In your backpack Pete Scazzero writes thoughtful posts regarding the interior life. See his post “Removing the Clutter.” Scazzero asks this important question, “What are you carrying in your “leadership backpack” that needs to be removed so you can listen for God in your interior world?” Self-differentiation Also, don’t miss this post by Scazzero “Am… Continue reading Monday Start: Resources for the Week
Category: Emotional Maturity
Is Real Life Happening Yet?
For years, I waited. My perception of my life was all about circumstances. I saw myself as not being in the ideal circumstances but assured myself that one day things would be different. As I saw it, the present was always lacking in some way. However, things would really be good when, one day, life… Continue reading Is Real Life Happening Yet?
Can I Trust This Person?
Good question! This is a question that many of us ask regularly. Not long ago, a friend expressed his appreciation for our relationship. He spoke of how often he had confided in me through the years. I came away from that conversation not only appreciating our friendship more but with greater resolve to always be… Continue reading Can I Trust This Person?
When You Realize You are Out of Control
One night I was driving home from my job at UPS. It was about midnight and was raining. I was in college and was driving my father’s car, which I rarely drove. As I recall, my car was in the shop being repaired. I was on Stemmons Expressway (I-35) and going much too fast considering… Continue reading When You Realize You are Out of Control
Mark of Dysfunction: Keep this Deadly Secret
One mark of a dysfunctional marriage, family, or church is that others within the system are not supposed reveal the secret. What is the secret? You are not to tell anyone about the way things really are in this marriage, this family, or this church. After all, what would people think? Of course, I do… Continue reading Mark of Dysfunction: Keep this Deadly Secret
Why Are You So Angry?
Have you noticed? Some people are very, very angry. The angry driver who is furious because another driver dared to pass him on the Interstate. The grandfather in his 60s who pounds the check-in desk with his hand, demanding that the clerk yield to his demands. The young man and woman who stand beside their… Continue reading Why Are You So Angry?
Lifelong Learners Grow Emotionally and Relationally
They may be pleasant and intelligent people. Very often, they are Christian people. There are some people who have developed their thinking processes quite well. There are some who have the capacity to grasp intellectual complexities and make sense of them. Yet, some of these same people never seem to grow up emotionally. Yet,… Continue reading Lifelong Learners Grow Emotionally and Relationally
5 Marks of Mature Behavior
Emotionally immature people can do great damage to others. This is compounded when these same people perceive themselves to be spiritually mature. I’ve seen this far too often. A few examples: 1. Years ago, a “spiritually mature” person explained to me over lunch why he didn’t have to forgive a family member for the way… Continue reading 5 Marks of Mature Behavior
Ministry Inside.88
Each Thursday, I write a post that is designed with church leaders in mind. Many of these Thursday posts, however, are applicable to those who are not church leaders. Church leaders and lay people both may find today’s post useful. During July, I sat in a restaurant with a wonderful man in his 80s. He is a… Continue reading Ministry Inside.88
How to Pay More Attention to Character than Image
The Penn State scandal has underscored a fundamental issue that is present in far too many of us: Some of us are more concerned about the image we project than the kind of person we really are. I once heard the story of a couple that purchased a house in an exclusive neighborhood north of… Continue reading How to Pay More Attention to Character than Image