How about some “new year values” instead of some “new year plans?” Plans are fine, but over 30 years of ministry and life planning, my takeaway is plans are often overrated.
A Value-Driven New Year
read more
Year: 2018
10 Ways to Win Over Winter Emotions
Ready for winter? If you don’t live in a “wintery place” move along—there’s nothing to see here. For the rest of us—I happily send you these 10 ways to win over winter emotions (plus a bonus!)
My Most Powerful Deliberate Spiritual Practice
Are you ever overwhelmed by circumstances beyond your control? Do you, like me, tend to default to manufacturing your own solutions? When things go badly, my immediate instinct is to solve, avoid, escape, or forge my own solutions to my situation.
To the Pastor Taking (un)Friendly Fire…
What story will be told ten years from today? Early this morning I read a long document from seven years ago journaling the turmoil of God’s disruptive will in my life. At the time, I was recovering from cancer…
Eight Demons Pastors Fight…
To stay in the ministry any length of time, a pastor needs to learn to fight some predictable “demons.” For instance, Monday mornings for pastors and spiritual leaders are unique.
In The Gospel Podcast and Weekend
What Changed at Emmanuel Over Six Years
A pastor-friend recently asked me this question, “What are the most essential changes made at Emmanuel over the last six years?” He urged me to shape my answer into a blog post, which I nervously submit to you at this time.
Reading Diversely and Discerningly
Every Christian leader should read—often, diversely, and discerningly. I live in a region of America where we are often witnessing to atheists, Catholics, denominational Christians, post-moderns, skeptics, secularists, wiccans, sexually confused, and academically accomplished people.
How to Bring a Friend to Jesus this Easter!
I’m Just Struggling!
On average, probably more than twice a week, I hear from another pastor who, in a moment of painful transparency reaches out to me saying, “I’m struggling.” It’s so common, I believe pervasive is a more appropriate word. I hear the same from church family and Christian friends. They reach out because they know I struggle too