Tag: encouragement
Forgiveness is not a slogan
PREPARATION
She came in complaining about my sermons always being about forgiveness and grace. According to her, I needed to come down harder on the sinners and in her words, ”nail them with guilt.”
After her rant, I asked, “So, when did forgiveness and grace become more than slogan concepts for you?”
“Ron, there are some things you [...]
Agree or Disagree?
PREPARATION
My friend David Himes has suggested, “For most people, the Bible is like a software license. Few actually read it. They just scroll to the bottom and click ‘I agree.’”
His observation gives me a chance to say, “Too many believers settle for faith that is little more than a list of statements they agree with. [...]
BreakAway Minute rules the mornings
Take charge of your day with these 60-second, off-the-wall messages.
Each BAM un-covers a life-message designed to encourage and inspire. Hidden in each story is an intentional desire to put in a good word for God. Make this your story day.
Listen to a sample BreakAway Minute spot
Now visit the website.
What’s the follow-up question?
PREPARATION
A while back I sent an email to 300 men asking them to answer a simple question: “In the real world, what are you planning to do in the next 12 months that will define you as a man of faith?”
Some wanted to argue about the question, a few responded with lengthy theological explanations, but [...]
Change in the wind
PREPARATION
Change is in the air…it’s in the wind.
It was over ten years ago when Dick pulled me aside. “Hey, Ron, have you ever done any sailing?
“A little, years ago…but the wind wasn’t cooperative,” I replied.
“Well, we are putting together a sailing trip to the British Virgin Islands this summer. Would you and Lyn be interested [...]
Innovative complaint strategy
PREPARATION
The storm was closing in, the sky seemed packed with darkness, but it was the lightning that shut everything down. For 5 hours a wall of commanding thunderstorms stilled O’Hare, one of the world’s busiest airports. One flight after another was delayed or canceled. It’s pretty simple really, if the planes can’t land, there won’t [...]
The Invitation
PREPARATION
Several years ago, when I read The Shack, it took me on a journey. William Young has written a book that provokes and prods us, but at the same time lifts and liberates us. It begins with a single envelope in Mac’s mailbox. Inside is a call, an invitation, a challenge: “Mackenzie, It’s been a [...]
Hidden Requirement for the Faith Journey
PREPARATION
Songs have a way of touching us in profound ways at the most critical times. Truth is, you have a playlist of songs that reflect your life journey. Not limited to any one genre, these songs reveal a smorgasbord perspective on where we’ve been and where we are now.
When the lyrics and melody find synergy–when [...]
In Santa’s Secret Service?
PREPARATION
Jordan was sitting on the park bench right by the bike trail, when a boy about 5 years old sat down and started winding what appeared to be his own very special Mickey Mouse watch. Jordan said, “What a neat watch! Does it tell you the time?”
Without even looking up the boy responded, “No, you [...]
Christmas list
Our Christmas list this year
(focused on technology needs)
As Christmas draws near, businesses and institutions around the world make Christmas gift decisions. Please consider Faith Coaching Network in your mix of worthy non-profits and local charities.
Our 2011 needs are:
* MacBook Air 13in 256GB
* iPad2 wifi-3g 32GB with ATT
* Final Cut movie production software for Mac
* Canon [...]
The Wilderness Test
PREPARATION
Are you facing an unexpected wilderness time? If not now, you will. Wilderness is common to the human condition, but regardless of the number of journeys into the wilderness, we are not meant to stay there. We are meant to find fresh insight and new direction.
Jim seemed to be surrounded by wilderness.
After his divorce, it [...]
Favorite Journal Entries
Observations on Thanksgiving in America
Listen to all 8 Journal Entries and leave a comment that indicates which one is your favorite. If you have a story to add to the journal please share it.
The secret reason for thanksgiving
PREPARATION
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, sneaking in under the radar. Has it’s uniqueness been co-opted or compromised by our economic rush toward Christmas?
“Yes!”
From the beginning, this American holiday was not about food and football, as much as it was about reserving a day to celebrate the spirit of thankfulness. It was, and still is, [...]
Looking for treasure in trash
PREPARATION
Are you among the numbers of people who have never visited or even seen the dump (not talking here about the retail discount chain)? Perhaps you’ve seen news reports on “sanitary landfills,” or watched a documentary about recycling programs, but you’ve missed-out on the total sensory experience of the local dump–mountains and layers of smelly, [...]
Forget the speeches, take action
PREPARATION
Faith is not about choosing the right section in the stands, dressing in the team colors, or yelling for, or at, the team on the field. Faith doesn’t get drunk and obnoxious and rude; it doesn’t cross it’s fingers and wish for humiliation and defeat on the field. Faith is not about cheering and winning.
In [...]
