Accountability is hard. It needs to be intentional and honest, not judgmental or condemning. A true friend confronts with truth and love. (Dave Illingworth, businessman and author) A lot is said about accountability these days, but we don’t often see it practiced very...
Our greatest fear in life should not be of failure, but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter. (Francis Chan, educator and author) Most of us will go to great lengths to avoid failing. Whether it’s in our social, academic, or personal life, we want...
We are a culture simultaneously addicted to violence yet horrified at the sight and thought of it invading our walls and worlds. (Leonard Sweet, theologian and author) It really doesn’t take a seminary professor to note the rise of acceptable violence in our society....
Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will. (Suzy Kassem, author and philosopher) When you fall down, you hurry to get back up. When you fail at a task, you try again. But, if you doubt you can fulfill your aspirations, there is little you can do to achieve them....
In other times and places heroes made history. In our time and place they make CDs and touchdowns. (Bill Brown, educator) We do sometimes see “old-fashioned” heroes like the first-responders and volunteers at the Las Vegas shooting or military service personnel, but...
Life. You wear it well. (Clothing store sign) Millions—probably billions—of dollars are spent every year for a new outfit to match the season or some special occasion. But, the old saying isn’t really true that “clothes make the man.” The expression of one’s face, the...
Humble people don’t think less of themselves. They just think of themselves less. (Norman Vincent Peale, American proponent of Positive Thinking) Genuine humility is not self-effacing or being a Mr. Milquetoast, a sort of proverbial floor mat to be walked on. Like...
The most important thing you will leave behind when you die is your legacy. (John Wooden, legendary basketball coach) Wooden continued, “And the greatest legacy you can leave is your life, your principles and the lives you touch.” Although an acknowledged all-star...
We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone. (Loretta Scott) Disasters are filling the headlines. Hurricanes, floods, forest fires, and even a deadly massacre have brought physical and emotional tragedy across our nation. The church and non-profit...
It isn’t that [men] can’t see the solution. It is that they can’t see the problem. (G. K. Chesterton, 19th & 20th century English writer and philosopher) Difficulties and trials in life are often quite complex. We jump to conclusions—not only in looking for quick...
Truth must be the content of our speech, and love must be the motivation. (Kip Cone, pastor) The Bible says that the tongue can be a dangerous thing and that no man can tame it. (See James 3.) Cone suggests two considerations that can help us use our tongues wisely...
Our origins matter less than our destinies. (Ronald Reagan, 40th president of the United States) Reagan was probably not discounting the importance of origins. Our roots are significant; they might have had a critical role in our upbringing and development. But, the...