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Apprenticeship Notes: Practicing the Other-Centered Way of Jesus

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Monthly(ish) notes from the journey of being an apprentice to Jesus + an opportunity to support my writing.

What can you expect?

A thoughtfully crafted newsletter meant to serve your personal and spiritual growth as you participate in God's work of restoration in the world.

• Monthly-ish

Monthly. Ok... most months. I'm in grad school and a pastor, with several side gigs. So, it might not be every month. Certainly, in the summer, it won't be. So... let's go with "No more than once a month, and realistically, 9-10 times a year."

• Today's Note

Exclusively for Subscribers

A short meditation on some aspect of the spiritual life, the other-centered, co-suffering way of Jesus, or a healthy inner life, written just for you. This piece will not be available anywhere else.

• Insider info on my blog and podcast posts

You'll get links to my most recent blog posts and podcast episodes, along with brief additional thoughts and insider information.

• Recommended Practices

Because we learn the way of Jesus by doing, I'll be recommending practices. These will include things like journaling prompts, meditations, service actions, mental health practices, and (of course) books to read that can help expand your understanding and experience.

Opt in and you'll get:

The Anchor Prayer

This little ebook shares one of my favorite spiritual practices.

The Anchor Prayer is a short, portable prayer I wrote that's part of a meditative practice that has been deeply helpful to me and members of my church.

Here's the prayer:

I rest in faith trusting Father.
I walk in faith following Jesus.
I hear in faith obeying Spirit
In You I remain.

This little eBook (PDF) lays out the prayer, the scripture and theology behind it, and how to use it as part of a simple spiritual practice that can accompany you in the rush and pressure of your life.

Where I'm coming from

(If you're going to be listening to God-talk and spiritual guidance from someone on the internet, you ought to know something about their theological framework.)

Of course, all this will come from my viewpoint. If you've followed my writing or social media posts, you'll already have some idea of where I'm coming from.

I believe that the way of Jesus is other-centered, co-suffering love. Not only that, but I believe Jesus reveals to us the true nature of God. Following Jesus must, then, align with the character of God revealed in Jesus.

So, the path I'm learning is generous, open-hearted, welcoming, other-centered, and willing to bear the burdens of others. If you read all that and immediately worry that I'm liberal, well... yes. You're probably right. Fairly regularly, someone on social media calls me a heretic. From inside the vantage of their theological system, I'm sure they're right.

I am where I am (gratefully) because of my apprenticeship to Jesus, which has led me to a faith that is marked by generous hospitality and welcome. The table belongs to Jesus. I'm not authorized to be a bouncer or "defender of the faith." I'm one of many gracious servants sharing the inconceivably good news that God is with us, God is for us, and we have always been loved.