Is fear an appropriate tool for motivation?

We see it in many segments of society.

Rental car companies use it to sell extras to a rental contract…..

Just discovered this Ted video with Billy Graham talking about technology and faith. He’s humorous, engaging, and helpful about how to deal with technology in the future. He’s talking to a secular audience in 1998, but his words are still practical.

Enjoy some time listening to this honored man:

Do you wonder what’s next after Facebook and Twitter?

Seth Priebatsch thinks he understands the answer to that question, and if he is right, it will change the “rules” of how we do life, just as Facebook and Twitter have. Watch this Ted video as Seth explains.

In my job I hear far more junk than I care to hear. The larger our church gets, the more mess we encounter among the people to whom we minister. We have designed our church to reach hurting people, so we are simply reaching our target audience, but some days it is more difficult than others to hear such sad stories.

One part of the drama of messiness that always frustrates me is how gossip begins about other people’s problems. As if dealing with the consequences of sin is not enough, many times some of the hardest repercussion is the gossip that occurs about the people involved and the situation that occurred. I have never found gossip to be helpful to the people involved or to the Kingdom of God. I have literally become a hater of gossip because I have seen it destroy so many people! Gossip hurts innocent people who are caught in the middle, it exaggerates the situation, and it keeps the one who did wrong loaded with guilt and frustration, and from experiencing the fullness of God’s grace.

With that in mind,here are 7 suggestions for how to stop the spread of gossip.

I don’t know about your family, but we’ve struggled in recent years to find good, well-written, and family friendly movies to enjoy together. Hollywood is paying attention and actually looking for ways to partner with the Christian community. Introducing Warner Brothers Studio’s movie “Flipped”, a story which chronicles second-graders Bryce and Juli over a six-year relationship of growing attachment. We get to experience triumph and disaster, family drama and first love, as they make the discoveries that will define who they are – and who they are to each other.

Written and directed by Rob Reiner, who was the director of such films as: Stand by Me, When Harry Met Sally, and Sleepless in Seattle, this movie will entertain all audiences, while leaving some life lessons in the process. Salem Communications, the largest Christian Radio network in the nation has partnered with Warner Brothers to bring a live video chat with director Rob Reiner and actress Madeline Carroll tonight, Thursday, August 26 at 7pm ET on Facebook. Click HERE for a direct link.

In addition, I’ll be giving away a Flipped movie poster signed by Rob Reiner on this site. Simply comment on this post with your name for a chance to win. (I’ll choose a random winner soon.)

People watching is such an art. It takes discipline and practice. If you aren’t careful you might miss something good…or you could scare people away.

In one people-watching day recently I saw…

In an organization the unwritten rules are just as, if not more, important than the written rules. If you are considering making changes, implementing something new, adding staff, or any of dozen other decisions in your organization, you need to also consider the unwritten rules of the organization.

Here are a few examples:

It seems to me from my ministry experience that marriage has never been threatened more than it is today. It’s true in all segments of our society, including marriages of those in the ministry. That’s why I’m excited to tell you about RefineUs Marriage Ministry. Justin and Trisha Davis are allowing God to use their story to help strength, save and grow marriages. Their ministry has already helped marriages in our church and I believe they can help yours.

Here are some of the offerings RefineUs has to offer:

Do you like summer? Are you ready for the season to change? I am always ready for change and as a runner, it has been especially hot. As an optimist by nature, however, I decided it was best to reflect on the things I like about summer.

Here are 10 reasons I love about summer:

I love exploring Ted.com for exceptional videos. I don’t get to very often, but when I do, I find great stuff.

Here’s one you should consider watching. It’s about 17 minutes long, and honestly he rambles at times, but you’ll get some great wisdom and reminders from a great man. Here’s John Wooden on the subject “What is True Success?”