Category: discipleship

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Following a mentor is like following a truck. Leave enough distance to see where he’s going — and to swerve if he hits a pothole. If you’re the mentor, encourage those who watch you to learn from your mistakes as well as your strengths. You don’t want them to be like you. You want them to be wiser than you. […]

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Walton is the last bus stop on Michigan Avenue before Lake Shore Drive. When the 147 stops at Walton, every northbound Chicagoan is already packed on that bus. And all twenty people waiting at Walton intend to get on board. When the door opens, the frenzy begins. But if you read the “Arrivals” sign on the bus shelter, you’ll see […]

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Maturity is about hitting stride. Writers mature as they develop their voice, honor the reader, and deliver the goods. It’s not about complexity or creative energy. Such things are add-ons. Maturity is about being complete. It’s the essence of what was meant to be. So — what does spiritual maturity look like? How is it distinct from the wisdom of age, experience, […]

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Those who discover love in the crucible of testing see through its facade. Genuine love is real. It has a will and finds a way. It is strong and good. I was moved by these expressions of love from a platoon of soldiers in Afghanistan (see War, by Sebastian Junger). Observe the weight behind these words: […]

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Some years back there was an International discipleship conference in Europe. Many lectures and much discussion. Toward the end an elder statesman of the faith suggested that the root of discipleship was loving Jesus. The closer you are to Jesus, the more of His influence you wield. Consider whether you would like to make Jesus […]