January 2026 – Jerry Lout ⚬ Writer ⚬ Speaker ⚬ Mobilizer

January 29, 2026January 28, 2026

Fuel For The Road

The self-confessed Bible History and Language Nerd Tim Mackie sees Jesus of Nazareth as “utterly amazing and worth following with everything that you have.”* Mackie is one of millions of believers who have found Jesus to be the “supreme treasure”, the “priceless pearl” referenced in Christ’s own parables. For such disciples, there is nothing that brings more satisfaction and joy than living out their Christ-centric lives in the power of grace.

Grace-fueled.

It is said that grace is God acting in our life, to do what we cannot do on our own. Consider a mighty rocket, launching astronauts up and away from planet earth – out and beyond her powerful pull of gravity. Now think of the amount of rocket fuel needed to bring about such a feat.

Christians are persons who depend upon the “fuel” of grace – not just to gain forgiveness of their wrongs – which is amazing. The disciple of Jesus routinely “burns” more grace than a lunar-bound rocket burns fuel at lift-off.

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age”**

Still, while grace is essential in walking out the Christian faith, the believer’s participation is vital.

Learning to ride a horse well (in that confident, pleasurable style witnessed in a good Western movie) calls for observing and engaging some practical things. The result then (resting easily in the saddle, rolling with the horses cadence when she’s walking, trotting, galloping, or turning) comes easily. Surprisingly so. All that is typically needed is (a) desire to master the art of horseback riding, (b) paying attention to detail and (b) engaging in repeated practice.

Two of my granddaughters grew up overseas. In a matter of weeks after Claire and Grace started showing up at South Africa’s Ladybrand Village for riding lessons, they had taken on the look of seasoned cowgirls. How? They aspired. They paid attention. They trained.

A growing number of Christ-followers, regardless their “place” in the journey, have sensed a stir. A robust appetite after him has taken hold, and they are pivoting toward the preferred way, the more satisfying way. Some of these precious souls are (for the present) occupying spaces outside formalized church structures. Whatever the case, increasing numbers of hungry believers are shifting toward a vibrant with-God life of flourishing in Christ. In some cases, whole communities of the faithful have chosen to re-center afresh upon God. Moved, empowered by his extravagant grace.

January 22, 2026January 21, 2026

A Growing Proposition

Since partnering with God through the Holy Spirit is the only way for growth to happen in our walk, we depend upon his aid. His presence is vital at every step. Even as we engage in the spiritual practices day by day and hour by hour. If we only practice and do not partner, we flounder. Like a sailboat with a rudder but no sail.

As God walks with us in the broader community of fellow-travelers, he – like a mountain guide – leads the way. We enter into the study, noting the ways of the one whom we most wish to emulate. Our enrollment is into the school of practicing his presence. And, as with all purposeful apprentices, we stick close with our trainer.

In this instance we are immeasurably blessed that our trainer is far more than classroom lecturer. We do attest, without reserve, that Jesus’ wisdom and his instructional content remain unmatched. Yet, he – by his presence in the person of the Spirit – walks alongside us, leads the way ahead of us, and companions us as Friend.

A Voice among Many

The earlier-mentioned mentor and friend to many, Dallas Willard is one voice among a centuries-long train of scholarly pilgrims steeped in God’s reality. Willard understood well the term personal transformation. He was a marathoner. Leaning in, day by day into an ever-unfolding, transformative and fruit-bearing life.

Dallas had chosen the path he referenced as the “with-God” life. He, along with fellow pilgrims had embraced the word disciple at its face value. Just as Jesus intended. The title of Willard’s biography*, compiled and published after his 2013 passing, strikes to the heart of the marathon nature of holy change.

All sincere apprentices – young or old, refined or uncultured, Asia or Global South – are persons who have been caught up into the life of God. Christlikeness is the call, a vocation worth aspiring to and of pursuing one’s whole journey long. Disciples are people ruined for anything less. Their eyes are set on a person, not a philosophy, a religion or good vibes.

Their goal is a worthy one, and it is certain. They are a people becoming.

January 15, 2026January 21, 2026

To The Full

In a pilgrimage that is shared among people who are marked by a growing love for one another, words like boredom and drudgery fall by the wayside. And, introduced now in their place, are terms like invigorating and adventurous.

Receiving heaven’s grace that transports a Christ-follower more fully into “life in the kingdom”, means that partnering practices are called for. These are not burdensome. But they are necessary.

“Whither Thou Goest” is a lyric my brother sang at my wedding. The years that followed saw my bride trekking with me from her Montana home to Texas, to New York, to Africa and many places beyond. Our wedding vows held concrete meaning for Ann and me. New (and renewed) union in Christ will bear similar features. Unrelenting love marked by a choice. To orient one’s life to walking in step with the beloved.

