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Free Indeed

Free Indeed
In this audio reflection, Michael leads us through some thoughts on John 8:33-46.  Jesus is speaking about freedom and the fact that His words are truth and bring freedom.  Jesus contrasts this with sin and lies which bring slavery.  Often times we believe lies about ourselves or a situation, and these lies (that may have…
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God Qualifies the Called: Leadership

God Qualifies the Called: Leadership
Many pastors I speak with confess that, in so many ways, they feel ill-equipped to lead a church community.  Despite a great education, they don't feel as ready as they think they should, and the challenges of church life can bring the right kind of pressures that seem to expose these weaknesses. Every person is…
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Compassion in Leadership

Compassion in Leadership
As we continue in our Character of Leadership Series, we will explore the trait of compassion.  Compassion is our ability as people and as leaders to see the world through the eyes of another, to understand what motivates and inspires others, what gives them joy and what weighs heavy on them. It's different than empathy,…
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Growing Up :: Life

Growing Up :: Life
I am cultivating silence in my life. It is not about eliminating the noise of life but becoming quiet in my mind and in my heart. I am cultivating rest in my life. Not inactivity but an interior stillness amidst everyday life which displaces driven-ness. I am cultivating weakness in my life. Being honest and…
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Self Assessment Tool: JoHari Window

Self Assessment Tool: JoHari Window
The JoHari Window was designed by Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham in 1955 and is a great tool to help leaders understand who they are as people and to identify their strengths and weaknesses. The JoHari Window is a powerful tool to assists leaders in understanding their weaknesses are often apparent to other by their actions, regardless of…
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45 Things to Live Well (26-30)

45 Things to Live Well (26-30)
This next instalment of 45 Things to Live Well is pretty practical.  I would like to say common sense but I have learned common sense is often not so common!   1. Be sure to pay your bills on time.  The practical aspect of this is that by paying your bills on time, you don't pay any…
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Oh Blessed Vice

Oh Blessed Vice
It is true that God can use all things for our good - even our sin and brokenness. St. Augustine would call sin his blessed vice because he knew his sin would drive him back to the foot of the cross - relieving him from the heavy burden of it.  This is the beauty and…
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45 Things to Live Well (20-25)

45 Things to Live Well (20-25)
They say the best revenge is living well and while I don't advocate revenge, I do encourage people to live well, to live fully. This is another instalment of the 45 Things we can do to live well!     Living well, not being hung up on the petty things of life can help us live more…
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The Present Presence of God

The Present Presence of God
Jesus said He would never leave us or forsake us and this is such a powerful promise and one central to the incarnational nature of the Christian faith.  We are exhorted and encouraged with the promise of Christ in us, the hope of glory and yet so many of us live like we are all alone.  How many…
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Faith Spelled R-I-S-K: Living Life.

Faith Spelled R-I-S-K: Living Life.
A farmer walks into the local diner.  He sits down, wipes the sweat from his brow, and orders a coffee.  The diner is a buzz with other locals talking about everything from the state of the economy to politics and how the crops were coming along.  The banter was lively and folksy as the farmer's…
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