We have speech courses to teach us how to become effective public speakers. What if we learned to become quiet observers and listeners? Improving listening skills isn’t taught in most schools, yet it’s one of the most valuable abilities we can develop. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, leader, or friend, learning to truly listen can…
Slow and steady wins the race. What is the race? What counts as a win? The race, according to who? A win, according to what standard? Embracing Slow Living as a Christian I’ve noticed that my greatest wins, according to me, have come with embracing slow living as a Christian-a pace that honors both faith…
Unnamed. Unknown. “They said….” “They did…?”“She did…” “She said…” Who are they? Who is she? Have you ever felt like one of them-present, contributing, yet invisible? Who are all those anonymous authors, artists, teachers? Who are those unknown builders and designers? One of those unnamed people appears in Matthew’s biblical account of the Passover meal….
Imagining heaven is a deeply personal spiritual practice. As I prepare to publish my seventh book, I’m sharing a creative reflection on what the afterlife might hold. My next book, Hip Waders: A Naked Version of a Soul, is in the final stages before publication. Similar to Knee Deep: A 9-Month Whirlpool of Handwritten Letters…
I Love Problems! Norman Vincent Peale said, “When I see a problem coming down the road, I’ve learned to holler, ‘Hello problem! Where have you been? I’ve been training for you and now we meet again!’” In Other WordsProblems don’t have to define you. When you greet challenges with faith and gratitude, you step into…
This piece of faith poetry explores the universal feeling of missed opportunities and finding hope in God’s perfect timing. I received several responses from my FROG Blog post, “Christian Writing Prompts for Growth.” A reader encouraged me to share another answer from my “Musings and Fusings” writing prompt book. This one comes from, “Write a…
I spent a weekend morning paging through my “Musings and Fusing’s” book, revisiting some of my responses to guided writing exercises. It reminded me how powerful Christian writing prompts can be in helping us slow down, reflect, and notice God’s work in our lives. One particular prompt stood out: Use one word that describes how…
A business owner shared a successful strategy he uses to screen possible job candidates. He asks the applicant where they work and what day they are busiest. Provided the candidate’s job is at a public venue, he shows up during their peak business time, finds an inconspicuous place and nonchalantly observes their interactive responsiveness. “These…
Can I go with _____ on spring break to _____? Can I borrow the car next weekend? When can I get a raise? I want to go overseas to study… After I graduate, I want to… I need money for… The Universal Challenge for Leaders Managers, parents, and all of you who are responsible for…
The Industrial Revolution of Human Productivity We’ve become a society that resembles a humanized version of the industrial revolution. It’s as if humans of all ages compete in some unspoken production of quotas. Be more. Do more. Produce. Multi-task. Track your steps. Track your progress. I see stupid amounts of money wasted on gym memberships…