A Follower

What is a disciple? What does it mean to be a disciple? This can be a heavy word and one that some find intimidating while others find it to be impossible to clarify. I wonder what your thoughts are on the subject.... Do you think about it? Do you ever stop and consider what it means to be a disciple?

Being a disciple is central to Christianity. This is an important topic for discussion if we hope to be the people God has called us to be. Will Mancini considers the thoughts of Scott McKnight and his take on how to determine the type of disciple a church or ministry is producing.
Here is what McKnight he says are important in the mature disciple.


Kingdom Understanding: A disciple is someone caught up in Jesus’ Kingdom

Kingdom Dreaming: A disciple is someone who is lost in the Kingdom dream of Jesus

Love: A disciple is someone who loves God and loves others with everything they’ve got.

Justice: A disciple is someone who is radically committed to doing what Jesus teaches and working toward conditions that reflect those teachings.

Peace: A disciple is someone who is at peace and works toward peace

Wisdom: A disciple is someone who is wise and seeks wisdom

Church: A disciple is someone who lives out his or her calling in the context of a local church.


Here is the link to the full article if you are interested:

http://www.willmancini.com/2011/05/scott-mcknight-reveals-his-measures-for-discipleship.html

Maxed Out on Creativity

I love to be creative in what I do. I do not like things to be just the same all the time.

Being creative is one of the ways God geared me to do His work. Being creative is not easy, it takes time. There is no doubt that creativity is in the heart of God. So I wonder why we are unwilling to press ourselves in this area.

I believe we must work this into our lives and work if we are going to leave a mark that will last. In my world of ministry, I believe creative work is work that releases the heart God and touches the soul.

True, creative work is hard and not everyone is bent this way. If you are then maximize it. If you are not then surround yourself with those that are.

Here is a good blog by Seth Godin on very idea. Consider his thoughts and let your creative genious begin to show up in the work you do.


http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2011/05/underextended.html


Another thought... let creativity work it's way into your marriage as well. A friend of mine challenged me yesterday to take as much time planning a date with my wife as I would on my next sermon. Hmm, this punched me in the gut... Thanks Will!!

Vision Power

Here is a good blog on vision. Does your church or organization have vision.
Think about how you live: are you living for something bigger than yourself? A vision can help individuals, churches, ministries, and businesses do more because they have the solid foundation of a vision.

http://shawnlovejoy.com/

Running Scared!!

Don’t Run... God is not done with you yet!”
I Kings 19

How do you handle the obstacles you face in life? What is your tendency when you face a struggle or a roadblock?
On smaller issues we often trust ourselves and even on some-what larger items we tend to think we can manage around the issue. Now when we face a “bigger-than-us” challenge, we either try to handle it ourselves or we run the other direction. This is what Elijah did here in our text – he ran in the other direction. It is interesting that Elijah had just experienced a great work of God on Mount Carmel (ch. 18), but he was still afraid. No matter what you are facing on today, God is still in control and ready to see you through.

What are you afraid of? Are you running the other way? Don’t run; learn to set a pattern of trusting the Lord regardless of the size of the issue. It will build character and deepen your walk with the Lord. Running often is our natural response, but don’t just try to get to the comfortable spot. Let the Lord lead you by His Spirit to where He knows you need to be.

Elijah ran and was ready to die. (Vs. 4-5) Elijah was tired and just wanted his life to end. He wanted to the Lord to be done with him but he was not done with Elijah. The truth is... the Lord is not done with you yet either. Don’t give up. I don’t know what you are facing, don’t throw in the towel or give it. Spiritual growth dose not happen by chance. God is at work and wants to lead you to further along the path He has set for you!

So Elijah whines his way into a cave and wants to have a pity party. But the Lord meets him there and asks him, “What are you doing here?” What about you? God knew that Elijah was running from the Him and the work he was to carry out. Are you running from the Lord? Don’t give up on God, for he has not given up on you. Are you having a hard time at work, relationship, finances, etc.? Regardless, lean into to the Lord and let Him lead you.

God speaks and clarifies His will for Elijah. The Lord will give guidance, although it may not be like we think, but the Lord will certainly reveal Himself to you. (Vs. 11-14) The Lord says, “Go back the way you came...” (vs.15) Some of the fears in our lives must faced and not placed under a rug. They will not go away. Elijah had to deal with His fear and he had more work to do. The work was just as important and just as needed as the previous work Elijah had done. The Lord new He wanted to use Elijah and wants to use you as well.

Read the passage and pray the Lord will give you courage to move forward today.

Good Enough?

How good do we have to be? Do you like to follow the rules? What does it mean to be legalistic? I think it really is a challenge to live by grace. I know this seems hard, but often it is easier when we can keep score. But Paul tells us in Galatians that it really is up to the cross! The cross is good news! The truth of the Gospel is amazing. Think about and pray through this passage from Galatians.

But when time had fully come,

God send his Son, born of a woman,

born under the law, to redeem those

under the law, that we might receive

full rights as sons.

Galatians 4:4-5

Now this is good stuff! The Lord is good!

The Road Less Traveled

It was good to be back in the saddle yesterday. I had been away for two Sundays and I am always thankful to get back to preach! It is fun to go on trips, but it is always good to be back home. I am thankful to do what I love. I think we were made to live like this! I can't imagine doing something just because it is a job. I really do believe the Lord made us for more than that. We were made with different interests and talents. We should make the most of them.

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,

which God has prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

This is awesome to me. I love this! God has made us in such a way that there is work that only we can do. He also has prepared work for us to do! How great is it that God has gone ahead of us to prepare work for us to do! This reminds me that God does have a plan and a purpose for our lives. This is great, but will you take the time to allow God the time to lead you to this? Most of the time we just want it happen quickly, rather than being patient while seeking the Lord.

Robert Frost reminds us:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -

I took the one less traveled by,

And this has made all the difference.

Don't just wander down some path that seems easy or is filled with everyone else. I know it is hard but let the Lord lead you down the path he has for you. Take time to seek him and will lead you!

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then

you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -

his good, pleasing, and perfect will."

Romans 12:2