Think About It

It was a year ago today that I made a trip to the Express Clinic to get some relief from what I figured were the persistent effects of the flu.  When I walked in, I expected to come out a couple of hours later with some medications to treat the symptoms, but when I left Washington Hospital almost a week later I had all new cardiac plumbing.  As I reflect on the past year there are several things that come to mind.  First, I am glad that my unfortunate incident occurred in 2019 rather than in 2020.  I am not sure how I would have reacted to being in the hospital with all the activity going on these days!  I am also thankful for the quality of care I received.  The medical staff that treated me were top-notch.  I also continue to be impressed and appreciative of the outpouring of love and encouragement I have received by those around me.  Finally, at least for this article, I am thankful that I recovered as quickly as I did.    ...

If you would have told me when I started being a church leader that one of the most stressful decisions I would be involved in making was whether people should be required to wear face masks at church I would have laughed.  Could I imagine having to navigate through the world’s immoral influence on the church?  Yes!  Could I have envisioned having to deal with social apathy influencing our ability to reach out to the lost?  Absolutely!  But face masks in church – no way!  Well, it is 2020 and church leaders all over the nation are having to make solid and balanced decisions about the physical health and welfare of their congregations on top of trying to shepherd them toward spiritual well-being.  As we continue our journey into these uncharted waters, I have noticed some things that have been beneficial to us and I am sure would be useful to other leaders: 1.  Pray for wisdom .  We cannot manage this on our own or lead people to where t...

          A few days ago I shared with you a milestone in my life – my 35 th Anniversary in ministry.   Well, it just so happens that May 15 is also a special day for me.   Not only is it Peace Officer’s Memorial Day, it is also the anniversary of my first day in Law Enforcement.   On May 15, 1995 I made my first appearance in an all-department meeting at the Pierre, South Dakota Police Department as a Police Chaplain.   As I think back on that day twenty-five years ago I can only imagine what those folks were thinking – from “who is this guy” to “what is this guy”!   Thankfully, several people present at that meeting accepted me, took me under their wing and gave me the foundation for a career and a passion that continues today.   I have been fortunate to get to do a lot of incredible things in the past twenty five years and hope that, as a volunteer these days, I have even more to contribute to the professio...

One of the things I have noticed about social distancing and contactless interactions is how easy it is to become discouraged.   I am not sure I would have ever thought about it without having lived through the experience, but I tend to feel more discouraged more quickly – and I notice the same thing with many of the other leaders I am around.   I am not sure if it is the constant state of wondering if we are doing the right things (since we have never done this before we don’t know what “success” is supposed to look like or how it should be measure) or if there is something about not having direct, physical feedback and support; but, I really feel it is easier to get down about your talents and your mission.   While discouragement might be a modern problem, it is not the invention of this society.   From the beginning, people have struggled with the temptation to be discouraged.   And, if that is the case, surely there is some guidance as to what to do about...

I am sure Saul of Tarsus thought he had it made.  He was a trusted part of the Jewish religious movement in Jerusalem.  He had been trained up for this moment and he had everything in place – the knowledge of the Law and a zeal to protect his faith.  Yes, he was where he was supposed to be ... or was he?  In a matter of a few days, he discovered a new destiny.  After meeting Jesus on the Road to Damascus, spending three days blind and fasting, then hearing Ananias telling him that he needed to change his lifestyle and perspective; Saul understood he had a new talent and a new mission.  Shortly after making this realization, the Lord related to him, “Make haste, and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me ... Go! For I will send you far away to the Gentiles.” (Acts 22:18, 21).  Saul’s circumstances led him to a new realization about himself and a new path in life. What have we learned about ourselves ov...

McKenzie Milton was on a track to stardom.  The kid from Hawaii had come to the University Of Central Florida and helped changed a football culture.  He was an incredible athlete and a capable leader who took the Golden Knights on an improbable run – then it happened.  On one play, his hope for a national championship and the possibility of ever playing again came to an instant halt.  Not only did his injury put his career in jeopardy, it brought with it some doubts about quality of life issues such as his ability to walk normally.  Over the last year and a half McKenzie has been working his way back to the playing field to the point that he is at least having a conversation about playing again.  While this is a feel-good story, there is a parallel storyline as well.  You see, while Milton has been working hard, so have his coaches Scott Frost and Josh Heupel who have recruited some quality quarterbacks.  Now there are a handful of guys vying to ...

Okay ... whoever has been praying for patience can stop ... I think we get it!  I have never prided myself on my patience.  Sure, I come from the first generation of instant gratification, but my problem seems to stem more from a desire to plan.  I think I am pretty good about adjusting to new things – even crises – but I want the information as quickly as possible so I can start making my plans.  I want good, quick and reliable information so I can plan my future.  What I have found during the recent weeks is that information is limited at best and when it comes to being quick and reliable – well, let’s just say that isn’t necessarily the norm.  On one hand I could blame those feeding us the information, but I believe that people like me share the blame.  In an effort to get ahead of the curve, we want to know what to expect as quickly as possible and, often, accurate information isn’t known, much less disseminated.  At this point, about the...