Category: Thursday Thoughts

Have you ever tried to lose weight, change a habit, think differently, start exercising, or any other mental or physical habit? I have with a lot of successes and failures. I have struggled to keep my weight within a reasonable range since I was 18. During the first three months of my freshman year of…

I am experiencing a growing discomfort as I hear the Good News presented today. Before you label me a heretic in what you read below, please read John 1.1-17, 3 & 15, Romans 8, 2 Corinthians 3, Galatians 2 & 5, Ephesians 2 & 3, and Colossians 2 & 3. As you read these passages, ask…

Recently I talked with a pastor about potential life-changing decisions, and she said that one option would be very difficult, so she seemed to pass by this one and discuss the easier options. I interrupted and said, just because it won’t be easy doesn’t make it wrong. I suggested that possibly the most difficult option…

Mary Kay and I are reading through the gospel of John for our small group soul training. The intent is to read it through an easy translation (The Message) to gain an overall sense of Jesus’ ministry from this Gospel. We aren’t through, but one thing that I realized so far is how Jesus seldom handled conflict…

Let me first say I love listening and worshiping to music. I am moved to tears at times through worship songs. Recently several songs by Cody Carnes, Run to the Father and Christ be Magnified have significantly drawn me into our Lord’s presence. I often listen to songs like this over and over. At times I listen to…

Have you ever thought about the difference between wisdom and truth? Wisdom is surely built on the foundation of truth, but I have shared a lot of truth that wasn’t wise. So what is the difference between truth and wisdom? Philosophers have struggled for millennia defining truth. When Jesus responded to Pilate, “You are right in saying I…

Last week I discussed why we are seeing such an alarming rate of pastors and church leaders morally flaming out, burning out, and/or simply dropping out. I said there were two reasons, 1) “hero worship” in our culture and in the church and 2) pastors believing this false narrative.  Last week we dealt with the culture…

We all change. We have also witnessed many leaders fall from positions of influence or impact over the past three decades. As I have known or studied great leaders who later plummeted from prominence, it became clear that they changed over a long trajectory of leadership. It seems the problem has become more endemic these past three decades…

As I look at my life, I can tell my pace is slowing, but my production seems to be increasing.  How is this possible? I think it is because as my pace has slowed, I have given more time to think more deeply, which has led to more impact. Wisdom is knowledge applied. There is a…