David Richo has a BOOK out: The Five Things We Cannot Change: And The Happiness We Find By Embracing Them (Shambala, 2005). He claims that there are certain facts of life that we cannot change, unavoidable “givens”. They are: 1) Everything changes and ends, 2) Things do not always go according to plan, 3) Life is not always fair, 4) Pain is part of life, 5) People are not loving and loyal all the time. I so appreciate these points.... Read more

I am a pastor of a church, but I struggle with it. Man, do I struggle with it! When I think about the mechanics of running an organization, the delicacies of maintaining tenuous relationships, the banality of nurturing a bureaucracy, or the boredom of keeping an institution going, I just go NUTS! I hate it. At that point, my wife Lisa usually says, “David, just remember: it’s about the people and about God!” Then I can feel my heart rate... Read more

“Do not claim to be wiser than you are” (Romans 12: 16) is often used as an excuse for our stupidity. It is often used as a preventative for study, research, inquiry and intensive seeking for truth. In fact, we often exalt stupidity. When someone shouts louder with more confidence about something that is totally ludicrous, many marvel at the person’s faith. Besides, this passage, “Do not claim to be wiser than you are” is written to the Roman congregation.... Read more

Kari, Anne, and the rest, I so appreciate your questions and comments. Here’s a brief but serious response: “I found only a question mark where the old conviction should have been” (Karen Armstrong, The Spiral Staircase. My Climb Out of Darkness, p. xix). Spiritual growth is often painful, challenging, and shattering. Maturation is infrequently pleasant. To move to the next level means to abandon the previous one. Granted, sometimes growth is like layering: we develop and progress and adapt, blending... Read more

Lisa (my wife) and I were given a coupon for a motel room in a neighboring city for last night. We took the offer, and went away for 24 hours and had a wonderful time. We were either in bed or in Chapters. My two favorite places! So, needless to say, I didn’t blog or paint yesterday or today. Anyway, before I head to bed with Lisa (again!), here’s a little quote I found interesting from Douglas Coupland’s latest novel,... Read more

The other day, Marilyn commented on an article she read. She gave me a copy. In it, Margaret Wheatley states in her interview: “A highly skilled leader has to engage in the questions of meaning, ethics, uncertainty, fear. Really good leaders are willing to step into a relationship with people and understand that we’re all thinking about these very big questions” (“In It Together”, Science of Mind, May 2006, p. 19). In other words, vulnerability IS leadership. It’s at least... Read more

I need to tell you something. Someone recently asked how I can feel so connected to atheists, agnostic, backsliders, sinners, Jews, Buddhists, and so on. It’s because at the root of my theology, my thoughts about God and life, is the belief that, somehow, Jesus is the center of all things. Somehow, even though I can’t see it, nor can they, I am connected to all people through Jesus and that all people are somehow connected to me through Jesus,... Read more

Okay, one more quote from Kawasaki’s, The Art of the Start: “By definition, reference accounts are already successful and established. Usually, they benefit from the perpetuation of the status quo. Herein lies the problem: If you have an innovative product or service, these accounts are the least likely to embrace it. They are atheists when it comes to a new religion because they are the high priests of an old order” (p. 199). So, again, even though he is talking... Read more

Guy Kawasaki, in his great book, The Art of the Start, quotes Dee. W. Hock: “It is essential to employ, trust, and reward those whose perspective, ability, and judgment are radically different from yours. It is also rare, for it requires uncommon humility, tolerance, and wisdom” (p. 100). Hock and Kawasaki both are speaking about business. I think it applies to the church as well. I dream of pastoring a church with a vast variety of expressions, perspectives, and abilities.... Read more

I had coffee this morning with a good friend of mine. She’s an executive coach in the business world. We always have great conversations. She’s not afraid to ask me hard questions. I need that! She was telling me that more and more companies, employers, and bosses are recognizing the importance of spirituality in the workplace. I said that it is very important to realize the subtlety of what they’re doing. To promote spirituality in the workplace may be important... Read more