This is the 19th entry in a series on Coaching Distinctions. I’m inviting you into some of the strategies and perspectives I employ as I champion my clients to achieve extraordinary results—not just while we’re working together, but for the rest of their lives. As a coach, I’m not in the help-you-solve-your-problems business. Nope. I’m […]
Stealing Second (part three) Read More »
The first thing every base-running instruction says is you have to lead off. You gotta get off of first. Your foot off the bag. You lead off. And when you do, you’re no longer on first … and you’re a long way from second. And, in this condition you can be thrown out. There’s a
Stealing Second (part one) Read More »
Imagine the impact on the United States if Christians here were known – first of all — for being people of action. You could be reading these blogs and conclude: “Good! We’re doing all kinds of ministry in our city: we donate used clothes to the homeless shelter, canned goods to the food bank, we
Committed Action (part four) Read More »
Imagine the impact on the United States if Christians here were known – first of all — for being people of action. Caution: activity does not equal effectiveness. Many Christians and churches are busy, busy, busy: elders meetings, fellowships, teas, seminars, bible studies, retreats, revivals, accountability groups, small groups, home groups, growth groups, recovery groups…
Committed Action (part three) Read More »
Imagine the impact on the United States if Christians here were known – first of all — for being people of action. When you read the New Testament, you see Jesus in action much of the time. So much so that when he drew away for prayer, reflection, and rest—it was noteworthy. But, most sermons
Committed Action (part two) Read More »
Imagine the impact on the United States if Christians here were known – first of all — for being people of action. If we were regarded as people who leap when there’s an opportunity to help others. People who jump at the chance to undermine injustice? Those who are swift to relieve suffering? What
Committed Action (part one) Read More »
For several installments, we’ve been considering the motivation that is common to human beings—to look good, feel good, be right, and be in control—yet largely goes unexamined. Then, contemplating what to do about it, we’ve been examining repentance. Repentance that sticks. In my coaching practice, not uncommonly our focus turns to patterns in the pastor’s
Repentance that lasts a lifetime (part three) Read More »
Buried in the archaic curiosity of the King James translation is a gem: “…godly sorrow worketh repentance … not to be repented of…”. [2 Cor 7:10] Repentance that sticks. Consider that when God sorrows, it’s not the self-serving, feeling-sorry-for-myself kind of sorrow that leads to death. God sorrows for others. There’s the key to deep
Repentance that lasts a lifetime (part two) Read More »
When someone behaves in ways that don’t seem to make sense it’s usually due to one of the “formidable four” motivators: looking good, feeling good, being right, or, today’s focus: being in control. The older I get the more sure I am that it is impossible to control anyone … other than myself. And, controlling
The Formidable Four (part four) Read More »
Whatever we do, we do for a reason. Since we’re not crazy, there is always a reason behind our actions. Every action. When our behaviors are perplexing, it’s almost always because we’re unaware of our true motivations in the moment. One of the most pernicious motivators is being right. If you’ve ever sat with a
The Formidable Four (part three) Read More »