The Bible encourages us to live our lives in ways such that when we physically die and get upgraded to heaven, Jesus will tell us something like, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21, 23). I often wonder where I’ll fit on that spectrum. What about you? We are wise to be brutally honest with ourselves. With the Kingdom of God in focus, consider each word of the sentence: WELL — Live with an attitude and commitment to do things with excellence, particularly important things that matter, that represent who you are and what you do, and that make an eternal difference. No one…
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While driving hundreds of miles across West Texas and New Mexico, I watched the road. And I watched my windshield. Did you ever notice which bugs splat against your windshield and which ones do not? Seriously, there’s a difference. Not all bugs that come into contact with your windshield splat. Some do not. Some bugs come straight at you and make a bit splat all over the glass you just cleaned at the last gas station. Other bugs come at you and rise with the air current speeding up your hood and windshield. But they don’t quite make it. They get…
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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…
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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…
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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….
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