Category Archives: Uncategorized

How to Make the Most of Monday

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Oh yes. It’s Monday again. I know what that means. You are so excited! What? Not excited? Monday’s not your favorite day of the week? I’m shocked! Seriously, if we were to take an “unscientific poll” here I don’t know if anyone would select Monday as their favorite day of the week.

As a pastor, Mondays can be pretty tough. Here’s what I said on twitter a couple of weeks ago.

Today, for most pastors, is known as “Mack-Truck-Monday.” No matter how great Sunday was, you feel like you’ve been hit by an 18-wheeler!

Some pastors call it the “Holy Hangover,” I kind of like “Mack-Truck Monday.” Whatever you call it, I want to encourage you to make the most of Monday. Here’s how. Continue reading →

Don’t Freak Out, It’s Labor Day Weekend

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Dear pastor friend. This is a simple, friendly reminder that it’s Labor Day Weekend. Now, I don’t want to make any assumtpoins. Maybe yesterday at your church you had a record attendance. If so, praise the Lord – you should write a book or something. But maybe, just maybe, you had a bit lower attendance than normal (by “a bit” I mean “a ton”). If that’s you, I’m here with good news. Don’t freak out, it’s Labor Day Weekend.

Now, I realize I’m not bringing you a profound truth here. You already know it’s Labor Day Weekend. But if you’re like me, sometimes even though you know attendance might be down a bit, it still bothers you. So, I just want to encourage to let go of the fear of the demonic “holiday weekend.” Here are two things to remember. Continue reading →

Stop Whining About Being a Pastor

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Dear pastor friend. I love you. I mean it. I really do. But would you please stop whining about being a pastor? I don’t want to sound rude. Nor do I intend to minimize the stress you’re under. I’m with you. I’m for you. I’m one of you. But please stop whining about being a pastor.

I love pastors. And that’s the main reason I’m writing this post. The dirty little secret is – far too often when pastors get together at conferences or conventions all they do is whine and complain. Here are four encouragements to the pastor who may find himself whining.  Continue reading →

A Leader Should Have a Window and a Mirror

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I recently read Jim Collins’ fantastic little book, How the Mighty Fall. I would highly recommend the book for pastors, leaders, business people, or anyone who wants to learn and grow. Here’s an interesting thought from page 160. The right people display “window and mirror maturity.”

What does he mean? Here are his own words.

When things go well, the right people point out the window, giving credit to factors other than themselves; they shine a light on other people who contributed to success and take little credit themselves. Yet when things go awry, they do not blame circumstances or other people for setbacks and failures; they point in the mirror and say, “I’m responsible.”

This reinforces something that’s been swirling around in my mind for some time. Far too often I have seen pastors or leaders who use the window and the mirror in the wrong way. When things go well, they point to the mirror. When things go poorly, they point out the window.

While Collins’ book is not considered a Christian work, I think he has landed on two very important scriptural principles.  Continue reading →

Too Many Christians Are Like Siri

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Most of you have heard of the highly touted artificial intelligence feature on the new iPhones call “Siri.” Since January, I’ve had one of those new-fangled iPhones with this software that’s supposed to change my life.

If you pay attention to those iPhone commercials you would think Siri would be revolutionary and life-changing. You’ve seen them right? Where famous people have a conversation with Siri. It’s almost breathtaking. They’re talking to their phone! Simply amazing.

There’s only one problem. It just doesn’t work like that. Continue reading →