Blog
I have always enjoyed sitting down with someone to enjoy a good conversation with a cup of coffee. I hope, through my blog, to inspire you to begin new conversations about what God has done in your life, where God is leading you next, and what God has designed you to do.
It is easy to get keep conversations light and superficial, but I believe God wants us to begin talking about more, to talk about Him and His impact on our lives.
When voting, whose side are you on?
Around 2009, I flew to Houston, Texas, for a wedding. For budget reasons, I went without my husband, so I connected with a prior co-worker and her friend. Before the wedding, we met at Judi’s house to get reacquainted. I told her about the books that I had written, and I was now speaking for women’s groups and various Christian and secular events on abortion, pro-life matters, forgiveness, God’s call for our work-lives, and more. Judi was still working as an attorney for ExxonMobil, a fascinating career, and one that I often miss. The wedding was lovely, and the reception promised to be beautifully elegant and fun. At dinner, the guests were seated at round tables, set for eight. Judi selected a table and suggested that I sit next to Wendi. As Judi introduced us, she encouraged me to tell Wendi what I do for a living, knowing that sparks would likely fly. Judi has a unique sense of humor. Unprepared for the conversation that ensued, I told Wendi that I was a Christian author and speaker. “Christian? What is that?” Wendi retorted. I didn’t pick up on Wendi’s point. “Christian!” she exclaimed again. “Is that some sort of cult? Do you believe in things that don’t exist? Do you light candles to your god?” I finally caught on. She then asked, “What are your books about?” “My first published book is called, ‘My Secret Loss: Finding Life after Abortion.’ It builds on my personal experience …” “Abortion!” she spat. “So, you’re one of those people, infringing on my rights to choose what happens to my body. You are one of those people, imposing your opinions on the rest of us. I’ll tell you; I’ve had several abortions and I’m proud of it. You can’t force your opinion on me or anyone else! I’ll bet you are a single-issue voter. Who are you voting for? Do you care what they stand for? Do you even know what they stand for? You are probably going to vote pro-life, without even thinking about what is best for our country.” Wendi’s tirade went on for a couple minutes, a long time for the circumstances. Her voice got louder and louder as she continued accosting me. The others at our table sat silently, gazing at their food. In my heart, I was thinking a pro-life vote is best for our country. When respect for life at all stages of life and appreciation for all degrees of ability rule our thoughts, decisions tend to be what is best for society. However, my courage to continue this discussion was overruled by my desire to avoid a confrontation at my good friend’s wedding. Thus, when Wendi paused for a breath, I admitted that I was pro-life and life issues are a priority to me. I said that I would love to discuss the issues in greater depth, but I did not believe that this was the time or the place. At that point, my friend Judi interjected with a suggestion that we find a new subject. I can agree with Wendi on one point. All issues have a degree of importance, and each candidate’s stance on all issues should be evaluated when voting. However, I am certain that Wendi and I would disagree on the foundation...
read moreMake disciples? Who, me? How?
I was about fifteen years old, working at my summer job as a babysitter for Aaron and Brian. It was a hot, summer day, and we all needed a walk, a change of pace, maybe a distraction. So, I put Aaron in the stroller, held Brian’s hand in mine, and we ventured out. Just as we got to the end of the driveway, a car pulled up beside us. In the car was a man who leaned out the open window and asked, “Have you asked Jesus Christ into your life?” “Maybe, ummm, I don’t know. I go to church.” I replied. What is the difference between going to church and asking Jesus into my life, I wondered. “Pray with me right now and ask Jesus into your life. If you do you will be saved.” He urged me. Saved? What does he mean by that? I was baptized as a baby. I go to church. What is he talking about? I continued to wonder, but didn’t want to ask, especially with two hot, rambunctious kids on my hands. This is not the time to talk to this man or to anyone else. I was a little embarrassed. What? He wants me to pray right here on the street corner? What if someone sees us? Not knowing what to say, and not having any clue what he meant about being saved, I politely agreed that we could pray. If I agree, then maybe he will go away, I hoped. So I folded my hands over Brian’s hand, and bowed my head, and the man began to pray. I didn’t pay much attention. My thoughts wandered the entire time. I hope he hurries. Someone might drive by. The kids want to get going. I want to get going. I know it is good to pray; but really, praying on the street corner? I feel ridiculous. How long is he going to go on? Sometime, maybe I’ll learn to just say no. I should have said no this time. Can’t he see that I’m busy? Why in the world did he stop by me? Why didn’t he pick on someone else today? Who is this guy? He’s not wearing a pastor’s collar. “Amen,” said the man. “Thank you,” I said. I think he thought that I was thanking him for the prayer. I was simply glad that he was done. Then he drove off, just as quickly as he had stopped beside me. The boys and I continued our walk. It was a beautiful summer day. “Go therefore and make disciples,” Jesus said, as quoted in Matthew 28:19-20. What does that mean? Am I supposed to do what that man did on that hot summer day? I mean really, I’m sure his intent was good, but was he effective? Maybe that works for some people, but I don’t see myself ever stopping a complete stranger and pushing them into a prayer that they do not understand. I read a book written by another man who likes to do open-air preaching. He goes to a busy street corner and just starts preaching to anyone that happens to stop and listen. Then he hands out pamphlets that tell the people about Christ. His book encourages us to do the same. Wow! Does God...
read moreAny Road Will Take You Someplace If You Travel Long Enough
When I was young, single, and working in Minnesota, I’d find myself facing the weekend without any specific plans. Wanting something interesting to do, I regularly chose to drive home to Wisconsin to see family or friends. To add a little adventure to my weekend, rather than traveling back to Wisconsin, I waited to select my ultimate destination until I was one hour into my drive, where my road choice would force a destination choice. It didn’t usually matter what road I chose, because it didn’t usually matter to me where I ended up. My main goal was to have something to do, and the drive itself met that goal. Similarly, the ultimate vacation destination has never been a top priority for me. When I plan our family vacations, I usually look for the best travel value which takes me out of Wisconsin’s wintry weather. My goal is to go someplace new, but warm. Beyond that, the destination doesn’t matter to me. Lewis Carroll, who wrote Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865) is quoted as saying, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.” In the book, Alice asks the Cheshire cat which way she should go. He says it depends on where she wants to go. Alice replies that it doesn’t matter to her. So, he concludes, “Then it doesn’t matter which way you go.” Maybe for vacation planning purposes, it works to be without a plan. But there are other circumstances for which knowing where you want to go is critically necessary. All strong leaders understand the need to know where you want to go. In the corporate world, they call it vision. Once one knows the vision, he or she can also define the mission, strategy, goals, and tools needed for success. Vision is farsightedness. It is what you imagine to be the fact at the end of the line, or at the ultimate destination. Everyone has imagination to some degree. Everyone can imagine what they think would be a perfect world, the best vacation, a successful career, a successful company, or a quality life. Having vision requires thinking ahead and defining what you want the future to look like. What about mission, strategy, goals, and tools? Mission is your calling, your story, the realm in which you live and work, the world in which you pursue your vision. Strategy is the plan that you follow, the road map, the path you choose within your mission in order to pursue your vision. Goals are short range targets that you aim for along the way. Skills, abilities, passions, and character traits are the personal tools each person has to enable him or her to reach each goal. Physical tools may include things like equipment, machinery, computers, or financial resources. Let’s look at it in reverse order. In the corporate world, each person has a job to do. He or she brings to the job many personal tools, such as education, skills, and desire. They are also given company tools such as equipment, a laptop, or machinery. Each person uses their tools to accomplish set goals. When the goals are met, the company moves a step further along its strategic plan, within its mission. The mission is the market in which the company...
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