December 6, 2024

The SEND U Blog

Reflections and Resources for Lifelong Learning for Missionaries

Month: October 2014

Spiritual Formation, Training

Accountability – Asking the Hard Questions

Do you have anyone in your life who asks the hard questions? You know, the ones like “How are you doing in using your time wisely?” Or “How are you doing as a wife/ husband/ parent/ leader/ follower?” Or just the simple yet profound “How are you doing spiritually?” For some reason, we have such a hard time asking those questions, and yet I think a lot of us need and even long for that kind of interaction. Let me get personal and real here. I haven’t REALLY felt spiritually healthy for many years now. I’ve had a few bright spots over the years, and am confident God hasn’t given up on me. Yet I would have to say that “listless,” “wilting on the vine” and even “helpless and hopeless” describe how I have felt about my walk with God over the past decade.… Read the whole post
Ken Guenther1 min read
Cross-Cultural Living, Christ

Sent Like Jesus

John 17:18, “As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” (ESV) John 20:21, “Peace be with you, As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” (ESV) Often in mission circles these verses launch us into a discussion of “incarnational missions” focusing on servanthood and contextualization. Both are clearly important for missions. Yet is that the extent of how our mission compares to the mission of Jesus? Are those issues in Jesus’ mind when he makes these statements?… Read the whole post
Gary Ridley1 min read
Spiritual Formation, Book Reviews

Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People So That You Experience “The Life You’ve Always Wanted”

As a SEND missionary, do you ever feel lagging in spiritual power or genuine transformation? How about those you have the privilege of leading to Christ or discipling – do you observe them experiencing consistent growth into Christ-likeness? If you’re feeling discouraged in either of these areas, I encourage you to read John Ortberg’s book The Life You’ve Always Wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People. It provides a fresh, practical, and biblical challenge towards growing in Christ-likeness through the practice of spiritual disciplines. A sad commentary on the state of today’s church is that “by and large we do not expect people to experience ongoing transformation.” Ortberg however believes that genuine transformation — being changed into Christ-likeness — should be the norm for Christian life. A problem often occurs, though, in that believers who desire transformation try harder and harder until they are exhausted but still not experiencing the transformation… Read the whole post
Ken Guenther2 mins read
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