A common mantra in the Church about God’s love goes like this: “God loves
you right where you are, but too much to leave you there.” I’ve said it
too. It’s true. 

Sometimes I wonder if our mantra risks communicating an unwillingness to
love people right where they are. 

I talk to others a lot about accepting people right where they are. It’s at
the core of the guest services training I do with churches and
organizations. It’s what I teach. And yet, I’m embarrassed that I am still
learning… Continue reading →

This is my view everyday at my office. It has been for years. The picture
of my wife, Laura, and our daughter, Olivia, on the right was taken 20
years ago at our home in Tacoma, WA.

I’m not pictured with them, because I was an hour away in Seattle, trying
to gain the courage to fight for my life. I’d gotten to the edge of despair
enough times for several months prior that… Continue reading →

This is my view everyday at my office. It has been for years. The picture
of my wife, Laura, and our daughter, Olivia, on the right was taken 20
years ago at our home in Tacoma, WA.

I’m not pictured with them, because I was an hour away in Seattle, trying
to gain the courage to fight for my life. I’d gotten to the edge of despair
enough times for several months prior that… Continue reading →

I admit it: I am broken.

There was a day I wore my brokenness as a badge. Right below a larger badge
that boasted I was aware and in touch with my brokenness. Both of those
badges were worn on a coat of “I’ve dealt with my crap” self-righteousness.
I was so proud of my humble condition. Which only further compounded my
brokenness.

Eventually, I shed my coat of self-righteousness along with the badges that
announced my prideful humility. I put on a different coat. A “normal” coat.
An “I’m ok” coat. There were initiatives to lead, objectives to accomplish
and, quite frankly, people to impress. More symptoms… Continue reading →

I admit it: I am broken.

There was a day I wore my brokenness as a badge. Right below a larger badge
that boasted I was aware and in touch with my brokenness. Both of those
badges were worn on a coat of “I’ve dealt with my crap” self-righteousness.
I was so proud of my humble condition. Which only further compounded my
brokenness.

Eventually, I shed my coat of self-righteousness along with the badges that
announced my prideful humility. I put on a different coat. A “normal” coat.
An “I’m ok” coat. There were initiatives to lead, objectives to accomplish
and, quite frankly, people to impress. More symptoms… Continue reading →

This really happened to me.

I walked into a restaurant with my family early in the lunch hour. Like,
11:00 a.m. On the dot. As in, we were the first customers of the day.
Surveying the place, I saw…well, nothing. Lots of open tables. And still I
was told “give me just a couple of minutes and we’ll have a table for you.”
I could see at least 12,000 seating options. But I waited.

As I sat down I intuitively wiped bread crumbs from the table onto the
floor and thought, “This doesn’t make sense. There’s no way there have been
other customers in here for lunch already.” Of course, the mess had to have
been left over from… Continue reading →

This really happened to me.

I walked into a restaurant with my family early in the lunch hour. Like,
11:00 a.m. On the dot. As in, we were the first customers of the day.
Surveying the place, I saw…well, nothing. Lots of open tables. And still I
was told “give me just a couple of minutes and we’ll have a table for you.”
I could see at least 12,000 seating options. But I waited.

As I sat down I intuitively wiped bread crumbs from the table onto the
floor and thought, “This doesn’t make sense. There’s no way there have been
other customers in here for lunch already.” Of course, the mess had to have
been left over from… Continue reading →

The numbers we count in our weekend services represent faces. Faces of men
and women and children. And those faces hold stories, everyone of them.
Personal and real stories. And while we may not get the opportunity to
engage every detail of every life story on the weekend, if we’re
listening, we will walk away with stories.

On one weekend alone, I heard stories… Continue reading →

The numbers we count in our weekend services represent faces. Faces of men
and women and children. And those faces hold stories, everyone of them.
Personal and real stories. And while we may not get the opportunity to
engage every detail of every life story on the weekend, if we’re
listening, we will walk away with stories.

On one weekend alone, I heard stories… Continue reading →

I believe people matter to God.

Most of the time. The harsh truth is, my thoughts and behaviors reveal what
I really believe at any given point. So do yours.

Like when I’m irritated that… Continue reading →