciple of Jesus is to understand that you are loved with the same love that is between the Father and Son….
Being a Disciple, pt. 1
I will never forget the moment when I realized that I was not a really a disciple of Jesus. There are many ways that “disciple of Jesus” can be defined. The basic meaning of a disciple is to be a learner or pupil. In the first century, being a disciple was not just about learning a…
Abiding in Jesus 