The following was sent to New Song Church members today. I post it here in hopes that some who have moved away and some who have looked on from the outside might be encouraged by my reflections today: New Song turns 17 tomorrow. Many of you will not have time to read these reflections. I understand. […]
Recent Articles
How to Avoid Getting Stuck at Good Enough
Become Great one Step at a Time Great people don’t start out great. They get there by taking one step at a time. Sure, some people are born with more advantages… …but as people made in the image of God, we all have the seeds of greatness within us. Great people become great by improving […]
How to Write a Great Story with your Life
Do you want to know how to write the greatest possible story? Some have called the story of Jesus, “The Greatest Story Ever Told.” I’d cast my vote that way. What makes the story of Jesus so great? 1. The hero in the story (Jesus) is a true hero. He’s impressive, yet humble; likeable, yet […]
How To Become A Writer
Often when I teach at conferences (and once-in-a-while even at church), people ask me, “What do I need to do to become a published author?” I respond with two questions in return. First I ask, “What is it you just have to write about?” Most say, “I need to think about that.” I follow with, […]
The Prayer I Pray Every Morning
1 Chronicles 4:10 contains one of the shortest, simplest, most powerful prayers ever prayed: “Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted his […]
How To Improve What You See
The human eye is a neutral instrument. Instant by instant it transmits unfiltered data to your brain. Where you focus determines what you see. How you see is a completely different subject. How you see is determined not by where you look, but by who you are. Consider this parable: Just before their plane landed, […]
8 Capture Strategies for Vacation Bible School
How do you measure the success of your children’s ministry outreach events? Lots of churches sponsor programs that are at least partly designed to attract children who are not currently part of their fellowship. Vacation Bible School is a prime example. Churches put herculean efforts into drawing unchurched kids to their VBS programs. If that’s one […]
Getting into a Prayer Rut
In most areas of life, ruts are a bad thing. Drive your car over one and, ouch, there goes the alignment. Let your marriage get into one and you will be bored and dissatisfied. But when it comes to spiritual exercises, ruts can be a really good thing. My favorite rut is my morning prayer. […]