[su_quote]Making the complex understandable is somewhat uncommon – not necessarily because it is impossible to do, but rather because those who instruct often do not strive hard enough to achieve it.[/su_quote] For just a moment, I was able to understand the differences between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. A teenager explained it to me. We were riding along the highway on the way to a youth camp in a packed van. He was one of those uncommonly intelligent teens; but what made him unique was his ability to take a somewhat complex concept and explain it in a way that…
The Second Yes
[su_quote]Some answer with excuses and conditions; some answer with a more refined and resolute “Yes” than the first.[/su_quote] They sat across the table together betrayed, wounded, and defeated. They had poured out their broken hearts to my wife and me; and we all just sat for a moment with a dreary silence among us. What Happened? Many years ago, our dear friends had each surrendered their lives to Jesus. They were married and eventually followed a call to full-time ministry. They worked with passion and served faithfully for years on staff at a church. Now, they were being…
The Cynical Leader
“When the leader is bitter and cynical, the followers will either begin to adopt those same those attitudes, or simply move on.” You can’t hide it for long… cynicism will eventually show itself. It’s not very noticeable at first. It begins like little weeds that grow in your mind. The seeds will be constantly throw at you. They might come from the outside… …you’re not given credit …your opinion gets overlooked …you are criticized They might come from inside your head… … “they’re not on board with me” … “that person has it out for me” … “I’m…
The Unlikely Captain
A Parable of a Pastor: Have you ever doubted your value or accomplishments? In an old harbor by the sea, several ships sat tied to the docks as they were loaded with cargo and passengers ready for a journey. Many of the passengers had already settled into their cabins on board, even though the ships were not scheduled to sail until the following morning. When evening came, the captains and crewmen all headed back to the local inns for a final night of rest before setting sail. That night, a storm blew in. It wasn’t a storm that most…