Live. Love. Lead.

     As the new year begins, many of us wonder about what God is calling us to do for His kingdom.  Maybe it's publishing a book. Or launching a business. Or adding a new element to an existing one. Maybe it's starting a Bible study or prayer group where there hasn't been one. Or fully committing to a ministry. Maybe it's working harder by the grace of God to cultivate stronger character in wisdom and kindness. Maybe it's pursuing a new role in your career. Perhaps it's finally pursuing a new relationship or cultivating an existing one. Perhaps it's deciding about a graduate program. Or buying a house. You name it.      It's usually during these times that we beg God for a sign. A sign that will come BEFORE we put ourselves out there. A sign reassuring us we are going in the right direction. A sign verifying that God has indeed called us to the task.      There are times when God shows a miraculous "sign" before  we put ourselves ...

     Mission. Purpose. Know your calling. To me, those words and phrases mean something. The fact is, every single one of us want to know why we are here. For, what purpose are we where we are? Then, let's go a step further. I submit that for us to know why we are here (our calling/purpose/mission); we must also be in tune with who we are (our identity). It is the "who" and the "for what" that so often eludes individuals, families, organizations; you name it. So often when we and others are confronted with this question of purpose we say or think things like, "to make the world a better place" or "to leave this earth better than I found it." Those are helpful sayings, but lack the specificity and the uniqueness each of us long to actualize.      As I was thinking about this age-old enigma, I also "happened" to be studying through the book of Judges. One of my all-time favs is the work God did on Gideon. Gideon is such the picture...