Last week, I was in Chicago for a three-day class at Wheaton College with Ruth Haley Barton, author of Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership. The class was great. It was an opportunity not only to listen to Barton but to reflect on my life and relationship with God. There were wonderful times of silence,… Continue reading Strengthening the Soul (1)
Category: Spiritual Formation
Question: What Are The Issues at Work?
I am thinking through some of the issues related to being a Christ-follower at work. What are some of the issues that you have faced as you have tried to follow Christ in the midst of your career? What are some of the issues that your friends have faced? I first began thinking about this… Continue reading Question: What Are The Issues at Work?
What Kind of Future Do You Envision?
The other day I read a story about the relationship between actor Michael Douglas and his father, legendary actor Kirk Douglas. Michael Douglas is 65 and Kirk Douglas is 93. Kirk Douglas has been in 80 movies. Michael Douglas is a star in his own right. When Michael Douglas was 65 years old, he had… Continue reading What Kind of Future Do You Envision?
The Looking
(The following is my second attempt at poetry. Thanks to L.L. Barkat for her encouragement regarding this attempt. See her very good blog here and her new book, God in the Yard, here.) The Looking In the mirror one day, I saw a self. Body. Mind. Emotion. I took a closer look and peered into… Continue reading The Looking
Words to Remember from Mother Teresa
I am reading Henri Nouwen’s book Spiritual Direction. It is very good. I love the following story about an exchange between Nouwen and Mother Teresa. As you read this excerpt from the book, think about the significance of her response to Nouwen after he had the opportunity to share some of his concerns: Once, quite… Continue reading Words to Remember from Mother Teresa
What I Wish I Had Done Differently
1. I wish I had not wasted energy wanting to become important and instead choosing to focus on my significance in Christ. When I first became a minister, I noticed that some ministers seemed to be more important than others. (Yes, I know they are not. I’m just telling you that is the way it… Continue reading What I Wish I Had Done Differently
How To Embarrass Yourself Twice in One Week
I did it two times. Two! It happened last week when I wore a perfectly good pair of pants to work. Comfortable. Casual. Camel color. I had just arrived at my office for the day. I sat down in my chair. I heard a loud tearing sound. I looked down and the outside seam on… Continue reading How To Embarrass Yourself Twice in One Week
Taking a Retreat From Humility?
Some people seem to have taken a retreat from humility. When they are around others they don’t appear humble but they behave as “know-it-all’s.” 1. The man in a small church who had a master’s degree. Most everyone else never went to college. This was a farming community filled with many hard-working people This one… Continue reading Taking a Retreat From Humility?
Interview with Darryl Tippens (Part 4 – Conclusion)
Darryl Tippens is Provost of Pepperdine University and the author of Pilgrim Heart: The Way of Jesus in Everyday Life. In this interview, Darryl has made some very interesting and thought-provoking observations about what it means to follow Jesus in the 21st century. His words have been encouraging. These concluding remarks are a reminder of… Continue reading Interview with Darryl Tippens (Part 4 – Conclusion)
Interview with Darryl Tippens (Part 3)
When I read the words below from Darryl Tippens, I thought, “Wow!” I then slowly read these thoughtful, timely words again. Darryl is the author of Pilgrim Heart: The Way of Jesus in Everyday Life. I read this book several years ago and found it to be very encouraging. The author is Dr. Darryl Tippens,… Continue reading Interview with Darryl Tippens (Part 3)