Be Where Your Feet Are

Over the past few days, at the National Youth Gathering 2019, I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to interview NBA all-star Sam Dekker. Walking through his amazing story, he talks about his ups and downs personally and professionally and speaks life into student and adults alike. When I asked what was the best piece of advice...

National Youth Gathering Is A Picture Of The Authentic Church

I’m sitting in the lobby of the Hyatt on day 2 of the National Youth Gathering, waiting to serve and watching the smattering of students and adults grab their coffee in preparation for another full day. There are 25000 students and adults here. They have converged on Minneapolis to worship, grow, and serve in this...

Makenzie! Has It Really Been 10 Years?

There is a common phrase that says, "Time heals all wounds." I appreciate the author's sentiment. However, that phrase is unfinished, and I'll tell you why in a bit. 10 years ago today, my "oldest" daughter (in my mind, still) and two friends were in a horrific car accident. Aaron, the driver of the car...

Makenzie Still Impacts Lives Today

So this just happened. Mom and I went to refresh the flowers at the intersection at which Makenzie died. Afterward, a woman came up and said 10 years ago, she and her husband were coming home from church and came upon the accident. It was a Wednesday, June 03, 2009. They pulled into the gas...

Vacation Leaves Clues

I'm not the type to "turn off" for long periods. For me, I get energized thinking about life and how to go to the next level. So now, I'm on vacation. As I "peck," I'm enjoying a steamy morning in Kemah Texas, at the boardwalk, sipping Starbucks and watching people come and go as this...

Celebrate New Starts

It’s an odd day for me. I guess “odd” isn’t quite the word I wanted to use, but it was the first one that bubbled up this early in the morning. It is “that word” because it is the celebration (or remembrances) of two new starts for two whom I deeply love. First and now,...

When Leaders Gather – #bpmphx2019

Have you ever been to a leadership or work conference that said it would be one thing, but it turned out to be something different? Sometimes that's not a great outcome. The speakers were average, the workshops were dry, and the environment failed to set a positive tone. On other occasions, the conference, as is...

White As Snow

It's snowing. Again. In the upper midwest, you tend to get used to the white pounding of your house, driveway, and landscape when you enter the mid-months of winter. Mostly, in my opinion, it's beautiful. Every branch of my leaf-naked trees is outlined in white. Every contour of my lawn is blanketed in white. Every...

4 Powerful Words For Church Leaders

Every year, there are a few folks who cycle off of our Board of Directors at church. These servants give of their and their family's time to help guide the ministry of the congregation. Last night, one of our long-standing members cycled off as president. He wrote a "final words" encouragement to the rest of...

When You Vote, You Thrive

Today is mid-term election day. Because of the freedoms our country affords, millions of us will perform one of the most powerful acts a citizen can do -- vote. Some say their vote is too small -- meaning, "I'm just one in a cacophony of voices, so it really doesn't matter." I have a different...

Solitude

The song, "Cool Change" by the Little River Band is dancing through my head as I hunt and peck. A favorite of mine, the key lyric for me is, "If there's one thing in my life that's missing, it's the time that I spend alone." Maybe my soul is rehearsing that line because I'm fulfilling...

Beachcomb Your Life

There are many reasons I love beach combing. I could list them, but if you're a fellow wanderer of the shores, our notes would match. During My most recent trip to the shoreline, a new application of the hobby clicked in my mind. As I wandered from the sunny warmth of the open air to...

God Is Good In All Seasons

"So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up." Galatians 6:9 This past weekend, I spoke for the Senior Adult ministry conference from our District.  They are called S.A.G.E.S. (Saints Alive, Growing, Ever Serving). The group numbering...

A Second Birthday

I know there's no time in heaven, but... When you grow older and life's responsibilities replace the magic of youth, birthdays become a day marked simply with a special dinner or a little gift. You open your Facebook page to see it glowing with red notifications that indicate that well-wishers made the massive effort to...

My Makenzie Monsoon

A few hours before dark, eight years ago today, my Makenzie left.  She wasn’t sure she wanted to go but the lure of a ballerina photo shoot was too strong to resist.  I was sitting at my computer in our little office by the back door as she leaned over and gave me a kiss...