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 study one...
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 effective? If we...
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 something...
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 fruit so...
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 wait...
What does it take to say you are finished?
Tyranny of the Urgent, the classic booklet by Charles Hummel, begins with the premise that we have overloaded ourselves with too much to do. Our lives resemble over-packed suitcases bursting at the seams. If you contrast that way of living with how Jesus lived, the...