The writer of Ecclesiastes sagely wrote, “He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts” (Ecc. 3:11). To be honest, I prefer the New King James Version over the Christian Standard Bible for this verse. The NKJV uses the word “beautiful” rather than “appropriate.” Sometimes, presumably in an…
CONCORDIA, Mo. – Sometimes all it takes to set a spiritual encounter in motion is a free lipstick sample, at least that’s what Beth Lange of Concordia, Missouri, has found. Lange has served in various ministry capacities through the decades. She has worked as a director for Christian education, led women’s Bible studies, and served…
A challenge with re-reading the Christmas story each year is that it can become too familiar. Many of us can recite it from memory. My dad often saw truths in Scripture that other people overlooked. He didn’t make them up. He just noticed what other people missed. While it’s important not to make assumptions about…
God has many names. One human word could not possibly encompass the reality and dimensions of almighty, eternal God. At various times in my life, I have been drawn to different divine names. One name I am reminded of every Christmas season is Prince of Peace. In the frenetic and tumultuous world I inhabit, peace…
The best way to predict what kind of leader someone will be is to examine their track record. How have they led previously? Most politicians promise to be good leaders if they are elected. Once they are, they often fall disappointingly short of their campaign rhetoric. They are all talk but no action. Beware of…
A major leadership focus in recent years has been on “servant leadership.” When people promote this approach, they inevitably cite Jesus washing his disciples’ feet as the prototype (John 13:1-20). Jesus came as a servant, and he set the example for us to follow (Matt. 20:28). This model certainly presents a stark contrast to worldly…
The leadership world is often overtaken by fads. The “next best thing” is always being promoted somewhere. One popular trend in recent years is mentorship. The arrangement typically involves older, seasoned leaders taking younger or less-experienced people under their wing. Mentors develop a curriculum, assign reading and exercises, and take the lead in the relationship….
We are stewards of everything God has put into our hands, and one day we will have to give an account of how we handled the resources at our disposal. We often consider this truth in relation to money, possessions, and time. But what about our skills? What about our innate passions? What about the…
I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to write more than three dozen books. Writing is hard work. It can be complicated, tedious, and time consuming. It’s not for everyone. On the other hand, everyone has a message worth sharing. That message consists of the distilled wisdom you have accumulated throughout your life. It might be…
BUFFALO, NY — God is at work in many arenas—and some of those are literal, as Kevin Beers discovered when he became the chaplain for the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres in 2019. “I knew a little bit about chaplaincy, because I knew the chaplain for the [NFL’s] Buffalo Bills,” Beers shared. “But the NHL is completely…