Discipleship
Fifty Years as a Disciple of Jesus – 1972-2022
For many decades I have used December to organize my life, plan and pray about the coming year, and set goals for God’s remaining “assignments” in my life.
Every year I create a list called “My Numbered Days” (Psalm 90:12) to fine-tune God’s priorities for the next twelve months. Then, I put those items in the front of my Prayer Diary and refer to it often.
This habit comes from a commitment to discipleship–living as a disciplined follower of Jesus for the days he gives me on earth.
2022 is a special year of discipleship for me. Here’s why.
Destroyers and Rebuilders
Many terms are used today to describe the divide in America. Some view it as contest between political parties and their increasingly opposite worldviews. Others focus on the conservative or traditional philosophy of Americans as opposed to liberal or secular-progressive values.
In the matter of Dobbs v. Jackson–the abortion case now before the U.S. Supreme Court–it’s truly a matter of life versus death (of unborn babies). It doesn’t get starker than that.
I’d like to frame the problem as a battle between those who would destroy our faith, culture, and way of life, and those who are committed to reviving or rebuilding it.
Destroyers and rebuilders. Which are you?
The Blessing of Spiritual Fathers: Remembering Pastor Steve (1931-2021)
Saturday afternoon I received a call from a daughter of my teenage pastor. She informed me that her beloved father–Steve Watkins–had passed away and was now in the presence of Jesus (Philippians 1:23).
I was sad for our great loss, but also happy because of his graduation to glory.
“Pastor Steve,” as most of us called him, was an important spiritual father to many and a link in the chain of salvation that stretches to the nation of Mongolia.
Here is our story–and why spiritual fathers are so needed in our lives.