Comments for Imitating Jesus http://imitatingjesus.org the blog of a disciple maker Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:51:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on Tipping Point by Dan Smith http://imitatingjesus.org/2012/03/tipping-point/comment-page-1/#comment-5782 Dan Smith Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:51:26 +0000 http://imitatingjesus.org/?p=732#comment-5782 So few people know what it means to really make a disciple. I'm so glad that I got to know you and your approach. By the way, I've started a little weekly devotional with some guys at work. They are already believers, but were never discipled. No, it's not the same. However, it's my strength, so I'll do what I can. Keep up the good work! So few people know what it means to really make a disciple. I’m so glad that I got to know you and your approach. By the way, I’ve started a little weekly devotional with some guys at work. They are already believers, but were never discipled. No, it’s not the same. However, it’s my strength, so I’ll do what I can. Keep up the good work!

]]> Comment on What’s Important? by Sandra Hawkins http://imitatingjesus.org/2012/03/whats-important/comment-page-1/#comment-5722 Sandra Hawkins Sun, 18 Mar 2012 21:47:02 +0000 http://imitatingjesus.org/?p=730#comment-5722 Hi, Lewie, Thanks for the post. As you say, age and disease does give one a perspective on life that perhaps was not there previously. I know for my family, when my mom got sick, we all began seeing each day with her as a gift from God. As the Lord says, our days were determined before we were born; we just don't know how many there are for us or for others, and thus we're caught off guard when someone we love passes from this life at an early age, from our perspective. I think that may be why God told us not to boast about tomorrow. Of course, with God, a full and complete life is not a matter of age but, "Have we completed the work He's given us to do?" It is encouraging to know that the Lord is the One who holds the keys to life (and death). Perhaps you could expound a little more on on your final comments in your post . . . "a new singular devotion . . . to love well." Thanks for sharing some of what the Lord has taught you through life. Blessings! Hi, Lewie,

Thanks for the post. As you say, age and disease does give one a perspective on life that perhaps was not there previously. I know for my family, when my mom got sick, we all began seeing each day with her as a gift from God. As the Lord says, our days were determined before we were born; we just don’t know how many there are for us or for others, and thus we’re caught off guard when someone we love passes from this life at an early age, from our perspective. I think that may be why God told us not to boast about tomorrow. Of course, with God, a full and complete life is not a matter of age but, “Have we completed the work He’s given us to do?” It is encouraging to know that the Lord is the One who holds the keys to life (and death).

Perhaps you could expound a little more on on your final comments in your post . . . “a new singular devotion . . . to love well.”

Thanks for sharing some of what the Lord has taught you through life.

Blessings!

]]> Comment on Meet the Parents 2 by BillyH http://imitatingjesus.org/2012/01/meet-the-parents-2/comment-page-1/#comment-5569 BillyH Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:23:04 +0000 http://imitatingjesus.org/?p=720#comment-5569 That is strange how most of the followers of Jesus were living around the sea of Galilee at the time of Jesus' calling, I think Judas was from Way down south near Jericho somewhere... That is definitely something that makes you think. That is strange how most of the followers of Jesus were living around the sea of Galilee at the time of Jesus’ calling, I think Judas was from Way down south near Jericho somewhere… That is definitely something that makes you think.

]]> Comment on Meet the Parents by BillyH http://imitatingjesus.org/2012/01/meet-the-parents/comment-page-1/#comment-5568 BillyH Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:57:33 +0000 http://imitatingjesus.org/?p=716#comment-5568 What does the word disciple mean? What does the word disciple mean?

]]> Comment on The Art of Observation by BillyH http://imitatingjesus.org/2012/01/the-art-of-observation/comment-page-1/#comment-5567 BillyH Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:56:26 +0000 http://imitatingjesus.org/?p=712#comment-5567 Define what it means to be a "disciple" of Jesus... Someone that follows Jesus? What was Jesus' main objectives for His disciples? Define what it means to be a “disciple” of Jesus… Someone that follows Jesus?
What was Jesus’ main objectives for His disciples?

