When I visited Oslo, Norway, over the summer, near the top of my to-do list in the city was visiting the Nobel Peace Center. I love history, politics and learning about change-makers throughout time, and a glance through any list of Nobel Peace Prize winners includes an exhilarating mix of these three things. The Nobel…
Category: Reaching Others
20 Ways to go the Extra Mile for Somebody
Hot chocolate is my drink of choice at any coffee shop. Actually, it’s literally my only choice. Ever! I’m not a coffee drinker, but I love coffee shops, and I enjoy hot chocolate no matter what the outdoor temperatures are. On Thursday and Friday mornings, I stop by a coffee shop down the street from…
Gently Planting Jesus in a Nonbeliever’s Heart
So I have a sweet friend who does not yet believe that Jesus is THE WAY, as John 14:6 proclaims, but she does believe in and cherish some of the principles and values Jesus embodied. She has a tender heart that thinks the best of people more than almost anybody else I know. She yearns…
How to Leave a Legacy that Actually Matters
Every once in a while, when life circumstances put it on my mind, I stop to think about what people will say about me when I leave this earth and go to be with Jesus. What kind of legacy will I leave behind? Do you ever wonder about this? I’ve lost three friends and family…
How One Tiny Change can Make a Big Difference
Any handbell ringers out there? My sister and I joined a handbell choir at church when we were fairly young—middle schoolers, I think. We learned the ins and outs of ringing, and we really enjoyed it. In fact, we enjoyed it so much that when we moved to Kansas City 17 years ago, that’s how…
The Easy Way to Tell People About Jesus
The simple phrase “sharing the gospel” can be intimidating. Words like witnessing and evangelizing sometimes make our insides get tense and our palms get sweaty. To witness for Jesus sounds like something very official, doesn’t it? Like you need to have a formal speech prepared and ready to recite at a moment’s notice? Like you…
Jesus’ Parting Words: The Challenge of a Lifetime
Are any of these famous last words from well known movies familiar to you? I have been, and always shall be, your friend. Live long and prosper. -Spock (“Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan”) A plague on both your houses. -Mercutio (“Romeo and Juliet”) Gentlemen, it has been a privilege playing with you tonight….
The Powerful, Hidden Benefits of a Shared Meal
The Powerful, Hidden Benefits of a Shared Meal I was reminded the other day of how powerful FOOD can be. I was grabbing lunch with a friend who was going through a difficult life situation. I picked her up, and the car ride to the restaurant was pretty quiet. There were a million thoughts going…
Every Time is the Right Time to Share the Gospel
Every Time is the Right Time to Share the Gospel I have an especially low sense of urgency with a couple odd things in my life. For example, I love the TV shows Chicago PD and Chicago Fire, but their new episodes air on Wednesday nights when I’m at church choir practice. So of course…
How to Share the Gospel With More Impact
How to Share the Gospel With More Impact In a school, walk through the halls and listen in on teachers’ classroom management styles, and you’ll find a wide variety of methods being used. Some teachers utilize their powerful voices more, while others have a quieter, more nuanced way of motivating students to learn and perform….