Levels of Discipleship?…

Luke 5:1-11 recounts the calling of the first disciples. In short, a few men have been fishing all night with no luck. Jesus spots them as they come ashore and offers some advice. “Cast your nets on the other side of the boat, in the deep water.” After a bit of resistance, they do it. And as we know, to their amazement, they catch more fish than ever before. Their nets are popping and snapping but they lose nothing. The two boats they are in nearly sink as they scramble to shore with a winning lotto ticket. As they arrive, Jesus says to them, “come follow me. You will now be fishers of men.”

Here’s the kicker, straight from a discipleship guide called, Discipleship Essentials: Luke tells us that the disciples “left everything and follow him.” What did they give up?

What is he calling you to give up? Are we to think that he calls different people to different levels of discipleship? Are some called to a life of poverty and others to a life of indulgence? Does he urge people like Shane Claiborne to sell all he has, and along with a few friends live in inner city Philly to minister, yet say “It’s okay” as I sit in my nice comfy house, with all the windows closed, doors locked and lights off as I watch the NBA playoffs in HD on our 42″ plasma TV?

I bring this up to say, I’m not so sure there are levels of discipleship. Jesus invites us all to follow him. Are you willing to go on that journey?

It’s been a while. It’s almost like I’m coming home from college or something…I’m not really sure what to do…

Anyway, each day seems to bring a little excitement. We pray for opportunities, and the funny thing is, we get them. Only problem is, most of the time I’m too human and chicken out. Funny that I’m here planting a church, eh? Oh well, I guess that’s what God means when he says he will be strong in our weakness…That little phrase sounds strangely familiar. Sorry if that’s not the first time you’ve heard that one. Who knows, it could be the fourth or fifth time. HA

Time flies by. God is good and he is working in this place. He gave me a job, however, its not enough to cover our total monthly expenses. I have a hunch, but I think God is up in heaven looking down with a smerck on his face reminding me that I still need to fundraise. My most favorite activity in the world!

Keep this place in your prayers. Keep God working!

Urgent prayers!

When it rains, it pours! Satan has been working overtime on VineLife, our core team and all of us as individuals. We ask for general prayers for VineLife as a whole. The enemy is getting scared because God is working in this community in ways that cannot be stopped. His Spirit is moving through this place and is bringing lost sheep back to God! Praise Him!!

More urgently, we ask for prayers for one of our core team members. I am not at liberty to say, as of today, but their family has just today been blasted with some major medical issues. Please pray for a release of pain, release of anger and an immediate healing!! God can, and he will use this family for great things in the kingdom! May this time be a catalyst for them.