]]> Comment on How To View Your Disciple by BillyH http://imitatingjesus.org/2011/09/how-to-view-your-disciple-2/comment-page-1/#comment-5562 BillyH Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:08:07 +0000 http://imitatingjesus.org/?p=693#comment-5562 Love is such an incredible word in the English language, any language for that matter. Everyone knows the "love" chapter Paul wrote to the Corinthians. In that chapter, Paul mentions that "love does not seek it's own". Due to my weak and half-hearted walk with Jesus, i therefore, struggle with this foul, anti-Jesus spirit. (I am preparing to resist this spirit even to the shedding of blood). My wife and I decided long before we had our 4 children that we were not going to send them away to school, or hire others to watch them, that one of us would stay at home to teach and raise them ourselves.... I never dreamed the criticism we would soon receive from family and friends. The numbers and statistics were all in favor of homeschooling when considering how well homeschoolers do in the areas of self-esteem and grades. Not to mention all the kids (including myself) I have personaly seen led away from God and family through drinking, drugs, sexual perversion and just plain disrespect, most of which i saddly testify, have never recovered, and all of which learned these things when the parents were not in rule. Only one little problem with our desires to have children and raise them ourselves instead of allowing others to do it for us... It would cost us dearly! We soon found that we could no longer afford to live in South Lincoln Park or in Evanston as we did for so long. We could no longer have two brand new cars as we were accustomed to, neither would we have the freedom of going where and when we wanted while they were in the care of others. Our lives were altered drastically by the choices we made, but why we're these silly choices made? Because of the love, care and concern we had for our children was greater than was our desire to own houses, own cars, save money, vacation twice a year....etc. This was the greatest step in "sacrificial love" either of us has ever given ourselves over to. I believe that God not only desires this Spirit toward our children, but in every facet of our lives! The devil knows how to destroy us wonderfully with the use of covetousness, greed and idolatry. I always let this opinion of "sacrificial love" known to any family that strives and claims Jesus as Lord of their lives, those that are 'without' I leave alone. My opinion is obvious, I believe all followers of Jesus should elevate God and others to the place of FIRST PRIORITY at all cost... What ever the cost. I myself, will not be content until I can no longer so much as look at my wife, kids or others with anything other than a smile of love, kindness and care. No more seeking my own selfish desires! ....What I hope for myself, I hope for all. Jesus put us as His highest priority beside God, we should live in this same Spirit. Many make the remark, "Well, this is easy for you to comment on because your the dad and get to run off to work each day. - The dad that stays home with the kids. Love is such an incredible word in the English language, any language for that matter. Everyone knows the “love” chapter Paul wrote to the Corinthians. In that chapter, Paul mentions that “love does not seek it’s own”. Due to my weak and half-hearted walk with Jesus, i therefore, struggle with this foul, anti-Jesus spirit.
(I am preparing to resist this spirit even to the shedding of blood).

My wife and I decided long before we had our 4 children that we were not going to send them away to school, or hire others to watch them, that one of us would stay at home to teach and raise them ourselves…. I never dreamed the criticism we would soon receive from family and friends. The numbers and statistics were all in favor of homeschooling when considering how well homeschoolers do in the areas of self-esteem and grades. Not to mention all the kids (including myself) I have personaly seen led away from God and family through drinking, drugs, sexual perversion and just plain disrespect, most of which i saddly testify, have never recovered, and all of which learned these things when the parents were not in rule.

Only one little problem with our desires to have children and raise them ourselves instead of allowing others to do it for us… It would cost us dearly!

We soon found that we could no longer afford to live in South Lincoln Park or in Evanston as we did for so long. We could no longer have two brand new cars as we were accustomed to, neither would we have the freedom of going where and when we wanted while they were in the care of others. Our lives were altered drastically by the choices we made, but why we’re these silly choices made?

Because of the love, care and concern we had for our children was greater than was our desire to own houses, own cars, save money, vacation twice a year….etc.
This was the greatest step in “sacrificial love” either of us has ever given ourselves over to. I believe that God not only desires this Spirit toward our children, but in every facet of our lives!

The devil knows how to destroy us wonderfully with the use of covetousness, greed and idolatry. I always let this opinion of “sacrificial love” known to any family that strives and claims Jesus as Lord of their lives, those that are ‘without’ I leave alone.

My opinion is obvious, I believe all followers of Jesus should elevate God and others to the place of FIRST PRIORITY at all cost… What ever the cost.
I myself, will not be content until I can no longer so much as look at my wife, kids or others with anything other than a smile of love, kindness and care. No more seeking my own selfish desires! ….What I hope for myself, I hope for all.

Jesus put us as His highest priority beside God, we should live in this same Spirit.

Many make the remark, “Well, this is easy for you to comment on because your the dad and get to run off to work each day.

- The dad that stays home with the kids.

