Category: Living On Purpose

So, how did 2009 go for you? A few weeks ago I asked a question (Who Else Wants To Finish Strong?) about completing the year rather than simply running out the clock. I hope I did that, but now it’s time to reflect, plan, and look forward to whatever’s next.

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Two shopping days until Christmas! That announcement greeted me first thing this morning, and I was struck by the amazing paradox embedded in a common seasonal countdown. Hurry up and shop for the birth of God’s Son!—sounds a bit silly if you think about it.

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If you’ve been following along, you’ll understand that this hasn’t been the easiest week for me, so it was a good time to encounter the following silly story. The theology’s a bit shaky and there’s no real moral or lesson except that it’s good to chuckle occasionally and stop taking it all so seriously.  

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Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. [Hebrews 12:1] Did you make any resolutions this year?

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“I realized that my faith was not in my paycheck or in the housing market.”  I read a great article this week about people who have discovered unexpected blessings in the recession. I admire folks who can see the rainbow while the storm rages. I’m pretty good at looking back and seeing the hidden blessings, […]

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No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. Abraham Lincoln, 1863  Are you good at gratitude? I’m not. That’s a tough confession at Thanksgiving. […]

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Courage is the single most decisive trait in a leader. Gus Lee Welcome to part four of our discussion about courage, inspired by Gus Lee’s wonderful book titled Courage: The Backbone Of Leadership. I’ve been thinking about Gus’s analysis of courageous leadership in light of Jesus’ model for us. Entire books have been written about Jesus’ […]

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Courage is facing fear rather than denying it; it is rushing forward to face the problem, to confront the giant whose shadow looms larger in our imagination than in reality. Gus Lee This is part three of our discussion about courage, inspired by Gus Lee’s wonderful book titled Courage: The Backbone Of Leadership. Last week I […]

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Courage-or its absence-determines all outcomes.  Courage decides quality of life and personal as well as institutional success. Gus Lee I’ve decided to try something new–we’ll see if we might put a more human face on the site by occasionally posting some video comments. This first edition is the beginning of a series dealing with courage. I’d love […]

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I’m in Spartanburg, S.C. this morning to tape a half-hour interview about Relentless Grace for a nationally syndicated television show called Time For Hope. Please pray that I don’t mumble or drool or say anything too bizarre. Since I’m traveling today, I fugured it might be a good opportunity for a non-commercial commercial. Do you […]

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 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my […]

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