Chess

Chess

A couple of weeks ago I was watching some family members play a game of chess. I used to play well, but these days I am not much competition for a good player. As I was watching it struck me how a good game of chess is similar to a good life of stewardship. First of...
Communication is a Two-Way Street

Communication is a Two-Way Street

All churches struggle with communication.  I remember, as a pastor, when our church changed our worship time for a special event.  Four weeks in a row I announced it.  Five weeks in a row it was in the bulletin.  It was in the newsletter twice in the same month. ...
The Word Comes Home

The Word Comes Home

The good book is finally back on the shelf.  Many years ago, when I was ordained by Bishop Hodapp, I received my ordination Bible, signed by the bishop himself.  As with a lot of keepsakes, I seldom used it, but always kept it on the shelf.  That Bible was a symbol of...
Vertigo

Vertigo

A couple of weeks ago I had my first case of vertigo. Let me tell you—that was no fun! For those who don’t know, vertigo is the result of a messed up inner ear, and the symptoms are that you feel dizzy and often nauseated. For the first couple days, every time I...
Everything Costs More

Everything Costs More

According to a recent article by CBS news, drivers of new cars are now paying an average of $700-800 per month toward a car payment, with nearly 15% paying more than $1,000 per month. Even 5% of used car buyers are paying north of $1,000. Some of that is driven by...
The Story of Your Budget

The Story of Your Budget

An important question: what story does your budget tell? For decades one of the most successful fund-raising organizations in America has been the Salvation Army.  I have given to it and I’ll bet you have, too.  Here is the thing.  I have never seen a budget for the...