A number of years ago, I was in a gathering of about ten Christians from around the country. All of us were being transported to Pepperdine University. In one of the seats near the front was best-selling author Max Lucado. Near Lucado was an Old Testament professor from a seminary in the mid-South. The two… Continue reading Five Suggestions for Gracious Living
Category: Relationships
Four Critical Keys to Being a Parent (or Minister)
There are times when I know that my daughters are reading this blog. There are other times that they probably aren’t. (Do they really want to hear their dad talk more?) Regardless, I have to admit that I often write these words thinking about their reaction. Sometimes having them in mind seems to help me… Continue reading Four Critical Keys to Being a Parent (or Minister)
Moving Beyond Reaction
They are everywhere! People who just react. People who drain the life out of gatherings as they react to others in ways that are immature, curt, and abrupt. Like letting the air out of a balloon, they have a way of deflating most any conversation. Even worse, they are often allowed to deflate the dreams and… Continue reading Moving Beyond Reaction
Question: How Does a Person Come to be a Friend?
Right now I am thinking about "friendship." That word alone can mean so many different things. Some friends are closer than others. Sometimes friendships will vary with intensity and closeness. I have known some people who seem to regularly invest in their relationship with others. I have known others who are almost totally passive… Continue reading Question: How Does a Person Come to be a Friend?
What’s Your Home Like?
Every home has an atmosphere. Now we do understand that about a house. We set the thermostat on the heater/air conditioner. (I can hear our unit at work in the background even as I type these words.) We are conscious of smells, the air we breathe in our home, etc. We notice when the… Continue reading What’s Your Home Like?
Alone?
I’ve got a question. Many, many people feel isolated and alone. Many men in their more honest moments will speak of feeling alone or friendless. Many ministers speak of feeling very alone in their ministries. One often hears the phrase "isolated and alone" when ministers are being very honest. Many people speak of how hard… Continue reading Alone?
Laugh at Yourself
Sunday morning, we recognized all of the babies who were born in 2007, along with their families. (This is an annual event in our church.) As I read the name of each baby, the family came to the front to receive flowers and a copy of our family covenant. It went smoothly for the most part. Well,… Continue reading Laugh at Yourself
An Imbalanced Spirituality
I suspect you have seen this in churches. I suspect you have seen people who speak of God and even love God but remain emotionally immature. These may be people who are abrupt and snap at anyone who happens to cross them. This may be a person who is forever offending people. This may be… Continue reading An Imbalanced Spirituality
“But That’s Just Normal”
Is it? Or, is it just the way we’ve always done it. Perhaps it feels normal because my rut is so deep that I can’t imagine doing life any differently. Shortly after we married, Charlotte and I had some sort of disagreement (read "argument") and my response was to back away, get quiet, and… Continue reading “But That’s Just Normal”
What Message Are We Sending?
This life is often difficult. Maybe that is why I have always identified with the people in the church and community who at times just find life to be tough. I get a little suspicious of people who seem to have everything all figured out. You know these people. Their marriages are just right. Their… Continue reading What Message Are We Sending?