Voices from the Blogosphere
Starting Something You Cannot Finish
Commencements come and commencements go. There will be thousands of graduation ceremonies around the world this season, and each will mark an important turning point in life. We have become so accustomed to these transitions and the need for marking such occasions that many schools now hold something like a commencement for kindergartners ready for first grade. Still, there is something momentous about a formal commencement ceremony in an institution of higher learning. Before us today …
The Power Of The First Move
It was Thursday afternoon and I was on Highway 124 in Dacula, Georgia. It was raining off and on, not heavy, but just enough to make things slippery. I was second in line in the right lane of a four lane road. It was a large and busy intersection. A guy had a pick-up load of about fifty to sixty 20 ft. pieces of lumber from Home Depot. The tailgate was down and the wood wasn't …
Vision From Start To Finish
How did James Cameron direct a movie as incredible as Titanic or Avatar? How is Alicia Keys able to write world-class music in an era when few elite performers pen their own lyrics? How does Pixar keep churning out animated blockbusters? The answers all involve vision. The best leaders are able to see a vision and then activate it by stepping forward. In addition, they're willing to sacrifice to see the vision come to fruition. Finally, …
Making Happy Christians Mad
As I was reading the Bible this morning, I stumbled upon this verse: "I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don't just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved," (1 Corinthians 10:33, NLT)Fascinating perspective isn't it? Typically, we don't operate like that. We put personal conviction or preferences ahead of what may be best for others. Think about it... * …
No Disciples, No Mission
Having been believers and ministers for over 25 years now has given Debs and I an appreciation for just how hard it is to be an authentic follower of our Lord and Savior. To be an authentically radical disciple requires a relentless evaluation of life's priorities and concerns-together with an ongoing, rigorous, critique of our culture-to ensure we are not adopting values that subvert the very life and message we are called to live out.For true …
The Spiritual Test
We can all remember our school days when we were faced with exams. We spent all day in school-and still we panicked when it came to test time.Why? Perhaps it's because our time in the classroom was only one part of the learning process. The other part was time at home engaging with the material through homework, worksheets, and flashcards-all designed to prepare us for exams and to make sure we had a grasp of the …
And He Wins The Battle
An important observance in the life of the church will go virtually unnoticed this upcoming Saturday, eclipsed by Halloween, which has now become the second highest-grossing holiday of the year for retailers. (How sad is that? But that is a message for another day...)I am talking about Reformation Day, which is also on October 31. On this day in 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the door of the castle at Wittenburg (pronounced "Vittenburg"), …
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
CHANGE IS HAPPENING. ACTUALLY THREE WEEKS FROM TODAY IS THE DUE DATE FOR my first son. Because I was a good student in the childbirth class, I know that he could come any day. My cell phone is always on, ready to receive the call. Our bags are packed. His name is picked. The room is ready. We are embracing this wonderful change about to happen in our lives. Normally an avid reader of books on …
Provision: How Precious Did That Grace Appear
I don't think it's a coincidence that God created rain in such a fashion that it mimics the human tear.Have you ever had that moment when there's nothing left inside of you, not even a tear to shed, and at the same moment you see a drop of rain cascade down the window of your house or across the windshield of your car as you drive and you feel somehow divinely touched? This year, I've spent …
Commanders, Kings and Celebrities
Stop and reflect for a minute. Think about the way you lead people. What's your style? This past year, I have purposefully observed thousands of leaders do their thing, as I travel the road and speak in schools, companies and other organizations. I've drawn several conclusions-and some have proven to be helpful, fresh insights for me. Let me toss one of them to you here:Your motivation for leading, will determine your... * Duration - If your …
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