So, today I’ve been thinking about the gift of touch. It is probably because it’s a cold morning, and I’m sitting here by the fireplace, wishing someone else were sitting here with me rubbing my freezing feet. My heart warms up at the mere thought of physical touch. It makes me happy to hold the…
Why Study a Failed Leader?
What kind of leader blows up and throws a spear at one of his most trusted commanders? What kind of leader attempts to kill his own son, his designated successor, in the middle of a conference?What kind of leader customarily sits with his back to the wall so that he cannot be taken by surprise? What kind of…
Dirty God: Jesus with the Lepers
The Bible teaches us that God “demonstrates his own love for us” (Rom. 5:8) in how he came to us in Jesus. He didn’t expect us to climb up to him. He climbed down to us. He got his hands dirty so that we could have our hearts cleaned. And by that example, he taught…
7 Best Practices for Authentic Leadership
I’ve realized a great lesson about leadership: I’m best when I’m being me. Every leader faces a temptation to project a persona rather than be themselves. They think that in order to maintain the confidence of their team, they must appear faultless, flawless, and ever wise. Yet most organizations need authentic leadership, not perfect ones. I’ve…
Kindness is a Calling for all Christians
When we were growing up, my sister and I brought home stray kitties and puppies that had missing fur, broken limbs, and in one case, missing a leg altogether. The animals that had absolutely no hope of ever being adopted and were one breath away from their last—those were the ones we loved the most.…
Teach Kids to Love Others Like Jesus Loves Us
When we see people the way God sees them, we look at everyone from a totally different perspective. It takes some effort, some intentionality, to rid ourselves of the hidden veins of prejudice in our lives and begin to embrace everyone around us with the love of Christ, to love others like Jesus loves us.…
Yearning for Fluency in Prayer
Even when prayer seems a duty, like a homework assignment, we sustain the hope that it could grow into something more. A hidden treasure lies inside, if only we can quarry it. A new country awaits us, if only we can find the language in which to converse. We babble like infants, yearning for fluency.…
Cultivating the Value of Gratitude
One time we were raising money for a new playground for the kids at our church. You may have seen these colorful wonderlands in parks where you live. They’ve got slides, swings, climbing walls, curved balance beams, and monkey bars. (Not only do my kids love these playlands, but I’ve been known to climb on…
The Power of Real Praise
Public praise empowers your team to be the leaders you already know they are. It was a brisk and beautiful April day, but I was as nervous as I’d ever been. This was my first day on the job as the new chairman of Herschend Family Entertainment, and Jack Herschend was going to introduce me…
How to Pray for Your Kids
It’s important for parents to be in the habit of knowing how to pray for your kids. Not only does prayer change your child but it also helps you as a parent align yourself with God and his plan. With his strength you’ll be less likely to blow up in anger, and you’ll have more…