]]> Comment on Discipleship Insights by Donna http://imitatingjesus.org/discipleship-insights/comment-page-1/#comment-5499 Donna Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:22:38 +0000 http://keyspace.org/wordpress/discipleship-insights/#comment-5499 Hello Lewie, I think I got a question from Justin B. asking about some video clips that I shot of you at Celebration in LR. I'm still not sure about finding my way around youtube. The vid is up there. If there is someone that can make it better, say the word. I didn't want it to get lost. I think it is great - even if I did shoot it. God spoke thru you. God Bless you Remember your visits with John. home: 8681235 Thank you Lewie for sharing a little life in LR. Donna Hello Lewie,

I think I got a question from Justin B. asking about some video clips that I shot of you at Celebration in LR.

I’m still not sure about finding my way around youtube. The vid is up there. If there is someone that can make it better, say the word. I didn’t want it to get lost.

I think it is great – even if I did shoot it. God spoke thru you. God Bless you
Remember your visits with John.

home: 8681235
Thank you Lewie for sharing a little life in LR.
Donna

]]> Comment on The Art of Observation by jgb http://imitatingjesus.org/2012/01/the-art-of-observation/comment-page-1/#comment-5476 jgb Tue, 10 Jan 2012 22:51:54 +0000 http://imitatingjesus.org/?p=712#comment-5476 I think observing your disciple bestows tremendous value on them. When you take the time to watch them, think about them, and then lovingly communicate with them they understand that you're really investing time and energy into them even when you're not together. To your point about children watching you live out the values of the kingdom...They will also see how you handle situations where you don't live kingdom values like you should (e.g. lose your patience, get angry, etc.). Anybody with kids (small or big) fights this battle often. Humility, forgiveness, reconciliation, etc. are all significant for healthy relationships. I think observing your disciple bestows tremendous value on them. When you take the time to watch them, think about them, and then lovingly communicate with them they understand that you’re really investing time and energy into them even when you’re not together.

To your point about children watching you live out the values of the kingdom…They will also see how you handle situations where you don’t live kingdom values like you should (e.g. lose your patience, get angry, etc.). Anybody with kids (small or big) fights this battle often. Humility, forgiveness, reconciliation, etc. are all significant for healthy relationships.

]]> Comment on Observing Beauty by Dan Smith http://imitatingjesus.org/2011/12/observing-beauty/comment-page-1/#comment-5411 Dan Smith Mon, 26 Dec 2011 20:56:09 +0000 http://imitatingjesus.org/?p=710#comment-5411 This reminds me of my grandfather. He wasn't perfect (I'm learning that more and more after his death), but the way he researched the Bible always impressed me. This reminds me of my grandfather. He wasn’t perfect (I’m learning that more and more after his death), but the way he researched the Bible always impressed me.

]]> Comment on How I View My Disciple #3 by Sandra Hawkins http://imitatingjesus.org/2011/10/how-i-view-my-disciple-3/comment-page-1/#comment-5180 Sandra Hawkins Sun, 16 Oct 2011 23:52:23 +0000 http://imitatingjesus.org/?p=700#comment-5180 Hi, Lewie, thanks for your encouraging thoughts again. I can relate to your last paragraph. I think of Romans 12:2 where it talks about not being squeezed into the world's mold, or sadly, in some instances, as you say, how many times do we as Christians try to squeeze other brothers and sisters into our own mold. I've felt that before, and sometimes it can be difficult when you try to shake loose of the mold others are trying to cast you in. Obviously, we can learn a lot from the lives of others, but we also need to be careful that we don't try to be like others in "every" way since all of us are still being molded and shaped into the image of Christ as well. It seems that relationships are blessed when we're learning from each other and valuing each other's insights according to our gifting and life experience . . . Iron sharpening iron . . . . Thanks again. Hi, Lewie, thanks for your encouraging thoughts again. I can relate to your last paragraph. I think of Romans 12:2 where it talks about not being squeezed into the world’s mold, or sadly, in some instances, as you say, how many times do we as Christians try to squeeze other brothers and sisters into our own mold. I’ve felt that before, and sometimes it can be difficult when you try to shake loose of the mold others are trying to cast you in. Obviously, we can learn a lot from the lives of others, but we also need to be careful that we don’t try to be like others in “every” way since all of us are still being molded and shaped into the image of Christ as well. It seems that relationships are blessed when we’re learning from each other and valuing each other’s insights according to our gifting and life experience . . . Iron sharpening iron . . . . Thanks again.

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