During these 4 weeks of Advent leading up to Christmas we wait for the coming of Jesus.  My friend and writer Carolyn Butler writes from Cape Town, South Africa, saying:"Advent is a time of awareness of the three-fold coming of Christ:  the Christ who came to the stable in Bethlehem, the Christ who stands constantlyContinue reading "The 3-fold coming of Jesus during Advent"

In my Sunday column for the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette, I argue that your level of gratitude can actually raise your level of happiness.  I really believe that!  Wouldn't you agree?

When I was a boy in Sunday School I knew the shortest verse in the Bible.I could shout it out when the teacher asked, "Shortest verse in the Bible?""John 11:35 ... Jesus wept."You may know the context of why John records Jesus weeping.  It's the account of when Jesus' good friend Lazarus had died. WhenContinue reading "Try to imagine what Jesus was feeling when he wept…"

Very nice tweet from friend Rick Champ who works with the Ignite church-planting networking.  But I have to tell you ... it takes one to know one!Always enjoy conversations with @donfollis.  True encourager.— rick champ (@rjchamp) November 12, 2014

Here's Michael Hyatt on Confrontation and how to do it.  You can read the text of his entire podcast, but I'll give you his 5 take-a-ways because they are so good.-----1.  Give the other person the benefit of the doubt. That's certainly what I want so I start by deciding this is what I'd wantContinue reading "Confrontation… Do it, lovingly. But go … quickly. Don’t wait!"

The Good News, the VERY good news is this:Regardless of your performance ... on your worst days of sin and failure ... on your best days of victorious living, the gospel of Jesus remains utterly unchangeable.Recently I heard Pastor Bob Smart from Christ's Church in Normal, IL, say that on your worst day or onContinue reading "The very good News!"

It's one thing to build your resume ... What you've accomplished, what you've done in your career, what you have learned, how you've improved.  There's certainly nothing wrong with that. But it's another thing to build a legacy ... How, when it's all said and done, did you make this world a better place?

Half the New Testament was written by a former religious terrorist from the Middle East. Never underestimate the power of grace.— Drew Dyck (@drewdyck) November 8, 2014