I have entered the world of blogging because I want to extend my involvement in discipling, especially with younger Christians. Consequently, I am seeking to become adept at interacting in a variety of new ways, including blogging. I believe that blogging will also help me to connect with others of like mind and heart for Christian discipleship and discipling. Hence today’s beginning. Through this blog I aim to stimulate discussion, provide links to articles and matters of interest, and generally promote godly Christ-centred thinking and living. I don’t expect to be blogging daily, but who knows what may happen in time? Certainly, if I have something that I know is worth sharing I can blog it.
2009 has been a good but difficult year for me. During the year I broke through to a place of real forgiveness towards people and circumstances in my past. Like many others, I am on a journey with Christ into the land of grace, mercy and peace. As a result I feel compelled to commit the next phase of my life (God-willing) to the ministry of discipling the next generation. The world is changing rapidly, and not in a godly direction! Today men especially are being destroyed through pornography, alcohol and illicit drugs, destructive relationships, and aimlessness. For Jesus’ gospel to mean anything it must transform and offer hope to men, women and children of all walks of life. I plan to do all I can to see that this transforming gospel is modelled, proclaimed and lived out in today’s world. Surely we have an obligation to the younger generation to mentor and disciple, model and encourage, and by all possible means to make sure that the good news is obvious in our lives, family relationships and churches, so that they can see with their own eyes that it actually works. If blogging is one way for me to influence others to walk the slow but sure road of apprenticeship to Jesus then I will do it. Along the way I hope to give lots of encouragement, honest feedback, and good resources.
I am deeply indebted to the ministry of John Piper (Bethlehem Baptist Church & Desiring God Ministries) for his insights into God being most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. The writings of A W Tozer and Oswald Chambers also inspire me, as do those of C H Spurgeon, J I Packer, Eugene Peterson, and the commentaries of John Stott and Gordon Fee. I love the ESV Bible, but not in a one-eyed way (I appreciate aspects of other versions too). Over the years I’ve read through the entire KJV, NKJV, RSV (I think), NIV, and The Message Bibles. Last year I read the ESV Literary Study Bible, and this year I am using The Books of the Bible (TNIV) for devotional reading. There is something useful to be found in most versions of the Bible, but I love my trusty ESV Personal Size Reference Bible and the ESV Study Bible. The ESV is my mainstay for reading, study, preaching, reflection and memorization.
Feel free to offer your suggestions and comments about the design and intended purpose of this site. Above all, please pray for the success of my venture, that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ will be praised, magnified and glorified as he so greatly desires and so richly deserves!