How would you describe your current state of well-being? And by well-being, I mean your state of happiness, comfort, and self-worth. That is the question I posed back in early June in the first newsletter/blog post in this series focused on well-being. I wonder now, six weeks later, if you would modify your answer? Are...Read More

We argued over green beans. Squabbling in that supermarket aisle, holding the Del Monte can in one hand and the black and white labeled generic brand in the other, I struggled to not raise my voice at Penny. 40 years ago, my foodie sensibilities would not allow me to buy just plain old green beans,...Read More

I like black licorice. Cue the gag reflex in some people. The way people respond to me when they notice I’m nibbling on black licorice is a good illustration of the kind of people you and I need or the kind of people we don’t need in our lives. More on licorice in a moment...Read More

Did you make your bed today? That’s the question Admiral William H. McRaven wanted the graduates of the University of Texas at Austin to ask themselves every day as their first step in changing the world. It’s a humorous but provocative question, because it instantly forces us to consider the state of order in our...Read More

If you would have asked me 12 months ago, “How are you doing physically?” I would have fumbled about for an answer. To be honest, I’m glad that no one actually asked me that question. But, looking back, if I had answered honestly, I would have said, “Not great.” The condition of my body at...Read More

How are you? That’s it. That’s the test. We’re asked that question frequently, in many ways and forms. Today’s version might be “What’s up?” or “How’s it going?” or “Sup?”. Around the world it is a simple way to gauge a person’s well-being. ¿Cómo estás? Wie geht’s? Jambo habari? So, Sup? How would you describe...Read More

It has been my joy to get to know Michelle Williams and serve with her at our church. She is such a skilled, thoughtful writer! As you’ll see, her writing comes from a very deep place. I encourage you to follow her on Twitter @MichelleW_613 and Facebook @MichelleWilliams613. You can read more from Michelle at...Read More

I certainly have failed. I’ve blown it way too many times. Some of my faux pas have been cringe worthy. Me: “Hey guys…are you new to the church? Have we ever met?” Couple: “Yeah. You married us.” And a few mess-ups have had serious consequences, like the time I backed a church bus up over...Read More

There is a painfully awkward moment when you run into a person who has experienced a tragedy or great loss and you think, “What do I say to them?” You truly want to be helpful. Plus, you need to make sense of their catastrophe in your own head. Why did this happen? So, you say...Read More

I’ve never seen locusts in action but, apparently, they can be terrifying. The still ongoing infestation of locustsin parts of East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian subcontinent has been devastating. The financial costs may top $9 billion and leave tens of millions of people food insecure for a very long time. The destruction...Read More