The difference 10 minutes can make

I met a Guatemalan man named Gerber Perez, who now works with Mission Impact. When he was a young man, about 21, he got his first job teaching 3rd grade at a local school. Gerber made a practice of setting his watch ten minutes ahead so he would always arrive on time....

Quitting choir

  When I was a junior in college at UCLA studying chemistry, I had a spiritual awakening. I became involved in campus ministry, a youth choir, and other activities. Life was very full, and I enjoyed the vast majority of what I was doing. Before sitting down to...

Annual time-budget seasons

  For many people, the way they spend their time isn’t consistent from week to week or even month to month. Some people are bi-vocational or have a trans-local ministry that requires more time during one season and less during another. They may have two or three...

Do what increases sustainability

  Most days, we’re trying to get stuff done. But in getting stuff done, we have a choice. We can just get something off of our list or we can be selective. Which of the things on my list– if done– will make the rest of my work easier or more...

In a hurry?

  Dallas Willard, who recently passed away, once gave some sage advice: “Ruthlessly eliminate hurry.”  One of my friends who knew Dallas personally shared that phrase with me and it has really been resonating. “Ruthlessly eliminate hurry.” That’s profound, and...

Doing more of the right less

  In John 15:1-2, we find that the secret of greater fruitfulness is not doing more but doing less: “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear...

Because you didn’t run fast enough

  When I was an intern, very early on in my ministry, I was frequently late for staff meeting. Eventually, my supervisor took me aside and said, “When you are late, you’re communicating that you’re the most important person in the room– and that others can...

The ONE Thing

  “What’s the one thing I can do (today, this week) that by doing it, everything else will be easier or unnecessary? Until my one thing is done, everything else is a distraction.” – Gary Keller The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind...