I have a friend in Phoenix named Guy. Guy is one of the most humble people I know. He is the head of a multi-million dollar non-profit agency. If he was handling the equivalent budget and size of staff in the for-profit corporate world he would be making a mid-range six figure income. Instead he makes a mid 5 figure income and drives a modest vehicle (no company car). Guy and I used to serve on a community board together back in the late 80s. One day Guy asked me, "Ron, are you staying out of trouble?" Then Guy stopped himself and said this, "Wrong question! If you are following Jesus and you're not in trouble something is wrong." I think Guy is on to something. Too many of us play it safe. As I have heard Tim Hansel say several times, "Jesus did not save you to make you safe." The early disciples understood this. They all died terrible deaths of torture, So why do we as American Christians think we should be safe? Certainly my brothers and sisters who follow Jesus in Iraq, Lebanon, Israel, North Korea and other hot spots aren't safe! Sometimes I think my life is too safe. I don't find myself taking too many risks for the sake of the Kingdom. I find myself challenged today to think about following Jesus and getting in trouble. What do you think? Follow Jesus today and get in trouble for the sake of the Kingdom!

Today someone sent me an email about a well-to-do dentist who decided to follow Jesus in a radical way. He decided he didn't need his expensive van, sold it and bought a cheaper vehicle - taking the difference and helping some needy people. Then he decided to sell his Ping Executive golf clubs. People noticed. Even his pastor called to make an appointment with him to figure out what was going on. His wife was ready to move to Florida to live with her wealthy parents so she could have some time to figure out what to do with this husband who was obviously taking this 'following Jesus' way too seriously - especially after he told her he was going to sell the house so he could buy three houses and help out some poor families and they could all have houses to live in! Now all of this sounds like the Book of Acts (Check out chapter 2 and 4). As I look at my affluence (even the computor on which I am writing these thoughts) I realize that I am abundantly blessed. Tonight my wife and I dined in what is considered a pricey neighborhood in Phoenix. We ate on a coupon - shared a nice meal, served by a nice waitress who cared for every need. The two of us ate for the price of one meal at any other of the restaurants in the neighborhood (I know this because friends have taken us to eat at the other restaurants in the area). Now I don't feel particularly righteous or even 'a radical follower of Jesus' because I had a reduced price meal (or saved $25-30). I realize that many of my brothers and sisters who are following Jesus went to bed hungry tonight. I realize that many of my brothers and sisters in Christ, even in this city, ate much less than I did tonight. I heard of one of my brothers today who eats bean soup with his family of 5 each evening because he is the sole provider for his family (and cook as well since his wife was tragically killed in a car accident three months ago). Most of our married lives, my wife and I have lived simply. Several years ago we were blessed with some financial provisions which have moved us into bracket that made the possibility of a comfortable life a distinct reality. I must admit that I struggle with level of comfort with which I have been blessed. I think it is a good thing that I do struggle. I think it is important to do so because it causes me to understand that all if have is a gift. A gift from a gracious Father. As a gift it is something I don't deserve. I am simply the recipient. As the recipient of this gift, I have a great responsibility to use it in a way which honors the giver and the creation. So as I continue to write my reflections in this blog - this very public journal - i invite you to think about your gifts and how you use them. Does the use of your gifts reflect some thoughtfulness about being a follower of Jesus?

Ron

This morning June and I got up early and walked the dogs, then came home and took care of our yard. Through teamwork we were done by 7:05 AM. Of course, you may have heard of our current heatwave - it was 118 degrees Fahrenheit yesterday (112 degrees in the shade in our backyard according to our thermometer). It was 92 degrees this morning when we did our work.
I have found that following Jesus is about taking care of business. You can't do it when you feel like it. You have to be intentional about it. You have to make a decision and do it! It is a very daily business - "Take up your cross daily".
I have to admit some days I don't feel like it. Some days I think it would be easier to just go it on my own. But then that's like taking care of my yard. I don't always feel like doing that either. But at the end - when I see the end result - it really is worth it! I think that following Jesus is like that. When I make the decision to follow Jesus - and then look back on my day - it really is worth it!
How is it with you, friend? Will you, just for today, follow Jesus?

Ron

Some people might think, "out of the chute"! What is this about? Well here is my attempt to do some blogging. I am unsure how much time I will have to do this - but at any rate it is my attempt to connect with the world about some of the burning issues in my heart and mind. As you realize - the title of the blog is 'radical discipleship'. I would have liked to call it 'Blue Like Jazz' or 'Messy Spirituality' but those titles have already been taken by a couple of real cool guys who write cool books. Me? I read books like those mentioned in my mind - along with other books in my limited spare time. It is my goal to use this blog to inspire other folks to think about how they follow their calling to follow the Carpenter from Nazareth. So if you are interested I hope you will drop by regularly and see what is happening in my journey of following Jesus. You are invited to send comments along as you feel inspired to do so.

AZRON