Posts Tagged ‘blog’
25 Great Questions for Leaders
“Leaders who don’t listen will eventually be surrounded by people who have nothing to say.”Andy Stanley One of the greatest skills leaders can cultivate is the art of great question-asking. Jesus was the Master of great questions: “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51). “Who do people say that I am?”…
Read MoreFrom Saul to Paul
“Saul, also known as Paul…” (Acts 13:9) This verse marks the point in which the apostles name change becomes permanent. Formerly, he was ‘Saul.’ But for the rest of his life (and ever since), he would be known as… ‘Paul.’ ‘Saul’ means ‘sought after.’ ‘Paul’ means ‘little.’ The change of name matters. It’s descriptive of…
Read MoreRunning Your Race with Resilience
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and the perfector of our faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2 Now more…
Read More10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Enter the New Year
Every year between Christmas and New Year’s Day, I take a day for prayer and personal reflection. Honestly, it’s become one of my favorite days of the year! The prophet Isaiah wrote, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the…
Read MoreCalming Promises from the Prince of Peace
Bethlehem was all hustle and bustle as people from all over returned to pay their taxes. Street vendors saw the opportunity and likely set up early. Inn managers were a mix of excited and stressed as their rooms filled to capacity. Tax collectors saw dollar signs as people entered the streets of the ancient city…
Read MoreLetting Go of Distractions to Be Attentive to God This Advent
I love everything about Christmas and I’m very sentimental. The other night at dinner, Steve and I were reflecting on all the Christmases past. The years we spent Christmas in Sudan when we were missionaries. The year we paid our youth pastor to dress up as Santa Claus and visit our house. The year the…
Read More3 Practices to Prepare Him Room
When I am having friends or family over for a visit, I get excited and prepare. I think about what I’m going to make for dinner. I imagine how I want the table to look. I make sure the house feels comfortable and clean. In other words, I prepare. The second week of Advent is…
Read MoreCompletely Filled
“We are completely filled with GOD as Christ’s fullness overflows within us.” Colossians 2:10 I am in Christ and Christ is in me. We are tethered together. Bonded. Fused. Inseparably intertwined. I am a novice when it comes to appreciating the magnitude of this truth. This I get: Because I am in Christ and Christ…
Read MoreOvercoming Evil with GOOD
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21 (NIV) Good is all about adding VALUE. Evil is all about de-VALUING. There’s a ton of evil out there. The world is full of people who excel at demeaning, dehumanizing, and destroying. It’s tempting to lower ourselves to that same level. Our…
Read More10 Things to Know about Pastors
Being a pastor is a high calling and an awesome privilege. It’s a tremendous blessing to spend hours studying and preaching the Word. It’s fulfilling to share in life’s most cherished moments with the families and individuals entrusted to our care. It’s rewarding to see broken lives and relationships restored, and it’s fun building teams…
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