Definition of Success

Recently a friend asked me, “Peter, what’s your definition of success? How many books do you have to sell? How much do you have to achieve?” I didn’t have an answer.

A week later, an acquisitions editor who had loved my book proposal and wanted to publish it wrote back and said the publications board thought my previous book sales weren’t high enough to go forward with another one. It was like a sucker punch to my gut. I learned that the whole publishing industry is pulling back. The recession and digitalization are leaving many publishers scared and only working with those who can guarantee big sales. I’m left on the outside. Read more

Unforgiveness in the Church

As a pastor, I am deeply concerned for the church. Research tell us that pastors are being forced from their positions in increasing numbers each year, which means an increasing number of churches are going through conflict. I believe the majority of the time the conflict that leads to a pastor’s departure is a consequence of unforgiveness. Read more

Summertime

Little Johnny tossed a water balloon at Billy. A normal reaction from the teacher would be to reprimand Johnny, but this was not a normal day. Miss Jones cheered from the sidelines. Billy fell to the ground with laughter. The boys high-fived each other, and the next team lined up to enjoy this fun in the sun. Outdoor activities are common end-of-school-year events. Kids begin to daydream and plan what they will do for the summer. They are antsy during regular teacher sessions. Aware of this, teachers plan field trips and outdoor activities. Read more

Face-lifts and Heart-lifts

There are some days when there doesn’t seem to be an end to the bad news. A friend tells you of their child’s struggle with drugs, a co-worker discovers her husband has been cheating on her, a neighbor gets his pink slip at work, and your Mom calls to say your Dad’s doctor is sending him for more tests because he’s worried about something they saw on his x-ray today. Some days it seems like the world is coming apart. Overwhelmed, exhausted, and weary we come home to find there is no solace there, and so in our quiet we cry out to God. We cry out expecting an answer, but often there is only silence. We then begin to wallow in our despair. There is, however, a way out of this deep distress. What is it?

Read more

Olympic Courage – Life Courage

In the past Winter Olympics I was impressed with the hindrances athletes overcame: A skier who overcame years of poor performance. Another skier who competed despite a knee injury. A skater who skated her life’s best right after her mother died. Lugers who slid despite the fact that one of them had just died on the track. All won medals. And then there was the teenager who became the best figure skater in history.

Read more

Next Page »