How is your marriage doing in quarantine? Marriage health can be challenging during “normal” times. But marriage health during 24-hour lockdown can become terminal if not made a priority. Relational stress has only been compounded by children’s homeschooling, financial fears and the demands of work from home. Carolyn and I have made the health of
George Floyd was the unarmed black man who was handcuffed and pinned to the ground by four Minneapolis police officers on Monday, May 25. He can be heard pleading for his life for almost four minutes with an officer’s knee crushing his neck to the pavement. Bystanders can be heard on a video trying to
A global pandemic. Near empty streets. Millions unemployed. Daily updates on new infections and mounting deaths. Passover and Easter celebrations in this holy season will have a much different meaning. This Holy Week has me reflecting on the meaning of suffering. Why God? What did the Apostle Paul mean when he said, “I want to
Churches across the country are announcing the closing of in-house worship this coming weekend. Many are prepared for worship online, but most are not. The Governor of Kentucky has asked people to voluntarily not attend worship services for an indefinite period of time. Our Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has exempted religious groups from his directive
Words have power! “The tongue has the power of life and death” (Prov. 18:21). The words that flow from our mouths have the power to create unity or division. Have you ever said or posted something that you wish you hadn’t? Words spoken can’t be taken back. A friend recently told me about his family’s
Three of Jesus’ disciples witnessed an unexplainable event on the mountain of Jesus’ transfiguration (Mark 9:2-7). I have to believe their life-altering experience wasn’t caused by the psychoactive plants and herbs used for many centuries in religious contexts for mind-altering experiences. Jesus’ appearance was “transformed in front of, and his clothes were amazingly bright.… Elijah
Tuesday evening’s State of the Union address was a painful demonstration of our country’s toxic divide. The President refused to shake the Speaker’s hand, and the Speaker tore up the President’s speech in a very visible display of anger. I must admit that my own tribe, the United Methodist Church, has failed to demonstrate a
I am writing this in the midst of hot, angry debate, in what could end up being six days of opening statements in the third impeachment trial of an American President in American history. Sadly, many in the church parrot the angry, sharp partisan divide. So, who is right and who is wrong? Better yet,
The meaning of the word “disciple” has been diminished through the centuries of church practice. Since Jesus first called his followers to go and make disciples of all nations, discipleship has been reduced to creedal affirmations rather than transformational practice. After 2000 years of church history Christian identity has become more formed around doctrinal distinctive
A new year brings fresh opportunities to assess, clarify and refine our priorities. In this first month of a new decade I am reviewing these critical practices with the folks in my coaching network. These three characteristics are essential for the success of both personal and corporate objectives. Every effective leader must have: A clear
Mike Slaughter