“The search for something 
can prove as interesting as finding it.” 

We knew it would be a process requiring significant investment of time, dedication and effort.  Leadership of this initiative would require patience, insight, and people skills, and those on the team would need to embrace a collaborative mindset that encouraged open discussion, constructive disagreement and eventual consensus.  It could be said that the continued existence of the organization and its ability to make viable contributions to the community rested on the outcome of this process. …

Do not let what you do determine who you are!

In our social interactions, the question, “What do you do?” is, perhaps second only to the inquiry, “How are you?”  Interestingly the response made by most people doesn’t answer the question.  More often than not we categorize, “I’m a teacher, a lawyer, a waiter, a nurse, a truck driver, or my favorite, I’m retired!”  The assumption is simple, if you understand anything about the category into which my profession falls, you will know what I do. …

“People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do.”

Normally we hold three church services each Sunday. The spoken service begins at 8:00 AM. The liturgy is identical to the 10:30 service, except there is no music. Some think of it as the express service; morning prayer, a sermon and communion, all in 45 minutes.  The Rise and Shine service begins at 9:00 and is designed for young families. …

“People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do.” 

Normally we hold three church services each Sunday.  The spoken service begins at 8:00 AM.  The liturgy is identical to the 10:30 service, except there is no music.  Some think of it as the express service; morning prayer, a sermon and communion, all in 45 minutes.  The Rise and Shine service begins at 9:00 and is designed for young families. …

 “To hope under the most extreme circumstances
is an act of defiance that permits a person
to live his life on his own terms.”

                                                                                                    -John Groopman      

 

In his book, Courage is Calling, Ryan Holiday writes, “Just about the craziest, bravest thing you can do in this damned world of ours is keep hoping, because there are so many reasons not to:  The pain, the failures, and the good guys who get punished.  It’s so easy to say, “What’s the point? …