Aug 2, 2018 | Anxiety, Disappointment, discouragement, Doubt, Fear, Stress, Trust
No amount of money will ease all of your anxieties if you leave trusting God out of the equation. Jesus said worry chokes the life out of what He’s planted in us. And elsewhere He commanded us: “Do not worry, saying ‘what shall we eat/drink/wear?’ For the pagans run...
Jul 12, 2018 | Anxiety, Calling, Career, discouragement, Fear, Success, Work
Over the weekend, Laura and I helped some dear friends move into their new house. I was freshly reminded of the stress moving into a new home places on people: the boxes, the planning, the long hours painting and cleaning, and the overall disruption it inflicts on...
Feb 15, 2018 | Calling, Career, Emotional Health, Fear, friendship, Leadership, Loneliness, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, Pastor's Spouse, Relationships, Uncategorized
Several months ago, Laura and I taught at a church in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. For those of you who are not Michiganders, our state’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas are connected by the five-mile long Mackinac Bridge. If you don’t like bridges,...
Dec 21, 2017 | Calling, Difficult people, discouragement, Fear, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, People Leaving, Quitting, Uncategorized
I have exciting news to share with you—our newest book—Putting the Good in Goodbye: A Healthy Conversation About the Comings & Goings of Church People—is due out in January 2018! I coauthored the book with my friend and colleague Jim Wiegand, and decided to salt...
Dec 14, 2017 | Calling, Career, discouragement, Fear, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, People Leaving, Stress, Uncategorized, Work
Growth often starts with subtraction. Thousands of years ago, when Israel was being oppressed by the Midianites, God raised up a leader named Gideon to deliver His people from their enemy. When Gideon initially rallied the troops, 32,000 men showed up. But God said:...