Welcome to my blog about living as Apprentices of Jesus. I have spent the last several years of my life reading, thinking, absorbing, practicing, and writing about what it means to be apprenticed to the Master. For me the term “apprentice” is a specific reference to the Apprentice Series, three books by James Bryan Smith about The Good and Beautiful God, The Good and Beautiful Life, and The Good and Beautiful Community. From those books I have gleaned several statements that have become my creed:
I am one in whom Christ dwells and delights.
I live in the unshakable kingdom of God. No matter what happens to me I am safe. I live under Kingdom Economics. God will provide for and protect me and mine. Therefore I am free to seek his kingdom and invest the resources he gives in his endeavors. If we all share, we all have enough.
The goal of my life is to put on the character of Christ so that people will see Jesus when they interact with me.
Christ-in-me transforms the world.
My personal journey of spiritual formation has been a long and sometimes rocky one. I have been in and out of the organized Church, looking for a body of believers that would acknowledge and preach the radical Jesus I found in the Bible. My formation has been influenced by many people, mostly writers.
I have learned that one of my gifts is to read widely and share with others my own “take” on what I am learning. So in this blog you will find sentences, paragraphs, and thoughts from many others who have helped me in my long and winding spiritual journey.
I am a widow, a mother of two adult sons both of whom are college professors, a grandmother to four girls and one boy, ages 17 – 22. I live in Holland, Michigan, famous for Tulip Time and piles of snow. I love police procedural novels, memoirs and biographies, plants and flowers, deep conversations, and ice cream. In 2014 I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the blood cells which is treatable but incurable. It is now in remission, but I have blood tests every months. Having cancer as a constant companion adds a new dimension to my journey.
Recently, in a post on the Inward Outward blog, Kayla McClurg described my understanding of of being an apprentice of Jesus.
We must dare to grow up, to stand steady before the powers, to pester and provoke them when necessary, to be a wedge under the foundation. Even though our efforts might be as small as the widow’s [Luke 18:1-8], the wall does shift. Justice depends on our being adult enough to act on our small part.
My “small part” is this blog. I invite you to join me in the adventure of living as apprentices to Jesus every day.
Living as Apprentices 
Hi Karen, I hope you will see this message. This is Aleta Daniels, you hopefully remember me as Maggie’s daughter. I have been researching your dad’s story as I realized I did not know anything about him. In fact, I did not even know grandpa Daniels well as he died when I was around 7 years old. I was very moved by some stories I came across about your dad- he certainly seemed like a remarkable man with an unshakeable faith. I am also very moved by your blog- as one who recently returned to the folds of the One who saves us, I am so glad to come across your writings. Although I do not know you well, we are still family and I have appreciated getting to “know” you through your blog!
Aleta, I would love to connect with you outside the blog. I have responded via the email address I found for you. Did you get it?
Hi, I am a retired pastor attending First Reformed church in Lynden WA. A couple of months ago my had a heart attack, she is doing ok with ongoing therapy. A couple of weeks later due to a pain in my shoulder I went to emergency and found out I have prostate cancer metastasis to the bone. Together my wife and I have been living in Psalm 73v26. Thank you for your timely devotion June 7,2018. We will pray for you on your journey of Faith. Catnap@gmail.com , Pastor Curtis Atneosen
Thanks for sharing your journey. I have written a lot on “Who am I When my Body Fails Me – check out that category on my blog. I also have a booklet based on that blog that has been helpful to many people – including the chemo room where I get my injections. I would be happy to send you that. Blessings to you and your wife as you share a new reality together. We live in the unshakable kingdom of God; no matter what happens to us we are safe! Hebrews 12: 29 (MSG)
I live in Traverse City Michigan and would love to connect. I have been directing an ecumenical expression of the Apprentice program here for 4 years. I am a graduate of the RENOVARE Institute, Denver Cohort, the 2nd one offered, which was blessed with Dallas as the teacher as well as James Bryan Smith. Jo
Jo,
I have thought of you often since I retired from Christ Memorial Church a few years ago. I’m thrilled that the inventive model of the Apprentice program is still in full swing. I would love to connect!
Just wanted to thank you for following my new blog. I would have really missed your visits, so glad to have you still on our journey!
As I read your about page, I realize that you and I both live in West Michigan. 🙂 Have a blessed week! 🙂
Thanks for liking my post “Where Thrift Reigns”. I like your blog!