1+ day, 9+ hour ago  (246+ words) There's a clich" you've heard about criticism that is simply untrue. You've probably heard: "There's a kernel of truth in all criticism." Not necessarily. When Nehemiah was leading God's people to rebuild the wall to protect and repopulate Jerusalem, enemies…...

1+ week, 1+ day ago  (225+ words) When a tree topples, often it is the combination of storms and unhealthy roots. Storms plus unhealthy roots lead to disaster. The same is true with leaders. It seems lots of leaders in all types of roles are toppling. Some…...

2+ week, 1+ day ago  (389+ words) When I was a young man serving on staff at a church, an older guy in the church asked me if I had a day off. I could tell by how he was asking that he likely did not want…...

4+ week, 1+ day ago  (308+ words) Back in the day, I posted a saying on social media from one of my mentors, Brad Waggoner: "If you want to make everyone happy, don't be a leader. Go sell ice cream." People now attribute the quote to Steve…...

1+ mon, 4+ day ago  (329+ words) Who should I consider for this important role?" When someone asks me that question, I often respond with my own question: Who do you see excelling in lateral leadership that you can promote?" At which point I have often scribbled…...

4+ mon, 6+ day ago  (161+ words) Steve Graves was my executive coach when I was serving in the marketplace in publishing, and we met once a month for several hours. As I was wrestling with a strategic decision one day, he said to me, "You can…...

4+ mon, 1+ week ago  (210+ words) One of the deepest struggles teenagers encounter is believing they are loved, not based on performance, looks, or status, but that they are deeply and securely loved by God Himself. Day Forty-Six of the new fifty-day devotional I wrote with…...

4+ mon, 1+ week ago  (358+ words) I thought about his comment all day. He said it with a sense of regret. "The only time I come to the lake now is for work." He moved to the area for the lake, but now the lake is…...

4+ mon, 2+ week ago  (255+ words) The teenage years are filled with real pressure from academics, friendships, sports, expectations, and the desire to fit in. One of the most encouraging truths in the Bible is that Jesus Himself faced those same pressures. Day Five from 50 Days…...

5+ mon, 3+ day ago  (279+ words) Here is Day One of the devotional'the first half written by me; the second half written by Eden. The whole devotional is designed that way: encouragement from a pastor to a teenager, followed by encouragement from a teenager to a…...