Here are some things I watched/read online this past week and gotta share with you – because they’re that good…
This post by Allison Vesterfelt, Why I Quit Being Nice. I love the word she’s exchanging for nice (it’s a word that gets an entire chapter in my upcoming book)… Read More
“Work it, make it, do it—makes us harder, better, faster, stronger.” —Kanye West, Stronger
I really do wish ministry was always “Work it, make it, do it—makes us harder, better, faster, stronger,” but the truth is, sometimes it’s also, “Work it, make it, do it—and we still end up with little or no progress at all.”
What I mean is this: the smallness of our actual impact is a discouraging reality.
It’s not always bigger, better, breakthroughs, and bomb-diggityness. Despite our hard work and urgency, we haven’t healed the world (or ourselves, or the individuals in our churches). The actual impact of our efforts is smaller than we’d like. And slower too… Read More
Are you interested in the full time ministry? You might want to enroll in some acting classes. There’s quite a bit of acting that goes into being a pastor or ministry leader in the church.
We act like we didn’t see that movie.
We act like we don’t know that Miley Cyrus / Kanye West / Lady Gaga song.
We act like we’ve already learned every one of life’s most important lessons.
We act like there’s a solid Bible answer for every question.
We act like we believe everything we preach… Read More
This is not me being all complainy, and I have no intention of dogging on the ministry. The truth is, I love ministry. In fact, in my 20 years of full-time ministry, I’ve never once wanted out or spent a moment fantasizing about an alternate career. I’ve experienced ups and downs, heartbreaks and victories, normalcy and all kinds of weirdness… and I love it. I’m thankful for this thing I get to do called “ministry.”
Maybe you think I shouldn’t do what I’m about to do. You might suggest I talk about ministry like Bruno Mars sings about his “Just The Way You Are” girl…
Oh, you know, you know, you know I’d never ask you to change. If perfect’s what you’re searching for, then just stay the same. So don’t even bother asking if you look okay; you know I’ll say… When I see your face, there’s not a thing that I would change, ’cause you’re amazing just the way you are.
Sorry. I can’t do that… Read More
In basketball – as in life – true joy comes from being fully present in each and every moment, not just when things are going your way. —Phil Jackson, Sacred Hoops
It’s easy to be dissatisfied, always wanting what isn’t accessible in this particular moment. When we’re young, we want the privileges and opportunities that come when we’re older. Then we get old and wish we could return to simpler, more carefree times… Read More
The “North Pond Hermit” was arrested this year. He is Christopher Knight, a 47 year old man who went into the central Maine wilderness 27 years ago to live a solitary life.
He was arrested for stealing. Over the past 27 years, he committed more than 1,000 burglaries – breaking into camps and retreat centers during the night for food and supplies.
In 27 years, he only spoke once to another person… Read More
This post is a confession of sorts.
If you read my confession, it’s quite possible you’ll just think I’m strange and need help—and you wouldn’t be wrong.
Even if that is your reaction, I still I hope you’ll read the whole thing. Why? Because maybe it will stir up some compassion in your heart for strange and needy people like me.
But it’s also possible you might actually relate to what I’m saying—like, “Oh my gosh! I feel like that too!” If that’s your reaction… you’re why I’m writing this.
Have you heard that 1990 Michael W. Smith song “Place In This World?” OK, I know, it’s totally corny and he has a wicked mullet. The thing is, this song has always resonated with me… Read More
I like to share – so here are a few of the things I enjoyed reading and watching from the web this week. All of them are worth your time…
This post on Greg Boyd’s ReKnew website: The Challenge of Malala to the Church. It features Malala Yousafzai‘s appearance on Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show… Read More
Can spin be redeemed?
I’m not talking about the stuff that advertisers, politicians, and religion in general are pitching.
The question is aimed at us. Can our spin be redeemed?
Maybe I should just personalize this. Can MY spin be redeemed?
I honestly don’t really know. If I asked Sister Angela, the nun my family met at Saint Francis’ 13th century hermitage in Assisi, I think she would tell me no – there is no redeeming quality in spin… Read More
My ego really REALLY really likes my own spin.
In the same way my taste buds become elated when I give them Nutella, my ego responds with a happy dance every time I spin my story.
It’s like a perpetual cycle of feeding and reward…
Feed myself Nutella and I am rewarded with good feelings. Spin my story and I am rewarded with a happily expanding ego. It’s all rather addicting. Like Usher says… Read More
