Archive for 2013
The other day I took a look at the details of my job description and was intimidated. I started to wonder if I could actually ever accomplish all the conditions set out for me—then I began to think about the other 13 District Supervisors who are called to the same […]
Read More...Not too long ago I had a friend visiting me in my city, Los Angeles. As I excitedly drove him down the freeways and through the streets, pointing out all the things I loved, he mentioned that some of it reminded him of traveling in underdeveloped countries. The statement threw […]
Read More...Perhaps you’ve heard, or even used, the maxim that a large ship takes a long time to turn around but a small boat can be turned on a dime. Often this is used concerning organizations: The thinking is that small operations can withstand quick change and large ones need lots […]
Read More...“Are we there yet?” Every parent knows these four dreaded words all too well. This summer as my family drove 3,000 miles up and down the west coast, Deborah and I often heard some version of this refrain. So we decided to have a little fun with the kids: We […]
Read More...“Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as He was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon” (John 4:6) The other day I was feeling particularly tired—actually a little worn out; the incredible journey that the Lord has had me on over the last season […]
Read More...King Josiah had a major mess on his hands. He had inherited leadership over a nation that was in spiritual shambles, had no clear vision, and was distracted by all kinds of things that took the place of God. A major shift needed to happen (2 Kings 22-23). Twenty-six year […]
Read More...While on vacation in Portland, Oregon a few weeks ago, a friend and I spent a Sunday visiting ten churches. I realize how potentially dysfunctional it is for me to do that on vacation, since visiting churches is part of my job—but the fact is, I passionately love the local church, […]
Read More...One of my favorite business writers and thinkers is Jim Collins who is responsible for books such as: Built to Last, Good to Great, Good to Great in the Social Sector, How the Mighty Fall, and Great by Choice. A few months ago I had an opportunity to sit with a […]
Read More...Here is some sage advice I received this morning from a pastoral mentor in the faith: “Remind the churches you oversee to to obedient and subject to the rulers and authorities, and to be prepared to do whatever is good, to slander nobody (even—especially—those they disagree with), to be peaceable, […]
Read More...Today the United States witnessed a significant shift in public policy regarding traditional marriage. Some theologically conservative Christians might see this as a tough time for our nation, for morality, and for the church. I see potential. In fact, as I heard the news this morning I realized this season […]
Read More...I’m watching the tornado coverage from Oklahoma tonight, and I’m angry! Yes, I’ve searched my feelings and realized that the emotion that best describes me right now, a handful of hours into this crisis, is anger. A few short months ago, a man carried a gun into an elementary school […]
Read More...I’ve taken very comprehensive notes while sitting through countless-hundreds of classes, and seminars, and speeches. Most of those notes? I’ve never looked at them again. I have a feeling I’m not the only one. When I was in 9th grade, a social studies teacher told my class how to take […]
Read More...The following link will take you to a free download of Pastor John Fehlen’s ebook about raising boys. It’s a short, but very impacting read. If you are raising boys, or know anyone who is, I challenge you to take a couple of hours to digest this valuable work. John, who […]
Read More...In a couple of days—on “Palm Sunday”— many of our churches will celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John tell the story. And all of them but John include the following incident: As (Jesus) approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two […]
Read More...The Storm… That’s the ominous title given in my Bible to Acts 27:13-26. The Shipwreck… That’s what they called verse 27-44, which is even more foreboding, isn’t it? The question isn’t whether we will encounter storms or shipwrecks that impact our ministries, but what we will do when it happens? I’m […]
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