In 1904, a young millionaire named William Borden graduated from high school. His untold wealth was his as heir to the Borden Dairy estate. His proud parents celebrated his graduation by sending him on an extravagant trip around the world. While touring Asia, the Middle East, and Europe though, William saw poverty and sorrow as he’d […]
Recall Truth When You Feel Invisible
Have you ever felt swallowed up in the dailiness of ministry? Sometimes crossing one thing off the list seems to make three more things jump on the list! I know you are working hard as a ministry leader and yet sometimes you may feel as if, in spite of all you do, no one sees […]
Give Up On Perfect
According to the General Social Survey, which has tracked American moods since 1972, women are becoming less happy. There are several variables, but I think one big reason for less joy and more gloom is a woman’s self-imposed drive to be perfect. Decades ago, women kept house, reared kids, shopped, cooked, volunteered and had a […]
Become a Balanced Leader
Would you describe yourself as balanced? Okay, hold down the laughter! I could write a book called Totally Stressed and How I Achieved it While Seeking Balance! I’m sure not balanced enough to write a book about balance, but I know someone who is. In fact, He summed up the three things we need for […]
Two Vital Ways to Prevent Burnout
Researchers define burnout as: “A state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion caused by long term involvement in emotionally demanding situations.” Would you define ministry as an “emotionally demanding situation?” If you have been in ministry longer than ten minutes, and have a pulse, most likely you would! In my years of ministry, that has […]
Devotional: Courage and Confidence
Courage and confidence are not the same thing, but I am convinced that one gains confidence when one exercises courage. In our spiritual lives, lots of us simply wait for feelings of confidence, before we exercise courage. The Bible shows us countless examples of those who had no confidence in the flesh, but, they mustered […]
Answering the “What should I do?” Question
I met a lot of women this past weekend at my Fresh Grounded Faith Conference and for every woman, there was a story. I met women who were newly widowed and teared up as they told me of their loss. I hugged single moms who were hanging on by a thread. I listened to women […]
The Power of Telling a Story
One evening, Herman Melville, the author of Moby Dick, was visiting his friend and fellow novelist, Nathaniel Hawthorne at his Massachusetts home. The evening was filled with friendship and colorful story telling. Melville recounted to Hawthorne and his wife the harrowing adventures he had while on a voyage in the South Seas. With exuberant gestures and […]
Devotional: Who Am I in This Story?
I’ve heard the Good Samaritan story hundreds of times. I’ve been familiar with the beloved parable for over 40 years, and most times I hear it, I ask, “Who am I in this story?” Am I the Priest, the Levite or the Samaritan?” Of course, the goal is to be the Samaritan. He was the […]
Devotional: Clean Out Your Thought Closet
We all have the tendency to talk to ourselves that way from time to time, don’t we? If you’re not sure, listen to what goes on in the Thought Closets of some women you might know… “This church never listens to my ideas.” “My mother-in-law is so annoying.” “That meal was too salty.” “I have […]
