Knowing & Being Known

How many of you have worked for a boss who was a micromanager? Raise your hand. You are not alone, trust me. We all have at some point in our career. At times, it feels like a support group would be helpful; a place where we can express our frustration and concerns.Like in most places in our everyday lives, good communication is essential in quality relationships. Micromanagers, however, struggle with quality communication. As an example, they tend to discourage independent…

God has blessed Julia and me with a wonderful ocean front summer home in Sea Isle City, New Jersey. We love sunrise walks along the beach, the cool ocean breezes, and sharing this place with guests. However, being “down the shore” keeps us away from our church home. Determined not to “forsake the assembly of the saints,” we got up June 30 planning to attend services. I had located one of the seasonal seaside chapels that dot the coastline. It seemed…

One of the most beautiful things I have ever witnessed was during the time I was working at a rescue mission. An event was planned at our city's convention center, which brought in some top-tier international speakers from the Christian community. As I was sitting in our customary Monday morning leadership team meeting, one of the speakers dropped by our mission and made a donation. This person ran a ministry in the poorest country in the world where they fed 50,000…

Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?Job 12:12 Okay, so you can’t do a cartwheel anymore. Tree climbing, cliff diving, and disco dancing are not on your schedule this week. You also can’t remember the name of the dog owned by your best friend from high school. Or where you put your car keys this morning. Really, it’s okay.You may have lost some physical dexterity and your memory may need a reboot, but with age and…

I have been watching coverage of the 2024 Summer Games in Paris over the past few weeks. Something about the Olympics always draws me in, despite the inevitable controversies and politics which create headlines. For me, it's about the struggle - the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. And the human stories of athletes overcoming all obstacles to achieve life-long goals, then basking in the joy of seeing them to fruition. The culmination of that joy happens on…

I have been watching coverage of the 2024 Summer Games in Paris over the past few weeks. Something about the Olympics always draws me in, despite the inevitable controversies and politics which create headlines. For me, it's about the struggle - the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. And the human stories of athletes overcoming all obstacles to achieve life-long goals, then basking in the joy of seeing them to fruition. The culmination of that joy happens on…

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26) The hope of renewal. The promise of a changed heart. Wow, I love the sound of that. Especially if that transformed heart is in the neighbor you don’t like. Or in the employer that acts more like a dictator than a democrat. Or in the family member that drives you up a wall. I used to bring God a laundry list of changes I…

There are three desires that I have found essential to a woman’s heart, which are not entirely different from a man’s and yet they remain distinctly feminine. Not every woman wants a battle to fight, but every woman yearns to be fought for. Listen to the longing of a woman’s heart: She wants to be more than noticed — she wants to be wanted. She wants to be pursued. Every woman also wants an adventure to share. “I want to be Isabo in Ladyhawk,;…

I don’t think God is the kind of guy who forces Himself on anybody. If people don’t want to come to the banquet, He’s not bitter or anything. He loves them all the same, but He’s not going to force them. Instead, He just keeps looking. He keeps saying there’s more room to those who really want to be invited to where He is. He’s like any of us in that way. I think God pays attention to our hearts and enjoys when people want to get close to.…