When Your Cup Is Empty
About a month ago I woke up feeling so overwhelmed that I told my wife, “I don’t want to talk to anyone I know today except you.” I notified my staff that I would not be in the office … Continued
My Shield Prayer
I’ve been blessed with many good bosses over the years, but “Jerry” didn’t make the list. In fact, he wins the prize for worst boss. Jerry was a homebuilder and I worked for him as a carpenter’s helper. … Continued
The Unlikely Community
It really didn’t happen that way, you know–shepherds, angels, wise men, sheep, camels, and donkeys, arrayed aroundthe manger with the star overhead. To begin with, once the angels deliveredtheir message to the shepherds, they didn’t dart over to the stable. … Continued
Proud to Be a Misfit
Last year “Billy” joined our church’s youth group. He always showed up in a thrift store sport jacket and highwater slacks. A huge Doctor Who fan, he carried a plastic space screwdriver he had made himself, and quickly earned … Continued
All Hours Are Not Created Equal
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Eccl. 3:1, ESV). We all have an equal number of hours in our day, but not all hours are created equal. I am … Continued
Homegrown Leaders
As the pastor walked me through his church building with its huge classrooms, he paused and grimaced. “God just hasn’t given us very many teachers,” he said. In scores of churches I’ve heard leaders complain, “A handful of us … Continued
Giving to Jesus Can Be Fun
A story from when my kids were young. “Dad, can you get me my Jesus bank?” It was Saturday morning and I had just given five-year-old Jonathan his weekly twenty-five cent allowance. “Mine, too,” three-year-old Janelle called. As … Continued
The Art of Asking Forgiveness
by Michael Hare, Guest Writer The ushers moved with near military precision as they distributed the communion elements in the large church I was visiting. Then I saw one usher break formation and walk over to whisper in the ear … Continued
Drop-in-the-Bucket Giving
A few months after I’d finished college, my wife and I moved to an unfamiliar city where we both had low-paying part-time jobs. Our car was stranded curbside, needing a repair we couldn’t afford. The grand total of our cash … Continued