Hello Friends:
Welcome to the Soulwinnersr.us website. Last week we talked about the final destination of political leaders and commentators. In today’s culture, I feel we are looking too much toward leaders and commentators, or influencers to save us. The concern is that most of the ones that we look toward are in a real sense lost themselves . . . if they haven’t given over their lives to Jesus. By that post, I was in no way saying that Christians should not involve themselves in politics. I was saying, however, that politics in all cases should take a backseat to the seeking of God’s direction for our lives.
Today and in the coming weeks I want to explore a concern that I pray about daily, or almost daily, and that is discipleship. I entitled my first post, “Discipleship Point 1: World-Class Christians, Trained by World-Class Shepherds?” I realize the impact the lack of meaningful discipleship in my own life has had, and I want to shed some light on the topic.
I plan to let the Holy Spirit guide me with this next series of posts about discipleship, and likely as I go in the future when I do a series. In the past when I did a series about a topic, I tried to outline and title every session ahead of time, but I often felt God changing my direction in most of them. This time I plan to pray and allow His wonderful Holy Spirit to guide me as I go.
Are you like me? Are you always looking for that elusive guide, or coach, if you will, to speak into my life his experience and knowledge . . . a guide or coach that has been through life’s battles, and has become an expert in how to train others to become better disciples to face life’s battles.
Last week was the Track and Field World Championships. I was drawn to watching certain world-class athletes, some that won, and some that didn’t win. I looked mainly at United States athletes, because I’m from the United States, although there were others, like Armand Duplantis from Sweden, who set an all-time world record in pole vaulting at 21 feet 4¼ inches. I was especially drawn to watching and exploring Sydney McGlaughlin, who set a world record in the 400-meter hurdles.
Track and field championships have been around for over two thousand years, even before Christ was born. Track and field in most recent times, like the Olympics, that measure precise times and distances, has been around for over 100 years. So to be the best in that span of over 100 years is a phenomenal accomplishment. All of us have heard the term “blood, sweat, and tears”. That’s what these athletes go through most days in the year.
I watched a video of Sydney McGlaughlin, an outspoken Christian, where she wept with the pressure of being the best in the world ever in her event, but being scrutinized every step of the way about her Christianity, her biracial heritage, and her social media presence. Last week after Sydney set the best time ever in a 400-meter hurdle race, she gave glory to God and cited Hebrews 4:16, “Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.” She said she meditated on this verse before and during the race.
Sydney, at 22 years of age, didn’t get to where she is at by happenstance. She had coaches at every point along the way. She started with a high school coach. Then a college coach. And most recently professional coaches, currently Bob Kersee, the most prolific world-class hurdles coach in United States history. He is the husband of Jackie Joyner-Kersee, one of the most accomplished women track and field athletes of all time.
I’ve touched on this topic repeatedly, so many of you might get tired of it, and may not even like it. But, I firmly believe we are missing a specific mark in discipleship. Here it is: Why is it that Christianity, by far the most important race anyone can ever run, has taken a backseat to so many other endeavors?
And I will end my post by emphatically asking: Why is it not our goal to train world-class Christians by world-class shepherds?
So, until I see you next time, keep sharing the wonderful love of Jesus,
Arlen
Welcome to the Soulwinnersr.us website. Last week we talked about the final destination of political leaders and commentators. In today’s culture, I feel we are looking too much toward leaders and commentators, or influencers to save us. The concern is that most of the ones that we look toward are in a real sense lost themselves . . . if they haven’t given over their lives to Jesus. By that post, I was in no way saying that Christians should not involve themselves in politics. I was saying, however, that politics in all cases should take a backseat to the seeking of God’s direction for our lives.
Today and in the coming weeks I want to explore a concern that I pray about daily, or almost daily, and that is discipleship. I entitled my first post, “Discipleship Point 1: World-Class Christians, Trained by World-Class Shepherds?” I realize the impact the lack of meaningful discipleship in my own life has had, and I want to shed some light on the topic.
I plan to let the Holy Spirit guide me with this next series of posts about discipleship, and likely as I go in the future when I do a series. In the past when I did a series about a topic, I tried to outline and title every session ahead of time, but I often felt God changing my direction in most of them. This time I plan to pray and allow His wonderful Holy Spirit to guide me as I go.
Are you like me? Are you always looking for that elusive guide, or coach, if you will, to speak into my life his experience and knowledge . . . a guide or coach that has been through life’s battles, and has become an expert in how to train others to become better disciples to face life’s battles.
Last week was the Track and Field World Championships. I was drawn to watching certain world-class athletes, some that won, and some that didn’t win. I looked mainly at United States athletes, because I’m from the United States, although there were others, like Armand Duplantis from Sweden, who set an all-time world record in pole vaulting at 21 feet 4¼ inches. I was especially drawn to watching and exploring Sydney McGlaughlin, who set a world record in the 400-meter hurdles.
Track and field championships have been around for over two thousand years, even before Christ was born. Track and field in most recent times, like the Olympics, that measure precise times and distances, has been around for over 100 years. So to be the best in that span of over 100 years is a phenomenal accomplishment. All of us have heard the term “blood, sweat, and tears”. That’s what these athletes go through most days in the year.
I watched a video of Sydney McGlaughlin, an outspoken Christian, where she wept with the pressure of being the best in the world ever in her event, but being scrutinized every step of the way about her Christianity, her biracial heritage, and her social media presence. Last week after Sydney set the best time ever in a 400-meter hurdle race, she gave glory to God and cited Hebrews 4:16, “Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.” She said she meditated on this verse before and during the race.
Sydney, at 22 years of age, didn’t get to where she is at by happenstance. She had coaches at every point along the way. She started with a high school coach. Then a college coach. And most recently professional coaches, currently Bob Kersee, the most prolific world-class hurdles coach in United States history. He is the husband of Jackie Joyner-Kersee, one of the most accomplished women track and field athletes of all time.
I’ve touched on this topic repeatedly, so many of you might get tired of it, and may not even like it. But, I firmly believe we are missing a specific mark in discipleship. Here it is: Why is it that Christianity, by far the most important race anyone can ever run, has taken a backseat to so many other endeavors?
And I will end my post by emphatically asking: Why is it not our goal to train world-class Christians by world-class shepherds?
So, until I see you next time, keep sharing the wonderful love of Jesus,
Arlen
