Staying Focused in a Culture of Distraction
Recently I was waiting in line in a crowded coffee shop when something felt amiss. Despite a large number of people in the building, the shop was almost silent, with the exception of the baristas taking orders behind the counter. I looked around and realized that nearly everyone was staring at a screen. Even the […]
Self-Discipline: Embracing the Rattle and Hum
In 1988, U2 released the album Rattle and Hum, and it quickly became part of the soundtrack of my youth. Maybe because it was a wildly successful album, and I listened to it so frequently, the phrase has stuck with me: Rattle and Hum. I’m not sure what motivated the band to choose that particular […]
The Loneliness Epidemic and the Role of the Local Church
Research indicates that more than one-third of Americans describe themselves as lonely or socially isolated.[1] Loneliness is a quiet epidemic that has become increasingly problematic in recent years and ballooned during the pandemic. Researchers have long known the adverse impact loneliness has on depression and anxiety and that it increases the likelihood of medical vulnerabilities. […]
Try a Little Kindness
Recently I was in heavy traffic when a man sped by me and flipped me off. I confess, my response was inappropriate—I erupted in a fit of laughter. I wasn’t attempting to provoke the man. I’ve read numerous news reports about road-raged lunatics shooting innocent drivers on the interstate. It’s just that his “gesture” struck […]