The Gospels contrast the disciples of Jesus who were not consistently clear about what they wanted with those at the margins (like blind Bartimaeus) who were completely focussed on their need. Jesus keeps asking a question (actually or implied) of those he encounters to help them understand that their present desire was masking their need …
When Jesus encounters doubt in his disciples he asks why, so that the doubter can explore where their doubt is coming from, and return their focus to Jesus and the relationship they have with him. From Winn Collier. When Jesus encountered doubters, he did not leave them to wallow in their uncertainty, but neither did …
Following Jesus is not thinking that everything you think is what he thinks. Following Jesus is having your perceptions of self, others, and living challenged and changed. From Winn Collier. Do we really think it possible to follow the ways of God without having our world turned over? Do we really expect to follow a …
Jesus experienced life with human emotions. In addition to knowing our need for salvation, Jesus fully experienced everything that we need to be saved from. From Winn Collier. Jesus did not come to help us manoeuvre around the our brokenness; Jesus came to enter our brokenness with us. The gospel is not a therapeutic system …
The temptation to set use Bible as a buttress against the imperative of the Gospel is strong. Of course there is no contradiction between the following Jesus and the Bible correctly read. From Winn Collier. Spiritual tradition is a double-edged sword. Used properly, it allows those who have gone before us to instruct us with …
Every Christian has experienced God’s gracious power at work in their lives. As disciples we consistently evaluate situations as if we’re supposed to navigate them in our own power. From Winn Collier who is reflecting on Jesus’ interactions with the disciples as he intends to feed a large crowd (again). …with the dilemma out in …
Jesus doesn’t dismiss our fears. He spends much time telling his disciples that we’ll experience much that drives to the hearts of our anxieties. And he goes to the very heart of fear itself, experiences it all, and emerges victorious, for us. From Winn Collier. “Incarnation is the place,” says Kathleen Norris, “where hope contends …
