I’m Learning To Budget My Brain
Every December I invest fifteen hours or so to plan my life for the next twelve months. I review my current activities, I add some items, remove …
Beliefs of the heart
The Danger of Natural Christian Leadership
I studied at the University of Michigan in the 1970’s (like, before indoor plumbing). I joined a campus ministry that emphasized community, the Holy …
What If We Can’t Forgive Ourselves?
I know a man convicted of a violent crime against someone he loves. He acted in a momentary rage; he had never been violent before. It shocked him. …
My First Parachute Jump Ever … and My Last
As a young boy, my weekends were filled with imaginary World War II battles. Nearby parks fielded the Battle of the Bulge, and the skeleton of a local …
The Cyber-Nature of Spiritual Attacks
My brother-in-law Dan Lohrmann is the State of Michigan’s Chief Security Officer (CSO) and Deputy Directory for Cybersecurity. His job is to protect …
What Can Westboro Baptist Teach Us About Grace?
I once talked with a group of college students, and one of them asked, “How do you explain Westboro Baptist? I can’t stand Christianity because of …
Most of Us Read The Bible The Wrong Way
Have you ever been in a relationship in which everything you say is misunderstood? It’s as though the other person has a built in bias to …
Is There Any Value in Experiencing Deep Shame?
A lethal virus is infecting many believers today. It’s the pop-therapy that claims shame is bad. Shallow-shame is bad, but only deep-shame brings …
Was Esther An Unwilling Sex Slave Or A Compliant Collaborator?
I question our practice of painting biblical heroes more heroically than the Bible does. Hiding the faults of our heroes robs us of grace. That’s why …
The Hidden Side of Paying Off Church Mortgages Early—We Can’t Take It With Us
A church I know (whose leaders I once met on a trip out west) recently kicked off a Capital Campaign to pay off their building mortgage early. Their …
Do You Want To Be A Leader? Learn To Listen Not Lecture
Twenty-five years ago a client asked me to meet with her president for an hour-long lunch. Her president was an industry innovator. She warned me, …
How Scary Are The Tests Of God?
It is natural to shudder when we think about the tests of God. They seem so scary. Yet I believe the tests of God are the key to hope and joy. Let me …