Reality TV consumes much of television programming.  We seem to have gotten tired of the fake or fictional for the authentic even if it reminds us of all that is wrong with life.  Authenticity is powerful.  When we see real life whether inspirational or discouraging we are changed.  Over the years I have seen and experienced how authenticity is a powerful leadership tool.&nb

While preparing for my message this week on Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem I was reminded that Jesus instructed his disciples to borrow the donkey that he would be riding into the city.  The King of the Jews, their Messiah didn’t own his own donkey.

The mantra of many modern churches is that people matter to God.  This includes those who have not yet believed and those who have already crossed the line of faith in Christ.  The pendulum swing of the local church towards seeker driven ministry over the past twenty five years has caused some leaders to question its effect on the health of their sheep.

I watched some of the New Years Eve events on the major networks. The celebrations are filled with so much optimism as the calendar turns to 2013.  The problems, struggles and challenges that existed in 2012 and long before travel with us into the new calendar.  Although we believe we have the ability to see a greater potential for change simply because we cross over into a new year.

Recently while attending a leadership conference one of the presenters said the following. “Sometimes we go through some tough times and there seems to be no explanation, no answers, just pain. God is taking you somewhere.” I don’t like pain! I suppose you don’t either. Pain without any apparent purpose is even more unbearable.

Albert Einstein called it “sitzen denken” or “ sit thinking”. It is said that he would stop what he was doing no matter how important and take time to sit and think. This consistent discipline was not at all meditation, which can be defined as the relaxation of the mind with the hope to gain clarity. But “Sitzen Denken” is something very different.

Currently I am traveling and while it can be fun there are parts of it that I don’t like. Being away from my family of course is number one on the list. The delays are a significant irritation to me as well.  You feel like life has stopped.  My wife often jokes with me about my need for efficiency, especially when driving somewhere.  Getting some place efficiently as possible is a huge thing to me.  I would like to think that it comes from a desire to never waste time and bring God the maximum effort from my life.  Ok the real reason is that I am very impatient.  Not…

I serve on the board of World Ministries an organization that has missionaries in the Philippines and India. One of our staff members is a woman who was previously a successful architect in the United States. After a visit to the Philippines where she saw poverty, disease and hunger she made a bold decision.

It’s not easy to define the term economic justice. I searched for an adequate definition but didn’t find much agreement on what it means. Sometimes it’s synonymous with social justice. I became familiar with the term as a result of teaching on what the bible says about money and possessions. Justice speaks to fairness and equality.