What Do You See?
John reminds us that what we seek- good or bad- is usually what we find. Several years ago, I was getting ready for work when my son, Jack, walked into the bathroom as I was shaving. As a five-year-old…
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Making Sense of Tragic Loss
How to cope when things go wrong…even when we do everything right. We first heard about Ryan from a social media friend who read On Fire, knew our story and thought we could encourage his family. The following day,…
The Return of the Prodigal Son
What Rembrandt’s most famous work reminds us about life. ‘Kerkgraf’ This word designates the gravesite of one of the greatest artists of all time. The story of how this man was buried there – and what this word means…
What Matters Most?
In the pursuit of success, don’t lose focus on the most important. “If you don’t change direction, you may end up where you are heading.” -Lao Tzu What truly matters most? As we race through life, it’s rare we pause…
Welcome Back!
John encourages us to start this school year with a new mindset For many, the start of school ushers in a welcome shift from summer. It means reunion with friends, the return of routine and the familiar sights, sounds…
No Ice Cream Until….
How a situation went from bad to worse to AWESOME! As schools prepare to open, it’s a great time to reflect on some highlights from summer before it fades. For me, the list includes morning walks with Beth, a…
Grace and Serenity
A visit to burn camp reminds John of the miracle of his scars. Last week I enjoyed what’s become one of my annual highlights each summer – speaking at Midwest Children’s Burn Camp. The camp welcomes kids of all…
Your Voice Matters
The Diary of Anne Frank reminds us that even our most seemingly insignificant actions can have profound impact. Have you ever silenced an idea, worried it would be rejected or thought it wasn’t as good? Have you ever sidelined…
Accept the Arm Extended
Why accepting help is not a sign of weakness. “There is no greater disability in society than the inability to see a person as more.” – R.M. Hensel After an early morning flight from St. Louis, a layover in…
Give It All
Young Patrick shows the power of radical generosity. “That’s what I consider true generosity: You give your all, and yet you always feel as if it costs you nothing.” – Simone de Beauvoir When we give of our time,…