Deep Well Discipleship

Last night as I was relaxing and reading I ran across this nugget of an article in USA Today about Atheists attacking Christians (and in this case mormons as well).  As I read it I had to chuckle through moments of righteous anger as it reminded me the world is and always will be opposed to the cross.  Paul says as much to the church in Corinth when he writes "For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing..." ( 1 Corinthians 1:18 , NASB)  But then I wake up to this article this morning about a water park that was giving discounts to church groups but not to anyone else.  Again a group of atheists have gotten involved in the private sector demanding private owned companies to do their bidding or face lawsuits. It seems to me that many atheists are just plain angry and they are not afraid to let you know it. They are like the kid on the playground who wants attention and will do anything to garner it.  They will put up billboards l...

Matthew 4:19 And he [Christ] said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." (ESV) I remember hearing this call in my life.  I was 9 and sitting in the front room of my parents home in Shelbina, MO.  The youth pastor, Denny Daum, sat in the mustard colored swivel rocker and I on the footstool.  I don't remember if it was spring or fall.  I can't recall if it was sunny or cloudy.  I can't remember if anyone else was present.  But I remember in the moment of that conversation when I heard the call, the voice that pierces to the very core of who we are, the deep awakening of the dead man (or boy at the time) to come to life.  In that moment of our conversation I realized I needed to repent and follow Christ Jesus.  That walk ever since has been one of intrigue, difficulty, indelible grace, joy, peace, sorrow, grief, trial, tribulation, miracles, hope, and more than I would have ever imagined in my finite mind. When Christ call...