Jan 3, 2019 | Burnout, Calling, Career, Depression, Emotional Health, Fatigue, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, Productivity, Rest, Stress, Success, Uncategorized, Work
Wow—another year is in the books. I know it’s cliché-ish, but every year seems to go faster than its predecessor. I blinked, and 2018 was over. 2018 was an amazing year in so many ways: I have an incredible wife who is beautiful on the inside as well as the outside....
Nov 15, 2018 | Anxiety, Burnout, Calling, Career, Depression, Emotional Health, Fatigue, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, Productivity, Rest, Stress, Uncategorized, Work, Workaholism
I enjoy watching the ABC show, Shark Tank. It’s entertaining, funny, informative, and at times—touching. The show reminds me about the importance of focus, passion, hard work, and commitment to one’s calling. It’s a weekly testament to the power of diligence,...
Aug 23, 2018 | Abuse, Anger, Anxiety, Burnout, Depression, Difficult people, Emotional Health, Pastor, Stress
In 1992, I was the lead pastor of a growing church. We were having a banner year. Highest attendance ever. More people committing their lives to Christ than any year prior in our tenure. Record financial giving. We were in a wonderful stretch of organizational...
Aug 16, 2018 | Burnout, Calling, Career, Depression, discouragement, Doubt, Emotional Health, Fatigue, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, Quitting, Success, Uncategorized, Work
I love what I do for a living. Coming alongside leaders and helping them lead better, lead longer, and enjoy it more is deeply fulfilling. Some days I pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. Getting to do what you love every day is a gift from God. But that...
Jul 19, 2018 | Abuse, Anger, Bitterness, Depression, Difficult people, Disappointment, discouragement, Emotional Health, Family, Forgiveness, friendship, Loneliness, Relationships, Stress
“Lord, I’m hurting this morning.” Ever prayed that prayer before, or some version of it? I’m not talking about physical pain here—rather, about emotional pain. Especially the variety that issues from disappointing relationships. You know, the kind of pain that feels...
Jul 5, 2018 | Anger, Anxiety, Depression, Emotional Health, Perfectionism, Stress
I am a recovering perfectionist. It was circa 1997. I was in a pre-service prayer room, getting ready to speak to a group of about one hundred teenagers. I was pleading with God for twenty agonizing minutes to help me, use me; praying like I was trying to wrench...
