Every neighborhood has its pests. Whether mosquitoes, mice, wasps, snakes, or centipedes, pestilence is a nuisance. We once lived in a neighborhood beset with rats. Despite our great fondness for Mrs. Frisby and her NIMH friends, we are not rat fans. Scratching in the attic is the opposite of a soothing seaside breeze. When we […]
Seeking guidance is like learning to sail.
Discerning the way of wisdom is a learned practice that begins with humility. Seeking a mentor. Sitting in the passenger seat. Asking questions of those who know more than we do. Humble pie is sweeter than a bowl of struggle, so it’s prudent to seek counsel when we need it. Guidance1 is better than guessing. […]
Baseball and battlefields.
Both feature an arena of engagement, skilled opponents, and a win-or-lose outcome. There are more people watching, listening to, and reading about these contests than participating, and both sides employ layers of strategy. Money flows, mistakes are made, tables turn, standout participants are remembered, and the supporting cast forgotten. Each results in the making or […]
Seven ways to mentor one another in the local church.
Karl Vaters makes an important point in his book, Small Church Essentials. Many of us learned the basics of our faith in Sunday school or discipleship classes, but it takes mentoring to understand how to put it all into practice. The goal of mentoring is to help us move from knowing to becoming. Here are […]
Seven features we appreciate in a hotel.
For those who travel more than once in a blue moon, it’s common to have a favorite hotel chain. You know what to expect, appreciate the standards or amenities they offer, and enjoy a free night now and then. Here’s what we like about our standard brand. Friendly hospitality — Things like cheerful welcomes, warm […]