The Christmas season can be hard on relationships. As a pastor, I can't tell you how many times I met with a couple after the holidays because of problems developed—or were exaggerated—between Thanksgiving and New Year's.How can you protect your marriage...
I am frequently asked how to spur momentum. Every leader wants it, yet it often seems hard to attain—and once we experience momentum, we always want more.I have been blessed to be part of some tremendous seasons of momentum in churches where I served as pastor...
I regularly talk to young leaders through my blog, and many of them feel they are working for a controlling leader.In a previous post, I talked about "3 Results of Controlling Leadership." It is a prevalent enough issue in leadership that I decided to cover it in my...
Sometimes the smallest changes reap the biggest results.Over the years I've come to realize I've often done things the wrong way. I've tried to make huge changes in my life only to quickly fail. I didn't keep going. I stopped. Overwhelmed. I tried to change too much...
Are you up for a challenge? How about reading the Bible through this coming new year?I've heard from so many people who would love to read the Bible through in a year but never completed the task. It's nearly impossible for the pastor to preach through all of it, so...
The Christmas season can be hard on relationships. I can't tell you how many times I've met with a couple after the holidays because of problems developed—or were exaggerated—between Thanksgiving and New Year's.How can you protect your marriage this...
In working with marriages in distress, I've discovered most men have injured the women in their lives emotionally, at least at some level. To understand how this can happen, one needs to first understand one of the ways men and women are usually different.Most...
The way you begin your day often determines its quality. For this reason, throughout my adult Christian life, I've tried to spend some time focused on the God I love and trust. It truly does make a difference.I often encounter people, however, who want to begin a...
I'm not a perfect husband.I'm not a perfect husband.I'm not a perfect husband.I would write that 100 times, but I think you get the message and I'd probably lose most of you at No. 17. That's the average number of times you'll read the same thing. (Of course, I just...
Can we admit this has not been our favorite presidential election season? I'll admit it. I'm one who tends to see the more positive angle in every scenario, and it's honestly difficult to do this time.A man with young children asked me recently how he and his wife...
Over the years, I've walked with dozens of people through the stages of grief. Grieving is mostly associated with loss—it could be the loss of a job, a relationship or even a life.Whenever we lose something we value, we grieve. It's natural, healthy and...
I am often asked how to know if the plans we make are God's will for our life.I'm not referring to which cereal to have for breakfast. For the most part, I think God would simply say choose your favorite and, like a good parent, try to steer you to a healthier option....
In August of every year I see the posts and get the emails. Parents are dropping off their kids at college—and it's hard. I know it's hard.One of our sons went to college in the city where we lived, so we got somewhat of a break with this one—although even...
Is your marriage struggling?I do not at all mean to oversimplify your problems. There is always more to it than what is immediately visible, but sometimes, in my experience, there may be a problem with expectations.Expectations are critical for the success of any good...