Relationships
Three Wise Monkeys
Put this in the category of info you probably didn’t know: The expression “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” originated in Japan and is associated with the Three Wise Monkeys at a Shinto shrine built in the early 1600s. The monkeys are named: Mizaru – covers his eyes (“See no evil.”) Kikazaru…
Read MoreJust stand
Some people are just contrary, stubborn, and mean. You could stand on your head all day trying to resolve an issue, and it wouldn’t work. Because they’re not willing. Maybe they don’t care. Maybe they don’t see their error. Maybe they refuse to admit something. But ultimately, it’s on them. You’ve tried. You’ve prayed. But…
Read MoreConsistency reflects character
Billy Graham said many profound things, but among them was this statement, “When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.” Why is it that character plays such a huge part in leadership? Character is fundamental to effective leadership because good character builds…
Read MoreDon’t take the bait!
My sons and my son-in-law are great fishermen. They love to get away, through a line in the water, and wait for a bite. But I have a problem. I don’t enjoy waiting. They tell me that after you’ve found the right bait, you will find yourself waiting and waiting for the fish to take…
Read MoreAnother “love” blogpost
I blog a lot about love. Love “makes the world go around,” right? Theologically, many believe that it is the primary attribute of God. Love is the “sriracha” sauce of healthy relationships. Hopefully, the love you demonstrate is reciprocal. But what if your love isn’t returned? When a parent ignores their own children. When a…
Read MoreDemonstration of true love
This morning, I experienced something indescribable. I can narrate the scene, but I struggle to convey its profound impact on me. I was working on my computer at McDonald’s (yes, I can work there!). An older couple entered and placed their order. They moved with a slow, hesitant gait. They settled into the booth next…
Read MoreBut they let me down
I experienced a pretty big disappointment yesterday. Somebody let me down, and it really “blindsided” me. But it shouldn’t have. You’re smart, and you know that sinful people do sinful things. If you’re not Jesus, you’re not perfect. In fact, when you think about Jesus, He was never shocked by others short comings. You’d never…
Read MoreManaging Expectations
Managing Expectations Tom Cruise has a funny line in Top Gun: Maverick. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell delivers it sarcastically during the early briefing scene, when he’s being questioned about his history and reputation. It’s classic Maverick: confident, slightly defiant, and subtly humorous. He acknowledges that people expect trouble, so he keeps the bar low. Managing expectations…
Read MoreConnection
There are few moments in life that feel as unexpectedly wonderful as when you discover someone who “gets” the thing you’re passionate about. It can happen over the simplest topics — a hobby, a story, a childhood memory, a movie quote, or something you’ve been thinking about quietly for years. And then suddenly… someone else…
Read MoreTogether
Ecclesiastes 4:9 – “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.” This verse isn’t just about manual labor; it’s about productivity. Two people can accomplish what one cannot — not just twice as much, but often exponentially more. When skills, ideas, and energy combine, the return multiplies. You’ve heard…
Read MoreTrue Community
Romans 13:2 “Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, make violent revolution inevitable. John F. Kennedy Community is not just a “buzz word” of our day; it’s how God designed us to live, “in community.” Now there are different…
Read MoreHoliday stress
As a child, I passionately awaited the arrival of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Each year, my mom would gift my brother and me an Advent Calendar. Every day of December, we would eagerly open a new door, revealing a cool surprise and a new treat. I fondly remember the smells of mom cooking cookies, the songs…
Read MoreDaily sacrifices
John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” In the last few years, I’ve become a book guy. What I’ve found is that the more you read, the more you appreciate language. Our English language is remarkable. Creatives far more talented than I have…
Read MoreEvery Moment Matters
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:5–6 Every moment with people matters; time is precious. Most of us would agree that time is life’s most…
Read MoreIt’s not about fishing
I just received a text from a great friend. He’s taking a few days to flyfish in Wyoming. I had asked him to send some pictures, and he attached several to the text. One of the pictures showed him standing in front of a table FILLED with freshly caught trout. I couldn’t help but feel…
