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?
Category: Spiritual Formation
3 Questions that Can Change Your Life – Really
Are you grappling with important questions? Some people are preoccupied with their image. (How do I look?) Some are preoccupied with their success. (How can I win?) Others, however, have discovered that one’s life can really change for the good when you deal with some very important questions. The question of character. What is the… Continue reading 3 Questions that Can Change Your Life – Really
My Secrets May Hurt More People Than Me
The person with secrets often feels like she has gotten away with something. That person may know that she has given in to a temptation and now remains undetected. When no one seems to know, you are basically carrying a secret. “As long as no one knows, no one gets hurt.” At least this is… Continue reading My Secrets May Hurt More People Than Me
My Most Important Hour
Of all the hours in the day, the hour after I get up in the morning is probably the most important. For many years, I have practiced an early morning discipline of preparing for my day. This takes place before anyone else in my family awakens. I am convinced that this hour helped me to… Continue reading My Most Important Hour
Soul Starvation
When Christian leaders are not regularly nourished, burnout can be the result. Ministry can become something that one gets done by sheer willpower. There is no longer any sense that one is drinking from strong and deep spiritual wells. This can become deadly. The demands of life and ministry become intoxicating. Our lives are fueled… Continue reading Soul Starvation
Do This and Your Problems Only Get Bigger
In the minds of some people, there is a fast way to make your problems go away. Lie. Didn’t do your homework? Tell the teacher you weren’t feeling well. Stopped for speeding? Tell the officer you were trying to get to the hospital quickly because your mother is very sick. Trying to sell your home? Tell… Continue reading Do This and Your Problems Only Get Bigger
Do This and Your Problems Only Get Bigger
In the minds of some people, there is a fast way to make your problems go away. Lie. Didn’t do your homework? Tell the teacher you weren’t feeling well. Stopped for speeding? Tell the officer you were trying to get to the hospital quickly because your mother is very sick. Trying to sell your home? Tell… Continue reading Do This and Your Problems Only Get Bigger
Did Becoming Older Bring Me Closer to Jesus?
Did becoming older bring me closer to Jesus? Henri Nouwen in his book In the Name of Jesus, reflects upon a time when he asked himself this question. The book is not new.Perhaps you read the book some years ago. I did — and now have read the book five or six times. That question… Continue reading Did Becoming Older Bring Me Closer to Jesus?
Today, Wake Up to More
What do you expect when you wake up each day? For some people, waking up to another day is no big deal. Same paralyzing problems. Same bad habits. Same negative attitude. Same procrastination. What if you woke up to more? What if you believed that the living God was active and moving right in the… Continue reading Today, Wake Up to More
How to Pay More Attention to Character than Image
The Penn State scandal has underscored a fundamental issue that is present in far too many of us: Some of us are more concerned about the image we project than the kind of person we really are. I once heard the story of a couple that purchased a house in an exclusive neighborhood north of… Continue reading How to Pay More Attention to Character than Image