In a scene from The Office, Michael Scott stands in front of a classroom. The unpredictable and hilarious branch manager of Dunder Mifflin Paper company of Scranton, PA stops and points his finger. He adamantly says to the class, “Write this down. Paper is here to stay…” The camera moves towards the students. You can hear them […]
Voices can become familiar. We can articulate a wise, practical and truthful insight to a person. The words move beyond mere clichés or thoughtless one liners. They bring perspective or even provide an application action to the conversation. Yet, the person may not buy into our advice in the moment. A week later the same
“Bless their heart…” I learned the meaning of this adage while living in Springfield, MO. It describes how a well-intentioned person attempts a good deed while failing at the execution. Think of the husband who buys a trash compacter for an anniversary present. A child hands you a half-eaten lollipop in hopes of sharing. You
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Life fluctuates. We experience the heights of elation in contentment, joy and success. On the other hand, we know the feelings of pain, resentment, confusion and restlessness. These moments can switch on a dime, when we least expect it. Part of life is learning to navigate the highs and lows; neither resigning to the worst
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We want to tell a good story today, dear Lord. We want to write a new line in a chapter in this life of ours. A dramatic flair, a triumphant conclusion, a love song, a twist or turn. You, God, continue to author the greatest story ever told – and you have placed within us a
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Frequently, I get asked, “What book would you recommend for a group discussion?” Planning a discussion involves understanding the dynamics of the group. How much time can the group give to reading? What topic would be most helpful to each person? Where might this group move to next? The following books, I recommend for their wide appeal
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Chapel ran from 10:00-11:00 a.m. five days a week. It was October 2008 at Valley Forge Christian College. I found myself contemplating graduation. Asking the same questions most every senior asks; Am I headed in the right direction? What am I going to do for the rest of my life? What does the next chapter
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Thomas Merton wrote No Man is an Island over forty years ago. His reflections on the human search for meaning, community and relationship with God remains relevant to the 21st century. One of the most challenging passages for me came from his discussion about sincerity. Sincerity links to the Gospel, because we are learning to see ourselves
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One seat remained opened for breakfast. A conversation started and a week later a Facebook friend request was sent. Not necessarily the components of a chick flick, but this how I met my best friend and wife, Robyn. Two coffee dates, Facebook messages, exchange of phone numbers and the purchase of an iPhone for FaceTime
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I have a confession. When I like a song, I will listen to it again and again. Something happens when you make a connection with a songwriter’s lyrics coupled with the sound of the instruments. This happens as I listen to the “The Banjo Song (Hope)” by Pompton Lakes. Two lines of the chorus say, “And
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