Read MoreAt the bedside
I’ve had the privilege of sitting at the bedside of many people, moments before they enter eternity. It’s an honor to be a part of the family circle during such a difficult and confusing time. Here’s my observation: every family and situation is unique because we all process the loss of a loved one differently.…
Read MoreMean people
Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” Mean people are the WORST! They just are. Sorry for being so direct, but it fits. I don’t know what the percentages are, but I’m sure there are more nice people than mean people…
Read MoreBetter together
One of the values of my mission organization is this: “We’re Better Together.” Pretty simple, and you may have seen similar statements in other organizations. Simple is good, but sometimes profound values get dismissed as “cute,” missing the “why.” Value statements express an organization’s core beliefs and serve as a guide for decision-making. They define…
Read MoreYour greatest enemy
Pride is your greatest enemy, humility is your greatest friend. John R.W. Stott “In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that…
Read MoreReputation
By this time, a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. Luke 15:1 The Message Here’s a brief definition of “reputation” according to dictionary.com. “The estimation in which a person or thing is held, especially by the community or the public generally; a good name.” So, if people…
Read MoreDon’t you just love kids?
One day, children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: “Let the children alone, don’t prevent them from coming to me. God’s kingdom is made up of people like these.” After laying hands on them, he…
Read MoreIt’s right in front of your nose!
Observation is a lost art. I’m always fascinated by the life of Sherlock Holmes, either reading or watching some version of Sherlock Holmes investigating a crime. The fascinating part is his uncanny ability to see what other people can’t see. It’s called the power of deduction. I especially love how the great detective can tell…
Read MorePleasing people
Trying to please everyone is exhausting. It can be frustrating because not everyone shares your priorities. Early on in my journey with God, I was taught that pleasing people was a no-no. A verse from the book of Galatians was often cited as the “text-proof” evidence: Galatians 1:10, the Apostle Paul asks, “Am I now…
Read MoreHow am I doing?
I was asked to write a book review for Amazon. Since I enjoy reading and the author, it was a “no-brainer.” But, it prompted me to think: “What if I asked a friend to write a review of my life? What would that look like? Would it be skewed because he is a friend? Would…
Read MoreMean what you say…
This blog post is relatively concise and straightforward. Why don’t we always mean what we say? I understand that this is a broad statement, so let me clarify. While I was watching hearings on Capitol Hill, people were being “grilled” by “lawmakers” about their fitness to serve in the incoming administration. I could only watch…
Read MoreYou’re not the center of the universe
“The universe doesn’t revolve around you.” You’ve heard this before and said it yourself. But here’s the crux of it: most of our lives are spent preoccupied with ourselves. We worry about what might happen to us and how our feelings might be hurt. It’s not inherently negative, but it narrows our perspective and limits…
Read More“I didn’t understand.”
I experienced something very cool last week. A pastor from Argentina stayed in our home for ten days. We did all the stuff friends would do. We introduced him to our friends. We ate together. We attended church. We told stories. We laughed and cried together. All this cool stuff and guess what??? We didn’t…
Read MoreI know how you feel
“I know how you feel.” I’ve caught myself saying that more times than I can count. Now, that comes from a sincere desire to empathize with someone. The Scriptures are clear and direct regarding compassion for others. “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” Paul says to the Church in Rome (12:15).…
Read MoreHighlights for Children
Highlights for Children is an American children’s magazine. I can fondly remember spending hours thumbing through the pages. I always looked for the “Hidden Pictures” feature. I was so excited as a kid to look for the smaller hidden images found within one large picture. Actually, I hate to admit it, but I found a…
Read MoreWord police
There is a troubling trend in the world that should be troubling all of us. It’s the changing of language and words in order to fit a certain narrative or philosophy. I may sound like “Chicken Little” in the blog post, but I don’t believe I’m wrong. In George Orwell’s novel, “1984”, written in 1949,…
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