Growth in grace (God acting in our life) “is something we must plan for by regular engagement in activities that enable us to receive God’s grace in all areas (of our lives)”. Professor Willard’s statement brings clarity to what is actually called for in the life of a Christian convert. For the remainder of life.

In truth, a lifelong journey of deepening companionship with Jesus is the thing a disciple longs for. It is what they are made for. Nothing less will usher a person along a path of flourishing in the faith pilgrimage.

Much different from the case of a dreamy-eyed bride taking her place alongside her flawed and maverick-minded groom. The disciple’s union is a forever-journey of unfolding goodness in the companioning company of the all-wise Christ Jesus (bridegroom of heaven).

The Jesus-follower carries an increasing conviction that nothing must be allowed to compete with their single-hearted aim. Of journeying in the close company of Christ himself, up and into, all of eternity.

“Our intention as apprentices of Jesus”, Willard states, “is to become the kind of person who lives in the character and power of Christ. We must, then, do those things that will enable us to become that kind of person from the inside out—through appropriate actions and practices. Such actions and practices are ‘disciplines for the spiritual life.’”

Could it be, that coming into God’s salvation means something far more (far richer) than simply getting one’s sins forgiven in order to escape the bad place and get into the good place?

While the good news (gospel) most certainly includes securing forgiveness of sins (how wonderful), the Gospel which Jesus himself repeatedly preached is not merely defined by the word “forgiveness”.

Christ came bringing a new kind of life, a radically transformative kind of life into all aspects of the believers being. What could be clearer about the message Jesus conveyed, through both his life modeled before others, and by his spoken words?

“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”*

January 8, 2026

Best Ever

With the sure knowledge that the loving Trinitarian Presence is alongside us, we discover that partnering with God himself is life-giving. And indispensable, in the day-by-day process of spiritual transformation.

Scripture (as usual) helps us reset our internal compass – the Spirit aiding us with course-corrections at every needed juncture. “And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image”*

Now comes the other non-negotiable amidst our yearnings to see his ongoing favor bringing growth to our lives. We ask afresh, what again is the goal?

As members of the ragtag company of individuals that Jesus calls his disciples, we are not left to flounder. No one needs to feel they are “adrift at sea”. A disciple (apprentice to Christ) is anyone earnestly pursuing life with God in the ever-unfolding enterprise of growing to resemble Jesus more and more.

That essential (non-negotiable) element that is linked to our partnering with God is our engagement in practicing, or training.

If you are anything like me, a lot of yardage stretches out ahead between me and the finish line. On some days the goal post (representing a consistent resemblance to Christ) appears like a faint mirage far downfield. Welcome to the apprenticing life!

A wonderful and gratifying discovery in any persons’ forward movement – regardless of the amount of yardage gained – in Christian apprenticeship is this. We travel in the company of other pilgrims, guided along by the best-ever mentor.

Our Lord is patient and encouraging beyond words, our brilliant and gracious guide. He, Jesus, shows himself to be the best friend and companion one could hope for on any pilgrimage. Ever.

January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

MILESTONE Thresholds

While the 52nd week of another season fades in the rear-view mirror of our marathon lives, my own week features an added, and quite special, milestone. .

Having penned this posting two days ahead of today’s launch into 2026, I (on Dec 30^th) reflect on my amazing fifty eight years marriage to Alice Ann Lout. My Montana bride.

Memories of that late-December (and quite chilly) evening of 1967 rally the proverbial line, “seems like only yesterday!”

My future father-in-law administered the vows – his no-nonsense declaration of a few days past still fresh in my ears, “Once I tie the knot it’s tied!.

A biting north wind had swept into Okmulgee, OK, along North Oklahoma Street, where the modest church structure served as venue for our matrimonial union. The wintry blast brought with it intermittent sheets of icy rain . Brrr.

The parsonage – home of the host pastor – lay beyond the church parking lot. And, the wedding photographer, a resourceful and energetic personality, ventured a suggestion, “How about we get a shot of the groom carrying his bride across the threshold?!”

That image – me in my spiffy J.C. Penny suit, bearing my breathtaking Beauty toward an open door and through the entryway – ranks (in my judgment) among the great photography masterpieces of all time (Move over, National Geographic). Cries of, “Don’t drop her!”, sounded through the laughing voices of mischievous friends, echo till this day.

THRESHOLDS – Yes, indeed, they are a thing. . .

Happy Anniversary, darlin’! Happy New Year and Godspeed, everyone!