Deadlines! There are always deadlines. One that is fast approaching is May 1, the deadline for the Film Festival . This experience is always one of the highlights of the conference. Last year over 100 churches from all around the country. Out of the 100's that were submitted we narrowed the best...

Okay, I know you are busy preparing for Good Friday and Easter Services. But ... after Easter, if you haven't already read John Ortberg's book Faith & Doubt , pick it up. In the mean time, here is what to keep in mind for this weekend. God will be leading thousands of people to churches this...

I'm back from our Spring Break in Florida where the combination of family laughter, incredibly warm sunshine, a fast from e-mail and technology, and reading on the beach fed my soul and refreshed me entirely. I am deeply grateful for the gift of that time. Most of my reading was fiction, but I also...

This is a fantastic story of one woman's journey to understand world poverty and what she could do to combat it - what we can do to overcome it. Jacqueline Novogratz, the author of The Blue Sweater, moved me with her stories, challenged me with her thoughts and actions and she gave me tools to think...

As a fan of the hit TV show The Office, you can pretty much count on Michael Scott’s managerial style as how NOT to creatively lead. This past week however, he did something innovative. In the spirit of ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, he sent out 5 ‘Golden Tickets’ to various clients. The winners...

I went to Watchmen on opening weekend. It's very unlike your typical 'superhero' movie. Regardless if you liked the movie, it did bring up interesting (& controversial) ideas in regards to creative leadership. No, I am not going to talk about wearing spandex or having cool gadgets. But...

The annual Academy Awards is an interesting phenomenon in our country. Living so close to LA makes it especially fascinating. It is a unique celebration of glamour and art- mostly too much of the former and not enough of the latter. Beyond all the dresses and pageantry, it's ultimately artists being...

Do you feel tired most of the time? Do you have a difficult time relaxing? Do you think the 4 basic food groups include McDonald’s, Taco Bell, In & Out and Wendy’s? Do you exercise regularly? Do you exercise at all? Are you impatient? Frustrated? Depressed? Are you feeling anxious? Helpless? Hopeless...

I love plays, films, or books that tell the story of someone I've never heard about before and inspire me with displays of courage. Last night my husband and I experienced a play at Northwestern University titled The Sins of Sor Juana . The play brings to life an incredible women who was recently...

I recently returned from a 10 day teaching and ministry trip to Sweden and the UK. On the night before my final workshop in London, God gave me an incredible gift - seats with my hosts in the 7th row center for the revival of the musical, Oliver!. Produced by Cameron Mackintosh, this production exceeded...