Welcome to my blog. I spend half my life in coffee shops having honest conversations about how following Jesus works in real life. So, let’s learn together, grab a cup and – join the conversation.
How this site works:
I’ll post every Monday and invite you to weigh in.
Quick Bio
I’m a businessman, elder in one of the more conservative mega churches in Grand Rapids, Michigan and for over 25 years a full time spiritual mentor of men. I love introducing people to Jesus and truth from God’s perspective. I’m also an NPR listener and student of our culture because I want to understand how the world and a younger generation think, so I’m prepared to engage in conversations which are true to the Bible, intellectually honest and gracious.
Following Jesus is the only hope I have of living this life with purpose, energy and expectation. I hope to end my days on earth still meeting young men at Starbucks who have no interest in God, being the patriarch of my family, cheering them on to godliness, making sad people smile and the lonely – laugh, giving the poor hope, pointing wayward men back to their families, teaching the whole counsel of God and keeping myself unstained – God’s reputation and mine intact.
I spend half my life in coffee shops having honest conversations about how following Jesus works in real life. So, let’s learn together, grab a cup and join the conversation.
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I was having a meeting with a young man recently who is not yet a Christian. On a previous occasion, I sent him God’s Story, which I wrote to summarize the story of the Bible and the gospel in 3 ½ pages. You can find it on my website on the Resources page. We’ve been meeting to discuss various elements of what it means to become a Christian.
So, he asked me straight out, “What is the next step? How do I become a Christian?”
Every once in a while, I run into a true atheist, but more often it’s someone who says they don’t believe in God, but haven’t completely rejected the idea of a “higher being.” (An Agnostic)
One of the first questions I ask them is this, “Please describe to me the god you don’t believe in.” This question almost always surprises them, so I give them some time to respond.
Generally, they will describe some personal experience with a Christian, or group of Christians who did not act very Christ-like. Or they, or a loved one asked God to heal a mother, father or sibling and he didn’t, deeply disappointing them. They may even point out “obvious” flaws in the Bible, or the church’s sinful treatment of people. “I wouldn’t want a god like that,” They say as if we mortals can ignore the true God, without terrible consequences.
When they’ve finished their stories, I’ll often agree with them. “That’s good news to me. I don’t believe in that kind of God either.” Trust me, no one can leave a statement like that go. They will always ask you to explain. Now you have a God ordained opportunity to explain the gospel to someone who just invited you to do so!
I was meeting with a passionate follower of Jesus recently, who began talking about piety. Piety isn’t a virtue we talk about much anymore. It conjures up images and icons of monks or saints from the middle ages with hallows surrounding their faces. I wasn’t even sure what piety was.
Piety – an affectionate obedience that wants whatever God commands.
Wow! As a follower of Jesus I try daily to be obedient. But to pray that I want whatever God wants, really raises the bar! I’m ashamed at how often I obey God, almost begrudgingly, like a young boy asked by his dad to mow the lawn on a hot summer day. I do it, but I’m not all that happy about it.
Piety sets it’s heart on wanting what God really wants. But how does that work in real life – today?
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