Tag: motivation
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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.
Tired of the ugliness?
PREPARATION
I’m tried of the ugliness. The financial struggles this year are ugly. The 2012 election cycle promises to be one of the ugliest campaigns in history. Public discourse is punctuated with disrespect and foul language. As news breaks from day to day we are exposed to all manner of creative ugliness. In last few months [...]
You’re on Heaven’s Highlight Reel
PREPARATION
Perhaps the most challenging distinctive of Christianity is that our God wants us to love him. While world religions talk of studying about their gods, following teachings, keeping rules and living solemn, becoming more self-aware, our God asks for something more. He sent his son to show us how to love because that’s what he [...]
The benefits outweigh the costs
PREPARATION
Why are there not more believers keeping journals? Perhaps, too many of us have been deceived into thinking our lives aren’t worth journaling about. Or, maybe some of us are just plain lazy.
Over time, a journal becomes a confidential record of what’s going on inside, while you’re still kicking on the outside. I’m not talking [...]
Ice Cream after Disaster
PREPARATION
Major disasters rock our world. They may even transform us for a time, but truth is, even after all the promises to never forget and to get serious about faith, we fail.
Why is that?
Does faith wear out or does it get pushed out? On most occasions I think the latter. Sometimes it’s outright defiance, sometimes [...]
Day wasted? or Moment of inspiration?
PREPARATION
Lori walked past the elderly woman before the image of the moment really registered. Something wasn’t right. That woman was crying and she needed some help. So, Lori turned around and asked, “Are you OK?”
The woman sobbed and shared that she was losing her eyesight and was struggling to find her way home with all [...]
Spiritual Zombies, they’re everywhere
PREPARATION
I met a man this week who is totally negative about life. He is miserable; nothing is fun and if by accident you were to have some fun, you should repent.
He goes to church to complain about it.
Some would say he really isn’t living, he’s just taking up space and wasting air. I think he’s [...]
“I Spy” with revelation eyes
PREPARATION
When I was kid we played “I Spy.” It was a simple guessing game, but it kept us occupied when the electricity was knocked out. I tried my best to see things that were just out of view, hidden, protected and secret things that you might miss if your eyes were not looking for [...]
Memorial Day 2011
PREPARATION
In 2006 I walked barefoot on the sands of Normandy. I stood alone on that awe-inspiring beach. In the gentle sounds of the waves, I could hear the cries of sacrifice and death.
More than 130,000 troops were crammed onto 1,000 transport ships. None of them wanted to die that morning, but over 4,000 did. They [...]
The path from brokenness to peace
PREPARATION
“Look, I pray on Sunday, It’s what you’re supposed to do on church day,” Kevin stated. “On Monday,it’s business. Don’t mess up my life asking me to mix the two.”
All I wanted was for him to consider introducing his employees to Faith Notes. Frankly his words stunned me.
Somewhere in his past, Kevin, like many of [...]
So, what do you collect?
PREPARATION
There were twenty strangers standing around, coffee in hand, scanning the crowd for familiar faces. We were all waiting for the training program to begin.
“They call me “Buzzard,” the guy next to me blurted out, “not sure how it all got started but over the years I’ve grown used to it. My mother even calls [...]
