Discipleship

One of my favorite blogs to read each day is Mike Cope's blog. He always has something good to say. This past week he posted some words about discipleship that I believe are very important. From preachermike.com:

From Dallas Willard’s The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus’s Essential Teachings on Discipleship:

“For at least several decades the churches of the Western world have not made discipleship a condition of being a Christian. One is not required to be, or to intend to be, a disciple in order to become a Christian, and one may remain a Christian without any signs of progress toward or in discipleship. Contemporary American churches in particular do not require following Christ in his example, spirit, and teachings as a condition of membership — either of entering into or continuing in fellowship of a denomination or local church. I would be glad to learn of any exception to this claim, but it would only serve to highlight its general validity and make the general rule more glaring. So far as the visible Christian institutions of our day are concerned, discipleship clearly is optional.

Cornelius Plantinga has an insightful piece in the latest CT entitled “Dr. Willard’s Diagnosis: Why We Need to Really Die Before We Can Really Live.” It’s about Dallas Willard’s “mighty project” to encourage the church to take transformation seriously, to read the Sermon on the Mount as the way he really expects us to live (modern circumstances not withstanding).

Plantinga writes:

“According to Willard, the problem is that a lot of us nod amiably at these instructions for a big Christian life in God’s kingdom. Then we ignore them . . . .

“Dr. Willard’s diagnosis: A lot of us are doing Christianity at a putt-putt level. We want to be forgiven without following Jesus.

“We’re afraid to follow Jesus, because then we’d have to die and rise with him. . . . The truth is, we’re mildly attracted to his virtues, but we’re strongly attracted to our vices. We wouldn’t like to lose them because they please us, and the prospect of a significant life with Jesus doesn’t so much. Do we expect a new Christian life will just happen without our having to make inconvenient changes in how we live Monday to Sunday? If so, we are like people who want to be solvent and who also max out their credit cards. Or people who want to be sexually pure and who also bookmark porn sites. Or people who want to speak Japanese without all the tiresome study that’s normally required. . . ."

Wow! Those words hit close to home! There's a strange paraodox: Jesus wants all of us but we often don't want all of Him! Too many want a type of Christianity that is convenient to our wants and needs. But that's not true discipleship! Discipleship is best described by our Lord: "Then he called his disciples and the crowds to come over and listen. 'If any of you wants to be my follower,' he told them, 'you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will find true life.'" (Mark 8:34-35 from the New Living Translation) May we all learn to be true disciples of our Lord!

Reflections from a Country Music Concert

This past Sunday, I surprised Tia by taking her to Atlanta for a special little weekend getaway. We stayed at the Embassy Suites in downtown ATL and then went to a Rascal Flatts concert. (Tia had no idea where we were going until I gave her the ticket to get in) In case you didn't know, country music reigns in the South! I have never seen so many rednecks in all my life! :) It looked like there was 19,000 people there. RF did a pretty good job. They talked too much instead of playing more songs. Anyway, here are my reflections.

1. Some people don't know how to dress appropriately. If you want more details on what we saw, ask my wife.

2. The alcohol industry is alive and well. I am amazed at how many beers people can consume in a 3 hour period at $5 and $6 a pop. What was sad was seeing all the young people who had beers in their hands. I think some of them must have had their friends buy their drinks because they didn't look old enough to be 21. What is even worse is the fact that so many people think they have to drink to have a good time.

3. Mass concert crowds can be persuaded to do anything. If Rascal Flatts said, "Everybody yell!" they did. If RF had told the crowd, "The South is going to declare war on the North again!" they would have had quite an army!

4. Wouldn't it be something if those 19,000 people were as turned on to Jesus as they were to RF? The crowd knew every word to every RF song and sang at the top of their lungs. I couldn't help but think, "Why aren't we as passionate about Jesus as they are about RF?"

Tia and I had a great time and it was good to get away for just a day. We went to a Ruth's Chris Steakhouse before the show and had the best (and most expensive) steak we've ever had! Sometimes you've just got to splurge a little bit! I hope other married couples will do the same. Have a good day!

The Rest of the Story

People have often asked me, "How did you and Tia meet?" If you want to know, keep reading. It's not that long of a story.

The first time I saw Tia was right outside the girl's dorm at Alabama Christian College (now Faulkner University). She had a large patch over her right eye because she had lost sight in it just a few weeks before school. She and her sister had been in a terrible car accident and they were both still recovering from it but Tia was determined to come to college. She has always had a "go get'em" attitude.

I remember thinking, "She has the most beautiful smile." Of course she was also very talkative. I think she thought I was kind of cute. She did like my big Adam's apple poking out from my neck and she really liked my deep voice. I would often call her sunshine because she would light up the room when she walked in.

Well, in the words of my favorite song by REO Speedwagon ("What started out as friendship has grown stronger") we developed as wonderful relationship. We sang in chorus together, performed in music groups together, etc. Eventually, I came around to my senses and asked her to marry me. We married on May 2, 1987. So next year, it'll be 20 years with one woman! Wow!

Tia is my best friend and has been for a long time. I always tell young couples when they are thinking of getting married that it's important to marry someone who is going to be your very best friend. Tia is a great support to me and my work. She is always able to put a positive spin on something. She is a great leader and an excellent boss at her workplace. I am looking forward to many more years together. I am one lucky man!

This and That

We picked up the kids on Friday night from Camp Wiregrass. We were very excited when we found out that Maggie got "Outstanding Girl Camper of the Week." Maggie had a great time at camp. Her voice was hoarse from all the talking and singing she did during the week. Clint got some really encouraging comments about his counseling during the week. He said he really liked counseling because there is much more freedom. (Ah, but with freedom comes responsibility!) I am so grateful that they both enjoy camp and want to make it a regular part of their summer.

Wednesday is the big day for Maggie. BRACES! She's a little excited but also a little apprehensive about it. I think she gets bummed out when we tell her about the things she won't be able to eat or chew once the braces go on. We also tell her that it will be worth it!

That's it for today. Have a blessed day!

Hello!

Well, it's time to start blogging again! After much thought, I have decided that my blog will be about things that are going on with either me or my family. So, if that doesn't interest you, you might want to move on.

Clint and Maggie have been at Camp Wiregrass this week. Maggie is a camper and Clint has been a counselor for the first time! Clint gave his first chapel lesson on Tuesday night and did a great job. He talked about one of God's reluctant heroes, Moses. His cabin leader said that he was doing a good job as a counselor. He has been going to camp since he was in his mommy's tummy! It has been a big part of his life and we're glad to see him taking such an active part.

Maggie has a big step next week. She is getting braces on Wednesday! I think she's excited and also a little nervous. She is such a pretty young girl. I know the braces will only make her prettier. If anyone would like to contribute to the cost of the braces, it's only about $4,500! Check, cash or credit cards are fine with me! :)

Everything else is about the same. Tia's job is going well but she stays very busy. My job is going well since I only work 2 days a week! School will be back in session before we know it. Hope you have a great day!