While I was in Peru, I received several messages from Guatemala concerning the progress of the gospel in the beginning of a new congregation. Because the news is so encouraging and provides continuing evidence of the power of the “Good News,” I share a little of the story today. Late in 2012, two families who …
Monthly Archives: May 2013
God at the Center
It is no easy matter to maintain focus in life. Life happens; busyness is normal. Life fills with the urgent and the trivial. Life pushes priorities to the periphery. To what end? To what purpose? God wishes our lives to reflect his presence and possibilities. In the midst of life’s seemingly meaningless activity, God gives …
A Busy Week–Looking Backward, Looking Forward
Despite the fact that many calendars printed for use in the workplace now begin the week on Monday, and that in the minds of most people the weekend is Saturday and Sunday, Sunday is the beginning of a new week–the first day of the week, the Lord’s Day. The opportunity to worship God without fear …
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Leadership Reflections
Leadership is difficult to define, easy to identify when seen. Leaders lead by example, thus leadership occurs in a specific moment, a specific circumstance. When moment after moment, in those moments when life is uncertain and leadership is needed, a person seizes the moment and fills it with goodness and strength, leadership happens. Leaders realize …
It’s Sunday Again: Calling
He was an excellent student. He had grown up in a Christian home. He wanted to become a preacher, but….he had doubts. “What if I can’t make it as a preacher?” He sat in my office during the scheduled advisor-advisee conference. He shared some of his story. He had watched a parade of preachers who …
It’s Sunday Again: Mother’s Day
My 20th Mother’s Day since my mother’s death. Twenty years of gratitude and remembering. The sense of loss still exists–but it is less acute. Now my wife Jan is the significant mother in my life. She is the mother of our three sons. She is Nana to our grandchilldren. I do not get to be …
An Interesting New Book I’ll Be Reviewing–An Amazon Bestseller
Shortly, I will be receiving a review copy of “God’s Favorite Place on Earth” by Frank Viola. The book released May 1st and stayed in the top # 50 on Amazon.com for 8 straight days. There’s a lot of buzz about this book on the web, and I’ll be writing a review after I read …
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Leaders and Managers: Maxwell
“Managers like everything to stay the same. Leaders like everything to change.” –John Maxwell
Leadership and Management: Godin
What is the difference between management and leadership? The difference has been described in many ways. Over the next few days, I will share some of the contrasts I have collected in my files. Today I share a quote from Seth Godin. “Managers work to get their employees to do what they did yesterday, but …
Thinking about Leadership….
A quote from Peter Drucker says, “Rank does not confer privilege or give power. It imposes responsibility.” What makes one a leader? Leadership is either personal or positional. The influence one person exerts on another comes either from personal characteristics or positional control. Effective leaders, even those who have authority or rank, lead from personal …