The following are ten “street smarts” that may be very valuable to you. They cost you nothing but have great value. Consider what you might add to this list. Start. John Acuff was right in his book, Start. Sometimes you just need to begin. Start doing what you have put off. Start doing what you know… Continue reading Ten Street Smarts for Men and Women
Category: Emotional Maturity
Will You Make the First Move?
We had been seated in an outdoor area. The restaurant was very busy. We were waiting on our pizza. The people at the next table were inches away. They spoke no English (apparently). We certainly spoke no Italian (their language). Yet, it did not take an understanding of their language to know that they were… Continue reading Will You Make the First Move?
Don’t Stop Living Before You Die!
I knew a man who was alive and vibrant in his church in his 30s. He seemed to grow and connect with others in a meaningful way. However, something happened in his 40s. He found his recliner. That became his location for much of his life. Sitting and mindlessly watching hour after hour of television.… Continue reading Don’t Stop Living Before You Die!
The Charmer, the Bully, and the Church
Some secrets need to be exposed. One of those secrets exists in families where the husband/father is a narcissistic man. During thirty six years of congregational ministry, I noticed that occasionally a certain kind of man would emerge who could be quite a problem for others. This person had a view of himself that was… Continue reading The Charmer, the Bully, and the Church
The Bully
Bullies seem to be everywhere. Some are married. Some are single. They come in all ages and from various economic and ethnic groups. You may work with a bully. You may have one in your family. Even assembling with your church may not be an escape from a bully. A bully can even be a church… Continue reading The Bully
Marriage and Ministry
Do you know people who have a reputation for choosing poorly? A woman chooses a spouse. Her friends are shocked at her choice. She always said that she would marry someone godly and mature. Now she has begun to rationalize. She is convinced that “he has a good heart” and the potential to change. Besides… Continue reading Marriage and Ministry
How to Damage a Perfectly Good Relationship
Have you ever known someone who unnecessarily damaged what was otherwise a good relationship? Far too often men and women will unleash their anger on the people closest to them. Perhaps it is someone in the family, a friend, or someone at church. What transpires is often hurtful, damaging, and sinful. Examples: The young couple… Continue reading How to Damage a Perfectly Good Relationship
When Ministers Lose Their Focus
Most ministers who I know are good people. In fact, some of the best people I know serve as ministers in churches. Many preach and some serve in other roles. Ministers have the opportunity to influence other ministers as well as the elders of the congregation by what they model in their professional life as… Continue reading When Ministers Lose Their Focus
Five Qualities of People You Can Trust
Several years ago, Charlotte and I were at dinner with several friends. I realized at the end of our evening together that I had felt very relaxed throughout this dinner. We talked, laughed, and told stories. There was a certain ease about the evening. It dawned on me later how special the evening really was.… Continue reading Five Qualities of People You Can Trust
When You are Afraid
“Were you afraid?” she asked. Of course I was. We were moving across the country after living in Waco for twenty years. We were leaving the known and entering the unknown. Yes, I know fear. Typically I become afraid of what could happen. After all, “What if?” Meanwhile, early this morning I sat at a… Continue reading When You are Afraid