Do you use leisure well? I ran across this phrase in the book Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders. It’s an intriguing concept – to do well with our leisure time. I think the push for Sabbath, both in scripture and from respected leaders in ministry, is a form of putting emphasis on leisure time. … Read more
Which comes first, the intentional living or the busy schedule that requires it? I have learned that when I am really busy with too much to do, I intentionally map out the schedule and get more done. It’s always amazing. The first and one of the biggest times I experienced this was during one semester … Read more
Follow-up is one of the best-kept secrets of ministry. Too often, we talk and talk about something to publicize it, then once it’s over, it’s over. Ministry leaders need to take the days and weeks following a ministry event to help solidify the work that’s been done. It’s part of the nurturing process and it’s … Read more
It’s tough to swallow, but about 80% of all you do can be done just as effectively by almost anyone else, according to Wayne Cordeiro, author of The Divine Mentor: Growing Your Faith as You Sit at the Feet of the Savior . Another 15% can be done by someone with a little training. No one … Read more
Gratitude has been linked, over and over, with a healthy life and a positive outlook. There is, however, a big difference between being grateful and expressing it. If you appreciate something but never let it be known, one could argue you don’t really appreciate it fully. One great way to reap the benefit of living … Read more
Avoid saying “can’t” in life. The word “can’t” indicates a mental constraint. Once we begin to notice it, the “can’t” mentality is everywhere. People who constantly have “can’t” in their vocabularies are boxed in, fearful, and uncertain. They have fixed mindsets instead of growth mindsets, according to psychologist Carol Dweck. Here are five ways to … Read more
I remember one of the first times I heard someone use the phrase, “I’m living the dream.” I was at the Qik-n-EZ Gas Station at Exit 90 in Springfield, Illinois around midnight, returning from a Harvest Conference. As I looked around waiting for the team, I bumped into a young kid buying drinks. I greeted … Read more
Timothy, to whom two New Testament letters were directed, was born around the year AD 17 and died about AD 97 when he was about 80 years old. Though he never physically met Jesus, their timelines overlapped. Jesus was born around 4 BC, started preaching around AD 27, and died around AD 30. Timothy was a … Read more
Our neighbors gave us a pumpkin pie as a holiday gift. As lovely as the gesture was, it was clear from the first bite that the pie tasted bad. It was so inedible that we had to throw it away. Ever gracious and tactful, my wife sent the neighbors a note. It read: “Thank you … Read more
A little boy’s birthday gift from Grandma was a water pistol. Mom said to Grandma, “I’m surprised at you. Don’t you remember how we used to drive you crazy with water guns?” Grandma grinned. “Oh, yes, I certainly do.”