For Those of Us Who Do Too Much

For Those of Us Who Do Too Much

Frankly, I didn’t know which way was up. After an intense season of details and deadlines, my soul was fried. I suppose that’s why these words didn’t make sense. Be. Be still. Be with. Be in. They composed the counsel my spiritual director gave at...
Why You Feel So Tired

Why You Feel So Tired

“They’re just tired.” I kept hearing this off-handed comment from pastors and leaders with little explanation. When it showed up in three coaching conversations in four days, I realized something deeper was going on.   “Could you tell me more about that?” I...
Monday Manna – What We Do Best

Monday Manna – What We Do Best

It was just another Sunday. Ten-year-old Valeria and her family attended church as usual, but then the unexpected happened. A Bible verse sparked something in Valeria and wouldn’t let her go. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which...
After Uvalde

After Uvalde

Uvalde, a town mostly unknown until last week, is now seared into our collective consciousness. It’s branded there by an inhuman horror that has occurred – again. How does this happen in America? At Robb Elementary School, kids had dressed up for “Footloose and...
Who Have You Been With Lately?

Who Have You Been With Lately?

Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. -Jesus, John 15:4 (NRSV) Abiding. It sounds like a good thing, Certainly, Jesus thought it was important, but is it even...
When You Feel Like Quitting

When You Feel Like Quitting

It came out of left court. Jay Wright, men’s basketball coach at Villanova, recently stunned the sports world by abruptly announcing his retirement. A college basketball Hall of Famer, Wright’s 21 years at Villanova have created a perennial powerhouse, winning the...
Which Way, God?

Which Way, God?

One-by-one, they just randomly stopped by. In each case, friendly banter soon gave way to the real reason for the convo – a big decision weighed on their hearts. After laying out the options, each conversation came to a standstill. They all asked, “Which way should I...
Good Enough

Good Enough

Over the past 40 days, a piece of Scripture set up camp in the back of my head. It would waltz into my morning devotions and say “hi” but wasn’t satisfied with such an obvious setting. Instead, it would show up at night, during a meeting at work, or in a conversation...
Multiple-Choice Tests, Phil Michelson & Thinking Again

Multiple-Choice Tests, Phil Michelson & Thinking Again

Imagine that you have just finished taking a multiple-choice test. You still have a little time and wonder if a couple of your responses are right. Should you second-guess your first answers or let them stand? Test-prep companies like Kaplan say it’s best not to...

5 Ways to Save Civility

We may be in the most divisive and contentious season of American life since the ‘60’s…the 1860’s. Everywhere we turn, thoughtful, civil conversation has been tossed out the window. Of course, it’s nothing new to have social conflict during an election year, but our...