For a number of years, I have been fascinated by neuroscience and how it applies to our daily lives. In particular, I'm interested in the connection between the brain and how habits and faith are formed. It wasn't that long ago that scientists believed that once the brain was fully developed, it became fixed and didn't change. We now know that the brain is more plastic and neural pathways are capable of being reshaped. Neuroscientists talk about neuroplasticity -- the brain's ability to fashion new circuits. Without getting into the weeds (or the neurons), the bottom line is this: we aren't bound to following old habits and patterns. Through intentional effort and with practice, we can overwrite old maps and create better, healthier ways of thinking. Which brings me to the idea of mindshare. Our minds have limited square footage and we need to be vigilant about what we allow…
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We’ve learned a few new things since start of COVID-19 ... how to Zoom, homeschool, and work from home. My favorite tip for couples working from home together was this one: “Get yourselves an imaginary coworker to blame things on. In our house, Cheryl keeps leaving her dirty cups all over the place and we really don't know what to do about her.” Here’s one phrase no one used six months ago: “social distancing.” While social distancing helps stop the spread of a virus, it’s also reminded us that we need healthy relationships in order to be spiritually and emotionally healthy. Which brings us to this question: Why did God design us to need other people? The author of Hebrews answers that question in chapter 10. Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who are facing persecution for their faith in Jesus. They were beginning to wonder if following Jesus was…
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Richard Foster wrote in Celebration of Discipline: "Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem. The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people." That book was published in 1978 … 42 years ago! I believe the world needs Christians who think – then act – like Jesus. But what doe that mean?Watch more videos at the Mountainview YouTube channel. Looking for a Speaking Coach? The most successful people are not always the smartest people. But they have one thing in common: they communicate well. I'd love to help you become a better communicator. Click here. Professor at Warner University church planter with Stadia former former president, Church Planters of the Rockies masters in business administration (mba) helped start 2 for-profit tech companies Need a Speaker or Presenter? Interested in…
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"Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem. The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people." -- Richard Foster in Celebration of Discipline Here's what I find remarkable about that quote - the book was first published in 1978 … 42 years ago! Jimmy Carter was President.The Colorado Rockies weren't a Major League Baseball team. It was pre-commercial internet, pre-smartphone, pre-Facebook. The quote was true 42 years ago; it's perhaps more true today. I believe the last 3 months have shown that what the world needs are Christians who think – then act – like Jesus. God does not expect non-Christians to think and act like Christ. He does expect Christians to think and act like Christ. As Christians, we’re to approach conflict and tension as Jesus would. So,…
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I'm writing this on June 4, 2020, a little over one week after the horrific killing of George Floyd. The last few weeks have been difficult and inspired many needed conversations. In an already polarized culture, we've been confronted with how differently many people see the world. As a Christ-follower, what I'm interested in this: How should we see the world? How does change happen in the challenging and painful environment we find ourselves in? I believe the Apostle Peter provides a good place to start: Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do…
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