God Can Bless Anything (But Nothing)
When Melissa and I were married in 1983, we decided to tithe despite the fact we collectively made $60 a week. When I say tithe, I mean the old fashioned, ten percent off the top, tithe. Every week we wrote an extremely sacrificial check and put it in the offering plate, not just out ofContinue reading “God Can Bless Anything (But Nothing)”
Controlling What We Can
We have no say in how we are treated by others. We can not control what they say about us; whether what they say is true, whether we get a fair shake or whether we are denied the benefit of the doubt. What we CAN control are our attitudes, actions and reactions. We can choseContinue reading “Controlling What We Can”
Musings on MLK Weekend 2021
When my daughter Lydia was in high school we didn’t really talk much. We spent time together but we didn’t really talk. In fact, I used to joke that the words she most often spoke to me during her teen-age years were, “Dad, is mom there?” and that was over the telephone. When we didContinue reading “Musings on MLK Weekend 2021”
Need a Fresh Start in 2021?
I recently heard someone say they were “hoping” for a better year in 2021. It didn’t sit right with me. To quote my Financial Coach Mark Brooks, “Hope isn’t a strategy.” I suggest we “choose” a better year in 2021. Here are ten choices you can make right now! 1. Choose to be happy ThatContinue reading “Need a Fresh Start in 2021?”
Bring it On 2021! (I am not scared of you!)
BRING IT ON 2021! I am now fifty-eight. I am pretty sure that I am now older than my dad. I should have seen it coming. I didn’t, but I should have. About a decade back, I noticed the hair around my temples was turning bright white and the upper-back-part of my head was goingContinue reading “Bring it On 2021! (I am not scared of you!)”
Twenty Core Values to Guide You (in tough times)
Here are twenty core values that guide me every single day. Especially in tough times. 1. Remember your call. When things get tough, remember why you chose to do what you do. 2. Keep your primary relationships strong 3. Tend your soul 4. Get better every day 5. Add value to the lives of others.Continue reading “Twenty Core Values to Guide You (in tough times)”
Thinking About Returning to On-Site Church?
If you have not been to on-site services at your church since the pandemic began and are considering returning, here are seven thoughts: 1) Churches are running way less than half what they did per-pandemic; there is more room for distancing than you probably think. 2) Most churches have taken substantial measures to keep peopleContinue reading “Thinking About Returning to On-Site Church?”
SURVIVING IN THE FISH BOWL
Lay people who love God often have romantic ideas about vocational ministry. They think it will be like getting paid to go to an endless church camp. The reality is that vocational ministry IS very much like church camp; WORKING at a church camp! Employees cook meals, wash dishes, mow the lawn, maintain the property,Continue reading “SURVIVING IN THE FISH BOWL”
Four Little Things for 2021 (A Movement of One)
Thinking a bit. I wonder if four little things we all can do in 2021 might help the state of our world: 1) Let’s clean up our language. There is just no need for it. Leave yourself something to say when you get really mad. Bad language disrespects everyone. 2) Let’s tap into manners. PleaseContinue reading “Four Little Things for 2021 (A Movement of One)”
Seven Post-COVID Questions for Churches (that need to be asked right now)
Louisville, Illinois. 1984. I was about half-way through my first year of teaching history at North Clay Jr. High School. I was twenty-two. It was time for parent-teacher conferences and I needed some advice. I had never been on this side of things before. I dropped by the room next door for some counsel fromContinue reading “Seven Post-COVID Questions for Churches (that need to be asked right now)”
What We Want to Hear (A Perspective on Race)
When my daughter Lydia was in high school we didn’t really talk much. We spent time together but we didn’t really talk. In fact, I used to joke that the words she most often spoke to me during her teen-age years were, “Dad, is mom there?” and that was over the telephone. When we didContinue reading “What We Want to Hear (A Perspective on Race)”
Churches: Get Your Defense Off the Field!
COVID is like a bad headache that just won’t go away. Regardless of your opinion on why people have headaches, how to prevent headaches or how to properly treat headaches, one reality remains. We have a collective headache. Right about the time church leadership couldn’t get any harder; it got harder. About half of churchesContinue reading “Churches: Get Your Defense Off the Field!”
When Love Finds its Proper Place (everything else will too)
Paul planted the Corinthian church in March of 50 AD on the middle leg of his Second Missionary Journey. The church was in the right place at the right time. It was also left in the hands of gifted leaders. There was no ceiling on the potential of the Corinthian church! Seven years after leavingContinue reading “When Love Finds its Proper Place (everything else will too)”
Eight Steps to Owning Monday (by noon)
Eight Steps to Owning Monday (by noon) Many people dread Mondays. I don’t. I try to own Mondays and I try to do it by noon. A good Monday is like a birdie on hole number one; it does not guarantee a great round (or week) but it is a fantastic start that can’t beContinue reading “Eight Steps to Owning Monday (by noon)”
Another Look at Psalm 23 (Leadership, Ovis Aries, COVID-19 and the Great Shepherd)
Back in what my grandson the New One called the “back olden times” I often did music for summer church camps. A signature song was called, “I just want to be a sheep.” The song was terrible so everyone loved it. Every now and then, someone sends me a message and reminds me of thoseContinue reading “Another Look at Psalm 23 (Leadership, Ovis Aries, COVID-19 and the Great Shepherd)”
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