Like many families, we have a large clock in our kitchen area. It hangs above our patio doors heading out into our small backyard. I did not realize how much I depended on it, until it was gone. Continue reading →

If I had to choose the words that have made the most positive difference in my life, it would have to be words of affirmation. Affirming words are like water to a thirsty traveler…they restore and nourish our souls. We need to receive and give regular doses of affirmation if we are going to grow and lead in ways that give life. Continue reading →

It is with a very grateful heart that I wish all of you Merry Christmas this year. As I reflect on Christmas this year, I am drawn to how absolutely stunning the difference that one person, yes one person, has made on the course of history, and of course, more specifically, in our own lives. Continue reading →

Thanksgiving is here again. Amazing how time flies. If you’re like most of us, chances are you’re busier than you would like to be. Or, you could be a part of a difficult group that wishes it were much busier than it is–on the work front. I would say both groups point us to the discipline of thanksgiving. Continue reading →

Leadership is…complex. It takes a host of skills and a broad (and deep) level of underlying maturity in order to lead really well. But certainly one foundational facet of maturity has to be the leader’s level of strength. Without strength, it is really hard to build or protect the precious group or organization you are called to lead (i.e., nice only gets you so far!). Continue reading →

I’m getting excited about my annual two week vacation coming up here in a week or so. Actually, I’ve been looking forward to it since last Summer! Since I began this ritual about 5 years ago, it has done wonders for my soul, and yielded some unexpected insights about the power of vision–for this life and the life to come. Continue reading →

Certainly our lives are going to be examined on a number of fronts, on that Great Day, and yet it seems likely that one of the most foundational areas each of us will talk with Jesus about our lives will have to do with how well we discipled. How well did our lives and how we engaged genuinely help others become more like Jesus, for real. Continue reading →

I’m fairly confident each one of you has aspirations to be more than you currently are: like becoming a more effective leader, a more grounded person, or loving your family in more meaningful ways. Now there are a host of ways to work on becoming more than we are, and one surprisingly powerful way that I’ve discovered is through praying over my values. Continue reading →

NBA All Star Derrick Rose and You

By Nick Howard, Psy.D.

I have to confess, I’m a bit of a sports junkie. I love reading about outstanding players, teams and coaches and making connections with the world of Christian leadership. A chance encounter last Friday with a USA Today article about NBA guard Derrick Rose serves as my first foray into how elite athletes can inspire and challenge us to lead at a higher level.

Derrick Rose is a third year starter for the Chicago Bulls, and he has performed so well this year that he has made the All Star team. He has even been mentioned as a possible MVP for the league. Impressive. A number of inspiring and challenging parallels to exceptional leadership emerged as I read this article.

What did I discover as I worked through the article? Continue reading →

As the Christmas holiday quickly approaches, I’m pretty confident the bulk of you are looking forward to a time of gratitude and a slower pace. Words cannot readily capture the stunning gift of love and grace that Jesus gives us by entering into our messy world and redeeming us. That gift we give thanks for again and again.

Interestingly, one of the best ways to honor the gift that Jesus is to us, is to become a better “gift” to others. One primary way to do that is to give ourselves the gift of taking great care of our hearts, as a heart that is receiving more love is able to give more love. Continue reading →