Practicing the Way
A guide to spiritual formation and Christian discipleship centered on embodying Christ's teachings through daily practice.
The philosopher Dallas Willard used to say, "There is no problem in human life that apprenticeship to Jesus cannot solve."
The greatest issue facing the world today, with all its heartbreaking needs, is whether those who... are identified as "Christians" will become disciples, students, apprentices, practitioners of Jesus Christ, steadily learning from him how to live the life of the Kingdom of the Heavens into every corner of human existence.
Most people do not have a working theory of change; meaning, a reliable path of transformation to follow.
Jesus lived in a culture where a lot of people were hostile toward him. How did he invite them into his kingdom?
One meal at a time...
I love this from Thomas Kelly:
The Loving Presence does not burden us equally with all things, but considerately puts upon each of us just a few central tasks, as emphatic responsibilities. For each of us these special undertakings are our share in the joyous burdens of love. We cannot die on every cross, nor are we expected to.
When you do the math, you may conclude that, yes, following Jesus will cost you a lot. But here's the thing: Not following Jesus will cost you even more. It will cost you life with God, the very purpose for which you were created. It will cost you access to the inner life of the Trinity, the "peace... which transcends all understanding," and the "joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory." It will cost you freedom from the bondage of sin, healing from the wounding of sin, forgiveness from the guilt and shame of sin, and adoption into the family of God out of the isolation of sin.