Books on leadership are legion. The value of a strong leader in an organization, church or family are so incalculable, we are naturally interested in what makes such leadership possible. When considering the most central traits of leaders, we typically talk about vision, determination, communication, charisma. I cannot recall a book that mentioned the importance […]
Last week I was reading, re-reading and meditating on Psalm 112. God is still applying it in my life. In fact the wedding ceremony I performed on Saturday had as one of their Scripture readings Psalm 112. Of all the weddings I’ve done no one has used that Scripture. Initially I concentrated on the first […]
My early experience of ‘accountability groups’ was often discouraging. You have a regular set of people who you meet with regularly to discuss areas in which you hope to develop. But growth is difficult and slow, so weekly meetings to review areas of growth potential often felt like a review of personal failures. It is […]
“With God are wisdom and might; He has counsel and understanding.” Job 12:13 Dear friends, Just recently I heard the statement that in our culture followers of Christ are not viewed as intelligent people. Many suggest that believers are not rational and thinking individuals. Doug Webster in his book the Discipline of Surrender says this, […]
Mentoring has been a popular topic in culture and business the past few years. With career trajectories and pathways ever changing, it is clear to many that they need help as they navigate our culture and the marketplace. Despite the awareness that something is needed, many do not know exactly what they are looking for. […]
Dear Friends, Then those who fear the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed His name. Malachi 3:16 The prophet Malachi rebukes the priests and the people for offering blemished animals, not speaking […]
Does it not seem our culture has recently shown a more rapid breakdown of civility? Bad manners, rudeness and harsh talk abound with little remorse. It seems like almost everything is politicized and calculated for effect. In a recent survey, over 50% of Facebook users admitted to having ‘unfriended’ someone because of comments posted […]
Dear friends, You call XYZ Company. The person comes on the line and says, “Would you please hold for a moment?” You place a call about a problem with a service to which you subscribe. You get the recording, “All our agents are busy at this time. We will connect you to the next available […]
Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying, “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple […]
Dear friends, Cancer. Alzheimer’s. Suicide. Broken relationships. Broken marriages. Churches in conflict. Birth defects. Stillborn babies. Special needs children. All of these are hardships that carry with them gut-wrenching emotions. I have heard all of these challenges in this last week in different conversations. Our hearts cry out to know there is meaning and purpose […]
Dear Friends Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. I Corinthians 15:58 This is one of my favorite verses. It helps me keep a long-term perspective. If you’re in the ministry or dealing with people you […]
Reflection on the Importance of Daily Bible Reading in 2017 The Greek Mathematician and Philosopher Archimedes once said, ‘Give me a lever and a place to stand, and I will move the world.’ Certainly, that is a comment on the value of levers – but also on the importance of a firm place to stand. […]