I have a friend that has a fixation with peeling labels off of everything. The first time I met her, I remember her absent-mindedly peeling off every label that was within her reach. She finally turned to me and said in a light-hearted tone, “If you haven’t noticed, I have this obsession with sticky … [Read More...]
How to Make the Most of Your Workday
Work. Sometimes it's a place where you're cranking out ideas and projects like a well-oiled machine. Other times, you're squeaking through the day, easily distracted. And trust us, … [Read More...]
Life Beyond Worn-Out Shoes and Old Ways
“Tradition!” Tevye, the poor milkman from Fiddler on the Roof, straining to hold on to what he cannot keep, cries out: “Traaaditiooon!” The accented bellow sounds almost like … [Read More...]
Quick Reminders for Fall
It’s Fall, which means semesters are beginning, students are arriving, and excitement is in the air on many college campuses. These are the days we love as college ministers! These are also the days when we need a few reminders as twelve-hour days seem to never end. 1. Students see things we … [Read More...]
Why True Connections Matter
Have you ever read a familiar story in Scripture and been surprised by how “fresh” an encounter from the pages of the Bible can be? That was me this morning. I was reading (actually listening to) Mark 5 and found myself drawn into the story of Jesus healing the woman from bleeding who simply touched … [Read More...]
Why Young Adults Need a Culture of Honesty
A quick survey of our current culture in America today would demonstrate that the truth is not a high value for many, if not most people. Constant stories bombard the news of high-level leaders who have cheated, stolen, or lied. In many workplaces, these same practices seem to be the law of the land … [Read More...]
Back to School with Intention and Purpose
It’s mid-August, and where I live, that means one thing: school has started. I’m married to a teacher and work with college students, so the rhythms of the school year are what I live by. That’s why I would rather make a New Year’s resolution in August than in January, and it’s also why I prefer … [Read More...]
What Culture Can Show Us About Young Adults
I remember the first time that I read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as a child. I, of course, fell in love with the adventure, while missing much of the scathing social rebuke that was featured in the character development. It was not until much later that this story was revealed in to me in a … [Read More...]
3 Things to Remember to “Work as Unto the Lord”
My first job was pretty typical: I mowed grass all summer for a guy in my town with a lawn care business. It wasn’t a great decision for a kid who suffered from allergies, but it did put a little money in my pocket for a while. At least I had something to use to buy Kleenex. That’s pretty much … [Read More...]