Faithful stewards and hopeful dreamers. We shouldn’t be one without the other. — To be faithful stewards of all that God has given, we recognize how far God has brought us. It does not take for granted the gifts, talents, blessings that God has placed within our community. It develops
Churches in our context are facing a problem. For Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky, fixing the problem isn’t the solution…oddly enough. Instead, “adapting to the changing environment or circumstances so that new possibilities arise for accurately seeing, understanding, and facing challenges with new actions” is the solution. Just like an
Don’t you love a good acronym? According to Bob Johansen of the Institute for the Future, our world has now become VUCA: volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. In less than one generation, after centuries of stability and slow, incremental change, our world has become VUCA and will only become VUCA-er.
I grew up on Furr’s. Maybe you’re more of a Luby’s fan. I remember going to Furr’s with my parents and grandparents. There would always be a line. Eventually, it would be my turn to grab a tray. I would be sure to keep my fingers on the inside of
How does one canoe the mountains? That is the question that Tod Bolsinger explores in his recent book titled, aptly enough, Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory. Over the next several weeks, I’ll be sharing some nuggets of learning that I’ve gained through this book and a study
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And auld lang syne! For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne. We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet, For auld lang syne. Auld Lang Syne, often attributed to Robert Burns, is actually
Christmas On by John D. Blase In the face of seasoned waves of evil that we would sign that old noel that we would hang lights on branches that we would give gifts to others even if that gift is only ourselves— This, this is a defiance seemingly impotent against
A Small Intrigue by John D. Blase God folded his love over and over like a note from a childhood crush until it became small enough to fit in a thimble, a feat quite impressive for such a grand God. The thimble tumbled in the afternoon sun and glistened just
The Magdalene by John D. Blase She loved him because his ways were gentle. How he came to be like that she did not know and did not care. It was enough that he was. He always greeted her the way morning breaks, sharp but soft. He did not come
The journey of Advent is a journey toward the impossible. In increasing amounts, we step toward what we cannot comprehend. Our rationalistic and reductionistic minds cannot comprehend God wrapped in flesh, much less, the audacious love behind it all. The arts help us. As it is said, “Art speaks where