I have a relentless desire to plan out my future. I actually think I’m pretty good at it (insert pride here). In fact, I’m so good (insert more pride), I sometimes try to plan for the people around me too. But every once in a while it hits me: am
It seems too easy. Pick up a book, learn a few things, and improve your life. Does self-help work? A lot of people think that is does, and this interest fuels a $10 billion market for motivational self-improvement programs and products. “One-third to one-half of Americans have purchased a self-help
There are over 150 million blogs on the internet, and a new blog is created every half a second. Why in the world would someone want to create another one? Yet blogging, websites, and social media have become widely accepted forms of communication and ministry. Some of you, or people
Some things, I am better writing about than doing. One of those is living in the moment. Real life happens in the present–not the past, not the future–yet, we remain consumed with one and worried about the other. We throw away much of the enjoyment of life, one moment at
Business leaders sometimes have a compulsion to be decisive–to just do something! Sometimes, though, it’s best to wait. More often than many think, waiting can be a good business strategy, if we learn when to make that choice wisely. But when is that? When there is not a compelling reason
A business leader’s job includes making decisions. In some situations, the best decision is to wait. Being decisive is a good trait, when accompanied by wisdom. Taking a risk, in the right situation, can be courageous and appropriate. Sometimes, the wisest and most courageous choice is to wait. “Waiting is
I am not a naturally thankful person. I tend to be pragmatic and works-oriented, and I pride myself on looking forward, often sacrificing living in the moment to plan for and work on the future. And, at first, writing about “giving thanks” at Thanksgiving seemed overdone, even unimaginative. But the
It is the most important–and controversial–event in history. This incident has changed the lives of millions, yet others pay it little attention. This is the last of a STEPS Journey Blog series that examines four questions critical to how we form our worldview. We have talked about the Bible, God,
Who is Jesus? This question forms another key building block in our worldview. And it’s a question we cannot avoid if we truly search for truth. In the last two Next Right STEPS Blog articles, we talked about if the Bible is true and how we can know that God
Do you think God is real? Or is he a product of centuries of built-up mythology? Or perhaps a talisman that fearful or unsophisticated people grab onto when they can’t deal with the fears and pressures of life? In the last STEPS Journey Blog article, we talked about how all
You have a worldview, whether you realize it or not. It affects what is important to you and what you deem trivial. It is the foundation for your character, and it shapes who you become. It also serves as a compass to guide you along the journey of life. As
Do you feel you always know exactly what God wants you to do in every situation? If so, I wish you would tell me how you do it, because I often have to really work at it. I believe God is sovereign, and I trust him to know what is
I used to believe we had a God of clarity. Which meant that if God wanted us to do something, he would make it absolutely clear to us what that something was. I don’t believe that anymore. I want to follow God’s will, but sometimes that seems hard to do.
I don’t understand why it has to be this way. And I don’t know the reasons God chooses to let so many bad things happen to people. I just want to have peace in my life. And I want my family and friends to find peace also. Even when they
We all want to find our way—our place, our purpose—and try to figure out the meaning of life. Even if we aren’t aware that we are searching. Looking back, I believe I was searching for my way for many years without knowing it. I thought I was just living. But,
Ineffective leadership may be slowly poisoning your organization. And you may not even be aware of it. Imagine an organization where the best employees regularly leave. Those who stay spend too much time on non-critical tasks. They don’t look forward to coming to work and are eager to flee the
In the next five minutes, you can take a big step toward becoming a better leader. Start by imagining an organization where every member or employee is united by a shared vision. Each one understands their role and has what they need to do their job effectively, yet also has
In business, there are great leaders who can motivate and enable their teams to succeed, even when faced with daunting goals or under adversity. “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” (John Quincy Adams) And there are some
We all have an inner voice that whispers to us. What does your voice say? Only recently have I become aware of some things my inner voice has been saying to me for much of my life. One thing in particular has been a recurring theme: “Don’t do anything stupid!” So I
If we follow the five STEPS, we will improve our life and grow closer to God. But our life–past, present, and future–can only become what it is truly meant to be when we are taking steps with Jesus. As we do, life can become a wonderful adventure as we find
