“What’s wrong with competing if you’re trying to accomplish something positive?” Now THAT’S a great question. The guys in the workshop were discussing self-defeating thought patterns that arise from treating life like an endless competition. I thought for a few moments. “There’s nothing wrong with competing—in the context of a game. Just be aware that […]
Continue readingWhy The Right Word Matters
Words matter. Anyone who believes Sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me hasn’t felt the sting of “four eyes” or “cripple” or “retard.” Words matter. An interesting article popped up in my Facebook feed in the aftermath of last weekend’s Super Bowl game. The title: Peyton Manning Is A […]
Continue readingWhat’s The Most Difficult Thing?
“I didn’t know it would be this hard.” He’s a tough guy. Lived on the streets, sold drugs, survived and in many ways thrived in a harsh, violent world. To me, THAT sounds hard, always looking over your shoulder and sleeping with one eye open, never knowing who to trust, literally fighting your way through […]
Continue readingMake An Excuse Or Write A Story
Everyone learns differently; I learn best by teaching. I’m enjoying my workshop with the guys at Harvest Farm. They’ve taught me a lot. As we’ve talked and as Becky and I process what’s happening, a simple truth emerged. # # # We all have experiences. Often those experiences, at their core, aren’t much different. But […]
Continue readingMy Yoke Is Easy
What do you think Jesus wants you to do? I’m not thinking of specific choices like whether to have pizza or turkey for lunch (I don’t think He cares). But in terms of overall life choices and directions, what do you think He wants? There are probably a lot of answers to that question, but […]
Continue readingCan A Bad Student Get Good Grades?
I was good at school, but I wasn’t a good student. I had three talents. I could absorb information, take tests, and I liked to please adults. Turns out those are pretty much what’s required to be good at school. Sadly, they have little in common with actual learning. As long as I got “A’s” […]
Continue readingExample
HAPPY MONDAY! An amazing young man got me thinking about today’s word-of-the-week… EXAMPLE Being a professional athlete provides a huge platform. It’s interesting to watch how different individuals leverage that opportunity. We’ve heard the debate about athletes as about role models. Personally, I think it’s silly. There are plenty of knuckleheads playing big-time sports. That […]
Continue readingA Surprising Twist
Happy Saturday! I appreciate the art of communication. Anyone can create a long, boring video that explains an idea but loses the audience along the way. True art lies in presenting words and images that communicate the message while making it nearly impossible to turn away. The end of this two-minute video took me totally by […]
Continue readingLife Is Not A Game
Our culture tends to view everything as a competition. It’s all about winning and losing, success and failure. It’s a perspective that encourages a good deal of guilt, shame, and other self-defeating behavior that God never intended. A while back I analyzed this notion in a free ebook titled LIFE IS NOT A GAME. It’s […]
Continue readingLies My Enemy Tells Me
Today I’m challenging the guys in my workshop at Harvest Farm. We’re going to talk about some of the lies the enemy uses to keep us in darkness. It’s a long list. I’ll propose five of my favorites. Perhaps you can add you own. All of your pain is pointless. You’ll never be good enough. You’re […]
Continue readingWhat Do You Do With A Mess?
How do you get past the regret? The guy’s probably mid-forties, said he’d spent most of his life hiding in the bottom of a bottle. He’s tired of that life, made a commitment to figure out how to stay sober, and that’s how he ended up in the group of guys I spoke to Monday […]
Continue readingWhat’s The Fear?
What’s the fear? That’s my opening question this week in my workshop at Harvest Farm. I hope they don’t turn the question back at me. I’d rather discuss their fears than reveal mine. This week our small group looked at a passage from Philippians 1. Verse 27 says, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner […]
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