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Junkyard Road Trip

Well, not exactly a road trip, we fly not drive. But … anyone interested in Belize? I’ve just returned from a great trip with friends, and I’m already planning another trip for January. We will be full for this trip (no more than 15 people) so let me know soon if you are interested. It’s a blend of Junkyard reality, PathLight heart, and touristy fun.

The most recent trip was really short: we spent less than 72 hours in Belize. But it was packed. Here’s a list of the things we did:

Met with PathLight students and heard their stories.…

Devotions,

Calling all Teachers

Calling all teachers! Well, most of them anyway.

In a few months another series of my Road Trip Devotions will be coming out. This series will look at those moments when someone addresses Jesus as teacher. These passages have some of the more interesting lessons from Jesus, and they often have a subplot that few talk about. Or at least subplots I see, so I’m going with my instincts.

My mom was my greatest teacher, so I’m dedicating this series to her. I think she’d feel honored, but probably a little embarrassed. She was never a professional teacher but she …

Book Reviews,

Summer Reading

Lots of people know me as the junkyard guy. Or the Belize guy. Or the devotions guy. Or even, though increasingly less common, the real estate guy.

But here’s a surprise. I’m also the book guy. I read a lot of books. For a long time I averaged about 100 a year, but that’s lower lately. Lots of reasons why — though falling asleep faster when I go to bed is probably the main reason!

Now here we are at the halfway point of the year and I’ve read about 40 books. On the list you’ll find some fun …

Generosity, Philanthropy, Random Thoughts,

Theological Fatigue

I’m tired of theology.

To be more specific, I’m tired of seeing theology wielded as a weapon against supposed “enemies,” the way an attorney might use court precedents against an opponent. When theology is nothing more than a logical position to be argued, then real people get hurt. When theology is used solely to judge and exclude others, then love—the primary action Christians should be known for—becomes an afterthought.

I’m fortunate to know a few world-class theologians, and to have been a student of a few more. They have offered me insights into the meaning of Scripture, yes, but more …

Junkyard Management, Leadership,

Three Junkyard Lessons

Years ago I wrote a long version of this post for a publication. I found it recently and thought it would be a good blog post (though you could thank me for cutting over 50% of the length).

The gist of the article is simple. I learned three key things about leadership while working in a junkyard, and here they are.

Leaders go home with grease under their fingernails.

Time after time I’ve watched supposed leaders avoiding the messy parts of their jobs. They over-delegate, ignore, or explain away the really tough challenges.

The junkyard was more egalitarian. The …

Philanthropy, Random Thoughts,

Love or Temptation?

I recently attended a conference with a lot of young, driven, smart, faith-driven entrepreneurs. From time to time, someone in this group asks me how they can best make a difference in this world. They usually have a great job, but they don’t feel like they are really contributing to the world. In their minds, their faith isn’t being fully expressed through their work. At the core of their question is something more specific: they wonder if they should quit their jobs, move to a developing region of the world, and serve the poor.

I’ll be honest – sometimes I …

Family,

Mom

My mom passed away recently. She was 99. This past weekend the family gathered for the celebration of life service. Our time together was filled with laughter, tears, and celebration. Mostly we were happy that she is now with so many who passed before her. Of course, grief is leaky, as my friend Jeff says. I’m sure there will be more tears to come.

Mom was a remarkable person. Her faith was profound because it was centered on love and thankfulness. At the bottom of this post is a link to something I wrote about her years ago, and it …

Belize, PathLight, So you think you're a writer?,

Warning! Warning! Warning!

Okay, full warning … you are about to be offered the opportunity to read even more of my miscellaneous ramblings!

If you read this blog regularly then you have heard about PathLight. Well, the team there has been brainstorming how to stay in touch with their supporters without boring them. Nobody needs useless updates, and we don’t want to act like PathLight’s work is the most important thing in the world. (Even though it kinda is).

Nonprofit updates often follow a familiar script. My snarky mind imagines something like, “Hello, we have fantastic news! The kids are fantastic! Our …