What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerrubbabel you shall become a plain. Last time the focus was on not losing heart. We continue this theme in facing the impossible. What feels a little impossible for you right now? An assumption is made that good leaders are sort of fearless. And great leaders make the … Continue reading Leaders, face the Impossible
Overwhelmed. This is one word to describe how I often feel at the beginning of something new -- a new school year, a new week, a new project, or even the first few days after coming home from a trip. If I am honest, it is a common and unwanted companion when I feel disappointed … Continue reading Leaders, do not Lose Heart
Today is a pivotal time for the church. What do we do with Jesus’ commission? Uncertain times do make us hesitate. When the church scattered in Acts 8, they probably did so out of fear. Though we may know Jesus’ commission is not suspended, we can feel stuck.
Part 2 Fear filled the air, as a result of the martyrdom of Stephen. Within a few chapters, the church went from gladness and gathering to fear and scattering. The whole church was in crisis and lives were in danger. “That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem” (Acts 8:1). Living here meant … Continue reading To the Ends of the Earth
Photo by Jens Johnsson on Pexels.com Part 1 As I study Luke and Acts, a theme I notice is one of uncertainty in the early church. Yet Luke, the author, also brings in a sense of assurance in the midst of it. It was the most certain of times. It was also the least certain … Continue reading Extending the Gospel in Uncertain Times
Today is a challenge. It is a challenge to know if what we are doing is the right thing. What we do, does it matter? Are we being “successful” though we are working from home, schooling our kids, meeting virtually, and tentatively planning for the future? In my questioning, I came across 3 women in … Continue reading 3 Successful Women in Luke and the Question they Might Ask
By Brian White Because of constantly changing times, as leaders we might find ourselves or our teams tired and in need of rethinking how we find rest. My husband Brian is going to share today about this. Recently I read Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport and was challenged by it. I have had a … Continue reading Rethinking Rest in Our Digital World
I can’t do virtual,” I heard another person say recently. " And I don’t know if I can continue in this work if everything now is online.” Their work is in ministry with college students; and they do their work to be in the same space as students. “Why continue, if this is not what … Continue reading A Test of Leadership
Do you ever feel puzzled if asked about the Trinity? I know I have. It seems safer to sidestep a question about the Trinity, change the subject or say something like this, “That is a good question, the Trinity is a mystery and hard to understand. I can’t really explain it.” I grew up in … Continue reading The Trinity: Puzzling or Understandable?
In the last post about the Trinity we discussed, The Father is God, and now we turn to the Son. What we believe and understand about God shapes us. And we pray the kinds of things we believe to be true. Every once in awhile I hear a prayer that goes like this, “Thank you … Continue reading The Son is God
Hope. What do you need hope for right now? I imagine we can each easily call something to mind for which we need hope. Or, we can anticipate the times that will come when finding hope will be a challenge. As I continue from Psalm 23 in Need Peace, this last part has given me … Continue reading Need Hope?
Updated note: This was written before many of the challenging issues that followed 2018. I realize how much I don't know still. I am also reminded that the heart of this post is still true for all my relationships. Being a learner of others, hearing others, and listening is always a good place to start. … Continue reading Questions for Pursuing Diversity
As a leader we solve problems. It is discouraging though when too many issues need a solution or need our attention. It can be a challenge to know which holes to fix. As I mentioned in the previous post, Identifying the Big Rocks, I came to to the end of the year and into planning feeling this … Continue reading Creating Solutions with Prayer
"What do we want to focus on so that we can see our goals reached?" Wouldn't it be nice if we could just ask that question and rattle off our plan for the next year? Well, it can be a challenge for any of us to effectively identify our next steps for moving forward in … Continue reading Identifying the Big Rocks and Making a Plan
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