Getting Past Fairy Godmother Faith
How often have you caught yourself feeling disappointed that God made you go through hard times? Too often I’ve done well at what I was good at and avoided the things I wasn’t good at. Focusing on strengths and delegating weaknesses is generally good advice. But too often I did not work hard or fight for the things related to what I was good at—like marketing my writing, like doing things I didn’t like to do to lead my church well. I wish that when I was growing up I had someone to tell me and show me that I…
Seize the Sunrise
I wish the day had two more hours—or I’m glad it’s over—and I go to bed. The next morning I am always grateful for the sunrise. Because every day is a fresh platter of possibility and potential reset. That may sound cliched, so I’ll try to go beyond that. Some new days are laid out for us; some bring trouble; most bring same ol’ same ol’. If the new day becomes a potential reset for us, it’s usually because we choose that, and seize the sunrise. What we choose will continually adjust our life’s trajectory—which like the path of a car, a…
Consistency Will Revise Your Life
Before everyone’s favorite year of 2020 happened, in 2019 I taught on my 2009 book, Prayer Power. And as I read through it chapter by chapter to highlight main points and make comments for my audience, I noticed something. And I grew so happy. I originally wrote the book because I couldn’t find a book in print that gave me a simple-yet-content-rich, succinct-yet-comprehensive, practical guide to improving my prayer life. So I wrote my own—Prayer Power: 30 Days to a Stronger Connection with God. (And that’s where this email/blog title “Connections” came from.) It sold well and helped many people….
Determine How You will Grow This Year
Whatever happens in 2021, God is still on the throne, and believers are in his hands. Therefore, we will stand firm. Because of, or despite, whatever may happen in the coming year, is there one way you would take control of your life and grow in your character or faith? Romans 8:28 says that “In all things God works for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose.” But don’t just wait for God to do something good—be part of making it happen. In the Bible every person God called had to get out…
Busy-Busy
For a month and a half—besides all my regular teaching, editing, and pastoring, Kim and I remodeled and moved to our new house—I worked twelve-to-sixteen hours a day, seven days a week for a month and a half. I broke the Sabbath commandment, my cherished prayer time fell away, and I lived on auto-pilot. Anyone may put in those kinds of hours for a few days or weeks. But a month and a half of focused intensity only on getting through each long day left me physically shaking and psychologically numb. It gave me a new perspective. For that month…
