Are you familiar with The Great Banquet?  Patterned after the parable in Luke chapter 14, it is a banquet given by and centered on God.  Like it’s counterparts, Cursillo, Walk to Emmaus, and Tres Dias, this retreat examines Christianity as a lifestyle.  The Great Banquet is an orderly, structured weekend designed to strengthen and renew … More You’re invited…

Originally posted on manwomanGod.com:
Can shape, transform and sometimes save lives.  I recently had a young Navy officer (a former student of mine at VP-30) tell me that a “Sea story” (technically an air story) that I had told to his class, had saved his aircrew’s life not too long ago in the Middle East.  It…

“Unplanned” is a reality based film about a deadly serious subject.  Abortion.  I recall when I was a self-employed insurance agent (between Navy careers), I was going door to door promoting an insurance equity product to businesses.  I was with a small group of other “trainees” going into whatever businesses would open their doors to … More Don’t turn away

Life can get very lonely sometimes.  Despite our spouse, our best buddies, our children…  There are times when we feel abandoned, betrayed, forgotten, invisible.  A good friend of mine, a Christian who is now with the Lord in his heavenly home, once told me that the most life changing thing I ever said to him … More My best friend

Obedience. Leviticus 26 is about the blessings of obedience and the penalties for disobedience to God’s commandments in his covenant (or promise) between God and his people, as delivered through Moses on Mt. Sinai. The Israelites agreed to obey God’s laws, and God promised to bless Israel if they obeyed his laws, but to punish … More Discipleship: Trust and obey…

Coincidentally (Providentially?) today’s “Read through the Bible” passage concerns the passage in Exodus where God speaks of the Angel of Death “passing over” the houses of the Israelites… If they are obedient to God and place the blood of an innocent lamb (a foreshadowing sign of Christ’s sacrifice) over their doors.  The Israelites had not … More Valentine’s Day and Passover?

Sometimes I find myself thinking, in this politically and spiritually divided world, that life would be so much more pleasant if we moved to a place (a neighborhood, a state, a country) where we were surrounded by people who had values more similar to our own.  And then I am reminded that our calling as … More Salt and light

Building an effective team, whether it be for a specific goal or project, or for a lengthier purpose, like a marriage or family, takes effort. You “build” an effective team, you don’t just “form” or label one.  It takes passion, time and commitment.  Good communication skills certainly help.  Leaders inspire and managers provide the resources. … More Teamwork

Spiritually and emotionally.  One of the most difficult things for a leader (coach, spouse, manager, friend, pastor) is to not impose our expectations and standards of spiritual or emotional maturity on others whom we may be trying to influence, lead or disciple.  People simply grow at different rates, and all (including you and me) are … More Leadership: Meet people where they are…

My wife and I see it all the time – She in her marriage counseling and I in my leadership coaching. Those who humble themselves enough to seek help have a much better chance of success and happiness.  The more mature among us are smart enough to realize that the storms of life and relationships … More Pride vs. humility