Category Archives: Uncategorized

I Object!

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Carl Simmons

How do you usually respond when someone throws criticism your way? Let it bounce off you? Send it someone else’s way? Duck and avoid it? Catch it and hang onto it? Slam it back at the person who threw it … Continue reading →

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a piece of Lay Down Your Weakness

Posted on September 2, 2011 by Carl Simmons

As I’ve been working on these Friday pieces, I’ve really come to appreciate Peter more. As brilliant as that “man out of time” Paul was… as loving and engrossed with Jesus as John was… as assertive as James was… for … Continue reading →

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A Kingdom WORTH Desiring…

Posted on September 1, 2011 by Carl Simmons

Last week I reviewed a book wherein the thinking was right, but the feeling was missing. This week (courtesy of my younger daughter, who attends this pastor’s church in Portland and thus snagged me a free copy of this), we … Continue reading →

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For the Love of Money

Posted on August 31, 2011 by Carl Simmons

What’s one snack or other food you regularly craved as a kid? For me it was Buitoni Instant Pizza. (Sorry, this was the only image I could find — on a Facebook fan site, no less.) Well, any pizza. And … Continue reading →

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Leading the Change

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Carl Simmons

Last Monday, we looked at the importance of communicating well, even when it’s difficult or uncomfortable. Today, we come to the place where we need to communicate. When God calls us to take the lead, it means we’re leading people … Continue reading →

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Lay Down Your Dreams: rough fragments about rough fragments

Posted on August 26, 2011 by Carl Simmons

I am becoming increasingly convinced, as I get older, that God does not demand our obedience simply because it honors Him. That is, of course, a true and healthy reason to do it. And I wouldn’t even put up an … Continue reading →

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Show, Don’t Tell… maybe next time…

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Carl Simmons

Having read and enjoyed Leadership Journal editor Skye Jethani’s first book The Divine Commodity, I had high hopes for his new one. Specifically, as that first book had been long on well-placed criticisms and short on answers—and to be fair, … Continue reading →

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Address Your Stress

Posted on August 24, 2011 by Carl Simmons

When have you felt like you’ve had more things thrown at you than you could handle? How do you normally respond when that happens? Not all stress is bad. But when it costs us life with God, we have a … Continue reading →

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Making What You Know… Known

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Carl Simmons

Read the sentence below, repeatedly.  In fact, each time, emphasize a different word in the sentence  until you’ve tried all six versions. Ready? Go: “I didn’t say you were ugly.” What different meanings did you get out of this one … Continue reading →

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Lay Down Your Agenda — some opening fragments

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Carl Simmons

We want to do the right thing, but very often we don’t know what the right thing is. Oddly enough, this is often when prayer is most effective. There are times where God gives us the confidence to pray for … Continue reading →

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