Karen Bables
Welcome to my blog about living as apprentices of Jesus! I am passionate about spiritual transformation and about helping others become like Jesus for the sake of others.
One of my favorite quotes is: "Whatever job we get and whatever task we are assigned can serve as a container for grace" (Eugene Peterson in "Practical Resurrection"). I pray that the words and sentences on this blog may also serve as "containers of grace" for its readers.
I ordinarily post on Wednesdays and Saturdays and welcome your comments on any post!
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What Readers are Saying
livingasapprentices on “I Figured it out by… Mary Ann Hayden on “I Figured it out by… Ruth Evenhouse on Doubly Blessed Mary Ann Hayden on “I Have a Gift for … Barbara Steen on From My Reading – D… Barbara Steen on A Smaller Life 
Going Deeper with Go… on Going Deeper with God –… Robert L Bakker on “It Wasn’t So… livingasapprentices on “It Wasn’t So… Barbara Steen on “It Wasn’t So…
Monthly Archives: June 2017
From My Reading
“[There is a particular resistance] that invariably crops up any time we consider times of genuine solitude. It is the almost overwhelming feeling that we will be passed over. Now, what we say is, “I want to be available to … Continue reading
Posted in Quotes
Tagged Joan Chittister, poverty, Richard Foster, Richard Rohr, Sojourner, spiritual formation, unconditional love
“I Don’t Want you to get Shooted”
Two recent events – one real and one fictional – sent me back a decade ago to an experience that changed my view of the world forever. The real event was the recent acquittal of a Minnesota police office for … Continue reading
Posted in To Act Justly
Tagged implicit bias, justice system, Nashville TV sh ow, Philando Castile, police mistreatment, Racism
Choosing to be a Blessing
Recently, I attempted a conversation with my husband about feeling taken for granted. Anyone who has been in a long-term relationship has probably had these thoughts at some point and perhaps has even tried to talk about it. My husband was shocked … Continue reading
Posted in Living as Apprentices
Tagged Carmelites, false narrative, relationships, Therese of Lisieux
2 Comments
The Missing Ingredient
I was in one of my favorite places, the north side branch of the library. As I removed my “on hold” books and DVD’s off the shelf, I heard giggles. I turned around and noticed the Wednesday morning toddler story-telling session, … Continue reading
Posted in Living as Apprentices, My journey
Tagged giggling children, joy, library story time
4 Comments
Every Family’s Story – Welcome to the Feast
“The message of the Bible is that the human race is a band of exiles trying to come home. . . . Jesus will make our world a perfect home again. We will no longer be living ‘east of … Continue reading
Posted in Going Deeper with God
Tagged Luke 15, the reckless love of God, the story of the prodigal God, Tim Keller
G.K. Chesterton and Me
I recently read an excerpt from a G.K. Chesterton essay about his being bored to death during a long train ride. He moans that he had no books or newspapers, “not even a pencil and a scrap of paper with … Continue reading
Posted in My journey, Quotes
Tagged G.K. Chesterton, printed words, Quotes, the lost art of personal writing
Every Family’s Story – A Father’s Love
The Father’s response to his younger son: “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. … Continue reading
Posted in Going Deeper with God
Tagged abundant love, God the Father, judgmentalism, unconditional love
The Mark of a Great Disciple
“The mark of a great ship handler is never getting in a situation that requires great ship handling skills” (Retired Admiral James Stavridis in his new book Sea Power). I heard this gem during an interview with Admiral Stavridis on NPR’s … Continue reading
Posted in Living as Apprentices
Tagged Admiral James Stavridis, discipleship, Donald Trump, Eugene Peterson, Morning Edition
